It’s been quite a while since I have taken the time to post anything on this site. But with Thanksgiving just around the corner it seems appropriate to think about all that God has done for us this year.
*I have become more involved in the music ministry of our church and am looking forward to returning to playing the flute. I am grateful to be able to serve in an area that prepares each person’s heart for the message each service.
*God has allowed me to spend quality time with my granddaughters and we have been able to develop a very close bond. I am grateful that God has given me time to share in their activities.
*Meeting Holly, Jason’s fiancée was super special and although we were only able to spend a few days with Jason and Holly we got another glimpse into the way that God is blessing our family.
*I’m grateful that each of our boys is able to provide financial support for their families.
*I’m grateful that Terry has been able to work through medical issues and be able to gain new strength.
*I’m thankful for wonderful friends who have been available for me during the years. The blessing of friendship can never be taken for granted and God has given me one very special friend who is always there for me.
*I’m thankful for the financial blessings that God has given to us. Things may be tight from time to time but knowing that Terry has a job and can keep up with his work responsibilities is another way that God has blessed us.
*I’m thankful for the introduction to Christian writing through the internet and have enjoyed putting my thoughts down on paper. The opportunity came at just the right time and I appreciate the way that writing has extended my focus and challenged me.
*I am thankful for the soldiers who work so hard to keep our country safe.
*I am blessed by the array of liberties that are freely available to Americans and for the opportunity to live in a country like the USA.
*I am grateful for the beauty of the God’s creation and the evidence of His hand in the world around us.
*I am thankful for cousins, aunts, uncles, and other family members who were there for me while growing up and who still keep in touch and pray for me.
The list could continue for quite some time but the main focus I think is important is the heritage we have through our forefathers, the love that God has given to each one who is willing to accept His gift, and the time to just reflect on His blessings and His provision for each of us through His Son.
My wish for each of you reading this is that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and that you can relax for just a short time and look at what God has done for you. That is what I plan to do. I know that God deserves all the glory and praise for all that He has done for me both now and for what He will do in the future.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
I Want to Be Confident but.......
I recently had a chance to write on the topic “confidence” in a weekly writing challenge and my first inclination was to approach the topic on a positive note. You know, you are confident and want to do what is right or you attempt to overcome your inhibitions to do something that may scare you. It may simply be a difficult situation that tests your endurance. Everyone wants to be confident about something in life. The problem is how to be confident but not overly confident. How do we gain confidence? And where does that confidence come from?
Our family made several moves from state to state and it wasn’t easy. Trying to be confident that we were making the right decision and then following through and learning to make new friends took some time. It was hard to leave the comfort of the area where we lived and we certainly missed all our friends, but more than once the move was necessary. Eventually, after we moved and settled in, we adapted and our confidence increased as we learned to navigate throughout the new area.
Overcoming a fear such as the fear of heights is an area where our confidence may at one time have been shaken. There is a choice: always be afraid of heights or try to work through the problem and gain new confidence as you overcome the fear. I, for one, am not fond of heights and it was something that started when I was a young child. Once I was married and having children I tried to work through the fear. It took several baby steps at first and a lot of jittery feelings inside whenever I looked down, but I gradually learned to overcome my fear. Once I overcame my fear, I can handle most things such as climbing to the top of a mountain on a hike, relaxing while on an airplane trip, and being able to feel comfortable with greater heights. I can feel myself tense up inside when the height is too great and at that time I usually move to a place that seems safe.
In our Christian life we can be confident that our life in Jesus is secure if we have fully committed our life to Him. When things get bumpy along the pathway, we can place our trust in God. He can guide us to make good decisions about churches, questions about right or wrong issues with family life/morality and he can calm our fears when we face uncertain times. For me, this is probably the one area where I have the most confidence. I may make mistakes but when I falter I know that God will pick me up and set my feet on the right path. If He weren’t there for me, I don’t actually don’t know what I would do. I need someone to talk to when things get rough and knowing that He is there calms my inner spirit and gives me the confidence to go forward.
But what about the times that we are confident but actually wrong in our process of thinking? We don’t like to think about those moments but we all have them. Perhaps the one area I can relate to was when I was growing up. Say the word “test” and most students give a long groan. It is a necessary evil in learning material in school and it always meant a lot of studying for me. I usually didn’t have too much trouble coming up with the right answer. But there were times when I answered a question and was 100% certain that I was right only to find out that I was completely wrong. My confidence was slightly shaken and I learned an important lesson. You can be confident in what you are doing or trying to do but you CAN be totally wrong.
The one thing that I think everyone can associate with is the proverbial shortcut while driving from one point to another. If we are honest, we all have made the mistake of making a wrong turn or taken the scenic route and gotten lost along the way. Ever discover a “detour” sign and decide that there wasn’t really a detour there after all? Yes, if you decided to tempt fate you probably discovered that the sign was there for a reason. All the time you expected to save by ignoring the sign was lost when you had to turn around and follow the actual detour.
Everyone has probably found themselves in a traffic jam while coming home from work or driving to work in the morning. When you either left work or home, you knew pretty much how long it took to get from one place to the next. But an accident, road construction, or a closed lane can change the timing. I don’t know about you, but for me it was always at the time when I had to be somewhere at a specific time. Music lessons, dental exams, play rehearsals, and sports practices are all different after school activities and with each obligation, you are expected to be there on time or within a reasonable time after the appointment (probably 5 minutes or less). I know what I should have done but I felt that I could “control” everything so that I wouldn’t be late. Overly confident but wrong in my evaluation of the situation at hand.
On another occasion I was waiting at a stop sign so that I could move across the intersection. I had several cars behind me but when the highway was clear I began to accelerate only to discover that my car was in reverse rather than in drive. I forgot that I had decided to move back just a little when another car seemed too close while driving past. I was confident that I knew exactly what to do but I was totally wrong. If I hadn’t caught my mistake I could have ended up causing an accident and facing an upset driver who would never have really understood why my car was in reverse.
I could elaborate more but I think the message is clear. Being overly confident can be totally unpredictable and give me a result I never expected. Placing my confidence in Christ and letting him guide me is the only way to, shall I say, stay out of trouble.
Proverbs14:16 "A wise man fears and departs from evil but a fool rages and is self-confident"
(NKJV)
Our family made several moves from state to state and it wasn’t easy. Trying to be confident that we were making the right decision and then following through and learning to make new friends took some time. It was hard to leave the comfort of the area where we lived and we certainly missed all our friends, but more than once the move was necessary. Eventually, after we moved and settled in, we adapted and our confidence increased as we learned to navigate throughout the new area.
Overcoming a fear such as the fear of heights is an area where our confidence may at one time have been shaken. There is a choice: always be afraid of heights or try to work through the problem and gain new confidence as you overcome the fear. I, for one, am not fond of heights and it was something that started when I was a young child. Once I was married and having children I tried to work through the fear. It took several baby steps at first and a lot of jittery feelings inside whenever I looked down, but I gradually learned to overcome my fear. Once I overcame my fear, I can handle most things such as climbing to the top of a mountain on a hike, relaxing while on an airplane trip, and being able to feel comfortable with greater heights. I can feel myself tense up inside when the height is too great and at that time I usually move to a place that seems safe.
In our Christian life we can be confident that our life in Jesus is secure if we have fully committed our life to Him. When things get bumpy along the pathway, we can place our trust in God. He can guide us to make good decisions about churches, questions about right or wrong issues with family life/morality and he can calm our fears when we face uncertain times. For me, this is probably the one area where I have the most confidence. I may make mistakes but when I falter I know that God will pick me up and set my feet on the right path. If He weren’t there for me, I don’t actually don’t know what I would do. I need someone to talk to when things get rough and knowing that He is there calms my inner spirit and gives me the confidence to go forward.
But what about the times that we are confident but actually wrong in our process of thinking? We don’t like to think about those moments but we all have them. Perhaps the one area I can relate to was when I was growing up. Say the word “test” and most students give a long groan. It is a necessary evil in learning material in school and it always meant a lot of studying for me. I usually didn’t have too much trouble coming up with the right answer. But there were times when I answered a question and was 100% certain that I was right only to find out that I was completely wrong. My confidence was slightly shaken and I learned an important lesson. You can be confident in what you are doing or trying to do but you CAN be totally wrong.
The one thing that I think everyone can associate with is the proverbial shortcut while driving from one point to another. If we are honest, we all have made the mistake of making a wrong turn or taken the scenic route and gotten lost along the way. Ever discover a “detour” sign and decide that there wasn’t really a detour there after all? Yes, if you decided to tempt fate you probably discovered that the sign was there for a reason. All the time you expected to save by ignoring the sign was lost when you had to turn around and follow the actual detour.
Everyone has probably found themselves in a traffic jam while coming home from work or driving to work in the morning. When you either left work or home, you knew pretty much how long it took to get from one place to the next. But an accident, road construction, or a closed lane can change the timing. I don’t know about you, but for me it was always at the time when I had to be somewhere at a specific time. Music lessons, dental exams, play rehearsals, and sports practices are all different after school activities and with each obligation, you are expected to be there on time or within a reasonable time after the appointment (probably 5 minutes or less). I know what I should have done but I felt that I could “control” everything so that I wouldn’t be late. Overly confident but wrong in my evaluation of the situation at hand.
On another occasion I was waiting at a stop sign so that I could move across the intersection. I had several cars behind me but when the highway was clear I began to accelerate only to discover that my car was in reverse rather than in drive. I forgot that I had decided to move back just a little when another car seemed too close while driving past. I was confident that I knew exactly what to do but I was totally wrong. If I hadn’t caught my mistake I could have ended up causing an accident and facing an upset driver who would never have really understood why my car was in reverse.
I could elaborate more but I think the message is clear. Being overly confident can be totally unpredictable and give me a result I never expected. Placing my confidence in Christ and letting him guide me is the only way to, shall I say, stay out of trouble.
Proverbs14:16 "A wise man fears and departs from evil but a fool rages and is self-confident"
(NKJV)
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Comfort in God's Arms
On a trip to the city of Shreveport, we had the opportunity to have some much deserved time as husband and wife. It always seemed that things were so busy at home that we never got any peace, hence the out-of town trip. We had been able to enjoy the evening so much that the time had gotten away from us. It wasn’t until 1:00 AM that we realized we had missed dinner. We found a restaurant near the hotel lobby and waited our turn for a table.
While we were waiting there was time to look at the surroundings. On a large wall of the hotel there was a complete exhibit of African cichlids swimming in an environment much like the natural habitat of Lake Malawi. It was peaceful to just watch the movement of the fish and to look for the baby fish hiding in the rocks and crevices. Since we have a tank of African cichlids at home I enjoyed the view even more.
In a separate area near the restaurant was a band. The guitar, bass guitar and drums resonated in the hallways. The lead singer was a young girl about twenty-four. Three young men played on the instruments. Several people were mingling and appeared to be having fun, butt for me, it was just too loud and noisy. I simply wanted to find a spot away from the night life that attracted so many people.
In the area to the right of the restaurant were a series of boutique shops that lined the hallway to the elevator that opened out to the parking garage. I turned my head to my immediate right and noticed a table of young people. The boys were wearing white tuxedos and the girls had a palette of spring color prom dresses. Everyone was laughing and enjoying the evening. What caught my attention and left a memory in my mind was the couple sitting near the back of the table. The young man looked very stylish and debonair in his white tuxedo and his date was wearing a burgundy gown with a beaded top. What I noticed most about this young lady was that she had her head resting on her date’s shoulder and her eyes were closed. I’m sure that she must have had a busy evening and a wonderful time, or at least I would like to think so, but now there was a peaceful look on her face, a look of contentment and happiness.
The scene kept my attention. It made me think of God and the way I need to rest in Him. I’m usually going in so many directions that I seldom take time to rest and let God take all the cares and worries of this world on His shoulder. This was particularly true of the time period when my children were in school. I taught in a Christian school and had four boys at home all of which had homework and wanted to be in sports. Eventually I burned out and had to take a break to rest and renew my physical body. I was trying too hard to be a super mom rather than let God have complete control of my life and its direction. If I give Him control of my life, then I can rest peacefully in his arms. I have no reason to fear or be anxious.
For some people it is easy to think of God wrapping His arms around us and holding us protectively against the problems of our world. For me it wasn’t so easy since the home environment was one that didn’t openly show love and affection. I seldom saw love expressed with a hug or kiss and at times I lived in fear of an angry parent punishing me
John 3:16 is a key verse that I need to remember. “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” God’s gift to the world was His son. No one can really experience the pain that God must have felt while he watched His son take the sins of the world upon His shoulders, but a love like that only comes once in a lifetime. Since He gave so much I should trust Him completely. When I give Him complete control of my life, I can rest my head on His shoulders, take comfort in His arms and be at peace. I don’t have to run around feverishly trying to accomplish something. I won’t feel exhausted and worn out but I will be at peace with God knowing that He cares for me.
While we were waiting there was time to look at the surroundings. On a large wall of the hotel there was a complete exhibit of African cichlids swimming in an environment much like the natural habitat of Lake Malawi. It was peaceful to just watch the movement of the fish and to look for the baby fish hiding in the rocks and crevices. Since we have a tank of African cichlids at home I enjoyed the view even more.
In a separate area near the restaurant was a band. The guitar, bass guitar and drums resonated in the hallways. The lead singer was a young girl about twenty-four. Three young men played on the instruments. Several people were mingling and appeared to be having fun, butt for me, it was just too loud and noisy. I simply wanted to find a spot away from the night life that attracted so many people.
In the area to the right of the restaurant were a series of boutique shops that lined the hallway to the elevator that opened out to the parking garage. I turned my head to my immediate right and noticed a table of young people. The boys were wearing white tuxedos and the girls had a palette of spring color prom dresses. Everyone was laughing and enjoying the evening. What caught my attention and left a memory in my mind was the couple sitting near the back of the table. The young man looked very stylish and debonair in his white tuxedo and his date was wearing a burgundy gown with a beaded top. What I noticed most about this young lady was that she had her head resting on her date’s shoulder and her eyes were closed. I’m sure that she must have had a busy evening and a wonderful time, or at least I would like to think so, but now there was a peaceful look on her face, a look of contentment and happiness.
The scene kept my attention. It made me think of God and the way I need to rest in Him. I’m usually going in so many directions that I seldom take time to rest and let God take all the cares and worries of this world on His shoulder. This was particularly true of the time period when my children were in school. I taught in a Christian school and had four boys at home all of which had homework and wanted to be in sports. Eventually I burned out and had to take a break to rest and renew my physical body. I was trying too hard to be a super mom rather than let God have complete control of my life and its direction. If I give Him control of my life, then I can rest peacefully in his arms. I have no reason to fear or be anxious.
For some people it is easy to think of God wrapping His arms around us and holding us protectively against the problems of our world. For me it wasn’t so easy since the home environment was one that didn’t openly show love and affection. I seldom saw love expressed with a hug or kiss and at times I lived in fear of an angry parent punishing me
John 3:16 is a key verse that I need to remember. “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” God’s gift to the world was His son. No one can really experience the pain that God must have felt while he watched His son take the sins of the world upon His shoulders, but a love like that only comes once in a lifetime. Since He gave so much I should trust Him completely. When I give Him complete control of my life, I can rest my head on His shoulders, take comfort in His arms and be at peace. I don’t have to run around feverishly trying to accomplish something. I won’t feel exhausted and worn out but I will be at peace with God knowing that He cares for me.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Burdens or Blessings
Q. How do you handle life's problems? Are events blessings or burdens and how that does that relate to how others see you? Do you try to witness to others during this time?
My one aim in life is to have others see Christ in me. This means being consistent in everything I do and willing to apologize to others if I slip up and do something that is not Christ-like. I have to realize that my life is a microscope that others are watching even when I don’t know about it.
Blessings and burdens are part of our Christian life. The blessings are the wonderful ways that God answers our prayers. Often they come after a period of trials that have tested my ability to put all things into the control of Christ. Receiving money to pay bills that are due, having a family member recover from a serious sickness, and safety on the highway during long trips are just a few of the ways that God shows me His face.
For me, during the really rough times I seek out someone who is a sincere Christian so that I can talk through things. The person I choose has to be someone who can keep confidences and will pray with me while the problem exists. Others may notice that I am quieter during these times and wonder what is going on. If I can keep a calm outward look even though I am struggling inwardly others will notice and realize that there is a difference in my life. When that happens, I can share Christ with them. To say that I always turn my problems over to the Lord is to deny that I am human. I make mistakes but problem-solving is in God’s hands.
Whether my life is going through a period when I am struggling with problems or a time when I am receiving blessings, I should be assured that Christ is always by my side. That needs to be my one constant part of life, security in Christ. Hopefully others will see Him in me through both the bad and good times.
My one aim in life is to have others see Christ in me. This means being consistent in everything I do and willing to apologize to others if I slip up and do something that is not Christ-like. I have to realize that my life is a microscope that others are watching even when I don’t know about it.
Blessings and burdens are part of our Christian life. The blessings are the wonderful ways that God answers our prayers. Often they come after a period of trials that have tested my ability to put all things into the control of Christ. Receiving money to pay bills that are due, having a family member recover from a serious sickness, and safety on the highway during long trips are just a few of the ways that God shows me His face.
For me, during the really rough times I seek out someone who is a sincere Christian so that I can talk through things. The person I choose has to be someone who can keep confidences and will pray with me while the problem exists. Others may notice that I am quieter during these times and wonder what is going on. If I can keep a calm outward look even though I am struggling inwardly others will notice and realize that there is a difference in my life. When that happens, I can share Christ with them. To say that I always turn my problems over to the Lord is to deny that I am human. I make mistakes but problem-solving is in God’s hands.
Whether my life is going through a period when I am struggling with problems or a time when I am receiving blessings, I should be assured that Christ is always by my side. That needs to be my one constant part of life, security in Christ. Hopefully others will see Him in me through both the bad and good times.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
No Room for Gloom
The sky was dark and ominous and it was so black that it was hard to see anything outlined in the world outside. Thunder resonated noisily in the air and the sound seemed like a huge bass drum rumbling near the finale of a piece of music. Wide streaks of blinding white lightning zigzagged across the sky piercing the vast darkness into two distinct vertical blocks. Heavy drops of rain poured down in sheets on the window panes in Beth’s bedroom. The only source of light in the room came from the various sized candles which gave off a soft luminescent yellow glow. The electricity had been off for an hour.
Beth gave a long exaggerated sigh and wondered if the gloomy weather would ever change. It had been raining for over two weeks. It wasn’t so frustrating at first but as the days turned into weeks it became more of a hassle. Mentally she was worn out and a thick cloud of depression set in. Beth knew there was no conceivable way to control the weather but she certainly wished that the sun would move away from its hiding place behind the clouds and shine its bright yellow rays downward. Normally she could keep the depressive feelings beneath the surface but this time the hopeless despondency felt like nothing would ever be the same. All the joy and fun of living seemed to dissipate into thin air. It felt like happiness was a million miles away. Would there ever be a time when she would feel joy? Not just a superficial emotion but a joy that carried way down to the depths of her soul. Where did I go wrong?
Daughter, listen to my voice! I hear your cry for happiness.
When had the happy moments vanished? I had been busy for so long that just trying to sit down and relax was a problem. The sound of four active enthusiastic boys in the home were silenced as they one by one moved away and finished college. Empty nest is what everyone calls this season of my life but at times I feel lost without all the activity. God, show me the path I need to take now.
My child, trust me and I will show you new opportunities for service.
Wait! That’s the difference. I’ve tried to handle things my own way over the past few weeks. I always used to get up early in the morning to read my Bible and pray. I have started my day in a rush without even a minute of thanks. God, I have left you patiently waiting for me each morning, expectantly hoping I would take just a few minutes with you. Please forgive me for pushing you into the background.
Beth, forgiveness is only a prayer away.
That night I opened my Bible and talked to God. The heavy burden I had been carrying was lifted and the following morning I set aside quiet time for just God and me. The day had a new focus and although I felt sad at times, I began to see the positive things that were hiding in each day. A simple smile or “Thank you” helped others to feel special. Time spent outdoors opened my eyes to new and wonderful moments of peace and admiration for God’s creation. All the little things seemed more precious that day. A pink rose in full bloom, the chirp of a bird, and the shades of green in the landscape were all part of the Maker’s portrait. I began to see His hand in everything. Hearing His voice beside me gave me assurance and quieted my restless moments.
Daughter, I love you and will give you the joy that you desire. Cherish each day and let me show you the way
I have discovered happiness lies within me. When God is a part of my daily life, my soul can soar with Him and the depression leaves. When I take my Heavy heart to God with an Apologetic attitude offering a Penitent prayer I can have Perfect Peace. The Yoke of bondage falls off my shoulders and Christ’s face illuminates the dark recesses of my mind. Even if the sun fails to shine each day, when the Son shines in my heart I can be happy.
Psalm 68:3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. (NIV)
Beth gave a long exaggerated sigh and wondered if the gloomy weather would ever change. It had been raining for over two weeks. It wasn’t so frustrating at first but as the days turned into weeks it became more of a hassle. Mentally she was worn out and a thick cloud of depression set in. Beth knew there was no conceivable way to control the weather but she certainly wished that the sun would move away from its hiding place behind the clouds and shine its bright yellow rays downward. Normally she could keep the depressive feelings beneath the surface but this time the hopeless despondency felt like nothing would ever be the same. All the joy and fun of living seemed to dissipate into thin air. It felt like happiness was a million miles away. Would there ever be a time when she would feel joy? Not just a superficial emotion but a joy that carried way down to the depths of her soul. Where did I go wrong?
Daughter, listen to my voice! I hear your cry for happiness.
When had the happy moments vanished? I had been busy for so long that just trying to sit down and relax was a problem. The sound of four active enthusiastic boys in the home were silenced as they one by one moved away and finished college. Empty nest is what everyone calls this season of my life but at times I feel lost without all the activity. God, show me the path I need to take now.
My child, trust me and I will show you new opportunities for service.
Wait! That’s the difference. I’ve tried to handle things my own way over the past few weeks. I always used to get up early in the morning to read my Bible and pray. I have started my day in a rush without even a minute of thanks. God, I have left you patiently waiting for me each morning, expectantly hoping I would take just a few minutes with you. Please forgive me for pushing you into the background.
Beth, forgiveness is only a prayer away.
That night I opened my Bible and talked to God. The heavy burden I had been carrying was lifted and the following morning I set aside quiet time for just God and me. The day had a new focus and although I felt sad at times, I began to see the positive things that were hiding in each day. A simple smile or “Thank you” helped others to feel special. Time spent outdoors opened my eyes to new and wonderful moments of peace and admiration for God’s creation. All the little things seemed more precious that day. A pink rose in full bloom, the chirp of a bird, and the shades of green in the landscape were all part of the Maker’s portrait. I began to see His hand in everything. Hearing His voice beside me gave me assurance and quieted my restless moments.
Daughter, I love you and will give you the joy that you desire. Cherish each day and let me show you the way
I have discovered happiness lies within me. When God is a part of my daily life, my soul can soar with Him and the depression leaves. When I take my Heavy heart to God with an Apologetic attitude offering a Penitent prayer I can have Perfect Peace. The Yoke of bondage falls off my shoulders and Christ’s face illuminates the dark recesses of my mind. Even if the sun fails to shine each day, when the Son shines in my heart I can be happy.
Psalm 68:3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. (NIV)
I'm back and writing again...
Hi Everyone! For those of you who are regular readers, I have been taking a couple of months off and have been writing for a Christian website. The site has a weekly challenge and the topic changes from things like "happy", "embarrassed", "confident", or other emotions. Topics like music, children's stories, shopping, adventure or teacher are also part fo the challenge topics. It tests my ability to write on a specific topic and has a word count restriction. It has been a real learning experience.
As for other things that have kept me busy, I have made two trips to Atlanta and will be going there again this week. It's always fun to take some time to spoil my grandchildren. We have taken long weekends to visit our other boys. We haven't seen Jason yet but we are looking forward to seeing him over Labor Day weekend.
My goal for now is to try to spend more time on this blog and hopefully my brain can give me some new thoughts or stories.
As for other things that have kept me busy, I have made two trips to Atlanta and will be going there again this week. It's always fun to take some time to spoil my grandchildren. We have taken long weekends to visit our other boys. We haven't seen Jason yet but we are looking forward to seeing him over Labor Day weekend.
My goal for now is to try to spend more time on this blog and hopefully my brain can give me some new thoughts or stories.
Friday, May 11, 2007
WHERE'S MY DUCKY?
There it was at my feet. A blue “fishing pole” with a knit ducky attached to the end by a string. The fishing pole came moving forward towards me and then fell at my feet. There it was waiting for me to pick it up. It was the first thing I did every morning. My Bengal cat was ready to play and his favorite toy since he was four months old was the ducky. It was his favorite thing to do and whenever he was ready to play, he let me know by bringing the ducky from wherever it was in the house.
The game was rather simple. Use the “fishing pole” to hide ducky under the bed while Beau waited for the right time to pounce on the toy. Sometimes he liked to hide under the bed ruffle and wait for the ducky to swing by. Then at times he liked to have ducky up on the bed where it could hide under the covers or fly up in the air. That trick meant that Beau had to catch his prey in the air and bring it down to his level where he could show ducky that he was the king. The game fascinated him and it was played more than once through the day. Each time he brought the toy to me and begged to play.
Cats are known for their independence and usually when I want to spend some time with him in my lap, he could seem to care less. He will jump down and walk away. Then when I am really busy he becomes very insistent that he wants my attention. He will crawl over the computer desk, sit down on the bed while I am trying to fold clothes, or sit on the back of the rocker and put his paws in my hair. For some reason that satisfies him but the resulting hairdo is much less than perfect. But then that is why I like cats. I appreciate their personality and rather than make them behave I have to “read” their facial expressions or body language. I have the challenge of meeting them on their own terms.
There is a wonderful comparison between my cat and his antics and my relationship to God. Unlike my cat, I don’t have to get God’s attention. He is always there and hears me whenever I call upon Him. I can call upon Him and don’t have to wave anything back and forth to get His attention. He always has time for me and even when I have lost my way He still is there beside me. He knows my emotions and doesn’t have to play a guessing game to see if He can find me. Isn’t it great to know that God cares enough so that I always have His attention!
The game was rather simple. Use the “fishing pole” to hide ducky under the bed while Beau waited for the right time to pounce on the toy. Sometimes he liked to hide under the bed ruffle and wait for the ducky to swing by. Then at times he liked to have ducky up on the bed where it could hide under the covers or fly up in the air. That trick meant that Beau had to catch his prey in the air and bring it down to his level where he could show ducky that he was the king. The game fascinated him and it was played more than once through the day. Each time he brought the toy to me and begged to play.
Cats are known for their independence and usually when I want to spend some time with him in my lap, he could seem to care less. He will jump down and walk away. Then when I am really busy he becomes very insistent that he wants my attention. He will crawl over the computer desk, sit down on the bed while I am trying to fold clothes, or sit on the back of the rocker and put his paws in my hair. For some reason that satisfies him but the resulting hairdo is much less than perfect. But then that is why I like cats. I appreciate their personality and rather than make them behave I have to “read” their facial expressions or body language. I have the challenge of meeting them on their own terms.
There is a wonderful comparison between my cat and his antics and my relationship to God. Unlike my cat, I don’t have to get God’s attention. He is always there and hears me whenever I call upon Him. I can call upon Him and don’t have to wave anything back and forth to get His attention. He always has time for me and even when I have lost my way He still is there beside me. He knows my emotions and doesn’t have to play a guessing game to see if He can find me. Isn’t it great to know that God cares enough so that I always have His attention!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
FINDING THE BEST SHORTCUT
Saving time. It's something we all try to do. It no longer seems like a day is a full twenty-four hours. There are committments to keep, jobs around the home that need attention, and children who need help in getting to a sports activity, doing homework or just need some special time or advice from a parent. It's so much to keep up with. That's why shortcuts are used so often.
Perhaps one of the most obvious things we all do is take a shortcut when we are around the house. I may need a hammer to hit something but rather than find the hammer, I use a block of wood or other flat object that looks like it will do the trick. Eventually I realize that only a hammer will work and I go on a hunt for the tool that I should have used in the first place.
The shortcut I take more than anything else is using a substitute for a ladder or step stool. I am about 5 feet tall and it always seems that everything is just out of my reach. I know I need a ladder but I try to stand on the closest thing nearby that I think will support my weight. Things may come down from the shelf but they don’t come down safely. I may stand on a chair or on the bed to change a light bulb rather than take the time to use a short step stool. The other area where I use shortcuts is when I am in the garage. Since our garage does not look like the neat and tidy ones on the home improvement shows, I usually have trouble finding what I want. That’s when I try to reach across a box or behind an object and hope to latch onto it so I can avoid moving all the clutter to get to what I needed. Usually that is when something falls down and I have a worse situation not than when I started. The quick fix caused more trouble that if I would have done things right the first time.
Our family is not mechanically inclined. We depend on an auto shop for repairs and maintenance for our cars. But at times we may have to wait to get something fixed/ That is when we usually take some type of shortcut so we can have a little more time to get the money we need to pay for repairs. On one of our visits to Pennsylvania we had a problem with our car. We would be driving along and from time to time we could not get the car started. We took it in to a mechanic where we were vacationing and he told us how much it would cost to fix it properly. The cost seemed high and we really wanted to have it serviced at home. The mechanic then showed us how to get safely home with a "little fix". There was a little cog that had been broken off and whenever that broken part came up to the top where the belt was, the car would not start. Here's the way we ended up and drove home. We started the car and if the engine wouldn’t turn over, we lifted up the hood and took a hammer and hit in the area where the missing cog was. With a little ingenuity we could start the car and continue on our way. We traveled over 350 miles like that!
Another shortcut I remember was also on vacation. We were within a couple of hours from our destination when we cane across a road closed sigh. If we took the time to turn around and go back to the nearest town we would lose 30 minutes of our time. My husband and his parents had constructed the cabin in the ‘60’s where we were going. Since he was very familiar with the area and claimed that he knew a shortcut, I put my trust in him. He was very familiar with the area and we were tired and wanted to just get to the cabin where we could rest. After several minutes passed I began to question whether or not he had missed a turn. He reassured me that he knew what he was doing and it wouldn’t be much longer until we reached the road. After almost an hour of driving we ended up back at our starting point. Trying to save time and take the shortcut took a large amount of time that we could have saved if we had followed the sign in the first place.
I know of an elderly lady who is living by herself. She does not have a lot of resources of money to get everything fixed. She has been having trouble with her washing machine for years. Rather than buy another one she takes a stick of wood and places it inside the washer, gives it a couple of whacks and the washer starts the cycle again. Not the best way to solve a problem and definitely there is a risk of getting hurt in the process, but it is a quick fix solution and apparently works.
I have a friend who is single and decided to clean and update part of her home. She decided to work on the floors in the kitchen and dining room and together we scrubbed off the old dirt and polished the floor so it was clean and shiny. She had dining room table set on the floor with a rug under it. Rather than move the table and clean the floor underneath, she simply ignored it because no one could see it. On another occasion she decided to paint the walls in her front hall and living room. She worked hard to lighten up the dark colors and the room looked brighter and more inviting. But she had heavy furniture and a large aquarium that was set up. Rather than move the furniture or even try to move the aquarium, she painted only the portion of the wall that she could reach. So, in several areas the wall was the original color, you just couldn’t see it. Another homeowner who purchased the home would see the problem because it would be visible.
As humans we try to find quick fixes for solutions in life. We spend money that we don’t have to help us feel better. We go on vacations that we can’t afford. We may binge eat or not eat at all to help us deal with the emotions of hurt, anger, and loneliness. We work hard at covering up problem areas in our life rather than face the situation “head-on”.
What is the one stabilizing force in our life that can help us? For Christians and others who look to us for answers the only to have the strength to work through the difficult times of life is to take our problems to the Lord. There is no “quick fix” for healing our minds and getting us focused on actually solving the problem. There is no shortcut to salvation. The steps are simple and all we have to do is to put our trust in the Lord. There are no quick solutions here. You must first believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that through Him We don’t have the answers to many things in life and without Him we can do nothing. Once we have accepted His sovereignty, confessed our sins and asked for forgiveness we put Him in control of our life. When we move through life with Him at our side we can find peace and happiness. The result of letting Him into our life is the “best fix” for everything.
Perhaps one of the most obvious things we all do is take a shortcut when we are around the house. I may need a hammer to hit something but rather than find the hammer, I use a block of wood or other flat object that looks like it will do the trick. Eventually I realize that only a hammer will work and I go on a hunt for the tool that I should have used in the first place.
The shortcut I take more than anything else is using a substitute for a ladder or step stool. I am about 5 feet tall and it always seems that everything is just out of my reach. I know I need a ladder but I try to stand on the closest thing nearby that I think will support my weight. Things may come down from the shelf but they don’t come down safely. I may stand on a chair or on the bed to change a light bulb rather than take the time to use a short step stool. The other area where I use shortcuts is when I am in the garage. Since our garage does not look like the neat and tidy ones on the home improvement shows, I usually have trouble finding what I want. That’s when I try to reach across a box or behind an object and hope to latch onto it so I can avoid moving all the clutter to get to what I needed. Usually that is when something falls down and I have a worse situation not than when I started. The quick fix caused more trouble that if I would have done things right the first time.
Our family is not mechanically inclined. We depend on an auto shop for repairs and maintenance for our cars. But at times we may have to wait to get something fixed/ That is when we usually take some type of shortcut so we can have a little more time to get the money we need to pay for repairs. On one of our visits to Pennsylvania we had a problem with our car. We would be driving along and from time to time we could not get the car started. We took it in to a mechanic where we were vacationing and he told us how much it would cost to fix it properly. The cost seemed high and we really wanted to have it serviced at home. The mechanic then showed us how to get safely home with a "little fix". There was a little cog that had been broken off and whenever that broken part came up to the top where the belt was, the car would not start. Here's the way we ended up and drove home. We started the car and if the engine wouldn’t turn over, we lifted up the hood and took a hammer and hit in the area where the missing cog was. With a little ingenuity we could start the car and continue on our way. We traveled over 350 miles like that!
Another shortcut I remember was also on vacation. We were within a couple of hours from our destination when we cane across a road closed sigh. If we took the time to turn around and go back to the nearest town we would lose 30 minutes of our time. My husband and his parents had constructed the cabin in the ‘60’s where we were going. Since he was very familiar with the area and claimed that he knew a shortcut, I put my trust in him. He was very familiar with the area and we were tired and wanted to just get to the cabin where we could rest. After several minutes passed I began to question whether or not he had missed a turn. He reassured me that he knew what he was doing and it wouldn’t be much longer until we reached the road. After almost an hour of driving we ended up back at our starting point. Trying to save time and take the shortcut took a large amount of time that we could have saved if we had followed the sign in the first place.
I know of an elderly lady who is living by herself. She does not have a lot of resources of money to get everything fixed. She has been having trouble with her washing machine for years. Rather than buy another one she takes a stick of wood and places it inside the washer, gives it a couple of whacks and the washer starts the cycle again. Not the best way to solve a problem and definitely there is a risk of getting hurt in the process, but it is a quick fix solution and apparently works.
I have a friend who is single and decided to clean and update part of her home. She decided to work on the floors in the kitchen and dining room and together we scrubbed off the old dirt and polished the floor so it was clean and shiny. She had dining room table set on the floor with a rug under it. Rather than move the table and clean the floor underneath, she simply ignored it because no one could see it. On another occasion she decided to paint the walls in her front hall and living room. She worked hard to lighten up the dark colors and the room looked brighter and more inviting. But she had heavy furniture and a large aquarium that was set up. Rather than move the furniture or even try to move the aquarium, she painted only the portion of the wall that she could reach. So, in several areas the wall was the original color, you just couldn’t see it. Another homeowner who purchased the home would see the problem because it would be visible.
As humans we try to find quick fixes for solutions in life. We spend money that we don’t have to help us feel better. We go on vacations that we can’t afford. We may binge eat or not eat at all to help us deal with the emotions of hurt, anger, and loneliness. We work hard at covering up problem areas in our life rather than face the situation “head-on”.
What is the one stabilizing force in our life that can help us? For Christians and others who look to us for answers the only to have the strength to work through the difficult times of life is to take our problems to the Lord. There is no “quick fix” for healing our minds and getting us focused on actually solving the problem. There is no shortcut to salvation. The steps are simple and all we have to do is to put our trust in the Lord. There are no quick solutions here. You must first believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that through Him We don’t have the answers to many things in life and without Him we can do nothing. Once we have accepted His sovereignty, confessed our sins and asked for forgiveness we put Him in control of our life. When we move through life with Him at our side we can find peace and happiness. The result of letting Him into our life is the “best fix” for everything.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
CONCENTRATE ON THE IMPORTANT THINGS
“May I help you?” asked Mike, the salesman at the computer department.
“We are looking for a new computer. Our old hard drive is acting up and we would like to buy a complete new system.”
The computer salesman looked knowledgeable and since a computer is a rather expensive item, we had questions that needed to be answered. We had already been in a couple of other competitor stores, so we knew what was available. We had researched several models and had also spent time over the phone discussing computers with our sons who are experienced computer technicians. Getting a good price was important and we didn’t want to buy one model only to learn later that another model was better.
We located a video game set-up on a computer nearby and decided to spend our time there until Mike could finish up his current sale. After a few minutes, Mike listened to our specifications and directed us to the display of computers. He showed us a new model that met most of our needs. We felt like we were really making progress, but in the middle of everything, Mike dismissed himself to go to the restroom. He returned several minutes later and we returned to the discussion about computers. Within a few minutes Mike had to leave the area to turn off the alarm that was ringing in the digital camera section. He returned to finish the discussion, but once again the alarm rang and he left the area.
Since we had been doing comparison shopping, we mentioned the price of a similar item at another store. Mike made the phone call and verified that the prices were both the same. Comparison shopping is very much a part of computer shopping and since the cost of the entire system would be around $900, we wanted to be sure that we were satisfied with everything.
The salesman directed us to the display of computers and showed us a new model that met most of our needs. The complete package was just over $900. Everything seemed to be going quite well until the salesman excused himself for a bathroom break. From there the experience went downward. On at least two other occasions Mike left during our conversation to shut off the alarm that kept going off in the camera department. He did take the time to research a comparable with another competitor and did verify that the prices were the same.
With all the interruptions we decided that we would go ahead and purchase the computer. We had waited patiently for almost an hour and in a few minutes more we could walk out the store with our computer and take it home and set it up. Mike left again, but this time when he came back he told us that the system was out of stock. Perhaps I am not as tolerant as most people, but checking the availability of the computer system at the beginning of the presentation would have saved all of us a lot of time. And, just as we were ready to leave, the alarm in the camera department went off again. Mike just couldn’t stay focused because of the interruptions throughout the day.
We returned to another store where we knew the item was in stock and bought the computer system there. It may have cost a little more overall but the service we received made the experience positive. It just didn’t seem that the customer was top priority in the store where Mike worked. We lost an hour of our day while waiting for answers to questions which was really unnecessary.
Trying to keep concentrated on one task seems to be a problem for me right now. I usually haven’t had much trouble in this area but recently there have been so many interruptions that I have lost my sense of direction. I may start one task and be asked to work on another one that needs my attention. During this time, my focus is changed and it is twice as hard to get back to the original problem that I was solving. We have to keep our eyes on our goals or we will not feel satisfied because the original ones have been pushed off to the side.
The same is true for Christians. We live in a world where everything calls out for our attention. The lure of money, the enticement of parties and having fun, and the desire for sexual satisfaction through worldly examples are just a few of the temptations that can get us off course. We have to keep our eyes on Christ and His example to be sure that we walk close to Him. In Psalm 32:8 we read, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with My eye.” And in Psalm 119:18 we see that David requests “Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law”. Notice that the emphasis is on the eyes. The eyes that see and give us direction are important and help us to stay focused on the goals we set. These goals should include any specific directions or guidance that comes from God and the Holy Spirit. Without that, we wander around aimlessly and fail to see the blessings that God has for us.
Give special attention to the direction you are moving in life and see if you are truly focused on God and His will for your life. If not, then ask Him to show you the way so that you will not miss out on the blessings He has for you. Let your eyes look to Him so that you can follow the right path. By committing your life to Him you can be motivated and can keep your concentration on the right things.
“We are looking for a new computer. Our old hard drive is acting up and we would like to buy a complete new system.”
The computer salesman looked knowledgeable and since a computer is a rather expensive item, we had questions that needed to be answered. We had already been in a couple of other competitor stores, so we knew what was available. We had researched several models and had also spent time over the phone discussing computers with our sons who are experienced computer technicians. Getting a good price was important and we didn’t want to buy one model only to learn later that another model was better.
We located a video game set-up on a computer nearby and decided to spend our time there until Mike could finish up his current sale. After a few minutes, Mike listened to our specifications and directed us to the display of computers. He showed us a new model that met most of our needs. We felt like we were really making progress, but in the middle of everything, Mike dismissed himself to go to the restroom. He returned several minutes later and we returned to the discussion about computers. Within a few minutes Mike had to leave the area to turn off the alarm that was ringing in the digital camera section. He returned to finish the discussion, but once again the alarm rang and he left the area.
Since we had been doing comparison shopping, we mentioned the price of a similar item at another store. Mike made the phone call and verified that the prices were both the same. Comparison shopping is very much a part of computer shopping and since the cost of the entire system would be around $900, we wanted to be sure that we were satisfied with everything.
The salesman directed us to the display of computers and showed us a new model that met most of our needs. The complete package was just over $900. Everything seemed to be going quite well until the salesman excused himself for a bathroom break. From there the experience went downward. On at least two other occasions Mike left during our conversation to shut off the alarm that kept going off in the camera department. He did take the time to research a comparable with another competitor and did verify that the prices were the same.
With all the interruptions we decided that we would go ahead and purchase the computer. We had waited patiently for almost an hour and in a few minutes more we could walk out the store with our computer and take it home and set it up. Mike left again, but this time when he came back he told us that the system was out of stock. Perhaps I am not as tolerant as most people, but checking the availability of the computer system at the beginning of the presentation would have saved all of us a lot of time. And, just as we were ready to leave, the alarm in the camera department went off again. Mike just couldn’t stay focused because of the interruptions throughout the day.
We returned to another store where we knew the item was in stock and bought the computer system there. It may have cost a little more overall but the service we received made the experience positive. It just didn’t seem that the customer was top priority in the store where Mike worked. We lost an hour of our day while waiting for answers to questions which was really unnecessary.
Trying to keep concentrated on one task seems to be a problem for me right now. I usually haven’t had much trouble in this area but recently there have been so many interruptions that I have lost my sense of direction. I may start one task and be asked to work on another one that needs my attention. During this time, my focus is changed and it is twice as hard to get back to the original problem that I was solving. We have to keep our eyes on our goals or we will not feel satisfied because the original ones have been pushed off to the side.
The same is true for Christians. We live in a world where everything calls out for our attention. The lure of money, the enticement of parties and having fun, and the desire for sexual satisfaction through worldly examples are just a few of the temptations that can get us off course. We have to keep our eyes on Christ and His example to be sure that we walk close to Him. In Psalm 32:8 we read, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with My eye.” And in Psalm 119:18 we see that David requests “Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law”. Notice that the emphasis is on the eyes. The eyes that see and give us direction are important and help us to stay focused on the goals we set. These goals should include any specific directions or guidance that comes from God and the Holy Spirit. Without that, we wander around aimlessly and fail to see the blessings that God has for us.
Give special attention to the direction you are moving in life and see if you are truly focused on God and His will for your life. If not, then ask Him to show you the way so that you will not miss out on the blessings He has for you. Let your eyes look to Him so that you can follow the right path. By committing your life to Him you can be motivated and can keep your concentration on the right things.
Friday, April 27, 2007
HOW WELL DO YOU LISTEN?
The moving van stopped at the one story ranch house. It had been a long drive to Arkansas and the reality of everything was just sinking in. Part of moving was fun and there was always an adventure along the way but the fact was that moving took a lot of work and involved plenty of changes. We had moved with our faithful companion Peanut, a mixed terrier. He was ten years when we moved so he had been a part of our family for quite some time.
Everyone had to make adjustments and we no longer had a fenced yard. Peanut was either on a leash or tied up in the front yard so that he could not wander away. It wasn’t long until I noticed a problem. More than one dog ran through the neighborhood and no one seemed to care. Leash laws were in effect but no one ever enforced them. On two different occasions our mutt was attacked by the German shepherd next door. The first incident found our dog at the mercy of the German shepherd and the teeth marks had torn into the skin and required stitches. The second time the same dog attacked our mutt and almost put puncture wounds through his abdomen. The problems with dogs had gotten out of hand and I was determined to watch the yard even more closely.
My next brush with dogs in the area happened when I observed one of our neighbors walking down our street. Her two dogs were running ahead of her and they roamed freely wherever they wanted to. My yard was no exception. It was just another area to them, and the owner did nothing to keep them walking with her. After I had observed this more than once, I decided to ask politely if she would keep her dogs on a leash. The last thing I wanted was another dog attacking my terrier.
Walking out to the street, I asked as politely as I could if she would please keep her dogs on a leash. I explained that my dog had already been attacked and I wanted to avoid any further problems. With all the frustration and anger that she could muster, she looked at me and boldly stated, “How dare you tell me that I can’t walk down this street! I’ll walk down any street that I please.” And with an uplifted chin and plenty of arrogance the neighbor walked away. She avoided our street for a while but her dogs were allowed to roam through the neighborhood.
What I noticed most was the fact that when she was asked to keep her dogs on a leash, the neighbor heard something entirely different. At no point did I ever tell her she couldn’t walk down the street. I wanted a little courtesy and consideration and yet I got much more than I bargained for. I had an angry neighbor who was upset for no obvious reason other than that she didn’t want to be held accountable for her actions.
Throughout life we meet all kinds of people. The thing I remember most about this experience was that this neighbor heard only what she wanted to hear. We all need to listen and hear what others are saying. “Listen carefully to me” are four words hidden within Isaiah 55:2. It is a skill that God wants us to develop. In John 8:43 we read “Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word”.
God speaks to us and yet we fail to listen to His voice and avoid getting into His word where we get guidance. Hebrews 4:11 illustrates that we can “become dull of hearing”. And Isaiah 65:12 reminds us that “When I called you did not answer; when I spoke you did not hear”. In our own lives we are often too busy to connect with others. We tune out the real conversations we have with others because we are too preoccupied. Not only do we ignore others in the world around us; we neglect to listen to God’s call and become hard of hearing his advice. Evaluate your own life and see if you are truly hearing God. If not, make a choice to listen, really listen to His voice and His word.
Everyone had to make adjustments and we no longer had a fenced yard. Peanut was either on a leash or tied up in the front yard so that he could not wander away. It wasn’t long until I noticed a problem. More than one dog ran through the neighborhood and no one seemed to care. Leash laws were in effect but no one ever enforced them. On two different occasions our mutt was attacked by the German shepherd next door. The first incident found our dog at the mercy of the German shepherd and the teeth marks had torn into the skin and required stitches. The second time the same dog attacked our mutt and almost put puncture wounds through his abdomen. The problems with dogs had gotten out of hand and I was determined to watch the yard even more closely.
My next brush with dogs in the area happened when I observed one of our neighbors walking down our street. Her two dogs were running ahead of her and they roamed freely wherever they wanted to. My yard was no exception. It was just another area to them, and the owner did nothing to keep them walking with her. After I had observed this more than once, I decided to ask politely if she would keep her dogs on a leash. The last thing I wanted was another dog attacking my terrier.
Walking out to the street, I asked as politely as I could if she would please keep her dogs on a leash. I explained that my dog had already been attacked and I wanted to avoid any further problems. With all the frustration and anger that she could muster, she looked at me and boldly stated, “How dare you tell me that I can’t walk down this street! I’ll walk down any street that I please.” And with an uplifted chin and plenty of arrogance the neighbor walked away. She avoided our street for a while but her dogs were allowed to roam through the neighborhood.
What I noticed most was the fact that when she was asked to keep her dogs on a leash, the neighbor heard something entirely different. At no point did I ever tell her she couldn’t walk down the street. I wanted a little courtesy and consideration and yet I got much more than I bargained for. I had an angry neighbor who was upset for no obvious reason other than that she didn’t want to be held accountable for her actions.
Throughout life we meet all kinds of people. The thing I remember most about this experience was that this neighbor heard only what she wanted to hear. We all need to listen and hear what others are saying. “Listen carefully to me” are four words hidden within Isaiah 55:2. It is a skill that God wants us to develop. In John 8:43 we read “Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word”.
God speaks to us and yet we fail to listen to His voice and avoid getting into His word where we get guidance. Hebrews 4:11 illustrates that we can “become dull of hearing”. And Isaiah 65:12 reminds us that “When I called you did not answer; when I spoke you did not hear”. In our own lives we are often too busy to connect with others. We tune out the real conversations we have with others because we are too preoccupied. Not only do we ignore others in the world around us; we neglect to listen to God’s call and become hard of hearing his advice. Evaluate your own life and see if you are truly hearing God. If not, make a choice to listen, really listen to His voice and His word.
ESCAPE FROM THE ROUTINE
My name is Kevin and what I am about to tell you is something that actually happened one night while I was working. I am a senior at Tyler High School and I have a part-time job to earn some extra cash for spending.
4:00 AM--- I was busy on the floor of the discount store working methodically to open the boxes of items on pallets that need to be put on the shelf. It wasn’t easy being on the late night shift and the work was tedious and monotonous. Music played through the store to help lift everyone’s attitude. The time between 3:00 and 4:00 was the hardest time of all. It simply was hard to stay awake.
I had worked hard to keep everything organized and with only a couple of hours to finish my shift I was looking forward to getting home. Most of the furniture boxes had been stocked and I was almost finished when I heard the sound. The clip, clop, clip, clop sound resonated on the linoleum floor and seemed out of place. I didn’t check to see what was going on for a while but after still hearing the noise, I became curious. Just as I walked into the center aisle I saw the most bizarre picture. I still can’t believe what I saw.
Two young men sat atop chestnut mares and were making their way down the aisle of the store. Both of the men looked to be about 21 and they were riding and laughing as if what they were doing was normal. Horses? In a discount store? You have got to be kidding? Yet, here it was right before my eyes. It took a moment for the shock to wear off.
I tried to figure exactly why the horses were in the store and I came up with four possibilities. Perhaps the young men had been challenged by their peers to pull this stunt just to prove that they could do it. Maybe it was part of a college fraternity initiation rite. There was the chance that they were on drugs and actually didn’t realize exactly what they were doing. The only other possibility was they both decided to do something “wild” just for fun and to see if they could get away with it. No matter what the reason, I stood there in astonishment as the team headed back towards the rear doors and then disappeared.
Everyone on the night staff began to talk about the incident. Most everyone had reacted with shock just like me. By now, everyone was laughing. It just didn’t seem plausible that something like this could happen. The manager had made his way to the back of the store where the loading docks were located. The floor manager had walked around the store trying to get everyone focused on their task. Boxes had to be opened and merchandise had to be shelved before the morning crew arrived.
The police had been notified of the prank and came into the store to ask questions. It was rather obvious that the officers on duty were not amused by the antics. The two pranksters had to be apprehended and held accountable for their actions. They questioned the manager and anyone else who may have seen the horses either come into the store or exit. This matter was no longer funny. It was serious and several items had to be taken into consideration so that the details of the story were accurate.
What could have been a peaceful night turned into a hectic scene that had consequences for many people. The risks that these two young men took put the safety of everyone in the store in jeopardy. Health concerns had to be dealt with and it was no small task cleaning up before more customers arrived. (Thankfully, I wasn’t part of the clean-up crew!) Adrenaline had taken over and I was fully awake. My intentions of leaving the store and going home to relax wouldn’t happen, at least for a while.
We all have times when we do things that are amusing. We say something in jest or fail to take things seriously. You tease someone without thinking how your words hurt the individual. You get mad while driving and dash out into traffic cutting off another driver ahead of you. You decide to drive through someone’s lawn because you’re angry. You ride with your friends in the country and go along the side of the road knocking down mailboxes. You take a chance at hiding items that you picked up in a store just to see if you can get away with it. No matter what the prank, it may seem insignificant at first but later on it becomes a problem. Dealing with the consequences may be harder than you thought
From a spiritual aspect, we may scoff at what Christians represent and reject the Bible as the Word of God. We may refuse to believe in Jesus as the Son of God. We may feel that there is plenty of time to make a decision to serve Christ and delay taking action to serve Him. We may even think that the principles in the Bible do not directly apply to us. In Luke 6:25b we are admonished “Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.” In the context of the Scripture, Jesus is reminding the rich that pleasures and riches here on earth will not be enough to keep them in heaven. A Christian is certainly allowed to have fun but not at the expense of others. In the end, we will all have to stand before Him and give an accounting for the way we have lived our life. Look carefully at your life and be sure that part of your routine is spending quality time with the Lord. When you stay focused on Him, others will notice a difference. Your walk through life will guide you in the right direction where you can be a testimony to others who are seeking guidance. Can you commit to walking daily with Him?
4:00 AM--- I was busy on the floor of the discount store working methodically to open the boxes of items on pallets that need to be put on the shelf. It wasn’t easy being on the late night shift and the work was tedious and monotonous. Music played through the store to help lift everyone’s attitude. The time between 3:00 and 4:00 was the hardest time of all. It simply was hard to stay awake.
I had worked hard to keep everything organized and with only a couple of hours to finish my shift I was looking forward to getting home. Most of the furniture boxes had been stocked and I was almost finished when I heard the sound. The clip, clop, clip, clop sound resonated on the linoleum floor and seemed out of place. I didn’t check to see what was going on for a while but after still hearing the noise, I became curious. Just as I walked into the center aisle I saw the most bizarre picture. I still can’t believe what I saw.
Two young men sat atop chestnut mares and were making their way down the aisle of the store. Both of the men looked to be about 21 and they were riding and laughing as if what they were doing was normal. Horses? In a discount store? You have got to be kidding? Yet, here it was right before my eyes. It took a moment for the shock to wear off.
I tried to figure exactly why the horses were in the store and I came up with four possibilities. Perhaps the young men had been challenged by their peers to pull this stunt just to prove that they could do it. Maybe it was part of a college fraternity initiation rite. There was the chance that they were on drugs and actually didn’t realize exactly what they were doing. The only other possibility was they both decided to do something “wild” just for fun and to see if they could get away with it. No matter what the reason, I stood there in astonishment as the team headed back towards the rear doors and then disappeared.
Everyone on the night staff began to talk about the incident. Most everyone had reacted with shock just like me. By now, everyone was laughing. It just didn’t seem plausible that something like this could happen. The manager had made his way to the back of the store where the loading docks were located. The floor manager had walked around the store trying to get everyone focused on their task. Boxes had to be opened and merchandise had to be shelved before the morning crew arrived.
The police had been notified of the prank and came into the store to ask questions. It was rather obvious that the officers on duty were not amused by the antics. The two pranksters had to be apprehended and held accountable for their actions. They questioned the manager and anyone else who may have seen the horses either come into the store or exit. This matter was no longer funny. It was serious and several items had to be taken into consideration so that the details of the story were accurate.
What could have been a peaceful night turned into a hectic scene that had consequences for many people. The risks that these two young men took put the safety of everyone in the store in jeopardy. Health concerns had to be dealt with and it was no small task cleaning up before more customers arrived. (Thankfully, I wasn’t part of the clean-up crew!) Adrenaline had taken over and I was fully awake. My intentions of leaving the store and going home to relax wouldn’t happen, at least for a while.
We all have times when we do things that are amusing. We say something in jest or fail to take things seriously. You tease someone without thinking how your words hurt the individual. You get mad while driving and dash out into traffic cutting off another driver ahead of you. You decide to drive through someone’s lawn because you’re angry. You ride with your friends in the country and go along the side of the road knocking down mailboxes. You take a chance at hiding items that you picked up in a store just to see if you can get away with it. No matter what the prank, it may seem insignificant at first but later on it becomes a problem. Dealing with the consequences may be harder than you thought
From a spiritual aspect, we may scoff at what Christians represent and reject the Bible as the Word of God. We may refuse to believe in Jesus as the Son of God. We may feel that there is plenty of time to make a decision to serve Christ and delay taking action to serve Him. We may even think that the principles in the Bible do not directly apply to us. In Luke 6:25b we are admonished “Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.” In the context of the Scripture, Jesus is reminding the rich that pleasures and riches here on earth will not be enough to keep them in heaven. A Christian is certainly allowed to have fun but not at the expense of others. In the end, we will all have to stand before Him and give an accounting for the way we have lived our life. Look carefully at your life and be sure that part of your routine is spending quality time with the Lord. When you stay focused on Him, others will notice a difference. Your walk through life will guide you in the right direction where you can be a testimony to others who are seeking guidance. Can you commit to walking daily with Him?
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
MARY COMES TO THE RESCUE
It was Saturday morning when we headed towards the service station to get our car checked. We had been having problems with the car stalling and stopping. Since we needed the car for transportation, we had to get it fixed. Getting up early and dealing with car problems was something that neither one of us wanted to do.
It seemed like this morning everything went wrong. We had taken our time driving into town hoping that we would make it to the shop before the car died. Near the top of the small hill at the corner of Adams and Van Buren our car stopped. No matter how much we tried to turn the engine over, it just wouldn’t cooperate. Being on a hill didn’t help matters either. We were so close to our destination and yet so far away.
Neither one of us really wanted to make the jaunt to the service station four blocks away. We were tired and frustrated. Just as we were trying to decide which person would go and which one would stay with the car, we noticed a woman about 40 years old. We hadn’t even seen her come up the sidewalk towards our car, but she casually looked into the open window on the passenger side and asked what was wrong. She listened and then to our amazement she asked us to open the hood of the car. She studied the inside, adjusted some part and then asked us to start the car. She told us what was wrong and said the car was safe to get to the service station. By no means should we stop the car or else it would stall again.
Mary was an angel in disguise that day. She walked that way every day and literally seemed to come out of nowhere. She came along at the most opportune time and with a good knowledge of mechanics. She had a good rapport with us and enjoyed helping people. You could tell that she was friendly and I’m guessing that she had helped many other people in need. We told her how appreciative we were. Then we drove the short distance to the service station so the car could be repaired.
On the way home we talked about Mary. It was no coincidence that she happened along the street where we were stalled. We truly believe that God had sent her to us and her help was just what we needed. Later, we drove down the same street where we saw Mary. We looked each time we went in that direction but we never saw Mary again. Her Christian attitude and guidance was something we will never forget. God in His wisdom sent us an angel who gave us a blessing. He is always with us and takes care of us. Open your eyes and see if an angel may be watching over you. And when you see that angel, thank God for His care and love. (Psalm 91:11)
It seemed like this morning everything went wrong. We had taken our time driving into town hoping that we would make it to the shop before the car died. Near the top of the small hill at the corner of Adams and Van Buren our car stopped. No matter how much we tried to turn the engine over, it just wouldn’t cooperate. Being on a hill didn’t help matters either. We were so close to our destination and yet so far away.
Neither one of us really wanted to make the jaunt to the service station four blocks away. We were tired and frustrated. Just as we were trying to decide which person would go and which one would stay with the car, we noticed a woman about 40 years old. We hadn’t even seen her come up the sidewalk towards our car, but she casually looked into the open window on the passenger side and asked what was wrong. She listened and then to our amazement she asked us to open the hood of the car. She studied the inside, adjusted some part and then asked us to start the car. She told us what was wrong and said the car was safe to get to the service station. By no means should we stop the car or else it would stall again.
Mary was an angel in disguise that day. She walked that way every day and literally seemed to come out of nowhere. She came along at the most opportune time and with a good knowledge of mechanics. She had a good rapport with us and enjoyed helping people. You could tell that she was friendly and I’m guessing that she had helped many other people in need. We told her how appreciative we were. Then we drove the short distance to the service station so the car could be repaired.
On the way home we talked about Mary. It was no coincidence that she happened along the street where we were stalled. We truly believe that God had sent her to us and her help was just what we needed. Later, we drove down the same street where we saw Mary. We looked each time we went in that direction but we never saw Mary again. Her Christian attitude and guidance was something we will never forget. God in His wisdom sent us an angel who gave us a blessing. He is always with us and takes care of us. Open your eyes and see if an angel may be watching over you. And when you see that angel, thank God for His care and love. (Psalm 91:11)
Friday, April 13, 2007
LET'S CLEAR UP THE CONFUSION
Frustration was etched on her face. It had been days since she had felt like doing anything “fun”. She was able to get up without a problem, but when it came to motivating herself to trying to get anything done, she was overwhelmed. The weather was beautiful outside, perfect spring weather. The stark trees were putting forth their buds and branches would soon be covered in a palette of green. The daffodils and tulips were blooming and the dogwoods were covered with buds that would burst forth in either white or pink. Everything was turning green and the colors were coming alive leaving the brown colors of winter behind.
Normally she would be outdoors at the first hint of spring, but this year it was harder. Family problems had taken a toll on her emotions and keeping everything in perspective seemed harder than in the past. It would be a day-by-day challenge to try to turn the depression around so that life would be enjoyable. It was something that only God could help her with.
The doctor had diagnosed the patient with clinical depression. One antidepressant would work and then without any warning it would quit working. At that point it was back to the beginning and starting all over with a new medication. It was like a proverbial roller coaster. Five or six months of feeling great followed by five or six months of being moody and feeling gloomy. It wasn’t until after changing doctors that she actually realized that the diagnosis was only partially correct.
Meeting with the doctor wasn’t as hard as anticipated. After exchanging some medical information the doctor began to unravel the cause of the problem that had gone with her throughout her life. The diagnosis was bipolar disorder and it was caused by an imbalance of chemicals in her brain. This time there was a solid diagnosis and medication that would work to keep the chemicals in the brain at a steady level. Thank God that there was an answer to the questions she had always had. Over a period of several months the depression cleared and life became a new routine that cleared the gloomy moods of the past into happiness and enthusiasm.
Many people think that depression is a sign of weakness and that you can really snap out of the gloomy mood. There is nothing further from the truth. With a diagnosis like bipolar disorder, it is essential that the medication be taken every day and at the same time. What is the risk if you don’t take the medication? At least two people that I have known have had to take an extended stay in the hospital and a period of readjusting to the medication again. In more advanced cases, hallucinations and images torture the mind.
Why? What could affect one individual so profoundly and yet others were able to escape from the struggle? In some cases it is caused by heredity and the balance of chemicals goes further than one generation. In other cases prolonged periods of stress depleted the regular balance of chemicals in the brain. All the busyness of day-to-day living can take a toll on anyone. One of the results of trying to keep up the fast pace of trying to fit everything into one day and not getting plenty of sleep can trigger an imbalance.
So, where does this fit into the Christian viewpoint? Many Christians think that depression and medication are not necessary if you wholly put your life into God’s hands. Others hide in confusion away from friends and have no idea what to do and are afraid to even discuss it with others. Some Christians believe that doctors and medication can help the situation but have to overcome the stigma of going to a psychiatrist or psychologist. And then there are the Christians who bravely take the steps to work through the process and discover a new aspect of their life and learn how to manage the problem.
It seems to me that John 8:32 helps us to gain a better understanding of times that our emotions are clouded. “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” Not knowing the truth can cause emotional pain. Having a mind clouded by misunderstanding or a mind that is confused and not able to focus is not what God wants for us. Medication may be the answer but only by searching can you discover whether or not the alternative is right for you. God has agreed to take our burdens on His shoulders and He can lift our spirits. He is the one true friend in our life who can help us through the depression that may be tormenting our mind. He is also available to help us gain victory over the periods when Satan is attacking us. God is the one who can take you through the maze of life and bring us to the truth of His Word. Knowing that Word can keep us out of the chains of bondage that often bring us down. Yes, knowing the truth is the only way to gain peace and understanding.
Normally she would be outdoors at the first hint of spring, but this year it was harder. Family problems had taken a toll on her emotions and keeping everything in perspective seemed harder than in the past. It would be a day-by-day challenge to try to turn the depression around so that life would be enjoyable. It was something that only God could help her with.
The doctor had diagnosed the patient with clinical depression. One antidepressant would work and then without any warning it would quit working. At that point it was back to the beginning and starting all over with a new medication. It was like a proverbial roller coaster. Five or six months of feeling great followed by five or six months of being moody and feeling gloomy. It wasn’t until after changing doctors that she actually realized that the diagnosis was only partially correct.
Meeting with the doctor wasn’t as hard as anticipated. After exchanging some medical information the doctor began to unravel the cause of the problem that had gone with her throughout her life. The diagnosis was bipolar disorder and it was caused by an imbalance of chemicals in her brain. This time there was a solid diagnosis and medication that would work to keep the chemicals in the brain at a steady level. Thank God that there was an answer to the questions she had always had. Over a period of several months the depression cleared and life became a new routine that cleared the gloomy moods of the past into happiness and enthusiasm.
Many people think that depression is a sign of weakness and that you can really snap out of the gloomy mood. There is nothing further from the truth. With a diagnosis like bipolar disorder, it is essential that the medication be taken every day and at the same time. What is the risk if you don’t take the medication? At least two people that I have known have had to take an extended stay in the hospital and a period of readjusting to the medication again. In more advanced cases, hallucinations and images torture the mind.
Why? What could affect one individual so profoundly and yet others were able to escape from the struggle? In some cases it is caused by heredity and the balance of chemicals goes further than one generation. In other cases prolonged periods of stress depleted the regular balance of chemicals in the brain. All the busyness of day-to-day living can take a toll on anyone. One of the results of trying to keep up the fast pace of trying to fit everything into one day and not getting plenty of sleep can trigger an imbalance.
So, where does this fit into the Christian viewpoint? Many Christians think that depression and medication are not necessary if you wholly put your life into God’s hands. Others hide in confusion away from friends and have no idea what to do and are afraid to even discuss it with others. Some Christians believe that doctors and medication can help the situation but have to overcome the stigma of going to a psychiatrist or psychologist. And then there are the Christians who bravely take the steps to work through the process and discover a new aspect of their life and learn how to manage the problem.
It seems to me that John 8:32 helps us to gain a better understanding of times that our emotions are clouded. “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” Not knowing the truth can cause emotional pain. Having a mind clouded by misunderstanding or a mind that is confused and not able to focus is not what God wants for us. Medication may be the answer but only by searching can you discover whether or not the alternative is right for you. God has agreed to take our burdens on His shoulders and He can lift our spirits. He is the one true friend in our life who can help us through the depression that may be tormenting our mind. He is also available to help us gain victory over the periods when Satan is attacking us. God is the one who can take you through the maze of life and bring us to the truth of His Word. Knowing that Word can keep us out of the chains of bondage that often bring us down. Yes, knowing the truth is the only way to gain peace and understanding.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
ONE MISTAKE CAN HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES
6:00 AM. “Time to get up, Mr. Henson! I need to get your blood pressure and heart rate recorded and then the doctor will be in. After that we will take care of personal hygiene.”
The blood pressure was 120/80 and the heart rate was 85. Blood sugar was 80 and vital signs seemed to be exactly where they should be. The oxygen monitor helped to keep a steady flow of air so that the patient could breathe better. The nurse’s aide recorded the information. She left to get prescriptions for her patients and would return shortly.
Dr. Shandel entered the room and checked the chart. Mr. Henson was not the ideal patient and he could be grouchy but since he was 86 years old, most of the staff tried to tolerate him. The patient had been admitted for an infection due to diabetes and he had been having problems keeping his blood sugar under control. He went through periods of depression and even on medication he wasn’t always in the best mood.
The next few minutes went without incident. Medications were taken on schedule and breakfast was delivered. It was time for the morning bath. Most patients could handle this by themselves but Mr. Henson needed help. That morning LeSandra was on duty. She would be handling the bath.
Within a few minutes there was a yell from room. Everyone on the staff came to see what had happened. Mr. Henson was screaming out in anguish and LeSandra was in shock and crying. What should have been a typical morning suddenly took a new twist. The patient’s body was covered with small red patches and the bath water looked a light yellow color. No one had any idea about what happened except for LeSandra.
The interrogation began as the staff tried to unravel the mystery. Finally, the answer came. Mr. Henson had been thoroughly cleaned with a household cleaner. The Mr. Clean had been diluted but it was still strong. The chemicals in Mr. Clean were just too harsh for the human body and the skin over Mr. Henson’s body was already red and irritated. Never in the history of the nursing home had anyone ever done this!
Everyone focused attention on Mr. Henson. LeSandra was taken from the room and would be questioned out of the sight of Mr. Henson. Dr. Shandel was called to help assess the situation. Now, it would take a lot more work to help the patient over another obstacle. For the rest of the day the patient would be monitored. It was critical to keep a watch on the slightly blistered skin.
8:30 PM The halls were quiet and most patients were already in bed. The rest were getting ready for bed. The whole staff had heard the tale about the bath and the effects it had on Mr. Henson. He seemed to be having more problems and the staff had kept a constant watch over him.
11:30 PM Mr. Henson had tolerated the pain for hours and it was excruciating. He was having trouble breathing. He had struggled all day and nothing could give him any relief. The red patches had turned into blisters and at 11:45 PM, Mr. Henson passed away.
No one ever completely figured out exactly why LeSandra had used the Mr. Clean solution. She had never been directed to use anything except for water and soap. The incident made the evening newspaper and when I read the article I couldn’t believe that this had actually happened. Common sense told anyone that this would never work and the reaction could be fatal.
Our lives are unclean when we live in the world without Christ. We struggle with problems and wonder what is missing in our life. Sin dwells within our body. The sin keeps us from Christ and makes us feel dirty. We think we are living a fulfilled life but our mind tells us that something is missing. We don’t know how to fill that void and achieve peace within. If we listen to the voice of Christ and ask Him to come into our heart we are cleansed by His blood and become a new creation under His umbrella of love.
Two songs come to my mind I think of the way that Christ cleans our life. The words to "Whiter Than Snow" express the desire to be a new person in Christ by allowing Him to come into our life. ["Whiter Than Snow"---Lord Jesus I long to be perfectly whole. I want Thee forever to live in my soul, Break down every idol cast out every foe. Now wash me and I shall be white
than snow. ]
The other song that questions our relationship with Christ and the way He reaches into the deep recesses of our heart and soul is “Are You Washed in the Blood?” We come face to face with the sinful nature of our lives. The song repeats a series of questions dealing with our need to be cleaned by God’s precious blood. ["Are You Washed in the Blood?" Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r? Are you washed in the blood of the lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are you garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you
washed in the blood of the Lamb? ]
Cleansing our soul from sin and keeping our lives clean is very much a part of our life in Christ. No person can clean away all the dirty smell of sin. Christ's death on Calvary gave us a chance to live a life washed by His blood. When we accept His gift we are preparing for an eternity where we will dwell with others who have also been cleansed by Christ’s blood. His blood will prepared for us a new life where we can have a spotless body with others who have claimed His saving grace.
**This story is based on an actual event that happened.
The blood pressure was 120/80 and the heart rate was 85. Blood sugar was 80 and vital signs seemed to be exactly where they should be. The oxygen monitor helped to keep a steady flow of air so that the patient could breathe better. The nurse’s aide recorded the information. She left to get prescriptions for her patients and would return shortly.
Dr. Shandel entered the room and checked the chart. Mr. Henson was not the ideal patient and he could be grouchy but since he was 86 years old, most of the staff tried to tolerate him. The patient had been admitted for an infection due to diabetes and he had been having problems keeping his blood sugar under control. He went through periods of depression and even on medication he wasn’t always in the best mood.
The next few minutes went without incident. Medications were taken on schedule and breakfast was delivered. It was time for the morning bath. Most patients could handle this by themselves but Mr. Henson needed help. That morning LeSandra was on duty. She would be handling the bath.
Within a few minutes there was a yell from room. Everyone on the staff came to see what had happened. Mr. Henson was screaming out in anguish and LeSandra was in shock and crying. What should have been a typical morning suddenly took a new twist. The patient’s body was covered with small red patches and the bath water looked a light yellow color. No one had any idea about what happened except for LeSandra.
The interrogation began as the staff tried to unravel the mystery. Finally, the answer came. Mr. Henson had been thoroughly cleaned with a household cleaner. The Mr. Clean had been diluted but it was still strong. The chemicals in Mr. Clean were just too harsh for the human body and the skin over Mr. Henson’s body was already red and irritated. Never in the history of the nursing home had anyone ever done this!
Everyone focused attention on Mr. Henson. LeSandra was taken from the room and would be questioned out of the sight of Mr. Henson. Dr. Shandel was called to help assess the situation. Now, it would take a lot more work to help the patient over another obstacle. For the rest of the day the patient would be monitored. It was critical to keep a watch on the slightly blistered skin.
8:30 PM The halls were quiet and most patients were already in bed. The rest were getting ready for bed. The whole staff had heard the tale about the bath and the effects it had on Mr. Henson. He seemed to be having more problems and the staff had kept a constant watch over him.
11:30 PM Mr. Henson had tolerated the pain for hours and it was excruciating. He was having trouble breathing. He had struggled all day and nothing could give him any relief. The red patches had turned into blisters and at 11:45 PM, Mr. Henson passed away.
No one ever completely figured out exactly why LeSandra had used the Mr. Clean solution. She had never been directed to use anything except for water and soap. The incident made the evening newspaper and when I read the article I couldn’t believe that this had actually happened. Common sense told anyone that this would never work and the reaction could be fatal.
Our lives are unclean when we live in the world without Christ. We struggle with problems and wonder what is missing in our life. Sin dwells within our body. The sin keeps us from Christ and makes us feel dirty. We think we are living a fulfilled life but our mind tells us that something is missing. We don’t know how to fill that void and achieve peace within. If we listen to the voice of Christ and ask Him to come into our heart we are cleansed by His blood and become a new creation under His umbrella of love.
Two songs come to my mind I think of the way that Christ cleans our life. The words to "Whiter Than Snow" express the desire to be a new person in Christ by allowing Him to come into our life. ["Whiter Than Snow"---Lord Jesus I long to be perfectly whole. I want Thee forever to live in my soul, Break down every idol cast out every foe. Now wash me and I shall be white
than snow. ]
The other song that questions our relationship with Christ and the way He reaches into the deep recesses of our heart and soul is “Are You Washed in the Blood?” We come face to face with the sinful nature of our lives. The song repeats a series of questions dealing with our need to be cleaned by God’s precious blood. ["Are You Washed in the Blood?" Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r? Are you washed in the blood of the lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are you garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you
washed in the blood of the Lamb? ]
Cleansing our soul from sin and keeping our lives clean is very much a part of our life in Christ. No person can clean away all the dirty smell of sin. Christ's death on Calvary gave us a chance to live a life washed by His blood. When we accept His gift we are preparing for an eternity where we will dwell with others who have also been cleansed by Christ’s blood. His blood will prepared for us a new life where we can have a spotless body with others who have claimed His saving grace.
**This story is based on an actual event that happened.
ENTWINED WITH LOVE
The second floor of the hospital was designed for surgical patients and for Intensive Care and Cardiac Care patients.
“Excuse me. Can you direct me to the Cardiac Care Unit?” the young lady asked the receptionist at the front information desk.
“Upstairs on the second floor, down the hall and go through the double doors. That’s the cardiac wing and your father should be in one of those rooms,” was the reply.
“Thank you so much,” replied the daughter of one of the patients. She looked calm on the outside but the look in those hazel eyes showed concern and uncertainty over exactly what she would discover once she found her father. He had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and over the past two years he had been in and out of the hospital. This time his condition was diagnosed as critical and it was time to accept the fact that his time on earth was nearing to an end.
Walking up the stairs and winding around the corridors to the Cardiac Care Unit seemed to be the longest possible trip she had made. At the end, the handle of the double doors seemed to stare back, daring her to take the final step of the journey and enter. The door opened and just off the hall in the first room to the right was the patient. On an initial glance it appeared that the gentleman was someone else, but on further examination she knew that the patient truly was her father. His light gray hair had turned snowy white and his skin was pale. Breathing tubes, heart monitors and blood pressure machines were keeping a constant hum. An IV was inserted into his arm and his veins were bruised where the needle had been inserted. His eyes looked like tiny slits and were almost closed. His entire face was swollen and he didn’t look much like the father she had once so easily recognized. As he looked up she saw the smile cross his face and it was no time until she was by his side giving him a kiss and hug.
He looked tired in spite of all the medical care but the conversation flowed easily. They talked about what had been going on in the town where she grew up. She listened to the tales of her aunts, uncles, and cousins. She listened just to hear him talk and hear some of the stories that he used to tell at home. The phone conversations had been a way to keep in touch but there was nothing compared to sitting down and having a face-to-face chat.
Life had taken both of them on a different pathway. Her father had lived in the same area for over forty years and worked as a tool and die maker. She had never met his parents but he had helped piece together information on his family so she would not forget. He had served in WW II as Army Air Force mechanic in the states. His life had seemed rather uncomplicated. She had attended college and moved away shortly afterwards. Life had been a series of moves and busy didn’t begin to describe the reality of rearing four boys. Her family was scattered throughout the country and her life seemed very complicated compared to his. But the bond was still there; father and daughter sharing some precious moments together.
This was to be the last time that she would see him. His body was tired and he had been fighting medical problems for over two years. Shortly after she returned to her home, she received the phone call. He had passed. One last trek home for the funeral, then she would have to wait till a greater homecoming to see him again.
The strains of the song “In The Garden” could be heard over the compact disc player. She never knew that her favorite song had been his favorite. The song took on a new meaning and peace came over her as she realized that he was in the most beautiful garden of all. A garden where the flowers bloom and where the master gardener comes to select the most beautiful bouquet of all.
“Excuse me. Can you direct me to the Cardiac Care Unit?” the young lady asked the receptionist at the front information desk.
“Upstairs on the second floor, down the hall and go through the double doors. That’s the cardiac wing and your father should be in one of those rooms,” was the reply.
“Thank you so much,” replied the daughter of one of the patients. She looked calm on the outside but the look in those hazel eyes showed concern and uncertainty over exactly what she would discover once she found her father. He had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and over the past two years he had been in and out of the hospital. This time his condition was diagnosed as critical and it was time to accept the fact that his time on earth was nearing to an end.
Walking up the stairs and winding around the corridors to the Cardiac Care Unit seemed to be the longest possible trip she had made. At the end, the handle of the double doors seemed to stare back, daring her to take the final step of the journey and enter. The door opened and just off the hall in the first room to the right was the patient. On an initial glance it appeared that the gentleman was someone else, but on further examination she knew that the patient truly was her father. His light gray hair had turned snowy white and his skin was pale. Breathing tubes, heart monitors and blood pressure machines were keeping a constant hum. An IV was inserted into his arm and his veins were bruised where the needle had been inserted. His eyes looked like tiny slits and were almost closed. His entire face was swollen and he didn’t look much like the father she had once so easily recognized. As he looked up she saw the smile cross his face and it was no time until she was by his side giving him a kiss and hug.
He looked tired in spite of all the medical care but the conversation flowed easily. They talked about what had been going on in the town where she grew up. She listened to the tales of her aunts, uncles, and cousins. She listened just to hear him talk and hear some of the stories that he used to tell at home. The phone conversations had been a way to keep in touch but there was nothing compared to sitting down and having a face-to-face chat.
Life had taken both of them on a different pathway. Her father had lived in the same area for over forty years and worked as a tool and die maker. She had never met his parents but he had helped piece together information on his family so she would not forget. He had served in WW II as Army Air Force mechanic in the states. His life had seemed rather uncomplicated. She had attended college and moved away shortly afterwards. Life had been a series of moves and busy didn’t begin to describe the reality of rearing four boys. Her family was scattered throughout the country and her life seemed very complicated compared to his. But the bond was still there; father and daughter sharing some precious moments together.
This was to be the last time that she would see him. His body was tired and he had been fighting medical problems for over two years. Shortly after she returned to her home, she received the phone call. He had passed. One last trek home for the funeral, then she would have to wait till a greater homecoming to see him again.
The strains of the song “In The Garden” could be heard over the compact disc player. She never knew that her favorite song had been his favorite. The song took on a new meaning and peace came over her as she realized that he was in the most beautiful garden of all. A garden where the flowers bloom and where the master gardener comes to select the most beautiful bouquet of all.
SINFUL TEMPTATIONS
Q. Do you jump into the sinfulness of the world in hopes of them becoming like you? Or do you stay back because you know temptations are too strong and it’s easier to protect your purity?
Dealing with sin in this world is not easy. Jesus was perfect and lived in a sinful world and still kept His testimony. He confronted the rich young ruler who wanted to receive eternal life and told him that he needed to sell his possessions and give to the poor. He gave him a choice and the young man made a decision to NOT follow Jesus’ advice. So, even when Jesus was in the world, he addressed the issue of sin and made others around Him aware of their sinful nature. He challenged the Pharisees on religious doctrine, he cleansed the temple from those people who bought and sold in the temple, and he used the parable of the unjust steward to reveal the sinful nature of man.
Obviously we can’t go into isolation and never be involved in the world around us. On a casual basis we have to “brush shoulders” with others who do not know the Lord. The problem is to try to keep our testimony by keeping our language and actions Christ-like. Emotions play a part in our ability to keep our testimony and stand up for Christ. When you have to be around friends and people who are not Christians, don’t let their kidding and unkind words allow you to get angry. Stand firm in your faith and let them see the real you, the one who is a follower of Christ.
God’s Word addresses the solution to whether or not we should be a part of this world and to what extent. In Proverbs 16:17 we learn that the way a person should live is to depart from evil. The word depart indicates moving away. In I Thessalonians 5:22 we are to “Abstain from every form of evil.” James 1:14 “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” As Christians we are encouraged to stay away from evil because our testimony can be too easily compromised and we will be drawn further away from Jesus and His Word. I Corinthians 15:33-34 warns us that we are not to be deceived “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Each of these passages seems to resound with the same theme, stay away from those things that are evil. Don’t be willing to risk your growth as a Christian by getting too close to the things of the world.
The acronym WWJD seems to be a good idea. What would Jesus do? Would Jesus be pleased if He found you in a questionable place? Are you really strong enough to answer questions and avoid temptation? Maybe the first time you can, but what about time and time again. Your resolve weakens and you begin ever so slowly to move away from Christ. What about others who may be Atheists, Muslim or Hindu? Can you really defend your Christian beliefs and answer their questions without getting confused? I feel that my day-to-day testimony is very important in showing others the love of God. If I stay focused, then others will know that living for Christ is really a life-changing situation. By not putting myself in a compromising situation I keep my testimony and can show others Christians can have fun without being involved in worldly things.
I heard a preacher give an example of how sin enters our life and why it is so important to keep our lives protected and pure. If you decided to bake something like a cookie and followed the recipe carefully but added an extra 1/4 tsp. of salt you probably wouldn’t notice it. If the next time you added an extra 3/8 tsp you still may not taste the difference. But if you add an extra 1/2 tsp of salt you would begin to notice the taste. Adding an extra 3/4 tsp salt would surely be noticed and if you added 1 full tsp. it would be unpleasant to taste. The more salt you add to the cookie the more the taste is affected and eventually you would have to throw the cookie away. Sin creeps into our lives just like the little additions of salt to the cookie. We may not notice any change at first but the longer we stay in the sinfulness of the world, the more we weaken our resolve and compromise our real Christian walk with God. Our lives can become just like the “bad” cookie that no longer appeals to our sense of taste.
Being in the world and in non-Christian environments may cause us to refuse to take responsibility for our sin. In our attempt to “jump” into the sinful word we may underestimate our ability to deal with situations. Yes, God lives within our life and gives us the direction we need and He is always there to help us. But being in situations that do not edify Christ, our senses may become dull and we may eventually push the quiet voice of Christ into the back of our mind. We have to know our limitations and I’m afraid that a majority of Christians do not know how to keep the boundary clear and defined. By staying away from things that entice us and keeping worldly things at a distance we can be more like Christ and help our mind to focus on pure thoughts and actions.
Dealing with sin in this world is not easy. Jesus was perfect and lived in a sinful world and still kept His testimony. He confronted the rich young ruler who wanted to receive eternal life and told him that he needed to sell his possessions and give to the poor. He gave him a choice and the young man made a decision to NOT follow Jesus’ advice. So, even when Jesus was in the world, he addressed the issue of sin and made others around Him aware of their sinful nature. He challenged the Pharisees on religious doctrine, he cleansed the temple from those people who bought and sold in the temple, and he used the parable of the unjust steward to reveal the sinful nature of man.
Obviously we can’t go into isolation and never be involved in the world around us. On a casual basis we have to “brush shoulders” with others who do not know the Lord. The problem is to try to keep our testimony by keeping our language and actions Christ-like. Emotions play a part in our ability to keep our testimony and stand up for Christ. When you have to be around friends and people who are not Christians, don’t let their kidding and unkind words allow you to get angry. Stand firm in your faith and let them see the real you, the one who is a follower of Christ.
God’s Word addresses the solution to whether or not we should be a part of this world and to what extent. In Proverbs 16:17 we learn that the way a person should live is to depart from evil. The word depart indicates moving away. In I Thessalonians 5:22 we are to “Abstain from every form of evil.” James 1:14 “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” As Christians we are encouraged to stay away from evil because our testimony can be too easily compromised and we will be drawn further away from Jesus and His Word. I Corinthians 15:33-34 warns us that we are not to be deceived “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Each of these passages seems to resound with the same theme, stay away from those things that are evil. Don’t be willing to risk your growth as a Christian by getting too close to the things of the world.
The acronym WWJD seems to be a good idea. What would Jesus do? Would Jesus be pleased if He found you in a questionable place? Are you really strong enough to answer questions and avoid temptation? Maybe the first time you can, but what about time and time again. Your resolve weakens and you begin ever so slowly to move away from Christ. What about others who may be Atheists, Muslim or Hindu? Can you really defend your Christian beliefs and answer their questions without getting confused? I feel that my day-to-day testimony is very important in showing others the love of God. If I stay focused, then others will know that living for Christ is really a life-changing situation. By not putting myself in a compromising situation I keep my testimony and can show others Christians can have fun without being involved in worldly things.
I heard a preacher give an example of how sin enters our life and why it is so important to keep our lives protected and pure. If you decided to bake something like a cookie and followed the recipe carefully but added an extra 1/4 tsp. of salt you probably wouldn’t notice it. If the next time you added an extra 3/8 tsp you still may not taste the difference. But if you add an extra 1/2 tsp of salt you would begin to notice the taste. Adding an extra 3/4 tsp salt would surely be noticed and if you added 1 full tsp. it would be unpleasant to taste. The more salt you add to the cookie the more the taste is affected and eventually you would have to throw the cookie away. Sin creeps into our lives just like the little additions of salt to the cookie. We may not notice any change at first but the longer we stay in the sinfulness of the world, the more we weaken our resolve and compromise our real Christian walk with God. Our lives can become just like the “bad” cookie that no longer appeals to our sense of taste.
Being in the world and in non-Christian environments may cause us to refuse to take responsibility for our sin. In our attempt to “jump” into the sinful word we may underestimate our ability to deal with situations. Yes, God lives within our life and gives us the direction we need and He is always there to help us. But being in situations that do not edify Christ, our senses may become dull and we may eventually push the quiet voice of Christ into the back of our mind. We have to know our limitations and I’m afraid that a majority of Christians do not know how to keep the boundary clear and defined. By staying away from things that entice us and keeping worldly things at a distance we can be more like Christ and help our mind to focus on pure thoughts and actions.
Monday, April 2, 2007
JUST FOLLOW THE SIGN
We were at the corner of Chestnut and Broadway. Waiting in a line of traffic that seemed busy for even a Saturday, we stared across the street and looked at the lady on the corner. She was an elderly person wearing a floral dress and a pink and white hat. She covered her face from the sun by using an umbrella to shade her eyes. But it wasn’t just the fact that she was on the street corner that caught our attention. It was the sign that she carried and her actions. The sign said Allen’s Shoes and a large arrow pointed the direction to the shop. But there was no way to determine which way to go. The elderly lady slowly turned in circles, sometimes going in clockwise pattern and then reversing the direction.
The scene caught the attention of many people who had to stop at the intersection. It seemed comical at first just watching this lady rotate the sign. Then the reality set in that someone was so lost that she had no real sense of direction. How did she manage to get safely through the maze of streets to that particular corner? Had someone simply dropped her off at the corner? Did she have family and if so where were they? It seemed sad that someone was so lost that she had no real sense of direction. Her thinking was clouded and it seemed apparent that she probably had some type of mental problem.
For quite some time when we returned the lady was still at the street corner. And each time she moved around in the same circular pattern with the sign held in her hands. She became the topic of talk and although we never knew what happened, on one visit to the city she was no longer at the street giving directions.
For me, it gave me an insight into our own life and how much we need a focus and sense of direction to help meet our goals. We may make plans for our lives but often those plans are changed along our journey in life. Jeremiah 10:23 “I know O Lord that a man’s life is not his own, it is not for man to direct his steps.” We may think that we can control our life but God has a pathway for us to follow. Proverbs 20:24 “A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?” God’s control of our lives gives precedence over own will.
One of my favorite passages is Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” So many times in my own life I have been certain that I knew exactly what direction I felt was right for me. And time and time again God changes that direction and brought me to a place where I could grow and mature in my Christian life. In many cases I didn’t fully realize what God was trying to accomplish through my own life, but I had to trust Him. That’s the key to living a Christian life; trust Him with your life and He will give you the right direction. There is no real reason to turn around and around haphazardly when He is at the center of our lives.
The scene caught the attention of many people who had to stop at the intersection. It seemed comical at first just watching this lady rotate the sign. Then the reality set in that someone was so lost that she had no real sense of direction. How did she manage to get safely through the maze of streets to that particular corner? Had someone simply dropped her off at the corner? Did she have family and if so where were they? It seemed sad that someone was so lost that she had no real sense of direction. Her thinking was clouded and it seemed apparent that she probably had some type of mental problem.
For quite some time when we returned the lady was still at the street corner. And each time she moved around in the same circular pattern with the sign held in her hands. She became the topic of talk and although we never knew what happened, on one visit to the city she was no longer at the street giving directions.
For me, it gave me an insight into our own life and how much we need a focus and sense of direction to help meet our goals. We may make plans for our lives but often those plans are changed along our journey in life. Jeremiah 10:23 “I know O Lord that a man’s life is not his own, it is not for man to direct his steps.” We may think that we can control our life but God has a pathway for us to follow. Proverbs 20:24 “A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?” God’s control of our lives gives precedence over own will.
One of my favorite passages is Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” So many times in my own life I have been certain that I knew exactly what direction I felt was right for me. And time and time again God changes that direction and brought me to a place where I could grow and mature in my Christian life. In many cases I didn’t fully realize what God was trying to accomplish through my own life, but I had to trust Him. That’s the key to living a Christian life; trust Him with your life and He will give you the right direction. There is no real reason to turn around and around haphazardly when He is at the center of our lives.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
A NEW LESSON
The hour was almost up. I had been sitting at the table with two other teacher’s aides observing the counting of change. I had watched as students meticulously tried to put the quarters in a stack of eight coins. Five separate columns of eight coins made $10.00. It seemed like it took forever. And getting the coins in a stack was challenging. Once the last quarter was placed on top, the stack fell. More than once I wanted to grab the coins and put them in the stacks and into the coin wrappers. My headache grew and I felt the frustration of trying to teach special education students.
I had been a teacher for several years but after a recent move to Virginia, I decided to stay at home. Eventually I decided to work as a substitute teacher and I was kept quite busy. The variety of courses I taught had a broad range from history to English to science or band. Even art and Industrial Technology were on my list. But there was always the challenge of authority. A day of fun! That’s what the students always thought. Students talked, moved around their own chairs and made their own seating arrangement. Try to teach a lesson and you felt like you were spinning your wheels and going nowhere.
When I made the decision to quit substitute teaching, I was asked if I would consider special education. There was a real need for a regular substitute teacher and the change of pace was less stressful. I was so used to working around gifted and talented students that challenged my abilities. That was my comfort zone. Maybe a different focus was not such a bad idea. Trusting in God, I made the decision to assist in special classes.
The lower wing in the school was for severely handicapped students. This is where I started my journey and gained a lot of insight into myself. The slow pace seemed enjoyable at first. But then my overactive personality tried to take over and move the pace just a little faster. Why does it seem to take everyone so long to finish? Wait, this is special education and for some even getting to school is quite an accomplishment. Teaching is more than just dealing with “regular” students. Slow learners need just as much help if not even more. Basic skills need to be mastered and a sense of pride in finishing something is equally important. God, can you open my eyes and let me see things through your eyes?
Let’s try it again. One… two… three… four… five… six…seven…eight. One whole column of quarters stacked neatly on the desk. Wonderful! You just finished the first part. Find the quarters in the change and stack them up. We made it all the way up to five before we had to start over again. Two columns finished. The next stack of quarters went up fairly quickly but as the last quarter was placed on top, the coins fell knocking over the second standing column. Back again to one standing column of coins. Over and over again we counted the coins and stacked them up. We finally made one full group of coins that made $10.00 and all those coins went into the wrapper. The student sitting across from me looked up with pride in his eyes and smiled.
My headache disappeared after a couple of weeks in class. Watching the concentration on the faces of students working on a project was a study in itself. It was hard—just as hard as calculus may be for someone in math. But the goal was the same. Learn the material, practice, and pass the test with flying colors. Small goals were important. Look at the person who is trying so hard to accomplish a task. Gaze into his eyes and find the hope that is hidden under the surface.
God used an experience like this to give me a new focus. We all take baby steps somewhere along our Christian life. We don’t always see the tiny lessons we have learned at the feet of our Heavenly Father, but His pride in us can be seen in His compassionate eyes. We have lessons to learn and He will gently guide us along the path. We can discover new insights and then take what we have learned to reach others who may be struggling. Our special education comes from the greatest teacher available.
Teach me your way, O Lord---Psalm 27:11
I had been a teacher for several years but after a recent move to Virginia, I decided to stay at home. Eventually I decided to work as a substitute teacher and I was kept quite busy. The variety of courses I taught had a broad range from history to English to science or band. Even art and Industrial Technology were on my list. But there was always the challenge of authority. A day of fun! That’s what the students always thought. Students talked, moved around their own chairs and made their own seating arrangement. Try to teach a lesson and you felt like you were spinning your wheels and going nowhere.
When I made the decision to quit substitute teaching, I was asked if I would consider special education. There was a real need for a regular substitute teacher and the change of pace was less stressful. I was so used to working around gifted and talented students that challenged my abilities. That was my comfort zone. Maybe a different focus was not such a bad idea. Trusting in God, I made the decision to assist in special classes.
The lower wing in the school was for severely handicapped students. This is where I started my journey and gained a lot of insight into myself. The slow pace seemed enjoyable at first. But then my overactive personality tried to take over and move the pace just a little faster. Why does it seem to take everyone so long to finish? Wait, this is special education and for some even getting to school is quite an accomplishment. Teaching is more than just dealing with “regular” students. Slow learners need just as much help if not even more. Basic skills need to be mastered and a sense of pride in finishing something is equally important. God, can you open my eyes and let me see things through your eyes?
Let’s try it again. One… two… three… four… five… six…seven…eight. One whole column of quarters stacked neatly on the desk. Wonderful! You just finished the first part. Find the quarters in the change and stack them up. We made it all the way up to five before we had to start over again. Two columns finished. The next stack of quarters went up fairly quickly but as the last quarter was placed on top, the coins fell knocking over the second standing column. Back again to one standing column of coins. Over and over again we counted the coins and stacked them up. We finally made one full group of coins that made $10.00 and all those coins went into the wrapper. The student sitting across from me looked up with pride in his eyes and smiled.
My headache disappeared after a couple of weeks in class. Watching the concentration on the faces of students working on a project was a study in itself. It was hard—just as hard as calculus may be for someone in math. But the goal was the same. Learn the material, practice, and pass the test with flying colors. Small goals were important. Look at the person who is trying so hard to accomplish a task. Gaze into his eyes and find the hope that is hidden under the surface.
God used an experience like this to give me a new focus. We all take baby steps somewhere along our Christian life. We don’t always see the tiny lessons we have learned at the feet of our Heavenly Father, but His pride in us can be seen in His compassionate eyes. We have lessons to learn and He will gently guide us along the path. We can discover new insights and then take what we have learned to reach others who may be struggling. Our special education comes from the greatest teacher available.
Teach me your way, O Lord---Psalm 27:11
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
UNFORGETTABLE CHARLIE
Charlie! Has anyone seen Charlie? I can’t believe he’s gone.
This was the question on everyone’s mind when school opened on Wednesday morning. The class was small, ten students in all, but everyone liked Charlie. He had run away once before and ended up in the principal’s office. He was rescued and brought back home. But this time no one had a clue as to where Charlie was. No one, absolutely no one, had seen him.
Charlie was part of the homeroom class in Mrs. Leonard’s sixth grade. The room was small but studying science was special. There were always some plants in the room or science experiments that were being conducted. The principal had given permission for the teachers to bring extra items to class to make lessons more interesting. Anyone could find a plant and study it. This group of students wanted something different. So when Charlie arrived everyone was excited and interested in science.
Charlie had soft fur that was a light gold color. He had two tiny ears and a mouth that he could stuff with plenty of food. He was so funny when his cheeks were full of seeds. He would find a place somewhere in the cage to hide it. Later on when he was hungry he could nibble away at his stash. He liked to bury way down under the cedar shavings and try to hide from everyone. There was always plenty of water in the cage and everyone took turns taking care of Charlie.
The plastic cage was small but it had a lid on top and plenty of holes to assist in breathing. The wheel was in the middle of the cage where Charlie could exercise. A Habitrail of interconnecting tubes and tunnels provided a maze for even more exercise. Everyone looked around the classroom but there was no sign of Charlie. Now he was gone and there was a puzzle to solve. Where had Charlie disappeared to now?
One other time Charlie had escaped and run down the hall right towards the nursery. Someone outside the nursery room screamed and poor Charlie ran right into the principal’s office. He ran along the side of the wall and headed into the first room he could find. No one there saw him enter but it wasn’t too long before the secretary noticed something run past her desk. She didn’t know what it was but she knew that nothing was supposed to be running around in the office. A shriek brought everyone’s attention to the “mouse”. It took some time for the principal to rescue Charlie but he brought him back to the classroom. Charlie was placed securely in his cage with the top snapped back in place.
What to do now? Put up posters letting others get in on the search? Take time away from math class and go up and down the halls searching for Charlie? Skip lunch and go on a hunt for Charlie? There didn’t seem to be any easy answer so the students stayed in class. About an hour later the mystery was solved. Charlie had been found in the church baptistery. Charlie had managed to escape from the classroom, run down the hall to the church sanctuary and then walk around the outside wall of the church all the way to the back where the baptistery was located. What a long walk for such a little guy! Poor Charlie was dead but at least the baptistery was not filled with water. He had gone so far from his cage in the classroom that he couldn’t find his way back home. Apparently he had died from lack of food or water.
No one ever figured out how Charlie escaped. Maybe someone else had opened the classroom door and took him out of his cage. Curious small children may have entered the room with an adult, played with the hamster, and forgot to be sure that the cage top was on securely. Maybe Charlie wiggled the top off the cage and slid out. No matter what happened, Charlie was gone and there was no way that we could get approval for another hamster.
The rest of year went by much like any other school year. Math seemed hard and English was okay. Everyone had to study for tests and when spring arrived, everyone knew that it wasn’t too long until summer vacation. Nothing much was ever said about Charlie any more.
Going to school is a part of growing up. It seems like each school year is so long and summer vacation is always too short. Academic tests, football and basketball, band and drama, or science fairs are part of the steps up the ladder. Not everyone makes the same choices along the ladder up to graduation but the main goal for everyone is to finish school. Some teachers you forget and others you remember because of something special that they did. We never had another pet or animal in any other science classes but the sixth grade teacher who permitted us to have a hamster is someone that I still remember.
*Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord
This was the question on everyone’s mind when school opened on Wednesday morning. The class was small, ten students in all, but everyone liked Charlie. He had run away once before and ended up in the principal’s office. He was rescued and brought back home. But this time no one had a clue as to where Charlie was. No one, absolutely no one, had seen him.
Charlie was part of the homeroom class in Mrs. Leonard’s sixth grade. The room was small but studying science was special. There were always some plants in the room or science experiments that were being conducted. The principal had given permission for the teachers to bring extra items to class to make lessons more interesting. Anyone could find a plant and study it. This group of students wanted something different. So when Charlie arrived everyone was excited and interested in science.
Charlie had soft fur that was a light gold color. He had two tiny ears and a mouth that he could stuff with plenty of food. He was so funny when his cheeks were full of seeds. He would find a place somewhere in the cage to hide it. Later on when he was hungry he could nibble away at his stash. He liked to bury way down under the cedar shavings and try to hide from everyone. There was always plenty of water in the cage and everyone took turns taking care of Charlie.
The plastic cage was small but it had a lid on top and plenty of holes to assist in breathing. The wheel was in the middle of the cage where Charlie could exercise. A Habitrail of interconnecting tubes and tunnels provided a maze for even more exercise. Everyone looked around the classroom but there was no sign of Charlie. Now he was gone and there was a puzzle to solve. Where had Charlie disappeared to now?
One other time Charlie had escaped and run down the hall right towards the nursery. Someone outside the nursery room screamed and poor Charlie ran right into the principal’s office. He ran along the side of the wall and headed into the first room he could find. No one there saw him enter but it wasn’t too long before the secretary noticed something run past her desk. She didn’t know what it was but she knew that nothing was supposed to be running around in the office. A shriek brought everyone’s attention to the “mouse”. It took some time for the principal to rescue Charlie but he brought him back to the classroom. Charlie was placed securely in his cage with the top snapped back in place.
What to do now? Put up posters letting others get in on the search? Take time away from math class and go up and down the halls searching for Charlie? Skip lunch and go on a hunt for Charlie? There didn’t seem to be any easy answer so the students stayed in class. About an hour later the mystery was solved. Charlie had been found in the church baptistery. Charlie had managed to escape from the classroom, run down the hall to the church sanctuary and then walk around the outside wall of the church all the way to the back where the baptistery was located. What a long walk for such a little guy! Poor Charlie was dead but at least the baptistery was not filled with water. He had gone so far from his cage in the classroom that he couldn’t find his way back home. Apparently he had died from lack of food or water.
No one ever figured out how Charlie escaped. Maybe someone else had opened the classroom door and took him out of his cage. Curious small children may have entered the room with an adult, played with the hamster, and forgot to be sure that the cage top was on securely. Maybe Charlie wiggled the top off the cage and slid out. No matter what happened, Charlie was gone and there was no way that we could get approval for another hamster.
The rest of year went by much like any other school year. Math seemed hard and English was okay. Everyone had to study for tests and when spring arrived, everyone knew that it wasn’t too long until summer vacation. Nothing much was ever said about Charlie any more.
Going to school is a part of growing up. It seems like each school year is so long and summer vacation is always too short. Academic tests, football and basketball, band and drama, or science fairs are part of the steps up the ladder. Not everyone makes the same choices along the ladder up to graduation but the main goal for everyone is to finish school. Some teachers you forget and others you remember because of something special that they did. We never had another pet or animal in any other science classes but the sixth grade teacher who permitted us to have a hamster is someone that I still remember.
*Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord
Friday, March 23, 2007
PAINT YOUR CAT???
Paint your cat? This must be some type of joke. Certainly no one would ever consider painting his cat. Each breed has unique characteristics and one of the more interesting factors is the texture and color of the fur. Tuxedo cats are basically black and white; tabbies are orange or gray striped and Siamese have a light cream-colored fur with distinctive blue eyes. When I discovered this email in my inbox I wasn’t sure exactly what to think. It was unimaginable to even think that someone would have the time or incentive to consider painting a cat.
Yet as I scrolled through the email, I discovered some of the most unusual cats I have ever seen. Cats that were painted with black and white stripes to resemble a zebra or skunk. Cats with purple and yellow colors around the face that resembled a mask. One cat was painted in two shades of blue around the eyes to resemble a blue morpho butterfly. Other cats boasted butterfly masks in shades of purple and blue with tinges of red. One cat was painted with red and green stripes; another cat was painted in blue and green plaid to match its owner’s kilt. One cat’s face was painted to resemble an owl while two other cats slinking across the ground had the traditional plaid colors of a giraffe. One cat was painted white with blue heart over the main body part. And, yes, there was a patriotic cat that was painted red, white, and blue. Stripes were painted horizontally over the main body and the posterior of the cat was done in blue with white stars. If you could come up with an image that interested you, then you could paint your cat accordingly.
The most obvious question that hovered in the back of my mind was why would anyone ever consider painting a cat? The process has to take quite some time so how long does it take? How do you ever manage to keep a cat calm while painting? What kind of paint is used? Could the paint be harmful to the cat? Where does someone go to get his cat painted? How much does a trend like this cost? I know I love my cats and they are a part of my family, but you wouldn’t ever find me even considering the option to paint my cats.
Cats are basically independent animals with a personality all their own. They don’t come when they are called. They may be finicky eaters and have no set boundaries. The kitchen counter or top of a table seems to fascinate them but try keeping them off and you may find it somewhat difficult. Cats love to climb and furniture can be a wonderful place to exercise and sharpen their claws. Cats show love but according to their own whim. Just try to pick up a cat and give it a hug when it has a mind of its own. But when you are the busiest and really don’t want to be bothered, the cat will twist between your feet or jump into your lap and insist that you spend time with it. For me, I love the challenge and the personality of having a cat. In fact, I have five cats right now—two tabbies, two tuxedos and one Bengal.
If you really want to find out about a person’s true character, watch the way that he or she reacts to a pet. If they reach out in kindness and love, they are someone who is loving and kind to others. If the person gets frustrated or angry because the cat doesn’t mind, then it is quite likely that this person will easily become angry or frustrated when they interact with humans. If the person goes so far as to throw or toss the cat into the air this same person will be prone to violence. And yes, I have seen cats literally tossed across the room much to my chagrin. Even such an odd prank as setting a cat’s tail on fire (and, yes I know someone who did this) shows insensitivity. If I have to choose someone to make friends with it would be the person who was able to show love and kindness. And if I had to choose between some people and a cat, the cat just might come out ahead.
For the Christian we can make a parallel between the painted cats, our lives and sin. Although the cats were painted in various colors and styles, the basic animal was the same. Underneath all that paint, the cat was still a tabby, tuxedo, Siamese, or Persian. The paint only disguised the outside. It was done to appease the owner and probably as a status symbol. Cost didn’t seem to be a factor and it certainly was a way to get a conversation started.
We can put on the outward appearance of being Godly but underneath we can be role-playing. As children we are taught that our heart is black with sin before Christ comes into our heart. When we accept Him as our Savior, his red blood washes our heart clean or white as snow (Psalm 51:7 and Isaiah 1:18). If we are Christians who only go through the motions then our heart or parts of our heart are dotted black with sin. No one is perfect and we don’t always reveal everything about ourselves to others.
Every little thing that I have tried to hide from others will be seen under the microscope of God’s eye. All aspects of my life will be open before God and He will judge accordingly. The Bible has many references to sin but there are two references that I like which goes along with this theme. Psalm 69:5 reveals that “O God, you know my foolishness and my sins are not hidden from you”. I Corinthians 4:5 tells us “Therefore judge nothing before the time until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the heart.” We may fool others but we can’t fool God.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The cats were painted for various reasons and they came in all sorts of designs and patterns. What pattern and colors are being traced over the pattern of our life? Will the pattern and completed picture be one that will honor God? Will our life really be pleasing to Him?
Yet as I scrolled through the email, I discovered some of the most unusual cats I have ever seen. Cats that were painted with black and white stripes to resemble a zebra or skunk. Cats with purple and yellow colors around the face that resembled a mask. One cat was painted in two shades of blue around the eyes to resemble a blue morpho butterfly. Other cats boasted butterfly masks in shades of purple and blue with tinges of red. One cat was painted with red and green stripes; another cat was painted in blue and green plaid to match its owner’s kilt. One cat’s face was painted to resemble an owl while two other cats slinking across the ground had the traditional plaid colors of a giraffe. One cat was painted white with blue heart over the main body part. And, yes, there was a patriotic cat that was painted red, white, and blue. Stripes were painted horizontally over the main body and the posterior of the cat was done in blue with white stars. If you could come up with an image that interested you, then you could paint your cat accordingly.
The most obvious question that hovered in the back of my mind was why would anyone ever consider painting a cat? The process has to take quite some time so how long does it take? How do you ever manage to keep a cat calm while painting? What kind of paint is used? Could the paint be harmful to the cat? Where does someone go to get his cat painted? How much does a trend like this cost? I know I love my cats and they are a part of my family, but you wouldn’t ever find me even considering the option to paint my cats.
Cats are basically independent animals with a personality all their own. They don’t come when they are called. They may be finicky eaters and have no set boundaries. The kitchen counter or top of a table seems to fascinate them but try keeping them off and you may find it somewhat difficult. Cats love to climb and furniture can be a wonderful place to exercise and sharpen their claws. Cats show love but according to their own whim. Just try to pick up a cat and give it a hug when it has a mind of its own. But when you are the busiest and really don’t want to be bothered, the cat will twist between your feet or jump into your lap and insist that you spend time with it. For me, I love the challenge and the personality of having a cat. In fact, I have five cats right now—two tabbies, two tuxedos and one Bengal.
If you really want to find out about a person’s true character, watch the way that he or she reacts to a pet. If they reach out in kindness and love, they are someone who is loving and kind to others. If the person gets frustrated or angry because the cat doesn’t mind, then it is quite likely that this person will easily become angry or frustrated when they interact with humans. If the person goes so far as to throw or toss the cat into the air this same person will be prone to violence. And yes, I have seen cats literally tossed across the room much to my chagrin. Even such an odd prank as setting a cat’s tail on fire (and, yes I know someone who did this) shows insensitivity. If I have to choose someone to make friends with it would be the person who was able to show love and kindness. And if I had to choose between some people and a cat, the cat just might come out ahead.
For the Christian we can make a parallel between the painted cats, our lives and sin. Although the cats were painted in various colors and styles, the basic animal was the same. Underneath all that paint, the cat was still a tabby, tuxedo, Siamese, or Persian. The paint only disguised the outside. It was done to appease the owner and probably as a status symbol. Cost didn’t seem to be a factor and it certainly was a way to get a conversation started.
We can put on the outward appearance of being Godly but underneath we can be role-playing. As children we are taught that our heart is black with sin before Christ comes into our heart. When we accept Him as our Savior, his red blood washes our heart clean or white as snow (Psalm 51:7 and Isaiah 1:18). If we are Christians who only go through the motions then our heart or parts of our heart are dotted black with sin. No one is perfect and we don’t always reveal everything about ourselves to others.
Every little thing that I have tried to hide from others will be seen under the microscope of God’s eye. All aspects of my life will be open before God and He will judge accordingly. The Bible has many references to sin but there are two references that I like which goes along with this theme. Psalm 69:5 reveals that “O God, you know my foolishness and my sins are not hidden from you”. I Corinthians 4:5 tells us “Therefore judge nothing before the time until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the heart.” We may fool others but we can’t fool God.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The cats were painted for various reasons and they came in all sorts of designs and patterns. What pattern and colors are being traced over the pattern of our life? Will the pattern and completed picture be one that will honor God? Will our life really be pleasing to Him?
Thursday, March 22, 2007
HOW NEIGHBORLY ARE YOU?
“I expect you to keep everything in your yard! Don’t get into my property and keep out! I’m giving you one last warning. Ignore me one more time and I will call the police.”
The sharp words were spoken at the boundary line of the property between two homes. The anger had been building for quite some time and it was finally time to speak up over the infractions that had been tolerated. Bettie stood there stunned at the tirade she received from her neighbor. What had prompted the anger? Bettie had simply been using a leaf blower to clean up her yard and some leaves had gotten into the neighbor’s yard. Yes, a few leaves had marred the neighbor’s landscape and she was livid.
It soon became apparent that the neighbor had other issues that had bothered her. She felt it was time to disclose exactly how much she had tolerated. She complained over the time that Bettie’s grandson had been playing in her carport while she was on vacation. If she was on vacation how did she ever see the young child riding his bicycle in her carport? Everyone knew that she kept to herself and no one knew anything personal about her. But it was obvious that she had her own opinions about what was right and what was wrong.
The next complaint was directed at a few papers that had littered her back yard. It’s not uncommon for paper to fly away while the trash truck is down the street and even an open window in a car driving by can cause a paper to blow away. The pieces of paper were apparently not wanted in her yard but it certainly wasn’t something done out of hatred towards the person. Branches that fell off trees and landed on her lawn were another source of agitation. Bettie took all this in stride and knew that the woman was exaggerating. Whether or not she would ever call the police was just a risk that Bettie was willing to take. One person could hardly be responsible for everything.
On a Tuesday afternoon Bettie walked out on the front porch to get her mail. When she looked down there was a small piece of Styrofoam on the porch with a rock on top. There was a note complaining about the latest problem. The neighbor knew for certain that Bettie had deliberately placed the item in her yard just to cause more bitterness. She had reached her level of tolerance and the note on the Styrofoam gave one last threat about involving the police. Such animosity over such trivial matters! Bettie never lashed out and tried to point the pettiness of everything. No matter what she did, there was no way to convince her neighbor that she had done nothing with malice.
There was only one time that I experienced a neighbor so obnoxious. When we were first married we lived in a trailer court. Our neighbor had been involved in an accident and I caught him one day with a sledge hammer pounding away at his own car, the car that was waiting for an estimate for repair. The cost for repairs would be paid by the other party’s insurance company and in his anger our neighbor wanted to be sure the damage was extensive. It wasn’t long after that I got my first complaint. I had mowed my lawn and grass blades were left on the driveway. Okay, I can sweep up after I finished mowing. At that time it seemed somewhat demanding and unreasonable. We moved shortly after that but that attitude was more than a little unreasonable.
I have been very fortunate to always have good neighbors. Everyone at some time has probably done something to annoy their neighbor but most of us usually ignore the small offenses. Bettie chose to ignore the complaints of her neighbor. If the case was ever taken before a court of law, there was no sound evidence to prove that she acted maliciously. In my own experience I realized that the neighbor was crafty and didn’t think anything of taking advantage of others. I kept my distance until we moved because I didn’t want to be the recipient of his temper.
God’s Word has many passages that deal with the way that we treat our neighbors. Matthew 19:19, Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:37, Luke 10:27, Galatians 5:14 and James 2:8 are all New Testament references that instruct us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Colossians 3:12 instructs us to be longsuffering and to forgive one another when someone has a complaint against you. Leviticus 19:18 reminds the children of Israel to not take vengeance towards their neighbor and to love their neighbor. Proverbs 24:28-29 challenges us to not be a witness against our neighbor without cause…”Do not say, I will do to him just as he has done to me”.
Being a Christian is not always easy and dealing with difficult people can be a real test of just how much God is living in us. It is easy to lash out in anger or to think of ways to get even, but neither of these ways are acceptable to a Christian. Many of these difficult people may not be Christians or may be dealing with some type of mental illness. A kind word will sometimes make the difference. If not, try to tolerate the person and still be kind. If your neighbor simply can’t be friendly or forgiving you might have to avoid any close contact. I know of one person who is so grumpy that she has alienated her neighbors as well as her own family members. She has the “I am always right” attitude and people soon give up trying to be friendly to her. She is lonely but she has not been able to show any love to others.
It may be a real test of our Christian faith and ability to love, but do the best you can to reach out to others who may be hurting. It's what Christ wants us to do.
The sharp words were spoken at the boundary line of the property between two homes. The anger had been building for quite some time and it was finally time to speak up over the infractions that had been tolerated. Bettie stood there stunned at the tirade she received from her neighbor. What had prompted the anger? Bettie had simply been using a leaf blower to clean up her yard and some leaves had gotten into the neighbor’s yard. Yes, a few leaves had marred the neighbor’s landscape and she was livid.
It soon became apparent that the neighbor had other issues that had bothered her. She felt it was time to disclose exactly how much she had tolerated. She complained over the time that Bettie’s grandson had been playing in her carport while she was on vacation. If she was on vacation how did she ever see the young child riding his bicycle in her carport? Everyone knew that she kept to herself and no one knew anything personal about her. But it was obvious that she had her own opinions about what was right and what was wrong.
The next complaint was directed at a few papers that had littered her back yard. It’s not uncommon for paper to fly away while the trash truck is down the street and even an open window in a car driving by can cause a paper to blow away. The pieces of paper were apparently not wanted in her yard but it certainly wasn’t something done out of hatred towards the person. Branches that fell off trees and landed on her lawn were another source of agitation. Bettie took all this in stride and knew that the woman was exaggerating. Whether or not she would ever call the police was just a risk that Bettie was willing to take. One person could hardly be responsible for everything.
On a Tuesday afternoon Bettie walked out on the front porch to get her mail. When she looked down there was a small piece of Styrofoam on the porch with a rock on top. There was a note complaining about the latest problem. The neighbor knew for certain that Bettie had deliberately placed the item in her yard just to cause more bitterness. She had reached her level of tolerance and the note on the Styrofoam gave one last threat about involving the police. Such animosity over such trivial matters! Bettie never lashed out and tried to point the pettiness of everything. No matter what she did, there was no way to convince her neighbor that she had done nothing with malice.
There was only one time that I experienced a neighbor so obnoxious. When we were first married we lived in a trailer court. Our neighbor had been involved in an accident and I caught him one day with a sledge hammer pounding away at his own car, the car that was waiting for an estimate for repair. The cost for repairs would be paid by the other party’s insurance company and in his anger our neighbor wanted to be sure the damage was extensive. It wasn’t long after that I got my first complaint. I had mowed my lawn and grass blades were left on the driveway. Okay, I can sweep up after I finished mowing. At that time it seemed somewhat demanding and unreasonable. We moved shortly after that but that attitude was more than a little unreasonable.
I have been very fortunate to always have good neighbors. Everyone at some time has probably done something to annoy their neighbor but most of us usually ignore the small offenses. Bettie chose to ignore the complaints of her neighbor. If the case was ever taken before a court of law, there was no sound evidence to prove that she acted maliciously. In my own experience I realized that the neighbor was crafty and didn’t think anything of taking advantage of others. I kept my distance until we moved because I didn’t want to be the recipient of his temper.
God’s Word has many passages that deal with the way that we treat our neighbors. Matthew 19:19, Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:37, Luke 10:27, Galatians 5:14 and James 2:8 are all New Testament references that instruct us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Colossians 3:12 instructs us to be longsuffering and to forgive one another when someone has a complaint against you. Leviticus 19:18 reminds the children of Israel to not take vengeance towards their neighbor and to love their neighbor. Proverbs 24:28-29 challenges us to not be a witness against our neighbor without cause…”Do not say, I will do to him just as he has done to me”.
Being a Christian is not always easy and dealing with difficult people can be a real test of just how much God is living in us. It is easy to lash out in anger or to think of ways to get even, but neither of these ways are acceptable to a Christian. Many of these difficult people may not be Christians or may be dealing with some type of mental illness. A kind word will sometimes make the difference. If not, try to tolerate the person and still be kind. If your neighbor simply can’t be friendly or forgiving you might have to avoid any close contact. I know of one person who is so grumpy that she has alienated her neighbors as well as her own family members. She has the “I am always right” attitude and people soon give up trying to be friendly to her. She is lonely but she has not been able to show any love to others.
It may be a real test of our Christian faith and ability to love, but do the best you can to reach out to others who may be hurting. It's what Christ wants us to do.
Friday, March 16, 2007
NOCTURNAL WANDERINGS
Bettie! Bettie! Bettie!
It was 10:00 PM when my neighbor heard the loud shouts coming from her driveway. She was busy in her computer room preparing for her next class. She could hear a voice outside but couldn’t see anything from her window. The voice never stopped and although she didn’t really want to venture outside, she knew that she had to see what was happening. She had to be sure that no one was hurt. She bravely turned on the porch light and to her surprise she saw my husband lying flat on his back and yelling in pain. It took her a while to get him on his feet and she did the best she could to just let him sit down and rest. But the pain along his ribs was sharp and the sensations along his rib cage didn’t stop. He eventually had to go to the emergency room because the pain was so intense. But why had the fall occurred in the first place? He fell because he had tried to walk in the night without a flashlight or anything else to show him the way. He forgot about the raised part of the driveway and stumbled and fell.
Looking at the night opens our eyes to a whole different scenario. The night can be foggy, illuminated by the moon and stars or can be what most people term “pitch black.” The fog makes it hard to see anything clearly and caution has to be used to avoid accidents. The light of the moon and stars can be bright and easily seen or partially obscured by a cloud cover. The term “pitch black” is just what it sounds like. The night is black with no illumination and even seeing something directly in front of you is impossible without some light source.
At night most of nature is asleep and at rest. Others like the owl, raccoon, bat, skunks, moths and cockroaches roam easily about. Specially developed eyes help most nocturnal animals to see in the night. Some people really enjoy the night and seem to be adapted to sleeping during the day and working at night. Night may be their most productive time simply because it is quiet and most people are asleep. For most of us we have to have some type of light to guide us through the darkness and give us the direction we need. It may be as simple as a flashlight or lantern but whatever we use is to give us the light we need to see.
The night itself can be glowing with color from several sources. A fireworks display shows a variety of colors with different patterns in the sky. Different sports games use lights to illuminate the playing field and to help spectators see the action. Parking lots are lit so that people coming or going to work can easily find their vehicle. Businesses use bright lights to entice people to stop and be entertained. Lightning and fire both light up the sky with a glow all their own.
For Christians Jesus is the Light of the World. He is the person who shows us the pathway to take in life. His light shines into the dark corners of our heart and brings them to our attention. We have a choice to make. Ignore the tugging of our heart and push the Lord away or acknowledge the tugging of our heart and open our life fully to God. Although there are many references throughout the Bible to light, the passage in Isaiah 2:5 “Come let us walk in the light of the Lord” seems to say it as clearly as any other passage. We are to come to Him and He will give us the light. We are not to try to do things our own way and then hope that He will give us light to keep from stumbling. We have to come to Him first. Once we accept Him as our inner guide we have the light within us and a light that should shine outward towards others.
There are people outside the realm of Christ that are still stumbling along, not knowing exactly which direction they are headed. They need to have the light of Jesus shining in them. That’s where we who are Christians need to be willing to take a part. If we will take the time to talk and listen to others and their problems, we just may have an insight in the best way to help them. If they do not have the light of Christ living within them, then we who do have the light of Christ in our lives need to give them guidance. Show them the Light that can change their direction and take them along a straight path, a path where if they should stumble and fall, they have someone who can always pick them up and get them back on course. Let the radiance of His face shine into their world and take them on a path that is no longer obscured with darkness. Matthew 5:16 KJV
It was 10:00 PM when my neighbor heard the loud shouts coming from her driveway. She was busy in her computer room preparing for her next class. She could hear a voice outside but couldn’t see anything from her window. The voice never stopped and although she didn’t really want to venture outside, she knew that she had to see what was happening. She had to be sure that no one was hurt. She bravely turned on the porch light and to her surprise she saw my husband lying flat on his back and yelling in pain. It took her a while to get him on his feet and she did the best she could to just let him sit down and rest. But the pain along his ribs was sharp and the sensations along his rib cage didn’t stop. He eventually had to go to the emergency room because the pain was so intense. But why had the fall occurred in the first place? He fell because he had tried to walk in the night without a flashlight or anything else to show him the way. He forgot about the raised part of the driveway and stumbled and fell.
Looking at the night opens our eyes to a whole different scenario. The night can be foggy, illuminated by the moon and stars or can be what most people term “pitch black.” The fog makes it hard to see anything clearly and caution has to be used to avoid accidents. The light of the moon and stars can be bright and easily seen or partially obscured by a cloud cover. The term “pitch black” is just what it sounds like. The night is black with no illumination and even seeing something directly in front of you is impossible without some light source.
At night most of nature is asleep and at rest. Others like the owl, raccoon, bat, skunks, moths and cockroaches roam easily about. Specially developed eyes help most nocturnal animals to see in the night. Some people really enjoy the night and seem to be adapted to sleeping during the day and working at night. Night may be their most productive time simply because it is quiet and most people are asleep. For most of us we have to have some type of light to guide us through the darkness and give us the direction we need. It may be as simple as a flashlight or lantern but whatever we use is to give us the light we need to see.
The night itself can be glowing with color from several sources. A fireworks display shows a variety of colors with different patterns in the sky. Different sports games use lights to illuminate the playing field and to help spectators see the action. Parking lots are lit so that people coming or going to work can easily find their vehicle. Businesses use bright lights to entice people to stop and be entertained. Lightning and fire both light up the sky with a glow all their own.
For Christians Jesus is the Light of the World. He is the person who shows us the pathway to take in life. His light shines into the dark corners of our heart and brings them to our attention. We have a choice to make. Ignore the tugging of our heart and push the Lord away or acknowledge the tugging of our heart and open our life fully to God. Although there are many references throughout the Bible to light, the passage in Isaiah 2:5 “Come let us walk in the light of the Lord” seems to say it as clearly as any other passage. We are to come to Him and He will give us the light. We are not to try to do things our own way and then hope that He will give us light to keep from stumbling. We have to come to Him first. Once we accept Him as our inner guide we have the light within us and a light that should shine outward towards others.
There are people outside the realm of Christ that are still stumbling along, not knowing exactly which direction they are headed. They need to have the light of Jesus shining in them. That’s where we who are Christians need to be willing to take a part. If we will take the time to talk and listen to others and their problems, we just may have an insight in the best way to help them. If they do not have the light of Christ living within them, then we who do have the light of Christ in our lives need to give them guidance. Show them the Light that can change their direction and take them along a straight path, a path where if they should stumble and fall, they have someone who can always pick them up and get them back on course. Let the radiance of His face shine into their world and take them on a path that is no longer obscured with darkness. Matthew 5:16 KJV
FISHY FACES
Setting up a simple aquarium was all that we ever wanted. We were not inexperienced and although we had aquariums 30 years ago, the little details had been tucked away in the very back of our mind. We hoped to start a hobby that would help us to relax during the evening. There is something about fish swimming in an aquarium that is soothing and with all the stress of the past few months this hobby seemed just the thing we both wanted and needed.
I guess I should probably blame my youngest son for all that follows. We had an oak entertainment center and purchased a new television that wouldn’t fit into the opening. Our son had decided to go “shopping” at our home, looking for anything that might fit into his home. We did have extra furniture but when he asked about that piece, the answer was “No”. It was solid wood with beveled glass doors and I planned on that being at my house for quite some time. His query then was, “Whatever could we find to fit into the opening?” Without missing a beat I replied that it would be ideal place for an aquarium.
It took some time to find an aquarium that would fit into the opening but before long we found one that worked perfectly. We purchased it and brought it home and got it ready to set up. We decided to use this as a tropical fish tank. We decorated the tank, filled it with water and bought an assortment of small fish. We loved the colors of the gourami and its graceful motion through the water. It seemed like the perfect selection. Everything was going perfectly and our hobby was now ready for our enjoyment.
It wasn’t too long before we found the fish floating at the surface or dead on the bottom of the tank. It was always the bright red gouramis that seemed to die. Frustrated, we went back to the pet store and bought some more. Eventually they met the same fate. In the past I had never had to worry about pH but this time I bought a kit and checked the pH just to be sure. It was a little low, just low enough that the sensitive gourami succumbed to the bad water quality. It was disappointing but not enough that we would quit. We decided to stay on track and work towards having a fish tank between two rooms so that the fish could be seen from both rooms.
With very little hesitation we began to set up another small tank on the countertop near the dining room. We headed to the store and purchased a complete ten-gallon tank set. Our goal was to set up a small tank of tropical fish. If we were successful we had a seventy-five gallon tank in the basement that our son had left behind. We wanted to put that tank between the family room and the dining room so that the little swimming fish could be seen from either room. The ten-gallon tank was set up easily and we had it stocked with small tropical fish like neon tetras and swordfish.
After a couple of days my husband decided to head to another pet store to purchase some very brightly colored fish. He wanted to add some color to the tank and try his hand at something new. We never wanted to try our hand with saltwater fish and these bright colored fish were pretty and a lot cheaper than any saltwater fish. He chose two bright orange fish and two beautiful purple striped fish. Into the tank they went. Watching them adjust to the tank was fun but after a while I noticed that the new fish were chasing the tropical fish. There was some fast dashing about and then came the fin nipping. My husband had bought African cichlids and he didn’t realize that they were aggressive and would wipe out the whole tank we had worked so hard to set up.
I called my husband at work and gave him an account of what was going on. I gave him two choices: get rid of the African cichlids and flush the other fish down the commode or possibly set up another tank. It just didn’t seem right to throw away the money we had already spent. He really wanted to keep the African cichlids so he asked me to set up another tank. Now we had two ten-gallon tanks of fish and a twenty-five gallon tank in the room. One ten-gallon tank had mainly small fish; the second ten-gallon tank held four African cichlids. It wasn’t too long before the African cichlids began to attack each other. Although a ten-gallon tank seemed adequate to us it was really too small for that many fish. We lost two fish in that experiment.
Undaunted and after reading more hints about aquariums we started to set up the seventy-five gallon tank. It wasn’t hard at all--we did have experience with three tanks. I really wanted the seventy-five gallon tank for tropical fish. My husband agreed to that IF he could set up a fifty-five gallon tank for just African cichlids. Now we have four aquariums. I figured that I could handle that easily. Cleaning and maintenance didn’t seem overwhelming.
We read more literature on aquarium set-up and checked out a couple of forums devoted to aquariums and setting up tanks. We discovered that the African cichlids required a higher pH than other tropical fish so we started on a search to see how to keep the pH high. One pet store recommended purchasing white crushed coral and placing it beneath the regular aquarium stone. The advice he gave us was that you only had to wash the coral once or twice and then put it into the tank. He also informed us that the coral could also be used in a tropical tank with no problem.
Finally feeling that we had mastered the basics of aquarium set-up, we set about cleaning and preparing the seventy-five gallon tank for fish. Getting the ten-gallon Cichlid tank set up by adding some crushed coral didn’t take very long. The water appeared a little cloudy but the tank filter quickly removed the cloudiness. The set-up of the seventy-five gallon tank proved to be a little more work than we thought it would be. Our first attempt was to fill the tank with water. Seventy-five gallons of water is a lot of water. We carried water from the bathroom and then finally figured that a garden hose could help get the job done earlier. We treated the water to remove any chlorine, washed the coral again and then put a layer of the coral on the bottom and a layer of regular aquarium stone on top. The water was very cloudy but we were sure that the filter would remove any cloudiness. The next morning the tank was still cloudy but we decided to wait another day or two before making any decisions.
After our trial tank set-up proved to be unsuccessful, we proceeded to start over again. If you ever have had the opportunity to drain the water from a seventy-five gallon tank you know that this is a large amount of water. Filling the tank the first time was a major task, now we had to empty the tank and refill it. Slowly the water level in the tank reached within one inch of the bottom layer of gravel. We rinsed the coral again and layered the stone on the bottom of the aquarium. Now it was time to refill the tank again and wait for it to clear up so that we could add our fish. Another seventy-five gallons of water went into the tank. Although the water was still cloudy, it wasn’t nearly as bad as the first time. Confident that we had completed everything correctly we waited again. But just like the first time, the tank remained cloudy. Again, we had to drain the tank (seventy-five more gallons) but this time we were going to spend more time rinsing off the coral. This time we actually had clear water and we gave a sigh of relief. Success! Hooray! It’s about time!
We traveled back to the pet shop, selected more fish and came home. By now the owner of the pet store was a friend and we were on a first name basis. He was ecstatic to have a new customer, one that was spending money and giving his business a boost. After acclimating the fish to the temperature and new water, we successfully transported them into the tank. It had been a lot of work but the decorated aquarium actually looked quite natural and like a realistic water scene. It had been a lot more work than we ever anticipated but now it was time to sit back and watch and enjoy the fish. Thinking that everything would be peaceful for a while, we enjoyed our new “television”.
We soon discovered that African cichlids needed at least thirty gallons of water and it was really better to have a fifty-five gallon tank. My husband really liked the African cichlids and their bright colors. He wanted a tank of just African cichlids for his enjoyment. A fifty-five gallon tank just happened to appear in my family room. This time we had really read up on care and maintenance of African cichlids so setting up the tank was a rather easy task. We stocked the tank with a variety of brightly colored fish and actually got a chance to enjoy them without any mishaps.
One day when I was feeding the African cichlids I noticed that one of the fish would come to the top of the tank and wanted to eat but never attempted to eat. What was going on now? It’s back to the handbook and visiting the fish forums. Aha! We have a fish that is holding eggs. As the other fish began to harass the mother, we decided to remove her from the tank. Since the fish from the ten-gallon tank had been given a new home in the fifty-five gallon tank we had an empty ten-gallon tank.
We had never been fortunate enough to watch baby fish in our tanks so we decided to separate the fish that was not eating because she was carrying “fry”, The African cichlids lay eggs; the eggs are fertilized by the male and then fertilized eggs are carried in the mother’s mouth for approximately two weeks. The mother seemed to appreciate the opportunity to be in a tank with no other fish to hassle her. The tiny fish survived and to our surprise we counted over twenty fish. A majority of the fish lived but some succumbed to their inability to stay away from a filter. Now we had a new problem. More than one mother was in the fifty-five gallon tank. We tried to separate at least two more mothers to watch the “fry” swim and grow. Before long we realized that we just couldn’t keep all those cute little fishy faces. Also, when we returned the mother to the main tank her fellow tank mates decided that she was fair game so they chased her. Almost out of breath and sporting some nipped fins the mothers eventually died one by one.
At that point the hobby had become more than just a little experiment. It was now a major part of our life and an obsession that overtook our life. It was a good diversion and kept our mind off the personal problems that we were facing. The family problems seemed to begin to take of themselves and we felt more relaxed in spite of the long process of setting up the tanks and the mistakes and failed attempts. Somehow we were able to concentrate and focus on the task at hand. We were too restless to read or do much of anything else but the work with the aquariums helped us to focus on something specific. During this time I could pray and talk to God and ask for His guidance as long as I was busy with something else.
There are times in everyone’s life when things seem overwhelming and it seems like God is far away. I knew He was there right beside me but my emotions kept getting in the way. I couldn’t sit still and concentrate on much of anything else but the diversion of something else seemed to open a new door where I could talk to God and get peace. If He could make something as beautiful and graceful as a fish swimming in the water, then surely He could help me. Man is made in the image of God and is created to bring glory to His name. The trials we faced as a family during that time were eventually resolved. Time and time again through the twists and turns that occurred during the overwhelming problem we saw God answer our prayers. His hand was in the whole process and things that never seemed possible were resolved. We were able to draw closer to Him and rather than swim through the rough waters alone we could now glide gracefully through the calm waters that were quieted by God Himself.
I guess I should probably blame my youngest son for all that follows. We had an oak entertainment center and purchased a new television that wouldn’t fit into the opening. Our son had decided to go “shopping” at our home, looking for anything that might fit into his home. We did have extra furniture but when he asked about that piece, the answer was “No”. It was solid wood with beveled glass doors and I planned on that being at my house for quite some time. His query then was, “Whatever could we find to fit into the opening?” Without missing a beat I replied that it would be ideal place for an aquarium.
It took some time to find an aquarium that would fit into the opening but before long we found one that worked perfectly. We purchased it and brought it home and got it ready to set up. We decided to use this as a tropical fish tank. We decorated the tank, filled it with water and bought an assortment of small fish. We loved the colors of the gourami and its graceful motion through the water. It seemed like the perfect selection. Everything was going perfectly and our hobby was now ready for our enjoyment.
It wasn’t too long before we found the fish floating at the surface or dead on the bottom of the tank. It was always the bright red gouramis that seemed to die. Frustrated, we went back to the pet store and bought some more. Eventually they met the same fate. In the past I had never had to worry about pH but this time I bought a kit and checked the pH just to be sure. It was a little low, just low enough that the sensitive gourami succumbed to the bad water quality. It was disappointing but not enough that we would quit. We decided to stay on track and work towards having a fish tank between two rooms so that the fish could be seen from both rooms.
With very little hesitation we began to set up another small tank on the countertop near the dining room. We headed to the store and purchased a complete ten-gallon tank set. Our goal was to set up a small tank of tropical fish. If we were successful we had a seventy-five gallon tank in the basement that our son had left behind. We wanted to put that tank between the family room and the dining room so that the little swimming fish could be seen from either room. The ten-gallon tank was set up easily and we had it stocked with small tropical fish like neon tetras and swordfish.
After a couple of days my husband decided to head to another pet store to purchase some very brightly colored fish. He wanted to add some color to the tank and try his hand at something new. We never wanted to try our hand with saltwater fish and these bright colored fish were pretty and a lot cheaper than any saltwater fish. He chose two bright orange fish and two beautiful purple striped fish. Into the tank they went. Watching them adjust to the tank was fun but after a while I noticed that the new fish were chasing the tropical fish. There was some fast dashing about and then came the fin nipping. My husband had bought African cichlids and he didn’t realize that they were aggressive and would wipe out the whole tank we had worked so hard to set up.
I called my husband at work and gave him an account of what was going on. I gave him two choices: get rid of the African cichlids and flush the other fish down the commode or possibly set up another tank. It just didn’t seem right to throw away the money we had already spent. He really wanted to keep the African cichlids so he asked me to set up another tank. Now we had two ten-gallon tanks of fish and a twenty-five gallon tank in the room. One ten-gallon tank had mainly small fish; the second ten-gallon tank held four African cichlids. It wasn’t too long before the African cichlids began to attack each other. Although a ten-gallon tank seemed adequate to us it was really too small for that many fish. We lost two fish in that experiment.
Undaunted and after reading more hints about aquariums we started to set up the seventy-five gallon tank. It wasn’t hard at all--we did have experience with three tanks. I really wanted the seventy-five gallon tank for tropical fish. My husband agreed to that IF he could set up a fifty-five gallon tank for just African cichlids. Now we have four aquariums. I figured that I could handle that easily. Cleaning and maintenance didn’t seem overwhelming.
We read more literature on aquarium set-up and checked out a couple of forums devoted to aquariums and setting up tanks. We discovered that the African cichlids required a higher pH than other tropical fish so we started on a search to see how to keep the pH high. One pet store recommended purchasing white crushed coral and placing it beneath the regular aquarium stone. The advice he gave us was that you only had to wash the coral once or twice and then put it into the tank. He also informed us that the coral could also be used in a tropical tank with no problem.
Finally feeling that we had mastered the basics of aquarium set-up, we set about cleaning and preparing the seventy-five gallon tank for fish. Getting the ten-gallon Cichlid tank set up by adding some crushed coral didn’t take very long. The water appeared a little cloudy but the tank filter quickly removed the cloudiness. The set-up of the seventy-five gallon tank proved to be a little more work than we thought it would be. Our first attempt was to fill the tank with water. Seventy-five gallons of water is a lot of water. We carried water from the bathroom and then finally figured that a garden hose could help get the job done earlier. We treated the water to remove any chlorine, washed the coral again and then put a layer of the coral on the bottom and a layer of regular aquarium stone on top. The water was very cloudy but we were sure that the filter would remove any cloudiness. The next morning the tank was still cloudy but we decided to wait another day or two before making any decisions.
After our trial tank set-up proved to be unsuccessful, we proceeded to start over again. If you ever have had the opportunity to drain the water from a seventy-five gallon tank you know that this is a large amount of water. Filling the tank the first time was a major task, now we had to empty the tank and refill it. Slowly the water level in the tank reached within one inch of the bottom layer of gravel. We rinsed the coral again and layered the stone on the bottom of the aquarium. Now it was time to refill the tank again and wait for it to clear up so that we could add our fish. Another seventy-five gallons of water went into the tank. Although the water was still cloudy, it wasn’t nearly as bad as the first time. Confident that we had completed everything correctly we waited again. But just like the first time, the tank remained cloudy. Again, we had to drain the tank (seventy-five more gallons) but this time we were going to spend more time rinsing off the coral. This time we actually had clear water and we gave a sigh of relief. Success! Hooray! It’s about time!
We traveled back to the pet shop, selected more fish and came home. By now the owner of the pet store was a friend and we were on a first name basis. He was ecstatic to have a new customer, one that was spending money and giving his business a boost. After acclimating the fish to the temperature and new water, we successfully transported them into the tank. It had been a lot of work but the decorated aquarium actually looked quite natural and like a realistic water scene. It had been a lot more work than we ever anticipated but now it was time to sit back and watch and enjoy the fish. Thinking that everything would be peaceful for a while, we enjoyed our new “television”.
We soon discovered that African cichlids needed at least thirty gallons of water and it was really better to have a fifty-five gallon tank. My husband really liked the African cichlids and their bright colors. He wanted a tank of just African cichlids for his enjoyment. A fifty-five gallon tank just happened to appear in my family room. This time we had really read up on care and maintenance of African cichlids so setting up the tank was a rather easy task. We stocked the tank with a variety of brightly colored fish and actually got a chance to enjoy them without any mishaps.
One day when I was feeding the African cichlids I noticed that one of the fish would come to the top of the tank and wanted to eat but never attempted to eat. What was going on now? It’s back to the handbook and visiting the fish forums. Aha! We have a fish that is holding eggs. As the other fish began to harass the mother, we decided to remove her from the tank. Since the fish from the ten-gallon tank had been given a new home in the fifty-five gallon tank we had an empty ten-gallon tank.
We had never been fortunate enough to watch baby fish in our tanks so we decided to separate the fish that was not eating because she was carrying “fry”, The African cichlids lay eggs; the eggs are fertilized by the male and then fertilized eggs are carried in the mother’s mouth for approximately two weeks. The mother seemed to appreciate the opportunity to be in a tank with no other fish to hassle her. The tiny fish survived and to our surprise we counted over twenty fish. A majority of the fish lived but some succumbed to their inability to stay away from a filter. Now we had a new problem. More than one mother was in the fifty-five gallon tank. We tried to separate at least two more mothers to watch the “fry” swim and grow. Before long we realized that we just couldn’t keep all those cute little fishy faces. Also, when we returned the mother to the main tank her fellow tank mates decided that she was fair game so they chased her. Almost out of breath and sporting some nipped fins the mothers eventually died one by one.
At that point the hobby had become more than just a little experiment. It was now a major part of our life and an obsession that overtook our life. It was a good diversion and kept our mind off the personal problems that we were facing. The family problems seemed to begin to take of themselves and we felt more relaxed in spite of the long process of setting up the tanks and the mistakes and failed attempts. Somehow we were able to concentrate and focus on the task at hand. We were too restless to read or do much of anything else but the work with the aquariums helped us to focus on something specific. During this time I could pray and talk to God and ask for His guidance as long as I was busy with something else.
There are times in everyone’s life when things seem overwhelming and it seems like God is far away. I knew He was there right beside me but my emotions kept getting in the way. I couldn’t sit still and concentrate on much of anything else but the diversion of something else seemed to open a new door where I could talk to God and get peace. If He could make something as beautiful and graceful as a fish swimming in the water, then surely He could help me. Man is made in the image of God and is created to bring glory to His name. The trials we faced as a family during that time were eventually resolved. Time and time again through the twists and turns that occurred during the overwhelming problem we saw God answer our prayers. His hand was in the whole process and things that never seemed possible were resolved. We were able to draw closer to Him and rather than swim through the rough waters alone we could now glide gracefully through the calm waters that were quieted by God Himself.
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