It's Packed!

I have been hosting a ladie's bible study in my home.  I am co-teaching with a friend that is also a great teacher. We alternated sessions and as luck would have it, I got the chapter "Overwhelmed."

No, I don't think it was luck, I believe God actually worked it out that way.  You see, like most of us, my scheduled is completely packed.  I love working with kids and teaching but it takes so much time! It's an eight hour day everyday. That extends into grading papers, doing research, and planning lessons for me. So much for being retired.

I always prepare my bible study lesson way in advance asking God to lead me through it. One day as I left for school, I saw house after house after house with trash cans out. Many of the cans were completely packed!  Some were overflowing.

It made me think how we are so much like that.  We put things on our schedules and don't stop when it's getting full. We don't even stop when it is full. We don't stop until it is completely packed or overflowing.

Then we become overwhelmed with all we have to do.  That "quiet time" reserved for God goes from one hour to thirty minutes to quoting a memorized bible verse and a quick prayer.  The time that belongs exclusively to God is compromised.

Our mornings keep starting earlier and our nights just get longer.  Do not "pack" your schedule so tight that you take all of God's time.  He desires to be with you. Before you pack your schedule too tightly, remember to put Him first.

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place and there....He prayed. Mark 1:35

The truth of the matter

Around 1989, after serving for about seven years, I received a great honor with my department.  I was named one of the 100 Club Officers of the Year.  It was a huge honor.  It dealt with my work in an undercover capacity.

My family were guests' of honor at the banquet.  When my name was called, I proceeded to the stage where I received the award.  It was a two tone Rolex watch.  In the center of the watch was the 100 Club emblem and my name was engraved on it.  This was truly mine.  The sadness in it all is that there are so many deserving first responders that never receive recognition for their time, efforts and sacrifices,  making it even more meaningful for me.

Unfortunately, in 1997, the watch was "lost."  It was lying on my night stand and I went to work that day without wearing it.  I simply forgot it.  When I returned home, the watch was gone!  Lost-taken-gone!  Besides my toddler son, there were only three people in the house that day and the watch did not walk off.  I grieved the loss of that watch not because it was a Rolex but because of the significance of it for me.

I had my suspicions as to what happened to it but simply resigned to the idea that it meant nothing to that individual that took it and it was not coming back.  This is one thing in life that was lost never to be recovered. 

In 2012, my husband Mark bought me a used Rolex.  Our hope was that we could duplicate my awarded watch.  Since the 100 Club no longer issues these watches as awards, I contacted my friend Rick Hartley and asked if he could suggest where I could get a watch face with the 100 Club logo.  He gave me a name and number to follow up on.

I delayed in calling and in the meantime, my Rolex remained in it's velvet wrap waiting to be worn.  Every time I took it out to wear it, I would decide against it.   Although it is a Rolex, the truth of the matter was that it was not that Rolex.

Once again, I have conceded to the fact that this is not my 100 Club Watch.

In life, there are many ideas about how we can receive eternal life.  There are many religions, thoughts, ideas, rituals and advice on how to live eternally.

The truth of the matter, there is only one way.  Just like there was only one 100 Club Rolex with my name engraved on it, there is only one way to Jesus Christ.  God's Word says: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. [Acts 16:31 KJV]

Don't be fooled, don't be deceived, you can not duplicate the one true way to eternal no matter how hard you try!

The truth of the matter is that if you lose that opportunity to receive Christ, you will miss out on eternal life.  

If you confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  Romans 10:9


Oh and my Rolex...it has found a new home.

The Next Generation

The other day I saw an article about a rookie police officer that recently graduated from the police academy.  His parents standing by his side.  All three were in uniform.  His father and mother both on the department for over 20 years.  I remember when his mother was pregnant with this child, her first, and now they were pinning on his badge as he followed in their footsteps. 

Last month a new class graduated from the police academy.  It was amazing to see once again how many parents pinned badges on their children.   You heard the all familiar last names of  children whose parent[s] have served many years.

This is the life that the child has lived.  Watching a parent putting on a uniform, talking about life as a police officer, demonstrating loyalty to "serve and protect."  They have lived the life of waiting for a parent on a holiday they had to work or missing a special occasion  due to a mandatory assignment. 

Many of these children come from families where both parents serve.  These children have spent many years living through long days, odd shifts, strange assignments.  Some have missed a parent hugging them close during a scary time of a hurricane.  They have missed a parent tucking them in at night.  They have missed a parent at  field trips, school plays or an award ceremony.  Likewise,  many have been in the comfort of an aunt or grandparent in their parent's absence,  yet they have chosen the very same career. 

While they miss their parents, they are relieved when they see them walk in the door.  They have heard years of stories both good and bad.  Many will say "tell me again mommy how you found that lost kid."  It is the example and satisfaction of serving that keeps bringing them back to their parent's career. 

Moses was charged with leading the Israelites out of Egypt.  There was some resistance, grumbling, and wanting other options, yet Moses led on.  When Moses died, Joshua took over [Joshua 1:1-2].  He led the people until his death.  God chose these godly leaders so that the people would follow the Lord.  The Israelites were to honor God and walk with him. 

The parents were to be leaders and examples to the children.  They were to teach the next generation to follow the Lord [Deuteronomy 6:7-9].  These children were to become the generation that taught the next generation after their parents passed on. 

Unfortunately, and sadly, after Joshua died, there were some that did not even know the Lord much less follow Him. 

As parents, it is incumbent on us to raise that next generation....a generation that not only loves the Lord but desires to serve Him.

Our children are watching our example.  If we don't spend time in God's Word-they're watching, if we look bored in church and fidget-they're watching, if we don't serve in church-they're watching. 

As society stretches boundaries further and further, we must be the example and make a Christian life desirable so that our children will want to be the next generation that honors and serves God.

Joshua son of Nun, servant of the Lord died at the age of 110...After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.  Joshua 2:8-10

Happy Birthday

Well, the day has past and a new one begins. Our family has returned to their own homes and life returns to normal.  We all got together to celebrate a birthday....the birth of Jesus Christ.  Today I will remove my tree and decorations.

There is so much to remove and pack. Each ornament must be handled with care, wrapped in tissue and then placed gently in its storage place.  The party's over.  At least the DAY is....the celebration continues.

You see, while Christmas is about family and giving and togetherness, it's really about the greatest gift we could ever receive.  That is the gift of Jesus Christ.

God saw a need in mankind.  The need for hope.  In seeing that need, He made the ultimate sacrifice.  He sent his son-the King of Kings to be born not in a palace but in a lowly manger.

Every year I have a birthday.  Because it falls on the shortest month of the year, we celebrate my birthday on my actual birthday (the 6th)  and on every remaining day in that month as well.

This season we saw many flock to churches on Christmas Eve to acknowledge the birth of Christ. The question is "How will we acknowledge Him the rest of the year?"

Just like I love celebrating every day, Christ loves to see his people worship as a part of their daily practice not just once or twice a year.

So as this birthday and this year come to a close, why not celebrate the birth of Christ every day and make his gift from you a life committed to worship and serving....everyday.

Happy Birthday Jesus.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given... Isaiah 9:6

Get out of my way

The other day I left my house to head to school and discovered that rain was falling pretty hard.  I did not have my umbrella and I had to make a few trips to my car. 

As I was driving down FM 1960, the rain let up but the streets were very wet.  Many drivers drove with caution while others completely ignored the speed limit sign of 50.  I was in the far lane and went with the flow of traffic but as luck would have it, there was a turtle in front of me. Ugh!

Don't know why it irritated me.  I wasn't really in any hurry except that I like to arrive early and mentally prepare for the fifty kids I will be dealing with daily.  I was two cars behind the turtle and followed his pace for a while before my irritation level got the best of me.  Time to go!

I moved over to the middle lane where traffic was moving much faster despite the wet street.  I moved over and my foot felt relief at pressing the accelerator until I caught up and went to pass him.  It was then that discovered that he was turning right and leaving 1960 completely. 

What?  How dare you!  After I followed you all this time at YOUR pace and when I move over to drive at my own speed, you , make the decision to turn and get out of everybody's way?   If I had just held on for a few more minutes, I could have seen a solution to my problem. 

Then it hit me. How often do we say we are waiting on God and waiting on God and waiting on God?  When we think God isn't acting fast enough we say under our breath "I've got to make a move because nothing is happening here."   We take matters into our own hands only to discover that God was just about to change things before we told him "Get out of my way." 

When we tell God to get out of our way, we could be quitting just short of God revealing His plan for our life.  Often, a plan that is much better than we could ever orchestrate.

So next time your behind a slow poke remember, before you tell him "get out of my way," think of the lesson God may have in store for you.  Second, before you get ahead of God and His plan, think of the consequences or the blessings you'll deprive yourself of by taking matters into your own hands.

I am confident of this, I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.  Psalms 27:13-14

Cover-Up

I went to church yesterday and I was running late.  I had a long, fast paced schedule.  I had church in the morning, a get together in the early afternoon and then a church event again in the early evening. 

Of course I was running late because of the all time, ever consuming obstacle of what to wear.  I always spend between 15-30 minutes just trying to decide what to wear.  I had an outfit in mind but I couldn't find my sweater.  When I finally located it in the other closet, I discovered some of the collar had unraveled causing a split in the neck area.

The problem was that I really wanted to wear it....so I did!  I merely wore my hair down to cover the back of my neck and wore a scarf. 

I discovered that once I got to church, I was fidgeting to ensure the tear was not discovered.  I had a pretty scarf on that was secured with a pretty pin but still I worried that it would slip and everyone in church would see my sweater.  I wore it torn thinking that I would sew it when I got back from church but it's still waiting to be sewn together.  

When I left church and went to change clothes, I once again saw my sweater.  Feeling relieved I said to myself, "Yes!  I did it!  I hid the torn collar from the church members."  Then I thought about it.  How many times do we go into church with holes in our lives and try to hide them from God. 

We walk in with "covers" on our sins thinking we're hiding from God.  We can not hide!  The amazing thing about us walking in trying to "cover our sin" is that we serve a God of grace.  When we bring that sin to the throne of grace, God is eager and willing to forgive us of our sin. 

So if you come in to church thinking your hiding, don't feel like you need to hide.  Turn your sins over to God, confess your sins, and watch God do a new thing.  Don't be like me...don't cover up your sin and think you're hiding from God!

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  Hebrews 4:13

When its gone....it's gone

This weekend my husband and I headed off to the hill country.  We took my father-in-law's vehicle to our property, but it was bittersweet as coincidentally, it  was the one year anniversary of his passing.  On our way home, we reminisced of sweet times with a man that  missed living a century by only  fourteen months.

My husband spoke of memories at my father-in-law's house which we are preparing to sell.  He spoke of being a young boy and running his train on a make-believe track lined on a throw rug in the den.  The fire burned as his parents looked on from their comfortable chairs.  That was my husband's childhood home.

The conversation was somber as we spoke of memories and dealing with grief.  I seldom see him express emotion and asked about it.  He stated that sometimes he would get lost reminiscing of times with his father.

We are renovating my father-in-law's house so the tear down was difficult.  We found notes that he had left in closets, drawers, and walls but none were as impacting as the kids measurements and ages located on a wall in the laundry room.

When we began the project I noticed the measurements and saw where in 2003, Matthew's name was added to the wall.  We were married in 2003 and he became one of the grand kids that year.  It was sad to see and I chose to "move on" to other renovations.

At last, we could not delay it any longer.  The time came for that wall to be painted like all the rest. I was not there but my husband said that it was quite difficult to put that coat of paint on the wall and erase memories of his mom writing the measurements in pencil. 

My response to him was "it's gone!" It is covered up to be seen no more.  I told him it is much like sin.  When we call upon God and ask him to forgive us of our sins, "he is faithful to and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" [1 John 1:9].


We want to hold on to sin much like we wanted to hold on to the markings on that wall.  Once the decision was made to let it go, it was gone.  Unfortunately, when we let go of sin, we always want to take it back.   We would be better off to let it go completely, but  I will give you fair warning that when you hand God your sin there will always be someone to remind you of your past, bring up your sin, and taunt you about who you were before Christ. 

My advice to you is don't listen to those people.  Turn your your sin over to God and "when it's gone...it's gone."

...as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  Psalm 103:12