Memorial Day 2021

 

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:105

Memorial Day (previously called Decoration Day) is a holiday for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  This remembrance started soon after the end of the Civil War, when the graves of the fallen soldiers were decorated with flowers.  World War I and II turned it into a day of remembrance for all military deaths in the line of service.  It became a national holiday in 1971,  Memorial Day is considered by many as the first day of the summer season.

Tomorrow is the first day of June – the first day of real summer for me, and the first day of my project to Read the New Testament in 90 Days.  You can never read the Bible “too much.”  Each time I read, especially if I switch out different translations, I find something new, or a thought I had forgotten. I hope that you will join me in this project.  I will post the readings for the next week at the end of the daily blog on Fridays/Saturdays.

Blessings!  Have a wonderful Memorial Day.

 Summer 2021 Reading List - New Testament

Tuesday, June 1  Matthew 1-3

Wednesday, June 2  Matthew 4-6

Thursday, June 3  Matthew 7-9

Friday, June 4  Matthew 10-12

Saturday, June 5  Matthew 13-15

Sunday, June 6  Matthew 16-18

Monday, June 7  Matthew 19-21

 

 

Who Gets Revenge?

He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should

do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed,

or lay my hand on him, for he is the Lord’s anointed.

1 Samuel 24:6

When my kids were little, it was not unusual to see them huddled together, plotting the imminent demise of someone who had been unkind to one of them – coming together as sisters against “the enemy.”  When I found them in full-vengeance mode, I would sit them down and remind them of this story about David and Saul.

Saul was determined to kill David, mostly because he was jealous that God had promised the kingship to him. Saul tried all kinds of tricks and traps to catch him, then resorted to taking part of his army out to hunt down David like a wild animal.  On two different occasions, David came upon Saul’s camp while they were sleeping.  It was the perfect opportunity for David to kill Saul.  But he refused to shed the blood of the Lord’s anointed.  David knew that God would work out the problem of Saul’s hatred, and would not take revenge.

I taught the girls Paul’s words in Romans 12:19:: “Vengeance is Mine, saith the Lord.  I will repay.”  If we give to God our hurts, slights, and anger, He will take care of our enemies – in His way, in His time.

Wit's End

 

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

 that the surpassing greatness of power may be of God

and not from ourselves.

2 Corinthians 4:7  

Are you standing at Wits' End Corner, Christian, with troubled brow?
Are you thinking of what is before you and all you are bearing now?
Does all the world seem against you, and you in battle alone?
Remember - at Wits' End Corner Is just where God's power is shown.

Are you standing at Wits' End Corner, blinded with wearying pain,
Feeling you cannot endure it - you cannot bear the strain,
Bruised through the constant suffering, dizzy and dazed and dumb?
Remember - to Wits' End Corner is where Jesus loves to come. 

Are you standing at Wits' End Corner, your work before you spread,
All lying, begun, unfinished and pressing on heart and head,
Longing for strength to do it - stretching out trembling hands?
Remember - at Wits' End Corner the burden Bearer stands. 

Are you standing at Wits' End Corner yearning for those you love,
Longing and praying and watching, pleading their cause above,
Trying to lead them to Jesus, wondering if you've been true?
He whispers - at Wits' End Corner, "I'll win them as I won you." 

Are you standing at Wits' End Corner? Then you're just in the very spot
to learn the wondrous resources of Him who faileth not!
No doubt to a brighter pathway your footsteps will soon be moved,
But only at Wits' End Corner is the God who is able "proved."

– by Antoinette Wilson

 

Remembering Lot's Wife

Remember Lot’s wife.

Luke 17:32

A few months ago I received a flyer from AARP regarding a new way to adjust the side mirrors on my car.  Following the very precise instructions to the tee, I found that I had a completely different outlook when I used these mirrors.  Instead of competing with the rearview mirror, my side mirrors now open up my blind spot on each side so that I can see what is directly beside me.  Although all three mirrors are necessary when I am driving, most of the time my eyes are fixed on the road ahead.

Jesus uttered today’s three word sentence to the disciples during a discourse on the end of time.  He was describing to the disciples some of the difficulties they would face when out of the blue, He says, “Remember Lot’s wife.”   Mrs. Lot had been dragged out of Sodom by her husband when the angels warned them that the city was going to be destroyed.  Instead of being grateful for the angel’s intervention, she could not look forward because she was too busy looking back.  And that was her undoing.

Jesus is holding out a hand to us today, asking us to follow in His footsteps, letting Him guide us to our heavenly destination.  The world calls to us to look back – come back.  Remember Lot’s wife!

Who Has Your Back?

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.

We do not know what we ought to pray for,

But the Spirit Himself intercedes for us

With groanings that words cannot express.

Romans 8:26

There is a corner in my home office with a nice window to let in some light, an upholstered chair that is kind to my arthritic hip, and a small table that is perfect for a book and a water bottle.  This small spot has become my prayer corner, a place that I do not utilize nearly often enough.

I grew up in a difficult household and learned at an early age that it was better to keep my thoughts to myself.  Old habits are hard to break.  When I sit in my prayer corner and say “Good Morning” to God, I always start the conversation by talking about my kids.  When that immediate need is met, I more often than not lapse into silence, having no earthly clue what to say next. 

Our text today – this wonderful thought penned by Paul – reminds me that the Holy Spirit knows exactly what needs to be said and will present the petitions that need to be dealt with as incense rising to God.  That doesn’t mean that I do not need to try and share, but it is wonderful to know that when I just don’t have the words to carry on, the Spirit has my back.

Keeping the Commandments

"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"

He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'

This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it:

'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Matthew 22:36-40 

The Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day believed that it was essential to keep the Law. They took the Ten Commandments and sheltered them with a hedge of other commandments, which were sheltered by a wall of more commandments, and so forth.  Eventually they arrived at 613 commandments, 365 prohibitions, and 248 injunctions, all of which were to be obeyed.  Ten became over a thousand.

Then along came Jesus.  This upstart, country rabbi ignored most of their rules and regulations, and challenged their authority to enforce all those rulings,  When one of the Pharisees approached Him with the question of which commandment was most important, Jesus turned the theologians on their heads. Taking the original Ten Commandments, He condensed rather than expanding on them.  Ten became two:

·         Love God with heart, soul, mind and strength

·         Love all human beings as you love yourself.

Angels Watching Over Me

 

For He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you in all your ways.

 Psalm 91:11 

When my children were young, they loved for me to turn on the radio to the local Christian station, then pretend they were singing stars and “perform” before their “audience” (just me!) to their favorite songs.  One of their best-loved was Angels Watching Over Me, sung by Amy Grant.  No matter where they were in the house, as soon as they heard the start of that song, they ran pell-mell into the living room to sing along.  The message is one of hope and encouragement for all of us.  We have no idea, beyond our guardian angel, how many heavenly beings are walking with us, guiding and guarding us.

"Take this man to prison, " the man heard Herod say,
And then four squads of soldiers came and carried him away.
Chained up between two watchmen, Peter tried to sleep,
But beyond the walls an endless prayer was lifting for his keep.
Then a light cut through the darkness of a lonely prison cell,
And the chains that bound the man of God just opened up and fell,
And running to his people before the break of day,
There was only one thing on his mind, only one thing to say: 

Angels watching over me, every move I make,
Angels watching over me!
Angels watching over me, every step I take,
Angels watching over me!

God only knows the times my life was threatened just today.
A reckless car ran out of gas before it ran my way.
Near misses all around me, accidents unknown,
Though I never see with human eyes the hands that lead me home.
But I know they're all around me all day and through the night.
When the enemy is closing in, I know sometimes they fight
To keep my fight from falling, I'll never turn away.
If you're asking what's protecting me then you're gonna hear me say:

Got his angels watching over me, every move I make,
Angles watching over me!
Angels watching over me, every step I take,
Angels watching over me

Though I never see with human eyes the hands that lead me home

 

Listening to Your Life

 What does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

And to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

I want to share a portion of my devotional today.  It gave me food for thought:

The next time things get a little heated, make it an opportunity to show love and grace, even if you've got a different opinion.  Say the truth in love but be willing to concede the last word.  When we let other people have the last word, we let them know we're more interested in spreading love than winning arguments.  Instead of convincing people we're right, let's be humble.  Humble people know when to speak up and when to be silent.  People listen to our lives even more than our words, and it will be love that moves them in the end.

-Bob Goff, Live in Grace - Walk in Love

Walking on Water

I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me.

Psalm 120:1 

Water and I are not BFF’s by any stretch of the imagination.  Swimming pools where I can stand on solid footing are great.  Places where water is deep and has power?  No, thank you.  If I had been in that small fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus came walking across the waves, I certainly would never have volunteered to try it myself.

Peter was always bold and brash, however, and immediately asked if he could join Jesus.  At the invitation to “Come,” Peter hauled himself over the side of the boat and began walking on the sea toward the Savior.   He heard the wind, tasted the sea spray, and for one short second, took his eyes off Christ and glanced at his surroundings.  Fear slammed into him like a wall, and down he went, crying out, “Lord, save me!”  Jesus reached out a hand and pulled Peter up.  In my mind’s eye, I can see them, Jesus with his arm around Peter’s shoulders, walking together back to the boat.

Our verse today is a promise that God will always hear you when you call on Him, and He will answer your prayers.  It may not be right away.  It may not be in the way you expect.  It will, however, be exactly what you need.

When nothing else could help, Love lifted me.

Wise in Your Own Eyes

Do not be wise in your own eyes.

Proverbs 3:7 

A boy was playing with a ball when it bounced up and got stuck on the roof.  He tried several times to knock it loose, but to no avail.  His father watched all this from the porch with amusement and wonder.  Finally, the boy gave up and walked over to his dad to ask for help.After the ball was securely in his son’s arms, he asked: “Why didn’t you ask me to help you in the first place?”

When we don’t bring our problems to the Lord, we are effectively saying to Him, “I don’t trust You.”  Or perhaps what we are really saying is, “I don’t trust You to do this my way.”  Being wise in our own eyes = difficulties and problems.  Trust God.  His way might not be yours, but it will be the best way for you.

So how can you see what your life is worth
Or where your value lies?
You can never see through the eyes of man
You must look at your life through heaven's eyes.

The Way

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the father except through Me.

John 14:6 

I learned quickly as a child that when I followed the rules, I could expect a reward:  A gold star on my spelling test; a little statue of Bach for a perfectly memorized recital piece; an “A” on my report card; a scholarship for college. 

As an adult, the rules were more difficult, but the rewards were greater:  A much needed raise;  a coveted promotion; a corner office; breaking the glass ceiling.  I was taught that logical thinking, obeying the rules, and approaching life with gusto and integrity would guarantee my success.

Many people approach God with the same work ethic: Obey the rules (10 commandments), reap the reward (heaven).  In this one area of life, however, it simply doesn’t work like that.   The only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ – knowing Him, loving Him, following Him, and trusting Him to lead us home. 

 I will follow Thee, my Savior,

Thou didst shed Thy blood for me.

And though all men should forsake me,

By Thy grace, I'll follow Thee.

 

Camping Angels

 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,

and delivers them.

Psalm 34:7 

One of my favorite Old Testament stories features a war between Israel and the king of Aram.  The king kept setting up a trap for Israel, and the king of Israel kept avoiding it.  The king of Aram finally asked someone, “Who in our army is a traitor?”  One of his officers said, “It isn’t us!  It’s the prophet Elisha.  He tells the king of Israel everything you say, even what you say in your bedroom!”

So the king of Aram sent his army to surround Dothan, where Elisha was living.  The next morning, Elisha’s servant opened the front door and almost fainted.  The city was surrounded by the enemy.  Elisha told the servant not to be afraid, because “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them!”  The prophet then prayed that the servant’s eyes would be opened, and they saw the army of the enemy surrounded by angels and chariots of fire from the Lord of Hosts..

Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus,

To reach out and touch Him, and say that we love Him.

Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.

Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.

Lord, help us to always remember that

Your resources are greater than anything

the enemy can throw at us!

Saul to Paul

 This man is my chosen instrument

to proclaim My name to the Gentiles and their kings,

and to the people of Israel.

Acts 9:15

The story of Saul/Paul has always fascinated me.  Resident religious bad boy and rising star in the ranks of the Pharisees, he was a scholar who was positive that Jesus was a false Messiah.  If you did not agree with his point a view, he was quite willing to put you to death.  Saul was not near the top of anyone’s list for leader of the fledgling Christian church – except God’s. 

After Saul’s murderous intentions were brought to a screeching halt on the road to Damascus, God told Ananias to go to Saul and anoint him.  Ananias was so shocked at that suggestion that he went so far as to question God’s judgment in the matter.  The Father gently put him in his place with the proclamation that Saul/Paul was His choice to take the message of the risen Savior to the world.

If you ever have doubts about your acceptance before God, or your worthiness of His love, read the story of Saul/Paul – the self-proclaimed Chief of Sinners.  Paul’s experience shines a beacon of hope on all of us.   There is nothing you can do to destroy God’s love for you.

Chief of sinners though I be,

Jesus shed His blood for me.

Died that I might live on high,

Died that I might never die;

As the branch is to the vine,

I am His and He is mine.

William McComb, 1738

Birds-Birds-Birds

 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap 

or store away in barns, yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matthew 6:26

Yesterday afternoon I sat on my front steps for awhile, enjoying the intermittent sunshine.  Sitting as quietly as possible, I was able to watch an amazing variety of birds swooping in and out of my yard.  Morning doves are common visitors, as well as a bright red cardinal.  Robins were in attendance, and a very black bird that I assumed was a crow.  I am not what one would call "bird knowledgeable.  

Bird calls or songs are fascinating to me as a musician.  One of my feathery friends was singing ♩ ♬ ♬ ♩ - in G major - over and over again. Another, much louder bird sang 𝅘𝅥 𝅘𝅥 𝅘𝅥 on an F# no less!  It almost sounded as if the two birds were exchanging pleasantries. Each bird song has a rhythm and a pitch.  Some even sound like they have a rhyme!

Matthew reminds us that, as God is directly involved in the lives of our bird friends, He longs to be involved in our lives on every level.  Do you have a song to sing for Him today?  

This is my Father's World, the birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world:  He shines in all that's fair.

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere.

United Methodist Hymnal, No. 144

The Eye of the Storm

 He stilled the storm to a whisper;

the waves of the sea were hushed.

Psalm 107:29

The Eye of the Storm

Fear not that the whirlwind will carry you hence,

Nor wait for its onslaught in breathless suspense,

Nor shrink from the blight of the terrible hail,

But pass through the edge to the heart of the tale,

For there is a shelter, sunlighted and warm,

And faith sees her God through the eye of the storm.

The passionate tempest with rush and wild roar

And threatenings of evil may beat on the shore,

The waves may be mountains, the fields battle plains,

And the earth be immersed in a deluge of rains,

Yet, the soul, stayed on God, may sing bravely its psalm

For the heart of the storm is the center of calm.

Let hope be not quenched in the blackness of night,

Though the cyclone a while may have blotted the light,

For behind the great darkness the stars ever shine,

And the light of God's heavens, His love will make thine.

Let no gloom dim your eyes, but uplift them on high

To the face of your God and the blue of His sky.

The storm is your shelter from danger and sin

And God Himself takes you for safety within.

The tempest with Him passes into deep calm,

And the roar of the winds is the sound of a psalm.

Be glad and serene when the tempest clouds form,

God smiles on His child in the eye of the storm.

-L.B.Cowman, Streams in the Desert

O tell of God's might, O sing of God's grace

Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.

Whose chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form

And dark is His path on the wings of the storm.

Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite?

It breathes in the air, it shines in the night.

It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,

And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

No Leaderboard Needed

 

I am not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made.

But I am well on my way – reaching out for Christ

who has so wondrously reached out for me.

Friends, don’t get me wrong.

By no means do I consider myself an expert in all this,

but I’ve got my eye on the goal,

where God is beckoning us onward – to Jesus.

I am off and running, and I’m not turning back.

Philippians 3:13-14 Message

I love to watch PGA golf, and on an average Sunday afternoon during the season, you can usually find me sitting on the couch, watching my favorites as they battle it out in the final round.  Yesterday it was Rory McIlroy that I was enthusiastically cheering on. 

Sometimes, as he waited his turn to proceed, Rory would glance at the leaderboard.  Just a glance – to see who was close behind and who, if anyone, was up ahead.  Then he turned his eye back to his own game and strode confidently forward.

Paul likened the believer’s life to a race toward a goal.  I like to call it a journey, and to remember that my daily walk with Jesus is just as important as my heavenly destination.  We are not glancing at a scorecard but fixing our eyes on the Savior – the “Author and Finisher of our faith.”

Lord, help me keep my eyes on You.  Amen.

Dilemma in Comics Land

 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,

Whatever is right, whatever is pure,

Whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable –

If anything is excellent or praiseworthy –

Think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am a long-time fan of the comic section of the newspaper.  I grew up reading Dagwood, Peanuts, Lil Abner, and Dennis the Menace.  When I reached my teens, I added the human drama strips such as Mark Trail, Mary Worth, Judge Parker and Rex Morgan, M.D.  A few fantasy strips made my list:  Spiderman, and Prince Valiant.  For Better or Worse, Luann and Stone Soup were more recent additions, along with Frazz, Betty, and Pearls before Swine.  Most of these strips are available each morning on my cell phone.

A few years ago, one of my favorite strips took a very dark turn, with kidnappings, murders, torture, lies, deception, corrupt government agents, and political intrigue.  Kindness?  Caring?  Purity?  No. The traits that Paul urged the church in Philippi to think about were no longer in evidence in that strip.  When I asked myself why I was still reading it, the answer came back – habit – and a bad one, at that. That strip is no longer a part of my comics diet.  

I will admit that it's siren call still pulls at me occasionally.  When it does, or whenever I feel a twinge of concern about something I am putting into my brain, I repeat this verse to myself.  It guides me to the right decision every time.

In the Furnace

 

I will turn My hand upon thee, and purely

 purge away Thy dross …

Isaiah 1:25

But who can endure the day of His coming?

And who can stand when He appears?

For He is like a refiner’s fire…

Malachi 3:2

Do you know what dross is?  I must admit that I thought I understood the gist of Isaiah’s text without having to know what that odd word meant.   Dross is the scum that is formed on the surface of molten metal.  These impurities must be removed prior to casting, so that the resultant metal is strong and pure.  The prophet Malachi stated that the Messiah was coming as “a refiner’s fire.”

Every single day we are faced with a spiritual “fire” of choices that we must make: 

• ·         Do I tell the truth? 
• ·         Do I fudge these answers just a bit? 
• ·         Do I curse under my breath? 
• ·         Do I join in the laughter when someone pokes fun at God? 
• ·         Do I climb the corporate ladder no matter what the moral cost? 
• ·         Do I step on someone else in order to get where I want to go? 
• ·         Do I put myself first – far away from the flames? 

God uses the dark times that are inevitable in human life to help us overcome as He clears the impurities from our hearts.  Being in the furnace of affliction is always an uncomfortable, often a painful experience.  How wonderful that we never have to face it alone.

The Earth is the Lord's

The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it,

The world, and all who live in it,

For He founded it upon the seas,

And established it upon the waters.

Psalm 24:1-2

The earth is the Lord's
And everything in it
The earth is the Lord's
The work of His hands
The earth is the Lord's
And everything in it
And all things were made
For His glory


And all things were made
Yes, all things were made
And all things were made
For His glory

The mountains are His
The seas and the islands
The cities and towns
The houses and streets
Let rebels bow down
And worship before Him
For all things were made
For His glory

And all things were made
Yes, all things were made
And all things were made
For His glory

-Graham Kendrick 1986

The Earth is the Lord’s  - Evan Shelton

A Great Rule

“Treat men exactly as you would like them to treat you.”

Luke 6:31 (Phillips) 

I love to go to a local park to walk the 1.25 mile trail through the woods.  It is great exercise, because the path follows the natural incline/decline of the forest floor, giving the walker/runner/cyclist a "hills and valleys" workout.  There are a multitude of rules posted at the beginning and ending of the trail:  dogs must be on a leash; bicycles on the left; walkers on the right; only official vehicles on the trail (golf carts used by the rangers), park only in lined spaces, etc.  Too often, however, I run into someone who believes that those rules are for other people – not for them. 

These famous words spoken by Jesus are taught to our school children as the Golden Rule of human behavior: give other people the same courtesy and respect that you hope they will give to you.  There is no guarantee, of course, that your attitude will be reciprocated, because it is much easier to take the route of putting myself first at the inconvenience of everyone else.  However, stopping to think about the consequences of our choices on those around us is a great step in the right direction for living by the Golden Rule. 

Reading the Word

 

For the Word of God is quick, and powerful,

and sharper than any two-edged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12

Have you ever tried to read the Bible through?  I confess that I have a difficult time with the Old Testament, and usually lose my focus right round the Kings and the Chronicles.  This year, however, I am going to have a personal summer reading program (just like the school kids!).  From June 1-August 31, I am going to read through the New Testament. 

I was raised reading the King James version of the Bible and have also read extensively in the New International version.  This year, I am going to read the New Testament from J. B. Phillips’ New Translation.in Modern English.   If you have access to a different translation than you usually use, give it a try!  

I’d like to invite you to join me in this adventure, starting June 1.  I will post the readings for the week on Monday at the bottom of the daily blog, and also on my Facebook page.  Don’t get discouraged if you miss a day.  Just keep right on going!  God will be with us as we read, opening our understanding and strengthening our faith and hope.

 

 

A Parent's Prayer

 

Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears;

For your work shall be rewarded…

And they shall come back from the land of the enemy.

There is hope in your future…

That your children shall come back to their own border.

Jeremiah 31:16-17

I know there are many of you who have children or other loved ones who have given up on God and His love for them.  Some are just tired of religion that has many rules but few answers.  Some have turned their back on God completely.  The isolation of the pandemic (and the endless questions about why God doesn’t “do something” about it) has caused others to turn away.

If “Bring up a child…” Is one of your favorite promises, add this verse in Jeremiah to your prayer arsenal.  God has repeatedly promised that He will do all in His power to save every one of His children.  Ultimately, every human being on earth has the power to choose God’s love or reject it, but the Holy Spirit will continue to call.  As long as there is life and breath, there is always hope.

 

No More Night

 

God will wipe every tear from their eyes

And there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.

All these things are gone forever.

Revelation 21:4

The timeless theme, earth and heaven will pass away
It's not a dream, God will make all things new that day
Gone is the curse from which I stumbled and fell
Evil is banished to eternal hell.

No more night, no more pain
No more tears, never crying again
And praises to the great I Am
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

See all around all the nations bow down to see
The only sound is the praises to Christ the King
Slowly the names from the book are read
I know the King, so there's no need to dread.

No more night, no more pain
No more tears, never crying again.
And praises to the great I Am
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

See over there, there's a mansion that's prepared just for me 

where I will live with my Savior eternally.

And there will be no more night, no more pain
No more tears. never crying again
And praises to the great I Am
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.