Spiritual Lessons

December 21, 2023 Image

Chaos-Peace, Grief-Joy, Calamity-Grace, Darkness-Light

What Is the Title Saying? Alternative Realities?

In this crazy, upside-down world of 2023, we may face chaos, grief, calamity, and the darkness of evil. The Bible tells us we will: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33 NIV). Yet, God doesn’t desert us. That same verse begins by saying, “I have told you these things so that in ME you may have peace.” Can we also taste God’s inner peace, joy, grace, and light in our troubles? Impossible you may think, but Jesus promises us it is true.

The Presence of God in the Darkness of Grief

As a person who has walked through some pain, both emotional and physical, I can testify to the presence of God even in the gravest of my calamities. As I wrestled with the pain of grief and loss, “God showed up.” Unmistakeably! I realize such a phrase sounds trite when referring to an Almighty God, Creator of ALL! It is an amazing spiritual dimension, not unlike living in alternative universes at once. When I thought I could not go on, I felt God’s presence and encouragement to take one more step.

God Still Had a Plan for Me

Through people, scripture, song lyrics, and even in the silent darkness of my grief, God reminded me He had good plans for my life. “‘I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope,“‘ (Jeremiah 29:11 NASB). I didn’t know the future, but God did. I could trust God in my plight to take another step, to live another day. Did I feel “merry”? Not at all. I wept through the first Christmas I was alone. I did not want to attend any parties with friends. I mourned. I grieved. I was miserable. BUT …

God Was with Me

Did I know I was loved? Yes. God assured me He was with me. The One who knit me in my mother’s womb, who knew me better than I knew myself was beside me. The 23rd Psalm I learned as a child became real: “Even though I walk through the valley of the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me ….,” (Psalm 23:4-5 NIV). I started running to give an outlet to my emotional pain. Because I was a working mom, I ran at night. (Not smart, I know.) When everything around me shifted, giving me no sense of security or future hope, God whispered His love to me. What had once been “knowledge” of my faith, became the assurance of my faith in a very real God.

Lazurus, Job, Moses, Peter, and So Many More

In Proverbs 13:12 (NASB): “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”  God shows us many instances of desire fulfilled after loss of hope in the Bible. One time, He even raised a dead man back to life! Talk about God showing up! The family had been grieving the death of their loved one, Lazurus when they had hoped Jesus would heal him, but no. Jesus came too late. Instead, Jesus raised Lazurus to life.

Of course, the book of Job tells the story of much loss, but then … healing and even prosperity came again.

Moses had given up on his dreams as he labored on the back side of the desert instead of enjoying the lifestyle of the King’s son. Then, God shows up and speaks to him through a burning bush that was not extinguishable. Suddenly, he was being called out for a God-sized purpose.

Peter was under arrest by King Herod while the believers in a home church prayed for him. Lo and behold, an angel visited the prison cell and he was miraculously set free.

Christmas Reminders of Hope, Peace, Joy, and God’s Beautiful Grace – No Matter What

Why am I sharing these miraculous events and discussing deep, dark losses on the cusp of our Christmas celebration? I do so because I know many people are struggling right now: finances, job loss, relationship fractures, children at odds with parents, a broken justice system, the turning of America away from God and His will, the evil we saw in Israel, and on and on. You may or may not be feeling the personal impact of some of these things, but at some point, some day, you may.

Here’s what I want you to remember. God is waiting for us to reach out for Him, for His whispers of love, His answers to prayers, His presence in the dark nights of the soul when we feel so alone. We can have peace, hope, grace enough to walk through the fires, and even a sense of joy as a child of God. James 4:8 reminds us to draw near to God, and He will draw near to us. He is waiting to take your hand now. He will lift you up and give you a future. Jesus came to Earth so we could have this awesome relationship with the God of the  Universe as forgiven and cherished “children.” Unbelievable! Yet TRUE.

Draw near to the Lord and tell Him you are ready for Him to take your hand. He will lead you into your hope and purpose.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here is a new Michael W. Smith Christmas song. Give it a listen!

 

 

July 13, 2023

Walking Hand in Hand with Our Father

unrecognizable black father with son holding hands on city road
Photo by Anete Lusina on Pexels.com

The Hand of the Father

I recently saw the movie, The Sound of Freedom. The drama is based on a true story of a man who worked for Homeland Security capturing the “bad guys” who were trafficking children. But, he couldn’t leave it there after learning of a particular young boy and girl who had been stolen from their loving father’s care through a ruse. The real-life hero ends up rescuing many children who had been trafficked, even at the expense of his job. Those sweet kids were eventually reunited with their good earthly father. If you haven’t seen this important movie, and you can deal with reality, I suggest you go. Share it with others too.

America’s Sad Role in Trafficking Children

Sadly, did you know the United States is the recipient of the largest number of children BOUGHT and SOLD into SLAVERY? These young innocents are trapped in a life time of slavery where their hearts, minds, and bodies are abused daily. Right here in our land of the free! I can only imagine how desperate and hopeless they must feel.

Realizing how America as a nation is complicit in this sex trafficking should move us all to speak and act.

Through my tears at the movie, I remembered my “safe” childhood and I prayed for all the children across the globe who are not. I realize in speaking to this unspeakable reality that some who read this may have been abused without being trafficked. Your pain was real, and was inescapable at the time.

Trafficked and abused kids need advocates. They need us to step in and free them from slavery as real as the slavery of the 1800s. They also need to know they have a Father in Heaven who will never leave them.

Hands of Love

In my childhood, my daddy was my hero–as it should be, for all children, if we lived in the world God intended, not one wracked with sin. Was my father a perfect example of an amazing, most godly man? Not entirely. Yet, he was my hero and I never suffered abuse. He loved me unconditionally, and supported me throughout my life. I always knew I could count on him. He was trustworthy. When I hurt, he comforted me, and yes, he took my small hand in his large one so many times.

Reminded of comfort, the other day I was exhausted from caregiving our senior “pup.” I decided to lay down in the afternoon to catch up on lost sleep. My bedroom was darkened, the fan was going, and soothing Christian music played on my phone. I had a flashback to my childhood.

Safe

On hot summer days, before the era of home air conditioning (imagine that), my mom would spread an old, but silky comforter on the floor with an oscillating fan blowing nearby. That’s where I was to nap. I recalled the feeling of being loved and SAFE laying on Mom’s blue comforter with the fan blowing back and forth. Such a tender memory.

Of course, my desire is for ALL children to feel safe and loved. May we get laws changed to halt this disturbing destruction of God’s children. As the line in the movie states, “God’s children are not for sale.”

God’s Hand in Mine

In my lifetime, I have experienced disappointment and tragedy like most of us have in one form or another. In those difficult days, I wondered what my next step would be when everything I knew and loved was gone. “But God….”

As a younger woman, I ran at night to escape my emotional pain and to help me find sleep. At my lowest moments, with no other source to lift my pain, I felt the presence of God Almighty. Unmistakeably, God took my hand. I was not running alone. He was with me and I knew it with certainty.

Max Lucado, prolific Christian author and teacher, wrote: “But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.”

When my earthly father took my little hand in his enormous one, I knew I was not alone and he would see me through. Just as my dad provided for his little girl, my Perfect Father in Heaven takes my hand even today. Through the thick and thin of this ever-darkening world, I know He will not forsake or leave me.

Or you —

“You’re a Good, Good Father” by Chris Tomlin

April 1, 2023

Believing and Grieving

Finding Hope Even in Grief

When our hearts ache at loss, injustice, disease or betrayal, how can we experience joy? Is it impossible? For me the words of Matthew 28:6 hold the ultimate answer. For those who agree, please read on. I find this truth valuable for those searching for answers, and for those of us who have chosen to believe in Jesus Christ.

Some religions offer good advice and positive principles. Many (though not all) teach kindness and love. Jesus Christ taught and modeled the attributes he called spiritual fruit, the results of becoming “better people” as we trust and yield our sinful ways to God. Yes, Christians also believe in goodness, kindness, love, patience, gentleness, and self-control among many other attributes. To be sure, the Bible is a wealth of truth a person can spend a lifetime learning how to apply. Yet there is one major distinction between other faiths and Christianity.

Only Jesus Has Risen from the Dead

No other faith has a solution for the inevitable gap between a Holy God and sinful humanity! Christianity is set apart from all other religious faiths for this reason: Jesus is the only human (God-man) to have died and risen from the grave. This gift of Jesus’s sacrifice creates a bridge so we can have relationship with a perfect God.

Heaven-Bound

I have HOPE because Earth is not my forever home! This makes me smile even writing it now. Ever since Satan (Lucifer) defied God, in a foolish attempted-coup, Earth has been plagued with his evil influence. Scripture tells us this will be so until Jesus Christ returns to gather his believers. We have the promise that in Heaven there will be no evil. No more tears. No more sorrow. No more disease. NO MORE DEATH!

We Are Not Defenseless.

As one who believes in the resurrection of Christ, can I thrive in the chaos here on Earth? Or just survive? In Romans 15:13, it declares we can have hope here and now. God did not abandon us or leave us alone in this swamp. I’m not suggesting we won’t have times of sorrow, disappointment, or grief. But, God didn’t abandon us either.

Tools for living in victory include the spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, given to us after Jesus returned to Heaven. The Holy Spirit lives in me. Yes, God in me, not to be confused with me being God, or even a little “g” god. God imparts his spirit for my blessing, for my understanding, so I can grow in my likeness of Christ.

We have also been given spiritual armor (Ephesians 6) so we can withstand the spiritual war we face with our enemy, Satan. There is nothing he can do to destroy us when we wear our shield of faith and use our sword of the Spirit (words of truth from Scripture). Turn to Ephesians 6:10-18, and learn the ways God has provided for us. Do not neglect to put on your spiritual protection to face the challenges of each new day. Read the Bible, pray daily, keep your mind focused on God, not man, and stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel!

SO … “May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.” (Romans 15:13)

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

“In Christ Alone, my hope is found …”
December 20, 2022

Christmas Peace – Attainable or Not?

Silent Night. Holy Night. All is calm. All is bright.

Christmas peace? Have you figured out how to attain peace in the flurry of America’s holiday? Most people I know are racing the clock trying to get their to-do list done! Check. Check. Check. Food planning, shopping, and preparing is a top consumer of our energies. But, then, sadly, we have many who are not even sure if they will have food to eat or where they will lay their heads. Our attention is drawn to their needs as well. We also have the special events to add to our calendars. All good.

But, many folks are tired, while praying to experience a few “Hallmark moments” with their families and friends before all is done. How do we lay hold of this Christmas Peace? Is it even possible … ?

Was the First Christmas Silent?

Thinking on a descriptor of the historic first Christmas, the word “silent” might be a stretch. Without doubt, it was a holy scene as the newborn Christ child entered our world. Who would have imagined God would send his Son in the form of a human baby?

But, when the angels sang the night Jesus was born, they boldly proclaimed the good news from the starlit skies. In addition, it was probably not silent as Mary delivered God’s son. There were birth pangs. Her body was fully human as was the child she carried. She no doubt cried. Baby Jesus must have cried with his first breaths to exercise and clear his lungs. Were the animals so dumbstruck they stood without a single moooo or baaaa? Not likely.

“Silent Night” Calls My Seeking Heart

What does your heart yearn for? What does my heart seek? I long for God’s presence in my busyness. I hunger for those moments when my heart is undistracted. God calls me to sit with him and listen. He desires me to know His peace, the one that passes all human understanding, (Philippians 4:7).

Therefore, in reflecting on the reason my favorite church service is Christmas Eve, I believe it reveals my heartfelt desire. Christmas eve (as celebrated in my church) reveals my quest for peace. As we sing “Silent Night,” candles flicker, illuminating the sanctuary with a soft light. Everyone’s face is aglow. The familiar Carol resonates in its simple truth as we give thanks to God for His wonderful gift of Christ.

“Silent Night” – a Glimpse of “Heavenly Peace”

This “Silent Night Moment” is a glimpse of God’s greatest gift – his presence in the midst of it all. On a personal level, my life can get over-booked and over-committed. Necessary responsibilities remind me of all that is yet undone on “my lists.” I don’t see much peace in our chaotic world.

However, it is not SILENCE I crave. It is God’s PEACE. The definition of peace is “a state of tranquility or quiet.” It is God with us — Immanuel! “Sleep in heavenly peace …” the refrain sings out.

My Prayer for You

This Christmas I send my prayers for you to embrace this beautiful peace God has for each of us. Think on the wonderful gift of Jesus, and how He is WITH you whenever and wherever you are.

May He lift your burdens as scripture says in Matthew 11:28-30: “I will give you rest.” What a promise to our world-weary hearts. Merry Christmas and peace to you in this holy season.

Until we meet again …

Listen and watch this beautiful music video to calm your spirit.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=19L_Gnul8Rc&feature=sharehttps://music.youtube.com/watch?v=19L_Gnul8Rc&feature=share

view of a beautiful sunset
October 2, 2022

What Makes a Friend a Friend?

Photo by Saeid Anvar on Pexels.com

Losing a Close Friend Is Not Easy

A few weeks ago I had been inspired to write on God’s faithful love to pursue us no matter what we do or wherever we go. But life happened, as they say, and now I must write from a new perspective.

“This” happened: We lost a very close friend–sooner than we thought we would. At our mature ages, loss happens more often than we’d like. I have found we must hold close what we have while we have it, yet freely release our loved ones into God’s hands when it’s time. This is not profound, but it can be forgotten in our hectic daily responsibilities. So simple. So true. Yet so often forgotten.

Loss can happen anytime, but sometimes it catches us by surprise. Even when we expect someone may beat us to Heaven, the loss for our day-to-day living remains. It can hurt even when we know our dear one is rejoicing, healed and whole, in Heaven.

Acquaintances come and go in our lives, but friends are different. I believe most people realize how friendships enrich our lives. I pray you have had the joy of knowing at least one true friendship in your lifetime and maybe many more.

Yet we are mortal, and we don’t always have the privilege of living all of our days with a dear friend, who sticks “closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 promises our true friends do not leave us, even in difficult times. This kind of friendship comes with a commitment and an agape love — higher than human friendship based on common interests. Also, in Proverbs 17:17, we read how a friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. The only way this can be true is when the relationship is Christ-centered, not based on a common interest. Why? Our interests and desires will change over time and then friends often drift apart.

What exactly is a friend? I’ve pondered my friendships as I look back over the years. Some elements remain the same. When I was little, I played and laughed and sometimes even cried with my best friends. When I became a teenager, I also played and laughed and sometimes cried with my friends. Oh, yes, we did experience emotional bonding in those days.

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

As a mature adult, my friends share more in common with me than how well we “play” together. Sometimes that means we have common interests or hobbies, but that is not the glue that binds us. The truest of my friends and I share a similar worldview. That also means our motives are similar, which tends to drive our choices in life.

A true friend will love in all situations, even if it means having that difficult talk–the “speaking the truth in love” talk (Ephesians 4:15)–perhaps the you-have-strayed-from-God’s-path-talk. Even when we don’t share the same joys and interests, we hold fast to even more vital, eternal perspectives. When the love of God is a part of this friend equation, then we can experience true Christian fellowship, even in adversity.

Our dear friend, Wayne Parrish, was an overall “good person,” but that’s not why we were friends. He was not perfect, any more than the rest of us. However, we had the privilege of sharing life from its highs to its lows, from the most enjoyable times to the direst of circumstances. We shared our faith in Christ, which was the glue that held our friendship together. We laughed, we loved, we respected one another. His passing will leave an empty place in our lives. Thank God we have memories of all the times we shared, and a present joy for his eternal reward in Heaven. I have no doubt he is worshipping his Lord and Savior now and is fully healed with a heavenly body. I can’t wait to join him one day. What a grand reunion it will be.

If we can learn anything from this little post, it would be to never take a single day for granted. Cherish life, serve those God puts in our paths, and never miss the opportunity to tell someone you love them.

May the Lord bless you week ahead, and show you who He has given you to cherish daily.

June 15, 2022

Speaking Light into Darkness

A biblical scene – of Jesus Christ landing a hand for help with the sun shining near his face

An Aching America – A Hurting World

As I listened to the words of a new (to me) song this morning, I found my heart in the lyrics. I have to be honest, tears flowed from my eyes as I heard it. Have you ever had music speak to you like that? Here’s a taste: “I just want to speak the name of Jesus over every heart and every mind ’cause I know there is peace within your presence–I speak Jesus. I just want to speak the name of Jesus ’til every dark addiction starts to break, declaring there is hope and there is freedom — I speak Jesus.”

Good News

Here’s what I see. There is sooooo much going on, and the pandemic accentuated what was already hurting. I could make a list of the “things gone wrong,” but I won’t. You have eyes, ears, and you are walking in this messed up world like I am. So I am going to speak truth to brokenness, bring Good News to seeking hearts.

The Deep Stuff

Yes, folks. There is good news! But, in my heart of hearts, I believe the choices for finding answers, real answers to what hurts so bad, is found not in fixing things. “Fixing” always makes us feel victorious for a short time. It could eliminate a source of aggravation, frustration, and even raw physical pain if we need healing. But, it’s the deeper hurt of which I speak.

Need Inner Healing?

How do we find the source of healing for the wrongful things other broken people have imposed on us? Maybe we were little innocent kids when it happened. Maybe we were impressionable teens who needed a positive influence, but found none. Maybe we were adults trying our best to make a life for ourselves and our children, and we experienced rejection or loss. Heart pain. Trying to figure out how to live life with joy?

Answers with Eternal Consequences

Oh, how I would love to carry a light into your life, even if only a spark the size of a match. But, much more is available! I would give you Jesus. We may grieve, but we do not grieve without hope. God never tells us not to grieve, but not to grieve like those without hope. We have answers beyond the grave! No one will ever find the body of Jesus because his tomb is empty – he was raised from the dead. And, he is coming back for us. “So you must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him,” Matthew 24:42-44 (NIV). He WILL come. Look up and be encouraged. Be ready.

Here’s the link to this beautiful song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v-PiaVb8j_nbw

February 13, 2022

INTRODUCING “ROMANCE” AND A GUEST

Hello to Donna Schlacter

I am excited to introduce you to a romance and suspense novelist who is also my guest blogger today. Donna Schlacter, also known as Leeann Betts, is a known as a hybrid author, who writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published 50 times in books and is a member of several esteemed writers groups. She teaches writing, facilitates a critique group, ghostwrites, edits, and judges writing contests. Donna loves history and research, and travels extensively for both. You will find her latest book cover and her personal photo below. Enjoy her blog entry!

The Essence of Love

by Donna Schlachter writing as Leeann Betts

You don’t believe it, but there it is–when you least expect it, when you really don’t want it, or you think its passed you by, when it seems like a burden, a blessing, or simply a bad day, when you don’t remember what a kiss is–except something made Hershey’s–there it is…Cupid and and his arrow.

Why is it that it always happens when you least expect it? Someone much wiser than me said that love is like a butterfly–the more you chase after it, the harder it is to find. We spend our lives looking for that elusive one who will make us complete. When we find that person, we call them our soulmate. Do you know why that is?

Because that’s how God created us–with a part of us missing. Some may call it our urge to procreate. Some call it our ego looking for the one who can and will fulfill itself. I call it the plan of God.

The Bible says that God created man, and that no animal was found that was a suitable companion for him. And so, God took a part of man and created woman. He took the feminine part of man, the part that operates on intuition, verbal communication, and touch, to create the perfect mate. Each creation has something the other wants. Each creation requires the other to be complete. Each creation requires the other to continue the species.

What a wonderful plan–to create us as individuals yet create us to need each other. God’s plan in the physical mirrors His plan for the spiritual. God created human beings for fellowship with Him, because nothing else He had created was suitable for that purpose. He created us with free will, because love without a choice is not love, but slavery. He created us in the form of a trinity, just as He is a Trinity. And He breathed into us His very essence. His breath of life, His spirit. That is the missing link between animal and man. Only it’s not missing and has never been missing. It is the essence of God in us.

ALWAYS A WEDDING PLANNER

If you love romance stories, you’ll enjoy reading Donna’s Always a Wedding Planner and The Worst Kept Secret. Discover how keeping secrets from each other threatens four women’s friendships, wedding business, and own ability to find love in Loveland, CO.

Check it out here: https://tinyurl.com/snczsf9x

Books on Amazon: https//amzn.to/2ci5Xqq

or Donna’s website: http://www.DonnaSchlacter.com

Stay connected and learn about new releases, preorders, and presales. Receive a free ebook for signing up for her free newsletter! http://www.DonnaSchlachter.com/blog

August 12, 2021

FaceTime

Redeemer hugging unhappy man, faith in God, spiritual protection, eternity

FaceTime with God?

One frustrating day, I felt no peace. I knew I needed some quality quiet time. Then, I cried out, “I need FaceTime with Jesus!” It made me laugh, but at the same time, I recognized the bold truth I had spoken.

During Covid, I couldn’t wait to FaceTime or Zoom with our kids and their families. I needed that personal face-to-face time with my loves. Though the digital presence of our precious ones wasn’t nearly as wonderful as in-person hugs, it was still refreshing to my lonely heart.

IN PERSON WITH JESUS?

Today we don’t have the privilege of running up to Jesus for a physical hug, or even falling on our knees to worship in his physical presence. But, God assures us in Deuteronomy 31:6, we can be strong because He never leaves us. He explained to his disciples about the all-important Gift he would leave when he went back to Heaven–the Holy Spirit of God would dwell within us here on Earth. (Acts 1)

JACOB – NEED FOR TIMEOUT WITH GOD

In Genesis 32, there is a most intriguing scripture passage about Jacob. If you remember Jacob, he was a conniver, always seeking to make himself top-dog, so to speak. He even cheated his brother out of his inheritance through his lies and deceit. Well, God placed dear Jacob in a situation–a situation where Jacob was alone, where God finally had his full attention. In verses 21-32, Jacob wrestles with “someone” all through the night.

With whom did Jacob wrestle? In verse 28, the wrestling man tells Jacob, “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” Then in verse 30, Jacob names the place where this occurred, Peniel (which means “face of God”). In his own words, Jacob said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” God knew he had to have a face-to-face meeting with his boy Jacob in order to get his life turned around.

BUT WHAT ABOUT ME?

So how does this work in my life? In yours? We know Holy Spirit is available to us if we believe what Jesus said. All we have to do is ask for him to come into our lives. We know God has endowed His word with truths to direct our paths. Holy Spirit, one of the three persons of the Trinity of God, enlightens our minds as we study the inspired words. And … to “FaceTime” with Jesus, you need only pray and listen as you study His Word. Even if your only known words are, “Help!” God hears, draws near, and is with you. In James 4:8, one of my favorite verses, we are consoled: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

I pray your day is blessed as you make time to spiritually draw near to God. We all need Him to give us His peace which passes all human understanding in these days of much striving and contention.

Sending love and hugs … from me to you.

Galatians 6:9 “Don’t be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

[https://www.givehim15.com – a valuable prayer resource]

Biblegateway.com (NIV)

June 7, 2021

Oh, to Know Him …

Think of someone you love with your whole heart– someone you want to spend time with, someone who loves you too. This is a relationship where you are known, even with your foibles and imperfections, yet loved deeply. That’s how God, the Creator of all the Universes, feels about you. Yes, you. And, yes, me. How do I know? “The Bible tells me so.”

In the book of Genesis, Jacob, the twin brother of Esau, was a guy with a troubling track record. He was a self-absorbed schemer and swindler. He stole his brother’s inheritance by tricking his father as he was dying. Jacob knew there was a Jehovah God, Yahweh. Yet, there was a distance between Jacob and God. No wonder with Jacob’s deceitful heart. He always referred to God as the father of Abraham and Isaac (Jacob’s father). We could describe his view of God as formal, not intimate. I would go further to say I doubt in his early years, he “knew” God at all.

One night Jacob had a vivid dream (Genesis 28). As a child, you may have sung “Jacob’s Ladder” retelling this biblical account. He dreamed of a ladder with angels climbing up and down from Heaven. Then, during the dream, the Lord spoke to Jacob and made a promise to him about his future inheritance and the blessings to be poured out on his descendants. Jacob awakened, knowing the Lord had visited him. Yet, even after this encounter, he had the audacity to say he wasn’t sure whether or not to make Yahweh his God. He leveraged this tenuous relationship by vowing he would make God his God, IF God blessed him. That sounds a little like what we call “foxhole prayers,” those prayers of desperation. “If you let me live, God, I’ll become a Christian.” Jacob obviously did not have a connection to his father’s God. I would add, it’s also good that God Almighty is a patient God with much mercy for his petulant children.

Two decades later, Jacob had a second encounter with God, which changed the dynamics of their relationship. This time God was so personal and powerful that Jacob referred to the place as Penuel, which means “face of God.” Now instead of seeing God as an impersonal ruler, Jacob saw an affectionate Father. The Hebrew word for face is paneh —  presence. We don’t see God’s face in a physical way, but the Scripture tells us again and again that we can live in His presence. Later Jacob finds himself alone with God, and God takes him on — they wrestle! I can’t even imagine. There is much more to the story here, but I will add that God wanted Jacob to acknowledge his selfish heart. God had some big plans for Jacob, but first Jacob had to yield. God wanted Jacob to stop being a selfish conniver, and become transformed by God’s love, wisdom, and grace.

If you have ever had a loving, transparent relationship with another human being, whether it was a spouse, parent, or maybe even a child, you know it is a treasure. I remember fondly how I enjoyed sitting across the small kitchen table with my dad when I was an “adult child.” We had a connection. I understood how much he loved me, and he knew how much I loved him. I wanted to spend time with him, face to face. I enjoyed the pleasure of his company. I yearned to be with him whenever I could, and I miss him now.

The Bible shows us how God made you for a “face-to-face” relationship with Him. Wouldn’t you rather know the pleasure of spending time in the presence of God instead of just knowing about Him? Yield your dreams to the One who made you, and understands you best. Seek Him. Take time to listen and talk to the One who loves you beyond measure and is waiting for you to turn your face to His. He awaits the pleasure of YOUR company.

April 28, 2021

Choosing Peace

Photo by Becky D. McMillen, Baldwin, KS

Have you noticed how life sometimes runs on parallel tracks? Good things can take place in the midst of not-so-pleasant circumstances. When I saw this image, it reminded me of this facet of life on planet earth. In this photo, we see the beauty of two seasons, complementing each other in color and form. The delicate flowers of a redbud tree are accentuated with the flakes of a late spring snow, enhancing both snow and flowers.

If I imagined myself to be a redbud flower, I might not feel the positive vibes of a blast of cold invading my springtime. Imagine bursting forth in your best show of first blooms, to find yourself shivering under a pile of freezing fluff. Sort of sets you back.

In our daily humanity, we may recognize layers of goodness while being struck with a serious loss or disabling event. Laying in a hospital bed recovering from a painful surgery, I heard a simple praise song in my room. I was miserable, and only half-asleep, but the sweet voice sounded like an angel. A nurse had begun singing along with music I had playing on my cell phone. Her kindness and love deeply touched my heart.

When my dog experienced multiple health crises within a short out-of-state “vacation,” a kind veterinarian (our 5th appointment) spent thirty minutes reading all the health reports and deciding on a course of treatment. We were to leave for home the next morning. When we checked out, he had not charged me for anything except the medication. I felt tears well up in my eyes. It was not the money saved, though that was a blessing. It was his compassion. It felt like a hug from God.

I have found that people who are most successful in navigating pain, loss, and devastation don’t immediately jump up and down to embrace their dark trial. They will say, “It was hard.” However, they pass from grief to gratefulness when they recognize God’s provision along the journey. Yes, we may find a freezing jolt to our once-comfortable life, but in recognizing God’s mercy and grace to get us through, we find hope for the sorrows.

God’s peace is promised to us in Philippians 4:6-9. However, with every promise comes an expectation. True? We are told to not be anxious. How does that work, you ask? “I just lost … (fill in the blank), and I’m not supposed to feel the sad and awful reality?” Your husband (or wife) left you after years of marriage. You husband (or wife) died suddenly without any advance warning. You or a loved one receives a diagnosis of a fatal illness, or a health dysfunction without a remedy. Your child breaks off relationship. You know the list of tragedies goes on and on.

However, if you are one who has stepped over that line of faith as a believer in the Creator God of the Universe, He asks us to pray, to tell him what’s on our heart. He says in Philippians 4:6-7 to pray/petition WITH THANKSGIVING. Then comes the answer: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

What a joy to let go of the spirit of heaviness, and release it to Father God, the One who loves you most. Not every woe in this life will have a “happy ever after” ending. In John 16:33, Jesus tells his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  Yield, and receive your peace. We know in Heaven there will be no more sorrow, no more tears. Everlasting joy!