The Bible

Yesterday I got a phone call from my husband.  He said "Guess what I found?"  Of course there was no telling what it was since I can't keep up with anything!  He said "I found Matthew's Bible,"  but I had no memory that it was lost.  Matthew is our youngest and years ago, he lost his bible at our church.  I recalled Matthew saying several years ago, that he had lost it.  He must have been around 9 years old at the time (he is 19 now).  I remembered that we went to the lost and found, security, and the information booth of our church but we did not find it.  We resigned to the idea that it was lost and purchased another one.

When I came home and saw the bible I was so touched.  In his writing, my son had written some things that are dear to his heart.  The bible however looked a bit different from mine.  It had come into the hands of a chaplain who stated that he had used it to perform weddings, funerals and counsel individuals but it was no worse for the wear.

My bible, the same exact type has been on a shelf for years and I have had three others since then.  My bible is bound by clear tape and binder clips.  I use it on occasion but only for reference.  I fear the pages are so fragile they might rip. 

Inside that bible, I have picture stickers of my son in grade school.  I can see his growth through the years.  I have multiple notes and writings, post it notes and stories, important dates, sermons and prayers. I wore that bible out and I was glad to see through my son's bible what mine once looked like.

I love my bible(s) and have a very difficult time when I have to purchase a new one.  I truly believe that it is because I know my bible.  I could tell you what side of the page a portion of scripture was on, what part of the bible you could find it in, what paragraph it was in, where a chapter started and so much more.

Unfortunately,  every time I purchase a new bible, I have to learn that all over again. The way you learn it is by daily spending time in it.  Everyday brings new revelation and every revelation brings you closer to God.

So if you've lost your bible, or you've lost your way...get a new bible because it's never too late to get into the Word of God.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.  I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.  I have hidden your word in my heart, that  I may not sin against you.  Psalms 119:9-11 

One day (about ten years ago) this chaplain saw a box with bibles that were going to be given away.  He asked if he could have the maroon one and they said yes.  He used that bible to minister to individuals in the criminal justice system.  He saw the bible had the name Matthew Eller in it but had no idea who this person was.  He stated that one day while on Facebook, he saw that name on one of my posts.  He ran into my husband yesterday and gave him the bible saying "Give that to Dee, she'll know who this guy is." to which my husband responded "He's our youngest son."

All Bark, No Bite

It's that time again....running!  It's time to start running in order to participate in events this fall.  After six months of "taking it easy" to recoup from an injury, I am finally up and at 'em. I have one of the best places to run.  My community not only offers greenbelts but it also offers greenbelts with many trees and shade. 

This morning as I was running the first thing I saw was a rabbit.  I thought it was so neat to see this sweet creature just sitting there munching on something and not run away.  I continued to run and take it all in. 

I started thinking of the previous year when I was running long distances.  In order to complete a long distance, I ran through our community and then ventured into a wooded area-not a path...woods! I knew however, that if I made it through those woods I would end up on a street that would lead me straight to my father-in-laws house. 

Oh yeah I had several things going against me.  Woods with uneven ground, a road with a serious incline, and distance.  I didn't care....I love a good challenge.  I proceeded to run and at the end of the run,  at the very end, after I had conquered my self inflicted obstacles, I turned onto my father-in-laws street.  "I did it!" I remember thinking that just before I saw a huge, scraggly dog coming right toward me!

I could barely hear him for my ear buds and listening to music but I sure could see him.  I stopped in my tracks and tried to shoo him away.  I guess he finally got tired of me as he eventually walked away.  In walking away, I could see that the dog was old and probably couldn't hurt a fly but at that moment, I wouldn't believe it.

I was minding my own business when this dog came up on me.  I was reminded of 1 Peter 5:8 which says "Be self controlled and alert.   Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

The enemy is brutal and while that  scripture is true, I'm telling you not to cower down!  The next verse says "resist the devil."  If you feel you are up against the wall because of a threatening lion, I have good news....you can survive that lion!

So many times we focus on the danger or perceived danger that we allow that to overcome us. We allow their roar to frighten us to the point of paralyzing fear.   How would you approach that lion if you knew he had no teeth or broken teeth? 

Whether you are suffering a financial lion, bad relationship lion, bad health lion, an unexpected life situation or any other lion, rest easy and know that the word of God can tame any lion! 

Remember this....whatever you are facing, whatever comes up against you in the form of the lion, remember that like the dog that came up against me, he was all bark and no bite. That lion has no teeth!

Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed? As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.  At the breath of God they are destroyed; at the blast of his anger they perish.  The lions may roar and growl, yet the teeth  of the great lions are broken.  The lion perishes for lack of prey.  Job 4:7-11


 

Strap it On

Whew! What a week.  I have been taking care of my fourteen month old great niece while my niece is out of town on business.  I had forgotten what it was like to be responsible for a baby/child. 


One of the days just wore me out! [More than the rest].  I went to my sister's house to pick her up early in the morning.  I had to get her car seat, strap it in, strap her in, then head out.  I got home, removed the shoulder strap and belts when I got a call to go meet the contractor a few miles away at the other house. 

You guessed it.  I had to put her back in, strap the shoulders, strap the waist and head out.  I got there and had to remove the straps, carry her in and answer a question which lasted all of about three minutes.  He needed something I had to go get so again....straps.  I arrived at the store and unstrap,  Made my purchase and again, strap her in.  About this time I had enough.

I thought for one second "I'm not doing this again!" I'm just strapping the top.  It was way too time consuming for the many stops I had to make and all were for very short stays and I still had a few more stops.

That's when it hit me.   What if I got frustrated or tired of "putting on the full armor of God?"  What if took short cuts and said that I didn't need the helmet of salvation or the breastplate of righteousness or worse what if I left the sword of the spirit.  That's my weapon against the enemy!

Just like every buckle is important for my small niece in her car seat, every cover of my armor is important to my spiritual life.  I learned a lesson with that car seat.  I will strap on every buckle and I will put on every piece of armor....everyday I will strap it on!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes...Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Ephesians 6:10-11 and 14-17