JulieSurfaceJohnson

Happy Thanksgiving (repost)

2010-11-25T13:53:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Happy Thanksgiving!

May you rejoice this day as you count your blessings (maybe even discovering ones you hadn't considered). If you are with family, enjoy them. If your family lives far away, pray for them. If you are all alone, know that God loves you and has promised to never leave you or forsake you.

Many years ago, a young speaker named Ann Kiemel used to delight audiences by singing in her childlike voice, "God loves you and I love you and that's the way it should be." May that be our song today!

May God bless you. He loves you and I love you and that's the way it should be . . . .

Julie

Thanks for the Memories!

2010-09-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe this year has drawn to an end. When I began blogging on September 4, 2009, I had no idea what to expect. Neither did I realize what a grand adventure this would be.

Cranking out an article every morning (except Sundays) is good discipline. Yes, some posts were better than others, I'll admit that. But it forced me to put BIC (butt in chair) and WRITE. Of course, my other writing slowed.

I didn't produce any novels this year--but I did spend time studying how to write better novels.Since deciding to write fiction, my learning curve has been high!! But let it never be said of me "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." I'm going to keep at it until I get it. And that's my final word on the subject--for now.

Until next time, thanks for the memories! And may God bless you!!

Thanks for Your Comments

2010-09-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

When people blog, they sit in their "offices" and tap away at keys. Often, after sharing their inmost thoughts and fears, they preview what they've said (hopefully, deleting anything compromising) and hit "Send." And then their words are gone--off into cyberspace--to connect or not, to resonate or not, help or not, please or not.

Why do people blog? Why does anyone take the time . . . and the risk? Do they like to see themselves in print? To hear themselves talk? To influence? It could be all of those things. It could also be that God has given them something to say, some way to help, to encourage (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

For me, it began as a lark. I'd seen the movie Julie & Julia, and blogging for a year seemed like a good challenge. At first, I used it as a teaching tool and spent 2-3 months in the Selah passages of the Book of Psalms. But, as time went on, I began to see blogging as a way to connect with others.

In a day when people, either by choice or circumstance, have become isolated in their day-to-day interactions, social media has sprouted up to meet a need for interconnectedness. And blogging is part of that. When I would blog about life or death or pain or joy, I could generally expect a response in the comments section or on Facebook or in person.

Thank you for those comments and for the social connection you provided this writer--for writing, of necessity, involves many long hours of isolation. Your responses were an encouragement to me and are why I will, doubtless, continue to blog (though not daily) in the months ahead.

Still Missing My Mom

2010-09-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

Three years ago this morning, Mother left this earth to join Jesus in Heaven. I know she's happy there, deliriously happy with Jesus and Dad and her parents and aunts and uncles. I know she's met saints and angels and that's she's learned things that would have eluded her finite mind on earth. I wouldn't wish her back. But I miss her.

We're leaving in a few minutes to visit the cemetery. She's not there--I know that. But it's something I can do to show I miss her.

As I pick the best roses I can find in my yard, I'm thinking about her and the joy she brought into my life all my life. I have no memory of a raised voice, no recollection of out-of-control actions. But I have plenty of memories of loving and giving, of cookies and milk, of "being there" whenever I needed her. And, did I mention I miss her?

I'm thankful for having had such a mother. I realize not everybody does--and I'm sorry for you if you didn't. But I sure do miss her.

When Jesus Takes the Wheel

2010-09-01T10:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been in the middle of a project or on a career path when you felt Someone's hand on your shoulder? Maybe the hand has even taken the wheel and changed your life's direction.

That happened to me recently. At the Oregon Christian Writers Conference, I clearly felt God speaking to me through a number of voices and situations.

Agents I respect said my pro-life agenda continues to overpower my story lines--despite the fact that I have pointedly tried to keep that from happening. (FYI, agendas are expected and fine in non-fiction writing but not so fine in fiction.)
A highly-respected editor taught her coaching class that, in today's publishing world, authors must be entrepreneurial, meaning they must expect to market their books and to take a long-term businesslike approach to doing so. (I'm at a stage in my life where I'm looking at shorter-term projects.)
A young woman I love and admire has found a beautiful non-controversial way to promote the sanctity of human life in her compelling non-fiction picture gift book, and she is an effective and eager marketer of her book. (Karen Wells' The Miracle of You combines Scripture passages and faith statements with endearing illustrations to promote life.)

When the voices and situations aligned, I felt (as it were) the Spirit of God whispering a commendation to me. "You have been faithful to do what you could to affirm the sanctity of human life through your stories. But I am relieving you of the burden of carrying the pro-life message. I am placing that responsibility on Karen Wells' shoulder. Your responsibility is to encourage her and to pray for her."

And so I embrace my new responsibility. It's a joy to encourage Karen and to pray for her. It's a joy to endorse her wonderful book and to point you to Karen's website www.themiracleofyou.com.

And it's a joy to head on down the road, on the passenger side, with Jesus at the wheel. I'm wondering what new adventures He has in mind for me to write about--and I'm excited!

The Emmy Awards

2010-08-31T10:58:00.000-07:00

Every year television hosts an award show to honor professionals who have distinguished themselves in some fashion (acting, producing, writing, etc.) Because there are relatively few awards, it's a big deal to be nominated in your category, an even bigger deal to win!

There isn't an award for every actor who learns his lines and shows up day after day, or every producer who arranges finances and makes things happen so that his movie can be made. There isn't an award for every hairstylist who does her best to make actresses look good. Despite hard work and sleepless nights, no recognition is given to these hard-working souls.

The very good news is that there is One who notices all the uncelebrated acts of faithfulness that each and every one of us does day after weary day. We may not receive an award on this "success-oriented" planet, but . . .

one day,

the Greatest Producer and Director of all time

will welcome into His presence

those who belong to His cast of characters

and delivered His lines

or worked on His sets

and He will say to them,

"Well done, good and faithful servant!

You have been faithful with a few things;

I will put you in charge of many things.

Come and share your master's happiness!"

~ Matthew 25:21

Doesn't that help put things in perspective for you? I know it does for me.

A Little Boy's Birthday Party

2010-08-30T10:45:00.000-07:00

With unbridled joy he tore into his presents--shouting with particular joy when opening a Bak-u-gon or a Bionical or Legos. Most boys like to build things.

Made me think how something good can be taken to extremes, like man's desire to build the Tower of Babel.

"Come, let us build ourselves a city,

with a tower that reaches to the heavens,

so that we may make a name for ourselves

and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

~ Genesis 11:4

At first glance, one might wonder what's wrong with that building plan. Well, how about this? God's initial blessing to mankind (Adam and Eve) included these words:

"Be fruitful and increase in number;

fill the earth and subdue it.

Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air

and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

~ Genesis 1:28

From the very beginning, God intended man's role to be great--his was to be a worldwide presence with dominion over all other creatures. God didn't intend for man to cluster together with the intent of making a name for himself. Rather, God intended for man to go into all the world and take with him the Redemption Story of Genesis 3. Man was to make a name for the coming Messiah who would crush the serpent's head.

Can you think of other worthwhile pursuits that, taken to extremes, eventually run counter to the will of God?

The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength

2010-08-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

Do you face the impossible today? Is there some task, person, or thing that is threatening to overtake you? Are you afraid--of that situation or your reaction to it? Here's how you can find overcoming strength . . . .

Nehemiah faced a daunting task--to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

He had to convince the king for whom he was cup bearer to give him a leave of absence, safe passage, and enough timber to build the wall (as well as beams for the gates of the palace and for the house that he would live in).
He had no building team--it had to be assembled.
He couldn't just go to Lowe's or Home Depot to get his materials. They had to be brought in from the king's forest.
He faced opposition from difficult men who challenged him at every turn.

Yet, despite all of these difficulties, Nehemiah finished the wall in fifty-two days. How did he do it?

He trusted God to give him favor in the sight of Artaxerxes (the king for whom he was cup bearer) which resulted in his leave of absence, safe passage, and timber.
He conveyed his vision for the wall to the religious leaders in Jerusalem who helped him accomplish his God-given mission.
He overcame his enemies by keeping his eyes on his mission and letting God deal with them (Nehemiah 4:14).

And when his job was complete, Nehemiah spoke to the people of Israel:

"Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet,

and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared;

for this day is holy unto our Lord.

Neither be ye grieved;

for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

~ Nehemiah 8:10

So as you face the impossible today, keep these things in mind:

Trust God to give you strength to do the work He's called you to do
Keep your eyes on the mission He has given you
Enlist others to help you
Do not let others keep you from doing the will of God
Rejoice when the work is done.

The joy of the LORD is your strength.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

2010-08-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

In this crazy world, where wrong often seems right and what we see as good is often "spoken of as evil," it's easy to be confused. Many saints have followed popular thinking to their own destruction. How can we be in the world without allowing the world to distract us from the mission God has given us?

What is our mission anyway?

Generally speaking, Jesus' disciples are to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Wherever we live, we are to represent Him--talk as Jesus talked, walk as Jesus walked. In doing so, His joy will remain in us (John 16:24) and we will shine as those who have hope (I Thessalonians 4:13).

We are to give others a reason for the hope that we have (I Peter 3:15). And that reason is, of course, Jesus who is coming again to receive us unto Himself (John 14:1-3).

We are to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). In an age of injustice, cruelty, and pride, we are to act counter-culturally evidencing that God's ways are not man's ways (Isaiah 55:8).

Will we stick out?

Will we become objects of ridicule?

Possibly.

What do we do then?

Sing.

Like Paul and Silas in Acts 16--imprisoned for following Christ--they sang to God through the night and He shook the ground for their sakes, releasing them from prison that they might continue to serve Him. Sing!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

Knowing When to Throw in the Towel

2010-08-26T09:48:00.000-07:00

As children, we knew that almost everything took practice. We accepted the fact that we couldn't tie our shoes on our first attempt--or ride a bike, or swim across the pool. We knew that it took a year (at least) of training before we were granted a license to drive a car.

Perhaps we were grittier then than we are now. Perhaps we've fallen victim to the cultural "need" for instant gratification. Perhaps that's why so many of us throw in the towel long before we should.

How many of our relationships, or goals, or desires, have fallen by the wayside simply because we lacked the determination to press on? Have you ever changed course only to look back and wish you hadn't acted so hastily? How do you know you need to hang in there even if things seem hopeless?

This is not to say that there isn't a time to move on, but when is that time? What are some signs that God wants us to change course?

Paying Homage to a Godly Man

2010-08-25T06:42:00.000-07:00

There are scores of Bible verses extolling the virtues of a godly woman--how she blesses her husband and her children, how she cares for her servants, how she benefits her community. Proverbs frequently reminds men of the value of a godly wife as opposed to a quarrelsome one or, worse, an evil woman whose intent is to draw him in like an ox going to the slaughter.

Today I want to pay homage to a godly man--my husband. Dick is 67 years old today and has spent the past 36 years walking with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What makes him great is the Spirit of God living inside of him.

For him and for all godly men, I'd like to share Psalm 112 today. Read and be blessed!

Psalm 112

Praise the LORD.

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,

who finds great delight in his commands.

His children will be mighty in the land'

each generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in his house,

and his righteousness endures forever.

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,

for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,

who conducts his affairs with justice.

Surely he will never be shaken;

a righteous man will be remembered forever.

He will have no fear of bad news;

his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

His heart is secure, he will have no fear;

in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,

his righteousness endures forever;

his horn will be lifted high in honor.

The wicked man will see and be vexed,

he will gnash his teeth and waste away;

the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

If you know a godly man, tell him today how much you appreciate him and encourage him to continue his walk with the Lord. The more godly he becomes, the more lovely it will be to follow him.

When There's No Clear-Cut Answer

2010-08-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

Sometimes there's no clear-cut answer as to how to proceed. Then what do you do?

I'm facing a minor dilemma--to do or not to do_________ (fill in your own blank).
I love what my former supervisor advised when it came to just about any option she faced. She would ask herself:

Do I have to do it?

Do I want to do it?

If the answer to either of these questions was yes, then she would proceed.

In other words, if it's something I know I should do--something scriptural or something the Still Small Voice warns me to do, then I should go ahead and do it, even if I don't want to?

On the other hand, maybe it's something I feel no NEED to do, but it's something I WANT to do (besides sin, of course). Then I ought to go ahead and do it. Christians can have fun, too.

And that answers the question for me today: I have to do it. Moreover I want to do it. So, goodbye for now. I'm on my way.

Five Places for Retirement

2010-08-23T08:52:00.000-07:00

Yahoo's front page this morning featured Five Places for Retirement as "havens offering tax breaks and leisure." I'm always curious to discover what other places offer that my own home town doesn't--so I scanned the article. Was the grass greener on the other side of the country?

Well, let's see.Charlottesville, VA offers a mild climate, proximity to golf courses, parks and wineries, art & theater scenes, developed downtown district. On the downside, there's an above-average cost of living & moderate tax breaks, with a mid-sized public transit system. Sounds like home. Guess I won't be moving to Virginia.

As I looked at the other four cities, I discovered they offered nothing positive (except for a low cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA) that I don't have right here in Portland, Oregon. On the downside, however, they offered these negatives: high tornado risk, high hurricane risk, higher than average cost of living, and high crime rates. No thank you!

I believe I'll remain content where I am and yearn for only one "retirement" destination: the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10).

What about you? Are you content to stay where you are? If not, what compels you to find "heaven" on earth?

Lasting Friendships

2010-08-21T18:47:00.000-07:00

"There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).

Do you have a friend(s) who sticks closer than a brother? If so, you are a blessed individual. You know the kind of person I'm talking about.

Now let's consider the Friend Who sticks closer than a brother--the Lord Jesus Christ.

He came that you and I might have life abundantly (John 10:10)
He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)
He died for your sins and mine (John 3:16)
He sent His Holy Spirit to guide you and me into all truth (John 16:13)
He will never leave you, nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
He is coming again so that where He is you may be also (John 14:3)
He is coming soon (Revelation 22:20)

This is a friendship that lasts because it was initiated and is sustained by God Himself.

County Fairs and Paradise

2010-08-20T08:43:00.000-07:00

Today's the day--we're going to the county fair! I don't know who's more excited--the grandkids or me. Luke wants to try his hand at the carnival games--that'll be an education in itself! Viv is excited to try the cotton candy--pink! Sam will enjoy riding around in his wheelchair and looking at the goats! Me? I'm excited to watch the children have the time of their lives!

Don't you just love county fairs! They're fun, pure and simple. Seems like the older we get, fewer things float our boat. Perhaps disillusionment sets in as life knocks the wind out of our sails. The "rides" seem less exciting and more perilous.

One thing never fails to excite--the prospect of Heaven. Our loving heavenly Father--who cannot and does not lie--has graciously provided descriptions in the Bible of what awaits us in Paradise:

What it will look like
Who will be there
What to expect
What not to expect
What we'll do
What we'll learn

It's going to be an incredibly beautiful place populated with the best and most loving associates God could save. We will accomplish the "impossible" unfettered by doubt and fear and pain and sorrow. The universe and beyond into infinity will be our classroom, and our teacher will be none other than the Almighty Himself.

Read about it. Start in Genesis and work your way on to Revelation. It makes terrific Summer reading (and Fall and Winter and Spring).

Looking at Our Words and Thoughts with "Critical" Eyes

2010-08-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

I'm off to critique group. For you non-writers out there, that's a meeting of fellow-writers who look at each others' work and comment on it. We consider things like punctuation and grammar. But, more importantly, we attempt to help one another strengthen the piece. Does it resonate with the reader? Is truth being presented in love? Does it "flow"? We look at our words with "critical" eyes.

Perhaps that's what the psalmist had in mind when he said:

"May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

~Psalm 19:14

Sometimes we pay little attention to the words we speak or to the things we think about. Yet, our words are perhaps more powerful than sticks and stones that break others' bones--words wound the heart. And as for our thoughts, they lead to actions whether good or bad.

That's why it's essential for us to think before we speak and to guard the walls of our heart against evil thoughts.

Let's look at our words and thoughts with "critical" eyes.

Have you tasted the Lord's graciousness?

2010-08-18T10:17:00.000-07:00

In I Peter 2:1-3, we are told to lay aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and all evil speaking. Then, having done that, we are, like newborn babes, to desire the pure milk of the word that we may grow by doing so. The passage concludes with this proviso: "If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious."

Not everyone, it seems, is able to lay aside all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and evil speaking . . . only those who have tasted the Lord's graciousness.

Have you tasted the Lord's graciousness?

"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;

Blessed is the man who trusts in Him."

~Psalm 34:8

Not everyone, it seems, is able to place his trust in God . . . only those who have tasted and know that the LORD is good.

Have you tasted the Lord's goodness?

The Book of Romans speaks of God's forbearance with mankind through the generations. After listing man's multiple transgressions and concluding all under sin, Paul assures us that, without forgiveness, we will not escape the judgment of God?

"Or do you despise the riches of His goodness,

forbearance, and longsuffering,

not knowing that the goodness of God

leads you to repentance?"

~ Romans 2:4

Not everyone, it seems, is able to enjoy the riches of God's goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering . . . only those who have tasted God's goodness and repented.

Have you tasted the Lord's forbearance and long-suffering?

If you can answer yes to these three questions, you are blessed indeed. If you cannot, perhaps you should spend some time today asking God to give you a taste of His graciousness, goodness, forbearance and long-suffering for it is the goodness of God that will lead you to repentance and Son-ship.

The Letter That Was Received Too Late

2010-08-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

This morning I read online (Yahoo.com) of a letter written by John Lennon to a younger musician thirty-four years ago. The letter encouraged the younger man, headed for stardom, that he need not let riches change him. In fact, he could use his money to help others if he wanted.

The letter didn't arrive while Lennon was alive. In fact it arrived twenty-five years after his death!

The recipient felt cheated. He would have cherished the letter, and would have wanted to respond to Lennon's kindness in writing it. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, he wasn't able to do that.

In a similar manner, God sent mankind an encouraging letter--the Bible. He wanted to give us good directions on how to live life, wanted us to know what He expected.

Unfortunately, for whatever reason, many people have not received His letter.

Perhaps they live in an unreached area of the world. Perhaps they have not yet heard. Missionaries are working feverishly to get the Bible translated in the language of all speaking-groups.
Perhaps they've turned a deaf ear to things of God. He is faithfully sending believing friends and family into their lives to "preach" the good news.
Perhaps they're children. God is again faithfully placing people around them who can invite them to vacation Bible school or backyard Bible clubs or release time at schools.

Those of us who have received the Good News and who have great expectations for our eternal future need to do more than rejoice at our good prospects. We need to share our blessings with those who have not yet heard--before it's too late.

Please share ways you've found helpful in telling others about Jesus.

Eighteen Days and Counting

2010-08-16T07:35:00.000-07:00

On September 4, 2009, I committed to blogging everyday for one year--everyday except Sundays. I honestly didn't know how I'd fill the posts, but day-by-day, God has given me material to share with you.

Day-by-day. That seems to be the key to life, doesn't it. God provides for us day by day, just like he provided manna on a daily basis for the children of Israel on their trek through the desert.

Yet we look ahead at the complexities of life and wonder how things will all pan out. We stress and strive and connive and manipulate--usually to no avail.

And God sits back and shakes His head. "Relax. I told you to trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. I told you to acknowledge Me in all your ways and I would direct your paths. Didn't I tell you that?" Yes He did, and, as one who has walked with Him for more than 35 years now, I can tell you that He is faithful to do all that He says.

This year of blogging has been great discipline for me. Only three weeks remain. I want to thank you for your comments both on the blog and on Facebook. They have been a source of encouragement to me to press on and, in so doing, I've had the blessing of looking to our faithful God for inspiration.

A Crown for Me

2010-08-14T08:26:00.000-07:00

Today I may be getting a crown--for my tooth. But it set me to wondering what it will be like to get a crown from the Lord. To the church of Smyrna the apostle John was told to write:

"Be faithful, even to the point of death,

and I will give you the crown of life."

~Revelation 2:10

And to the church of Philadelphia, John wrote:

"I am coming soon.

Hold on to what you have,

so that no one will take your crown."

~Revelation 3:11

In heaven, whenever God receives glory, honor and thanks, the twenty-four elders fall down before him and worship him.

"They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

'You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they were created

and have their being.'"

~Revelation 4:10-11

Think of it! One day we'll be in that glorious company and, along with the twenty-four elders, we'll lay our crowns before the throne and proclaim the glory of our worthy Lord and God. Surely the hymn writer had this in mine when he wrote:

"Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.

Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns

all music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee;

and hail Him as thy matchless King,

through all eternity."

Roofing

2010-08-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

My friend George suggested I blog about roofing. Okaaaaaay.

My Dad was a roofer in the years following World War II. In those days consumer products were scarce, but for some reason roofing materials were plentiful. An ambitious young man, Dad made it his goal to cover the rooftops of Portland. It was hard physical labor, however, and after several years, he decided to complete his education and go into teaching.

From improving the rooftops of houses, Dad moved to improving the noggins of Portland's youth. He dedicated the rest of his working life to his students and delighted in their progress. Even his summers were devoted to teaching as he and many of his fellow educators converted our country home along the Clackamas River into a summer camp for boys and girls who struggled with their studies.

Nevertheless, Dad still knew and appreciated a good roof when he saw one. Long after he retired from teaching, he employed our friend Dave Day to re-roof his house. "That's a good roof--one I'd have been proud to put my own stamp on," he said.

Yes, Dad was a good roofer. And he was an even better teacher. Over the years, many of his former students came back to thank him for setting them on a course that led to college and beyond.

I'm proud of my Dad for the man that he was. Roofer or teacher, he believed in doing the very best job possible. Thank you, God, for the memories I have of my Dad.

Where Do Blog Ideas Come From? (Or, From Whence Come Blog Ideas?)

2010-08-12T10:39:00.000-07:00

As a writer, life changed when I became a Christian in 1975. The old joys and pleasures seemed empty and were quickly cast aside. Even my writing took on new dimensions and parameters. I would only write those things which brought glory to God. But since I knew so little about Him in those days, I worried about what I'd say.

That's when I "chanced" upon Psalm 45:1. "My tongue is the pen of a ready writer" (KJV). I didn't need to worry about running out of content. I just needed to be "ready"--confessed up, prayed up, sitting at His feet--and He would speak through my pen.

Yesterday I momentarily forgot that and felt fresh out of ideas for today's blog. Couldn't think of a thing to write about. I mentioned that on Facebook and was rewarded with several ideas I'll be using in the days ahead as my one-year experiment with blogging draws to a close.

Michelle suggested I share what I'd learned in this discipline of daily blogging. It's this: the Christian writer who sits at God's feet need never run out of ideas. You may forget that every now and again, but it's a truth you can count on!

Riding the Rails or Looking at Life from Both Sides Now

2010-08-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

This week we took Amtrak from Portland to Seattle for the express purpose of attending a Mariners game. We clickety clacked our way up the valley passing farms, rivers, wooded areas . . . and the backsides of bergs.

Towns don't put their best foot forward along the rails. It's true wherever you go in the world. Is this a human failing?

Humans generally focus on what we see in the mirror. "Lookin' good," we say and turn this way and that--but not all the way around. If we did, we'd see that our back fat is showing and our hair is tousled like we just got out of bed.

If there's a moral to this story, it's that there's more to life than meets the eye. There is the flip side. So, in making decisions, be sure to look at all sides of an issue--the front, the back, and side to side.

An old song says, "I look at life from both sides now" and that's generally a very good idea. It's also scriptural. Proverbs tells us that in making judgments we should ask good questions:

"The first to present his case seems right,

till another comes forward and questions him."

~Proverbs 18:17

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

2010-08-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

Last night we sat in the stands at Safeco Field in Seattle watching the Mariners face off against the Oakland A's. And it caused me to think . . . .

The Christian life is much like a ball game. Satan's fiery darts fly at us like hurtling baseballs. We strike at them. Sometimes we strike out. But our turn "at bat" comes back again and we face that trial (or another one) once more. Each time, we learn something new about warfare or about ourselves.

When we finally connect--when we hit that fiery dart right out of the park, we experience great relief. Yet, there is no time to rest on our laurels. We are in a battle that will continue until the Lord calls us home.

And when the Lord makes His move,

Satan will know his time is over--

and he'll be cast out

forever and ever. Amen.

A Slice of Heaven

2010-08-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

If the Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference was a slice of heaven, I can't wait to taste the whole pie!

The saints came, one by one, with their manuscripts in hand, hoping to learn, mingle, perhaps to sell their work to one of many editors who came to teach, mingle, perhaps to purchase an article or a book--the next best seller!

Each day began with devotions and ended with vespers . . . acknowledging the greatest Author of all time. He was present in the classes as well as out of doors among the trees. He was in the powerful words of the keynote messages and in the songs of praise offered up by His people.

A spirit of joy permeated the grounds of the Conference Center. Holy grounds.

Yet, the conference drew to a close. One by one, saints headed home, fortified with the knowledge that God cares deeply for His people and the words they write. True to the conference theme, He will continue to instruct us and teach us in the way we should go (Psalm 32:8).

God Will Take Care of You

2010-08-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

I'm off at the Oregon Christian Writers conference and thought I'd bless you this week with memories of hymns we used to sing in church.

God Will Take Care of You

Be not dismayed whate'er betide, God will take care of you.

Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.

Chorus:

God will take care of you, through ev'ry day, o'er all the way;

He will take care of you. God will take care of you.

Thru days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you.

When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.

All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you,

Nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you.

No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you.

Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Oh, How I Love Jesus

2010-08-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

I'm off at the Oregon Christian Writers conference and thought I'd bless you this week with memories of hymns we used to sing in church.

Oh, How I Love Jesus

There is a name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth;

It sounds like music in mind ear, the sweetest name on earth.

Chorus:

Oh, how I love Jesus, Oh, how I love Jesus,

Oh, how I love Jesus, Because He first loved me.

It tells me of a Savior's love, Who died to set me free;

It tells me of His precious blood, the sinner's perfect plea.

It tells me what my Father hath in store for every day,

And tho' I tread a darksome path, Yields sunshine all the way.

It tells of One whose loving heart can feel my deepest woe,

Who in each sorrow bears a part that none can bear below.

"Salvation is found in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." - Acts 4:12

May Jesus Christ Be Praised

2010-08-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm off at the Oregon Christian Writers conference and thought I'd bless you with hymns we used to sing.

May Jesus Christ Be Praised

When morning gilds the skies, my heart awaking cries:

May Jesus Christ be praised.

Awake at work and prayer, to Jesus I repair,

May Jesus Christ be praised.

When sleep her balm denies, my silent spirit sighs,

May Jesus Christ be praised.

When evil thoughts molest, with this I shield my breast,

May Jesus Christ be praised.

Does sadness fill my mind, a solace here I find,

May Jesus Christ be praised.

Or fades my earthly bliss, my comfort still is this,

May Jesus Christ be praised.

In heaven's eternal bliss, the liveliest strain is this,

May Jesus Christ be praised.

The powers of darkness fear when this sweet chant they hear,

May Jesus Christ be praised.

Be this, while life is mind, my canticle divine,

May Jesus Christ be praised.

Be this th'eternal song through all the ages on,

May Jesus Christ be praised.

And may this be the chant of our hearts today: May Jesus Christ be praised!

Christ Returneth

2010-08-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm off at the Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference and thought I'd bless you with a series of hymns we used to sing.

Christ Returneth

It may be at morn, when the day is awakening,

When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking,

That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory,

To receive from the world His own.

Chorus:

O Lord Jesus, how long, how long, ere we shout the glad song,

Christ returneth! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen. Hallelujah! Amen.

It may be at midday, it may be at twilight,

It may be perchance that the blackness of midnight,

Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory,

When Jesus receives His own.

While its hosts cry Hosanna, from heaven descending,

With glorified saints and the angesl attending,

With grace on His brow, like a halo of glory,

Will Jesus receive His own.

Oh joy! oh, delight! should we go without dying,

No sickness, no sadness, no dread and no crying.

Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory,

When Jesus receives His own.

May we be ready when He returns!

Jesus, I Come

2010-08-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm at the Oregon Christian Writers Conference this week. So thought I'd bless you with some of the old favorite hymns we used to sing.

Jesus I Come

Out of my bondage, sorrow and night, Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come.

Into Thy freedom, gladness and light, Jesus I come to Thee.

Out of my sickness into Thy health, Out of my want and into Thy wealth.

Out of my sin and into Thyself, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss, Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come.

Into the glorious gain of Thy cross, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of earth's sorrows into Thy balm, Out of life's storms and into Thy calm.

Out of distress to jubilant psalm, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride, Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come.

Into Thy blessed will to abide, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of myself to dwell in Thy love, Out of despair into raptures above.

Upward for aye on wings like a dove, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb, Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come.

Into the joy and light of Thy home, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the depths of ruin untold, Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,

Ever Thy glorious face to behold, Jesus, I come to Thee.

Make Me a Blessing

2010-08-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm off to the Oregon Christian Writers Conference in Canby. So, thought I'd bless you this week with a few of the old hymns we used to sing in church.

Make Me a Blessing

Out in the highways and byways of life, Many are weary and sad.

Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad.

Chorus:

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing,

Out of my life, may Jesus shine.

Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray.

Make me a blessing to someone today.

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love, Tell of His power to forgive.

Others will trust Him if only your prove True every moment you live.

Give as 'twas given to you in your need, Love as the Master loved you.

Be to the helpless a helper indeed, Unto your mission be true.

As we go about our business on this second day of August, may we be a blessing to someone today.

How Great Thou Art!

2010-07-31T14:04:00.000-07:00

I spent the morning with my daughter and grandchildren. Thank you, God, for family.
I've just come in from feeding the birds and working in the yard. Thank you, God, for nature.
My back is better! Thank you, God, for new shoes and renewed health!

We're about to leave for a funeral. Thank you, God, for life, both now and everlasting.
My husband just walked past the office door. Thank you, God, for love.
Thank you, God, for hope! Thank you, God, for everything!

How great Thou art!

Improperly-fitted Shoes

2010-07-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

I learned this week that improperly-fitted shoes can be a source of painful backaches--even good shoes. In preparation for vacation two years ago, I purchased expensive walking shoes from a catalog . . . in the wrong size. Who knew? They felt great! I wore them everywhere.

Over time, however, my back began to give out. I didn't pinpoint the source of the pain until I went, in person, to a specialty shoe store and was fitted properly. The shoes I'd been wearing were a size too big.

This caused me to consider a verse about "shoes" in the Bible.

" Stand firm then with. . . your feet fitted

with the readiness that comes

from the gospel of peace."

~Ephesians 6:14-15

Like Jesus, when we go out "about our Father's business," we should have our feet fitted with the gospel of peace. We should be full of God's wisdom, the wisdom which comes from heaven, i.e., pure, peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Sounds like a tall order, right? Yet this kind of wisdom is freely available to all who ask for it (James 1:5). And it is available to us on a moment by moment basis.

Consider what happens when we go into the world "about our Father's business" without properly-fitted "shoes." We will rub others the wrong way, we will cause pain--both to ourselves and others--and we will end up on the sidelines, unable to get out of bed in the morning, unable to move.

So check your "shoe" size. Are you properly fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace?

When the final results are tallied

2010-07-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

One day, our life and our influence will come to an end--though not at the same time.

Have you considered that the words you speak and the actions you take will live on after you--that the ripple effect will come into play, causing your influence to continue, for good or for ill?

We've all heard stories of little-known persons who spoke a good word to someone who went on to become great, e.g., Dr. Livingston's servant, or Helen Keller's teacher. What about the person who lead only one person to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, but that one person was Billy Graham? The influence of these three obscure individuals lived on long after them. In fact, the ripple effect continues.

When the final results are tallied, you may be shocked to see how much influence you had on history. Or not. It's not too late. Begin today.

What word of encouragement can you give to someone today?

Whatcha Doing with That Bread?

2010-07-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

Pioneer women used to spend all day making bread for the family. Today's women and men work all day for the bread that feeds the family. "Bread" can signify food or the money it takes to buy the food.

There's a verse in Ecclesiastes that talks about bread:

"Cast your bread upon the waters

for after many days you will find it again.

Give portions to seven, yes to eight,

for you do not know what disaster

may come upon the land."

~Ecclesiastes 11:1

In church on Sunday, missionaries from Mexico talked about their work in an orphanage. Children with little or nothing receive help through the goodwill of people who have never met them--people who are casting their bread upon the waters, giving portions to seven or more.

That caused me to think. What am I doing with my bread?

Jesus loved the little children, instructing His disciples to let the children come unto Him and forbid them not--for of such is the kingdom of Heaven. If Jesus cared for the children, shouldn't we as His followers?

It is good to know our Bibles. It is good to study doctrine. It is also good to put feet to our beliefs and to consider what James says in his epistle:

"Religion that God our Father

accepts as pure and faultless is this:

to look after orphans and widows in their distress

and to keep oneself from being

polluted by the world."

~James 1:27

Do you, like me, hear a voice saying: "Whatcha doing with that bread?"

The Search for Significance

2010-07-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

Years ago, I studied and taught from Robert S. McGee's materials, Search for Significance. This excellent study describes how people generally fall into one of four categories based on false beliefs they have about their significance. The false beliefs are these:

Performance - I must meet certain standards to feel good about myself.
Approval - I must have the approval of certain others to feel good about myself.
Blame - Those who fail (including myself) are unworthy of love and deserve to be punished.
Shame - I am what I am. I cannot change. I am hopeless.

Do you see yourself in any of the four categories?

For purposes of this post, I'm not going into any further detail about these false beliefs. It's enough to say that they have derailed countless Christians who look for secular answers to the question of significance.

Does our significance really stem from what we do or who we know or whose approval we have? If so, we're in trouble. We can never do enough or please enough when the bar is constantly being reset and raised by fickle people.

So where do we find our significance? We find our significance in the fact that we were created in the image of God almighty Who loves us and sent His Son Jesus Christ to shepherd us on home to Heaven. For those who understand and embrace this fact, the search is over. Free from shame and blame and enjoying the approval of the only One who matters, we can busy ourselves with the work God has prepared in advance for us to do.

"For we are God's workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do."

~Ephesians 2:10

Just One Week to Go--Seven More Days

2010-07-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

The Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference begins in one week. Just one week to go. And you can be sure that conference organizers, as well as attendees, are making last-minute preparations like crazy!

Is everyone provided for? Are rooms ready for presenters and conferees? Is the menu better-than-good? Is my work as polished as it can be? Am I ready to make my "pitch"?

Suppose we knew that Jesus was returning in exactly one week. How would our lives reflect that knowledge? Would we be on our knees repenting for actions we planned to do today? Would we be on the road telling our loved ones, far and near, about the goodness of God?

For it's the goodness of God that brings repentance.

Our world, our nation, our people, our friends, our relatives, ourselves . . . we all need to repent. Jesus is coming again. Will we be ready, our lamps filled with oil to greet the Bridegroom, or will we cower in shame at His appearing?

It may be at morn when the day is awaking,

When sunlight through darkness and shodow is breaking,

That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory,

To receive from the world "His own."

O Lord Jesus, how long, how long,

ere we shout the glad song,

Christ returneth! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen.

Hallelujah! Amen.

Let's be ready when He comes. Keep looking up. It could be next week. It could be today!

Loving Well

2010-07-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

This week-end I'm attending a Beth Moore Loving Well Mini Retreat at my church. Loving well--how is that done?

Because we are imperfect people, we cannot love well on our own. We must draw on God's love, whether the people in our lives bring us joy or sorrow, whether they are near or far away. The beautiful thing, the one sure thing in life, is that His love is endless. He draws from an infinite supply--Himself. For God IS love.

Our friends across the street visited China again this year and brought me back a beautiful sterling silver pendant with the Chinese figures spelling it out: God is love. How grateful I am that loving well does not depend on myself. For I know what a frail vessel I can be.

Whatever challenges you face, remember that God is love. Draw on His love and strength today!

The Perfect Weather

2010-07-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

In the Pacific Northwest we waited a long time for summer this year! But after a few false starts, perfect weather came along. With daytime highs in the 80's and nighttime temperatures in the low 60's--we start off each day refreshed and ready to face whatever the day brings.

In the same way, those who believe in the Lord start off each day refreshed from restful sleep:

"I will lie down and sleep in peace,

for you alone, O LORD,

make me dwell in safety."

~Psalm 4:8

"You will keep in perfect peace

him whose mind is steadfast,

because he trusts in You."

~Isaiah 26:3

And they look forward to a good day, filled with God's love and compassions which are fresh every morning.

"Because of the LORD's great love,

we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;

therefore, I will wait for him."

~Lamentations 3:22-24

Have you become a follower of the Lord yet? Do you believe in Him? If not, read the Bible--Old and New Testaments--and make your peace with this loving God.

Children's Children Are the Crown of Old Men

2010-07-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

I gotta write fast--our six-year-old grandson is having a sleepover with us! At the crack of dawn, I could hear him whistling in the next room. That was just before the beanie baby toss that got me up. In Luke's defense, it was garbage day and he was, in turn, awakened by the trucks.

While I'm blogging, he has grandpa helping him find objects in the I Spy book. Next they're going out to weed grandpa's garden so Luke can earn money for another Bak-u-gan (what next?). Following that, the plan is for me to help him make a felt worm. We've sorted through my own grandmother's button box in search of the perfect eyes . . . and are hoping to find the perfect treasure--sequins! (No self-respecting worm would go out without sequins!)

There's never a dull moment, never an unplanned minute. And we love it! In our far-too-quiet world, it takes a little person to shake things up. Well, gotta go . . . but let me leave you with two thoughts:

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD,

children, a reward from him."

~Psalm 127:3

"Children's children are a crown to the aged . . ."

~Proverbs 17:6

Have a blessed day!

When Old Friends Reconnect

2010-07-21T10:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's mail brought a delightful surprise! In the stack of bills, catalogs, and junk mail, I found two blasts from the past. Two friends from different periods of my life wanted to reconnect. Two in one day! Wow . . . I was thrilled.

If you're like me, you still care about old friends even though time and circumstances bring day-to-day contact to an end. I have a hard time letting go even though I know it's the thing to do at the time. Yet, circumstances and responsibilities change as we age and sometimes it's possible to pick up where we left off. Haven't you found that to be true?

And so, I'm prayerfully considering how my husband and I can best respond to these folks and extend the love of the Lord Jesus Christ to them. Nothing is more important than to know that our family and friends - even old friends - know the Savior. May God give us the grace of discernment and opportunities to share our faith.

Too Much Excitement Can Be a Dangerous Thing!

2010-07-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

Because of the wedding last week-end, my sister was visiting from out-of-town, and I wanted to show her the sights

With three hours to go before the wedding, we drove to the historic town of Willamette. Ignoring the still small voice in my head to clip my car keys back on the strap in my purse, I jammed them in my pocket--and away we went!

After visiting a few of the many shops, we decided to head for home and get ready for the wedding. You guessed it! No car keys anywhere. We dashed back to the stores we'd visited and, finding no keys, left my telephone number--just in case.

Next we called my saint of a husband who showed up within ten minutes with the spare set of keys. We arrived home with only 15 minutes to dress but we, somehow, made it to the wedding with time to spare. (Best of all, someone later happened to turn in my errant keys to a shop that had my phone number. Thank you, Lord.)

After church on Sunday, I took my sister into Portland for more sightseeing. Finding no parking spot, we chose a very crammed parking structure and spent a lovely hour on the Esplanade along the Willamette River. The very crammed parking structure had a very strong cement post at its exit--which I unceremoniously scraped, along with the side of my hitherto unscratched bright red Camry SL.

I wondered what my saint of a husband would say about this. If you know Dick, you guessed it! He smiled and headed for the rubbing compound and touch-up paint. Within a few minutes the car was almost as good as new! I was relieved. My sister was amazed.

What a powerful testimony to the goodness of God. He restored my keys and gave me the most wonderful husband around. To quote my sister, "Patience trumps excitement every time!" Too much excitement can be a dangerous thing!

Wedding Day Report

2010-07-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

It was a wedding to remember! Held in a pioneer country church, the Princess and her Prince Charming recited their vows. The Prince's brother officiated the traditional Christian wedding reminding the couple, as well as family and friends, of certain important principles--one of which was that Jesus died for the bride and for the groom. Each has value and is dearly loved by their Creator. Therefore, they should treat each other with consideration and respect.

It was a reception to remember! Under tall fir trees, the trunks of which had been strung with tiny white lights, guests dined sumptuously at tables spread with white linen cloths. Children played in an elaborate treehouse and on an old-fashioned wood/rope swing that reached high into the sky. All the traditions were observed: bouquet toss, garter toss, the Prince and Princess enjoying the first dance, the Princess dancing with her father, and a beautiful multi-tiered wedding cake.

As night fell, the trees took center stage--lighting the pathway out of this fairyland.

No one could blame guests for not wanting to leave. We'd just taken a magical mystery trip back to simpler times--times of joy and laughter, times of traditional values, times when mere acquaintances could spend an afternoon and evening in each other's company enjoying the moment. It was a party--and those putting it on appeared to be more concerned with their guests' experience than even their own.

May God bless this couple with long life and rich blessings. Like the trees strung with lights, may their roots be strong and may they be reflectors of His love.

Have you a particular wedding memory you'd like to share?

Wedding Day

2010-07-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

My niece is marrying the man of her dreams today. She was willing to wait as long as it took for Prince Charming to arrive. And when he did arrive, he was definitely worth the wait!

How often we settle for less because we are impatient. We despise waiting for anything. We want what we want when we want it--which is NOW! And, because we are good at manipulating circumstances, we can get something now. Something--but is it the best?

There's an old adage that says "He who acts in haste repents at leisure."

I don't want to live with regret. Instead, I want to be more like my niece, willing to wait for God's best. And, while I'm waiting, I can spend time getting to know King Charming--the Creator of all things bright and beautiful.

Showers of Blessing (continued)

2010-07-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

So did you? Did you ask God to shower you with a particular blessing? Have you heard anything yet? If so, do you care to share?

If you haven't heard yet, remember Ezekiel 34:26 says He will cause the shower to come down in His season, not necessarily ours. Just because you haven't heard yet, doesn't mean you won't hear.

Remember, His answers are one of three: Yes, No, and Maybe. Or, as one of the characters in the book I'm writing has just learned, sometimes His answer is "Yes, but wait!"

May God give us patience as we wait.

Showers of Blessing

2010-07-15T14:12:00.000-07:00

We got so sick of rain in the Pacific Northwest this spring. Now that we're enjoying the warmth of summer, it feels okay to talk about showers--showers of blessing.

God promised to send showers of blessing on His people.

"And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing;

and I will cause the shower to come down in his season;

there shall be showers of blessing."

~Ezekiel 34:26

What is a blessing you'd like to receive from the Lord? Have you asked Him? Why not ask Him today?

Keep in mind that He will send it in His season, i.e., when the time is right for you and those around you. But go ahead and ask. He loves hearing from His children.

"If" by Rudyard Kipling (Part 10)

2010-07-14T10:43:00.000-07:00

I love the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling . . . thirty-two lines of wisdom that provide possibly the best instruction in manliness (why not womanliness, too?) written by a father to his son. The father concludes that if his son will assimilate this good advice into his conduct, then

"Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!"

_____________________________________

This is our final day to consider the poem. Let's look at the last four lines:

"If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!"

Why does he call it the unforgiving minute?

Sometimes what you're doing is hard. Minutes seem like hours, and you'd like to throw in the towel. Press on despite hardship. Keep going even though there are things you'd rather be doing. Robert Frost alluded to this when he wrote "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."

"The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep."

Promises, commitments, obligations need to be kept regardless of our mood or preferences. We can "sleep" later, but now the clock is ticking and we must be busy with the task at hand.

Jesus spoke to this often. "I must be about my Father's business," and "I always do what pleases him [God]." Don't you suppose Jesus was thinking about His Father's business when He hung on the cross? Don't you think He was grateful when the work was done, when He uttered the words, "It is finished." All those unforgiving minutes (and hours) were over and He was free to give up His spirit.

If you can fill your unforgiving minute with sixty seconds' worth of distance run . . . . if you can give it your best shot . . . if you can strive for excellence in your chosen (or assigned) task when you'd rather be doing something--anything--else, then you are mature . . . and, according to Kipling, you'll be a Man, my son!

And keep one thing more in mind, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving"
(Colossians 3:23-24).

"If" by Rudyard Kipling (Part 9)

2010-07-13T20:30:00.000-07:00

"Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!"

_____________________________________

The next four lines of this remarkable poem are these:

"If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;"

Ever notice how many famous people, Christians as well as secular, lose their virtue along the way? Or how many media personalities have sunk under the weight of adulation? Or how many political leaders have sold out to lobbyists in order to maintain their power? It's a rare person who manages to retain his principles and his virtue when examined under the microscope of popularity.

Similarly, a man (or woman) can lose his balance as well as his effectiveness when he becomes thin-skinned. A man (or woman) of principle, one who can claim "the earth and everything that's in it," is one who does not find his significance in temporal relationships where foes and loving friends can hurt him. Rather, he finds his significance in the unchanging Lord of the universe.

The one who keeps God as his North star will, naturally, value all men because all men are made in the image of God. But he will not over-value men because he realizes that all men (and women) have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Rather, he will keep his eyes on God and follow wherever He leads.

"If" by Rudyard Kipling (Part 8)

2010-07-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

"Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!"

_____________________________________

Now let's look at more of "If."

"If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

Ever been there? Have you been so burned that your heart is broken, your nerves are shot, and your body aches? You have nothing left to give. You are spent. Yet for some reason--family, friends, honor, necessity--you feel compelled to press on.

And so you do! By force of Will, you command your heart, your nerves and body to hold on.

The apostle Paul must have felt that way when he "boasted of his sufferings."

"I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches . . . ."

How could Paul continue under those conditions? He understood a key Biblical principle that helped him (and will help you and me) when he had no power left in himself. Paul was willing, most gladly, to suffer for the cause of Christ--even boasting in his weaknesses, "so that Christ's power may rest on me."

When Paul asked for relief to take away his "thorn in the flesh," the Lord told him:

"My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness."

We have the same indwelling Spirit the apostle Paul had. And that Holy Spirit will give you and me the power to press on when we are at our weakest. So, hold on! Surely, your reward will be greater than the earth and everything that's in it. Surely, your reward will be a "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

"If" by Rudyard Kipling (Part 7)

2010-07-10T11:20:00.000-07:00

"Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!"

_____________________________________

Let's take a look now at the next four lines of the poem.

"If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breath a word about your loss;"

As a woman who has been averse to risk-taking all her life, I find this one difficult. Do you? To be willing to risk everything you've worked for in one turn of "pitch-and-toss." At first consideration, this "pitch and toss" could smell like gambling and we might shrug it off as an activity we shun--albeit with one concern, i.e., Why would a father encourage his son to gamble?

However, let's not be too quick to dismiss something that could have scriptural application. We all take risks, don't we--whether it's investing in a home, retirement income, or a relationship. Any one of these can sour on us, yet we take the risk because of the potential benefit. Even so, sometimes our fondest hopes evaporate into the mist.

And then what do we do? Do we give up on life, on people, on hope? Or do we start again, older and wiser, and build on the one thing we cannot lose--our relationship with Jesus Christ, our hope of glory.

And then the father gives more good counsel--never breath a word about your loss. Don't give in to the temptation to wallow in self-pity, slander those who have hurt you, or permit roots of bitterness to poison yourself and everyone around you. Keep it to yourself. Better yet, turn it over to God. He is our ever-present help in times of trouble.

"If" by Rudyard Kipling (Part 6)

2010-07-09T17:20:00.000-07:00

"Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!"

_____________________________________

Let's look now at the next four lines of the poem.

"If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:"

We've already discussed how it feels to be lied about. Now let's talk about how we feel when the truth we've spoken is twisted by evil persons to trip up fools. Let's unpack these two very condensed lines.

Suppose someone comes to you with a problem and you give the very best counsel you know to give. You try your best to speak the truth in love, maybe even go out on a limb--exposing yourself in the process--all in an effort to be of help. You believe your words and your intent have been understood. You believe you left on good terms and you have no regrets.

Later others berate you for the hurtful counsel you gave this person. As they relate the grievance to you, the story bears no resemblance to the truth. You believe your words, your truth, has been twisted in order to sour others (fools?) against you. Fools? Well, a wise person would get your side of the story before berating you.

End result: your words have been twisted to your detriment.

Maybe you've given your life to helping others in order that God may be glorified in your good works. Maybe your reputation and future ministry suffer loss as a result of this "knave's" duplicity.

Do you respond in anger? Do you rise up and fight for yourself and for your reputation? Do you take vengeance? Or do you stoop down and begin the work of rebuilding your reputation one step at a time--though your heart be broken and your spirit wounded.

If you can do this, if you can turn the matter over to God and let Him take appropriate action, while you rebuild your life with worn-out tools, then . . .

"Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!"

If you have been hurt in this way, why not stop and turn the matter over to God right now.

"If" by Rudyard Kipling

2010-07-08T06:56:00.000-07:00

I've been going on about the wonderful poem and suddenly it occurred to me that some people may not have seen this poem in its entirety. So, here it is. Enjoy it today and we'll get back to discussing it tomorrow.

"If"

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)

"If" by Rudyard Kipling (Part 5)

2010-07-07T09:23:00.000-07:00

"Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!"

_____________________________________

Today we're looking at the next two lines, as follows:

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
and treat those two impostors just the same;

Notice Kipling capitalizes Triumph and Disasters. He could have as easily put them in quotation marks. Don't we sometimes maximum our triumphs and disasters? Aren't we often swept away by them?

We mustn't think too highly of ourselves. Nor should we think too lowly. The best among us falls short of the glory of God. Likewise, we shouldn't think too highly of our triumphs--nor magnify our disasters.

We are here to serve God and bring glory to Him. Therefore, rather than focus on the results of our earthly endeavors, rather than put confidence in the flesh, we should focus on serving Him. We can learn from the Apostle Paul.

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

I press on toward the goal to win the prize

for which God has called me heavenward

in Christ Jesus."

~ Philippians 3:13-14

We should simply obey God's call to serve. At the proper time, He will honor us with a "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." And that good word will mean more to us than all the acclaim the world can muster. So when Triumph or Disaster come your way, treat them both the same--forget about them and press on . . . .

"If" by Rudyard Kipling (Part 4)

2010-07-06T08:27:00.000-07:00

"Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!"

_____________________________________

Today we're looking at the next two lines, as follows:

"If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;"

Let's look at these lines from a biblical perspective:

In Bible times night dreams could sometimes bring direct revelation from God. Think Joseph and Daniel. In our day, God may also speak to us through dreams. Some of our most intriguing thoughts come from dreams. For example, think science fiction. Where in the world do those notions come from--notions which often become reality decades later? (Is God giving us a bird's eye view of the future?)

In any case, dreaming - whether asleep or awake - can bear fruit. Out of dreams come ideas that may lead to action and further the public good. I like what Robert Kennedy said about dreams. "There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why . . . . I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?"

Some dreamers, however, become mastered by their dreams to the point they are unproductive, "pie in the sky" thinkers who become a drain on their families and society. No father wants this for his son or daughter.

Along similar lines, fathers want their children to be able to think. Thinking is obviously a good thing. But what about those who only think, and never do? Will thinking bring home the bacon or put bread on the table? Will thinking produce a clean house and clean clothes? Will thinking give children the hands-on instruction they need from their parents?

If thoughts become our sole aim, we neglect the practical. Like it or not, we live in the here and now and there are times when we must "stick to business."

The father in Rudyard Kipling's "If" says that if you do these things, you are on our way to owning the earth and everything that's in it, and - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!"

Tomorrow we'll discuss triumphs and disaster.

"If" by Rudyard Kipling (Part 3)

2010-07-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

"Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!"

Today we're looking at the next four lines, as follows:

"If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

or being hated, don't give way to hating,

and yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise."

Let's flesh this out with some biblical wisdom.

Wait? Who likes to wait? Certainly in our era of instant gratification, most moderns find waiting tedious at best. Waiting can actually be a good thing:

it gives us time to clear our head and plot a course of action that will work. Rather than simply having a knee-jerk reaction, we can be purposeful, and
it gives us time to renew our strength so that when we must act, we will have the power to do so.

Knowing that waiting can be a good thing and yet not chafing against it--not being tired by waiting--is a mark of maturity and a sign of manhood. Waiting on the Lord is a sign of wisdom: those who do gain renewed strength and stamina.

Who likes being lied about? We get in enough trouble on our own without having people lie about us, don't we? We want others to have a good opinion of us and we resent it when someone distorts our image. The temptation is to strike back--perhaps even lie about the other person to make him look bad. The mature person does not sink to this level.

When people lie about you, they either are guilty of passing on inaccurate information they've heard (gossip, slander) or they are purposely bearing false witness against you. Either way, they are sinning against God's commandments and come under His judgment. Understanding that God leaves no unconfessed sin unpunished, allows you to "take the high road" and wait for God to take appropriate action even when the lie stings.

Who likes being hated? We are social beings. God made us that way from the beginning, noting that it was not good that man should be alone. As social beings, we've learned that life works best when everyone tries to get along. Occasionally, an event or personality conflict will lead to hatred expressed toward another human being. Perhaps you have felt the oppressive hatred of someone else.

You can counter this hatred by:

hating them back, thereby stirring the pot and making things worse, or by
committing yourself to God who knows the facts and who judges righteously.

Committing yourself to God is a sign of maturity and, once again, involves waiting for God to act at the proper time.

Taking the high road in all these instances could lead to a sense of superiority:

"Too bad others can't be as mature as I am."

But this verse ends with the admonition to be humble:

"don't look too good, nor talk too wise."

Who likes to be humble? Being humble goes against the grain. From childhood many of us developed a desire to be noticed. "Hey, look at me!" We loved it when our parents stopped everything to notice and applaud any little thing we did.

Trouble is, some of us never grew up.

When Jesus came into the world to save the likes of you and me, He humbled Himself. And we, His followers, are told to have the mind of Christ, to let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of mind let each of us esteem others better than himself.

Being humble is a sign of maturity and confidence in the goodness of God, waiting on Him to lift us up in due season.

If you can do all these things--all of which involve waiting on God--you will have accomplished the third of many challenges this earthly father has put to his son. Keep it up and you are on your way to being a man, or woman, the Father can be proud of.

Tomorrow we'll look at dreams and thoughts . . . .

"If" by Rudyard Kipling ( Part 2)

2010-07-03T11:06:00.000-07:00

"Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!"

Yesterday we considered the father's first bit of instruction. Today we'll look at his second and consider biblical illustrations to flesh it out.

"If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;"

Don't we all need affirmation? Is there any among us who truly doesn't care what anyone else thinks? Have you ever had to stand alone in a place where all men doubted you? Job did. Jesus did.

Job went from being a highly visible, highly respected, wealthy elder in the town to a penniless and pathetic man, bereft of family, friends, status, and health. His former friends turned on him and accused him of sins he had never committed. Though Job was miserable, he trusted enough in himself not to yield to external pressure. He knew he was innocent and appealed to God for an explanation (his one faux pas.).

Jesus also suffered abandonment of man--He went to the cross a lonely Savior. Even His disciples forsook him and ran for cover. Yet He trusted in Himself as the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. Though He pleaded with God to take away the cup of suffering from Him, yet He submitted to the will of God. Unlike Job, he did not ask for an explanation--Jesus knew the reason for His suffering.

Jesus made allowance for the doubting of men. He said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

After God humbled Job (chapters 38-41) by giving him a glimpse of His majesty, Job no longer felt a need for any explanation. Instead he felt compassion for his friends (who were about to come under God's judgment for their treatment of him) and, like Jesus, made allowance for their doubting and interceded on their behalf.

The interesting thing is that after Job interceded for those who doubted him, his former earthly glory was restored . . . just as Jesus was restored to glory in the highest and given a name that is above every name.

What can we learn from this? When we are doubted by all, the place to go is to the Father who will help us by:

showing us where we are wrong and helping us make restitution, or
showing us where we are right and helping us to stand alone, and
helping us make allowance for those who doubt us until they come to the knowledge of the truth.

If you can do that, you will have accomplished the second of many challenges this earthly father has put to his son. Keep it up and you are on your way to being a man, or woman, the Father can be proud of.

"If" by Rudyard Kipling

2010-07-02T09:33:00.000-07:00

"Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!"

I'm going to spend the next few days checking the key points of this poem against biblical instruction and wisdom, beginning with:

"If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you . . ."

There are times when, rightfully or not, we become the target of blame in a difficult situation. Perhaps it's the economy or unemployment issues. Or perhaps it's something closer to home - like a family function that's gone awry.

Due to miscommunication, guests have all gone to the wrong restaurant for your Uncle Buck's hundredth birthday party. You and Uncle Buck are waiting at the Elks, wearing party hats, whistles rolled up beside your plates. Everyone else is at I-HOP wondering where in the world the guest of honor is and hoping he hasn't been in an accident. By the time the misunderstanding is identified, your disappointed uncle has nodded off to sleep and you have taken him home. Everyone else is a-twitter--and they're blaming you!

You may never know how your clearly-stated directions were misconstrued. But, in the midst of it all, can you keep your head about you? Can you apologize for the confusion and do your best to get to the bottom of it? If it's your fault, can you seek forgiveness? If the event was sabotaged by someone intending harm to you or Uncle Buck, can you respond as Jesus would?

Consider Jesus, who committed no sin and no deceit was found in his mouth.Yet they accused him coarsely.

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate.

When he suffered, he made no threats.

Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly"

~ I Peter 2:23

This is how you answer your critics. Don't retaliate. Don't gossip. Don't make threats. Instead, entrust yourself to him who judges justly. And he will take care of you.

If you've been wronged, consider this from Romans:

"Do not take revenge, my friends,

but leave room for God's wrath,

for it is written:

'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord.

~ Romans 12:19

Furthermore, this passage says we should actually do good to our enemies, feeding them if they are hungry, giving them something to drink if they are thirsty. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

If you can do that, you will have accomplished the first of many challenges this father has put to his son. Keep it up and you are on your way to being a man, or woman, the Father can be proud of.

Adjusting to the New Normal

2010-07-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Following Dick's close call last week we've made some changes--some are temporary and others, we hope, will last until the Lord takes us home. The temporary ones involve physical restrictions imposed until his health is stabilized . . . like no lifting or straining, and getting plenty of rest. The permanent changes include things that will help him/us stay focused on things that matter in the long run.

We are spending more time in the Bible, reading, meditating, and listening to taped messages of well-known preachers. We are spending less time watching television.

We are spending more time considering God's eternal purposes and his power to bring them to completion. We are spending less time considering possible responses to the evil we see around us.

We are spending more time in prayer, committing ourselves to the One who judges justly. We are spending less time talking with others about the injustices in the world.

Some may consider this a cop out. They may say we are sticking our head in the sand, hoping the danger will go away, hoping danger won't see us because we can't see it. To that we'd have to say, "No, you are wrong. We are painfully aware of the danger out there--danger is crouching at our borders, lapping at our shores. But the tide has turned. Our Ship of State has run aground. Without God's help, we cannot turn this great country around.

Today, with the stakes so high, we are choosing to spend more time with God, humbly admitting that we need him. We need him to judge the evil that surrounds us and to give us strength and encouragement while we wait. We believe this is the most effective way to handle the problems of the world.

Of course, we'll still study the issues and vote. That is our privilege and responsibility as citizens of this once God-fearing country. But God has told us to "occupy until I come." We're taking that to mean we are to busy ourselves with what he deems important--doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God.

On Blogging

2010-06-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

On September 5, 2009, I committed to blogging every day (except Sundays) for one year. If others could do it--think Julie and Julia--I should be able to do it, too. It would be good discipline and, perhaps, I might say something that would bless someone . . . out there.

Well, it has been good discipline. By September 4, 2010, I will have forced myself to put BIC (a technical writing term meaning "butt in chair" LOL) for 313 days. During that time, I've made many new friends and have been blessed beyond measure by your comments.

Most of all, I've been blessed by thoughts and insights which I believe originated with God, for He says "My tongue is the pen of a ready writer" (Psalm 45:1). I try to come to the desktop each day a ready writer: prayed up, confessed up, BIC, and listening for Him to speak. Anything good that has shown up on this blog is a gift from God. The not-so-good stuff? I alone take credit for that.

Thank you for being there. As we round the corner and head toward home, I look forward to hearing from you more than ever. God bless you, dear reader.

Whistle While You Work

2010-06-29T07:54:00.000-07:00

Glory hallelujah, it's another sunny day! Does anyone ever get used to this? Do people who live in the sun belt wake up and say, "Ho hum, another sunny day. Guess I'll go back to bed." Of course, they do.

Boredom seems to be a central component of natural man's thinking. It's only when God enters our lives--showing us a glimpse of all He has for us in the heavenlies--that we begin to view our days on earth with anticipation. What will He show me today? Who will He send my way today? How will He conform me to the image of Christ today?

God doesn't like it when His children are bored anymore than we like it when our children are "bored." One wise mother said, "Only a boring person is bored." With all that awaits us, let's face the future with anticipation, pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Rain or shine, we have a job to do. Let's whistle while we work . . . and rejoice evermore.

The Undergirding of Praying Friends

2010-06-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we have a problem and are amazed at how well we've risen to the occasion. Then we find out two things:

God has called our friends to pray for us,
and they have obeyed Him.

What a blessing to have friends and family who pray. What an even greater blessing to have a God who listens to our prayers--and ACTS upon them.

How long has it been since you've asked people to pray for you? Don't miss the blessing. But if you are too enmeshed in trials to even ask, know this: God will prompt them to pray for you.

"The one who calls you is faithful

and he will do it."

~I Thessalonians 5:24

Home is where the heart is.

2010-06-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

Over and over Dick has said how good it is to be home. After a stint in the hospital with scary issues, it feels good to come home to peace and quiet and improving health.

That might be a picture of heaven. After a lifetime (however long) of vexation on earth surrounded by sin and its deleterious effects, going home to peace and joy and love will be balm for the spirit. And talk about improved health!

"Dear friends, now we are the children of God,

and what we will be has not yet been made known.

But we know that when he appears,

we shall be like him,

for we shall see him as he is.

Everyone who has this hope in him

purifies himself even as he is pure."

What a Difference a Day Makes!

2010-06-25T08:59:00.000-07:00

My husband is always saying, "What a difference a day makes." Having heard it so many times, I usually just nod, maybe even roll my eyes. But I won't do that any more!

Since Dick seemed lethargic lately, I hoped that getting out--even to an eye exam--might perk him up. But when our jovial optometrist couldn't break through, I began to worry. This was not like my husband at all.

On the way home, we stopped off at the doctor's office (thankfully, they fit us in). A chest x-ray pinpointed the real reason for Dick's fatigue. He had a collapsed lung . . . a spontaneously collapsed lung aka a pneumo-thorax. And it had apparently been that way for days!

In the emergency room, medical professionals began to evacuate the air surrounding the collapsed lung so that it could re-inflate (fearfully and wonderfully made lungs!) Under stress, Dick's body went into shock, his blood pressure plummeting. Seemed the entire ER staff came STAT, surrounding him in an effort to preserve his life. While they worked frantically, I sat in the corner and cried out to God.

He answered all our efforts.

With Dick's re-inflated lung back on the job, he feels renewed in spirit as well as body. Believing the Lord must still have work for him to do, he's drawing nearer to God in order to hear his marching orders. So, out of all of this, good has come. In one chaotic day, Dick had important check-ups, both physical and spiritual, and he's come through with flying colors. To God be the glory, great things He has done.

What a difference a day makes!

On Regular Checkups

2010-06-24T07:52:00.000-07:00

We think nothing of having annual vision or dental exams . . . even annual physical exams. It's part of caring for our bodies. Preventative maintenance. Even our automobiles get that! Yet when it comes to our spiritual well-being, is an annual examination going to keep us in tip-top shape?

Actually, we ought to examine our consciences on a daily basis. Why?

Because the world presents many opportunities to stumble.
The devil and his minions delight in tripping us up.
Our hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked.

Unless we stay on top of things, it's possible for us to wallow in a "slough of despond" and for roots of bitterness to sink deep into our soul. Just as we submit ourselves to a physician or dentist or optometrist to check out our bodies, we have a Specialist of the spirit who delights in reordering our thoughts and words and deeds and keeping us on the right track.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting."

~ Psalm 139:23-24

I Miss My Mom, Too!

2010-06-23T09:01:00.000-07:00

What a terrific helpmate Dad had--and what an awesome mother we kids had. She was perfect for us . . . always an encourager, always our biggest fan. I think I was in my thirties before it ever occurred to me there was something I couldn't do. Now that's something, isn't it?

I wish I could say I'd done as well with my daughters. But this isn't about me; it's about Glennice Rae Chinn Surface. She was beautiful in our eyes, both inside and out. Never heard her raise her voice. Never saw her truly angry. Never saw her in despair. Well, almost never . . . .

Her final months on earth might have ripped the heart out of most people, but she took the pain and the disappointments in stride. It's not that she was unaware. She chose to smile despite her pain, she chose to love despite disappointment. Only once during that time did I see a cloud of disillusionment cover her sun. And then it was gone. She won the fight against gloom and doom, just as she always had.

Mom lives on in my heart and also in heaven as one of the cloud of witnesses cheering on the saints. But I envision her smiling in the front row, next to Jesus and my Dad.

"Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded

by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

looking unto Jesus,

the author and finisher of our faith,

who for the joy that was set before Him,

endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

~ Hebrews 12:1-3

I Miss My Dad!

2010-06-22T09:13:00.000-07:00

Father's Day brought back memories of my Dad. How I wish I'd appreciated him more when I was younger. It was only later, when I grew up, that I realized what a good man he was.

Dad was a family man, and a stern disciplinarian. Things had to be done his way, or else. He never laid a hand on us--no need for swats when looks could kill. We kids used to complain behind his back. "Geesh, what a grouch!"

We'd complain that he seemed obsessed with the "almighty dollar." (By now, you've guessed I grew up in the sixties, haven't you?) Yes, money was important to him. My sister and I took rigorous courses like Latin and anything "advanced" instead of fun things like Choir and Home Economics in order to qualify for, and win, scholarships.

We didn't understand Dad had gone through the Great Depression and knew the difference between living in plenty and in want. He wanted us to experience the plenty! For that reason, perhaps, he was very critical of the young men we brought home. No one was good enough for his girls . . . unless they were planning to become an architect or a doctor or were already independently wealthy.

We let him down in that regard, marrying for love rather than status. And, over time, he grew to respect and honor our mates. He was a big enough man to admit he'd been wrong. That's when I began to realize what a good man he was, how his intentions (albeit awkwardly expressed) had always been for our good.

Our relationship deepened, especially after Christ entered our lives, and it comforts me greatly to know that I'll have an eternity to spend loving and honoring my Dad as well as my heavenly Father. I see Dad now alongside my Savior, proud of his kids and looking forward to the day he can welcome us home to Heaven. He's living in plenty now, and is probably mighty tickled with his mansion.

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-21T10:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we honored our Dads, and rightly so. Being a father is a big responsibility--the stakes are high. When children are the recipients of their father's love, they feel secure, secure enough to venture out on their own one day and become loving parents themselves.

Many young people stray off course because they don't have the love of their fathers. Seeking approval of older men, some young boys join gangs or fall into male prostitution. Similarly, young girls fall for men, even bad men, who tell them they are pretty.

Many people, young and old, have difficulty receiving the love of the heavenly Father because they never sensed the love of their earthly father. How devastating for any man to stand before the Lord one day and realize that his children aren't in heaven because of his cold heart!

Being a father is a lifelong mission, and a worthy occupation. It is the opportunity God gives men to walk in His shoes and lead the next generation home. Until next year at this time, Happy Father's Day to all fathers everywhere. May you live up to your calling.

The Tale of Three Brothers

2010-06-19T11:39:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there were three brothers. The oldest brother was large and in-charge, the youngest brother loved to have fun. The middle brother was--well, he was sickly and kept to himself. Only his mother knew what a kind heart he had.

As they aged, the oldest brother scoured mountains for wildlife to hunt and fish to kill. His expeditions brought him a measure of earthly fame and acclaim. Over time he grew reckless and took many chances. After extended hospitalization, he died young.

The fun-loving brother lived for pleasure and became known for his wild exploits. Over the years, his abused body objected strenuously and struck him down three times, the third stroke bringing him low. He lives alone, a prisoner in his wheelchair, and weeps.

The middle brother lived quietly--so quietly that early-on he heard the still small voice of God gently nudging him to draw near. God lifted him up, healed him, and surrounded him with people who love him. Now everyone knows what a kind heart he has, and his mother smiles from heaven.

She smiles for all her boys because God, in his mercy and grace, extended the gift of salvation to each of them, and they accepted before it was too late.

Sleepless Nights . . . How Do You Spend Them?

2010-06-18T06:43:00.000-07:00

Summer is just around the corner yet, in the Pacific Northwest, a winter-like spring dominates our days, making it hard to know what to wear. Even choosing bedding can be a challenge. Too warm for blankets, it's not warm enough for sheets alone.

Last night is a case in point. After waking up too warm, I never was able to get back to sleep. Perhaps it was our new heavier bedding (I'm used to a lightweight down comforter) or perhaps the Lord was trying to get my attention. Perhaps someone needed prayer.

In any case, I'm up and working. What do you do when sleep eludes you? Inquiring minds want to know.

By the Grace of God

2010-06-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

How many times have you heard someone, perhaps yourself, say, "By the grace of God . . . ."?

By the grace of God, he made it through the savage river.
By the grace of God, she survived her heart attack.
By the grace of God, they foraged enough food to make it through the winter.
By the grace of God, he outran the bear.

In crunch times we are more likely to humble ourselves and cry out for help. In our crises we recognize our vulnerability and credit God with deliverance. Too bad we don't recognize our need for God in the good times, for those are often the very times we succumb to temptation or are blindsided by the enemy. Like lambs cut from the fold, we make easy prey for wolves in sheep's clothing.

Drawing near to God ensures His protection.

"Draw near to God

and He will draw near to you."

~James 4:8

We may never know what troubles have been averted just because the Good Shepherd is keeping watch over our souls.

"I lay down My life for the sheep."

~ John 10:17

By the grace of God, He loved the world so much that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Everyone's Looking for Purpose in Life

2010-06-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

Everyone's looking for purpose in life. Many seek it in their work. Others seek it in their good deeds. Others seek it in their friendships, the clubs they belong to, the spouse or children they have (or wish they had). Some look for purpose and meaning in their toys, cash flow, stocks and bonds, or clothes hanging in their closet.

Few know where true meaning is found, and yet it's no secret. There was a king who searched for meaning in every conceivable way. And he could do it--he had the funds and the power to try it all.

He searched for meaning in wisdom and found that the same fate overtook both wisdom and folly.
He sought for meaning in toil and discovered that, for all his hard work, he only had pain and grief to show for it.
He tried to find meaning in riches but discovered that whoever loves wealth is never satisfied.
He found no meaning in multiple wives and concubines finding that they became a snare to him.

King Solomon looked for meaning in ways average people like us can only "dream of." And he was gracious to share his findings with us: nothing worked. What gives life meaning, he concluded, is to embrace God's plan for mankind.

If you are struggling to find meaning in your life, struggle no longer. The best and brightest among us, i.e., King Solomon, has done the research and has found the answer.

"Now all has been heard;

here is the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep his commandments,

for this is the whole duty of man.

For God will bring every word into judgment,

including every hidden thing,

whether it is good or evil."

~ Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

You can continue to follow every rabbit trail looking for meaning in life or you can learn from King Solomon that they are all dead ends. On this earth all is vanity except for having a proper relationship with the God who made you and loves you.

How We Spend Our Days

2010-06-15T10:04:00.000-07:00

The church in Thessalonica had a problem--some of its members had too much time on their hands, and they were getting into trouble.

"We hear that some among you are idle.

They are not busy; they are busybodies.

Such people we command and urge

in the Lord Jesus Christ

to settle down . . .

and, as for you, brothers,

never tire of doing what is right."

2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 NIV

How about us? Do we spend our time doing what is right? Or are we idle, busybodies following our own agenda all the while thinking we are doing right? And how do we know the difference? This is a thorny question. Let's take it to God, remembering he gives wisdom generously to all without finding fault.

Let's say you want to be involved in this or that activity. Do a little soul-searching.

Do you sense the leading of the Holy Spirit, or are you lead by your own need to make things right?
Is love for others driving you to help, or is it anger at the injustices you see in a particular situation?
Do you believe that God is capable of handling the problem, or do you believe that He can't do it without your assistance?
Are you more concerned with eternal outcomes, or are you focused on the temporal?
Do you find yourself praying about the situation, or participating in angry discussions over it?
Are you looking for peaceful ways to bring about change, or are you fomenting trouble?

These are just some considerations when you're trying to determine whether your involvement in a given activity is led by the Spirit of God. Remember that the "wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness" (James 3:17-18).

Having determined what the will of God is, then we should go for it, expending all our energy in pursuit of his goals, never tiring of doing what is right!

Welcoming the Word of God

2010-06-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

In 1968 Phil Masters and fellow-missionary Stan Dale were murdered as they took the message of God's love to a remote people group in Indonesia. Don't miss the compelling account of their story at http://www.southeastchristian.org/_libraryfiles/outlook/mission_to_cannibals.pdf.

In those days the Word of God was not welcomed in that part of Indonesia. But that didn't stop God's love from reaching out to those people.

Even after his death, Phil's wife Phyliss and their children modeled the love of God to the very people who had killed their beloved husband and father. (Such love brought the tribe to their knees and led to their transformation from cannibals to Christians. For the whole story, read Don Richardson's Lords of the Earth.) Phyliss continued to work as a missionary in Indonesia until she retired in 1996.

For many years the Word of God has been welcomed in that part of Indonesia. But it did not exist in their own tongue.

Phyliss Masters returned this Spring as part of a celebration to distribute the very first New Testaments written in the Kimyal language. After decades of work--begun by Elinor Young and completed by Rosa Kidd and Kimyal translators--the Bibles were brought by plane to Korupun for distribution.

With great joy and anticipation the people prepared for this celebration. When the plane arrived they chanted and cheered for the Word of God as if they were receiving a visit from Jesus ("the Word") himself. Tears flowed freely as they held in their own hands the completed New Testament. Nothing I could write can match the intensity of their emotions.

Give yourself a blessing. Sit down and watch the DVD (link following). It captures the essence of those days of celebration. See if it doesn't bring you to tears as you witness how precious the Word of God is to those who haven't had it in their own language. See if it doesn't inspire in you a new reverence for your own Bible.

http://www.casttv.com/search/uploader%3A%22DianneBecker%22/1

Everyone Loves A Parade!

2010-06-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

The annual Rose Festival Parade is about to begin--a big deal for the "City of Roses" aka Portland, Oregon. The parade is televised now so you can see it on your flat screen from the comfort of home, but there's nothing like actually being there, among the crowds, curbside.

Tension is palpable as viewers, some having waited along the route all night, strain for the first glimpse of the floats, marching bands, horse brigades, Royal Rosarians, and Rose Festival Court. Children listen eagerly for vendors hawking hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, Cracker Jacks. Excitement is in the air!

Believers feel that same sense of anticipation as we wait for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The wait can seem interminable, but parading before us are the signs of His coming:

Nations rise against nation
Famines, pestilences and earthquakes occur in various places
Believers experience persecution
False prophets arise, deceiving many
Lawlessness abounds
Love grows cold
The Gospel is preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations

Furthermore,

Men love themselves and money
They are proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
They have a form of godliness but deny its power

The signs are many--the Big Parade, the one we're waiting for, is just around the corner. If we hush, we can almost hear the trumpet blast. This is not a parade for bystanders--it beckons everyone from the sidelines. Jesus is coming again and will take us to heaven. Will you be among us when the saints go marching in?

"For God so loved the world

that He gave His only-begotten Son

that whoever believes in Him

should not perish but have

everlasting life."

~ John 3:16

Keep Looking Up--The Son is Coming

2010-06-11T07:57:00.000-07:00

After an interminable string of gray rainy days in the Northwest, even people who don't ordinarily suffer from seasonal depression (SAD) feel the need of light therapy. Well, here's the good news. The weathermen are telling us to hang on--THE SUN IS COMING! Hallelujah! How great it will be to have unobstructed views of sunshine and blue skies. How great it will be to feel warm.

The analogy is obvious.

After an interminable period of living in a sin-cursed world and feeling the vexation of spirit that gets God's people down, we have the promise that one day we'll look to the skies and witness the return of the King. All will be made right. We will no longer look through a glass darkly. We will see things as they are. So hang on--THE SON IS COMING! Hallelujah!

Garbage In, Garbage Out (GIGO)

2010-06-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

Today is garbage day and, as expected, our faithful garbage collectors took all our trash to the dump and recycling centers! While I'd never think of God as a garbage collector, in a way He graciously performs that function in our spiritual lives.

"As far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

~ Psalm 103:17

"When we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

~ I John 1:9

God removes our transgressions far from us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Furthermore, unlike the garbage company, God does not charge for his services. He paid the bill when Jesus willingly died on the cross. As the song says, "Like a rose trampled on the ground, You took the fall and thought of me above all" (Above All by Lenny LeBlanc and Paul Baloche © 1995 Integrity Music).

So what do we bring to the table? Nothing but refuse.

"All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags"

~ Isaiah 64:6

But our Savior and Lord took the fall for us and paid the price for our redemption! Let our attitude be one of gratitude this and ever day.

Patriot Guard Riders

2010-06-09T10:15:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, we attended the funeral of an exceptional man who died early and unexpectedly. I talked about him on this blog earlier in the week. Today I want to tell you about an amazing group of individuals who stood guard outside the church that day in a show of respect for the young man and his family.

The Patriot Guard Riders represent the best in selfless compassion. They give of their time, sometimes driving for hours, to stand guard at military funerals, ensuring the dignity and respect due those who have risked their lives for America's freedom and security. As I understand it, the group formed partially to counter the efforts of insensitive* individuals who disrupted military funerals with anti-war protests.

I'm reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, wise words--often quoted.

"There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

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,

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."

*Surely in a free country, there's a time and a place for expressing anti-war sentiments. But the time is NOT at the funerals of those who died defending their country. The place is NOT in front of heartbroken relatives of that soldier.

For more about the Patriot Guard Riders, visit their website. www.patriotguard.org

Timing is Everything

2010-06-08T15:19:00.000-07:00

Believing timing is everything, our elderly neighbor instructed my husband never to plant his garden before May 22. With decades of experience behind him, Orville knew that if you planted too early, you ran the risk of losing your entire crop to freezing temperatures or too much rain.

This year because of continuous precipitation, the ground has been too soggy to plant. And so June 8, rather than May 22, is our planting day for lettuce, carrots, radishes, tomatoes, cucumbers, Swiss chard, squash, and pumpkins. Lord willing, we'll have a bountiful harvest later this summer.

Timing is everything when it comes to our eternal destination as well. We must make our decision in the here and now, because once we take our last breath, the die is cast. We will spend eternity in Paradise with Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord or we will spend eternity without him in the land prepared for the eternally damned. It's a clear choice that each of us must make.

I hope everyone reading this has already made the decision to side with Christ. Timing is everything. Don't wait until it's too late.

"For God so loved the world

that he gave his only-begotten Son

that whosoever believeth on him

should not perish but have everlasting life."

~ John 3:16

"And as it is appointed for men to die once

but after this the judgment,

so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many."

~ Hebrews 9:27

Blue Monday

2010-06-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

We've had a sack of sadness dumped on us the past few weeks at the international, national, local, and personal levels. Besides praying, there's not a lot an individual can do about woes at the global level. And sometimes when it comes to tragedy at the local and personal levels, there's still nothing we can do except pray . . . pray and try to comfort those most directly affected.

This world is the devil's playground, and sometimes his shenanigans can get to you, right? (I'm sure I'm not alone here.) This morning while praying, I had a tearful desire for Jesus to come back TODAY. PLEASE COME BACK AND MAKE THINGS RIGHT.

The good news is that the One I'm praying to CAN do something. And He will--in His way and in His time. My job, our job, is to trust Him to do what's right. He will--again, in His way and in His time. As the old song says, He's got the whole world in His hands.

Even on Blue Mondays, we must keep this thought in mind:

"This is the day the LORD has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it."

~ Psalm 118:24

A Sad Day

2010-06-05T09:09:00.000-07:00

Today we honor the life of a fine man, doting father, faithful son, and loving brother. His little daughter cries, and wonders when her daddy is coming back. His parents bravely face a future without their only son. His sisters are numb.

We ask questions . . . the main ones being how and why? How did sudden death overcome his outwardly healthy body? And why was it allowed to happen? Why God?

Some questions won't be answered until later. Maybe someday we'll know and maybe someday we'll understand. For now, all we can do is say we cared for him and entrust his soul to the God he loved. And, for now, that must be enough.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills--

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth."

~Psalm 121:1-2

Family Recipes

2010-06-04T11:26:00.000-07:00

Ten years ago, Mom and I put together a family cookbook combining favorite recipes from both grandmas and adding ones Mom made during my growing-up years. I'll always be grateful we took the time to do that!
When I'm feeling discouraged or overwhelmed, the smell of porcupine meatballs simmering on the stove transports me to simpler, safer times.

If this is true of cooking, might it not also be true of family customs? Cultural standards morph so rapidly that young people face sweeping change every decade or so. How unsettling is that!

On the other hand, if they observe their parents still abiding in the truths of their childhood, still experiencing love, joy, peace, and patience in an age where there is no peace, many will want that for themselves. They will return because the sweet savor of Jesus Christ draws them back to the God of their youth.

"Be imitators of God, therefore,

as dearly loved children and live a life of love,

just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us

as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

~Ephesians 5:1-2

Another Lesson from Sam

2010-06-03T10:19:00.000-07:00

So Sam is now wearing a bulky blue cast from his upper thigh to his toes, making his leg as cumbersome as a solid wood plank. He doesn't understand that all he's been through will make his life better in several weeks, yet he's not complaining. Nor is he struggling against his cast.

Actually, he's adapted to it really well. When mommy's not there to help him, like in the middle of the night, Sam has taught himself to roll out of his lower bunk, scoot to the door and somehow reach up to flip on the light switch. (Good thing his brother is a sound sleeper!) Not a whimper, not a cry, not a shout! In time mommy or daddy comes to investigate and tuck the little guy back in bed.

What about us? Don't we also encounter distressing situations in life not knowing what the outcome will be? Be honest now--how do you respond in those situations? If you're like me, you chafe against them for awhile, maybe a long while, maybe even kick and scream. In the end you realize that all the fussing in the world doesn't make the situation any easier to swallow. And maybe by that time you've begun to discover some actual blessings from the accursed thing.

How good it would be if I, like Sam:

could be more accepting of trials that come my way and press on with my life despite them.

could get myself off my bed of woe and make my way to the door, turn on the light, and wait expectantly for God to pick me up.

"I press toward the goal
for the prize of the
upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
~Philippians 3:14

Rain Rain Go Away

2010-06-02T16:05:00.000-07:00

Across the country and around the world, the weather has been remarkable in its intensity this year. Hurricanes, tornadoes, cold snaps, snow in May, and rain, rain, rain. Besides massive flooding, torrential rain is creating other problems . . . like sinkholes. Rain caused a sinkhole in Guatemala that swallowed up a building and gulped it right down--out of sight.

We in the Pacific Northwest are used to rain. Yet even here we've had enough! The dark drizzly days are getting many of us down. Some television newscasters even seem to be turning against their own meteorologists--like it's their fault. All this weather has caused me to think.

I'm leaving in a few minutes for a planning meeting of the 2010 Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference. Just a few months ago, at the 2009 OCW Summer Conference, we experienced record-breaking heat. Sweltering temperatures passed the one hundred degree mark several days in a row. And don't think that didn't cause consternation!

When it comes to weather, we seem to have a built-in need for moderation . . . not too hot, not too cold, and not too long. Moderation.

Now if we could just see the need for moderation in areas over which we have some control--like diet, exercise, entertainment, and work--we'd all be healthier and probably happier people. But that requires discipline on our part. So, perhaps it's easier just to complain about the weather and express our need for moderation that way. What do you think?

"Let your moderation be known unto all men.

The Lord is at hand."

~Philippians 4:5

Wisdom with Largeness of Heart

2010-06-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Every day, citizens are bombarded with issues that require a thoughtful response. Every day, politicians and pundits make their cases. Everyone seems right--who do you believe?

As followers of Christ, we know that wisdom is just a prayer away. But keep in mind that God's thoughts are not man's thoughts--they are higher even as the heavens are higher than the earth. Therefore, the wisdom you receive from God will not always make sense to the secular world.

The wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure;

then peace loving, considerate, submissive,

full of mercy and good fruit;

impartial and sincere,

as opposed to earthly wisdom which the Bible calls

unspiritual, of the devil,

full of envy, selfish ambition, disorder and every evil practice.

Is it any wonder that in a secular world followers of Christ often come across as naive and impractical?

On the other hand, when we rail against evil without referencing God's mercy and grace, we also come across as judgmental and harsh.

When the psalmist needed wisdom, he sought God's commandments along with largeness of heart. May that be our request when we ask God for wisdom to deal with the issues of today. May all our "solutions" for the problems of the world be tempered with God's grace, mercy, and love.

May God bless our soldiers and the country they fought to protect.

2010-05-31T10:41:00.000-07:00

We live near Willamette National Cemetery and feel privileged to witness the military jets perform their annual flyover during the Memorial Day observation.

What a blessing to live in a free country! Our soldiers have fought hard to procure that freedom for us. Many gave their lives, others lost limbs, and others still suffer from the emotional trauma of war. May we never lose sight of the sacrifices they made for us.

How can we ever repay them? We can't really. But we can honor them on this day. Throughout the year we should take every opportunity to thank soldiers we encounter for their service. We can support organizations that support them. We can demand that they receive excellent medical attention during and after their terms of duty. We can and should give them extra consideration when it comes to housing, education, and retirement benefits.

Most importantly, we can pray for them and ask God to bless them from above with His grace.

Let the Healing Begin!

2010-05-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

Sam is home from the hospital. Let the healing begin.

Anyone who has had surgery knows that physical healing takes time. The healing can be painful and the waiting can be irksome. But they are necessary parts of recovery.

Similarly, anyone who has experienced an emotional blow knows that the road to recovery travels through a healing period. And it can seem like a long and winding road at times. We want to hurry the process, take shortcuts, cut corners. But true healing follows a predetermined path through denial, bargaining, anger, depression, and acceptance before we can successfully climb out of the pit of despair.

If you are still struggling with depression over an emotional blow you experienced long ago, it's possible you missed a step in your path to healing. Perhaps you need to go back and complete the process. Talk with a Christian counselor, join a support group, and take it to the Lord in prayer.

Help is out there. Let the healing begin!

More Lessons from Sam

2010-05-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

Over the past 24 hours we've wrung our hands, helplessly watching our precious Sam struggle with the after-effects of surgery:

Pain
Possible infection
Confusion
Fear.

His doctors and family hover, taking all the necessary precautions to assure his well-being both physically and emotionally. But he still suffers.

And that's today's lesson! The take-home for me and you is this:

When God deems it necessary to perform surgery on our hearts, He provides all the covering we need physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He does what He does for our good . . . but there will still be pain involved. Pain is part of the healing process. But take heart--He will never allow us to be tested beyond what we can endure without giving us a means of escape.

Acceptance Seems Easier for Some than for Others

2010-05-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

The first thing we noticed when we saw Sam in his hospital bed post-surgery is that, as usual, he was accepting of his situation. In his eight years, he has endured four or five surgeries--all aimed at making his daily life easier and more comfortable.

But Sammie doesn't understand the whys and the wherefores. He simply trusts the love of his mom and dad, and takes everything in stride.

How wonderful it would be if we could trust our heavenly Father in the same way. He knows things we can never know--or understand--and He loves us with an everlasting love. If God allows something to intrude on our lives, then there's got to be a good reason for it. And He will carry us through the event.

Lord, help me to learn this lesson once and for all. Help me learn from Sam.

A Personal Prayer Request

2010-05-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I wrote that God sometimes blesses us in unexpected ways by giving us things we've never even thought to ask for, much less want--such as special needs. What I didn't tell you is that God has showered blessings on our family because of our 8-year-old grandchild. Sam has special needs, including Down syndrome and autism and all the attending difficulties.

Today, I'm asking you to pray for Sam who will be having surgery this morning to repair his knee. Basically, the surgeon will cut the ligaments on either side of his knee, rotate the kneecap into place and then shorten the ligaments so they'll do a better job of keeping the kneecap in place. A second surgeon will place longer tubes in his ears so that he can hear better.

Please pray the doctors will be alert and discerning, that they'll get the job done, and that Sam will come out of his anesthesia without difficulty. Pray also for his 6-8 week recovery period, that he'll endure the cast and wheelchair and that he'll come out of this with improved mobility. Pray for strength for his mommy and daddy and that we'll all see God at work in this sweet little boy's life.

Thank you and may God bless you, too.

Unexpected Blessings

2010-05-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

Sometimes God blesses us in unexpected ways by giving us things we've never even thought to ask for, much less want. Such is true of special needs.

Usually people like to feel special--set apart in a way that society honors, like being especially intelligent or especially good at athletics. But when it comes to being different in a way that society disses, like being especially unintelligent or especially bad at athletics or especially needy, then we have to work hard to drum up any kind of enthusiasm.

Why should that be? After all:

God created mankind in the garden and proclaimed him very good! He didn't say that some people were very good and some were not.
In Psalm 139:14 we read that man is fearfully and wonderfully made. Scripture doesn't say that some people are wonderfully made and some are not.
In Exodus God acknowledges that some people are mute or deaf or blind. And He takes credit/blame for that. In fact, in the gospel of John, Jesus said that the man born blind from birth was made just that way so that the works of God would be made manifest in him.

We who read our Bibles know these verses yet sometimes revert to the world's thinking when it comes to people with "special needs." Looking out for them (Philippians 2:4) is one thing, but pitying them disrespects God's handiwork and misses what He is doing through them.

We need to get over the notion that a child born with any kind of anomaly is undesirable. We say "I don't care if it's a boy or girl, so long as it's healthy." Shouldn't we rather say, "I don't care if it's a boy or girl so long as God gets glory from my child's life?" Healthy or not, we are each to live our lives in such a way that others will see our good works and glorify the Father who is in heaven.

There is much we don't understand as we look through the glass darkly. But one thing is sure: we are all fearfully and wonderfully made, made in His image, and waiting for the Lord's return. At that time we will understand and appreciate all His blessings, even the unexpected ones.

"Beloved, now are we the children of God,

and it doth not yet appear what we shall be,

but we know that, when he shall appear,

we shall be like him;

for we shall see him as he is."

~I John 3:2

Iron Sharpens Iron

2010-05-24T15:12:00.000-07:00

In conversation with a dear friend this morning, I was reminded of the proverb:

"As iron sharpens iron,

so one man sharpens another."

~ Proverbs 27:17

Dull tools are of little worth and the cause of much frustration. In the old days--before the Ginsu knife--people frequented cutlery stores to get their knives sharpened. Iron tools are further compromised by rust which collects on blades like carbuncles on a sunken ship.The iron must be scraped away before it causes further corrosion.

Like tools, we people can lose our edge and effectiveness when we refuse to venture beyond our comfort zone. To correct this situation, God could take us on home. But more often than not, he introduces us to someone who sharpens us (sometimes even rubbing us the wrong way!) by causing us to think outside the box.

The best results occur when people discuss issues within the safety net of true friendship. True friends feel free to express their opinions, even contrary ones, knowing that they will be heard and that truth will emerge through the discussion. That's how I felt with my friend this morning.

Do you have a friend who sharpens you?

People Who Pray

2010-05-22T11:44:00.000-07:00

This morning in our prayer group, one friend mentioned that women often get sucked into wanting this or that previously-held male position, such as fire-fighting. Yet women who are hired in that role often find the job stressful and physically-exhausting. Some even find it necessary to quit or request desk jobs.

I have no problem with women wanting to break the glass ceiling that keeps certain positions out of reach. And I certainly have no qualms about expecting equal pay for equal work, especially since many women now are heads of single-parent households.

Yet, there's an even greater position that is open to all, regardless of gender--that of prayer warrior for family, country, and the world. Firefighters can save houses, possibly lives. Policemen can make our streets safer. Presidents can orchestrate a nation's policies. But:

Prayer warriors can work with God almighty to make a difference.

Prayer warriors can save the world!

Let those who want to make a temporal difference squabble over jobs and pay scales, and let those who want to make an eternal difference meet together in prayer.

One of Many Reasons I Love Babies

2010-05-21T09:41:00.000-07:00

Every good gift is from God--one of the greatest of which is the blessing of heritage. Babies are the means through which we obtain heritage. Without babies, mankind would disappear from the earth in one generation.

From a strictly humanistic point-of-view, babies are good for individuals as well as society: They bring out the best in men and women. Where their babies are concerned, those who tend to feel:

Timid become bold as mama bears protecting their young,
Useless find themselves needed in ways they never considered,
Selfish learn to be selfless providers for their infants,
Proud learn humility when caring for babies' changing needs,
Controlling learn flexibility (whether they like it or not!)

Sometimes babies bring out the worst in us. We get impatient and stressed and lose our tempers. And when that happens, we can rejoice at the opportunity to change for the better. The answer is not to get rid of baby, but to get rid of the traits that mar us as individuals (timidity, uselessness, selfishness, pride, control, etc.).

Individuals who are caring, useful, selfless, humble and flexible make for good citizens. Society is healthy when such people thrive. They make great parents and turn out great kids!

In our rush toward self-actualization, I fear our culture has lost sight of these basic truths. We seem to be replacing the general good with personal self-satisfaction. Sacrificing future generations for our present well-being is very short-sighted indeed. At the end of life, we leave nothing behind but a history of our own self-indulgence.

As a parent of two daughters and a grandparent of their four children, I love babies because they are cuddly and fun and needy and challenging and delightful. And those babies will grow up and continue God's gift of heritage.

I'd love to hear your opinions/thoughts on this.

High School Mini-Reunions

2010-05-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

Our class president is in town, so a bunch of us are getting together today for a high school mini-reunion. To say we've changed over the decades is an understatement. But beyond the extra pounds and thinning hair is an even greater change.

Since graduation many of us have come to faith, and God has transformed our hearts. He's given us an eternal perspective, and the things of earth have grown strangely pale by comparison. We care more about each other's souls than social status or profession, appearance or physical strength.

And it's a good thing, because many of our classmates are experiencing life-threatening illnesses. Fact is, some have already passed from this earth. As we face our mortality, there's only one pertinent question: Where will we go when this life is over?

My prayer is that our class will continue to have reunions throughout eternity--around the throne of Jesus Christ who is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

The Eternal Optimist

2010-05-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

Years ago, I clipped a Punch cartoon out of the paper. My all-time favorite, it depicts a man crawling across a barren desert on his hands and knees. He looks up at the scorching sun and lifts his voice in song . . . "Blue skies shining on me, nothing but blue skies do I see." Now that's an optimist!

Thankfully, those of us who know the Lord can look heavenward, even in the midst of our fiercest trial, and have peace in our hearts. Why? Because the God of the universe is looking down on us, working all things together for our good. Even when evil assails us, like Joseph we can say:

"You intended to harm me,

but God intended it for good."

~ Genesis 50:20

Sometimes cynics mock Christians for being eternal optimists. But that's okay. We know who saved us, transformed us, and transported us out of the kingdom of death into the kingdom of His dear Son. We know His promises are sure, proven, and trustworthy. I place my trust in the One who wrote the Book. How about you?

The Choice Saul Made

2010-05-18T08:18:00.000-07:00

In today's Our Daily Bread <www.rbc.org> Marvin Williams records the battle between David and Goliath where the most unlikely shepherd boy slew the the mighty Goliath of Gath and claimed victory for the beleaguered Israelites.

King Saul was in a fix! He had no one "worthy or brave enough to fight." As I see it, he had three choices:

Do nothing. This would cause further demoralization of his troops and Israel. Besides, continued inaction would further demonstrate their weakness and ensure their utter destruction.
Fight the giant himself. To fight Goliath himself, Saul would need the same "unswerving faith in the Almighty God" that David had . . . which we know he did not. He had all the trappings of a king, size and beauty, that the people craved. But deep inside, where it counts, he was a coward. Scripture shows us that Saul's pattern was to disobey the living God, justifying his actions at every turn.
Allow David to fight. Now this choice came fraught with its own risks. If David were unsuccessful, besides suffering humiliation, Israel would be enslaved by the Philistines. Yet, David's "unswerving faith in the Almighty God" impressed Saul. Whether mere bravado or not, David's faith represented the only hope Saul had of victory, and so he chose Door #3.

Sometimes we don't feel we have much of a choice in situations we face, that no matter which choice we make, we are doomed. In times like these, we do well to follow David's example of unswerving faith in the Almighty God. Take what we have to the Lord--whether that's five smooth stones or five loaves and two fishes. He will take what little we have and multiply it to bring glory to Himself and provide for His people's needs.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

2010-05-17T08:47:00.000-07:00

Today marks my mother's 87th birthday, the last three of which she's spent in heavenly company! But those of us who remain earth-locked miss her.

Mom was one of the great ones, and I don't say that lightly or take it for granted. As I've counseled with women (many hundreds of them over the years), I realize that not everyone had the privilege of being mentored by a good women who loved her family above everything else on earth.

She was there with the listening ear and plate of cookies everyday after school.
She was there with the word of encouragement when I felt glum.
She was there to cheer me on when I was riding high.
She was there . . . always there.

And now she's not.

I thank God for the hope He gives us that there will be a blessed reunion in heaven, IN HIS PRESENCE, for those who belong to Him. What a glorious day that will be!

"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant

about those who fall asleep,

or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.

We believe that Jesus died and rose again

and so we believe that God will bring

with Jesus

those who have fallen asleep in him."

~ I Thessalonians 4:13-14

Little Girls and Birds

2010-05-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

I love a particular print in my office. (It was my mother's so it has special significance to me.)

A prim little girl, her hair parted in the middle and formed into braids that curl around her ears (think Princess Leia), kneels on a bench--the paint of which is scuffed and marred.

A delicate red-breasted blue bird, his beak opened in song, perches on a branch-let of a white birch sapling, the bark of which is also scuffed and marred.

As he rhapsodizes, the girl listens with rapt attention, an audience of one.

Yet there is One who watches over them both, One who knows the number of hairs in the little girl's braids and One who feeds the birds of the air. No matter how scuffed and marred our circumstances may be, we are never alone and we are never without His presence.

I find this comforting. Do you?

When We're Too Old (Or Too Young) to Learn

2010-05-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ever known people who felt they knew it all--they had nothing to learn? How tragic! Their world must be miniscule and their imagination stunted.

There's a big world out there! And God told us to have dominion over it!

Years ago I taught a kindergarten class and was excited about all the wonderful things I could teach these malleable minds. One morning we were discussing frogs in science class. Now what's more interesting than frogs to kindergarten children? Yet, from the back of the room came Mark's unmistakable voice. "B-O-R-I-N-G!"

I sometimes wonder what became of young Mark and if he, as an adult, still believes he has nothing to learn. As for me, the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. Have you found this to be true?

"Open my eyes that I may see

wonderful things in your law."

~Psalm 119:18

Testimony Time: What Habit Did God Help You to Break?

2010-05-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

Some of our friends are struggling with habits they want to break. They don't believe it's possible. They've tried too many times before . . . and failed.

What can you tell them to encourage them to press on? Has God helped you overcome a habit you struggled with? Is it something you feel free to share?