Mid-Week Message - Peace In the Unexpected

 "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world."  John 16:33 (NLT)  

In 1970, country singer, Lynn Anderson, had her first cross-over hit with the song Rose Garden.   The song was number one on the country charts for five weeks.  It was one of the biggest hits in any genre in the 1970's and Anderson won a Grammy Award for Best Female Vocal Country Performance because of it.  Although the lyrics pertain to an interpersonal relationship, the memorable line, "I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden" has been found suitable for many life situations.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if, just as our cars have GPS to guide us, God had given us a road map, or a daily itinerary that would alert us to the twists and turns in life that we would like to avoid?  It would be so much simpler if we didn't have unexpected occurrences.  If we knew what was coming each moment, we could plan ahead.  But that isn't the way God set life up.  In fact, Jesus assures us that it would be quite the opposite.  He then tells us, however, not to fear because He has overcome the world.  

As I listen to the news each day I am reminded of the surprises that life can spring at us.  Somehow we hear of all the bad things that happen and still have the notion that, "that only happens to other people, not to me."  Maybe it is a coping mechanism that we use when we allow ourselves to believe that we are immune to certain things.  Then when violence or tragedy becomes a reality in our own lives, we find ourselves questioning how a loving God could allow it to happen. 

A statement caught my ear a few years ago.  When a friend was diagnosed with cancer she said this, "First I asked God, why me?  But then, after I had a while to think about it, I asked myself, why not me?"  Our holy Creator does not have favorites.  When any difficulty falls upon us, it isn't because He is picking on us.  It has nothing to do with whether He loves us or not because He loves us all completely.  Jesus gave His life for each of us.  There is no greater display of love than that.  

Although the Father certainly could warn us before something causes problems in our lives, He just doesn't usually choose to do that.  But He has given us His Word that is a road map of sorts because it directs us to turn to Him.  He is there to run to at any time.  Even better, if we stay beside Him at all times, all we have to do is reach up and take His hand.  He always listens, always cares and will always lead us through whatever trials or sorrows creep into our paths.  We have the blessed promise that there is so much more ahead of us than what we experience here. 

I say often in my weekly messages that life is hard.  I repeat it to emphasize that we all struggle.  Pick any random person off of the street and we can be sure that there is something that person endures that would surprise us.  I know that each of us has something to contend with.  What I most want to keep repeating though is that we serve a God that is bigger than any storm that arises.  Because of Him, we can face today and all of our tomorrows knowing that He has us in His hand and ultimately we will see Him face to face and the trials of this world will be no more.  He promised and He always keeps His promises.  God bless. 

Mid-Week Message - Comfort From Psalm 116:15

"So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said.  The Lord buried him in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place."  Deuteronomy 34:5-6  (NLT)

Tuesday, November 6, 2007 is a day I will never forget.  I got a call from my mother that morning.  When I answered she said, "I can't wake your father."  I asked her if she had called for an ambulance.  She hadn't.  I instructed her to do so and headed as fast as I could to the duplex where they were living.  I arrived before EMS did and went into their living room where I found my father seated in his recliner.  I searched for a pulse.  When I did not find one, I got him onto the floor and began CPR.  When help arrived I was instructed to continue until their equipment was set up then they took over.  While they were working I began placing phone calls because I knew in my heart that my Daddy would never again open his eyes.

As the grief began to set in, I also started asking the Lord to reveal to me how He viewed the death of His earthly children.  Almost all of us have lost someone close to us.  We know the intense sadness of knowing we will not see them again during our time on this planet.  And we know that He endured watching the torturous death of His only Son.  I guess I just wanted to know that even though our lives continue as we transition to Heaven, that when a life ends on earth, it means something to Him.

Psalm 116:15 says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants."  I have read this verse many times during my Christian life.  However, during my time of grief and searching, it took on new significance.  

My father loved the Lord.  During the last years of his life especially, he spent much time in prayer.  After he retired, he had little time to enjoy himself because my mother's health declined and he took on a new role as caregiver.  He did it without complaint and out of love for her but he told me once that he wished he could just get in his van and drive away.  He was tired.  He had his own health problems to deal with as well and his strength was waning.  I believe with all of my heart that he was ready to be done with this life.  I asked him once what he was looking forward to most in Heaven and his answer was, "running barefoot."  As a boy he ran everywhere he went and was usually barefoot because his family was poor.  I found it very touching that, of all the possibilities he could choose, what he really desired was being able to run barefoot once again.  

I know that as he took his last breaths that morning he was not alone.  In today's verse we learn that  it was the Father Himself that buried Moses when he passed away.  It shows great tenderness along with presence and involvement.  Does Almighty God feel anything when a death occurs?  Oh yes.  Just as He is present with us as we live, so He is present with us as we leave our earthly bodies.  I believe my father was met with heavenly rejoicing and that he was able to feel the ground beneath his bare feet as he ran into the arms of our Savior.  

We grieve over what we see as a loss.  But dear ones, those who go to be present with the Creator experience greater joy than we can even imagine.  They are not sad, nor will they ever be again.  As much as I miss my Daddy and wish that I could see him again on this side of Heaven, I would never want him to leave where he is.  How could I ever ask him to re-enter a world of pain and trouble?  But one day, after I have entered the heavenly realms for myself, I will worship at the feet of Jesus along with my beloved earthly father.  God bless you.  

Mid-Week Message - Why Are You Crying?

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.  All these things are gone forever."  Revelation 21:4  (NLT)

Tears are a gift.  They allow us a way to release our emotions and share our overflow of feelings with others.  Most of us cry when we are sad, some of us cry out of anger or even exhaustion.  We even have times when we cry out of sheer joy.  Scientists say that "happy" tears are chemically different than the ones that fall out of sadness.  What an amazing Creator we serve!  

John 20:15-16 recounts a very tender moment.  Mary has gone to Jesus' tomb but when she does not find him there, she weeps because she thinks someone has taken his body away.  While she is crying, she hears a voice that says, "Dear woman, why are you crying?  Who are you looking for?"  She believes Him to be the gardener and asks Him where He has taken the body.  Then Jesus speaks her name and she recognizes Him.  I am not sure, but I would imagine that her tears became those of joy rather than of sorrow at that moment.

When infants are born, we long to hear their first wails.  It is reassurance of the life that is inside of them and that their lungs are working well.  Then we find ourselves kneeling by their cradles and praying that their sorrows and hardships in life will be few.  I remember well taking my tiny daughter to her well-checks and sobbing along with her as she received her vaccines.  The fact that my child was in pain, even for just a moment, broke my heart.  If we love our children that deeply, how must Almighty God, who is the very epitome and definition of love, feel when He witnesses His children weeping?  

My personal belief is that when Jesus spoke to Mary in the garden, His voice was compassionate and comforting.  It was a moment that showed His reaction to tears.  And I believe with all my heart that He reacts to each of us the same way when He sees us in pain or sorrow.  Just as he said to Mary, He says to us, "Why are you crying?"  He wishes us to know that He is beside us and is ready to take us into His holy arms to comfort us.  

Why do I believe that tears matter so much to Him?  Because the verse for today is very specific in mentioning what will be gone forever in Heaven.  It lists tears, death, sorrow, crying and pain.  If they were not important to Him, why would He call them out and reassure us that they would come to an end?  

Another verse that shows the importance of our tears is Psalm 56:8 which says, "You keep track of all my sorrows.  You have collected all my tears in your bottle.  You have recorded each one in your book."  The Bible, our love letter from God Himself, makes sure we understand that He sees, hears and cares when we cry.  The Author of all that is, is touched when we weep.  How precious is that?  

We all go through moments that bring us to our knees, that make us feel as though there is no end to the amount of tears that will flow from our eyes.  In those moments though, our Savior is there beside us.  In the times when we feel most alone, we are far from it.  He cares and His compassion has no end.  We can each go forth in confidence that no tear is unseen and they are of the utmost importance to the One who created them in the first place.   

Why are you crying?  Listen for Him to call your name.  God bless.

Mid-Week Message - Life's Changes

"Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday, today and forever."  Hebrews 13:8 (AMP)  

My favorite month of the year is October.  The days and nights become cooler and the leaves on the trees begin to take on the fall colors of yellow, orange and red.  I long for this time of year all summer.  It is a time that brings me joy and although some years it seems to take its time arriving, it is a transformation I can count on.  

Normally, I am not a big fan of change.  I find it stressful in many situations, as I am sure you do.  It is nice to have some idea of what is coming next, if all goes as planned.  Unfortunately, life doesn't send out memos to announce interruptions in our life plans.  Job losses, recessions, illnesses, deaths, accidents, problems in relationships or financial upsets can come at the most unexpected and inconvenient times.  

In 2018 my husband almost died.  By the time he saw a doctor who realized how serious his condition was and sent him to a hospital, his life was in grave danger.  We were told after emergency surgery that he had come within hours to days of losing his life.  After spending two weeks as an in-patient, he returned home only to find out that his job had been eliminated during the time that he was hospitalized.  Our world was turned upside down.  Suddenly we found ourselves dealing with a health situation that was still not completely remedied and no steady income.  To say that we spent some time in tears and anguish would be an understatement.  

Everyone, at some point, will face trials that seem insurmountable.  During those days it is so easy to feel isolated and to wonder why God would allow such hardship in our lives.  I have friends who considered themselves to be happily married who suddenly found that their spouses wished to end the marriage.  Others have received diagnoses of cancer or Alzheimer disease.  Sometimes it happens that way.  We go to bed secure and wake up to find that our world has totally changed.  

When my beloved and I found ourselves staring into an unknown and uncertain future, we reached for what we knew would never be threatened which was our relationship with our Savior.  The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus never changes.  He is the same person now that He was when walked with his disciples.  His love is constant and endures no matter what happens in our lives.  He always loves us, always protects us, and is always there to listen to and encourage us.  Romans 8:34 tells us that He advocates for us before the Father.  How precious is that?  He personally takes our plight to the throne of the Creator and pleads for us.  

What changes are you either anticipating or currently going through?  Might I implore you to go to the One who endured the greatest pain that ever existed out of His mighty love for you?  I can promise you that He is ready and willing to hear all you need to say.  Express your fears, your frustrations, your questions and your sorrow to Him and allow Him to be as personally involved in your life as He wishes to be.  He doesn't intend for any of us to walk difficult roads alone.  If tomorrow comes and no one else seems to be around, He will always be the one that you can count on.  Nothing will change that.  Ever.  All you have to do is reach out for Him.  Nothing will ever separate you from His love.  God bless.

Mid-Week Message - Choosing His Path

"But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his son, cleanses us from all sin."  1 John 1:7 (NLT)

One evening when my daughter was about four years old, I was preparing dinner while waiting for my husband to arrive home from work.  She was at the dining room table coloring in her coloring book with markers.  Or at least, I thought that was what she was doing.  When my husband walked in the door she said to him, "Look, Daddy! I changed colors!"  I spun around to find that my sweet little darling had colored her face, arms and hands orange.  Thankfully, the markers were washable.  After a quick bath, we sat down and had our dinner.  

I find great humor in telling that story.  However, it reminds me that even as adults we can find ourselves taking on the hue of the world.  It is so easy to drift into situations and lifestyles that can change our appearance before others and our Lord.  It is vital that we use godly wisdom as our guide as we make everyday decisions.  

1 Thessalonians 5:22 admonishes us to, "Stay away from every kind of evil."  The more we involve ourselves with words or activities that we know are not pleasing to the Lord, the more used to them we become and we start to think of them as acceptable.  

Not long ago in the history of this nation, men were careful of what they said around women.  It was considered disrespectful to use foul language in the presence of ladies.  Somewhere along the line, that ceased.  Now that language is considered "normal" and is used by men and women and even some of our children.  It is prevalent in movies and is heard more and more in television shows.  We have been desensitized by hearing it so much.  

The same can be said about sexual depictions and innuendo that are also rampant in our media and literature.  We don't even seem to blink our eyes anymore when we hear or see off-color representations of what God created to be holy.  

Christians are to be reflections of our Savior, Jesus.  For this to happen, we need to align ourselves with Him, rather than the world.  I have mentioned only two ways that the world influences our behavior.  However, the list is endless.  The only way to avoid mirroring the evil of the world rather than the holiness of Jesus, is to spend plenty of quality time in the scriptures observing His actions and reactions and then deciding to turn our backs on situations that lead us away from what we know would be unacceptable to Him.  

When I am called home to Heaven, my hope is that whatever memories of me remain point to Him.  The Christian music group named Casting Crowns has a song titled "Only Jesus".  One of the lines in the song says, "I don't care if they remember me, only Jesus."  We were created to bring glory to the Creator.  Out of His great love He sent His only Son to die on the cross to cleanse us from our sins.  It is my desire, and I hope yours as well, to glorify and honor Him by keeping myself clean in a world of muck and mire.  He gave us free wills.  We have the privilege of choosing which path we wish to take.  I choose His.  God bless.  

Mid-Week Message - Carrying on His Mission

"This is my commandment:  Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command."  John 15:12-14 (NLT) 

When my daughter was in junior high school, she encountered a group of girls who were less than kind to her.  Although these girls had been together for several years in a small Christian school, when puberty hit, suddenly these young ladies began comparing themselves to one another and found the need to find someone to elevate themselves over.  Unfortunately it was my child they chose.   She handled it fairly well until one of her closest friends joined with the bullies.  That was simply more than she could handle.  She felt totally isolated and her self esteem fell to the point that her comment to me was, "I'd rather die than go to school."  

Friends have great power in our lives.  Who we choose to align ourselves with will influence our thoughts, our choices and how we see ourselves and others.  That is why it is so important to choose wisely.  So many lives have tumbled out of control by "getting in with the wrong crowd."  

Jesus laid down His life for us.  His command to us is that we love each other the way He loved us.  As He reached out to us with the love of the Father, so we are to reach out to others.  He says we are His "friends" if we do what He commands.  In other words, He wishes for us to align ourselves with His purpose, His mission to bring salvation to the world.  He wishes for us to spend our lives sharing His love and honoring the Lord.  The greatest friend we can be to someone else is by sharing the gospel message and by living our lives for Him rather than blending in with the depravity of this world.  In order accomplish this, we must be willing to allow Him to change us from the innermost parts of ourselves, to call out sin when we see it in ourselves and others, and to speak truth as it is revealed in God's Word.  This will definitely not make us popular with the world but if others are able to see Jesus in us and make a decision to follow Him, then that is the greatest gift we can give.  

My daughter's heart was troubled that she was not part of the "popular" circle.  We may experience the same feelings when we are scorned for seeking to live our lives for Jesus.  We live in a time in this country when more and more people are moving away from churches and are developing their own ideas of spirituality and what they want to have faith in.  False religions are becoming more prevalent and the idea that "all paths lead to Heaven" is becoming more acceptable.  Scripture tells us that the only way to the Father is through His Son.  That is the ultimate truth.  We are to be the messengers that boldly carry that message in a time when it is not popular.  This is one way that we "lay down our lives" for our friends.  We will be laughed at.  We will be argued with.  Many will call us crazy and tell us that we are believing in fairy tales.  However, we must not lose heart.  Too much is at stake if we give up.  

I know that what I have spoken about today is difficult.  None of us want others to turn their backs on us or slam doors in our faces.  Sometimes we tend to think that loving others means that we stay quiet about what we know is sin.  Jesus did not do that.  He loved, but He was truthful.  When we consider though that by not speaking truth we are aiding and abetting sinful choices, then we know that we are not truly being loving at all.  The greatest love is the love of God and it is honest and convicting and life changing.  I pray that we all examine our hearts, that we repent of the sin in our own lives and ask the Lord to help us fulfill His desire for us to carry out the mission He has laid before us.  With sincerity of heart, God bless. 

Mid-Week Message - Texas Tragedy

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."  Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."  Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV)

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

There are no words that can ever express the sorrow that so many are experiencing after the devastating floods in Texas this week.  The loss of life, especially young lives, strikes the core of the human heart.  At this writing the news media is saying over one hundred loved ones are confirmed to be no longer with us and dozens are still missing.  While we pray for the miracle of finding more alive, and the Lord is absolutely able to work that miracle, our own common sense tells us that it is unlikely at this point.  

So how do we come to terms with this tragedy and how can we support those whose lives have been forever altered?  

This traumatic event will impact the survivors for the rest of their lives.  Aside from the physical needs of food, shelter and clothing, they will need loving arms to hold them and strong shoulders to cry on.  They will need to tell their stories to those willing to listen.  There is no way to answer the "whys" that will be asked but we can each be present and understanding.  

The very first thing I learned when I became a chaplain is that words are not always needed, or even wanted.  The calming presence of someone who truly cares means so much more.  Continually lifting them up in prayer and asking for God's comfort and compassion is something we can all do.  This is a road that He, and He alone, is able to guide them down.  Love them.  Help where you can with what you can then trust that our Father is ministering in holy ways that we know not of.

In the days, months and years ahead there will be much work to be done to rebuild the physical structures that have been damaged or destroyed.  Human hearts, though forever affected, will heal over time.  This is pain that never goes away.  One just learns how to live with it and continue on until life on this earth is over.  

I have shared three verses from the Scriptures today in hopes that at least one gives hope to each reader.  As my own tears fall over this event, I am reminded that no tear goes unnoticed, no heart-cry is ignored and at no time is our Creator unaware of anyone's pain.  May we all cling to Him and plead for these families before His mighty throne.  

     

 

Mid-Week Message - Life's Burdens

"Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.'"  Matthew 11:28-29  (NLT)

When something heavy needed to be moved in our home when I was younger, I was the child that was called upon to help.  I had an older brother but he never quite seemed to be around when these things needed to be done.  I became quite good at moving television consoles, couches, dressers and anything else that was more than a one person job.  I learned how to move most things on my own even, if I needed to do so.  Where there is a will, there is a way.  

Heavy physical burdens are quite familiar to me.  As I dealt with obesity for most of my life, I know what it feels like to be weighed down and to be so overwhelmed with weight that I found it difficult to move at times.  One of my favorite things to do is to float in a pool.  The feeling of being weightless is sheer joy!  

The physical weights we carry are easy compared to the other burdens that life places upon us.  All of us encounter times of trouble that drive us to our knees.  In the last few years two of my closest friends have had to endure the death of a child.  I can't even begin to imagine how difficult that has been for them.  As a mother myself, I can think of nothing worse.  Carrying that grief was crushing for them.  They made it through by crying out to the Lord and understanding that they did not have to bear the sadness alone.  He was with them in the valley they had to traverse.  

Today's verse refers to a yoke, which is a crosspiece that is laid across the shoulders of two animals to lighten a load for each of them.  We are not meant to bear the burdens of life alone.  Galatians 6:2 tells us to, "Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ."  We are to come together to help each other.  When we do not have the strength to continue on our own, we need to be able to reach out to those around us. 

Psalm 55:22 tells us, "Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you.  He will not permit the Godly to slip and fall."  We have been created by a loving and caring Creator.  He never desired for us to feel alone.  He wants to be actively involved in our lives.  He cares about everything we encounter.  When we are weighed down, He will be there to lighten the load, to walk with us and to support us.  He can bring healing to the deep wounds that the pain of this life brings.  And He reminds us that a time is coming when we will be free of that pain for eternity.

What are you carrying today that is weighing you down?  Illness?  Financial problems?  Wayward children?  Whatever it is, ask Him to help you through it.  He is faithful and true and will make a way where there seems to be no way.  He adores you and is delighted when you turn to Him. God bless.  

Mid-Week Message - No Greater Security

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  This I declare about the Lord:  He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him."  Psalm 91:1-2  (NLT)  

One of the very first things that many newborns do is either take a pacifier or suck their thumbs.  It gives them a feeling of security to have something in their mouths.  Many children will also latch onto a favorite blanket or stuffed animal.  Those of you whose children did this know how difficult it can be to separate them from that object.  Even though their parents are with them, they still seem to need the presence of their security item.  My own daughter sucked her thumb on one hand and tickled her face with her hair with the other hand.  

We all want to feel secure.  Psychologists say that women in particular have a great need for security.  I know I do.  I want to know that there is someone watching out for me, that I am not alone.  It would be wonderful if my beloved could be with me all day every day, but that just isn't possible.  The demands of life dictate that at times we must be apart.  There is also no promise that, at some point, I will not be left without him due to illness or death.  While that thought grieves me, I know that there is One who will never leave me.

Before my husband and I moved to the state of Georgia a few years ago, we had a ministry at an independent-living retirement facility.  Each Sunday, we would gather with this incredible community of souls to share the Lord's Word, sing hymns, and have moments of encouragement.  My responsibility was to deliver a devotional moment.  One Sunday morning I spoke about the verse in Isaiah and Romans that says, "How beautiful are the feet of the messengers who bring good news."  

The greatest message we can share with anyone is that because of Jesus, we have eternal security.  In Romans 8:38-39, Paul tells us, "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love.  Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."  

Friends, there is no greater security than that.  No matter where we find ourselves in life, we will never be outside of His love and protection, unless we are the ones that choose to move away from Him.  His love is unconditional.  We are His children, those whom He has chosen to bring into His eternal family.  All we have to do is to repent of our sin and ask Jesus to come into our hearts and be the Lord of our lives.  

If you have never done that, please do.  We have no assurance of waking up in the morning.  Grab for the greatest provision of security that is available, the great I Am Himself.  Jesus left the enormity of Heaven to be born as a human baby and, ultimately, die a vicious and cruel death for each of us.  By rising from the dead, he conquered death and gave us the promise of eternal life with Him if only we will follow Him.  There is no greater security blanket than that.  

I pray that everyone will have a blessed week and that, as we face the difficulties set before us, we would remember that this world is only temporary.  Our futures are secured through the grace and mercy of our Creator.  

Mid-Week Message - Wise Choices

"So be careful how you live.  Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise.  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do."  Ephesians 5:15-17  (NLT)  

There is a little rhyme about a peanut that I used to say with my daughter.  It goes like this:  "A peanut sat on a railroad track, his heart was all a-flutter.  Along came a train whistling down that track -- toot, toot, peanut butter."  It's just a silly little poem but I found it useful in teaching her about making smart choices.  Those of you with children know that anything that can be used to teach should be taken advantage of.  I believe Jesus used parables in the same way.  He saw an opportunity to teach and took it. 

Even as an adult though, I think that little peanut can teach us something.  Obviously it wouldn't be smart to sit down and rest on a railroad track.  But we are faced with choices that have to made all day, every day.  When we open our eyes in the morning, we are presented with a blank slate and as we move through the day, we have multiple chances to choose wisely.

As people cross our paths we have the option of sharing the love of the Lord with them.  We have chances to invest a bit of time in their lives, showing them they are important and finding out how we can pray for them.  Or we can let those opportunities pass on by as we worry about our own lives, never giving a thought to what difficulties others may be facing or what needs they may have.  We may never know what happens in those lives after that moment.  What if it isn't only us that lets those moments go?  What if no one else reaches out to them even though we assume someone will?  

Whether we spend our days in a workplace, in the public, or at home, the most important thing needs to be representing Christ.  We are to be His reflection.  The way we treat others, the way we do business, the way we act in the grocery store line, the way we parent, the way we speak, the way we conduct ourselves while driving, the way we relate through social media are all chances to exercise wisdom.  The saying, "More of Jesus, less of me" should be our guide.  Each waking moment we have the privilege of walking hand in hand with our Savior.  If we remember He is beside us, maybe that will help us to keep in mind that whatever we choose to do should honor Him.  

I include myself in everything I have said above.  It is sometimes a struggle for me to reach out to those around me.  I have to pray for that reminder and strength.  The enemy is very good at continually whispering to me about the problems in my own life.  He loves for me to focus on myself because when I do I am not being mindful of the power of God's grace and mercy.  Only when my eyes are on Him do I understand the importance of choosing to honoring Him and blessing others.  

Everything we do is a choice of some kind.  What we fill our minds with, how we manage our time, and, most importantly, how we share Jesus with others, are all major selections that we make each and every day.  If we fail to choose wisely it hurts us and possibly others.  As we go through this week, let's exercise the option to choose wisdom in all we do and say.  May God guide and bless us all.  

Mid-Week Message - Spiritual Adequacy

"Then God asked him, 'Who gives a person a mouth?  Who makes him unable to speak, or deaf, or able to see, or blind, or lame?  Is it not I, the Lord?  Now, go!  I myself will help you with your speech, and I'll teach you what you are to say.'  Moses said, 'Please, Lord, send somebody else.'"  Exodus 4:11-13  (ISV)

Some weeks, when I prepare to write my mid-week message, I feel very inadequate.  This is one of those times.  As I read about those who have lost everything in tornadoes, fires or other disasters or read about recent mass shootings and wars, I think about all of the pain in this world.  I know people are in need of hearing from the Lord and knowing that He remains on His throne and sees all that has happened and that He cares and is present.  They need hope and compassion.  They need tangible help.  They are asking, "Why?  Where was He while my world was being destroyed?"  

As I type word after word, I am asking the Father if they will make any difference.  I never know who will read these messages.  Each week I pray that the message will be seen by those who need to see it.  My only desire is to point the reader to the Savior and I read and re-read what I've written before I publish it and eventually just have to trust that it will be used in a positive way.  

As Moses was being instructed by God to go to Egypt, he argued that he was not capable of doing what he was being told to do.  He tried to convince the Lord that he should send someone else.  He countered each assurance he was given with an excuse.  Finally, scripture says, the Lord grew angry with him.  He had chosen Moses and He does not make mistakes.  All Moses had to do was to be obedient.  God would give him the words he needed and direct each step.  

Each of Christ's followers is called to represent Him.  Whatever talents and abilities He has given are to be used for His glory.  They are to serve a much nobler purpose than to please ourselves.  Some can preach, some teach, others lift their voices in song.  Some are good with numbers, organization or administration.  Some are artists or entertainers.  No matter what your strong points are, there is a way to use them to uplift, to encourage, to assist others who are in need and thereby spread the love of Jesus.  

Life is overwhelming.  At times it is even devastating.  At any given time, there are those who are searching for answers.  They are looking for direction, for hope, for security.  Any one of us may be put in the pathway of someone in need.  We cannot simply turn our backs and walk away thinking that someone else will step into the gap.  God has placed us there for a reason.  We may be the only one that cares enough to love someone who is suffering, confused or lost.  All we have to do is trust that our Father will show us what needs to take place in the moment then be obedient even when it is frightening or uncomfortable.  We may not all be a Moses, but we can all touch lives and make a difference.  With sincerity of heart, God bless. 

Mid-Week Message - The Peasant and the Visitor

"So the Word became human and made his home among us.  He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.  And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son."  John 1:14 (NLT)

He was the poorest of the poor.  His crudely built shack was at the foot of the mountain upon which sat the King's castle.  The peasant hated the King because he knew that the King could end the hardships that he experienced every day, if only he desired to do so.  

Day by day, the poor man toiled in a garden that yielded only the weakest of crops, walked over a mile to collect water from the stream that was almost running dry and sat in loneliness as he looked up the mountain with animosity.  

One day there was a knock at the peasant's door.  This had never happened, not even once.  He opened it to find a man in rags.  The visitor was dirty, hungry and in need of a place to lay his head.  Cautiously, the peasant let him in.  He shared his meager rations and made another trip to the stream so that he could serve cool water.  At night, he allowed the visitor to sleep on the only straw bed in the shack, listening as the only person he had ever shared his space with drew breath.  

When the sun rose the next morning, the two men worked in the garden together and talked.  The peasant told the visitor all about the King on the mountain and how much he despised him for allowing him to live in such poverty.  

"If only he would come down from his lofty throne and experience this life for himself, then surely he would help me," the peasant moaned.  

At this, the visitor turned and started walking toward the mountain.  Confused, the peasant asked him where he was going and urged him to stop because the King might be angry if his castle was approached.  The visitor continued to climb and called to the peasant to follow him.  Side by side they trudged upwards until finally they were facing the lowered drawbridge.  

As the visitor entered the castle, the peasant tentatively followed.  His eyes grew wide as he beheld the opulent contents.  The floors were pure gold.  The walls were covered with beautiful tapestries woven with threads that appeared to be made of every gem he had ever heard about.  As he marveled at his surroundings he became aware that he was alone.  The visitor had vanished and he was fearful that he would be found where he should not be.  

Silently and with trepidation, he searched for his friend.  Finally he came to a jeweled door.  He opened it just enough to peek through.  The light from inside was almost blinding but he thought he heard a familiar voice so he tiptoed in.  As his eyes adjusted to the brightness, he could just make out a person sitting on a throne at the far end of the enormous room and he realized in terror that he was in the king's chamber.  

"Come closer," said the voice.  Shaking, the peasant inched forward and fell on his face in fear before the throne.  

"There is no need to fear me,"  said the voice as the peasant felt a hand upon his shoulder.  As he cautiously lifted his head, the peasant gazed upon the face of his visitor friend who was no longer in rags, but in a kingly robe, and he as smiling.  

"I do not understand," said the peasant.  "Surely I am seeing things."

"Your eyes do not deceive you," spoke the king.  "I am the same person that knocked upon your door.  I became as you were in order to win your faith and bring you here to live with me forever."  

This simple story is a reminder of how dear we are to our Lord and Savior, Jesus.  He loved us so much that he left Heaven and became human in order to live among us and, ultimately, to sacrifice Himself so that we can live with Him in Heaven forever.  Just as the peasant, we toil and struggle and wonder why life has to be so difficult.  Jesus came to give us hope and to make sure we know that we are not alone.  His love, his grace, will see us through the trials of this life if we turn to Him.  As the visitor knocked upon the peasant's door, so the Son knocks upon our hearts.  All we have to do is open them and let Him in.  

I pray for each person reading this that your heart will be open and you will know the joy of His glorious presence.  God bless. 

Mid-Week Message - Eternity Versus Our Instant World

"Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.  They will perish, but you will remain; they will wear out like a garment.  You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end."  Psalm 102:25-27 (ESV)  

One of my favorite memories of childhood is homemade ice-cream.  If you have never been through the process of making it the old fashioned way, you have missed a lot of fun and a lot of anticipation.  You have also missed a sore arm from cranking the handle to keep everything churning.  Sometimes we thought it would take forever before all of the ingredients turned into that frozen concoction of wonderment.  But, as all things do, the work came to an end and we were able to enjoy our tasty treat.  

These days we are no long accustomed to long waits.  Fast food restaurants line the streets.  No matter what we are hungry for, we seem to be able to find a drive-through window that will allow us to have it within minutes.  Even when we do our cooking at home we have appliances like microwaves, pressure cookers, convection ovens and insta-pots that allow us to quickly prepare what previously would have taken much more time.  

We are now used to quick beginnings and quick endings.  Rather than having to read a book, we can have it read to us by an audio tape.  If we want to learn a new skill, we can turn on YouTube and find a range of videos that will instruct us.  We communicate via email and Facetime rather than waiting for letters to travel through the mail.  We are even able to keep in touch with family and friends. or connect with others who share our interests, via social media.  

With the rapidity of events in our lives, it can be difficult to comprehend the idea of eternity.  Everything in our lives on earth has a beginning and an end.  Our lives begin at conception and end in death.  That's how we perceive it.  However, scripture teaches that death is not an ending at all, rather it is a transition.  

We serve and were created by a God who has always been.  He did not have a beginning and He will not have an end.  Although we can't really conceive of that with our human minds, it is the truth.  He is not bound by the need that we have to accomplish everything quickly.  Time never ends for Him so He has no reason to worry about deadlines or boundaries.  He has unlimited time to do whatever He chooses to do.  This means that when He created you and me, He was not hurried but was able to take His time to knit each of our cells together.  

Personally, I find great comfort from knowing that my Creator literally had eternity to plan and form me.  Psalm 139:14 says that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made."  He took great care in forming us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  He did so because He was preparing us to share eternity with Him.  When we transition from life on earth to life in Heaven, we move into the life that was always intended for us.  That is why it is imperative to protect our relationship with the Lord.  He is the only One who has known us from even before we came to be and the only One that has been with us every single second that we have drawn breath.  

His desire is for everyone to be with Him for eternity.  This was so important to Him that He sent Jesus to pay the debt of sin for us.  However, He also created us with free will.  He has given each of us the option of choosing the path we wish to take.  It is up to us to decide whether we want to walk the wide road, which leads away from Him, or the narrow road which leads to Him.  Shall we choose eternity with Him or without Him?  Just something to ponder on this week.  God bless.

Mid-Week Message - A Worthy Struggle

"I want to know Christ - yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:10-14 (NIV)  

I appreciate the life that Paul led and the letters that he left behind so that we could know how dear the Lord was to him and how everything he did was done with Heaven in mind.  Of course we know the story that previous to meeting Jesus, Paul, or rather Saul, was a persecutor of Christians.  But when he met the Savior, everything changed.  His life was spent spreading the Good News, for which he endured unspeakable suffering.  But he didn't give up and he found joy in the struggles he encountered because he knew that there was a reward awaiting him that would be greater than he could imagine.  

I wonder how many of us are able to keep that in mind as we encounter the difficulties of daily life.  I have many friends in full-time Christian service and it isn't an easy life.  Moreover, I hear and read stories of missionaries in foreign lands who endure great hardship, including the threat of torture and even death.  They chose to leave behind the conveniences and comfort of their lives here in order to carry Christ's love to those who haven't had the chance to hear that there is a Redeemer who laid down His own life so that we on earth could have an everlasting future with Him.  

Several times a day I utter the words, "I'm tired."  And I am.  My body doesn't work the way it used to and just going through whatever the day requires of me is tedious at best.  Some days, my pain level makes me want to sleep the day away because when I am asleep is the only time that I am truly pain free.  Yet, if I give in to that desire then I am unable to focus on what is more important.  If I am sleeping, I am not praying for the many on my prayer list.  If I am sleeping then I am not reaching out to others that I know need encouragement.  And I am reminded that my life is not my own, but belongs to the One who paid an enormous price to redeem it and therefore deserves for it to be used for His glory.  

Paul set an example for each of us to follow.  No matter what he encountered, whether it be shipwrecks, beatings, illnesses, imprisonment or attempts on his life, he kept praising the Lord and sharing His message with everyone that was around him.  He didn't give in to pain or let exhaustion cease his efforts.  He knew that his time on this planet was temporary and that he had a limited amount of time to accomplish as much as he could for Jesus.  He seized every moment handed to him to make an eternal difference.  I'm sure he had moments of discouragement, moments of saying, "I'm tired."  But then he put them aside and continued on what he knew to be the better path.  

We have a finite time upon this orb.  Our days are limited.  If we do not fill our days with Heavenly purpose, then we are missing the mark.  God has us planted us where we are for reasons we may not be aware of.  Our response should be to take hold of the resources and opportunities that come our way and use them for His glory.  We each have a mission field.  We just have to realize it, and, with our hands firmly in His, go forth and boldly represent Him.  If we need a guide to show us how to take each step then we can read about Paul and, as he did, press forward toward the goal to win the prize that is waiting for us when we are called home.  It will be worth any struggle we encounter, no matter how tired we may get.  God bless.

Mid-Week Message - The Frustrations of Life

"Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return.  Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring.  They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.  You, too, must be patient.  Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near."  James 5:7-8 (NLT)  

Some days it seems as if nothing goes right.  Maybe the alarm clock fails to go off.  Maybe the car doesn't start.  Whatever can go wrong seems to go wrong.  Have you experienced days like that?  Of course you have.  We all do from time to time.  It makes life seem tedious and we find ourselves asking if there is anything to really look forward to or if everyday will be the same.  

Irritations and frustrations abound in this world.  We each have numerous demands made on our time and energies and sometimes we just want to hide for awhile.  There used to be a commercial for a popular bubble bath where a woman closes her bathroom door behind her and says, "Calgon, take me away!"  We eagerly await weekends and vacations so that we can get away from the feeling that every single moment is spoken for.  We want to rest our bodies and silence the constant reminders in our heads of things that have to be done.  We long for a time of peace.  

Patience can be difficult to achieve.  We become so agitated inside that we may just want to scream for everyone to leave us alone.  It doesn't seem like we will ever reach the stage when we can look back and enjoy a job well done because our to-do lists are long and constantly getting longer.  

Today's verse urges us to be patient but it also gives us guidance about where our focus should be.  All of the earthly tasks set before us are temporary.  What is urgent today will be history tomorrow.  It is our tendency to place more importance on earthly matters that fade away than we do on those that are eternal.  Jesus will come again.  Scripture has promised us that.  There will come a day where the only thing that will matter is our relationship with Him.  I wonder how it would change our outlook on life if we kept that as our utmost thought.  

There was a book entitled Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, written by Richard Carlson, that was published in 1997.  The point the book makes is that we let so many things cause stress that really are insignificant.  In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus tells us what is most important. "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"  

What we choose to focus on has great influence over how stressed, frustrated and irritated we feel.  If we can look at the tasks before us as momentary challenges that will soon pass, and keep our eyes and minds on the Lord's promises and our eternal future in Heaven with Him, then we will not be as likely to find ourselves wanting to run away and hide.  Rather, we will want to share the Good News with those around us, and, as farmer's waiting for the rain for their crops, develop divine patience knowing that at any time we could hear the glorious hallelujahs of Christ's return.  God bless.   

Mid-Week Message - Childlike Faith

"Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those that brought them.  But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.  Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."  And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them."  Mark 10:13-16 (NKJV) 

"Do, Lord, oh do, Lord, oh do remember me!"  This is the song that was on my mind when I awoke this morning.  It brought back so many wonderful memories.  I learned it in Sunday School as a young child.  I can remember singing it in Vacation Bible School and even belting it out at school during recess.  As I grew older, I sang it to the children I babysat and, eventually, taught it to my own daughter.  It is such a simple little song but its verses remind us of the close relationship we have with our Lord.  

Childhood.  Young minds are open and accepting of what they are presented.  If we teach truth, they learn truth.  If we teach lies, they learn those lies as truth.  As we grow older and encounter the good and bad of life, we handle what is thrown at us with those early teachings as our foundation.  Jesus knew that it was easy for children to believe He was who He said He was.  He took the opportunity to speak words of blessing to them that they would carry for their entire lives.  They hadn't yet begun to question what they were taught.  They took it on simple faith.  

Wouldn't it be wonderful to return to that time when we didn't have to question everything that we see and hear?   Unfortunately this world is filled with those who lie to us and hide their motives for what they do.  Because of that, many of us have become analyzers.  After each encounter we go off and rethink everything that was said and done and develop our own opinions about what was meant.  The problem with that is that our Creator did not give us the ability to know what is in someone else's heart or mind.  Even worse, our habit of analyzing can often bleed over into our relationship with the Lord to the point where we find ourselves questioning His Word as absolute truth.  

In the Lord's presence, we need to allow ourselves to get beyond the walls that the hurt in this world has caused us to build.  God does not, cannot, lie.  In all that He does and says to us we can be assured to find nothing but truth.  We can sing songs like "Jesus Loves Me" and allow that childlike spirit within us to dance in the simplicity and joy that it brings.  We need not fear Him.  Like the children in today's verse, we can feel free to climb upon His lap and know that we will find nothing but pure love.  Simple faith is within our grasp.  Reach out and grab it and don't let go. 

Mid-Week Message - Because of Friday

"And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."  Ephesians 3:18-19 (NLT)  

He didn't have to do any of it.  He didn't have to allow Himself to be arrested, but He did.  He didn't have to let them scourge Him.  He didn't have to let them humiliate Him. He certainly could have exercised His power to stop it.  He didn't have to accept a crown of thorns being placed on His head or let anyone spit on Him, yet, He did.  At any time He could have stopped His own crucifixion.  He could have avoided having spikes driven through His flesh, being raised up on that cross, having His clothing stripped away.  After all, He was so much more than a mere man.  He was God in the flesh.  He could have called a legion of angels to rescue Him, or just come down from the cross on His own and struck the soldiers dead.  

Instead, He allowed all of it.  Everything that happened that horrible Friday took place with His permission.  Have you ever thought of that?  He could have said "no" to carrying His own cross.  He could have said "no more" at any time during that dark day.  We know the human part of Him was reluctant to go through with it because He prayed in the garden that the Father would "remove this cup from me."  And it wasn't simply a quick prayer.  It was heart-wrenching.  

So why didn't He say no to Friday?  The answer is this: Without Friday, there would have been no Sunday.  His love for us is so great that He was willing to endure the storm of Friday so that we could have the peace that Sunday brought.  The sacrifice was made.  Death has been defeated.  Our forgiveness and eternal life have been secured.  

Each year as Easter approaches, in my mind I hear the hammer pounding the nails.  What a horrific sound that must have been.  Precious Jesus, our Savior, laid out on the cross and having to endure such pain!  What agony He must have gone through as they raised up that cross and his body fought gravity as He struggled to keep Himself in a position where He would be able to breathe.  All because of the love He has for each of us.  Nails didn't keep Him on the wood.  Love did.  

I have a hard time understanding love that is that deep and pure.  Maybe you do too.  That He chose the nails rather than to allow us to perish is mind boggling. But that is what took place.  You and I were more important to Him than anything He experienced that awful day.  

As we observe Good Friday, let's remember that He was willing to go through the agony for our sake.  And on Easter Sunday, as we rejoice in His resurrection, and each day that we walk in the freedom that His actions provided us, can we each take at least a moment to ask ourselves what we are willing to do for Him?

Mid-Week Message - What Would You Have Done?

“Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”  Luke 24:5-7 (NLT)

If you had been there when Jesus was arrested, what would you have done?  How would you have reacted?  Would you have stepped up to defend Him or would you have sunk into the background out of fear?  

If you had been there during His trial, would you have spoken up for Him?  Would you have shouted for His innocence or been silent as the crowd screamed for Barrabas to be released?  Would your belief that Jesus was the Christ have allowed you to rush to His aid?  

If you had been there as He was forced to carry His cross to the place of His death, would you have offered to help Him carry it or stood back in horror and tears as you witnessed His struggle while so terribly wounded?

If you had been there as the hammer pounded the nails into His flesh, seen the crown of thorns pushed cruelly down into the skin of His brow, seen the mocking and the insults hurled at Him, seen Him denied a fresh drink of water and then witnessed the spear thrust into His side, how would you have handled it?  

The Easter story is one most of us grew up with.  We know what happened to our Savior.  It has become something that is talked about almost matter-of-factly.  We understand it was God's way of uniting us to Himself by providing His Son, His perfect Lamb, as the sacrifice which bought our forgiveness and freedom.  We know, but do we experience it?  Is it personal?  

Now, what if you had been there with the women who discovered His body missing?  What would have been your reaction?  Would you have remembered that He said He would rise again and rejoice, or would you have assumed it had been stolen?  I can't think of anything more glorious than the open tomb of the Son of Almighty God.  I would like to think that I would have fallen to my knees at that moment and begun praising.  But I would also like to think that I would have stood up for Him, fought for Him, been willing to lose my own life for Him.  

Easter is a time of personal reflection as we remember all He did out of His love for each of us.  It is wonderful to know the story, to read the scriptures, to hear the sermons.  However, in order to really appreciate it, we need to place ourselves there.  We need to take part and allow it to become more than a story.  We need for it to be personal and real.  May God bless you as you experience His love on Easter and every day.  

Mid-Week Message - About Death

"The day one dies is better than the day he is born!  It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals.  For you are going to die, and it is a good thing to think about it while there is still time.  Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.  Yes, a wise man thinks much of death, while the fool thinks only of having a good time now."  Ecclesiastes 7:1b-4  (TLB)

A while ago I was reminded again of the brevity of life.  A dear sweet young friend passed away.  This was a young lady who had fought a lifetime of battles that most of us will never be able to conceive of.  Her life was filled with miracle after miracle and she was a living testament of the power and love of Almighty God.  I rejoice for her as she celebrates with Jesus though my heart is broken for her family and others close to her.  

When my father died in 2007 I thought I wasn't going to be able to go on.  He had been my greatest supporter throughout my life.  He was the one I turned to for advice and understanding.  He wasn't a perfect man, but the Lord couldn't have chosen a better man to be my dad.  I can remember every second of that day and I doubt seriously that I will ever forget.  His death deeply impacted me and changed the way I thought of life.  The person I counted on to always be there suddenly wasn't and I found myself considering the difference of how death is viewed on earth versus how it is viewed in Heaven.

When someone dear to us is no longer with us on this planet, it can be devastating.  We find ourselves clinging to their last words, their favorite material possessions, songs that remind us of them and anything else that makes us feel close to them.  The last thing we want to think about is that we won't see them again.  As we go through the stages of grief we experience denial and anger long before we reach acceptance.  We cry more tears than we thought possible and beg the Lord to explain to us why they had to go.  The pain of losing a loved one causes our hearts to physically ache and our minds to question life.  

However, what is perceived as an ending here is a homecoming in Heaven.  No longer is there any separation between our loved ones and Jesus. It is the culmination of our creation!  We see life as temporary, but our Creator made us to be eternal beings.  Life doesn't end at death.  It continues where we were meant to be all along.  In Heaven we will be free from illness, from sorrow and from danger.  Joy will rule our hearts as we witness in person the magnificence of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  We will join with the Heavenly choir in singing praises.  Any infirmities that we had before will be gone forever and we will be able to place our hand in the hand of the One who bore the penalties for our sin and made it all possible.  

Here we grieve but there they celebrate.  That is why today's verse admonishes us to ponder the end of our earthly lives.  For those that place their faith in the Lord Jesus death is simply the closing of one door and the opening of a much better one.  Life doesn't cease, it is perfected.  Our grief is for ourselves because we will miss those who go to Heaven before us.  One day, though, not too long in the future, that door will open for us as well and we will step across the Heaven's threshold and wrap our arms around our Savior.  

Mid-Week Message - God Knows

"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  You know when I sit or stand.  When far away you know my every thought.  You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest.  Every moment you know where I am.  You know what I'm going to say before I even say it.  You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head."  Psalm 139:1-5 (TLB)  

Have you ever wished you could read minds?  How much easier would communication be if we never had to wonder what the people around us were thinking?  The problem with it would be that we would know even the negative thoughts and be privy to things we would really rather not know.  Would it help our relationships or harm them if we always knew what was on another's mind?  

Good communication is of utmost importance with those that we are close to.  Marriage especially is deeply effected when the partners are negligent in sharing their thoughts and feelings.  It causes distance and misunderstandings when they are attempting to figure out on their own what is going through the mind and heart of their mate.  Counselors stay busy trying to unravel issues that could have been avoided with adequate communication.  

Another relationship that suffers is the one between parents and children. Especially when my daughter was a teenager, I longed for her to talk to me and tell me what she was thinking.  I would know she was struggling with something but I had no idea what.  It was frustrating because I loved her and wanted to help her through her difficult times but I had no idea what to say or do.  No matter how deeply we care for another person we will never be able to be as close to them as we wish to be because we do not have the ability to truly know their mind and heart.  We know only what they choose to share.  

Psalm 139 says that the Lord has examined our hearts and knows our thoughts.  His love for us is so great that when He created us he reserved for Himself the ability to know our every thought and feeling.  He knows what we think and feel and all the reasons why.  He knows what we are going to say before the words are ever uttered.  If He desires to be that close to us, what should our response be?  

Personally, I want Him to be honored by my thoughts.  I want Him to find a clean heart and honorable attitudes.  My desire is for Him to find love, sincerity, gratitude and humility when He draws near.  I want Him to know that His Word is sacred to me and that I seek to keep it.  I want Him to know that when I speak, the words will be honest and praise-filled.  Simply put, I want to be as close to Him as He desires to be close to me.  If I concentrate on fulfilling these desires then my relationships with others will be improved as well.  

Life happens to each of us daily and I realize it isn't always easy to keep the lines of communication open.  However, if we start with our relationship with the Lord, realizing that He has this intimacy with each of us and learn to share openly with Him, He will assist us in our relationships with our mates, children, friends, co-workers, etc.  I wish everyone a blessed and peaceful week.