Joyful Duty

In the school environment where I work, there are lots of duties ... hall duty, parking lot duty, lunch duty, lunch detention duty, and the list goes on. It is an assigned time of the day at an assigned place for an assigned person to do an assigned ... duty.

God gave the Levites (the priests) certain duties, and skipping them was not an option. They kept the wicks of the temple lamps trimmed, the lamps filled with oil, they burned sweet incense and the fat of the peace offerings. I don't imagine any resemblance to the grumpy donut man, who drags himself out of bed in the wee hours of the morning to “make the donuts.” No, I see the priests performing their duties in silent yet joyful worship of The One True Jehovah God. Read how 1 Chronicles 23:28, 30 describes them: "Their duty was ... to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord." We must remember this is the same God Who sends us so many opportunities to dutifully serve [and honor] Him by serving one another, and He provides the joy to boot! His joy is available and abundant no matter how distasteful, unplanned, or inconvenient we may consider our tasks. What if we saw each duty as a divine opportunity to share The Father's love, and faced each one with His joy and a smile in the heart and on the face -- sweeping the floor, scrubbing the toilets, filing, washing the car, taking trash to the dump ... whatever! Let's be about life with His Joy -- there's plenty available!

Raise 'Em High

Do you remember when the good guy wore the white hat? And, when the bad guy came in you heard [as Mr. Bill calls it] “bad-guy music.” The good guy was the one who had the line, “stick ‘em up fella, your thievin’ days are over.” My, how things have changed!

How easily we forget Godliness requires surrender! Would you accept a hotel room that had not first been cleaned from its previous occupant? Of course, not! Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (1 Corinthians 5:17). There’s really nothing mysterious about “new”; new is new and old is old. After salvation, the Holy Spirit begins a divine work in the new Christian’s life. Pretty soon that “old man” who occupied the heart just doesn’t feel at-home any more. When we’re tempted to return to the old ways, we hear “bad guy music.” That’s the Holy Spirit reminding us we are new creatures – we are marked by grace through faith in Christ as a new man. Former things are former things, and no longer have place or control in our lives. We surrender once at salvation, then it’s a daily surrender of the old to the newness in Christ. Go, ahead and surrender and while your hands are raised, praise the LORD for saving your soul!

Heart Guard

One afternoon I walked into the living room and beheld a picture of loveliness: not one item out of place -- no newspapers on the floor, no shoes, no empty dishes left behind! Having taken a vacation day, Mr Bill had cleaned the living room. What a guy! Less than 24 hours after that what-a-guy feeling, I scratched my head in wonder: in the floor lay three pairs of shoes, used dishes, empty cups, newspapers, and clean laundry piled so high I could only speculate a couch was under it all! How did this happen? When did it occur? I didn't recall seeing it happen!

Isn't that how Satan gets a foothold in our lives? He discretely inches his nasty, bad, weasely self in justifying his ugliness in our heads, threatening to change our way of thinking; soon we don't even recognize his handiwork. Consider this: that television show which started out as good and wholesome begins to slip in a few adult situations, less-than-moral ideologies, a few bad words. Here’s the voice-of-reason, “we're adults -- we know right from wrong; it won't effect us.” Scripture warns, "Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on ... The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble ... Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you ... Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established ... Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil." (Proverbs 4:14, 15, 19, 25, 26, 27). It just doesn't get any plainer than that! Don't go there -- Don't look at it – Don’t listen to it – Don’t talk to it – Don’t walk with it – Just don't do it! Guarding the heart is the root -- a clean and pure heart is the spring to righteous living. What does it take to be clean & pure in daily living? Keeping the spring pure -- guard your heart!

In The Light

Visiting my sister last night, she pointed to two hanging baskets on her front porch that I hung there several weeks ago. One plant had grown and was full of blooms while the other one seemed to have grown very little and had only one bloom. She & I decided the bloomier one was getting more sunlight, so we switched their locations on the porch. It shouldn't take too long to see how smart we are!

SonLight exposure is pretty important to God. Look at a few of the references to light He made in His Word:

Romans 13:12 - "let us put on the armour of light"
2 Corinthians 6:14 - "what communion hath light with darkness"
Ephesians 5:8 - "now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light"
Ephesians 5:14 - "Christ shall give thee light."
1 Thessalonians 5:5 - "Ye are all the children of light"
1 John 1:5 - "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all"
1 John 1:7 - "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another"
Revelation 21:23 - "the Lamb is the light thereof"
Revelation 22:5 - "And there shall be no night there ... for the Lord God giveth them light"

God is serious about His Light. Remember, He sent The Light of all lights -- Jesus Christ. I think He wants us to know light is important. In a few weeks, maybe even days, Deb and I will know if our little switch-a-roo on the porch matters. A little more exposure to The SonLight in our Christian Walk is sure to make a difference!

Abounding

"Getting away" usually has a price: packing & unpacking, washing & drying, stocking the cabinets & refrigerator, cleaning up the kitchen when you get home. Getting back to normal sometimes presents quite a challenge especially when you're not sure what "normal" is. On occasion, Mr. Bill and I left the boys "in charge" while we were away. Like I said, "getting away" has a price!

God paid the price for my sin and I'm so grateful grace and mercy came down. I like my former pastor's words, "God's not fair -- He is merciful!" Oh, am I ever thankful He's not fair because hell would be my home! Because of God's unconditional and merciful love, this wayward child who knows right but does wrong, listens God’s Voice yet follows a wandering heart, and chooses unwisely time & time again, I can know endless victories through His Grace and Mercy. I stand corrected -- Abounding Grace and Abounding Mercy!

Righteous Thing

Mr. Bill is legally deaf in his left ear, which presents some communication challenges. The challenges are compounded as he [whenever possible] strategically positions me on his left as much as possible … so he CAN’T hear me.

This is a popular phrase, “Do the right thing.” It is definitely a worthy goal to teach our children and young people, and even sounds good … on-the-surface. One must ask, however, what exactly IS the “right thing?” A survey of individuals would certainly render varying answers. The concept of relativism is well-accepted in our culture, and promotes the idea there is no absolute truth; rather, everything is “relative” or subject to different values, perceptions, and considerations. The Apostle John wrote, “If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:29). God’s Word clearly states everything is relative to the righteousness of Christ. When we say-write-teach “do the right thing," there must be substance to “right,” not ever-changing truth. I challenge you to read Psalm 119 and learn righteous-relativism rooted in the Truth of God’s Word. Read it, meditate on it, then … do the righteous thing!

Shine! Shine! Shine!

How do you like your toast? Soft or crunchy? Light or dark? Me, I like my toast dark and crunchy! Good thing because that’s usually how it is when I forget to set the timer on the oven!

God’s Word says we are We are children of Light! “For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5). Aren’t you glad to know that! I don’t even like dreary gray days; I need the sunshine! This month the world celebrates [what should be] the Believer’s least favorite holiday. Everywhere we turn, we’re face-to-face with ghouls, goblins, witches, and spiders! Millions of dollars will be spent on the godless occasion. I’m so grateful God’s Word instructs and encourages Believers, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (1 Corinthians 6:14). There’s light again, and what a wonderful call for obedience to Christ – to be His Light in this frightening landscape. Many years ago, I sat on that Galilean hillside where Jesus once spoke, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14). We are to let His light shine through us on the dreariest of days to the darkness of holidays! Christian friend, “Arise and shine … “for The Light has come.” (Isaiah 60:1). Shine! Shine! Shine!

Prioritize-Reoganize

It is not a good morning-thing to be “in the stew” before your feet touch the floor! You can count on breaking the day’s speed limit: we brush faster, walk swifter, press buttons harder, type more urgently, and are more easily annoyed!

Is your life best described as a series of random happenings? There’s no reason for randomness with the aid of cell phones, e-mails, and digital calendars keeping us on-track. What a shame most of us leave little-to-no cushion of time for shifts in the day's plans. To squeeze one more thing in, something has to be squeezed out! How then can we respond to those who need a touch from Christ? Jesus found Himself in such a situation when His mother pulled Him aside to tell him there was no more wine at a wedding feast in Cana (John 2). Her announcement was far from casual -- it was an alarm! Although Jesus told her her his “time” had not yet come, he understood the need of the moment. Jesus’ first miracle met a real-world need! There are real people [all around us] with real needs that deserve real responses. Christ calls Believers to love one another (John 15:12) and seize every opportunity to serve others in His Name, seeing those moments [not as interruptions but] as a preordained occasion to share Christ. Take a look at your calendar; is there time open to serve? If not, prioritize and reorganize!

In-Stride With God

During Mr. Bill’s chemotherapy, he walked five miles almost every day. I tried to walk with him a few times, but I just couldn’t keep up! He’s a few inches taller than me which makes our strides a little different, but jeepers … he was walking & I was running!

Oswald Chambers wrote this: “The test of a man’s religious life and character is not what he does in the exceptional moments of life, but what he does in the ordinary times, when there is nothing tremendous or exciting going on.” Ordinary tasks and times aren’t always our favorites; they tend to lull us into a state of apathy. I think of Mr. Jim who spent most of his life in education, however, after his retirement he took a position as a custodian. He found joy in the simple and otherwise mundane -- admiring a good shine on the bathroom floor and the sparkle of a brass stair handrail. We have trouble at times getting “in stride” with God, getting our “second wind spiritually.” One of my favorite Bible heroes is Enoch. Actually, we know very little about him except that he was Noah’s great-grandfather and Methuselah’s father yet his spiritual fame says it all, “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” (Genesis 5:24). His walk-with-God wasn’t just a small stretch – no, it was some 300 years! Three hundred years and there’s no mention of Enoch being out-of-step with Almighty God! Enoch never tasted the bitterness of death; he and God just walked on into eternity. Can there possibly be anything sweeter than being in-step with God, anything more deeply rich than that kind of communion with The Father! Be zealous in your walk with God, and don’t ever fret about matching strides with The Father … He’ll never leave you behind!

Cautious Traveler

As the leaves begin to turn colors, lots of folks take to the roadway to see the beautiful fall colors. But who wants to drive! The driver has to watch the road!

We have good directions for travel: "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersover thou goest." (Joshua 1:9) Whether the road is smooth or rough, the directions are the same -- be strong, don’t be afraid or discouraged, God is with us. These words were not written just for the traveler who has lots of frequent flyer miles, silk suits, and an unlimited expense account. They were given to normal folks like you and I who struggle in the trenches with not enough time, money, patience, and stamina to go it alone. M.A. Kelty writes, "Watch your way then, as a cautious traveler; and don't be gazing at that mountain or river in the distance, and say, 'How shall I ever get over them?' but keep to the present little inch that is before you, and accomplish that in the little moment that belongs to it." God in His great wisdom gives us just enough strength, just enough courage, and just enough fearlessness for the moment. We must not watch the road but keep our eyes on the Driver who knows the road best. It's the cautious way to travel!

Do-What-It-Does

Crawl spaces are creepy! Like most houses, our house has one and I don’t like it. Any “space” coupled with the word “crawl” can’t be good! Aside from babies, anything that crawls isn’t on my list of favorite things!

Which would you choose: happy or holy? Before you answer, consider why it has to be either/or; why not both?. Far too long, Christians have been depicted as these sad-faced people, “weaned on dill pickles.” Somehow, that’s just not how I picture Christ! Nancy Leigh DeMoss writes, “Did you know that according to the Bible holiness and happiness go together? In Psalm 4 David says that ‘the ungodly love vain words and seek after lies.’ In contrast, those who are godly or holy experience true happiness. David prays, ‘You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.’ If we want to increase in peace and joy, we need to be asking God to make us holy.” Holiness is a spiritual radiator, and it’s visible effects are happiness! It’s an inside job and Christ The Author! Joel Houston’s lyrics come to mind: “Consume me from the inside out, Lord; Let justice and praise, become my embrace; To love You from the inside out.” I don’t think about the crawl space too much, and I’m pretty content to let it be-what-it-is and do-what-it-does. Believers don’t have to choose between holiness or happiness: when we choose holiness, the happiness comes with it. Just diligently pursue Christ and let Righteousness have its way. Let It just … do-what-it-does!

Strong Compass

This is the time of contrasts at my house: autumn aromas (spiced pumpkin) vs. non-smells (unscented everything), seasonal colors (golden browns) vs. camouflage, falling leaves vs. tree recostruction (deer stands). Despite being worlds apart this time of year, we manage to co-exist!

Do you see contrasts in your spiritual life? Timothy writes of a “seared conscience,” which is a serious problem today. “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared.” (1 Timothy 4:1-2). The King James’ translation reads, “consciences seared with a hot iron,” referring to that part of man which distinguishes good from bad, commends one and condemns another. Such consciences have been branded (cauterized) by sin. If over time we allow sin to reign in our lives, we all can lose our spiritual compass, rendering a conscience ineffective altogether. In contrast, however, a diligent and faithful pursuit of God will keep that spiritual compass healthy. Let us never forget, however, it is the work of The Spirit in our lives that makes us holy – never our own doing! It is God’s grace working in us to “let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.” (Romans 8:13). Back to the question: how do we recognize spiritual contrasts in our lives, and remain spiritually alert to Satan’s wiles? Stay in The Word and ask God to keep your spiritual compass strong!

Good Old Days

The “good old days” is a relative term. The good days for Mr. Bill included snorkeling in Turkey’s Sea of Marmara every day! For me, it was sound of an attic fan and the breeze it brought through my bedroom window. With all due respect to earlier generations, the absence of indoor plumbing and air conditioning just doesn’t sound “good” to me … any old day!

God made provision for man to leave behind the “old days,” quite the contrary to the world’s view. I listened recently to a renown doctor talking about how he’s helped people work-through lingering negative effects of “past lives” through “regression therapy.” Regression therapy – that may be a new phrase [and a loosely-used diagnosis to age-old problems], but for centuries Christ has helped seekers put off the old self “which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24). Now, I must admit I have regressive thoughts each day as I remember my former state, lost and undone without Christ, then joyfully delight in God’s Salvation of my soul. His Word assures me because of Jesus Christ, I am a new creation (not some spirit remade – refashioned – reincarnated but brand-spanking-new! “The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). I can sing with confidence, “I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.” For the Believer, these ARE the good old days!

Call for Help!

Today is officially Sweet-Ella-Day! Oh, the joy of little girls – a new experience for this mom-of-boys. It’s been an amazing year of simple milestones: first smile, first tooth, first step, first word. Like many of you, I now understand the “grand” in grandchildren!

One of Ella’s first words was “hep” (help), and how precious she knows how to use it: she can’t quite climb up on the couch, she says “hep;” can’t get out of her favorite box, “hep;” can’t reach a toy, “hep.” Isaiah 58:9 says, “You will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help.” Ella’s sincere call for help reminds me the LORD hears the cries of the righteous and there is no shame at all in calling on Him. He loves us so, and is faithful to hear and rescue. Let’s stay humble and keep calling for help!

Enduring Faith

In the summer of 2001, my sister Debbie & I saw a Russian Circus, and trapeze artists were part of the show. I've always found their performances thrilling and exhilarating. Of course, the huge safety net eliminates a great deal of anxiety for those watching ... and those performing!

Is your faith an escaping one or an enduring one? We are guilty of using our faith like a fire escape, depending on it to get us out of the heat. When we're in trouble, we deliberately pray more and lean more heavily on God. When we can't make sense of the trials, we brazenly approach God almost demanding to know as much as He does. Consider Job's approach to Almighty God, "Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O Watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, so that I am a burden to myself?" (Job 7:19-20) That's whining with boldness, don't you think? It's okay, because God had both barrels loaded with the perfect Divine response: "Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question YOU, and you will answer ME. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its  foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (38:3-7) On and on The Creator and Father of the universe continued to question Job as He plainly laid it out for Job ... and lays it out for us. He is God ... in Whom we trust with our very lives. He owes us no explanation of His Ways to us, nor is it necessary we understand all His ways -- only trust Him. I tell my children -- "obedience without understanding." That is enduring faith -- faith that endures the tough times and is obedient through the times when we’re blinded by life's dark moments. When we apply faith which endures, we grow in wisdom and in character. On the brighter side of those perilous times, we discover a more refined faith -- faith made stronger and more stable. Therein lies the answers and the blind obedience makes perfect sense.

Keep That Thought!

The next time you're breaking down cardboard boxes, consider what one clever entrepreneur did with cardboard: he sells life-size cardboard pictures of kids to parents who want to slow speeding motorists in their neighborhoods. Apparently, the cardboard cut-outs look so much like real children to motorists, they reduce their speed making neighborhoods safer. Yeah, I had the same thought: why didn't I think of that!

What does it take to slow us down: health problems, a broken family, job loss, financial hardship, a catastrophic event?  We live in seriously difficult times and the fear that everything is out-of-control rages. The Prophet Samuel wrote contrary to this way of thought: "The Lord kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and He has set the world upon them ... For by strength no man shall prevail." (2 Samuel 2:6-9)  That is The Biblical Worldview! Despite an uncertain economy  -- God is in control!  No matter who becomes our next president -- God is in control!  In times of war and peace -- God is in control!  Regardless of public opinions and polls -- God is in control. Remember what the psalmist said, "Be still and know that I am God" (46:10a), but do you know what happens when we do? He is "exalted among the nations" and "exalted in the earth!" (46:10b)  When Believers stop and apply what they SAY they believe -- the living breathing Truth of God -- we see He really is high above the difficulties and uncertainties of today and tomorrow. Did you just have a "why-didn't-I-think-of-that" moment?  Well, keep-that-thought and make it real  today!

God Remembers

Remembering can be fun!  I was looking through some old photographs recently, and it was addictive -- I couldn't stop until I had looked at them all!  Those photos of family and friends, past youth trips and family vacations brought a deluge of memories ... good, bad, joyful, sad -- but fun nonetheless ... just remembering!

The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah like this: "I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown." (Jeremiah 2:2)  God was referring to His Children whom He called out from Egypt, led into the Land of Promise, never once failing them.  You know their story of disobedience and wandering, as well as all the whining and doubt they leveled at God and His chosen leaders.  God's Word says God "remembered" as if to remind them of a time when their fellowship with Him was ... sweet.  At times I find myself "remembering" a time and place where I was more obedient to God, my fellowship with Christ more intimate, held a deeper and more sincere sense of His peace and joy.  That is when my past needs to catch up to my present!  Our walk with Christ should never be a memory -- something we recall with a wishful fondness.  Instead, it must be a part of who we are and where we are going each day -- a present journey, an ongoing pilgrimage.  If we're not moving forward and making progress in our spiritual journey, we're backing up and losing valuable ground.  Consider today just what God remembers about you and your walk with Him?  I sure hope it's not a memory!

Live To Tell It!

True, it’s best some things be forgotten, and the older version-of-me has little problem there!  Other things, however, which are remembered by the heart are not subject to much forgetfulness.  What a joy (otherwise called a “hoot”) to sit with my sisters and reminiscence of days-gone-by.  Mr. Bill declares when the “sustas” are around the table it is … the danger zone.

God makes it clear His blessings and precepts are to all generations!  “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (Deuteronomy 6:7)  In this digital age when information is massive and mere clicks away, it’s amazing how many things are actually lost.  Hand-written letters, personal cards, and storytelling are almost extinct.  How many wonderful testimonies of The Father remain untold?  What about the wonders of Jehovah’s faithfulness passed to the next generation, or His abounding love to the righteous never spoken of?  It’s one thing to live it, as well we must;  what about telling of God’s greatness to the next generation.  “Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.” (Joel 1:3).  Let us be faithful with God’s blessings – let them be things remembered and repeated to our children and children’s children!  Let’s live to tell it!

Heart Springs

At one time, there was a trampoline in our backyard, and as trampolines go – it was multi-functional.  It was, of course, a springboard to the sky for little boys, as well as an outdoor wrestling arena and an above-ground table for afternoon picnics.  Best yet, when turned on its side, it was great baseball pitch-back!

Did you know the heart is a springboard?  Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"  Oh, how I shutter and shake when I hear someone say, "just follow your heart."  If I follow my heart, I don't want to get out of bed in the morning!  God says in V.10, "I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins ..."  Oh, mercy me; and mercy is just what I need as God searches my heart!  The truth is, my heart is a springboard to whatever I feed it.  Spiritually speaking, we are what you see, what we read, and what we listen to.  Junk in – junk out!  I don't know about you, but I want the right stuff to come out when life squeezes me.  I want what "springs" from my heart to be pure and holy.  Let’s consider what we’re feeding our hearts! 

Oh, be careful little eyes what you see. Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.

There's a Father up above, and He's looking down in love.

Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.