In my younger years I went canoeing quite often, usually on the Fox River in Northern Illinois where I grew up.  These pictures are from one of those trips from the early seventies, the one on the right highlighting my sister, Karen, and my dad.  The Fox usually had just enough current flowing to make it an easy ride downstream.  If you wanted to go upstream you had to work at it, but progress could be made if you stuck with it.

Our faith is like that.  It is not static, it’s dynamic, and is directly proportional to our thoughts, actions, and environment.  If we neglect our faith, our environment will take over and we’ll float downstream, blending in with the world.  If we want to make a difference, however, we need to paddle!

Our faith must be nurtured, just like any living thing, and will thrive or die depending on the care it receives.  Our relationship with Christ is only as close as our efforts to stay connected with him.

We should always be asking ourselves, “Is what I’m doing right now glorifying God or dishonoring him?”  The answer sometimes may be “Neither.”  Maybe I’m just ignoring him which is also a bad choice.  I may not be doing it intentionally, but it’s very easy to get so wrapped up in my thoughts and pursuits that I completely crowd out God.  Many of my thoughts and pursuits are perfectly fine to think and do; I just need to learn how to take the Lord along for the ride and to include him in everything I do.  He’s already with me, so it’s about time I acknowledge that!

We  spend a lot of  time taking care of our bodies and outward appearance with proper nutrition, grooming, and what we wear, but God is more concerned with the condition of the inner man, and that’s the one we’re taking to eternity with us.  If you believe the Bible is the Word of God, like I do, then we need to make it a part of our daily diet and commit as much of it as possible to memory.  ”Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  (Matthew 4:4)  This is food for the soul!

If you want to be good at anything, it takes:

desire, determination, and discipline.

How desperate are you for God?  How badly do you want to know him, to please him?  How passionate is your worship for him? Our walk with Christ is just that-a walk.  We reap what we sow.  I’m not talking about legalism here.  I think those of us in the “grace” camp are so afraid of  ”earning our salvation” that we’ve become lazy and not willing to give up much of our time, talent, or treasure.  I don’t work so God will love me, I work because he loves me.  I know I can’t live the Christian life on my own without his help, but that doesn’t mean I should do just enough or give just enough to get by.  When I work with my heavenly Father I grow closer to him, which returns more joy and satisfaction, even while immersed in difficulties and sadness.  In fact, its more often in the hard times that I see him work most for me and for others.  As the hymn says,

“The things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
(Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Helen H. Lemmel, 1922)

My sister, Deborah, is enjoying the ride in the photo above!

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]]> http://robsreflections.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/are-we-feeding-our-faith-or-starving-it/feed/ 0 Rob karen & Dad Canoeing DSC01055 Deb in middle of canoe http://robsreflections.wordpress.com/2012/01/07/dust/ http://robsreflections.wordpress.com/2012/01/07/dust/#comments Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:07:33 +0000 Rob Beaird http://robsreflections.wordpress.com/?p=8005 ]]>
Children’s stories tell of wonderful and magical things that can happen when someone or something is sprinkled with fairy dust.  What child is not intrigued by the thought of dust bunnies under their bed?  My cousin tells me that a covering of dust can hold furniture together.  But the dictionary definition of dust is anything but magical and intriguing.

Dust can be defined as a fine, dry powder consisting of tiny particles of earth or waste matter lying on the ground or on surfaces or carried by the air.  Nothing intriguing about that until we read in Genesis 2:7, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”  I am dust!  You are dust!  We are dust that lives!  Dust that was given life by the breath of the Lord God Himself!  The breath of life which allows us to love, to be loved, to laugh, to cry, to dance, to be still, to forgive and to be forgiven.

Just as we wipe the dust off the furniture in our homes with a rag, the shroud of death will brush across the shelf of our lives, and the bones and flesh of our bodies (dust) will return to the earth, but our spirit will return to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7).  But, it does not end there for at an appointed time, we dust dwellers will wake up.  Daniel 12:2 tells us that some will awake to “shame and everlasting contempt” and “some to everlasting life”.  As ransomed dust, we will awaken to everlasting life.  We will “Awake and sing” (Isaiah 26:19), and we will “obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10)

Imagine that!  Dust that sings!

Diane Padgett

12/28/2011

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On Sunday night during the final song at the Andrew Peterson Christmas concert I finally let myself go and participated in the worship instead of just enjoying good music.  Then it happened.  My worries took a back seat.

Trusting God helps, but I have found that giving him praise and honor and glory seals the deal.  While I am doing it, nothing else matters; anxiety cannot touch me. 

Praising God dissolves my fears.  This is because fear and worship cannot coexist.

More good news-you don’t have to be at a worship service for it to work.  Just breaking out in a song of praise or simply saying “Praise God, Hallelujah, thank you, Jesus!” throughout the day infuses his peace and joy into your soul.

Well, here it is Thursday and I had to work some on my vacation but I was able to remotely work out the kinks in the phone system (praise God!) so the customer is happy and when the customer is happy you know who else is happy.

Merry Christmas to all of you.  May you find joy as you celebrate the birthday of the PRINCE of PEACE!

Rob

We have something at our disposal that can help people more than money or even all the wisdom or power in the world.  All it takes is a little compassion for others and a little of our time.  We don’t even have to leave our homes to give it to them.  In fact, it doesn’t even come from us.  But we hold the key to unleash a force that can meet all their needs along with a peace and contentment that surpasses anything this world can offer. 

Before you say, “Oh, no, not another lecture on prayer!” and click off this post, let me ask you something.  Have you ever wondered what a difference you could have made in someone’s life had you stopped to pray for them?   I’m not going to add to what hundreds of authors have already covered concerning communication with our Creator.  I’ve just been pondering lately what could happen if I really got serious about intercession.

“Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.”  (1 Samuel 12:23.)

The Bible is full of verses commanding us to pray for ourselves and others.  This implies that if we don’t, good things that could happen, won’t, and lives that could be changed, won’t be.  “You do not have because you do not ask.”  (James 4:2.)

Just before his crucifixion, Jesus told his disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.  Stay here and keep watch with me.”  But instead of lifting him up in prayer, they fell asleep.  I’m the same way, though.  The best way I can watch your back is to cover you with prayer, but I don’t do that nearly enough.

I am guilty of the sin of prayerlessness, squandering this precious gift, resulting in blessings withheld and needs unmet.  Why do I do this?  We all nod our heads in unison when asked if we believe in the power of prayer.  But does that apply to us personally or just to the godly saints like Samuel?  I think our prayers lack fervor and passion because we tell ourselves, ”I don’t know if God is really paying attention to me or will do what I ask, anyway.”  So we go through life doing the best we can and only bother God as a last resort.  Jeff Patton refers to this as “prayerless striving” and it causes us to miss out on the adventure of seeing the Lord do so much more through us than we could ever do by ourselves, not to mention the sweet fellowship experienced as we grow closer to him.  Whatever we do for God, we need to do it with him.   ”Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.”  (Psalm 127:1)  Faith without works is dead, but works without faith is dead, also.  Both are needed.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God.”  (Hebrews 11:6) 

I just finished reading through the book of Acts, and it really struck me how often the first Christians would get together to pray.  It’s no wonder people were being filled and led by the Holy Spirit to do some pretty spectacular things.  I’ll mention just two examples: the first time Peter was released from prison the believers prayed for boldness and God rocked the house-literally!  When he was put back in prison, they prayed again and an angel broke him out.  Paul later encouraged the Colossians to ”Devote yourselves to prayer” and assured Timothy that “I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.” 

I tend to take a casual attitude toward prayer, like throwing something up at the ceiling to see if it will stick.  I need to realize that God takes all of my prayers seriously, and that he answers every single one of them.  It may not always be the way I would prefer them to be taken care of, but since God knows best and wants the best for me, I need to be OK with that.  He sees the big picture-I don’t.  I thought Monty Waldron gave us some good advice when he challenged us to ask ourselves, “Am I more focused on what I want or what God wants for me?”

I have been blessed many times from being on the receiving side of my prayer warriors’ faithful petitions.  I’ve been rescued time and time again from so many things, it could fill a book; including a tornado, being run over by a van, and often at work as a network engineer when I have been able to “somehow” find solutions to things that were way over my head, like recovering files that should have been lost forever.  Perhaps the biggest miracle of all has been the return of one of my family members to Christ and the restoration of that marriage.  This is the result of having family and friends who constantly remember me in their prayers night and day. 

My sister, Karen, arranges roses in the basement of a flower shop, which most people would consider a lonely job.  But she gets in a lot of uninterrupted conversations with her Heavenly Father and prays over each bouquet as it goes out, for the recipients to receive a touch from him in some way.

Frank Peretti brought to life the war of spiritual forces in his book, This Present Darkness, when the angels were able to overcome the demons in that town only when the people in that little church got down on their knees.  I need to dust off my spiritual weapons and join the battle!  We have been given a second chance to keep watch for Jesus, because when we do it for others, he says it’s as if we’re doing it for him. 

There is a benefit that is often overlooked when interceding for a friend.  Sarah Young in Jesus Calling says that God not only comforts us but also enables us to be a channel through whom he can comfort others.  “Thus you are doubly blessed, because a living channel absorbs some of whatever flows through it.”

A final thought: you may be the only one praying for someone today.  Let’s keep watch for our friends.  If we don’t, who will?

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O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me. 
Deliver me, Jesus,
from the desire of being loved,
from the desire of being extolled,
from the desire of being honored,
from the desire of being praised,
from the desire of being preferred to others,
from the desire of being consulted,
from the desire of being approved,
from the fear of being humiliated,
from the fear of being despised,
from the fear of suffering rebuke,
from the fear of being forgotten,
from the fear of being wronged,
from the fear of being suspected.

And, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire
that others might be loved more than I,
that others may be esteemed more than I,
that in the opinion of the world others may
increase and I may decrease,
that others may be chosen, and I set aside,
that others may be praised and I unnoticed,
that others may be preferred to me in everything,
that others may become holier than I,
provided that I become as holy as I should.

(Roman Catholic litany by an unknown author
shared by George Verwer in his book, Hunger for Reality)

 http://vimeo.com/28695387

What if you were one of Jesus’ disciples who were with him in Judea when he almost got stoned and now he tells you this, “Let’s go back to Judea.”  I’d probably say what they did, “But Rabbi, a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?”  The next thing their leader said only confused them further, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”  OK, that makes perfect sense, Jesus, let’s risk our lives so we can wake up someone who will wake up anyway!

Jesus tried to explain, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there (to heal him,) so that you may believe.”

What would you think?  Really, Jesus?  This is getting more bizarre by the minute!  You want us to risk our lives to pay respects to someone you could have healed, but didn’t, so that we may believe?!  Mary and Martha were even more perplexed with Jesus.  They had sent word to him two days before: “Lord,” the messengers relayed, “the one you love is sick.”  Jesus told them, “This sickness will not end in death.”  They probably thought, “Hey, that’s cool.  I guess he’s going to cure him remotely, like he did the royal official’s son and the Centurion’s servant.”  I appreciate this method myself, since I do a lot of my work remotely as well!  But what happened?  Lazarus died.  Mary and Martha were crushed and felt let down, even betrayed.  “Lord,” Martha and Mary said to Jesus when he finally showed up four days later, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  

Of course, we now know what Jesus had in mind all along, which resulted in one of the most dramatic miracles of all time; Lazarus coming out alive, still wrapped up and looking like a mummy!

So, what does this scripture teach us?  We’ve already heard the lesson of God’s timing, as portrayed in the song, “When he’s four days late, He’s still on time.”  But there’s more here to learn.  I can relate to how confused the disciples and Mary and Martha were with Jesus.  Some times he doesn’t make sense to me, either.  Some things just don’t change, no matter how hard I pray.  I need to realize that God always answers my prayers.  It may not be when or how I want them answered, but it always eventually turns out for the best, and usually for my best.  But if not for me, then for someone else, or maybe just for the glory of God, and I need to be OK with that, because the world doesn’t revolve around me.  I wasn’t put here so everyone could make sure I was happy.

But don’t be too hard on yourself if you feel abandoned by God.  You’re actually in good company.  King David and even Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”  They didn’t understand it then, but they didn’t give up on their heavenly Father and he didn’t give up on them and he won’t give up on you.  Life can be hard, cruel, painful, sad, and lonely.  Sometimes it’s our fault, sometimes it’s not.  We can let it push us away from God or cling to him tighter.  It’s our choice.  God doesn’t enjoy seeing us suffer.  Jesus wept at Lazarus’ funeral and I can’t imagine how his Father felt when his Son underwent that horrendous execution.  But he allowed it because he knew there was no other way to save his other children that he loves so much.

Even if I am interceding for someone else, I need to put them and leave them in God’s capable and willing hands.  He’s trying to tell me, “Relax, I got this!”

The disciples went with Jesus that day, but not until after Thomas said to them, “Let us also go, so that we may die with him.”  How about that, in the midst of everyone thinking Jesus was losing his mind, it was good ol’ Doubting Thomas who came through!

So, instead of saying, “Woe is me!,” I should be saying, “As you wish, Lord.  Your will, not mine, be done.  I will trust in you, in spite of what I see, or can’t see… Really, Jesus.”

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We often refer to gifted children as child prodigies.  They are endowed with great abilities, natural talents, or exceptional intelligence and they fascinate us.  Whether you enjoy opera or not, one cannot help but enjoy listening to eleven year old Jackie Evanko sing.  Even if you have no appreciation for art, when you look at the paintings of Akiane Kramarek, born 1996, you instinctively know that you are looking at something special. Mozart, Jackie Cooper, and Bobby Fischer were all considered to be child prodigies.

As children of the living God (Romans 9:26), we are “the gifted”.  When we are born again we receive “the gift of God [eternal life] through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).  Ephesians 2:8&9 tells us that there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation.  It is a “gift of God.”  In Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4 we can read about the different gifts that God’s children are given.

 The whole world is gifted, but not everyone will accept the Gift.  Just as some child prodigies squander their gifts, many folks turn their backs on the greatest gift.  “For God so loved…he gave….” (John 3:16)  Salvation through Jesus Christ is the greatest gift of all.

II Corinthians 9:15  “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

Diane Padgett

7/3/2011

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We have a beautiful home on the farm where I  grew up.  Actually we have the last remaining two acres.  The rest of the farm has been sold off to developers and we are now surrounded by a very nice subdivision.    We have a neighbor on each side who also have approximately two acres each.

Ms Bradford to the north of us, was a sweet old lady who was always pleasant and cheerful.  Mr. McConkey to the south of us, was completely the opposite.  He was a frustrated old man. He never smiled and was always looking for some way to find fault with what went on in our home.

We would see him in the yard and Jim would wave and try to speak, only to be met with ill remarks and a disgusted look. Mr. McConkey would take pictures of us as we worked close to the road, I guess to use them as evidence against us for trying to improve the roadside.  We never quite new what he was up to or his motives associated with his actions.

There was no fence separating our two yards and if a ball or the children crossed the imaginary line, Mr. McConkey was quick to register his complaint.  We lived daily wondering what his next move would be to make our lives miserable.

It was the spring of the year, and as we always did, we worked feverishly to get our yard in shape.  Both Jim and I enjoy digging in the dirt, planting flowers, and creating a beautiful landscape. Located in our front yard, just inside this imaginary property line that separated our front yard from Mr. McConkey’s was a large water oak tree.  This tree was so large the canopy from the tree crossed “the line” into Mr. McConkey’s yard..  It was hard to tell who really owned the tree because we shared so much of the canopy.

One Friday afternoon when I arrived home from work, I turned into the driveway, and there it was, a huge pile of limbs from the water oak on my side of “the line.”  Immediately my blood began to boil.  I was convinced, that old man had trimmed the tree limbs that had crossed “the line” and thrown them over in my yard to be picked up.  It was the final straw.  I was fed up with his attempts to annoy me and I was going to teach him a lesson that would put to rest his meanness toward us forever. 

Still in my work suit, I got out of the car, and threw every limb on the pile back into his yard.  I thought, “that will do it, when he sees this we probably will have it out once and for all, and I would be rid of this old man forever.  He truly had become a thorn in my side and I was ready for a fight.

I headed to the house once the deed was done, and noticed Jim had returned from his weekly travels.  As I stormed into the house I found Jim and told him what that old man had done and what I had done to correct it.  I noticed Jim was not in a very supportive mood.  The expression on his face was a strange combination of humor and fear at what I had done.  He very quietly said to me, “I came home early and trimmed the limbs and was going to get you to help me clean them up when you got home.” 

It was one of those moments for me when my brain processed the consequences of my past, present and future actions, and I began to panic.  I realized Mr. McConkey was not home and I  scramble to correct my selfish mistake before he returned.  I called to Jim, “quick come help me get the limbs and put them back into our yard.”  By this time, Jim was laughing so hard, he could barely walk. 

We managed to return all the limbs to their rightful owner, and to this day Mr. McConkey never knew of the event.  Mr. McConkey has returned to Texas to be with his children, but the water oak is still there sharing its canopy with our new neighbor.  It is a daily reminder to me as I return home of how quickly we can misjudge a situation, and how quickly our selfish motives can take over.

Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Let all bitterness, and wrath and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice; And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ’s sake, hath forgiven you.”  I am grateful Mr. McConkey was not the recipient of my anger, and I am grateful my husband is a patient man.

Dear Father, please help us to remember things are not always as they appear.  Help us to see things through the eyes of the Holy Spirit, to be slow to anger, quick to forgive, and always ready to share a kind word, especially to the Mr. McConkey’s of the world.

Ann Cason

3/11/05

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“I sought the Lord and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.”  (Psalm 34:1)

Enables you to believe what He will do for you:

“The Lord will accomplish what concerns me.”  (Psalm 138:8)

This builds your trust in Him:

“To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.  Oh my God, in You I trust.”  (Psalm 25:12)

Your worries flee:

“When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.”  (Psalm 94:19)

Your joy overflows:

“My heart trusts in Him and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy.”  (Psalm 28:7)

and His Peace overwhelms:

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:7)

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 As I get older, living in the Sunshine State has brought a certain amount of weariness during the months from June 1 through November 30 each year.  On June 1, I start trying to kick in doors that are not shut by fretting about the possibility of evacuating.  We are not even on the road, and I already do not want to go.

 How foolish of me!  I have an anchor (Isaiah 26:3&4) and a refuge (Psalm 57:1) that are available twelve months a year, not just December through May.  Psalm 37 tells us to fret not, to trust in the Lord, to delight ourselves in Him, to commit our way unto Him, and to “rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him”.

Therefore, I will take refuge in “the shadow” of His wings until “these calamities” pass over (Psalm 57:1).

Diane Padgett

June 2, 2011

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 Thirty-fifth in the series Get close to God

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  (John 15:5)
 

Trying to live apart from God is like a branch trying to survive apart from the vine.  The branch was not created to exist from for itself, but to bear fruit for us to enjoy.  And this can only happen if the branch stays connected to the vine for constant nourishment.  Likewise, we were not created to follow our own desires, but to serve and enjoy Christ.  And we can only do that if we stay connected moment by moment to him, who then empowers us for his service.

Pride and self-reliance is prized in this culture but it’s a stumbling block to a successful Christian life.  We are told in our movies and songs to find the power within ourselves and to do it our way.  But when I think I’m accomplishing something without God, I need to remind myself that I am doing it with a body he built for me, which is nourished by food he supplies.  I wouldn’t even last more than a few minutes without the air from the atmosphere he created.

Living for God may sound like slavery, but it’s actually joining a cause that enables you to excel at what you were made to do.  Watching God do supernatural things through you is exciting, and living out your purpose results in fulfillment and contentment.

Abiding in Christ should come natural to us; that’s how it started out in the Garden of Eden.  But we all know what happened there.  Ever since then the evil one has deceived and distracted us from our true purpose.  The good news is that we can reconnect with our Creator.  There are over 80 references in the Bible encouraging us to seek after God and stay close to him.  But this is not easy and requires intentional devotion over self indulgence.  Is it worth it?  The apostle Paul thought so:

I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.  (Philippians 3: 8,10)

When we cling to the heavenly vine we have all that we need to weather the storms of life, enjoy the fruits of walking with Christ, and experience the privilege of sharing it with others.

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Vacations never seem long enough.  Times of fellowship with our loved ones appear to end quickly.  Our babies become adults overnight.  We often make the statement “Time flies when you are having fun.”  Happy times do go by quickly, but not so with the hard times.  The hard times often seem to move at a snail’s pace.

Recently Phobe Snow, a bluesy singer, guitarist, and songwriter died.  When reading about her life, I was particularly impressed, not by her accomplishments in the world of music, but by the fact that for thirty-one years she took care of her daughter, Valerie, who was brain damaged.  Day by day, year by year, Ms. Snow poured her life into the life of her daughter.

Often in life we are called to take long-term care of someone, and it can fatigue us physically and exhaust us mentally.  Long-term care of someone is not only taking care of one’s physical needs, but sometimes long-term care is being kind to someone in our lives who has an ungrateful spirit.  Long-term care can be years of praying for a loved one to be saved.  Many times, long-term care involves caring and loving someone who is incapable of returning that care and love.

Doing what is right does not necessarily mean that it will be easy, fun, or short-lived.  We are not to get “weary in well doing” (II Thess. 3:13), but with “patient continuance” (Romans 2:7) we are to continue taking care of, praying for, and loving each other.  No one else may see what we do, care that we do it or remember what we have done, but our Father sees, cares, and will remember.

Galatians 6:9  “And let us not be weary in well doing:  for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Diane Padgett  5/11/2011

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When I read about the wild man of the Gadarenes, I get a picture in my mind of how he might have looked.  I see a man that is filthy, bearded, and naked; a man whose body is covered with scars from the constant “cutting of himself with stones” (Mark 5:5).  I can hear the sounds of his crying penetrating each day and night (Mark 5:5).  Luke 8:27 tells us that he “neither abode in any house, but in the tombs”.

It occurred to me that there are times when we dwell in the tombs.  They may not be tombs carved out of stone, but they are still where the dead lie.  Anytime we let our hearts and minds dwell in a place that is outside of the Lord’s peace and will, we are living in a tomb.  The tomb can be bitterness, an unforgiving heart, hate, fear, anger, worry or depression.  These are just a few for they indeed are “Legion” (Mark 5:9).

We do not have to live in the tombs.  We can choose to take our eyes off self and put them on Jesus.  Just as the wild man of the Gadarenes saw Jesus and ran to Him (Mark 5:6), we can also.  Just as his deliverance came, ours will, too.  Then we can sit at the feet of Jesus in our “right mind” (Luke 8:35).

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:  because he trusteth in thee.”  Isaiah 26:3

Diane Padgett

4/7/2011

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Thirty-fourth in the series Get close to God

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way; though he stumble, he will not fall, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.  (Psalm 37:24)

Ever notice how trusting small children are? You can swing and throw them (carefully!) up in the air, and when they fall back into your arms, what do they say? “AGAIN-HIGHER!”  They don’t doubt your ability or resolve to catch them.  OK, go ahead and laugh at my short shorts.  Just remember, it was the 80′s! 

Who do our kids run to when they are hurt or afraid of something?  To the ones who have always been there for them-their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and older siblings and friends.  That is where they find safety, protection, and comfort.  They know they can trust us and that calms their fears.  How was your first ride in a sky rail?  Stephanie wasn’t too thrilled.  Ah, the good old days at Opryland!  Sharon didn’t want me to use this picture.  Maybe it was her glasses. 

Time goes by, we grow up, get betrayed and let down, and each abuse erodes a little more of our ability to rely on anyone or anything.  For many, hope gets lost, fear takes over, and depression sets in.  The writer of Lamentations was an eye-witness to the fall of Jerusalem:  “My spirit is greatly troubled; my heart is overturned within me…my soul has been rejected from peace; I have forgotten happiness…my strength has perished.”  Recently, however, my friend Roger pointed out to me that some of the most encouraging and cherished promises in the Bible were just a few verses later in the same chapter: 

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”  (3:21-23)

Yes, people have dropped us and disappointed us, but the Lord NEVER ceases to show his love to us because his compassion NEVER fails and his faithfulness is GREAT!  Think of one person right now you know you can always count on.  Now multiply that loyalty a hundred times and you still won’t come close to your Heavenly Father’s track record.  That’s because he loves you more than anyone else, and has the ability to care for you like nobody else can.  When he says he will be with you and not fail you or forsake you (like he does many times in the Bible) you can take that to the bank!

So then, why do so many of us Christians still worry and lose sleep over stuff even after praying?  Perhaps it’s because we have a false image of a busy and powerful boss in heaven that doesn’t want to be bothered and puts our requests at the bottom of more important matters.  We just can’t grasp the reality of unlimited omnipresence and omnipotence combined with a love that’s as wide and long and high and deep as the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:18.)  We need to understand answering our prayers is not an option for God.  He already promised to do so and he never goes back on his promises.  He may not always do it the way I want him to, but I’m slowly learning he knows best.  I feel I have an edge, so to speak, that not everyone has, to personally know such a powerful and important person!  I need to approach prayer with more respect and responsibility.   An amazing potential is waiting to be unleashed; Almighty God is actually waiting and holding it back, granting us the privilege of interceding for others.  I believe the very instant a petition is transferred from our thoughts or lips, heavenly forces are set in motion to change the laws of nature, if necessary, to achieve glorious results.  My eighty-year-old mother may not be as strong as she used to be, but demons shutter when that prayer warrior gets down on her knees!  You never know, you may be the only one praying for somebody on a particular day. 

Then again, maybe we just need to somehow re-capture the spirit of our youth and trust God with abandon, knowing he won’t let us fall.  Maybe that’s why Jesus said “‘I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.’  And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”  (Mark 10:15-16)  If they had pictures or videos back then, I’m willing to bet we would see Jesus enjoying holding them as much, if not more, than the children liked being held.  I know I did with mine…

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The bees chased me to church yesterday.  Life’s bees come in many forms, often they come in swarms.  We may not see the bees until the lawn mower of life disturbs their nest.  Sometimes the bees are physical.  Sometimes they are emotional.  The physical bees come, but the emotional bees seem to chase me the hardest.

This time of the year the nest is disturbed, and the bees of sadness start chasing me.  The chase started a few days ago, but the buzzing intensified when we were on our way to church yesterday.  Bees are attracted to water, and the experts say we should seek shelter when being chased by bees.  By the time we pulled into the church parking lot, my tears had started, the stinging had begun, and I needed shelter.

Deuteronomy 1:44 tells us that the Amorites chased the children of Israel “as bees do”.  The Amorites are described as being as tall as cedar trees and as strong as oak trees (Amos 2:9).  They were giant bees in hot pursuit, but God destroyed them, and when I ran into the shelter of His presence, He did the same for me.

As our pastor says, “Life is not all honey and no bees”.  My sadness will always remain, but as long as I am sheltered by my Father, there is peace.

Diane Padgett

3/7/11

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Our small town in the Florida Panhandle is surrounded by guardians. Most evenings the sound of gunfire breaks up the stillness of the night. On any given day you can feel the whoop, whoop of the helicopters as they fly over. At times you can stand on our beach and catch a glimpse of the keepers of our coasts. The Air Force, the Army, the Navy, the Marines, and the Coast Guard are paracletes for the United States. It is their job to intercede on our behalf in an angry world.

In the sermon yesterday, Brother Pete, who is a retired military man, made reference to the body armor that he wore in combat. He said that the company name on the armor is “Paraclete” and wearing the armor “emboldens a soldier”. To embolden is to make bold, encourage, or to hearten.

Our battles may not be on the sands of the Middle East, but they are very real and ever present. We are constantly bombarded by “all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16). Paul tells us that we wrestle “…against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12). These are battles that we cannot win, but we have a Paraclete, the Holy Spirit.

Unlike the Paraclete body armor that our military personnel wear which is removed when out of harm’s way, the Holy Spirit living in us is always guarding, teaching, and comforting us. Just knowing that come what may we are never alone, should embolden us to live our day by day lives.

Diane Padgett 2/7/2011

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 Thirty-third in the series Get close to God

 
I am with you always, even to the end of the age-Jesus, Matthew 28:20

Since those are the last words Jesus spoke while he was still on this earth, I think they are worth a second, perhaps even a third look.  Is Jesus really with you right now, as you are reading this?  If so, how and where?  Well, I don’t know how he pulls off being with everyone at the same time, but he is God, right?  So, I would expect nothing less than omnipresence.

As far as where Jesus is, he can’t be too far away if he claims to be with us.  Paul explained it this way in 2 Corinthians 4:18: “We look not at the things that are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  Then in the next chapter he adds “we walk by faith, not by sight.”  Just because we can’t see something doesn’t mean it’s not there-we can only feel the wind and smell aromas.

He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist (Acts 17:27-28)

So many people live and die oblivious to the fact that there is so much more they could have experienced, had they reached beyond their limited existence.  Like a mouse stuck in a maze or a fish in a bowl, they are unaware of anything or any place outside of their own little world.

If we make a serious effort to pursue God, he promises to reveal himself to us:  “Abide in Me and I will abide in you…Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (John 15:4, James 4:8.)  Paul also encourages us to have unbroken fellowship with the Lord throughout the day: “Pray without ceasing” (1st Thessalonians 5:17)  I don’t think this is constant talking to God, it should include being quiet and listening to his still, small voice and thinking about him often.  I used to get discouraged when I would say “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening,” and then would hear absolutely nothing.  I’ve since learned the value of just being still before the Lord, to rest in his presence. 

This morning I was having a hard time focusing on prayer out in the woods and I was feeling a little bit defeated on my way back to the house when I was hit with the sunrise facing me.  It was so bright I could barely tell where I was walking.  All I could see was the sun.  I felt like the Lord was giving me an example of how to stay in his presence.  Wouldn’t it be nice if all I could see was him, in all his radiant warmth and glory, and not even notice all the worldly things trying to entice me and pull me away from the only true source of joy and satisfaction!  I was also reminded that in all the mostly cold and dreary days we’ve had so far this January, the sun was always there, it was just hidden by the clouds, just like our loving Heavenly Father is always there for us, even amidst our struggles and sorrows.

God has always been consistent concerning his desire for intimacy with us:  “Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord is with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:9)

This  sunrise was captured from the front porch of the cabin Sharon and I stayed in during our 30th Anniversary vacation in North Carolina in the Fall of 2009.  This photo was not touched up in any way.  I was awestruck as I watched it come up over the mountain!  As we rely on the sun everyday to enlighten our way, we can also depend on the Son to guide and help us at all times.

I am continually with you; You have taken hold of my right hand.  With Your counsel you will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory.  (Psalm 73:23-24)

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Here’s what happened to Sharon’s birthday balloons:

I love our Christmas tree.  The thought of discarding it saddens me.  I’ve put it off as long as I can; it’s time to take it down.

 I can still picture it as it stood tall and regal among the other Frazier Fir trees at the tree farm. Its full branches reached out to embrace the sun, rain and fresh air.  A shame, really, to cut it down and end its life for a few weeks of our own holiday enjoyment.  But, then, isn’t that the purpose of a tree farm?  The trees are raised for that purpose alone.  They’re planted, nurtured, tended and raised to serve; then to die.

On Christmas Day, Jesus Christ was born for one purpose.  Like the Frazier sapling, he was raised, nurtured and tended by his earthly and Heavenly fathers to fulfill a specific role. “He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.” (Isaiah 53:2)  He came to bring us life eternal; then to die.  Unlike the fir tree, however, he arose three days later and lives today to offer us salvation, joy, hope and life abundant. “I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly,” Jesus said.

Decorations have been tucked away for another year, wrapping paper long discarded, once-green trees taken for recycling. Christmas is over…. but the story is not.  No post-holiday let-down; only a bright future with Him.  It is not the end; it is just the beginning. 

Yes, this year’s Christmas trees are dead and gone. But Jesus is alive and will return again;  perhaps very soon.  Are you ready?

Deborah Peterson

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We took great pride in finding the right bird cage, a spacious home, for our new arrival. We filled it with all the right toys, food, and bird stuff, hoping to make his new home an enjoyable experience. But Pete was just not a happy bird. He just sat motionless. He didn’t sing, and he didn’t even play with his toys. He just sat!! It was obvious after several weeks of trying to entertain this bird, we were doing something wrong.

Then it dawned on me one day Pete was lonely. He needed a companion, someone to share bird things with. So off we went to the pet store to find Pete a friend. Her name was Paula. When we arrived, we heard this parakeet singing all the way from the back of the store and we knew she was the one. She was bright blue as the sky and just beautiful. We knew this was the one for Pete. He would fall in love with her, we hoped!

We were not disappointed, when we arrived home and put her in the birdcage with Pete it was love at first sight. For days he did not leave her side. Everywhere she sat in the cage, Pete was right there. If she ate, he ate, if she slept, he slept, if she sang, he sang. He was a happy bird and our home was filled with music. Paula was the focus of Pete’s life.

Unfortunately, Pete was not the focus of Paula’s life. We began to notice she was becoming increasingly unhappy. In her efforts to have a little space she would move away from him slightly when he got too close. On one occasion, Pete had her pinned so tightly against the side of the cage she could barely move.

Now I don’t pretend to know what goes on inside a bird’s head, but I just wondered what Paula would do about this situation. It was obvious this was not what she had in mind.

The birdcage was strategically placed in our kitchen by the picture window where there was lots of sunshine and activity they could see from their little home. I entered the kitchen one morning to fix breakfast, and found Paula sitting on the outside of the cage on the clothes pin affixed to the coddle bone. Pete was directly on the other side. Paula would fly off, ride the ceiling fan for a few minutes then return to her perch, outside the cage. She sang with such joy, it was wonderful. This went on all day, but in the evening, Paula would return to the safety of her cage and get as close to Pete as she could. She was a happy bird.

As for Pete, well he was a confused bird. He never figured out he too could slip through the cage and go for a morning or evening flight on the ceiling fan. He never figured out he could enjoy Paula outside the comfort of his little world. He just sat in the cage motionless until Paula returned. He missed the joy of being a bird!! We can learn a lot from Pete and Paula. Pete’s focus was on something/someone who could only bring him temporary happiness. His focus was limited to what was right in front of him. Paula, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy the fellowship Pete could bring, but also enjoyed the beauty of the world of a bird around her.

Our Dear Father in heaven says to us in Matthew 6:33, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. When we place our focus on the only one who can bring us not only circumstantial happiness, but the soul fulfilling joy of being a child of God, then we are free to enjoy the relationship of our spouse and friends in light of His glory.

Dear Father, don’t let me miss the joy of being a Child of God.

Ann Cason 2/10/05

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