The other day, I found some "chocolate coated candy." You know the kind. It is the one that uses only one letter but uses it twice.
So I picked up a couple of these candies and I was going to save them for later. Their slogan has always been ".....melts in your mouth, not in your hand." My mouth was watering waiting to pop them in my mouth. I only had three so I wanted to hold on to them and savor the moment.
Unfortunately, I waited too long. I got caught up talking to a neighbor in the yard. When I came back in, I opened my hand to discover that the candy that "melts in your mouth not in your hand" had melted all over. It was covering my entire hand and was now seeping through my fingers.
I went to the sink to wash the sweet stuff off my hand and realized that sin works in much the same way. Instead of coming to Christ for immediate confession and repentance, we hold on.
We hold on to sin so long that it can stain us. Like the candy, we are fully aware of the consequences for holding on too long. We know that it can stain us, we know that heat can intensify the sin and cause a stain and yet we continue to hold on.
The good news is that just like I washed the melted chocolate off my hand, God can wash sin out of our lives. Regardless of what the sin it, how long it has been in your life, or what anyone has told you, God can and will forgive!!
So let go of that sin and remember, the one that holds on to you, can help you let go!
Come let us reason together says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be as red as crimson, they shall be like wool." Isaiah 1:18
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Sunday, September 8, 2013
I wish I had known
I ran into a friend after the worship service today. After the alter call, our pastor called for all the Bible Study teachers to come to the front and be recognized. I saw my friend standing there.
Afterwards, I saw her walking down the aisle and I said "I didn't know you were teaching." She then told me that she wished she had known that they were recognizing teachers. She said "I wish I had known they were going to do that, I would have dressed up."
My friend was not dressed badly but we often set a standard for ourselves. Sometimes, we just don't feel like meeting that standard and we come to church comfortably. I told my friend that she looked just fine and we moved on.
As I thought about it, I realized that God's Word is clear that no one knows the day or time when Christ shall come. We can not wake up one day and say "I think I'll be ready today because Jesus is coming."
We will not get an advance notice, there will not be a color coded flag -yellow for caution or red for
"He's here ." When Christ comes to take his people home, He will simply appear. God's Word is very clear that we are to keep watch and treat every day as if it was that day.
So don't let down your guard. Walk wisely and clothe yourself as if today were the day. Don't get caught saying "I wish I had known!"
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father...Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
Matthew 24:36, 42
Afterwards, I saw her walking down the aisle and I said "I didn't know you were teaching." She then told me that she wished she had known that they were recognizing teachers. She said "I wish I had known they were going to do that, I would have dressed up."
My friend was not dressed badly but we often set a standard for ourselves. Sometimes, we just don't feel like meeting that standard and we come to church comfortably. I told my friend that she looked just fine and we moved on.
As I thought about it, I realized that God's Word is clear that no one knows the day or time when Christ shall come. We can not wake up one day and say "I think I'll be ready today because Jesus is coming."
We will not get an advance notice, there will not be a color coded flag -yellow for caution or red for
"He's here ." When Christ comes to take his people home, He will simply appear. God's Word is very clear that we are to keep watch and treat every day as if it was that day.
So don't let down your guard. Walk wisely and clothe yourself as if today were the day. Don't get caught saying "I wish I had known!"
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father...Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
Matthew 24:36, 42
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
You just missed it...
This week I was desperately trying to complete my training hours to keep my peace officers license. The deadline was August 31, 2013. Oh did I mention that I had TWO years to do it?
I was really undecided as to whether or not I wanted to keep my license since I had retired two years ago. My question was "What's the point?" Alas the voice of wisdom when my husband gave me the pros and cons of keeping the license active. Alright already!
I decided that I needed to meet the requirements and began taking classes. I needed to complete 40 hours of training and when I pulled up my records, I had completed 8! I got to work and pulled up some of the online classes. I began August 26th. Needless to say, I had to work fast.
I could choose any classes I wanted and only one was mandatory a 2 hour law update class. I figured that would be the piece of cake. I looked at my choice of classes and almost puked (sorry). All the classes had to do with some type of abuse. Spousal abuse, child abuse, not my favorite topics but I plowed through.
My husband and I had a long awaited get away planned and we were leaving early August 31 so that day was shot for training. On August 30, I had completed the required 40 hours-- yippee celebration time. I just needed this two hour online class and I got right to it. I went to the website and I told my husband that it looked like I could only order the books, the test would have to be mailed in and if that was the case, I would miss the deadline. Being ever optimistic, he said "do it- order the books and we can show your intentions were good in making an attempt to complete it." so I did.
We knew it was a holiday weekend and since I ordered the books late on Aug 30th, we would have to wait until September 3 after the holiday to call and plead my case. I did not give it too much thought during my get away however this morning I was on pins and needles waiting for 8:00 when they opened.
When I called about my status, the lady "kindly and sweetly" said "Oh it looks like you did complete your 40 hours.....unfortunately, you did not complete the law mandate and your license has been inactivated." What a blow! I was crushed! At first I did not want it and now after my frantic attempt, I had failed. So close and yet I missed the mark. I wanted to tell them that I had devoted 30 years to this career, tell them how much I had contributed, tell them how much my family had sacrificed. All those nightshifts, lost holidays, long hours, all because I love this department and today, all that meant nothing-but that was MY doing.
In my sadnessI thought "I just lost my license" but how many people know that in order to have eternal life, they must confess their sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and yet they put it off. They are given all the time in the world to make that decision yet their inability to make that choice can cost them.
You can't wait til the last minute, you can't cram, you can't talk your way in. Hell is full of people with good intentions, people who relied on works, and people who made huge contributions, people who gave up families in order to succeed, but heaven is full of "those who believe in Jesus Christ and his saving power!"
Don't lose your life because you can't decide. It was horrible to hold the phone and hear the words "unfortunately, you did not...." my heart sank and all I lost was a license.
I have to say however; there was good news for me - because of my status I can reactivate, it through additional training and other requirements. I am thankful that I got this second chance. Many will not!
I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24
I was really undecided as to whether or not I wanted to keep my license since I had retired two years ago. My question was "What's the point?" Alas the voice of wisdom when my husband gave me the pros and cons of keeping the license active. Alright already!
I decided that I needed to meet the requirements and began taking classes. I needed to complete 40 hours of training and when I pulled up my records, I had completed 8! I got to work and pulled up some of the online classes. I began August 26th. Needless to say, I had to work fast.
I could choose any classes I wanted and only one was mandatory a 2 hour law update class. I figured that would be the piece of cake. I looked at my choice of classes and almost puked (sorry). All the classes had to do with some type of abuse. Spousal abuse, child abuse, not my favorite topics but I plowed through.
My husband and I had a long awaited get away planned and we were leaving early August 31 so that day was shot for training. On August 30, I had completed the required 40 hours-- yippee celebration time. I just needed this two hour online class and I got right to it. I went to the website and I told my husband that it looked like I could only order the books, the test would have to be mailed in and if that was the case, I would miss the deadline. Being ever optimistic, he said "do it- order the books and we can show your intentions were good in making an attempt to complete it." so I did.
We knew it was a holiday weekend and since I ordered the books late on Aug 30th, we would have to wait until September 3 after the holiday to call and plead my case. I did not give it too much thought during my get away however this morning I was on pins and needles waiting for 8:00 when they opened.
When I called about my status, the lady "kindly and sweetly" said "Oh it looks like you did complete your 40 hours.....unfortunately, you did not complete the law mandate and your license has been inactivated." What a blow! I was crushed! At first I did not want it and now after my frantic attempt, I had failed. So close and yet I missed the mark. I wanted to tell them that I had devoted 30 years to this career, tell them how much I had contributed, tell them how much my family had sacrificed. All those nightshifts, lost holidays, long hours, all because I love this department and today, all that meant nothing-but that was MY doing.
In my sadnessI thought "I just lost my license" but how many people know that in order to have eternal life, they must confess their sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and yet they put it off. They are given all the time in the world to make that decision yet their inability to make that choice can cost them.
You can't wait til the last minute, you can't cram, you can't talk your way in. Hell is full of people with good intentions, people who relied on works, and people who made huge contributions, people who gave up families in order to succeed, but heaven is full of "those who believe in Jesus Christ and his saving power!"
Don't lose your life because you can't decide. It was horrible to hold the phone and hear the words "unfortunately, you did not...." my heart sank and all I lost was a license.
I have to say however; there was good news for me - because of my status I can reactivate, it through additional training and other requirements. I am thankful that I got this second chance. Many will not!
I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24
Friday, August 23, 2013
Until Then
Yesterday as I drove to see my father in law in that facility I have come to dislike so much, I heard a song that really tugged at my heart. As if I needed any help, it drew the tears in buckets. The song is called Until Then.
I recall a music minister once telling us that his choice of worship music might not be the same as his son's choices in music but in the act of worship is the same. I have to admit that while I like contemporary music, I am drawn to the hymns.
When I hear them I have a tendency to sing them in Spanish, even if I am listening in English. That is simply because that is the language I learned them in. Our small church sang them in Spanish and repetition allowed us to learn them in that language.
This one however, I did not recall. What drew me to this hymn was the lyrics and as I pulled into that facility I heard:
My heart can sing when I pause to remember
A heartache here is but a stepping stone
Along a trail that's winding always upward,
This troubled world is not my final home.
But until then my heart will go on singing
Until then with joy I'll carry on,
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.
With tears streaming I am singing "until then with joy I'll carry on." I would venture to say that there are so many also singing that song and trying to carry on with joy. Perhaps they have also lost a dear friend, a child to college, a spouse, but yet they carry on with joy....the joy only Christ can offer.
Perhaps its not a loss with "finality" maybe you have lost someone that is "still here." Perhaps it's a parent that you have lost to dementia, or a broken hip or a debilitating disease. This is not our final home...let that bring comfort.
While the situation may look dark through your eyes, know that there is hope. This heartache is "but a stepping stone." Our future is the promise of eternal life with Jesus Christ. This world is temporary.
One day, those who are in Christ will be with Christ. Until then....my heart will go on singing and with joy I'll carry on. Until then.
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown, in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
Until Then (c) 1958 Hamblem Music, Stewart Hamblem
I recall a music minister once telling us that his choice of worship music might not be the same as his son's choices in music but in the act of worship is the same. I have to admit that while I like contemporary music, I am drawn to the hymns.
When I hear them I have a tendency to sing them in Spanish, even if I am listening in English. That is simply because that is the language I learned them in. Our small church sang them in Spanish and repetition allowed us to learn them in that language.
This one however, I did not recall. What drew me to this hymn was the lyrics and as I pulled into that facility I heard:
My heart can sing when I pause to remember
A heartache here is but a stepping stone
Along a trail that's winding always upward,
This troubled world is not my final home.
But until then my heart will go on singing
Until then with joy I'll carry on,
Until the day my eyes behold the city,
Until the day God calls me home.
With tears streaming I am singing "until then with joy I'll carry on." I would venture to say that there are so many also singing that song and trying to carry on with joy. Perhaps they have also lost a dear friend, a child to college, a spouse, but yet they carry on with joy....the joy only Christ can offer.
Perhaps its not a loss with "finality" maybe you have lost someone that is "still here." Perhaps it's a parent that you have lost to dementia, or a broken hip or a debilitating disease. This is not our final home...let that bring comfort.
While the situation may look dark through your eyes, know that there is hope. This heartache is "but a stepping stone." Our future is the promise of eternal life with Jesus Christ. This world is temporary.
One day, those who are in Christ will be with Christ. Until then....my heart will go on singing and with joy I'll carry on. Until then.
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown, in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
Until Then (c) 1958 Hamblem Music, Stewart Hamblem
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Trust Me!
This week as we were in Missouri my husband and I went to a local restaurant. It was an open buffet type of restaurant. You walked up to the cashier, paid for the buffet and then piled it on.
We sat in some booths and I carried my purse as I went to the salad bar. We then came back to our seats and were next to an older couple [older than us lol] and they continued to eat. We talked and discussed the events of the day including what was to come tomorrow.
There was no need for us to return to the salad bar however, the couple returned for dessert. They walked away and before making it to the buffet, she returned to get her purse. I started to offer to "watch it" while she returned but then decided against it. I shared that with my husband and then said "she probably would have said 'no thank you.'"
I giggled as I told my husband "If she only knew!" If she only knew that the "guard" had 30 years experience in law enforcement, if she only knew that my husband also has that experience, if she only knew that her purse would have been in the most guarded hands of an individual with a great sense of duty...if she only knew.
There's another part to that...if she only believed. If she only believed that she could trust us, if she only believed that we would guard her purse and not walk away with it if she only believed, she would not have had to carry it along with her plate.
Isn't that just how we are with God? We want to give him a situation so that he can take care of it but we find it hard to do. We want absolute certainty that God can handle it. In the past, I have found myself saying "If God only knew just how important this is to me." I might also say that I would "give it to God" not really "believing" that he could take care of it like I can.
So no more "If she only knew." We do know...now it's a matter of believing!
Believe me when I say that I am the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. John 14:11-13
We sat in some booths and I carried my purse as I went to the salad bar. We then came back to our seats and were next to an older couple [older than us lol] and they continued to eat. We talked and discussed the events of the day including what was to come tomorrow.
There was no need for us to return to the salad bar however, the couple returned for dessert. They walked away and before making it to the buffet, she returned to get her purse. I started to offer to "watch it" while she returned but then decided against it. I shared that with my husband and then said "she probably would have said 'no thank you.'"
I giggled as I told my husband "If she only knew!" If she only knew that the "guard" had 30 years experience in law enforcement, if she only knew that my husband also has that experience, if she only knew that her purse would have been in the most guarded hands of an individual with a great sense of duty...if she only knew.
There's another part to that...if she only believed. If she only believed that she could trust us, if she only believed that we would guard her purse and not walk away with it if she only believed, she would not have had to carry it along with her plate.
Isn't that just how we are with God? We want to give him a situation so that he can take care of it but we find it hard to do. We want absolute certainty that God can handle it. In the past, I have found myself saying "If God only knew just how important this is to me." I might also say that I would "give it to God" not really "believing" that he could take care of it like I can.
So no more "If she only knew." We do know...now it's a matter of believing!
Believe me when I say that I am the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. John 14:11-13
Monday, August 19, 2013
In my heart of hearts....
Years ago, and I do mean years ago, I had a sleeping t-shirt that I used often. I wore it almost every night until my young son Matthew reqeusted to wear it one night. He was a little tot...about five years old and the t-shirt was more like a night shirt for him.
The shoulders hung down to his little elbows and the hem dragged but he wore it any way! It had a huge heart in the center of the shirt and read "In my heart of Hearts, I love you." Not that there was ever any doubt but I think he was drawn to the security it represented. He use to tell me "It makes me feel close to you mommy." I have held on to that shirt for years. It has survived moves, closet cleanouts, donations, wardrobe changes and multiple washings. It may be stained and discolored but it's always clean.
As the day nears for my youngest to head off to college, I am reminiscent of those times long ago. I walked into my closet last night to get ready for bed and then I saw it hanging there. It was like it was calling me. I picked up the t-shirt and held it tight. I smelled it, though his scent was long gone. I held it close to my heart and remembered his words "It makes me feel close to you mommy." Last night, I needed that "magic." I needed to feel close to him.
While he was enjoying his last few days with friends before leaving, I was enjoying precious memories. I have had alot going on these past two weeks. Our middle son graduated from boot camp, a dearly loved neighbor was moved to independent living in San Antonio, and this week, our youngest leaves for college.
While I need to know in my "heart of hearts" that I am loved, I know I do not need to look further than Christ himself. That is where my security is. In my heart of hearts I know that my son loves me but greater still, I know that Jesus Christ loves me. While my son may go off to another place for school, God has promised not to ever leave me. He will protect my heart, he will comfort me, and he will take care of my son.
He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11
The shoulders hung down to his little elbows and the hem dragged but he wore it any way! It had a huge heart in the center of the shirt and read "In my heart of Hearts, I love you." Not that there was ever any doubt but I think he was drawn to the security it represented. He use to tell me "It makes me feel close to you mommy." I have held on to that shirt for years. It has survived moves, closet cleanouts, donations, wardrobe changes and multiple washings. It may be stained and discolored but it's always clean.
As the day nears for my youngest to head off to college, I am reminiscent of those times long ago. I walked into my closet last night to get ready for bed and then I saw it hanging there. It was like it was calling me. I picked up the t-shirt and held it tight. I smelled it, though his scent was long gone. I held it close to my heart and remembered his words "It makes me feel close to you mommy." Last night, I needed that "magic." I needed to feel close to him.
While he was enjoying his last few days with friends before leaving, I was enjoying precious memories. I have had alot going on these past two weeks. Our middle son graduated from boot camp, a dearly loved neighbor was moved to independent living in San Antonio, and this week, our youngest leaves for college.
While I need to know in my "heart of hearts" that I am loved, I know I do not need to look further than Christ himself. That is where my security is. In my heart of hearts I know that my son loves me but greater still, I know that Jesus Christ loves me. While my son may go off to another place for school, God has promised not to ever leave me. He will protect my heart, he will comfort me, and he will take care of my son.
He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11
Friday, August 16, 2013
Please... Not my son!
This week my husband and I travelled to Fort Leonard to witness our son's graduation from bootcamp. We saw this great kid who at one time played a shepherd in a church play, walk across the stage and officially become a soldier.
This child who has lived and breathed a desire to become a soldier is now one. He could not look any better in his uniform, he wears it well. His pride and love for his country are evident. Yes there were three platoons and several soldiers but I only cared about one.
This is not my biological son but I fought back tears as his mother sat next to me and wiped hers. He has been in my life over ten years. We have supported his love of the Army as he follows in the footsteps of his grandfather Maas and grandfather Barfield both World War II veterans.
He is a born leader and has displayed leadership qualities in his high school ROTC and now college.
He will not be kept down, he will not hesitate to fulfill his duty or to defend his country.
As we sat and listened, we came face to face with reality. These young men and women had now given their life, their all to the United States Army. "Army Strong" they say, except that I was anything but strong. My heart was torn as I was proud beyond belief but still wanting to hold on, still wanting to live in the comfort of him returning to our city and being a happy, fun filled young man.
I was not wanting to think of the possibility of him one day actually being on the front lines and the threat that brings. In fact as I saw him in formation, I was overwhelmed by this thought and I could hear myself repeating "Please....not my son!"
I would venture to guess that every mother there had that same thought...for what mother would willingly give up her son?
My thoughts went to a mother who did just that. Mary obediently gave birth to our Savior Jesus Christ knowing that she would one day have to turn him over. I imagine that when she saw the treatment of her son, she might have cried out "Please...not my son!"
While our son is in a position of defending our country and ensuring our freedom, Christ
laid down his life to secure our eternal freedom. We put our faith in that Savior to protect our son.
With Christ on our side, we can't go wrong. Army Strong!
Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues people under me. Psalms 144:1-2
This child who has lived and breathed a desire to become a soldier is now one. He could not look any better in his uniform, he wears it well. His pride and love for his country are evident. Yes there were three platoons and several soldiers but I only cared about one.
This is not my biological son but I fought back tears as his mother sat next to me and wiped hers. He has been in my life over ten years. We have supported his love of the Army as he follows in the footsteps of his grandfather Maas and grandfather Barfield both World War II veterans.
He is a born leader and has displayed leadership qualities in his high school ROTC and now college.
He will not be kept down, he will not hesitate to fulfill his duty or to defend his country.
As we sat and listened, we came face to face with reality. These young men and women had now given their life, their all to the United States Army. "Army Strong" they say, except that I was anything but strong. My heart was torn as I was proud beyond belief but still wanting to hold on, still wanting to live in the comfort of him returning to our city and being a happy, fun filled young man.
I was not wanting to think of the possibility of him one day actually being on the front lines and the threat that brings. In fact as I saw him in formation, I was overwhelmed by this thought and I could hear myself repeating "Please....not my son!"
I would venture to guess that every mother there had that same thought...for what mother would willingly give up her son?
My thoughts went to a mother who did just that. Mary obediently gave birth to our Savior Jesus Christ knowing that she would one day have to turn him over. I imagine that when she saw the treatment of her son, she might have cried out "Please...not my son!"
While our son is in a position of defending our country and ensuring our freedom, Christ
laid down his life to secure our eternal freedom. We put our faith in that Savior to protect our son.
With Christ on our side, we can't go wrong. Army Strong!
Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues people under me. Psalms 144:1-2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)