Look Up

 A popular bit of wisdom today warns us 

"Don't look back--been there, done that--                                                                                   Don't look down, you will never get anywhere in life--                                                                 Don't look around and copy what seems to work for others--                                                         Don't look in your mirror, beguiled by the perfection you seem to see--                                         Look up to your perfect Lord and Savior, so you don't lose your way                                          t to truth and wisdom and life."

 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.           Psalm 55:22

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.                                Proverbs 3:5

Don't do God any favors, okay?

 No, really. He wants your ear, your heart and your hands, working in the special area He prepared for your obedience service. He created you and prepared a path for your life before placing you in your mother's arms. He doesn't need your help or planning with the heavy lifting on your worst days ahead----just your attention. and cooperation.  

It's no accident you were equipped with two ears and two eyes, but only one mouth, knowing the world will fill your eyes with its many bits of pseudo-info on life designed to drown out that still, small voice that led you this far.  His quiet yet strong voice speaking eternal truth, straight from His throne, knows every twist in the road ahead, needs no advice from you. Ever.   

All He wants is space in your heart, which He will handle with great care, as He leads and prepares a safe path ahead, leading Home. Leave the planning to your Coach--he has your route and future already--all you need to do is follow Him.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”  Isaiah 30:21

Getting Even--Is That What You Really Want?

For a minute you may feel better, but soon you will realize you are looking at him eye-to-eye and you can no longer look down on your opponent--you have sunk to his level and that's embarrassing, right?  You're better than that. You should know not to cross swords with an enemy (or a friend) --nobody wins! 

And it's even worse to argue with another Christian over some little difference of opinion on an issue you read about in the Bible--the same Bible you both are reading from! You surely know there are parts of the Scripture none of us will fully understand this side of Heaven--table your difference of opinion with your brethren for now. If the question has any future effect for your life, or your friend's, God will make it clear, if and when you need to know!

In a disagreement, you may soon learn that revenge isn't sweet, but a bitter pill to swallow. Next time you give a sharp reply to someone who deserves it, remember now you're no better than the one who offended you. Now it's on! You can no longer rest on your laurels as a harmless, loving Jesus-follower; you are no better than your enemy who offended you. Will you win if you get down in the dirt to battle someone else? Who will win this encounter? 

 MATTHEW 5:44-45“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  

19This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

 From the fruit of a man's mouth he enjoys good. But the desire of the treacherous is violence.  One who guards his tongue reserves his life. The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.  Proverbs 13:2-3

     

Romans 12:19, 38-42

Lev. 19:18

What If?

 God made a beautiful world, just for me--no one else to share it with, a-l-l for myself? To do whatever I want with it?

Then suppose He told me, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.”  And God created man and phone.

 "Oh, good idea. That's all I need." and eagerly held it up for the world to see, but--the animals didn't seem to care. I held it to my ear but heard nothing. I called out "Thanks, God." And it was fun to dial a number and hear another voice. The phone's mechanical voice remained silent or said the Help Line was temporarily disconnected. Never another hand to help me if I fall. 

At least there was another voice to hear, and I used it more and more, wondering while I still felt lonely, hearing only the mechanical one from my phone--but it was a gift from God, right? I didn't hear from God so much recently, but my phone always listened to my every word.

I had eventually grown tired of my own voice, as God grew more silent, but what else was there?

One day I looked up from my phone and almost bumped into someone else, who mumbled an apology as he turned away. Then I saw other people like me--each with a hypnotic gaze locked on his phone. Where had they been hiding all this time?

But wait! What had God really said when giving me the phone--something about a tool? Did He really call it a companion? The phone listened to my words; so did the animals, but they at least obeyed me sometime. The phone occupied so much of my time, I sometimes forgot to bring food to the young animals who needed help to reach the food from the garden. 

Was it another voice that had whispered to me "Hast God really said He created man and phone?"

That's what I wanted, but not what I needed.                                      Thank the God who made me is wise enough to choose the best for me. 

  “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—    John 10:14

  For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd            and Overseer of your souls.     1 Peter 2:25

 

 

Fear Not, Fraidy Cat

 My middle name for half my life! Fear ruled my life for far too long--and in spite of my firm faith that ultimately Jesus would rescue me! Though the Bible said "FEAR NOT", darkness was, after all, surrounding me, and I never spent a day free from one fear or two others.

Since my earliest memories reminded me that my road was filled with fearful things. Fear of the dark, fear of the unknown, being laughed at, public speaking The world was a powerful enemy, limiting me as I cringed through my days until -- tornado terror, which reached its peak of control when my girls were tiny and their dad worked nights. Seemingly, constant storms dominated nightly weather news. Now besides fear for my own life, I worried about rescuing my girls! Despite my own full-time job, I kept the TV news on all night, hoping any storm news would awaken me. Thus began a lifetime vigil for the next 2 decades or so, with apparent success, since we all had survived!

Finally, living alone, God gave me a test to dealing with my habitual fears accumulating in my now solitary home. Tornadoes nearby were ripping apart airplanes grounded at DFW airport, about 5 miles from my office -- and I faced a 15 mile drive. I had just attended a powerful revival meeting all week, so was at my best (strongest?) I could face the drive, even though the high wind was blowing leaves and trash horizontally at right angles to the road. I paused at the service road and looked at the 3 lanes of  the freeway entrance--sparse traffic seemed to behave fearlessly in spite of the wind, I looked at the road, wondering which lane I would land in, but hoped I wouldn't land on one of those cars speeding carelessly as if all was well. If only I had something to hold my little car on the road? Suddenly the hymn we had sung all week came to my mind. As I sang "He's my Rock, He's my deliverer, Of Him will I sing" My car heaved twice more as though to take wing--but then, though windswept trash still flew from right to left of me, my car stayed grounded, still, safe and the homeward trek was quiet. I was safe.

Our Lord promises tests and there were a few thrills and chills and with each I grew taller. I lost my job--but quickly found a much better one, a newer car when mine suddenly died, a break-in at home while I was away, many times crises were averted -- and then one night, He sent a test!

 Dog and I were snugly dozing late one night when I was awakened by a HUGE crash and flash of lightning--or so I thought! Just a sudden storm--I went back to sleep, cuddling a trembling pup. Next morning neighbors woke me and took me outside to see the storm damage--a neighbor next door found one of their humongous elm trees demolished their kitchen and a 2nd one had damaged their car, garage, our fence and swept my electricity box off my wall (that was the fireball that woke me in the storm). My neighbor's house was condemned. My insurance paid a claim of about $6000 and my worst aftermath was lack of electricity for 10 days --and during and after all this, I was still calm, marveling! --I had slept through-----a tornado!!! Who--me? The Fraidy-Cat?

As promised, a series of tests followed over a long period--I must have reacted as He wished; I never had to repeat one of the tests--and among other surprises came--loss of a job (soon replaced with a better one), more service opportunities in gratitude to my King, and relocating from central Texas to the Houston area, sharing the home of my daughter and her husband, with 3 of her 5 children within reach of a kiss and hug! 

This life will never be boring! God will always give you new things to learn and enjoy as you wait for His call to come Home. For everything God removes from your life will soon be replaced by something better, making you better, stronger, -- Now I'm 90 years old--and still Fearless!

Whatever

Whatever feels right. Whatever seems right. Whatever gets you what you want. Whatever makes you happy. Whatever gets you through your day. Whatever your friend advised that worked for him. Whatever floats your boat. Whatever your spirit guide told you. Whatever worked in your last crisis. Whatever you want, Que sera', sera' (Whatever will be, will be)

How's that working for you?

Remember the story of the prodigal son who was bored with his life and yielded to temptation of bright lights, poor companions, hunger to have it all, right now?  In the sunlight of a bright day, the bright lights from last night don't seem so bright. Just a stupid farmer's son?  

Think of another boy, raised by God to leave the sheep fold and rule His nation, only to believe that gave him the right to possess whatever--whoever--he desired. Yes! On a good day, he killed a giant. Later he saw a giant when he looked in his mirror and killed a faithful friend to steal his wife! When he repented, he was forgiven, but suffered betrayal from his own son who sought to steal his throne. 

The sooner we learn to consider the source of our chosen "whatever" path, the better we'll manage our days. The body follows the eye, which directs our path, regardless of our good intentions.!  Our God knows the hazards ahead, the lessons we must face, going forward. He rewards His faithful follower with wisdom and strength. 

Whatever God says, listen, whatever He says, do it, what He wants you to become, become!

 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;  I will counsel you with My eye upon you.  Psalm 32:8

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James  7,18

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart     And do not lean on your own understanding.

6In all your ways acknowledge Him,  And He will make your paths straight.

7Do not be wise in your own eyes;    Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

8It will be healing to your body         And refreshment to your bones.

9Honor the LORD from your wealth   And from the first of all your produce;

10So your barns will be filled with plenty    And your vats will overflow with new wine.

11My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD    Or loathe His reproof,

12For whom the LORD loves He reproves,     Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

13How blessed is the man who finds wisdom    And the man who gains understanding.

14For her profit is better than the profit of silver      And her gain better than fine gold.

15She is more precious than jewels;      And nothing you desire compares with her.

16Long life is in her right hand;       In her left hand are riches and honor.

17Her ways are pleasant ways        And all her paths are peace.

18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,      And happy are all who hold her fast.

19The LORD by wisdom founded the earth,      By understanding He established the heavens.

20By His knowledge the deeps were broken up      And the skies drip with dew.

21My son, let them not vanish from your sight;       Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22So they will be life to your soul           And adornment to your neck.

23Then you will walk in your way securely       And your foot will not stumble.

24When you lie down, you will not be afraid;  When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.  Proverbs 3:5-24:

A Traveler's Journey

 Two young brothers I knew were easily bored with the familiar and always reached for something, new, something to transport them faster toward new thrills. 

One found his thrill driving a race car faster and faster, around and around the track repeatedly. The other found that boring--his thrill came from exploring something new, different, the unknown. His life choice offers light to other travelers heading in that direction.

When he became frustrated at getting lost, often having to stop others to ask which fork in the road to take, but soon learned he had a different destination, so their advice could be a hindrance rather than help. Frustrated, he cried out, "There's bound to be a clear, consistent route to ensure I get where I'm going every time." And someone passing by offered him a road map which made his path clearer.

Still loving traveling to new places, he decided driving a truck would keep him headed to new places reliably. But 4-wheeler background doesn't begin to prepare you for 18 wheels, so before he was allowed to get behind the wheel, he had a lot to learn. He had to be still for a time, to study a whole set of road rules for the huge vessel and receive extensive training in handling the huge vehicle. And most importantly, more exacting routes unique to the truck. Stopping every few miles to study his route plan made his trip slower, so he memorized as much info as he could, and soon was dependably on time, on the right road, and confident, knowing he was unlikely to get off his chosen path.

He knew God had blessed him with a wonderful life-long, challenging journey with good supervision, but soon realized his speed sometimes outran the section of road he could see ahead and had to slow down for safety or else overshoot a crossroad he should have taken. Just like in his personal life he sometimes seemed to find himself offtrack and, frustrated, cried out, "Why, Lord? I know where I want to go--why do I keep taking the wrong, rough road filled with detours and missing highway signs?"

While at a truck stop for his meal, another trucker sat down beside him and asked him why so unhappy, and he shared his confusion. Nodding, his new friend shared he had faced this dilemma of the complicated road ahead, until someone showed him how to read the extensive detail in the map provided to all believers who studied its directions--in the Bible. He warned the road would often be rough and dangerous, but not to give up, but stay the course and his future would be sure, even though he faced an unseen path only visible a day ahead.

As the years passed, the now-older young man looked back at the glowing of the well-lit path behind him, and gladly found many opportunities to encourage other travelers to continue this habit, all the way Home!

After all, you will be lonely in Heaven if none of your friends or family are there!

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.     Isaiah 26:3