What do I wear Lord?
We're not talking fashion statement,
the "in" color of the season,
or the must have logo of the moment.
We are talking about garments that truly cover.
Garments that protect from
more than mere sun, wind, rain and cold.
Garments that do more than hide our flaws
or are of a color that compliments us.
We are asking for Your garments.......
Garments that have eternal significance.
Do I clothe myself
in Your radiant robe of righteousness?
Do I avail myself of Your
whiter than snow robe of forgiveness?
Do I avail myself of Your rich robe,
dyed red by the blood of Jesus,
woven with His willingness
to exchange His life for mine?
A garment fashioned for me that I might be worthy
to attend Your wedding feast?
Do I clothe myself in a garment of praise?
Does my face radiate with the joy of knowing You,
hearing Your soft whisper in my ear?
From the beginning of time Lord
we have tried to do things on our own.
We have sought to be like You,
to be all knowing, all wise,
to disregard the direction you have given us.
We have sought to clothe ourselves
in garments of out own making.
First plant leaves, then skins and later woven cloth.
From time to time we have attempted to
clothe ourselves in radiant garments,
embellished with threads of silver and gold,
studded with sparkling gems.
None of this hid our nakedness from you.
Not one of our efforts has hidden our filthy rags from You.
We have simply placed splendid garments over our dirty underwear.
We thought that if we hid our nakedness
and sin from You, You would not notice.
Foolishness! We cannot hide from you, yet we try.
All the garments we fashion for ourselves
are insufficient to clothe us , fail to protect us,
cannot possibly hide our sin from You.
Only the garments You provide for us,
protect and shield us from the sins of this world.
The garment of salvation, willingly woven
By Your Son with His own hands
And dyed with His own blood.
provides us with protection.
While we are layering Lord,
keep us mindful that if we fail
to clothe ourselves with love,
we fail completely
It is Your love that binds us together
In harmony and sings a love song
to the lost and dying world.
Your love Lord,,
clothes with compassion, humility and peace.
Glorious robes of praise,
radiant robes of righteousness,
surrounded and covered with love,
we are Your children,
ready to face the world and
go forth in Your name!
With thanks and praise for the Easter garments You provided for me, I remain
Your child, with dirty underwear, but Your child none the less!
mary
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Keep it Simple Sweetheart
Keep it Simple Sweetheart
Before beginning I want to include a note about the title.
This post is based on a talk I gave a number of years ago. The theme was the comfort and care the Lord offers as He leads us, His flock. I called it a “Good Night Kiss.” In my early thoughts and struggles on what to share I kept repeating to myself a common catch phrase at the time: “Keep it simple stupid.” After a time spent struggling with what to share all those years ago, in faith, I felt a nudge from the Lord saying, and correcting me: “Keep it simple sweetheart.” The Lord frowns when we degrade ourselves or when anyone degrades us. We are His creation and He loves us intensely. He did not like having me call myself stupid. So, He sent correction. Keep it simple and understandable my child was the direction I heard all those years ago. The words were loving and affirmative. While admonished, I never felt shame, just love and encouragement. The Lord never ever shames us. He might bring correction but we know we are loved beyond all reason when He brings correction. (Proverbs 3: 11 & 12 “My son do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in.” (See also Revelation 3:19, the instructions to the church at Laodicea.)
Isaiah 40:11 “He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”
I love this word picture of the Lord’s caring for us, His sheep! Close, tender, gentle, loving care and attention. Held close to His chest where we are warm and can feel and hear His heart beat. This is the caring attention given to the very young, or those who are very young in their walk with the Lord. It is the tender care and attention given those who are timid, injured, sick , rejected , abused or wounded. He gently, softly, cares for and leads those who are wounded, those who have young following them, or those who are tempted to call themselves stupid! The shepherd leads his flock to good fresh water and food. He knows their needs better than they know their own! He rubs healing salve into their various wounds, mental, emotional or physical. Our Good Shepherd is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 40: 30 & 31 “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Eagles nest high in the trees. Both parents, who mate for life, tend the nests and the young. Eagles are known for their swiftness, their eye sight, strength and their faithfulness. They are also known for their commitment! They use the same nest year after year, rebuilding it as necessary, but in the same tree! The mother eagle feathers the nest and makes it soft and protective. When the fledglings begin to grow and the nest seems small due to the size of the young it is the father’s job to take out the soft lining and then to urge and even push the young out of the nest. However, the parents watch closely as the young begin to fly. If the young eaglet tires in flight the parent swoops in and catches the young on its outstretched wings.
We may grow tired or weary from time to time. At times life can be hard or even cruel. Sometimes the burdens we carry might make our shoulders slump. We can rest assured that He will effortlessly allow us to rest in His care. He has committed Himself to care for and guide us to spiritual maturity. He has committed Himself to see us all the way home to Him.
Eagles are known for their keen eye site. In flight, eagles soar high above the earth. This gives the eagle prospective.
If you are on the ground in the center of Houston, or any city, the buildings loom large overhead and your view is obstructed. You can see what is around you but you cannot see very far ahead or the pattern of the city’s streets.
We often do not see the entire picture when looking at a problem. When we rely on the Holy Spirit we see things from God’s prospective. We can see the big picture. The problem is laid out like a patch work quilt viewed from The Father's vantage point.
When we turn our problems over to God we get the prospective of the Holy Spirit. We are able to “fly above” the congestion and see where we might be going. We see the whole picture and pattern not just the tyranny of the immediate situation.
We can rely on the Holy Spirit. We can ride on the wings of the Holy Spirit, resting in God’s care. We can relax knowing that He will bring us to maturity. When we are weary, His Holy Spirit renews us. We have His view of the problem.
Deuteronomy 33:27a: “The Eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms…….”
A toddler meeting a new person or in an unfamiliar situation may turn its face away or grasp its mother’s skirt and hide its face. The parent reaches down and scoops up the child in their protective arms.
The Lord’s everlasting arms are always ready to reach out to us and scoop us into His protective embrace.
Psalm 37: 23 & 24 “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”
A young child's father has a firm grip on the child's hand when crossing the street or in a crowded place. The father’s steps are firm and steady. The father will allow his child to experience the event but will not allow the child to fall or to run into danger. Should the child stumble or start to bolt the father’s grip keeps the child from falling or getting lost in the crowd. So too, our heavenly Father has a grip on us and will not allow us to falter. God is not going to let you cross a twelve lane freeway alone. Whether your “freeway” is a new job, sticky personalities or difficult circumstances, an illness or loss of one you love you are not alone. God does not just grasp your fingers. God’s hand is large enough to encompass your whole life. His hold is firm and secure.
Deut. 33: 12 Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.
Ah! A Piggy back ride! The Beloved gets a piggy Back Ride. It’s fun! You are held securely. When you are tired the Father walks for you. You are touched, affectionately, picked up held and given a rest on the Father’s shoulders. On his dad’s shoulders the child might grab his dad’s hair, put his face next to His dad’s face, and touch affectionately. The child sees from the father’s prospective and sees where the father is going.
When you turn to the Lord, you see where The Father is going. On His shoulders you see from The Father’s prospective! From the ground level we might be overwhelmed by the size of our problem. We might see the problem as very large. Too large to handle and overwhelming. If we do this we place God in a position of being too small and ineffectual to handle our problem. If we rely on God, placing our selves on the Father’s shoulders, we see the problem from God’s prospective. Best of all, we are not striving alone. We have HIS help and guidance.
2 Tim. 4: 17–18 “The Lord stood by my side and gave me strength so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.”
Here we are, still His children but grown up and ready to serve Him. He is by our side all the way giving us strength to carry out the good works that He prepared in advance for us.
See Acts 17:24 - 28
Verse 27 & 28 sum it up as follows: “God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being.”
As infants we are carried close to His heart, in a warm secure place. When we are hurt, confused or abused He is there to cradle us again. As toddlers he holds us close. We can look over his shoulder and see where he has been. As we get a little older we are picked up and we can see where the father is going. In times of “traffic “ or trouble He holds us tight and secure and we know that he will not allow us to fall. Finally, we can stand beside the father as he sends us forward to the task he provided for us to accomplish. However, we can rest secure in the knowledge that he will never ever leave or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5b) Again and again, as often as necessary, He will scoop us up and hold us close and bind up all our wounds. All we need to do is reach out our arms to Him and call softly:"Dad I need you.".
With praise and thanksgiving to the Lord of Lords who has rescued me more times that I can count and sent His touch and guidance in more ways that I can begin to enumerate. I remain His very needy child.
mary schmerker
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Desert Places
Eagles are known for their swiftness, keen eye sight and strength. They have been observed carrying their young on their wings. Eagles are known for their faithfulness, they mate for life and their commitment, they return to the same nest each year.
The mother eagle feathers the nest making it soft and hospitable for the young. When it is time for the young to leave the nest the father eagle removes the soft lining and if necessary he gives the young eaglet a nudge out of the nest! Both parents remain watchful of the young in flight ready to swoop in and catch the young eaglet before it falls to the ground.
Late winter or early spring, probably 1998, in the Escalante Wilderness of Utah I watched an eagle lift off the desert floor effortlessly. Truly, a majestic sight.
Sometimes in life we find ourselves stuck in desert places. Dry and inhospitable circumstances may surround us. When we find ourselves in these circumstances we can rest assured that our heavenly Father knows exactly where we are. The I Am that I Am may have stirred up our nests of comfort and pushed us to the edge and poised us for flight. HE will be the one who lifts us off the floor of the desert and brings us to a place of rest.
We can rest assured that The Lord God Almighty has our growth, well being and comfort in His hands.
His benefits are ours for the asking..........all we need to do is ask......
Praise HIS holy name.
Deut. 32:11; Ps. 103:5; Is. 40:31
The mother eagle feathers the nest making it soft and hospitable for the young. When it is time for the young to leave the nest the father eagle removes the soft lining and if necessary he gives the young eaglet a nudge out of the nest! Both parents remain watchful of the young in flight ready to swoop in and catch the young eaglet before it falls to the ground.
Late winter or early spring, probably 1998, in the Escalante Wilderness of Utah I watched an eagle lift off the desert floor effortlessly. Truly, a majestic sight.
Sometimes in life we find ourselves stuck in desert places. Dry and inhospitable circumstances may surround us. When we find ourselves in these circumstances we can rest assured that our heavenly Father knows exactly where we are. The I Am that I Am may have stirred up our nests of comfort and pushed us to the edge and poised us for flight. HE will be the one who lifts us off the floor of the desert and brings us to a place of rest.
We can rest assured that The Lord God Almighty has our growth, well being and comfort in His hands.
His benefits are ours for the asking..........all we need to do is ask......
Praise HIS holy name.
Deut. 32:11; Ps. 103:5; Is. 40:31
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Anna, Never Too Old to Serve, Pray or Witness!
Anna, the prophetess.... a widow for eighty years never left the Temple but worshipped there night and day....at the very moment that Simeon was praying ( for the infant Jesus) Anna showed up and broke into an anthem of praise to God and talked about the child (Jesus) to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem. ( Luke 2:36 - 38 The Answer.)
If doting grandparents and cooing aunts and uncles welcomed the infant Jesus we are not told about it. In fact it would seem that Jesus was welcomed by outcasts (the shepherds) foreigners who were not Jewish ( the wise men) and the lowly animals. The infant Jesus was welcomed and recognized in unexpected ways, by unexpected people like Anna and Simeon.
One might think that Anna would be ready to retire. Leave the Temple duties to others whose hands are not bent with work or whose knees bent with greater ease. Not our Anna. Anna served and was rewarded. Once she saw her Redeemer she knew Him! She had waited expectantly for Him all her life. She wasted not a second but raised her voice in thanks to God Almighty and began telling everyone all about the infant Jesus!
Whether we are young or old there is always ministry waiting for the sensitive person. Even if our hair is gray and our knees are arthritic there still remains a vital and important responsibility for us. We have the responsibility and ability to help shape the generations that follow ours.
Lord, keep our hearts open to Your arrival in our lives. Keep us expectantly looking for You in the everyday activities of our lives and most of all keep words of praise and thanksgiving always on our tongues for all to hear of Your wonderful works. Amen
If doting grandparents and cooing aunts and uncles welcomed the infant Jesus we are not told about it. In fact it would seem that Jesus was welcomed by outcasts (the shepherds) foreigners who were not Jewish ( the wise men) and the lowly animals. The infant Jesus was welcomed and recognized in unexpected ways, by unexpected people like Anna and Simeon.
One might think that Anna would be ready to retire. Leave the Temple duties to others whose hands are not bent with work or whose knees bent with greater ease. Not our Anna. Anna served and was rewarded. Once she saw her Redeemer she knew Him! She had waited expectantly for Him all her life. She wasted not a second but raised her voice in thanks to God Almighty and began telling everyone all about the infant Jesus!
Whether we are young or old there is always ministry waiting for the sensitive person. Even if our hair is gray and our knees are arthritic there still remains a vital and important responsibility for us. We have the responsibility and ability to help shape the generations that follow ours.
Lord, keep our hearts open to Your arrival in our lives. Keep us expectantly looking for You in the everyday activities of our lives and most of all keep words of praise and thanksgiving always on our tongues for all to hear of Your wonderful works. Amen
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Clouds Over My Head
“And the clouds are the dust of His feet.” Nahum 1:3b
Are there clouds hanging over your head today? Are you in a place of uncertainty or indecision? Are you struggling with illness or a financial strain? Are you concerned about your friends, spouse, children or grandchildren? Do you fear where our great nation is headed?
When you see a cloud, small puffy fluffs of white or a multitude of ominous dark grey storm clouds that obscure the whole sky, Don't fear! Smile!
Clouds are the dust stirred up by God’s feet as HE acts.
Remember Paul and Silas in jail, their feet chained in stocks. The jail is a dungeon. It is dark. It stinks. Most likely there are rats, bats, spiders and all kinds of pestilence.
What do our friends Paul & Silas do? Do they whine or doubt or fear?
Not our guys. They pray and sing praises to their God and King.
Suddenly there is an earth quake and the doors are opened and their chains drop away. (Acts 16: 25 & 26)
Why?
Well, God heard their praises and he began to tap his feet. We know that God sits on his throne and that the earth is His footstool. (Isaiah 66:1) So, when God taps His feet things begin to happen here on earth.
When you see the clouds over head or feel that you are shrouded in clouds of uncertainty, pain, or fear, know that HE is there and actively working on your behalf. Sing a song of praise to Him, even if it has a whinny sound, and you will be amazed at the way HE will act in your behalf.
Dear Ones, now go on and read the first part of Nahum 1:3
“The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked. The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm….and the clouds are the dust………”
Never fear dear ones of the Lord. HE is active in all your situations! The clouds are the dust under His mighty feet as HE stirs things up.
With overwhelming praise and thanksgiving to the ever-present Lord who acts on our behalf. With a smile of deep gratitude; I remain His child ever in need of reminders of who HE is..the I Am that I Am…..
mary schmerker
Bible verses from NKJV
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Singing to The Lord in a Foreign Land
How can we sing songs of the Lord while in a foreign land? Psalm 137:4
It is hard Lord to sing a joyous song to you when we are in an uncomfortable place or surrounded by uncomfortable circumstances. It is hard Lord to remember to sing when those around us are not singing or are difficult personalities, or see things differently than we do. It is hard Lord to remember that you are with us when we are surrounded by so many things that pull at us and attempt to influence our thinking and attitudes.
I am reminded Lord, that singing of Your goodness, Your greatness, Your provision for us and Your great love for us is the only way to be whole. Singing Your praises Lord, reminds me that surrendering to Your will and following You is the only path to true peace, joy and contentment.
I thank and praise You for all you have done in my life. Keep me singing Your praises all the days of my life Lord. Keep my memory of Your faithfulness and goodness ever awake and active. Remind me Lord, that You are present with me always and that You live in my praises. Remind me that when I praise You I enter not only into Your gates but travel all the way through to Your inner courts.
Thank you for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ who makes it possible for me to approach you and to call Him Lord, savior and friend. Amen
It is hard Lord to sing a joyous song to you when we are in an uncomfortable place or surrounded by uncomfortable circumstances. It is hard Lord to remember to sing when those around us are not singing or are difficult personalities, or see things differently than we do. It is hard Lord to remember that you are with us when we are surrounded by so many things that pull at us and attempt to influence our thinking and attitudes.
I am reminded Lord, that singing of Your goodness, Your greatness, Your provision for us and Your great love for us is the only way to be whole. Singing Your praises Lord, reminds me that surrendering to Your will and following You is the only path to true peace, joy and contentment.
I thank and praise You for all you have done in my life. Keep me singing Your praises all the days of my life Lord. Keep my memory of Your faithfulness and goodness ever awake and active. Remind me Lord, that You are present with me always and that You live in my praises. Remind me that when I praise You I enter not only into Your gates but travel all the way through to Your inner courts.
Thank you for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ who makes it possible for me to approach you and to call Him Lord, savior and friend. Amen
Friday, September 14, 2012
Keep it Simple Sweetheart
Last month I started a file cleaning project and with that project decided to type and put in written form some scattered notes I had made for various Bible teaching assignments over the years.
After a time spent struggling with what to share all those years ago, in faith, I felt a nudge from the Lord saying, and correcting me: “Keep it simple sweetheart.”
The Lord frowns when we degrade ourselves or when anyone degrades us. We are His creation and He loves us intensely. He did not like having me call myself stupid. So, He sent correction. Keep it simple and understandable my child was the direction I heard all those years ago. The words were loving and affirmative. While admonished, I never felt shame, just love and encouragement. The Lord never ever shames us. He might bring correction but we know we are loved beyond all reason when He does bring correction. (Proverbs 3: 11 & 12 “My son do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in.”
Thank you Lord. I'll remember to keep it simple.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Becoming God's Colleague, Elijah
From the very start I want to note that I have no idea if I wrote this during a Bible Study or If I liked it and copied it. My apologies to the author if I copied it! I have been cleaning out my files and came across this and felt it was timely so I am sharing it.
Elijah lived in a difficult time.
He felt that God was far from him.
Elijah went into the desert and asked God to speak to him.
There was a great and powerful wind like a hurricane but God wasn't in the wind.
There was an earthquake but God wasn't there.
There was a fire but God wasn't in the fire.
Elijah was ready to give up hope.
Finally there was a tiny invisible breath, a quiet whisper.
The breath of the Unstoppable One, The Lord Almighty.
In that calm, invisible breath, God was found.
Elijah chose to do what God requested.
The decision to change was Elijah's.
Elijah became God's colleague in action.
From me today: We are in difficult troubled times. We need to listen for the quiet invisible breath of the Unstoppable One, God Almighty, listen for His voice saying: This is the way, My way, walk in it."
Lord, help us to humble ourselves and pray so that you will come and heal our land. Amen
With praise and thanksgiving to the almighty Unstoppable One who is willing to whisper in my ear, if only i will listen.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
THE NET - Working
National news in the last two weeks has been filled with the Olympics, politics and tragically, the shooting rampage in Aurora, Colorado. Reports about the alleged shooter in have begun to paint a picture of a lost young man who had become a loner.
Why and how that happens is a mystery. We can be surrounded by people on a daily basis and still not be in relationship with one another. Numerous studies site the benefits of being in relationship with one another.
I will site my favorite: Matthew 22: 37 - 40: Jesus said, " Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: Love others as well as you love yourself. These two commands are pegs; everything in God's law and the Prophets hangs from them." The Message
Clearly we are hardwired to be in relationships, first and most important with the Lord God Almighty and next with each other.
In the spring of 2008 I wrote the following which appeared in Sugar Land First United Methodist Church's Care and Prayer Newsletter.
Care "Net Working"
Several years ago Charlie and I had the privilege of owning a beachfront home in Galveston, Texas. Following a storm a net from a large fishing vessel washed ashore and was partially buried in the sand. It fascinated me. I tugged as hard as I could trying to dislodge it from the sand dune. When it would not budge I briefly considered returning to the house to get a saw and cut off a piece of it. I discarded the idea thinking that it would always be a sandy mess. Since that time I have been sorry that I did not try to preserve a portion of the net.
Why?
As I continued my walk that day and in the years since I have thought about Jesus telling His disciples that He would make them fishers of men and I have thought about that charge to us as His followers. I have thought about the net and how it relates to our charge to be fishers of men.
The net was huge. Each rope, in my memory, was as large as a man's wrist. The ropes were a florescent color that would be very visible in the worst weather conditions. The net was woven in such a way that each part moved so that if a strain was put on one portion of the net the rest would be drawn toward the strained area.
Caring for each other in a Christan community of believers is like that net. We should be highly visible so that we can be seen in the storms that assault people's lives. Like the net we should be joined together and flexible enough to move to give support to those who are experiencing storms in their lives. We may be the next one to weather a storm and we may need the net to move in our direction.
I wish I had saved the net! Sandy mess and all it would have been worth the trouble to have the visual as a reminder of our call: Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as your self. When trouble comes you will be glad you had help or were there to help another.
Prayer:
Lord, first, thank you for the gift of Your Son, Jesus the Christ who gave His life in exchange for ours so that we can confidently approach You. Please, make us highly visible, glaringly fluorescent, in the midst of the storms that assail the lives of our friends and neighbors. Show us which direction to move so that we support our brothers and sisters in Christ when they need us and finally keep our hearts open to see and move towards those who need to know You. Amen
Why and how that happens is a mystery. We can be surrounded by people on a daily basis and still not be in relationship with one another. Numerous studies site the benefits of being in relationship with one another.
I will site my favorite: Matthew 22: 37 - 40: Jesus said, " Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: Love others as well as you love yourself. These two commands are pegs; everything in God's law and the Prophets hangs from them." The Message
Clearly we are hardwired to be in relationships, first and most important with the Lord God Almighty and next with each other.
In the spring of 2008 I wrote the following which appeared in Sugar Land First United Methodist Church's Care and Prayer Newsletter.
Care "Net Working"
Several years ago Charlie and I had the privilege of owning a beachfront home in Galveston, Texas. Following a storm a net from a large fishing vessel washed ashore and was partially buried in the sand. It fascinated me. I tugged as hard as I could trying to dislodge it from the sand dune. When it would not budge I briefly considered returning to the house to get a saw and cut off a piece of it. I discarded the idea thinking that it would always be a sandy mess. Since that time I have been sorry that I did not try to preserve a portion of the net.
Why?
As I continued my walk that day and in the years since I have thought about Jesus telling His disciples that He would make them fishers of men and I have thought about that charge to us as His followers. I have thought about the net and how it relates to our charge to be fishers of men.
The net was huge. Each rope, in my memory, was as large as a man's wrist. The ropes were a florescent color that would be very visible in the worst weather conditions. The net was woven in such a way that each part moved so that if a strain was put on one portion of the net the rest would be drawn toward the strained area.
Caring for each other in a Christan community of believers is like that net. We should be highly visible so that we can be seen in the storms that assault people's lives. Like the net we should be joined together and flexible enough to move to give support to those who are experiencing storms in their lives. We may be the next one to weather a storm and we may need the net to move in our direction.
I wish I had saved the net! Sandy mess and all it would have been worth the trouble to have the visual as a reminder of our call: Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as your self. When trouble comes you will be glad you had help or were there to help another.
Prayer:
Lord, first, thank you for the gift of Your Son, Jesus the Christ who gave His life in exchange for ours so that we can confidently approach You. Please, make us highly visible, glaringly fluorescent, in the midst of the storms that assail the lives of our friends and neighbors. Show us which direction to move so that we support our brothers and sisters in Christ when they need us and finally keep our hearts open to see and move towards those who need to know You. Amen
Friday, July 20, 2012
Precious in HIS sight
Tuesday the tenth of July, the following scripture started to ring in my ears:
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15 NIV & NKJV
The NLT puts it this way: "The Lord's loved ones are precious to him; it grieves Him when they die."
In the NASB: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones."
July 10th one of the members of my church family was suddenly called home to be with the Lord. He was called home while completing a mission trip to Ukraine with his wife and other church members. A Ukrainian Student died in the same accident and a missionary was seriously injured.
This raises the proverbial question: Why do bad things happen to good people?
If we were concerned only with our church member it might be simply answered. Going home to the Lord is not a bad thing. Having committed our lives to the Lord, being baptized, confessing our sins and following Jesus Christ means that we do not die. We simply go from life on earth to life eternal. We slip the confines of our earthly bodies with all their limitations and complications and find ourselves in Heaven at the feet of our Lord.
What about the family left behind to cope without their loved one? Does God care? Did God ignore the prayers offered for safety of those on the trip?
Wasn't this man doing Your work, Lord?
Weren't all three doing Your Work, Lord?
Why?
Why this man?
Why now Lord?
Didn't your hear our prayers for safety?
Did you just ignore them, God?
What gives Lord?
On earth those questions remain unanswerable.
In His mercy God sends us comfort, the strength to go on, and others from His family of faith to surround us with their love and with His love.
God also sends us HIS Word to edify us. In Ephesians 6 we learn that God, in His wisdom has given us many kinds of protective armor and one offensive tool, the sword. We are told: "take up the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:17b Amplified)
So I lifted up the sword, God's Word, for help in answering the unanswerable.
Consequently, another scripture immediately came to mind:
"All creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed." Romans 8:19
As we used to sing this: "All creation is straining on tiptoe just to see the sons of God come into their own."
That song and scripture always paint a word picture for me. In my mind's eye I see all of Heaven's company leaning over the balcony rails of Heaven looking down on us, eagerly waiting to see what we will do next for the Kingdom of God. I imagine them cheering us on, shouting their approval of our efforts and then giving us a victorious welcome when we reach the gates of Heaven. In the throne room our heavenly Father, with Jesus seated at his side, gives us a high five with the words: "Well done my good and faithful servants."
So, yes, our prayers were heard. Our ultimate safety is not remaining in this world but in having a place at our Heavenly Father's table waiting for us with our name on a card stating: This place is reserved for_________." (insert your name here.)
Psalm 116:15 assures us that God is close to us and we are precious to Him. He chooses the time to call us home, into His presence. Each life is valuable to Him.
In Matthew 10:29 -31 Jesus himself tells us: "Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to Him than a whole flock of sparrows."
Where does this leave the family left behind?
They are loved and protected by their family of faith, watched over by their heavenly father and cheered on by the whole host of Heaven as they walk forward day by day.
Psalm 56:8 "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. (NLT)
God is intimately acquainted with our lives. Every aspect of our lives, no matter how minuscule is of concern to Him. We can confidently and joyfully participate in all of life knowing that God is compassionate and aware of the disappointments, frustrations, anger or grief as well as the joys and triumphs we face in life. Each one of our tears is collected by Him, inspected carefully and treasured. They are as valuable to Him as precious jewels. Enduring under His care has a purpose and glorifies Him.
We can rest assured that having accepted the gift that defies description, the gift of the life of His very own Son, Jesus the Christ, in exchange for our lives; He will wipe away all the tears from our life forever. Revelation 21:4
Finally, God's Word gives us additional assurance: "None of this fazes us, because Jesus loves us. I am absolutely convinced that nothing - living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way Jesus our Master has embraced us. Romans 8; 38 & 39 (The Message)
A HUG!
A hug from God Almighty. Our loving Father in Heaven sends us a hug and the assurance we are HIS!
Lord God Almighty, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ to walk this earth in flesh and blood, to experience all that we experience and then to return to You leaving us with the comforter, the Holy Spirit, to edify and guide us. Thank You for your Word to use as a guide and as an offensive weapon. All praise be to Thee for saving a place at Your table for those who have accepted the gift of Your Son, Jesus, as their Lord, Savior and Friend. Amen.
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15 NIV & NKJV
The NLT puts it this way: "The Lord's loved ones are precious to him; it grieves Him when they die."
In the NASB: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones."
July 10th one of the members of my church family was suddenly called home to be with the Lord. He was called home while completing a mission trip to Ukraine with his wife and other church members. A Ukrainian Student died in the same accident and a missionary was seriously injured.
This raises the proverbial question: Why do bad things happen to good people?
If we were concerned only with our church member it might be simply answered. Going home to the Lord is not a bad thing. Having committed our lives to the Lord, being baptized, confessing our sins and following Jesus Christ means that we do not die. We simply go from life on earth to life eternal. We slip the confines of our earthly bodies with all their limitations and complications and find ourselves in Heaven at the feet of our Lord.
What about the family left behind to cope without their loved one? Does God care? Did God ignore the prayers offered for safety of those on the trip?
Wasn't this man doing Your work, Lord?
Weren't all three doing Your Work, Lord?
Why?
Why this man?
Why now Lord?
Didn't your hear our prayers for safety?
Did you just ignore them, God?
What gives Lord?
On earth those questions remain unanswerable.
In His mercy God sends us comfort, the strength to go on, and others from His family of faith to surround us with their love and with His love.
God also sends us HIS Word to edify us. In Ephesians 6 we learn that God, in His wisdom has given us many kinds of protective armor and one offensive tool, the sword. We are told: "take up the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:17b Amplified)
So I lifted up the sword, God's Word, for help in answering the unanswerable.
Consequently, another scripture immediately came to mind:
"All creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed." Romans 8:19
As we used to sing this: "All creation is straining on tiptoe just to see the sons of God come into their own."
That song and scripture always paint a word picture for me. In my mind's eye I see all of Heaven's company leaning over the balcony rails of Heaven looking down on us, eagerly waiting to see what we will do next for the Kingdom of God. I imagine them cheering us on, shouting their approval of our efforts and then giving us a victorious welcome when we reach the gates of Heaven. In the throne room our heavenly Father, with Jesus seated at his side, gives us a high five with the words: "Well done my good and faithful servants."
So, yes, our prayers were heard. Our ultimate safety is not remaining in this world but in having a place at our Heavenly Father's table waiting for us with our name on a card stating: This place is reserved for_________." (insert your name here.)
Psalm 116:15 assures us that God is close to us and we are precious to Him. He chooses the time to call us home, into His presence. Each life is valuable to Him.
In Matthew 10:29 -31 Jesus himself tells us: "Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to Him than a whole flock of sparrows."
Where does this leave the family left behind?
They are loved and protected by their family of faith, watched over by their heavenly father and cheered on by the whole host of Heaven as they walk forward day by day.
Psalm 56:8 "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. (NLT)
God is intimately acquainted with our lives. Every aspect of our lives, no matter how minuscule is of concern to Him. We can confidently and joyfully participate in all of life knowing that God is compassionate and aware of the disappointments, frustrations, anger or grief as well as the joys and triumphs we face in life. Each one of our tears is collected by Him, inspected carefully and treasured. They are as valuable to Him as precious jewels. Enduring under His care has a purpose and glorifies Him.
We can rest assured that having accepted the gift that defies description, the gift of the life of His very own Son, Jesus the Christ, in exchange for our lives; He will wipe away all the tears from our life forever. Revelation 21:4
Finally, God's Word gives us additional assurance: "None of this fazes us, because Jesus loves us. I am absolutely convinced that nothing - living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way Jesus our Master has embraced us. Romans 8; 38 & 39 (The Message)
A HUG!
A hug from God Almighty. Our loving Father in Heaven sends us a hug and the assurance we are HIS!
Lord God Almighty, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ to walk this earth in flesh and blood, to experience all that we experience and then to return to You leaving us with the comforter, the Holy Spirit, to edify and guide us. Thank You for your Word to use as a guide and as an offensive weapon. All praise be to Thee for saving a place at Your table for those who have accepted the gift of Your Son, Jesus, as their Lord, Savior and Friend. Amen.
Monday, May 7, 2012
An Ordinary Day With Jesus
Several years ago my Pastor, Martin Nicholas of Sugar Land First United Methodist Church announced a sermon series on ordinary days with Jesus. The title sparked memories of trips to the Houston Medical Center with older friends and parking places that seemed to appear when needed, grocery money extended, conversations that seemed guided by the Lord himself and many other ordinary but extraordinary every day occurrences that just seemed touched by a grace that could only come from the Lord Himself.
I sat down to type but what emerged was far different from what I imagined. Although, at the time my grandchildren were only a dream what emerged was a children's poem about all that the disciples of Jesus Christ witnessed as they followed Jesus' call to: "Come follow me!"
So, Avery, Nathan and Cooper, here is your poem.
AN ORDINARY DAY WITH JESUS
An ordinary day with Jesus
It's extraordinary to be sure
People come in droves
Filling highways and the roads,
They even climb to mountain tops
And crowd the seashore beaches
Some come to see
Some come to scorn
Some frown with displeasure
Others find great pleasure
Some will be rich
some poor
some will have reputations less than pure
Some will be dirty
Other will be clean
Some will wear rags
And some will will wear royal garments
Some will limp
Other will be blind
Some are quite strange,
Well, out of their minds
Some will look
And their eyes will be open to see
Others will remain unseeing
Some will hear
What HE has to say
Others will turn away
There will be men
Children and women
There will be brothers
Sisters and cousins
To numerous to count
Some will share their lunch
Others will keep what they have
And go away sad
Some are proud men
Of great importance
Some Synagogue teachers
Others will be preachers
Some are humble fishermen
Some carpenters
Some tax collectors
Despised to be sure
Others are just as ordinary
As you and me
Come join Jesus
on His path
See for yourself
What He has will last
Crystal clear water
That satisfies every thirst
Bread that is fresh
and fills every need
Every care can be placed at His feet
Hurry children
Come while you can
He is ready
He is waiting
Don't delay
This might be your big day
An ordinary day with Jesus
Extraordinary to be sure
Incomparable to anything
You might endure.
It will be curious
You will experience the incredible
The day will be amazing
Of that you can be sure
It's an ordinary extraordinary day with Jesus
Come sit at His feet
come crowd around
Listen with ears that hear
Open your eyes to see
Allow your heart to be touched
You will receive so much
Open your hands to serve
You have so much to gain
You'll never be the same
He sent His Spirit
To come along side
To comfort and edify
Invite Him to walk with you
To be at your side
Today and always
It is the delight of Jesus
To be with us
He'll show you the way
Don't delay
Come, come right away
Jesus is waiting
He's asked you to come
To join Him in life's
Greatest adventure
You'll never be the same
Don't you hear Him?
He is calling your name
Every ordinary day with Jesus
Of this you can be sure
Will be an extra ordinary extraordinary day!
with gratitude to my savior, Jesus the Christ, who invited me to join Him in extraordinary, ordinary days.
mary schmerker
I sat down to type but what emerged was far different from what I imagined. Although, at the time my grandchildren were only a dream what emerged was a children's poem about all that the disciples of Jesus Christ witnessed as they followed Jesus' call to: "Come follow me!"
So, Avery, Nathan and Cooper, here is your poem.
AN ORDINARY DAY WITH JESUS
An ordinary day with Jesus
It's extraordinary to be sure
People come in droves
Filling highways and the roads,
They even climb to mountain tops
And crowd the seashore beaches
Some come to see
Some come to scorn
Some frown with displeasure
Others find great pleasure
Some will be rich
some poor
some will have reputations less than pure
Some will be dirty
Other will be clean
Some will wear rags
And some will will wear royal garments
Some will limp
Other will be blind
Some are quite strange,
Well, out of their minds
Some will look
And their eyes will be open to see
Others will remain unseeing
Some will hear
What HE has to say
Others will turn away
There will be men
Children and women
There will be brothers
Sisters and cousins
To numerous to count
Some will share their lunch
Others will keep what they have
And go away sad
Some are proud men
Of great importance
Some Synagogue teachers
Others will be preachers
Some are humble fishermen
Some carpenters
Some tax collectors
Despised to be sure
Others are just as ordinary
As you and me
Come join Jesus
on His path
See for yourself
What He has will last
Crystal clear water
That satisfies every thirst
Bread that is fresh
and fills every need
Every care can be placed at His feet
Hurry children
Come while you can
He is ready
He is waiting
Don't delay
This might be your big day
An ordinary day with Jesus
Extraordinary to be sure
Incomparable to anything
You might endure.
It will be curious
You will experience the incredible
The day will be amazing
Of that you can be sure
It's an ordinary extraordinary day with Jesus
Come sit at His feet
come crowd around
Listen with ears that hear
Open your eyes to see
Allow your heart to be touched
You will receive so much
Open your hands to serve
You have so much to gain
You'll never be the same
He sent His Spirit
To come along side
To comfort and edify
Invite Him to walk with you
To be at your side
Today and always
It is the delight of Jesus
To be with us
He'll show you the way
Don't delay
Come, come right away
Jesus is waiting
He's asked you to come
To join Him in life's
Greatest adventure
You'll never be the same
Don't you hear Him?
He is calling your name
Every ordinary day with Jesus
Of this you can be sure
Will be an extra ordinary extraordinary day!
with gratitude to my savior, Jesus the Christ, who invited me to join Him in extraordinary, ordinary days.
mary schmerker
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Treasure in Fragile Clay Jars
We have this treasure in fragile clay jars! (2nd Corinthians 4:7 and Jeremiah 32:14.)
An incredible thing happened yesterday. Ladies came to a Bible Study called JOY in Sugar Land ,Texas.
You would be justified to ask: "Why is that so incredible?" "Why on earth is attending a Bible Study remarkable?"
Well, for one thing, our average age is probably in the neighborhood of 70. Some come with walkers. One comes in a motorized wheel chair. Several are recently widowed. These factors by themselves are not what makes the attendance remarkable.
Some remarkable attendance factors: One person came yesterday after receiving a diagnosis of Breast Cancer the day before. Another came even though her husband is very ill. The mother of another attendee is was hospitalized and being very difficult. Others came with problems I don't even know about. They came!
Some arrived late. Others left early. Some chatted by the coffee pot even though their small groups had already begun. Others lingered by the coffee pot long after most had gone home.
All this is remarkable and wonderful. The ladies came. They shared what was happening in their lives. It wasn't a gripe or gossip session. They shared their lives with one another in the context of studying God's Word. They loved each other. They cried with and for each other. They laughed with each other and their burdens lightened.
When they left they carried the light and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ out into the world with them.
Now, that is remarkable. That is an achievement!
Lord, help us to always carry Your light and love out into the world. Amen.
An incredible thing happened yesterday. Ladies came to a Bible Study called JOY in Sugar Land ,Texas.
You would be justified to ask: "Why is that so incredible?" "Why on earth is attending a Bible Study remarkable?"
Well, for one thing, our average age is probably in the neighborhood of 70. Some come with walkers. One comes in a motorized wheel chair. Several are recently widowed. These factors by themselves are not what makes the attendance remarkable.
Some remarkable attendance factors: One person came yesterday after receiving a diagnosis of Breast Cancer the day before. Another came even though her husband is very ill. The mother of another attendee is was hospitalized and being very difficult. Others came with problems I don't even know about. They came!
Some arrived late. Others left early. Some chatted by the coffee pot even though their small groups had already begun. Others lingered by the coffee pot long after most had gone home.
All this is remarkable and wonderful. The ladies came. They shared what was happening in their lives. It wasn't a gripe or gossip session. They shared their lives with one another in the context of studying God's Word. They loved each other. They cried with and for each other. They laughed with each other and their burdens lightened.
When they left they carried the light and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ out into the world with them.
Now, that is remarkable. That is an achievement!
Lord, help us to always carry Your light and love out into the world. Amen.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Do You Believe in Miracles?
Yes!
Yes Lord I believe in miracles.........
Because I am one.
Each heart beat follows the previous heart beat.
Each breath follows the one before it.
The sun hangs in the sky and we do not burn up.
The moon lights the night sky and we do not freeze to death.
The planets hold to their prescribed courses.
The stars hang in the sky and do not crash to earth.
When the Stars fall they are a beautiful sight to be hold.
Year after year winter fades, spring arrives and the earth turns green once again.
All the while we watch in wonder from our place in this temporary island home ,
Planet Earth created by You Lord, for Your Glory,
We watch and wait with bated breath for You to return and take us to Your home in glory.
Yes Lord I believe in miracles.........
Because I am one.
Each heart beat follows the previous heart beat.
Each breath follows the one before it.
The sun hangs in the sky and we do not burn up.
The moon lights the night sky and we do not freeze to death.
The planets hold to their prescribed courses.
The stars hang in the sky and do not crash to earth.
When the Stars fall they are a beautiful sight to be hold.
Year after year winter fades, spring arrives and the earth turns green once again.
All the while we watch in wonder from our place in this temporary island home ,
Planet Earth created by You Lord, for Your Glory,
We watch and wait with bated breath for You to return and take us to Your home in glory.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Going Home
"Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for." Luke 2:3 (The Message)
Several years ago both of our sons were due home for Christmas on the same night. One was traveling in from UT Austin and the other flying in from the mountains of Utah with our first "grand dog". I waited at home for one to drive in and "grand dad" apprehensively drove to the airport to meet the other son and his rather large, fluffy, white Samoyed puppy. I was cooking favorite foods and waiting. Every time there was even the slightest noise I would run to the door to see if one or the other son had arrived. I couldn't wait to greet the boys and meet the grand dog! Suddenly everyone was there. Everyone was hugging and talking at once with the fluffy white Samoyed licking us joyfully.
The scene was very different in Bethlehem on that first Christmas. No one was waiting with the smell of food wafting from the doorway. No beds had been made. No one was there with open arms. Doors were shut. Was there scorn? Here was a very pregnant teenage bride with her future husband. They were seeking shelter and comfort. People must have looked the other way. The weary travelers were turned away. Their only refuge was a stable. Their only welcome the warm breath of the animals. Their only beds were made of rough scratchy hay. No waiting relatives with arms of comfort and love ready to embrace the weary couple and their infant son.
Is there someone or something that you need to welcome into your life this season? A friend, relative or even a stranger? A new idea? Or perhaps for the first time ever you might invite the Lord of Lords and King of Kings to dwell in your heart?
Lord, help us to open our hearts to others this season. Show us how to open our arms to those who are hurting. Please keep our minds open to new ideas and challenges. Open our hands to serve you, please. Most importantly open our hearts to receive your Son. Amen.
Several years ago both of our sons were due home for Christmas on the same night. One was traveling in from UT Austin and the other flying in from the mountains of Utah with our first "grand dog". I waited at home for one to drive in and "grand dad" apprehensively drove to the airport to meet the other son and his rather large, fluffy, white Samoyed puppy. I was cooking favorite foods and waiting. Every time there was even the slightest noise I would run to the door to see if one or the other son had arrived. I couldn't wait to greet the boys and meet the grand dog! Suddenly everyone was there. Everyone was hugging and talking at once with the fluffy white Samoyed licking us joyfully.
The scene was very different in Bethlehem on that first Christmas. No one was waiting with the smell of food wafting from the doorway. No beds had been made. No one was there with open arms. Doors were shut. Was there scorn? Here was a very pregnant teenage bride with her future husband. They were seeking shelter and comfort. People must have looked the other way. The weary travelers were turned away. Their only refuge was a stable. Their only welcome the warm breath of the animals. Their only beds were made of rough scratchy hay. No waiting relatives with arms of comfort and love ready to embrace the weary couple and their infant son.
Is there someone or something that you need to welcome into your life this season? A friend, relative or even a stranger? A new idea? Or perhaps for the first time ever you might invite the Lord of Lords and King of Kings to dwell in your heart?
Lord, help us to open our hearts to others this season. Show us how to open our arms to those who are hurting. Please keep our minds open to new ideas and challenges. Open our hands to serve you, please. Most importantly open our hearts to receive your Son. Amen.
Friday, December 2, 2011
The Empty Page
Four hundred years of silence!
Four hundred years of drought!
Not a single drop of refreshing, hope filled words from the Lord God Almighty.
Silence.
Was Yahweh finished?
Was HIS word complete?
Would the Lord of the universe ever speak again?
Would HE send a new prophet?
Silence.
Four hundred years of silence.
Had the people of the promise finally exhausted God?
Was God exasperated with HIS people?
The faithful waited patiently in a spiritually dry climate.
Lord, how quickly we grow weary of waiting. We are an instant messaging generation. We want microwave responses. we crave instant gratification. Could we have survived four hundred years without your fresh life giving word?
Lord, we praise and thank you for your living word. We praise and magnify your name because you sent us your living word to walk among us every day of our lives. You, in your great mercy sent us your son, Jesus the Christ. No matter how many words of thanks we ever express, they will never be sufficient to thank you for this indescribable gift, your Son,Jesus the Christ, Emanuel. The "with us", ever present Lord willing to walk with us every day of our lives. Amen
Monday, September 27, 2010
Journeys, Spiritual and Otherwise
When our sons were still young we decided to take vacations to see the magnificent country we live in. We realized that once our sons were teenagers they would have jobs, friends, and obligations to sports teams that might interfere with long vacations.
The first few vacations taught us a number of things: how to plan our trips, where and who to turn to for information, equipment we would need and special things to pack. We did not camp out, unless you consider Motel 6 camping out, but we did cook a number of our meals on a propane camp stove or over a wood fire when it was allowed and available.
While all our vacations were memorable certain ones stand out. In 1981 with son Jeff 10 years old and son John 6 we set out for Calgary, Canada. We were going to see glaciers and lots of mountains and wildlife. John who has been called "Charge" since birth was very talkative and the life of the party.
When we reached Waterton Lakes National Park in Calgary Canada we decided to hike to see Angel Glacier on Mount Edith Cavell. It was considered a steep climb but not difficult.I have often compared my spiritual growth to this particular hike.
The start of the hike was on smooth terrain. It might have been considered wheelchair accessible. This portion of the trail was a circular hike that took us to a viewing point where we could see the glacier. We were not satisfied with the distant view and launched off on a 8km hike across a moraine, into a forest and finally to an alpine meadow above the tree line.
As we climbed we could see the glacier from different angles. Sometimes we would loose sight of it all together. Charge would talk to those who were returning. He would ask how far we had to go and was the view better where they had been. Sometimes we would find ourselves walking down hill only to have another hill to climb. Those we met coming down encouraged us to keep climbing saying: "you are almost there." Or "the view gets better farther up." Charge would also offer his own commentary about the glacier from each view point. "Look, it looks like an airplane" or "It looks dirty" or "Now it looks like an angel with only one wing."
When we finally reached the alpine meadow we had a magnificent view. Charge was absolutely delighted and exclaimed to everyone who would listen: "It looks like Jesus on the Cross!"
Weather can change quickly and dramatically in the mountains. We were surprised to suddenly find ourselves in clouds with huge icy drops of rain pelting us and thunder and lightening seeming to crash all around us.
We started a mad dash for the tree line choosing to be the smaller of targets for the lightening rather than the tallest objects on a treeless hill.
We were soaked before we reached the car. I carried Charge the last part of the way pressing his little body close to mine. His teeth were chattering and it seemed to me that he might be close to hypothermia as his speech was slurred and he did not seem to make much sense.
When we reached the car we stripped Charge and put dry clothes on him and we wrapped Jeff and Charge in blankets to warm up.
My spiritual journey has been a lot like that hike. At times the journey is steep and the going is hard. At other times the journey is easy and fun.
My prospective changes from time to time and I look at life differently than I did when I was younger.
Here are a few of the lessons I have learned during my spiritual "hike".
Friends who encourage you to keep climbing through life's rough spots are invaluable.
Asking others for help is not a sign of weakness but an opportunity to learn from someone who has walked that path before you.
You can learn from those who are younger than you are as well as from those who are older.
Gathering information (studying God's word in the Bible) is a necessary tool for the trip.
You may get pelted with unfavorable circumstances and situations but don't be discouraged.
A change of dry clothes or an attitude change can make a world of difference. Praying: Lord, change me is a powerful tool to employ along life's path.
There will be a hug and a warm fuzzy blanket at the end of the day when you curl up with Jesus and say your prayers of Thanksgiving to the ONE who breathed life into your nostrils.
With praise and thanksgiving to THE ONE who lights my path and makes the climb enjoyable!
The first few vacations taught us a number of things: how to plan our trips, where and who to turn to for information, equipment we would need and special things to pack. We did not camp out, unless you consider Motel 6 camping out, but we did cook a number of our meals on a propane camp stove or over a wood fire when it was allowed and available.
While all our vacations were memorable certain ones stand out. In 1981 with son Jeff 10 years old and son John 6 we set out for Calgary, Canada. We were going to see glaciers and lots of mountains and wildlife. John who has been called "Charge" since birth was very talkative and the life of the party.
When we reached Waterton Lakes National Park in Calgary Canada we decided to hike to see Angel Glacier on Mount Edith Cavell. It was considered a steep climb but not difficult.I have often compared my spiritual growth to this particular hike.
The start of the hike was on smooth terrain. It might have been considered wheelchair accessible. This portion of the trail was a circular hike that took us to a viewing point where we could see the glacier. We were not satisfied with the distant view and launched off on a 8km hike across a moraine, into a forest and finally to an alpine meadow above the tree line.
As we climbed we could see the glacier from different angles. Sometimes we would loose sight of it all together. Charge would talk to those who were returning. He would ask how far we had to go and was the view better where they had been. Sometimes we would find ourselves walking down hill only to have another hill to climb. Those we met coming down encouraged us to keep climbing saying: "you are almost there." Or "the view gets better farther up." Charge would also offer his own commentary about the glacier from each view point. "Look, it looks like an airplane" or "It looks dirty" or "Now it looks like an angel with only one wing."
When we finally reached the alpine meadow we had a magnificent view. Charge was absolutely delighted and exclaimed to everyone who would listen: "It looks like Jesus on the Cross!"
Weather can change quickly and dramatically in the mountains. We were surprised to suddenly find ourselves in clouds with huge icy drops of rain pelting us and thunder and lightening seeming to crash all around us.
We started a mad dash for the tree line choosing to be the smaller of targets for the lightening rather than the tallest objects on a treeless hill.
We were soaked before we reached the car. I carried Charge the last part of the way pressing his little body close to mine. His teeth were chattering and it seemed to me that he might be close to hypothermia as his speech was slurred and he did not seem to make much sense.
When we reached the car we stripped Charge and put dry clothes on him and we wrapped Jeff and Charge in blankets to warm up.
My spiritual journey has been a lot like that hike. At times the journey is steep and the going is hard. At other times the journey is easy and fun.
My prospective changes from time to time and I look at life differently than I did when I was younger.
Here are a few of the lessons I have learned during my spiritual "hike".
Friends who encourage you to keep climbing through life's rough spots are invaluable.
Asking others for help is not a sign of weakness but an opportunity to learn from someone who has walked that path before you.
You can learn from those who are younger than you are as well as from those who are older.
Gathering information (studying God's word in the Bible) is a necessary tool for the trip.
You may get pelted with unfavorable circumstances and situations but don't be discouraged.
A change of dry clothes or an attitude change can make a world of difference. Praying: Lord, change me is a powerful tool to employ along life's path.
There will be a hug and a warm fuzzy blanket at the end of the day when you curl up with Jesus and say your prayers of Thanksgiving to the ONE who breathed life into your nostrils.
With praise and thanksgiving to THE ONE who lights my path and makes the climb enjoyable!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
It's All About Relationship
Find it, Live it, Catch it Give it…..Away!
An Image of his Father
Pastor Jon Sims frequently brings his three boys to church with him. I love seeing them. They sit with him. They walk beside him in the recessional. They are very much at home in the church and that is so good. Robin’s twins are equally at home in the church. They are as familiar with the church as they are with their own home. I love seeing children totally at home in the church!
To my way of thinking that is how it should be.
The first Sunday in September I happened to be in the Book store during the 11:15 service. I had taken Communion to a home bound member between services and got back too late to attend the later service. Noah Sims was in the book store quietly playing a game with a young girl. I heard them spell out Bible and Prayer. Joyce Cohen, in charge of the First Place Book store, realized that Communion was beginning. She turned and asked if Noah and his companion would like to go to Communion.
Confusion temporarily crossed the young girls face. Noah’s face immediately lit up with a broad smile as he stood up. He seemed to almost simultaneously say: “Yes, I want to go to Communion” while he cupped his hands as if to receive the wafer saying to the girl: “You know, Communion”. Confusion left the girls face and she gladly followed Noah and Joyce out of the bookstore. There was sheer delight on their faces.
There was a brief moment when I saw on Noah’s face the reflection of his father’s face. Here was this man child leading another to an encounter with the Lord Jesus. The look was fleeting but it was there. Oh how I wished that I could capture it on film.
What Joy it brought to my heart. Just remembering it brings me close to tears.
Relationships are contagious. A joyous relationship with our Lord Jesus is the most contagious of all relationships.
When His Joy radiates from your face, and a relationship with our living Lord Jesus shines brightly in your life, others are drawn to you.
Catch it, and then give it away!
I love the way Hebrews 1: 1-3 is expressed in The Message
Verse 3 says:
“The Son (Jesus) perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says -- powerful words!”
"The Son, perfectly mirrors The Father."
Let’s meet Paul in Philippians. Once Paul encountered the living Christ he was a totally changed person. One who had a relationship with the Lord that was so contagious it continually got him in trouble.
An Image of his Father
Pastor Jon Sims frequently brings his three boys to church with him. I love seeing them. They sit with him. They walk beside him in the recessional. They are very much at home in the church and that is so good. Robin’s twins are equally at home in the church. They are as familiar with the church as they are with their own home. I love seeing children totally at home in the church!
To my way of thinking that is how it should be.
The first Sunday in September I happened to be in the Book store during the 11:15 service. I had taken Communion to a home bound member between services and got back too late to attend the later service. Noah Sims was in the book store quietly playing a game with a young girl. I heard them spell out Bible and Prayer. Joyce Cohen, in charge of the First Place Book store, realized that Communion was beginning. She turned and asked if Noah and his companion would like to go to Communion.
Confusion temporarily crossed the young girls face. Noah’s face immediately lit up with a broad smile as he stood up. He seemed to almost simultaneously say: “Yes, I want to go to Communion” while he cupped his hands as if to receive the wafer saying to the girl: “You know, Communion”. Confusion left the girls face and she gladly followed Noah and Joyce out of the bookstore. There was sheer delight on their faces.
There was a brief moment when I saw on Noah’s face the reflection of his father’s face. Here was this man child leading another to an encounter with the Lord Jesus. The look was fleeting but it was there. Oh how I wished that I could capture it on film.
What Joy it brought to my heart. Just remembering it brings me close to tears.
Relationships are contagious. A joyous relationship with our Lord Jesus is the most contagious of all relationships.
When His Joy radiates from your face, and a relationship with our living Lord Jesus shines brightly in your life, others are drawn to you.
Catch it, and then give it away!
I love the way Hebrews 1: 1-3 is expressed in The Message
Verse 3 says:
“The Son (Jesus) perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says -- powerful words!”
"The Son, perfectly mirrors The Father."
Let’s meet Paul in Philippians. Once Paul encountered the living Christ he was a totally changed person. One who had a relationship with the Lord that was so contagious it continually got him in trouble.
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