Two Choices

  Do you know where you’ll spend eternity?  As a Believer this should be our greatest concern about, our family, neighbors, people in our workplace or in folks we meet along the way in life, with whom we have conversations.  Our hearts should yearn for opportunities to share the Gospel with those who don’t know the Risen Christ as Savior.  

Yet, often, I find myself shying away from verbal conversation with others regarding this topic, even though I absolutely know where I’ll spend eternity, and the message Jesus wants us to share.  I feel like somehow I’ll skew the information, or be unable to give accurate scripture references, or seem pushy and righteous.  Perhaps you can relate.

However, I had the opportunity to have a conversation with a young woman one day and somehow began talking about choices in life.  Along the way I asked her if she knew where she’d spend eternity if Christ came back today.  

“What?” she asked, clearly startled.  

I repeated the question, and another woman in the room whom the young girl knew well, looked at the girl directly and said, “Oh don’t worry about that.  I’ll explain it to you later.”

I knew the other adult well and knew she grew up in a Christian home.  She however, does not follow the Christian values her parents displayed. My heart fell because I knew I was “done.”  Even though I tried to bring the subject back around to  eternity, I was abruptly and almost harshly stopped.  

As I reflect on the conversation, I know it isn’t I who leads another to Christ, it is the Holy Spirit and I must leave the results in His hands while praying a seed was planted even if Satan tries to squelch my efforts.  I know I don’t have to be a theologian to share about the Gospel.  Sometimes I just need to share my story; what Christ has done in my life; my joy!

We celebrate Christmas and most recently, Easter and  Jesus’ resurrection.  These two holidays are so closely tied together, it’s almost hard to see them separately.   Following that, we can be sure Jesus will return one day, and I believe, in the not too distant future.  So it’s really about choices----and “not choosing” is choosing—and it’s at a great cost!

Jesus was willing to leave His throne in heaven and come to Earth to be the perfect sacrifice so sin and death could be defeated.  When we reject that belief, we reject Him.  Isn’t this reason for each of us to be in deep prayer for the souls of our loved ones, neighbors and others around us?  

When Jesus comes back, there is no more time to make things right.  It comes down to a single moment, a breath, if you will, and it’s finished.  Every person will have a destination and there are only two choices.  Those who have accepted Christ for who he is, and will live eternity in a place of everything good; or those who choose this world and Satan and will live eternity in a place of eternal torment. 

Do You Have A Dream?

  I’ve been writing for many years; yet I find myself still struggling with the word ‘success’.   I have written books, Christian curriculum, children’s books— and currently, more specifically, children’s (and middle school) disability books which are both in a series and I even write two weekly blogs.  Still I look at those who have very successful writing careers and wonder what I’m doing wrong. 

My dream isn’t about doing something that makes me rich and famous, but rather to do something that is fundamentally good and to make a difference.

I read an article recently about another writer who had a similar dream.  Hers involved being part of a ministry that wasn’t immediately received that way, yet she prayed about being part of it and believed God put her in this place.  She said her journey was not clearly defined when she started, and the ‘how-to’ was also a bit vague.  Still following her heart, she dove in.

In addition to being part of this ‘not well defined goal’ she had life struggles which made her wonder what in the world she was doing.  I absolutely, —and perhaps you do too—, can identify with this picture.  While we don’t have the answers we continue to do our best to move forward regardless of the nay-sayers and our lack of self confidence.

A song came out some years ago which on the very first listen, made me cry, “But God.”  Even now (literally) after all these years, the very whisper of those words bring tears to my eyes.  I think about how I started and where I am now.  It’s been a journey I hadn’t planned on. 

Disabilities were not in my mindset, perhaps not even in my vocabulary.  Certainly I knew what they were and that people had to deal with them.  I, however had limited access.  Yet, quite by coincidence (or as I like to think about it ‘God-incidence’) I landed right in the middle of Special Needs.  

The journey has been bumpy, surprising, exhilarating, challenging, rewarding and very educational!  I still don’t feel very enlightened about all the problems, anxieties, loneliness, struggles and courage it takes to get through the day for someone who has a disability.

But one thing I have learned for certain, is God is in control!  He chooses the most unlikely persons to do the most unlikely things!  He used Abraham and Sarah to have a child who would give birth to a nation; Rahab, a prostitute to help His people; the disciples --who were all ordinary men, including being fishermen; and Peter who would deny him three times yet would begin the early church.  He used Paul who, as Saul was a vicious hater and prosecutor of all Believers, and the list could go on for days!

I had a dream.  I wanted to write, and while I hadn’t a clue where it would take me, I jumped in.  I didn’t really have a plan, I just wrote.  I tried various genres, but found my home in the most unlikely place.

I still struggle with all that I don’t know and some days feel totally inept!  Whether my blogs or other works are only read by 25 people or 25,000 is really irrelevant if I am following God’s plan.  God does not care about ‘our numbers’.  He cares that we are obedient.  His success plan can be totally different from ours.

Isn’t that what we all want?  As a Believer we want to believe we are following God’s call and being obedient even when we don’t understand, have much to learn, and run into stone walls.  Just yesterday during the Pastor's sermon, he said, comparing yourself to others is wrong.  God has a specific plan for each of us.

Where is your dream leading you?  Is there something, even if you aren’t sure you are qualified to do, that continues to tug at your heartstrings, begging you to give a try?  It may mean starting small, taking those baby steps which may seem impossible to define, or conversely taking a huge step which can scare you breathless! 

In whatever way you feel God calling you to move forward, seek His face and begin the journey that will ‘grow your relationship’ with him and where you will ultimately find your ‘happy place.’   

Photo credit: https://depositphotos.com/photos/dreams.html 

Taking Our Giants Down

        The story of David and Goliath has always been one of my favorites.  It’s inspiring to witness the courage and belief David had in God.  I want faith like that!  It seems every day there is something that tries to intimidate me like Goliath did to all the Hebrews across the countryside.    

While we don’t see the huge giant taunting us as Goliath did, we still have Goliaths in a variety forms in our world today—and they do seem to taunt us!.  As Max Lucado in his article “Take Goliath Down” said, there is “Debt. Disaster. Dialysis. Danger. Deceit. Disease. Depression.”  These giants loom heavy on our lives and in our hearts and seek to destroy us.  How are we to manage?

The most obvious response to that question is to react as David did.  He talked with God and had a strong belief that his small stone could bring down that giant.  Not because he would be the one throwing the stone; he’d done that with other wild animals, as he protected the flock in his care. He knew God had helped him there and believed God was in 'the working' to control the stone he would throw, to hit its mark.  Again, I want faith like that!

Along with believing God will help us through prayer and our belief in what he can do and what he has already done, we also must have a heart filled with eagerness to please God.  This is sometimes called passion.  David was convinced of the victory over Goliath.  He didn’t run away from the battlefield, but went forward.  

David was one most people would have called foolish.  He was the least likely person there to be able to do something about the skulking coward before them.  He was a simple, young shepherd boy.  Not only did Goliath doubt his ability, but also Goliath’s fellow Philistines, and even his very own brothers! Yet instead of shrinking in fear, he boldly said, ‘let me take him’!  And what made this even more spectacular was his weapon of choice was a sling and some stones!

One stone was all he needed to give the final blow to Goliath, but David could not have know if other Goliath’s in the neighborhood would come charging after him.  The extra stones might have been reassurance he had the necessary tools to bring down more than one enemy!

Our lives are often filled with more than one ‘crisis’ at a time.  Sometimes we feel overwhelmed when not only illness knocks us over, but also debt or another disaster, all flying in at once.  If we perceive our calamities as ‘Goliath’s’ and prepare our souls with stones and a sling, like David did, we can also have victory!

We need to be careful to put on the whole armor of God like David projected, ---through prayer, his passion for following and believing in God, and his faith in a God who never left him to his own defenses.  We need to believe God will give us everything we need when faced with some kind of ‘demon'.  We can move forward in whatever battle or giant we face while using our God given ‘sling and stones’ of prayer, faith in what God knows, has already done, and is doing, to bring our giants down.

        Are you ready to defeat the enemy?

Photo Credit:  https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=david%20and%20goliath 

The Fifth String

  A friend tells the story of sharing the ‘children’s message’ at the beginning of the service.  His object lesson included a five string banjo.  He explained that the fifth string on this musical instrument was vital to the best melodies he would play, even though it was significantly shorter than the rest of the strings. This string at the higher pitch, he continued, usually gets a lot less attention than the other strings, but is still very important.  Demonstrating, he played the same tune twice; once without the fifth string and once with it.  It sounded vastly different.

His point was that even though the youngsters didn’t seem important or usually noted, they are still very important. I love this idea.  Children offer a fresh look at their faith and honest praise.  It’s an important gift for the adults, and often an example of how we should worship!

We have attended churches where children are hardly noticeable. They seem to have no part in the morning worship or in any other way, except during the Christmas program when all the classes participate. The youngest are excused to ‘children’s church’ early and the teens seem to be lost in the crowd, if they are there at all.

We also attend a church, when traveling, where youth and younger people are a vital part of the service.  It isn’t uncommon for my tears to flow with joy as I see a young person singing their hearts out in the morning choir on ‘Youth Sunday’ celebrated once a month.  These young people don’t just include teenagers, but younger ones if they desire.  Even on those Sundays that are not designated for youth, they still seem to be a vital part of the service through the singing or in other ways. 

Following the opening, often a teen will offer special music, as well.  They offer their praise because it’s what they believe and haven’t caved to the stigma of shyness and inadequacies which often plague our young people at that age in front of their peers.

My heart soars when the adult choir sings and encourages young ones to join them, as well.  The younger ones will sit near a familiar adult and will sing with gusto with the words they know, or read the words from the hymnal or sheet being used.  It’s such a joy to include them this way.  Even when the Pastor invites people to come to the altar and pray near the end of the service, it isn’t uncommon for a young person or teen to come visibly bowing before the Lord.

These young people, often over looked in some churches, will one day be the leaders of the church, their communities, perhaps even our nation. I heard it said once, “A church will soon die without the children.”  I think perhaps they are right.  They are such an important part of the church body; the gateway to the future of the church, their families and those who come after.

    We need to cherish these moments and encourage our young people to become an active part of the service.  Worship is not a spectator sport.  We are called to participate with other Believers in true praise.  Including children in this way--even if they don't 'get it' perfect,-- in their early years, prepares them and encourages them to continue to give everything they have to the Lord they know, and in so doing, helps their faith grow.

Photo Credit:  https://www.freeimages.com/search/fiddle

My Best Friend

  Another Believer and I have been involved in a Bible Study.  A couple days ago we were asked to name a mentor, a woman who is energized for the Lord, one who we look up to and enjoy spending time with, and is quick to ask if we’ve looked into the scriptures whenever we are faced with some kind of issue that has us rattled.  I did come up with a woman such as this, but I also came up with a young man I know well who also fits this description.  Many times I’ve said, “I’d love to have his strength; his faith.”

Is there someone in your life who you can count on in any situation?  This person is often called a friend, even a best friend.  I remember for years wanting a “best friend” and for whatever reason, I never seemed to have one.  Oh I had friends, all right.  I had lots of them.  But to say I had a best friend, just didn’t seem to be available to me.

There’s a story about two sisters who had a discussion about friends, that was especially difficult as they became adults.  They were as different as day and night;  had different perspective on lives, different views on faith, attitudes, and things; and people in general.  There was a discussion one night where one sister asked if they could be best friends.  The other sister said, she would always love her as a sister, but best friend relationships aren’t chosen that way.  They are developed over time, nurtured on both sides and it grows into the relationship it becomes.  This relationship can stand the test of time and is the groundwork for sharing secrets, pain and happiness.  

    We are about to celebrate Easter.  It’s the celebration of Jesus who gave his life’s blood for the whole world.  The concept that God could love us so much as to offer his Son as the ultimate sacrifice is mind boggling.  Yet this is truth.  

Do you know of anyone who would be willing to die such a cruel death on a cross where feet and hands have nails pierced through and then left to hang there until dead?  My mind rejects this picture yet, again, this is truth!

Jesus, our Messiah, who gave His life willingly, wants the kind of relationship that says ‘You are my best friend!’  He loved, He served, cared for the poor, had compassion, understood pain and grief, knew the power of temptation, had the authority to forgive sins and was willing to go to the cross to offer a path of salvation.  His love is even greater than that of a mother, who from a human perspective has the kind of love barely describable.  God’s love —Jesus’ love— is a perfect love, without any faults or human frailties.  

So I challenge you to look at your relationships.  Do you have a “best friend” who you can always count on?  Are you that kind of friend?  Do you know Jesus as your ultimate “best friend?”  I hope you do.  If not, I encourage you make Him your personal Savior and Best Friend right this moment.

Photo Credit:  https://www.pexels.com/search/friendship/

Aligned With Christ

  My friend shares the story of how his father taught him about the importance of having the proper tools for his trade, bricklaying.  The plumb, a type of pendulum which assures the builder his project is both vertical and perpendicular ‘to the true horizontal level’; a level which has a reservoir containing liquid which must be completely centered; a square which assures perfect right angles; and a string which ensures a ‘straight line and uniform level.’

With the combination of these tools, the mason can lay blocks without discrepancies in corners, height, and horizontal and vertical lines which are vital to a properly built structure.

As he told the story I couldn’t help but remember when my husband and I had our house built back in the 80’s.  Construction is foreign to me, but I was fascinated as I watched our mason lay blocks for our basement.  It was very hot, yet this man lifted those twelve inch blocks and set each one carefully on the wet cement he’d mixed, below it.  He would stop and regularly check to make sure everything was level.  The work was hard and exhausting. Our basement was strong, solid and totally aligned.

This concept of of being vertically and horizontally aligned can also apply to our spiritual life.  I’ve heard it said  more than once, that if our lives are not aligned in Godly fashion horizontally we will not be aligned with Christ vertically.

That can be a challenging concept to process; but the idea of having lives which follow God’s precepts and commands is a must.  We are human and certainly will have failings.  We can’t possibly do everything right.  We have thoughts, moods, emotions, desires, careers, circumstances, people in our lives, and a hundred other diversions which tantalize our habits, lifestyles, relationships and more —-all of which affects our choices.

And to make all this even harder is satan and all his minions who are actively trying to make our lives filled with worldly attractions and distractions to confuse us and create doubts about who we are, who we belong to, and how we are to live.

As a Believer we have the tools like the plumb, square, level and string to guide us in keeping our lives aligned with Christ on the horizontal level, along with keeping our Spiritual life aligned with Christ vertically.  

When we live our lives deliberately for Christ based on his Word which is a huge tool for success horizontally, our relationship with God from a vertical direction can be where it needs to be.   Our relationship using his Word, other Believers, prayer, corporate and/or individual study enables us to grow stronger every day and stand firm, because our foundation is concreted in what is right and good.

The world will try to chink at our edges, or in those spots which may appear weak.  Our support groups and inner guidance from God, along with using the right tools, can keep the cracks filled with good material to ward off the evil attacks on our world that is ever changing.  

Photo Credit:https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/bricklayer.html 

Spiritual Growth Takes Effort

  During the sermon last week the Pastor said something to the effect of ‘Getting saved is vital to getting into heaven; but it doesn’t stop there!  We are each supposed to grow in the Spirit and have a relationship with Christ.’

We all have to start somewhere and our salvation is where we begin our Christian journey.  God promises to never leave us and will answer our prayers when we call on him. We have a brand new life in Him.  We are reborn—‘born in the Spirit’!

When we are born physically, as infants we rely completely on our parents/caretakers to provide for all our needs.  This includes housing, clothes, food, emotional health, medical care and everything in between.  We, as tiny babes, can only ingest milk that requires very little work for our little bodies to do, except accept the nourishment which helps us grow.

As we get older we are introduced to chunkier baby food, perhaps a different milk, juices and other foods which only require gentle chewing.  After all, we are still getting our teeth!

By the time we are five years old we are enrolled in an educational plan, which carries us through elementary, middle school and finally high school.  We graduate and then make choices which determine which road we will take, sometimes for the rest of our lives. It may be college, join the workforce or military, get married or become an entrepreneur.  There are lots of options and decisions! We have grown into an adult and are ready to face the world head on, believing we can handle whatever the world -or life- throws at us.

Being a Christian isn’t much different.  While our parents nurture and guide us from infant- hood into our education and finally into adulthood; the Spirit nurtures and guides us into mature Believers who are able to follow the plan God has for us, if we are willing. 

We ‘grow’ much as the small child on milk and soft foods first; doing our best to feed our mind, soul and emotions with God’s Words.  We develop into middle school students, and even high schoolers, as we continue to grow with our peers in youth groups or study groups as a young adult.  Our leaders, along with the Spirit, helps us understand and build on our prayer life, how to dig deep into the Bible, our road map for life; and how to ‘grow’ our relationship with Christ.

Finally we’ve reached adulthood and are able to put the teaching we’ve been given to teach others, and share our faith with the knowledge we’ve learned.  But still we aren’t finished.

Just as adulthood doesn’t stop when we reach 21- or whatever your ‘adulthood mark’ may be— our spiritual life as an adult never stops either.  There is always something to learn, something to share, God’s voice to hear, and choices to make.  All these things fold together to make us mature Christians who are able to accomplish whatever task and plan God has planned for us.

Ultimately it takes a lot of effort to ‘grow’.  But just as education and life experiences molds us into the human adult we have become, so God’s Word and our relationship with Him transforms us into the Believer and servant for Christ, we were meant to be.  It’s here we are better ready to answer the call from God for whatever plans he has for our lives.

Photo Credit:  https://stock.adobe.com/search/images?k=spiritual%20growth