You are not a casserole!

"...you knit me together in my mother's womb..." Psalm 139:13

My dad loved casseroles. Just throw any leftovers into a baking dish, add some soup and pasta and voila, dinner was ready for the oven!  My husband, on the other hand, wants to see an organized plate of food: meat in one spot, veggies in another, next to recognizable potatoes or pasta. No mystery ingredients for him!
These two styles of gastronomic fare came to mind recently in my Sunday School class while discussing Psalm 139. When we were being formed in the dark of our mother's womb, His deliberate and perfect plan was being carried out.  A plan designed for each of us by God Himself! We weren't just tossed together haphazardly like one would toss together a casserole of multiple ingredients.  Rather than a mishmash of body parts, the result of God's design is more like a masterpiece. A study of human anatomy would confirm the amazing complexity of this masterpiece -- one that has given me life on this planet for over seventy years.  What an awesome God we have!

What does sacrifice look like?

A recent story changed my thinking about the word sacrifice. My small group was discussing the widow's mite from Mark 12 when one man told of an event from a mission trip he had taken to Kenya. The church there was holding an outdoor fundraising event.  He was surprised that the church leaders sat in front of the box in which donations were placed. As each person came forward, their name and amount was announced for all to hear! Two women in attendance had walked nearly 10 miles to attend this important event and carefully placed the equivalent of 25 cents into the box.  It was apparent to all that this money came at great sacrifice, like that famous widow's mite. My friend, his voice full of emotion, said that this experience humbles and challenges him every time he recalls it.
Reflecting on this story, I realized that I have never really sacrificed anything.  I'm not sure that I can even relate to someone walking 10 miles to give a donation to a church. I walk no further than my desk to pull out my checkbook! I am "poor" in experience compared to those "rich" ladies, a perfect example of the verse in James that tells the rich to glory in their poverty (James 1:10). Those Kenyan women (and probably many in their church) are in a much better position to understand what the writer of Hebrews meant when he penned "Christ...has appeared once for all...to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Hebrews 9:26). He gave it all--for us. He who was rich became poor--for us.  Is God calling you to sacrifice something so that your poverty might become true riches? I think I hear His voice calling me.

COWERING IN FAITH—an oxymoron

My daughter had a yellow lab that she rescued from an abusive situation. A sweet and gentle dog, I enjoyed cuddling and playing with Sasha. One day when preparing some eggs for breakfast, I picked up a large spatula in such a way that it apparently looked like a weapon and caused Sasha to cower in the corner. I felt awful for frightening her—I loved her!

In thinking about my time spent with God, I realized that there are occasions when I seem to “cower in a corner”—fearful that He is ready to strike out or punish me for my failures.  To the contrary, the Bible constantly reassures us that He loves us, wants the best for us and is just waiting for us to humbly come to Him in faith for forgiveness, acknowledging our sins. “Come unto Me, all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) and “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” (1 John 1:9) Just come…don’t cower…just come. You’ve been rescued! Just come! God loves you!

©HJ Beckman 9/2015

The Pearl Necklace

It was a simple strand of pearls. Not even quality pearls—rather pop beads left over from the 60’s. But it was perfect in one respect: it gave dignity as it daily graced the neck of my 94 year old mother with Alzheimer’s. She might have chosen two overlapping mismatched shirts and ill-fitting pants that day but the pearls gave poise to an otherwise chaotic appearance.  They became her signature “style”.

It is how I choose to remember her, sitting by the window in her wheel chair, waiting for me to arrive for my usual morning visit to the nearby Memory Care facility. Her greeting was often joyful, accompanied by a shout of “Over here!” along with hand clapping, to be sure that she had gotten my attention. Her memory of breakfast might be diminished but she knew I was her favorite (and only) close relative. She was in some ways a child again, clearly remembering places and people long past. An obvious clue was her repeated introductions of me to the staff, asking them if they had met me, her “mother”. It was a regular reminder of the fact that as a life spirals down, the circle of that life grows smaller and smaller.

While her mental capacity was shrinking, her heart’s capacity to love grew surprisingly larger. Expressing appreciation and love to all her caregivers became another kind of signature “style” and gave an element of delight to her final days.  Those simple pearls serve as a reminder of a sweet mother and are, symbolically, pearls of great price.



© Jeanne Beckman 3/2015

 

3 Funerals, 8 days, all Christians

Three memorial services that couldn’t have been more different.

The first was a “full court press”—60 voice choir, 3 preachers, 4 friends reminiscing, video pictures on a big screen. It lasted an hour and a half.

The second, held in a funeral home chapel with canned music, was a more modest event with a seasoned minister and 2 friends sharing memories in less than an hour.

The third, at a small country church packed with local ranchers, consisted of 4 hymns sung by the audience with piano accompaniment, 2 scriptures read by the preacher and lasted an astonishing 22 minutes!

All the men who died were believers — a cause for rejoicing — but I wonder if all would have felt honored by their memorial service.

In trying to discern something meaningful from this week of remembrance and loss, is there a lesson or two to be learned? Perhaps…
Consider doing some advanced planning for one’s own final event.
Consider being involved in a local church with adequate facilities.
Consider investing one’s life in serving others in the name of Christ—leave a legacy worth honoring.

Ps. 116:15 says “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints”.  A Christian memorial service ought to reflect that perspective so that it is precious in the sight of those attending as well. How do you want to be remembered when the time comes?

Has your faith bloomed lately?

Recently I purchased a bouquet of colorful fresh flowers: daisies, carnations and one lily that hadn’t opened yet.  As the week progressed, the lily pod kept darkening in color and I was disheartened to think that it was not going to bloom. Surprise!  This morning I discovered that the pod had opened with a lovely pink coloration, giving my bouquet a glorious addition.

The oft quoted “Oh ye of little faith” came to mind as I viewed this new development.  I had been discouraged because the lily was so slow to change and then, I suspected that the changes I was seeing weren’t positive. I didn’t have faith in God’s design and plan for that particular flower—and how wrong I was.

This scenario could be applied to many things.  How often have I questioned the rate of change in my life and others?  How often have I been discouraged in not seeing proof of improvement?  How often have I doubted God’s design that hasn’t come to fruition on my timetable and in my understanding? Oh ME of little faith! The Bible is clear: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not [yet] seen”. Hebrews 11:1 It goes on to remind us that God is pleased when we have faith in Him and trust His ultimate purpose and plan for us.

Even blooming bouquets can teach us something about faith. Thank you God for the beautiful lesson!

Thankful for ...WIND?

Can’t recall a time when I was thankful for wind until today. 

Why now?  Well, it’s winter in Texas and we are used to sunshine, even when it’s cold. In the past few weeks, the sun was hidden behind clouds for days on end. All the rain (six inches in three days) and cloudy cold makes those of us in the Lone Star State grumpy and miserable.

Then the wind arrived. It blew out all the yuk and ushered in dazzling sunshine. My heart was overflowed with gratitude as the gust whipped across my face this morning.  In that moment, grumpy was gone; happy was back!

The Bible frequently speaks of wind, especially in reference to God’s Holy Spirit.  He blows across our lives, bringing power and love and a sound mind to our souls (2 Timothy 1:7), removing the dark clouds of sin and bringing the bright joy of a Savior’s love. How thankful we ought to be—for God’s wind, both the physical and the spiritual kinds!

A broken scale - what's not to love?

I accidentally broke my scale (stepping on one corner) but it had a wonderful, unintended consequence:  I lost about 30 pounds when I weighed the next day!  Unfortunately, my clothes refuse to recognize the “new me”. But, it sure is fun to get on that broken scale and see my perfect weight.

When it comes to our spiritual life, we can feel pretty smug standing on a broken scale. I’m doing more for God at church than Lois.  I’m writing more checks for charities than Howard. Comparing ourselves to other Christians is the equivalent of measuring our Christian walk by someone else’s  (broken) scale. It may make us happy but it’s inaccurate.  Jesus, on the other hand, tells us to be perfect or mature like Him [Matthew 5:48]. He is the true scale by which to measure our spiritual life. By that standard, I have little to smile about. I fall far short of His glory and perfection. Still a sinner. Always a sinner.  I am so grateful that if I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse. Like the Apostle Paul, I can then press on to becoming more like my Savior and leave my broken spiritual scale behind.

ARE YOU FALLOW GROUND?

I’m not much of a gardener. Actually, that is a ridiculous understatement. I have the brownest thumb possible and not from dirt. So the concept of fallow ground, when it popped into my head recently, required some definition: ground that isn’t producing anything useful; ground that needs breaking up and working.

What a perfect description of my spiritual life! I realized that I’ve been just getting by with minimal effort —morning Bible reading, short prayers, saying grace at meals, church attendance, even attending a Christian gathering or two. But producing something useful? Not so much. And, what does God consider useful? A life that is dedicated to winning others to Christ. Proverbs 11:30 says,  “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves souls”.

My heart hasn’t been fully engaged with Christ. The spirit of Christ is in my life but not being allowed to direct it, to break it up, to work it. My heart is fallow ground and God is not only a Good Shepherd, He is a Master Gardener. He has shown me today that what was once a vibrant and lush field, blooming with spiritual fruit, has fallen into disrepair. This fallow ground heart of mine needs some tending so something productive can begin to develop…so the focus of my heart can be reaching out others with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

HOLIDAY DISAPPOINTMENT

Have you ever been disappointed with the way your Christmas holiday turned out? You got sick, or your special food dishes flopped or an expected gift wasn’t under the tree.  Or maybe it was something more serious:  you were hospitalized, the house was burglarized or you’re facing a major car repair. Major disappointment steals your joy.

What is the real problem?  Unrealistic expectations.  Is there any reason why the Christmas season shouldn’t be like any other season of the year, full of good days and bad days, fun and folly?  Why do we think that Christmas time is somehow exempt from the stuff of everyday living?  Such disappointment stems from a worldly mindset. The Bible calls it “defilement of the world” in 2 Peter 2.  Freedom from such defilement is “the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”.  Such knowledge promises us that if we have it, we will NEVER be disappointed (Ps. 22:5 and 1 Peter 2:6).  If we are focused on Christ, rather than the events and trappings of what the world tells us produces the “perfect Christmas celebration”, we can escape holiday disappointments. A moment-by-moment awareness of Christ (having the mind of Christ 1 Cor. 2:16) is the key to avoiding disappointment—if we are tuned in to Him and always in the center of His will, gifts & holiday events will not control our emotions.

Prompt:  Jesus never told us to remember his birth…His instruction was to remember His death, which gave us life.

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, for giving me the only gift that will never disappoint—eternal life.

Do you need TASSELS?

Numbers 15:38-40 Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come, you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord.  When you see the tassels you will remember and obey all the commands of the Lord instead of following you own desires and defiling yourselves, as you are prone to do. The tassels will help you remember that you must obey all my commands and be holy to your God.

Even though the 10 commandments were written in stone (and probably prominently displayed in the camp), the wandering Israelites seemed to have trouble remembering what God had instructed them to do. Something was needed to keep their thoughts focused heavenward. Consequently, God instructed Moses to have them tie small tassels on the corners of their tunics as a visual reminder of His law. Since they wore their tunics everywhere, there was never a time when they weren’t aware of God’s presence and direction.

Christians today have no such visual clothing enhancement to direct our thoughts to God’s desires. In our complex world, thoughts often drift to worldly matters. How can the modern man or woman “keep in perfect peace, with our minds stayed on Him” (Isaiah 26:3)? Sewing tassels on each garment is just not 21^st century-practical but there are ways to keep our thoughts focused on God. If you are visually oriented, small devotional calendars in several places around your home or office could aid you. If you find auditory prompts are your style, Christian music and teaching tapes or radio can keep your thoughts centered. If tactile, a small cross in a pocket and wallet serve well.

 Discover what is your best mental prompt and employ it to remember God daily.

PRAY: Heavenly Father, help me to bring every thought captive so that I can have the mind of Christ.

JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT Proverbs 30:7-9

A slice of this, 6 oz. of that--just what is the right amount of food to serve someone? The trend toward "supersize" portions is starting to reverse and people are seeing the value of just eating what the body needs and no more. 

In the Lord's model prayer, Jesus told the disciples to ask God for their "daily bread", just the right size portion to sustain their health for that day. When God sent manna to the Israelites in the wilderness, it was just the right size portion for each day (except for Friday, when it was a "supersize" amount to cover the Sabbath Day's need as well).

There is danger in excess and there is danger in want--in food as well as in our prayer lives.  Agur, the author of Proverbs 30, saw that danger when it came to material needs.  He understood that we are to ask God for our "needs", both physically and spiritually, but to be careful when it comes to our "wants".  The Bible also tells us that often we have not, because we don't ask. So what is the right amount of anything to ask for? He is our portion. Ps. 119:57 We just need more of Jesus--supersize please!

PLAN: Write your prayers down on paper--are they needs or wants?

PRAY:  Fill me up, Lord, with You--your mind, your heart, your desires.

What is beautiful in God’s eyes?

What would you suppose God sees as beautiful?

From God’s perspective, the Creator of all beauty, there is one thing that He considers ultimately beautiful. If you guessed Jesus, you’d be sort of right! It actually has something to do with Jesus’ feet.

Now when Jesus was on this earth, He wasn’t considered beautiful...or even movie star handsome. The Bible tells us “He had no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him”. Is. 53:2 

The Message Bible puts it this way:  There was nothing [particularly] attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look.  He didn’t want anyone following Him just because He was a great looking guy.

I once had a friend who was a model.  Now if you saw her, you would probably be surprised. Yes, she was super thin but she had rather plain features. Yet she made her living as a Sears catalog model--for shoes!  She had beautiful feet!  That kind of beauty wasn’t what the Old Testament writer Isaiah meant when he wrote “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who bring the good news [of salvation].” (vs. 52:7) The idea here is that those who tell others the way to find God are beautiful. Beauty isn’t something you ARE, rather it’s something you DO.

Jesus’ feet are the feet that brought the good news to us, that told us how to know God, how to be in relationship with God--through His death on the cross to pay the penalty due for our sins. Jesus—the ultimate beauty that brought us good news. We too can have beautiful feet as we share the good news about Jesus with others.

Can YOU cause an EARTHQUAKE?

Help! I needed a cake in a hurry and I discovered a recipe called Earthquake cake for which I had all the ingredients. It didn’t call for vigorously shaking the cake pans, rather its name came from the way it looked once cooked: chocolate cracks and crevices with cream cheese filling peeking through the surface. In spite of its lack of visual appeal, it was tasty enough to disappear at the church Youth Banquet. It further enabled me to boast that I had “caused” an “earthquake”, producing a chuckle or two from my (few) tolerant friends!

Recently, I discovered that there was a group of people who really did “cause” an “earthquake”…their story is found in Acts 4:23-31.  It occurs right after the apostles Peter and John are arrested for healing a lame man and then preaching Christ to the amazed crowd that gathered. Once released, they returned to the gathering of believers to report their experience and the whole group united in prayer and praise. A close look at their prayer, recorded by Luke, shows that they had a simple request of the Lord. In a similar situation, I probably would have prayed for future safety from the authorities or comfort in the midst of hardship. Surprisingly, that was the last thing on their minds, even though they weren’t unmindful of the dangers they faced. No, these dedicated disciples prayed for boldness!  Boldness to continue to tell about their resurrected Lord, boldness to heal in His name, boldness to show the unbelieving world the power of faith!  Their prayers so excited God that the Bible tells us “the place where they had gathered together was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31).”  Not only did they “cause” an earthquake but also, their prayers were instantly answered! Wow!  What are you asking God for that might cause an earthquake in your prayer life or that might lead God to provide an instant answer? Comfort? Safety? Or boldness to share Christ?

© H. J B 11/11

NO PAIN NO GAIN

No pain no gain –that phrase has taken on new meaning in the wake of my second total knee replacement. After walking with pain in that leg for several years and enduring a difficult recovery after one knee replacement, I was ready for, but leery of, going under the knife a second time. When God seemed to open a door to a new doctor and a more efficient technique, I summoned the courage to step though it.

Even with a better technique, the screaming from injured nerves and tendons has sent the pain meter in my brain (and leg) soaring.  I have to keep reminding myself that this too shall pass…just not quickly. Eventually I anticipate the ability to walk pain-free on any surface.  The gateway to that gain is through the portal of pain.

Is there a spiritual perspective that might be gleaned from this struggle? I am reminded of the psalmist* saying, “It was good that I was afflicted”—pain—“that I might learn your decrees”—gain. We seek God out when we suffer. Needing comfort, answers, and understanding all drive us into His Word as well as His arms. But the best benefit is a closer relationship with our Lord as He reveals His nearness in the midst of our suffering. With pain can come great gain.

* Psalm 119:71

© HJB 10/11

A Lesson Learned from Failure

 Luke 12:48 To whom much is given, much is required.

“The awareness of a need and the capacity to meet that need:  this constitutes a call.” John R. Mott  

A lesson in obedience at the post office, no less!  I saw the need, I had the resources, and I refused to give up my place in line to help someone.

Clearly, I sensed a prompting from the Holy Spirit to assist a young mother in need of $20 for her sick child’s medicine. The check to cover the prescription hadn’t arrived in the mail that day and the postmaster sent her off sobbing and empty-handed. With just a few weeks until Christmas, I was third in line with many behind me—the “sacrifice” of leaving my spot seemed greater than the divine invitation to be a servant of Christ in providing needed resources.

That experience of failure reminded me of this quote from Dee Hock, the founder of Visa: “You learn nothing from your success except to think too much of yourself.  It is from failure that all growth comes, provided you can recognize it, admit it, learn from it, rise above it and then try again.”  God “called” me that day and I selfishly ignored His message. I always pray that I will answer and respond when He so prompts again. Lesson learned.

Dear God:  Please forgive me when I fail to heed the prodding of the Holy Spirit. Allow me opportunities to serve others as You would desire with the resources that You have provided. Amen.

©  J. Beckman August 2011

The Paper Plate Miracle

 

I recently heard a devotional written by Ron Hutchcraft, called No Paper Plates, challenging the reader to consider the contrast between 2 plates: one, paper and the other, china.  Which one would you rather eat off of?  After you’ve eaten, what would you do with the paper one?  Throw it away!  If you’d eaten on the china one, what would you do with it?  Wash it!  Why?  Because it cost more, is worth more, could even be valuable.  If you could BE a plate, which one would you want to be?  China, of course. 

But there are times in our lives when we feel more like a paper plate…someone used and thrown away. 

What would you call it if I could turn this paper plate into a china plate?  Magic.  But, what if I could turn a paper plate person into a china plate person…that would be a miracle. Yes? I’m not a magician or a miracle worker, but I know someone who is.

There are 2 little verses tucked away in the 15^th chapter of Matthew that talk about a miracle like that.

v. 30-31  …great multitudes came to Him [Jesus], bringing with them “paper plate” people…oh, wait a minute, that’s not exactly how the scripture reads…bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, those not able to speak and many others, and they laid them down at His feet… and He turned them into “china plate” people…or well, it actually says He healed them.

So that the crowds marveled as they saw them able to speak, the crippled restored, the lame walking and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

There were 4 categories of people mentioned specifically: the lame, the crippled, the blind and the mute. Perhaps you’ve experienced one of these conditions. 

 

First, there were the LAME.  I recently had a knee replaced so I’m familiar with being lame or having trouble walking. Between arthritis and a bad fall, the pain was constant so a long-term solution was needed. In fact, in a few weeks my other knee goes under the knife because it hurts whenever I walk. I sometimes have to use a cane for support. But there’s more than one way to walk through life: not just the physical, but consider the emotional. Have you been lame from the injury of abuse—either childhood or spousal abuse? When you are abused by a parent or other adult, especially as a child, you can be emotionally, physically or sexually lame—unable to walk through life without limping, without pain.

This verse in Matthew says that the lame were walking once again. Jesus had healed the injury. If you have suffered the injury of abuse, and feel that it has made you damaged goods—used up like a paper plate—Jesus wants you to understand that He came to heal that lameness and transform your walk through life so it can be steady & balanced with no need of crutches like alcohol or drugs. However, you may need some assistance for a while, just like I will need a Physical Therapist to help me with rehabilitation after my surgery. There are counselors, there are books like Jan Coates book: Set Free, there are support groups to assist you. God wants to heal your heart of lameness.

The 2^nd category mentioned is similar—they brought the CRIPPLED to Jesus as well as the lame. This group of people didn’t just have an injury to their legs or feet; they were born that way. They were considered defective. Perhaps you were born with a permanent disability of some kind. Or maybe you found yourself in a family that would be considered defective in some way:  Perhaps your mother was a single parent and struggled raising you. Or maybe you were like me, and endured the distress and pain of your family breaking apart. You may see your situation as impossible. BUT God makes the impossible possible. The scripture tells us that Jesus restored the crippled. He made them whole, sound, reliable. He can make up for whatever is missing, whatever crippling influence is or was in your life. God wants to heal your life from being crippled.

Then the BLIND are mentioned—those who have no way to see.  Many of us were unable to see the dangers in our world and fell into the devil’s trap. I include myself in this group – one of my boyfriends in school went on to become one of the highest-ranking Hell’s Angels in the state of California. We were part of a gang that was looking for trouble because our world was full of darkness. We were enticed by evils that are pleasing to the world.  The book of 1 John speaks of 3 dangers in the world: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. That triple threat held me captive to my own bad choices for many years. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, can heal our blindness to the consequences of evil that entices through the lust of the eyes.  Jesus said (Matt. 18:9) that if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. He didn’t mean for us to literally poke our eyes out but He wanted us to understand that a blinded eye is better than a blinded mind…have you had a blind spot for the things of God?  Jesus can restore your spiritual sight so you can see clearly to avoid the allure of evil and the lust of the eyes. God wants to heal your life of blindness.

The last group of people brought to Jesus that day were the MUTE or as the Bible calls them, the DUMB. They couldn’t speak. Many times we’re in situations where we can’t speak up for ourselves—whether at home or in a job or social situation. In your own mind, you may even feel dumb at those times but God always has something to say for every circumstance. His word imparts wisdom. The book of James says, “If any of you lack wisdom, … ask of God, who gives to all…generously and without reproach, and it will be given.” (1:5) God wants to heal your life from being mute.

The physical Jesus healed physical problems—but even though He isn’t physically present here today, He is the ultimate restorer who wants to heal the spiritual and emotional hurts in our lives through the Holy Spirit.  Prior to His touch, we may look and feel “paper plate”ish.  He wants us to understand that we are destined to be China plate people—not someone to be thrown away or discarded – rather a person to be cherished, useful to our Heavenly Master. Are you living up to your china plate potential? Have you had a miracle transformation from Jesus?

Thou Shall Not Scream

During a visit with the grandchildren (Ben 5, Alexandra & Brianna 3), we had occasion to go by Ben’s preschool. My daughter ran in to see the teacher for a few minutes, leaving me in the car with the children. Now, every household has “family rules” and one of my daughter’s rules is: no screaming in the car. This rule is usually followed…with one big exception….when their mom isn’t IN the car, they figure that the rule doesn’t apply! No sooner had she disappeared into the school doorway, than Bri took the plunge and let out a whopper…eyes wide with delight, she shrieked unmercifully, nearly exploding my ears! Soon her sister Alex let loose and big brother, not to be outdone by the little ones, jumped in with gusto. Fortunately, my gloves helped me keep my remaining hearing in tact as I stuffed them into my ears, enduring several minutes of their enthusiastic harmonics. No telling what damage they were doing to themselves! I was especially grateful to see their mom appear soon so we could go back to a state where “house rules” rule!
Enjoying the memory later, it occurred to me that this was just the picture of original sin….Eve (and Adam) knew the “house rules”. But the minute God was out of sight and someone (the devil himself, in this case) drew their attention to that fact and threw temptation out, Eve marched onto dangerous ground, eyes wide open with delight . And Adam fell right in behind, unmindful of the true peril, just as my grandchildren were unaware of the auditory damage they could be causing themselves. The Bible tells us that we are sinners because of Adam and Eve…it is their legacy to the rest of mankind. Instead of man getting better and better as the intellectuals of our day proclaim, we are as vulnerable to being our own worst enemy as Adam and Eve were. Our sin nature is part of the human “package“…I am so thankful that God loves us so much that He made a way to get “rewrapped”! In robes of righteousness, thanks to the great sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ in dying for our sin. Romans 5:17-18 puts it this way: It is true that through the sin of one man death began to rule…but how much greater is the result of what was done by the one man, Jesus Christ. So then, as the one sin condemned all mankind, in the same way the one righteous act sets all mankind free and gives them life. Through Him, grace can take over as the “house rule“!
Ó H. J B February 2002

FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELT

John 14:1-3 ...You trust God, don't you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live. The Message

Would you get on a plane if they made this announcement from the gate?

            “You are going to experience a very rough flight today due to weather conditions—but we will guarantee a safe landing.”

I suspect that most people would still climb aboard because the objective of their trip isn’t to have a smooth flight, but rather to land safely at their destination.  This is a descriptive metaphor of the Christian life.  God doesn’t promise us a calm passage through this earthly life, but He does guarantee us a safe landing.  Jesus put it this way: “In the world you WILL have tribulation...”. But He also assured us that He was going ahead of us to heaven to prepare a place for us. 

Bumpy flight—safe landing.

Our Savior and Lord had the same experience—the earthly turbulence started at birth with His first crib in a smelly stable. It continued through several attempts on His life, which finally succeeded in one of the most traumatic executions ever devised.  Jesus set the example for us of how to endure a turbulent life on this earth, trusting in the safe heavenly landing to come. So fasten your seat belts...it’s gonna get bumpy but heaven awaits!

Are you the car or the driver?

I enjoy driving. Fast. Not a good idea in my town, since it has numerous signs reminding me that slow is its automotive "motto". The town fathers don't seem to realize that my car is just an extension of me--always in a hurry (since I'm never early for anything).   Not only do I consider speed limits "ideal suggestions" but, it's almost a game (to get somewhere quick) that I'm determined to win. There's just one problem with this issue: I am the driver--the one in charge.  Maybe you wouldn't consider it a big problem when it comes to driving (except for the men-in-blue). But, it's a BIG problem when it comes to living! I tend to race around the corners of life just as my car races around the corners of town.

If you consider this an analogy to the Christian life, we should be the CAR, not the driver. Christ should be the one directing the course, steering around life's curves, braking when there's a danger of careening out of control. "Christ in me, my only hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) reminds me that my driving habits may be a reflection of who's really in control of my life. A Christian is...
 a mind through which Christ thinks,

 a heart through which Christ lives.

 a voice through which Christ speaks.

 a hand through which Christ helps.

  Am I letting Christ steer my mind, direct my heart, order my voice and shift my hands to arrive at the destination He desires? He is one driver who will never have to watch over his shoulder for blinking lights. Have you given him the keys to your life yet? Who is driving "your car"?