Busy, Beware!

'Tis the Season ... or so it goes! The season for what? The season for additional stress and anxiety ... that is, if we're not careful. Befana learned the hard lesson of busyness ...

THE BALLAD OF BEFANA (by Helen Steiner Rice)
Befana the housewife scrubbing her pane, saw three old sages ride down the lane,
Saw three gray travelers pass her door -- Gaspar, Balthazar, Mechoir.
"Where journey you, sirs? she asked of them. Balthazar answered, "To Bethlehem,
For we have news of a marvelous thing. Born in a stable is Christ the King."
"Give him my welcome!" Then Gaspar smiled, "Come with us, mistress, to greet the Child."
"Oh, happily, happily would I fare, were my dusting through and I'd polished the stair."
Old Melchoir leaned on his saddle horn. "Then send but a gift to the small Newborn."
"Oh, gladly, gladly I'd send Him one, were the hearthstone swept and my weaving done.
As soon as ever I've baked my bread, I'll fetch Him a pillow for His head, and a coverlet too," Befana said.
"When the rooms are aired and linen dry, I'll look for the Babe." But the three rode by.
She worked for a day and a night and a day, then, gifts in her hands, took up her way.
But she never could find where the Christ Child lay.
And still she wanders at Christmastide, houseless, whose house was all her pride,
Whose heart was tardy, whose gifts were late; wanders and knocks at every gate,
Crying, "Good people, the bells begin! Put off your toiling and let love in."

Poor Befana, and poor us – when we put off and allow to pass numerous opportunities of love and kindness. Why not make this the the Season to bend over backwards to do an exercise of kindness ... begin today!

A Good Shine

A sales clerk once commented how pretty my blue topaz ring was, yet when I looked at it I was appalled at how dirty it was!  There was no sparkle or shine, only the slightest hint the stone should have been a crystal clear powder blue. The first thing I did when I got home was clean it up!

 

What causes us to be ungrateful?  It’s often a selfish attitude, which is caused by an unwillingness to serve.  How often do you find yourself grumbling about having to do this or that?  I'm ashamed to say my middle name could be "grumble" when I find my focus more on me, myself, and I rather than Jesus and others.  Grateful living, however, is the result of a heart clean before and right with God.  Psalm 51:10 says, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."  This should be our first request of God each day: a cleaned and renewed heart to reflect God's Light at Its best -- it's the secret to a truly good shine!

 

Walking in Truth

There are many things today designed to guide us along: voice mail notifications, customized ringtones, calendar alerts, and such .   I find myself struggling to decipher my phone's rings, dings, and beeps.

 

In his final letter, John wrote a commendation to Gaius: “For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth.” (3 John 3).  Most of us know how to shape-up and determine to live honorably, but it's only those in whom Truth is core that truth is sustained.  For the serious disciple of Christ, truth is the woof and warp: in weaving, the warp is the lengthwise thread and the woof is the transverse thread; the two threads are meticulously woven together to create stability in the cloth.  To know truth and to speak truth intellectually is one thing but to live truth – to walk dutifully in it – is another. To know-speak-live it is paramount to the testimony of every Christian.  For him, God's Truth will be the mantra – the oft repeated motto: "This is the way, walk in it, when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." (Isaiah 30:21).  Let this be our prayer as we pursue and are guided by the Truth of God, walking faithfully in and according to it: “Be it ours today, O gracious Spirit, to be ruled and governed by Thy divine authority, so that nothing false or sinful may reign in our hearts, lest it extend its malignant influence to our daily walk among men.” – Spurgeon

Be Watchful

Some children play well by themselves.  An only child for 8 years, our oldest son could entertain himself for hours.  Give him a stick and an open field, and he seemed to be quite content and on his own little planet.

 

Spiritually speaking, to be left on our own is truly dangerous!  Our son’s imagination could render some exciting and harmless adventures, but what man’s sin-nature renders is anything but harmless. Paul gave warning to Christians who would depart their faith: “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.” (1 Timothy 4:1, ESV).  How quickly, how easily, we argue never would we do such a thing!  Well, lay aside God’s Word, get too busy to pray, make worship and church an option – and yes, you’re now a target for Satan’s lies, deceit, schemes; you’re a potential departure of the faith. Paul’s warning is really quite simple: if you’re not working hard on your spiritual life, doing things to grow and stay close to God, you’re drifting away.  Left to ourselves, we will never grow in relationship with Christ.  Paul encourages a young pastor, which are good words for us all: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (4:16).  Let us be warned: be steadfast, be diligent, be never careless with our spiritual life. Be watchful!

ThanksLiving

Burton Hillis wrote, "I don't think the Lord wants any pompous proclamation of thanks on one Thursday in November as much as He wants a little humble service from us every day in the year."  That statement isn’t perfect but the essence of it is reflective for us all.  Christians should be psalm-118-24 people: every day is the day the Lord has made – “rejoice and be glad in it.”  However you spend this Thanksgiving – in the company of family or friends or in peaceful solitude – be deeply inspired because of God’s Steadfast Love which endures forever (Psalm 136:1). Be faithful to ThanksLiving with each breath!

Be Thankful

Years ago I was told by my dentist that I grind my teeth at night which destroys tooth enamel and causes jaw pain.  Now, I don't know I'm doing it but it certainly explains the jaw pain.  He prescribed a mouth guard to be worn at night, but the problem is it causes butt pain. Unconsciously, I take the guard out during the night; the last time I wore

it, when I woke up it was underneath me and there were teeth marks on my rear.  That was the "end" of that!

 

Does your cup of thanksgiving include difficult times?  Think back to your last teeth-gritting circumstance: did gratitude overtake you?  For most of us – no, it does not!  I've heard it's usually ot the load itself that brings you down, but rather how you bear the load.  Paul wrote "in everything give thanks" (1 Thessalonians 5:18a).  Notice he said to give thanks IN everything, not FOR everything.  The message is to maintain a thankful heart no matter what: in spite of the bank balance, medical emergencies, struggling relationships, demanding schedules, and such.  Paul's words to "rejoice evermore" (V.16) encourages us to know and express God's Goodness at all times, not in relation to what we're going through.  We must understand and live knowing God is good all the time -- not just in the good times. The next time you feel like gritting your teeth, be thankful instead.  It just might save more than enamel!

A Sense of Wonder

My parents were spending the week in the mountains. Dad said their first day was overcast and the colors of fall had passed. They both commented, however, on the beauty and serenity of the hills. Their day consisted of talking, eating, reading, and napping. They had three naps in one day!  The perfect mountain trip!

 

Don't forget that the same God created all the planets even those unable to sustain life.  Why do you suppose God made one particular planet just right for humans? Chapter One of Genesis says God liked what He made and blessed His Creation, giving us authority and rule over it. We were in His mind in the very beginning -- He made it just for us!  The beauty of this world should trigger and awaken a sense of wonder within us.  God's holy and artistic Hand formed mountains and canyons, sunrises and sunsets, oceans

and rivers, and animals that delight us with companionship. One morning as I left the house for work, there was a double-rainbow in the sky.  How amazing that Elohim, the Hebrews' name for the Lord God, painted the sky just for me! There is nothing designed or created by His Hand unworthy of our gratitude and an ever more reverent ... sense of wonder.

 

Saying Grace

We call it "the blessing," some call it "saying grace."  Whatever it's called, it's the moment before the meal when heads are bowed, eyes are closed, and God is thanked for the food.  Dad & Mom always made us hold hands so I grew up thinking everyone did.  Dad joked it was to keep little hands out of the food but after raising three boys, I don't think it was such a joke!

 

God's Table of Bounty is plentiful in our lives if only we take notice.  We allow our blessings to breeze by us as quickly as the hours in the day, often giving little thought to what they are and from whom they come.  How many times have you sang these words -- "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow"? Can you recite them thoughtlessly, eyes closed, half asleep?  The Psalmist asks in 103:5: "who satisfieth thy desire with good things?" James answers that question in 1:17, "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father ..."  God's best gift of Grace came to us in the His Son, and when we "say grace," we verbally acknowledge His many gifts. Our blessings cannot always be held in the hand or seen with the eye; many are felt with the heart and best known by a common bond of Spirit and Truth.  Take a moment today to pause at the gifts --  acknowledge them then ... speak grace.

Belly-Up

This is the time of year Mr. Bill typically spraying for bugs!  He gets out his sprayer and sprays the baseboards.  Actually, it works pretty good since most all the bugs I see are belly-up!  Yes!

 

God calls for perseverance.  Poor bugs strive to persevere, but [thankfully] it just doesn’t happen around here!  Sadly, Christians don’t always persevere either.  Satan likes nothing more than to cause us to fall.  He’s pretty good at hitting below the belt – dangling in front of us the very sin that entices and entangles.  There’s few things that crush me more than to know my weak link, then fall for his nasty tricks anyway.  Oh, how wonderful when we confess our sin, receive God’s faithful and just forgiveness (1 John 1:9), and move on without further condemnation.  Just when Satan is whooped and we are free to move on, he reminds us of the sin for which we’ve been forgiven.  Then the guilt cycle begins: forgiven but not forgotten – forgiven but not forgotten – forgiven but not forgotten.  I take that personal beating again and again until finally it’s just Jesus and me, and His words break through: “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” (John 8:11).  Mr. Bill’s bug-killing spray is potent; so is the power of God against self-inflicted guilt of past sin.  Forgiven sin is in the past where it must stay; it is dead and gone … it’s belly-up!  Let us rejoice and live on in the light of God’s amazing grace!

Everything

When offered anything for free, beware.  Read the fine print or ask a few questions, and usually you'll find it's not really free.  One time Mr. Bill and I traveled too far, listened too long, for steak knives too dull to cut hot butter!

 

In this world, the something-for-nothing concept is a myth.  A popular talk show host often reminds his listeners, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."  While those are wise words for the consumer, this advice is irrelevant to God's gift of Salvation.  Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” A gift is a gift – given freely, to be humbly received with thanksgiving.  Charles H. Spurgeon describes God's gift like this: "As the earth drinks in the rain, as the sea receives the streams, as night accepts light from the stars, so we, giving nothing, partake freely of the grace of God."  For the Believer, the receiving of life-for-death without merit (earning it) is an immeasurable blessing.  Many Christians have forgotten who they were before Christ: condemned without hope, separated by sin from Holy God, with no good future.  God – rich in mercy –sent Jesus to pay our sin debt, poured His Righteousness into us, and declared us free!  Before I even knew it, God loved me, unaware of His mercy, He was merciful to me, and thousands of years ago – hanging in terribly agony – He prayed that I be forgiven.  All these riches made mine and I did nothing to earn them!  As my Pastor says, “we bring nothing to the table.”  The Christian didn’t just get something-for-nothing, we received Everything-for-nothing.  “Jesus paid it all – All to Him I owe – Sin had left a crimson stain – He washed it white as snow.”

for You alone, O Lord, make me

dwell in safety.  Psalm 4:8

 

A Theme For Marvel

There are many causes to celebrate: births and birthdays, weddings and anniversaries, new jobs and retirements, and numerous other life events.  It’s good and fun to celebrate but most celebrations are short-lived.  That is, unless it’s a self-proclaimed family holiday – as Mr. Bill rolls his eyes -- like my birthday!

 

How absolutely silly is it that Christians dare walk around wringing their hands and with long faces in fretfulness!  Yes, we’ve all done it – we all do it!  These could be our words instead of Israel's, “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” (Isaiah 49:14).  No matter how many times God has rescued His own, some crisis comes along and stirs up the worry and fear: a cold-water celebration with an aftermath of stale cake, wilting flowers, deflated balloons, and used party plates.  To this our God says, “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.” (Isaiah 49:16).  It's not just my name that's etched in His hands; no, it's my doings and undoings, my strengths and weaknesses, my victories and failures, my beliefs and unbeliefs, my remembrances and forgetfulness.  Instead of the fear-and-doubt song-and-dance, we should remember, “The steadfast Love of the LORD never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; Great is Your Faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my Portion,’ says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24).  The biggest celebration of God’s faithfulness -- which never ceases -- is knowing there is no aftermath!  Oh, to marvel in Christ each day, every moment of each day!  Oh, what a wonder is The Father of the Redeemed -- His Faithful Goodness a continuous theme to marvel.  "How marvelous, how wonderful - And my song shall ever be - How marvelous, how wonderful - Is my Savior's Love for me."

Identify

There are certain traits Mr. Bill says I “come by” quite honestly – family characteristics I inherited.  I really don’ think he’s referring to good looks or keen intellect!  For example, I admit I often have an inquiring mind and am prone to ask questions.  He just calls it being nosey.  Whatever!

 

When I was a teenager, we sang a song titled, “They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love.”   I’m not so sure the world can rightly identify Christians this way these days, but the absence of love is easily recognized!  Some fruits are out-of-season which makes picking produce a little tricky, and in the world recognizing good “fruit” as described in Galatians 5 characteristics (or fruits) of Christ -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Now, don’t figure on getting up in the morning and announcing, “I’m going to be fruitful today,” as in having only Godly traits. That will last only until you encounter the first unloving, impatient or unkind person if it lasts that long!  Skip the announcement because genuine (real) fruit of Christ is rooted in His fullness inside us: a heart-full of Jesus!  Impossible?  Not at all: “And in Him you have been made complete … “ (Colossians 2:10).  Such character traits become a showcase for Christ in our lives.  This shows the world WHO we are and TO WHOM we belong.  Christians do not suffer an identity crisis: rightly identify with Christ and bear His fruit!

In The Company of Roses

We can all appreciate how lingering odors aren’t always pleasant.  There are some lingering smells, however, that are pleasant.  Today’s “borrowed blessing” reminds us how our presence lingers in the lives of others, and what lingers should be more of a fragrance than an odor. “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:15). 

“In the Company of Roses" by Henry Gariepy
Roses are grown for the Vienna market in great profusion and with much distillation of fragrance. We are told that if you were to visit that valley at the time of the rose crop, wherever you would go the rest of the day, the fragrance you would carry with you would betray where you had been. There is a beautiful parable given to us by the Persian poet and moralist, Saadi. The poet was given a bit of ordinary clay. The clay was so redolent with sweet perfume that its fragrance filled all the room. “What are you, musk
or ambergris?” he questioned. “I am neither,” it answered. “I am just a bit of common clay.”  “From where then do you have this rare perfume?” the poet asked. “I have companied  all the summer with a rose,” it replied.  We are just bits of the common clay of humanity. But if we company with the One Who is the Rose of Sharon ... something of the fragrance of His life will pass into ours. Then we will be a refreshing and a sweetening influence to the world around us.

Unchanged

Trust me, today is not a good day to look at old photographs!  This old me has changed quite a bit over 59 years!   Gee, sometimes I don’t even recognize me.  I’m sure of who I am, however, because when I voted this week, one look at my driver’s license it was confirmed … I am me.

 

We know very little about Malachi, last of the minor prophets, but he penned one of the most profound truths -- and, yes, there are many -- in Scripture: "I the LORD do not change." (3:6).  I'm not sure any of us can fully comprehend the magnitude of this statement.  The older me appreciates consistency and it's especially nice when I can maintain it.  Of course, I cannot always do that.  The one consistency in this life is change. What an oxymoron: constant change.  Malachi doesn't mince words or leave room for debate; no, he makes it quite clear that Jehovah God doesn't change - He is  constantly unchanging.  Do you realize when we drift off into sleep each night our heart rate changes, our breathing changes, our clocks change, the moon changes, the position of the earth changes -- we are surrounded by changes.  It's a wonder we recognize anything about the new day!  The lone Constant and Unchanged, however, is God.  All He was yesterday -- holy, patient, kind, loving, gracious, faithful, infinite, all-knowing, all-present -- He is in the new day and will be in every day thereafter.  He doesn't wake up in a bad mood, tired and put out with us over our repeated failures.  No, He doesn't sleep nor slumber; and, throughout the night-of-changes, He continued, He remained.  It's what He does because it's what He is!  In this world-gone-mad this one truth is enough to make the new day a good one, a day to sing, a day to smile, a day to love, a day to serve, a day to pray, a day to tell someone about this God unchanged.  What cha think?

Resemblance

Our grandson, Caleb, turned 3 last week and I’m pretty sure he celebrated all week.  I say that’s a good habit to develop, that is, extending one's birthday celebration to more than just one day.  Actually, I usually celebrate for an entire month cause of all things I love in this life – I love my birthday!

 

Have you ever thought about your spiritual resemblance?  Our oldest son, Danny - Caleb’s father, commented how much Caleb looks like him as a little boy.  Yes, he does, and I’ve often thought and commented the same thing.  And why shouldn’t he!  And why shouldn’t Christians resemble Christ?  Paul wrote to the Galatians, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20).  Let’s be honest, our default nature isn’t so pretty; we're given to being unkind, selfish, arrogant, judgmental, etc.  The nature of Christ – alive in the Believer – puts to death the unseemly sin nature giving us a resemblance and fragrance of the Savior.  Don’t you enjoy the company of Saints such as this!  Imagine how much more pleasant grocery store lines would be, or fans at ball games, or shopping malls.  Why, even the faces and testimonies of our Churches would be different!  It’s going to be fun watching Caleb grow and his features change with time; we hope his sweet nature stays the same.  Let us pray the Nature of Christ is alive and well in each of us!