Eternal Peace

Passage:  “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.” John 14:27

World peace.  It seems impossible and (not to be irreverent) but even laughable to consider such a thing as world peace. There are complete history books and high school and college courses on the conflicts, wars, and military actions of just the last one hundred years alone.  We have become even slightly unaffected to news of world destruction through war and terrorism unless it affects our particular way of life.  I’m not trying to be political by any means but I want to rouse and stimulate a discussion of peace and what Jesus might have meant in these words in the book of John.

This promise of peace is a portion of a longer discourse Jesus has with his apostles before He is crucified.  Chapters 14-17 in the gospel of John give us some of the final teachings of Jesus.  Just as we try to impart important words to our kids as they leave to go to college or work or even just head out the door for any adventure, these chapters contain Jesus’ final challenge to his closest followers. (In fact if you have a red-letter edition of the Bible except for a couple of verses in Chapter 14, these four chapters are all words of Jesus.  The only interruptions of His teaching are a few comments or questions from the apostles – I’m sure I would have also been one asking questions – no comments Bill!)

In verses 27-31 of Chapter 14, Jesus tells his apostles “Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”  So our thought for this day is this:  How is the peace of Jesus different from the world’s peace?  Please know I am not a Bible theologian or scholar but I LOVE to study the Bible so I am sharing with you what I gleaned from contemplating this passage. 

World peace is unstable as we see in bombings, shootings, etc.  World peace is temporary and is usually conditional.  It is usually outwardly visible.  Contrast that type of peace to the peace Jesus gives and we see His peace is eternal and inward.  His peace brings contentment, joyfulness despite outward circumstances.  He knows we would look around us and see horrific, evil things and be afraid so He reminds us our hearts must not be troubled or fearful.  He tells the apostles “I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe.” (V 29) 

The next verse should make us want to sing and shout.   “The ruler of this world is coming.  He has no power over Me!”  The ruler of his world imparts his nasty old worldly peace, which is really no peace at all.  BUT…guess what? He has no authority, no power over Jesus.  When Jesus returns, it is game over.  That’s why He tells us He gives peace not as the world gives and that we should not fear. 

LORD, one day soon You will wipe away every tear.  Death will no longer exist, grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer.  You will make everything new!  Your words are faithful and true.  Lord Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace!  All authority has been given to You!  Praise Your Name!

Mother Hen

Passage: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem!  How often I wanted to gather you children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, yet you were not willing!”  Matthew 23:37

I had the most interesting thought this morning about chickens.  Now if you know me you will think that’s weird because you know I do not like chickens and in fact have a huge fear of those scary beasts.  Yet a memory from my childhood came to me this morning as I was praying for my family.

My sisters and I were raised on a small farm we lovingly called the Circle R.  We had chickens and for most of my memory, the chickens were “free range”.  After dad would open the chicken house in the mornings, the chickens would eat the corn that had been thrown out for them then proceed to scatter looking for more food.  Every so often we would have a hen that dad would let “sit” on her eggs and before we knew it she would have a brood of cute (the only time a chicken can be cute) fuzzy chicks following her around the barnyard.  At the slightest sign or hint of danger those chicks would scurry to their mother and she would cover them with her fluffed out feathers.  The chicks were hardly noticeable underneath the mother hen.  No matter where they were the chicks would answer to the mother’s “cluck warning” and head for cover. 

Jesus felt the compassion (i.e. of a mother hen) times a million when just before the cross He looked over the city of Jerusalem and said “Jerusalem, Jerusalem!  How often I wanted to gather you children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, yet you were not willing!”  (Matthew 23:37)  He wanted so desperately to protect them but they weren’t willing.  This lament is an emotion so vivid our English language can’t completely convey.  He had offered them protection but they said no and He was heartbroken for them.

I thought many times I have acted like a mother hen.  Like so many other mothers and grandmothers, I wanted to hide my kids and grandkids whenever danger or trouble came around.  I wanted to fluff out my feathers and cover them.  The problem and truth is I can’t ever completely protect them.  I’m vulnerable also.  I can do the best I can to protect my family from the enemy but the truth is they are going to grow bigger and pretty soon I physically can’t get them under my feathers.  They will have to be on their own and I’ll need to entrust them to Jesus’ care. 

Jesus lamented over Jerusalem and knew the people would go through suffering, persecution, and desperation.  In all that, even when He knows our families will go through difficulties, He is still ready to gather us together. 

Please Lord, keep us willing to be gathered to Your safe and loving arms!  We know there is no God like You who keeps His promise of faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love You and keep Your commands.

Book Review for "She Reads Truth"

This is my second book review for B & H Bloggers and this book "She Reads Truth" is surely a winner!  Raechel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams are two amazing young ladies who began a simple ministry which is called "She Reads Truth."  There is nothing simple though about their ministry's impact!  They are reaching thousands of women (and men I'm sure) with special readings of Scripture displayed with amazing photography throughout the year and particularly during Lent and Advent.

This book "She Reads Truth"is a compilation of sorts of their stories-individual yet so beautifully linked together.  I laughed and cried as I read the stories of how they gave and give glory to God through many real life, relatable circumstances for women of all ages.  I am old enough to almost be their grandmother and a long time student of God's Word yet I found myself underlining and jotting down their quotes and their perspectives of God's work.  I was amazed at their insight.

I always look forward to getting my next study of SRT and even more so now that I know the precious young ladies behind the story!

Happy 85th!

He would have been 85 today and yet it is hard to comprehend he was my age when he died.  Twenty three years ago on January 23 just a few days after his birthday, my dad had a massive heart attack and died at the age of 62.  He was one of the gentlest men I ever have known which was important since he had four daughters.  

Dad had a comedic personality and did not know a stranger.  He had lost his dad when he was around eight years old and my grandma never remarried.  They were very poor and my dad as a young boy became the man of the house.  He did graduate from high school but I know there had to be stories that were not told to his daughters.  HIs orneriness was too well tuned for anything else.  

He and mom married fairly young and I would have loved to have been able to watch those courting days.  He was a nice-looking young man always joking and kidding and mom was much more by the book and ‘it’s got to be done right’.  There had to be some interesting narrative on those dates!

Dad did not grow up in "church" and actually accepted Christ after I did at nine years old.  After he became a Christian though his life truly was transformed.  My mom had prayed for his salvation for years at her bedside and after his conversion he became the spiritual leader in our home.  I always thought it was interesting that he had no example, no mentor, or online resources to help him yet he led our family around the dining room table in devotion time for years.  He served in our little country church in about every capacity available—faithful for the rest of his life.  

Dad worked at a bread company-Shipley’s Holsum Bread until the plant was closing down.  He had to wear a white uniform-white t-shirt, white pants, white apron, and a white cotton hat each day.  My sisters and I (well maybe just me) learned to iron by ironing his aprons and hats.  Because of the bread plant’s schedule he was always off on Saturdays.  That’s when my sisters and I really had fun!

He would take us to used car lots and always try to wrangle a deal.  He took us to Kress’ and would buy us chocolate peanut clusters from the candy counter.  He had us listen to country music although his favorite was gospel music.  He would take us to “singin’s” and we learned to love the quartets and know them like family.  He taught us to love old movies especially John Wayne westerns, Abbott and Costello, and the Road movies by Crosby and Hope.  

He drove an old blue pick-up (the model and make seemed to vary but always blue for some reason) most of his life.  When he would make the turn to come up the short road to our house, he would stop and wait for us to run down through the yard to either get in the back of the truck or ride on the side boards or maybe steering the truck the last few yards to the driveway.  

There is so much more about Daddy.  He was in constant pain the last few years of his life due to crippling arthritis but he never stopped.  He was the “song leader” of our church and each week while the pain was noticeable he would still climb the steps to the platform. There would be much more to say about his willingness to help, to accept those who were different, and the lessons he taught about animals and gardening.  

I guess there is not a day that goes by that I am not conscience of his teachings, his love, and his memory.  I miss his laughter, his kidding, and his crippled arms giving me a hug.  I do know this—if he were alive today we would be having a fun-filled, memorable birthday party—-complete with gospel music playing in the background! 

Calendar Considerations

I am always intentional about getting my new calendar each year.  I look and look for the perfect one (well at least the perfect one that is already 50% off).  This year my calendar has pictures of beautiful scenes across our country-from east coast lighthouses to the redwoods on the west!

I sat down yesterday on New Year’s Eve to begin my annual “dating of the calendar”.  The completely blank calendar began to come alive as birthdays, anniversaries, and celebrations were given their respective places.  As I filled in these future time events it became clear to me that some things had changed so dramatically since last year.

Some birthdays were on the 2017 calendar that had not been there the year before and some birthdays won’t be there that were there this last year.  We never know at the beginning of the year what events will fill in those boxes and what changes we will see. 

How appropriate it is for us to consider on this first day of the first month of a new year that “In the beginning God…”  “He is before all things and by Him all things hold together.”  It came to me this morning that time is for us--people.  God doesn’t need time.  As the Bible says “a thousand years is as a day and a day is as a thousand years” to Him.  He created the world in a timely way…for us.  Each day and night were given to His creation as a marking.  The years and the seasons are all a gift from Him.  It’s not just on January 1 that we get a new start but each day is a gift and an opportunity to be an agent of grace to His creation. 

I enjoy filling in my calendar as I look forward to a new year.  It helps me focus and stay at least a little organized.  Even then, there will be "scratch out’s" as appointments change or unexpected events occur.  Post-It notes will be placed on pages as even more colorful reminders to keep me on task.  The following scripture is a good word for me, for all of us, as we begin a new year.  How humbling to know He made it for us BUT it’s not about us.

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”  Proverbs 19:21

Happy 2017! 

Book Review for "Who Moved My Pulpit?"

I am currently in a group of bloggers who review books for Lifeway.  As a part of this process from time to time I will post my reviews of the books on my blog as well as on other retail market websites.  

This book review is related to the book "Who Moved My Pulpit?" by Thom Rainer.  His target audience is to those in ministry but his ideas for leading change can be applied to any organization.  

"This book is a must read for any one in ministry. Thom Rainer is a very learned and respected man and his ideas for leading change in the church are Biblical and practical as well as effective. As a pastor's wife I found the book to be encouraging as well as heartbreaking. The encouragement came from the truths about leading change and the heartbreaking part came from the truths about leading change. The book's introduction of the email of desperation actually brought me to tears. My husband has been in the ministry for forty four years and I have seen some of the best of times and a few worst of times in church work. Rainer's practical advice for leading change is necessary and needful in light of an ever-changing society before an unchanging worthy God."

A Handy Hanky

Handkerchief.  While society has almost eliminated the practice of the handkerchief or even the word itself, I was recently overcome by such an incredulous gift. 

As I was growing up it was the art of a man to always carry a “hanky”.  My dad did so as well as any man I can remember.  In fact my first ironing lesson came from ironing dad’s handkerchiefs.  I guess mom felt there wasn’t much I could mess up by ironing these cotton squares.  It was a “go-to” gift for any man on your Christmas list and if you wanted to make it really special, you would have their initial appliqued on a corner so it could be displayed just so.  Some may think we have evolved since that era and using tissues are much more sanitary and while I am certain to go through my share of tissues throughout any given day and more during allergy season, there are times nothing can replace a hanky.

On the website The Art of Manliness, there is an article entitled “Why Carry a Handkerchief?”  The article is humorous yet very apropos.  One sentence in the article states, “The best reason (i.e. for a man) to carry a handkerchief has nothing to do with you.”  I witnessed that first hand last week.

As we were at the end of my father-in-law’s memorial service and friends began to walk in front of our family, many began to stop and offer hugs and encouragement.  I became overwhelmed from the loss of a significant keeper of our family but even more overwhelmed from the outpouring of friends and family who had traveled to come to be with us during this time.  Unfortunately a box of tissues was not readily available so I was in quite a mess.  Suddenly a true gentleman ready with his hanky handed it to me.  Glen Moret will never know what his simple act of kindness meant to me. 

For me that hanky brought sudden memories of the men in my life that had had a handkerchief handy in a moment’s notice.  I remembered these men who were so practical and yet purposeful with the hankies in their pockets.  They were ready to wipe tears, boo-boos, and of course messy noses. 

My purpose of this story is not to discuss the benefits or bane of carrying a handkerchief but to be thankful for a man who was ready to demonstrate “a gallant and chivalrous gesture.”  I found such comfort in it.

Isn’t it stunning that God uses the simplest of gifts to mend our hearts?  Cards, food, flowers, and even handkerchiefs have been healing balm for our family.    Each one blesses us in astounding ways. 

Whose Story Is It?

“Once upon a time” such a familiar start to a story.  I think the writers used it because they had such a hard time starting their story.  That’s the way I feel this Mother’s Day.  The words have been in my heart for the last few weeks but they have been unable to make it to my hands.  

My sisters and I were with our mother about a month ago today as she took her last breath of earthly atmosphere and breathed her first breath of heavenly paradise.  It has been hard, of course, but we have certainly been comforted by knowing her faith in Christ has been realized in sight.  So many friends and family have reminded us through cards, donations, flowers, and prayers that God is aware of our grief and He has comforted us by means of the arms and hearts of those who love us and loved our mother.

As I spent time a few days after mom’s funeral cleaning out her room at the assisted living center I found a pure treasure.  Inside the book “God’s Story, Your Story” by Max Lucado that was among the stack of devotional readings she read each day, Mom had written this inside the front cover “Completed in three days.  You want to keep reading- one (maybe the best) near the top.  I really enjoyed trying to find how my story fits in.”  Reading this inscription absolutely opened a flood in my heart.  If she had only known how many times we had heard just over the last few days of how mom had blessed people’s lives.  We continue to receive notes, letters, and pictures all with the same sentiment - “your mom made such a difference in my life, in my walk with God, etc.”  

Since that day just a few weeks ago it seems everywhere I turn, I see something about “your story”.  Whether it be on a random television show, a passage in a book or even on a billboard seen driving down the road, I am reminded of the story I am writing of my life.  I am reminded of how my mom’s story intertwines with mine.  

I cannot do justice to her life with this one narrative. Her life, her story is much greater than this.  Not great as the world sees greatness.  She never wrote a book or blog.  She never had a lot of money to be noticed by others.  She never traveled too far from her home.  BUT as my oldest daughter Heather stated “Grandma influenced so many by her quiet obedience.”  That was truly it.  Mom was quietly obedient.  Doing the small, seemingly insignificant daily tasks like they were the most important things on the planet.  Yet they were noticed, even while she didn’t mean for them to be!

I want to follow my mother’s example of quiet obedience.  Kara wrote a Mother’s Day poem this year that was a perfect reminder of while she and Heather watched me when little, they still do.  I want my story to be God’s story.  I want my daughters, my grandchildren, my family, others I encounter to see God in my daily walk with quiet obedience.  

While this is a difficult Mother’s Day, I think more than ever I am so thankful for a mother who was quietly, faithfully obedient.  God’s story was my mom’s story.  What greater legacy could she have left!  

Manning Mania!

Peyton Manning is my favorite football player and that's why I balled my eyes out listening to him give his retirement speech at yesterday's press conference.  When he was with the Colts, Bill got me an official Colts jersey.  When Manning went to Denver, I got his number in Bronco style.  It wasn't about the team for me it was about the player.

Of course I was elated when the Broncos won Super Bowl 50.  I watched every segment of post game programs and 'day after Super Bowl' commentaries to see what was said about my favorite player.   I wasn't looking or listening for his announcement of retirement because I knew he was going savor the Super Bowl win moments knowing the "forthcoming" announcement would have its own emotional toll.  Watching and listening to this strong man yesterday was proof he was speaking from his heart.

Now I have to admit I didn't sit and watch each game during the season.  Many times I would just watch and find out the score or watch highlights of the games.  I do enjoy football but usually household chores keep me from sitting too still. 

You may think that's not much of a fan but more than the game I was so drawn to this young man (yes he's still young!) who persevered in ways not many people do today.  He didn't look for excuses but looked for ways to prepare and improve instead of pointing fingers.  When he was injured, he worked and worked until he was able to play once again.   No one could disagree of his love for the game and his desire to do better.  

I loved how Peyton Manning kept his class during wins and losses and his family out of the spotlight and drama people crave.   To see someone with his character yet with his clout is extremely rare.  

As he closed yesterday's press conference, he quoted 2 Timothy 4:7 about finishing the race and keeping the faith.  While Paul probably wasn't thinking about football when he wrote the verse, the meaning and intention can be applied to Peyton's (as well as our) lives.  When we have finished our race/life, can we say we did it with our best efforts, not giving up when it gets hard, hushing the critics by living a life of faith.  It is a worthy goal.  

Omaha!

Shortcuts Won't Work

Exodus 13:17a – “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter.”

How is it that you can read something many times and yet read it for the first time?  The story of the Israelite exile from Egypt is a familiar story to most – thanks to Cecil B. DeMille and Charlton Heston in the 1956 movie “The Ten Commandments”.  While not completely accurate, even today as I read the story out of the book of Exodus I picture scenes from that movie.

As a part of my 'read the Bible through plan' this year I found myself these last few days reading from the book of Exodus.  In between the plagues and the revelation of the Ten Commandments, I found an interesting insight. 

Finally the people were leaving Egypt after some extremely powerful signs from God and with the plunder of silver and gold.  The four hundred plus years of slavery and bondage were at an end.  Promised Land here we come!  Except…God did not lead them on the road through Philistine country though it was shorter.   

All logic, all GPS’, all maps would say the shortest and fastest way to Canaan was the way through Philistine country.   No one would have said ‘let’s go via the desert and toward the Red Sea.’ That did not make sense. 

I guess the reason this verse impacts me is that I have found myself more times than maybe I want to be in a place that didn’t make sense, was illogical, and definitely not the shortest way to..…well not the shortest way. I have had quite the conversation with God (albeit one way conversation) about this issue.  ‘Surely You didn’t mean to send me here.’  ‘Surely I misread or misunderstood something.’ ‘Surely You didn’t mean for this to happen.’   

Whether by our own choices or by circumstances around us I suspect most of us find ourselves wanting the easy (or easier/easiest) way out.  I can imagine the Israelites were pretty confused when Moses led them the opposite way they were supposed to be going. 

God, of course, had a purpose in leading them the way He did.  The purpose is always His glory and in the crossing of the Red Sea we see just one more amazing provision and exhibition of His power. 

God’s way for us may not be the shortest, easiest, or make the most sense (in our minds).  In fact it probably won’t be any of those but we will grow in ways we would have never known.  We will experience Him in ways we never have.  His Word will come alive for us like it never has.  I would rather take the long way with God than the shorter route without Him.  Shortcuts can and will shortcut us of blessings. It just doesn’t turn out well…check with the Israelites a little later in the book of Exodus.  They find out the hard way.