A LINE IN THE SAND

Some of us are just now realizing A man has just drawn a line for all to see: If you’re not with me, you are against me and he won’t tolerate a “loyal opposition” as election winners of the past have graciously called those who, in their own eyes “barely lost the election.” 

This man demands not only obedience, but redefines basic terminology, turning logic on its head. Many times in our history peaceful rallies or demonstrations from crowds begging for their voices to be heard, when infiltrated by a violent infusion of criminals or hotheads, and the resulting chaos being widely considered to be just that: the majority were not blamed for incidents created by a few. Yet now the peaceful assembling of a crowd, also infiltrated by a few enemies of their cause, (friends of his?) this man labeled as a large vicious group aimed on warfare, when they came to plead their petition for fair inclusion which they believed--and still do--was jeopardized. 

The heartbreaking outcome is that most of our voters are too young to see the past few months, and the chaos to come, have played out just as Hitler’s swallowing Germany and then other countries and persecution of Jews. Labeling police ineffective makes martial law seem life-saving instead of threatening to freedom, along with removing weapons from law-abiding citizens, although it’s right from the Dictator’s Handbook. Most of us are too young or uneducated to see the outcome that will result from following this pattern of behavior by those we entrust to govern us. Only a few remain who remember the world-wide destruction and horror.

This man called his opposition Hitler’s Nazis. We have allowed so many words to become twisted into meanings foreign to their true nature:  This country was founded on moral principles of the Bible and worshipping God with freedom from influence or interference from Government and now we have meekly ignored the court’s rulings to protect us from any influence from worship . Family planning once meant marriage and becoming ready to form a family, teaching one’s own children to become good citizens and to follow the Lord’s precepts. Now it is understood to insure there will be no family through murder. Family planning, just as patterned by King Herod when he ordered murdered all Jewish children under 2 years old, to be sure he killed the Christ Child (he missed).  Or by following a false god who demanded worship through infant live sacrifice.  

Today very few object to being told their school children must not hear the word “God”, but may freely access and quote from Buddha, Islam, Harry Potter or witchcraft, and ignore any conflicting teaching by their parents, setting a barrier between children and any knowledge of the world’s history of mistakes they could avoid if they recognized today’s headlines compared with ???  (They will have no clue because history is being erased every day—statues torn down, history rewritten by a self-serving generation. Our acceptance of this new version of the world is demanded, despite objections by the generation who lived through this kind of upheaval least once before.   

BUT WAIT! Someone else has drawn a line in the sand; He makes a much better offer, good through eternity, but only if we commit our love and loyalty above all else and stay true to Him: Jesus Christ offers His great love to redeem us from this world where sin rules. He has never made a “campaign promise”. Every promise He ever made has been kept  in its time. And despite His hatred of Sin’s stranglehold on our world, He remains beside us amidst this unraveling world until He brings us safely Home. 

Warranty from a savior who gave His life for our own cannot co-exist with any promises issued by a man who---? rewards those who curry favor from a fickle master? wants to destroy any will but his own? 

Tough decision?  Not really.

.

 

 

This I know

 Why do I feel compelled to write this blog? To bear witness of great love received and to share it with anyone who needs encouragement. I don’t know who will read my words, but it’s not my job to have it read—I just need to praise Him, and if there are useful words to bless a reader, God will find that Reader. Maybe it’s you. 

Meditating on experiences unique to me, yet often typical for His followers, I can see looking back many private lessons He prepared just for me. The illustrations I found may not brighten your path, but may focus your attention on happenings that left you wondering, “What’s going on here?” 

My wish is that instead of passing quickly or absent-mindedly through the series of life lessons He prepared just for you, Dear Reader, that you watch for His hand in the seemingly random turns you  find your life taking. Look within and notices how subtly (or suddenly) your GPS  (that is God’s Path Specifically for you) may change directions. Ponder about His possible purpose for sending them your way. Even though you may be slogging through a threatening rainstorm, when the clouds clear away you will often find yourself halfway up a long, steep hill, and realize He is still holding your hand! 

I don’t remember a time when I was not aware there was a God and His Son Jesus. That was always a    fact in my life just like I knew my earthly parents, all powerful, to be respected, and as I grew more aware, to be obeyed and loved. These were facts I was taught and never doubted. 

Even then I understood that after His death, Jesus was seen by many people, friends and strangers   alike—any court of law today would have trouble disproving those hundreds of eye-witness accounts! And don't forget the hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament which predicted His coming--odds of any one man fulfilling even a few of these prophecies are astronomical, beyond imagining!

By age seven I understood the difference between acknowledging His existence and entrusting my future to Him, allowing His presence within my spirit and permitting His guidance forever.  By age eight, I followed Him in baptism, sealing my commitment to Him forever. 

And It puzzled me throughout my years that there were people who didn’t see this truth. How starved many children must have been, growing up without being taught of His great love and power, without being cognizant of the incredible world He created for us—the intricate, delicate balance of His creation from the star-filled sky to the bluebonnets growing in grassy fields beside sparkling rivers or roaring waterfalls, from tiny spiders weaving silvery webs to catch their dinner on the fly to mankind and the wonderful knitting together of a complex body topped off with a brain and heart capable of appreciating (and needing) relationships with God Himself and others of our own kind.  And if we someday learn there are sentient beings on other planets, they also will someday acknowledge Him      as Lord of All There Is.  

This background gradually prepared me to understand what God promised and that my decision and participation were necessary to receive the supreme offer of His life for mine. The Bible declares that all of Creation cries out to glorify God, even though man is often too blind to see. How could anyone doubt the existence of great love and intellect needed to enable the creation of all this extreme depth    of complexity and beauty? To look around this world and the wondrous workings of my own body    and think chaos just happened upon this grand scheme? Dear Ones, that  requires more faith than I   can imagine! 

                1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

                Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

            3There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.   Psalm 19:1-3

MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT

 I love cafeterias--so many choices, so small a tray! They don't expect you to pick one of everything obviously, but they try to make every item displayed to tempt you with something new, to try something exciting. But our goal should be to choose something wholesome and affordable, rather than being influenced by their goal of profits from fattening, empty calories. And everything on the menu probably won't be something you would enjoy, so you're free to ignore those items.

Some folks like to worship the same way: If the preacher says something they find threatening to their lifestyle choices, they are apt to say (on their way out the church door) "I couldn't worship a God who....."  or "He meant that rule for those heathens who lived back then, not for civilized people today."  These people read some rules for living  and may decide the writer is being too harsh and put away their Bible because it causes them to be uncomfortable, to enjoy a little less their night out on the town. That's probably a good thing, but they don't agree!

Some turn away from its words because they refuse to believe something they don't understand.

Some of these folks who seldom dip into their Bible find ne subject matter elsewhere more sophisticated, modern. These new ideas promise exclusive access to secret knowledge unavailable to less intelligent folks, less discerning than themselves. Lured away from Truth by cotton candy. Truth is not palatable to some people.

Warning: The Bible doesn't need--or permit--us to treat it like a cafeteria, throwing out an uncomfortable truth and, like the cafeteria, it doesn't permit us to bring a sack lunch to add to our meal, changing its meaning to suit our personal taste.

Really now, would you go to a bookstore and bring home a novel by a famous author and start making notes to mail to him to improve his book? His agent liked it, as is. His publisher liked it--he paid good money for the privilege of publishing it, as is. By whose authority do you believe you have the right to change his creation? Your right consists of accepting the book, as is, or rejecting it, as it was written,

Those men chosen by God to write down His words exactly did just that. Many prophecies within these pages have since been fulfilled, proving its truth. Generations have based their lives, trusting and proving the validity of this Book. It will stand above any other book, philosophy or religion--as long as Eternity stands.

Security from Your Shepherd

Sometimes I feel like a sheep--when I'm alone in the darkness of my thoughts, when no friends or family are nearby, when I'm wondering  what to do next, helpless against the wolf at my door, growling. I wonder how other folks handle their fears in the gloom of night?   

Do sheep know their shepherd? Do they know just how dumb they really are? Their shepherd knows them very well. He knows the name of each one of his flock and understands they need the right food, good water and safety to survive and thrive.

How do the white, woolly four-legged sheep handle their fears? They know their Master's voice! When he calls out, they rush to His side for safety. When He warns them to stay away from the rushing river lest they get swept away, they turn away from danger or He plucks them out of the deep water, their wool heavily sodden. When they wander, he calls out to remind them to go no further. He even anoints their noses to keep fiery little insects from biting, stinging, making them so miserable they might not hear His call. At night, He lies down at the gate of their pen so any wolf or lion lurking nearby cannot get inside and kill. If one is lost, He will search for His lost lamb, and He sings praise songs under the night sky to calm them and settle them for a peaceful night of rest.

Isn't that what our Good Shepherd does for us? We love to wander off on our own; we love to stroll beside the thrilling but slippery edge of danger like a rushing river, even though  the treacherous banks  try to hold our feet, drawing us into deeper water. The crook of His staff pulls us away from temptation, the fiery thoughts from Hell that threaten to distract us from our Master's call. When we wander away and get lost, doesn't He leave the rest of the flock in a safe place and search for us  and lead us back to safety? He stands between us and danger, even though we each want to decide our own exciting (and risky) path--after all, the grass across the river definitely looks so-o-o green and lush--and all night He rests in the gateway of our safe place, preventing attack from enemies, His dumb sheep who insist on getting to the edge of trouble all day, trusting Him to reach out just in time to save us. He sings praise songs to His Father, the King, calming us, His fearful flock, reminding us to be thankful for His watchful eye, His ever-present care, day and night.

I marvel at the great love my Good Shepherd has always shown and still continues daily without flinching, despite my petty whining over things I can't and should not have---but wait! All I could ever need or want is waiting for me in the home He is preparing for me, along with the privilege of Eternity in which to praise Him. (Is even Eternity long enough to praise Him?)

Lord, teach me always to recognize and listen or your voice and follow Your guidance and instruction.

             I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them                                        out of my hand.                          John 10:28

Powers of Perspective

 

My life is a masterpiece, drawn by the hand of my Creator, the Master of the art Principle of Perspective, which is by definition is the difference in appearance of an object, depending on its distance and direction from the viewer. Small things appear larger as you approach closer until they are all you can see. When you are very close, the object will fill your vision, excluding anything else. 

When you are looking at God up close, that’s a good thing; providing clarity of right from wrong. When you’re looking at a problem, not so good. I’ve learned after observing the work of this Master that I can’t look at both at the same time! If I’m fixed on the problem close at hand, I can’t see over it or around it to find God for help—He seems so distant I feel alone, a victim of this mountain between me and anything else. And the scriptures telling me He will never leave me to manage on my own become a faint echo in my ears. "

 Yet from habit and a remnant of faith, I cry out "This isn’t the way I’m supposed to live! I’m a Child of the King!  Forgive that my eyes wandered away from Your face for a moment, Lord. As my Great Physician, please examine my eyes for their poor vision and restore my clear sight which agrees with what you see, even when I can’t see it. And now I clearly see You standing between me and the problem, which already begins to look smaller, receding and already seems so insignificant. Thank you, Lord for giving m a brief glimpse of my life from your point of view.

God, the Great Gardener

 

Ever want to grow a garden?  Have you ever tended one--digging, mulching, planting and follow-up care? It’s not too complicated but plants do need certain care to survive and thrive. 

You must first find a suitable place for the garden—rich dark soil, good drainage so plants won’t suffer from mildew, a reliable source of water, and sunshine—away from the shade and roots of a tree. Get seeds from a trusted source—a farm and garden store, or a supply saved from a previous healthy, strong garden. And you’re ready to go! Bear in mind it takes commitment and regular care for success. Bring out the shovel and spade. 

Dig up the plot, removing any weeds or rocks that the sun could heat up and kill your plants’ tender shoots. Break up any big clots, raking the plot smooth and plant those precious seeds and water them well. Done!  

The next morning do you rush out to see all the green shoots coming up? No, because you realize the plants need to rest in their cool bed until they mature into fledgling plants and still longer before they provide produce for your table. You know you must keep them safe from harm: tiny bugs could eat their tender leaves, leaving no buds for fruit to grow. You protect them from excessive heat cooking them, small animals digging them up, sudden hard rains washing them away, until finally your work is rewarded when you gather your crop months later. 

Reading this so far, you probably think, of course! I already know this, why waste your breath here? 

My answer is this question: Knowing an instant garden is impossible, why do you pray at bedtime and rush out the next morning to see if the answer is here? You’re not dealing with Santa Claus, you understand, who seems to grant our wishes overnight throughout the world.

Growing a person is like growing a garden seed. God prepares parents to nourish, teach, nurture us and then He plants us beneath our mother’s heart for safekeeping until we have grown enough to come into the sunshine.  He has taught our earthly parents how to help us mature until we grow in judgment to plot our own course, with God’s guidance. Or do you choose to make your own decisions based on your latest whim or desires?  

If God cares for blossoms that are here only for a day to share their beauty, how much more will He nurture you, teaching you, changing you little by little, never failing. You have seen He is trustworthy in arranging for the sun to come up every day; what do you need that He is unable or unwilling to do for you? Feelings are a trap, sent by the devil to get you off track, Trust does not depend on feelings.

My Memory Book

 

            Most of us survivors of a pre-electronic era have an old photo album that we enjoy occasionally leafing through, remembering many past experiences—some of which seem much sweeter now than while we were in the midst of that uncomfortable or even painful time.

            What do we see about our lives in those pages?

            Some may remember resentment, reliving the pain felt long ago when someone we loved betrayed us. Others may feel sorrow at their own long-ago failure or lost opportunity. A few might reject the album totally, choosing to forget any past day of pain.

            I choose to see a series of “detention days” in my schooling, or bumps in the road of my voyage toward Heaven, days of heightened stress, brought through each one a little stronger than I had been before, by the precious Holy Spirit, who has gone with me step by step. Each time I look back at what I thought was a dark day, it now shines with a glow of eternal love from my Heavenly Father who brought me through many such days, each time with a little less self-pity or resentment or feelings of helplessness, with a stronger faith than the time before.

            There are two choices in life: either go it alone however you want, holding onto old wrongs and repaying all the enemies around you—and there will be many, because you collect and carry them with you as though they were pennies you stuffed in a piggy bank. You can never actually get even with someone who hurt you; you can’t ever get back all the time and energy you wasted hating them. Or maybe you can find something to be learned from that long ago unhappy situation; put ego aside and admit you may have somehow partially created it. Refuse to accept that you are helpless to change. Like Jacob, keep climbing that ladder into Heaven.

             Be joyful when you look back and see His footsteps alongside your own, gently nudging you toward His perfection. You are not yet what you will become, but you have learned and grown stronger and wiser from what you once were. Keep your eyes on Him, Yes! but also remember all the dark days which helped shape who you are today. Remember not the pain, but the sweetness of God’s arm lifting you over the deepest potholes of life, replacing any bitterness from these precious (yes!) memories.