One Focus

Breaking out of the Clouds

2012-03-08T13:00:00.000-08:00

I travel a lot, mostly by air. It is when I am flying that I am most aware of the beauty and majesty of clouds. I never get over the fascination of breaking out of the clouds. Ascending and descending through clouds gives me three perspectives.

On the ascent, breaking through the clouds can mean leaving a very gloomy day below and being reminded that the sun was shining all the time. It also symbolizes the beginning of the journey, the successful completion of traveling to the airport, navigating the security and check in lines and actually making it to my seat on time. I may as well settle in until we break through the clouds once again at our destination.

Penetrating the clouds means for a short time that nothing else can be seen but clouds. Objects below and things above disappear from sight. We are traveling in a fog - symbolically and literally.

Breaking out of the clouds on the descent is a delight. On a trip to a new location, the scenery below is captivating because it gives me a bird's eye view of where I will be staying for awhile. Breaking through the clouds when returning home is the best yet. It is familiar and comforting.

No matter where I am - underneath the clouds, in the midst of them or above them - what I see is only one part of the big picture. When I can see the sun, but not the ground, it does not mean that the ground is not there. The reverse is also true. When only the ground is visible and the airplane has yet to break through the clouds to showcase the heavenly bodies, I am aware that the sun or the moon and stars are still there even when I can't see them. They haven't moved. I have.

I have talked to many people about Jesus. Some of them have come to understand that as God's Son, He gave His life for theirs and offers salvation as a free gift. In a sense, they have broken through the cloud of unbelief to see the Son of Man as He really is.

Others may have understood what I was saying, but refused His offer of grace. One person I know has yet to believe in Jesus because he said he could not prove He existed. This otherwise intelligent and nice man could accept the existence of other historical figures, but not Jesus, the most documented human being there is. I continue to pray that he will break through the cloud of unbelief that is fogging his thinking and come to accept Jesus as Lord.

Jesus not only lived in history, He always has been, is now and will always be God. I cannot see Him at the present with my eyes, but I see Him clearly with my heart. Those who do not see Him or have rejected Him will someday discover He was there all the time.

The clouds He created took Him out of sight for awhile, but will one day make Him visible to every one. For those who love Him, it will be a joyful experience.

And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on and a cloud received Him out of their sight (Acts 1:9). Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him (Revelation 1:7).

The Real Superman

2012-03-01T10:03:00.001-08:00

Superman has always been a favorite of mine. Starting out as a comic book hero in 1939, he has been around ever since. In 1940, the radio series The Adventures of Superman began. It ran for eleven years. During that time, any one listening to it could probably describe Superman as "faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound."

All the movies, old as well as new, and all the television programs, including the most recent Lois and Clark and Smallville, have had my viewing attention. They are always good, fun and clean entertainment.

Superman has sustained popularity, I believe, because every one wants to believe in a hero. Interestingly, Superman did not originate on earth. He came from Krypton, sent to earth by his parents as an effort to save him as their planet was being destroyed.

Found and kept by a loving couple in Kansas, he determined early on to use his super powers for good and not evil, adapting to his adopted planet although he knew he was very different from everyone around him. He accepted people's shortcomings without giving into the temptation to become like them when their attitudes and actions were not consistent with his standards of honesty and decency.

Superman felt his disguise as a mild mannered reporter, Clark Kent, was necessary in order to be able to help others. At a moment's notice, Clark Kent slips away to become Superman when he becomes aware of someone's need. He wasn't really a dual personality. Clark and Superman were one and the same. When people were caught in dangerous situations and could not help themselves, Superman showed up to do what would have been impossible for them to do.

Superman has his enemies - Lex Luthor being the most well known. Lex never feels like he can do all he wants to do - control the world - with Superman around. He is always behind the scenes trying to connive a way to get rid of Superman.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is no fictional character. He is real. He left heaven to come to earth to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. His real enemy, Satan, brought sin into the world and has been trying to control mankind ever since. Satan knows we are helpless to save ourselves.

The best definition of humility is "strength under control." Jesus humbled himself to live among men so that He might save them. Jesus is both the Lion of Judah and the sacrificial Lamb of God. Instead of leaving the human race without any hope and helpless, Jesus chose to give His own life to save those who would trust Him.

Jesus is the only real hero there is.

[Jesus] emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8). Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).

Treasures of the Written Word

2012-02-21T13:11:00.000-08:00

I have a mixture of modern and old-fashioned preferences in my communication habits. The instant communication that is now available allows me to do so much more than I used to do. I have sometimes thought that the growth of the internet came about just in time for me to do international work. Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media sites enable me to keep up with friends, family and business acquaintances while I am out of the country. Sometimes an e-card is my only possibility to send a friend or family member a birthday greeting. I take advantage of all the online resources.

However, my real preference is old-fashioned paper and pen. I love to receive notes in the mail from friends and family and I still do the same for them. There is something about going to the mailbox, seeing my name on an envelope, a friend's name in the return address and the anticipation of what might be inside. That's actually my first love and I will never get over it (that is, unless the U.S. Post Office goes out of business)!

I never sent my father an email because he never owned a computer. In going through his things after he died, I found all the letters and pictures I had sent him from overseas. He kept every one and put them in a special notebook. Some he put his own comments on. As I read back through those letters, I could visualize his smile as he read the letters and saw the growth of my family. Although I am thankful that I wrote him fairly regularly, I wish I had written more. It was obvious he treasured those letters.

In my dad's last years, he started reminiscing about his days in World War II. Dad enlisted in the Army in May 1942. He was assigned to the Eighth Air Force, and served as a corporal in the 487th Bombardment Group. Desperately wanting to fly, Dad eventually had to give up that dream because of air sickness. He became a Link Trainer Instructor and served in England for most of his time overseas.

After hearing some of his stories, I asked him to write them down for me. I wanted to be able to have them and pass them down to my sons and their children. Dad did just that. The notebook he gave me is filled with notes of where he was, what he did, pictures taken during that time, maps, his address book and his honorable discharge on October 11, 1945. The pages of the notebook were typed on an old manual Underwood typewriter (which I also have) interspersed with handwritten notes. I wouldn't give anything for that notebook. It is a treasure.

My Heavenly Father wrote an entire book. I love it so much that I have several copies of it, with my notes interspersed throughout. Sometimes I feel like it was written just for me because I know He took special care to make sure it had all the information about Him I would ever need.

God's Word, the Bible, has sometimes been called God's love letter. I believe it is. What He has written is a treasure not only for me, but for all His children.

Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee (Psalm 119:11 NAS).

A Love That Lasts Forever

2012-02-12T15:20:00.000-08:00

Written in 1973 and released as a single in 1974, Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You was a hit. When Whitney Houston sang her version of it in the movie The Bodyguard, it became known as her "signature song."

When Whitney released her single of I Will Always Love You, it was a success all over the world. Although she had eleven number one hits I Will Always Love You was the longest running, spending fourteen weeks at the top of the U.S. Billboard 100.

Right after Whitney's death on February 11, 2012, I Will Always Love You could be heard on practically every news program. Tributes to her were accompanied by a clip of her singing this song. Dolly Parton and Whitney's ex-husband Bobby Brown were quoted as saying, "I will always love you, Whitney."

That song, as well as many other love songs, reveal a deep desire we all have to be loved. We not only want to be loved, we want to know that our loved ones will love us forever. Many holidays - Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc. - were put in place so that we could express our love for one another. Card companies, florists, jewelers and other businesses flourish because people want to say, "I love you," in a tangible way to the special people in their lives.

People who love each other show love in many meaningful ways. Presence makes a bigger statement than presents do. Caring enough to spend time with another is often what the loved one needs most. It is not always possible to be with your loved ones. That's what makes family reunions so sweet.

Of course, not everyone is so fortunate.

For some always doesn't mean forever. What felt like always at the beginning of a relationship may degenerate into not any more after the passing of time. The pain that comes from rejection in a relationship is all too well known. News reports are filled with stories of those in the public eye -politicians, movie stars, sports figures, etc. - who have severed relationships. The tabloids make fortunes out of their distorted versions of these stories.

For a Christian, there is no question about the definition of always. It has a stronger meaning than is even possible with a human relationship. For a child of God, always means "everlasting," literally lasting forever. God's love never changes. That's who He is.

"Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you" (Jeremiah 31:3). He who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8).

Restoration and Redemption

2012-02-08T13:03:00.000-08:00

The town I live in was settled in 1867. It still has a few houses built during those first years and is filled with houses that were constructed in the early 1900's, most of them in desperate need of restoration.

My husband and I live in a 1905 Queen Anne. According to neighbors and my mailman, at one point, this house was in very bad shape. Fortunate for us, though, several years back, someone saw the potential in this house, moved in and did a remarkable job of restoration. As a lover of antiques, I have really loved living in this house. There is obviously maintenance needed from time to time (as is also the case with new houses) and my husband does a wonderful job on that.

Ever since I moved to this town, I have been interested in seeing more of these old homes restored. Thankfully, I am not the only one. I have a friend who is running for mayor who wants to bring the town back to its former glory. There is a new business downtown dedicated to restoring the town's old homes. Other people recognize that there is value in saving what was once beautiful and bringing it back to life.

Restoring old houses or refinishing antiques takes a lot of work. It requires acquiring the knowledge of how to do it right, the ability to imagine the value of a restored product and the patience to keep at it.

There is a similarity between houses that need restoration and people that need redemption. What was created to be beautiful decays over time if careful maintenance is not done. It was not always that way.

When God first created man, conditions were ideal. Adam and Eve enjoyed God's company. They walked and talked with Him freely in the Garden of Eden.

Then, because of sin, everything changed. Because of sin, people age and die. Sin created a gap between God and man that could only be bridged by the sacrificial substitutionary death of Jesus, God's Son. He died in our place to do what we could not do for ourselves - restore us to the possibility of a relationship with God. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-18a NIV).

Once a person has trusted Jesus Christ as Savior, he has been redeemed or rescued from the penalty of sin. Jesus is alive and His Holy Spirit lives within the believer. A believer's body is His house. However, because of the presence of sin, it is a constant struggle for a believer to stay committed to God.

If God is to be glorified in His children, continual maintenance is necessary. We must use the tools He has provided - His Word, fellowship, corporate worship, prayer - in order to be what He intends us to be.

Satan tries to make it as difficult as he can by distracting us. Satan wants us to believe that we do not need restoration. Don't be like Eve and believe his lies. Living the Christian life takes a lot of work, but it is God who does the work for us.

Our role in the redemption and restoration process is trusting God. He knows how to do it right. Only He can see the real value, His intended purpose, in each of His children. He is forever patient with us as we struggle with anything that needs to be repaired. He is, after all, in the business of redeeming and restoring mankind.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me (Psalm 51:12 NIV).

The Importance of a Good Seal

2012-01-29T07:10:00.000-08:00

Until recently, I hadn't thought much about the word "seal." However, watching my husband install a shower where the drain had to have an adequate seal in order to keep it from leaking made me curious. It became obvious that creating a good seal was not only very important, but also takes a lot of hard work and patience.

As a noun, a seal can be an aquatic animal, a device used for stamping a document to authenticate it, something that gives credibility to something else (as a seal of approval), or a substance used to join two things together so as to prevent them from coming apart or to prevent something else from passing between them.

As a verb, a seal can mean to make tight to secure against leakage (as in sealing windows or a shower drain), close securely (as in sealing an envelope or sealing homemade jams or jellies), prevent something from escaping by closing an opening, isolate an area to prevent entry and exit (as in sealing off a crime scene), apply a coating to a surface to make it impervious (such as sealing a finish with a varnish), fry a piece of meat briefly to keep the juices intact (seal the lamb before adding other ingredients) or secure something so as to exclude the possibility of reversal or loss (as in sealing a business deal).

The definitions of seal have an application when applied to the Christian life. God the Father placed His seal of approval on His Son; God set His seal of ownership on His children and we are marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit (John 6:27, 2 Corinthians 1:21 and Ephesians 1:13). Jesus never broke the seal during His lifetime. His integrity remained intact. He never allowed anything to come between Him and His Father's will.

For the rest of us, however, it is a constant struggle to keep worldly temptations from distracting us. The apostle Paul reminded us to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit, but as my husband often says, "we leak." The presence of the Holy Spirit is real to us. We have already been "authenticated," but while we are still here on a fallen planet, we must be diligent in remembering that we have to work hard at preventing anything from entering our lives that will dishonor the Spirit that lives within us.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Ephesians 4:30-32 NIV).

Sidewalks, Foot Paths and Stepping Stones

2012-01-23T09:29:00.000-08:00

Walking is my favorite exercise. The best thing about walking is that you can do it practically anywhere. As I frequently travel, the only exercise equipment I need is a pair of shoes that fit properly and are comfortable - as close to "made for me" as they can get. If I don't wear a good pair of walking shoes, I pay the price for it later.

Some places make walking easier than others. Many countries offer wonderful foot paths through the forest. These paths have often been cleared of trees and fallen debris. It is therefore possible to walk through the woods enjoying the scenery rather than having to watch the ground for areas where you might trip up.

Many European countries offer pedestrian commercial areas. Without having to watch out for vehicles, you can have a very pleasant experience walking while shopping, banking, dining, or any other business you need to take care of.

Sidewalks are also provided in many places for walkers. They are even separated from designated bike paths, so that if you stay on the walkway provided for pedestrians, you are in good shape. In areas where sidewalks are not provided or are not reliable, walkers have to pay much more attention to their path. That inhibits the joy of sight seeing as you walk.

Sometimes it is up to me to provide my own walking path. While working in an area on some land that had to be leveled because heavy rains had caused unevenness in the soil, I first placed stepping stones around the perimeter. That proved to be a very good decision as the stones were the only reliable walking area for some time.

Sidewalks, foot paths and stepping stones remind me that God has provided safe paths for us in life, if we will just take advantage of them. I know that I have a choice. I can stay on His path or I can deviate from it. Life is always much more pleasant when I stay on the path He established for me. It is when I get off His path that I am prone to trip up or make wrong decisions.

Just as I only need a good pair of walking shoes to make the most of the sidewalks, foot paths and stepping stones, the only thing I need for life is to truly trust God and let Him lead me down the path He has provided for me.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path... Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight (Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 3:5-6).

The Work of a Carpenter

2012-01-10T07:16:00.000-08:00

Carpentry is hard work. I don't know this from experience, but from observation. My husband, who is not a carpenter by trade, occasionally builds things - something to make our lives easier. Sometimes I hang around just in case I'm needed and learn a lot from watching him work.

Carpentry has to be precise. If things don't fit together the way they are supposed to, modifications have to be made and that is even more work. Unfortunately, you can't count on every piece of lumber being exactly the size you expected or that it will be perfectly straight. Some are bowed or have knots in them or some other imperfection that results in adjustments having to be made down the line. One place where I may help is at the lumber yard. I try to point out pieces of lumber that are bowed. I know that it is best to leave those behind.

Although many things made by carpenters are really works of art, that doesn't seem to be a description that is associated with the profession. Carpentry seems to be an unsung profession. Few people realize what goes into building a table, a chair, a desk, a room or a house. By the time the product is ready for use, the real work is covered up. All the nails, screws, extra support boards and all the things it takes to make the piece sturdy are hidden. Only the carpenter, who often works alone, knows what is really underneath it all.

As a Christian, I have often reflected on Jesus' choice of the man who would help raise Him. Joseph was a carpenter, evidently a quiet, faithful man who was obedient to God when he was told Mary would be giving birth to the Christ child. Children often take on the profession of their fathers. Jesus had to be about His Heavenly Father's business, but while He was in Joseph's home, surely He worked beside him and learned some lessons about carpentry. How amazing it is that the Son of God who created the world with only His Words was taught by Joseph to measure twice and cut once!

The finished product for carpenters is a nice piece of furniture, cabinetry, or an addition on a house or maybe a house itself. Sometimes the object is simple. Sometimes it is ornate. Every object that a carpenter makes, however, can bring him pride because he knows the time and effort that he put into it.

The finished product for the carpenter Jesus is a person who can glorify Him. Only He knows how much love, time and effort He put into working out the knots in our lives so that we might become someone He will be proud of.

"Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas and Simon?" (Mark 6:3).

The Chinese New Year and Christianity

2012-01-02T05:51:00.000-08:00

My granddaughter was born in China. I have been to China and think it is a remarkable country, but my interest in Chinese traditions, especially the Chinese New Year, was sparked because of my love for this precious little girl.

The Chinese New Year, also called the Lunar New Year, is based on the Chinese lunar calendar. Unlike the New Year that is celebrated in many other countries on the first day of January, the dates for the Chinese New Year vary from year to year.

In 2012, the Chinese New Year is January 23, beginning a fifteen day observance that starts with the new moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon fifteen days later.

It is the most important of the Chinese holidays. As it officially marks the end of the winter season, it is also known as the Spring Festival.

Families gather on the Chinese New Year's Eve or "Eve of the Passing Year" for a great reunion and feast. Prior to gathering, the home is thoroughly cleaned. This represents getting rid of any ill fortune that might be in the home and to make way for the incoming good that the new year might hold. The windows and doors have already been decorated with red paper cut outs declaring "good fortune," "happiness," "wealth," or "longevity." Firecrackers end the festivities of the evening.

On the morning of the Chinese New Year, children and unmarried adults are given money in red paper envelopes. Families exchange gifts as well, ranging from items used to celebrate the season - such as lanterns - to practical gifts such as laptops and organizers. Anything to do with Chinese calligraphy are also popular gifts.

The family gathering on New Year's Eve honors both past and present generations. The Chinese celebrate the onset of the New Year as one great community - the ancestors who have died and the family members who are living. Departed members of a family are greatly respected because of the foundation they have set for the family.

I am a Christian. My observance of any holiday is seen through Christian eyes. I see the New Year as a reminder that God is a God of new beginning. Our spiritual houses should be kept clean at all times in order to be closer to Him. Every good thing in life is a gift from God. He encourages us to share with others what we have. As Christians, we make a seasonal observance of gift giving when we celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas. Our foundations were set in place by our forebears and those who have left a positive imprint on our lives should be remembered with gratitude. God promises that we will be joined again with everyone in our earthly family who is also a part of our eternal family.

There is one person I am determined to remember every day, not just on a holiday. He gave His life for mine. He saved me from my sin and made life with Him and those who love Him possible for eternity.

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19).

Sunrise on Christmas Day

2011-12-24T04:10:00.000-08:00

People around the world look forward to sunrise on Christmas day with eager anticipation, especially young ones. Children who have been told that they cannot look under the Christmas tree until after sunrise can hardly wait for the sun to come up. They hardly sleep the night before and when the slightest hint of light comes out in the morning, they run to their parents and ask, "May I get up now? May I see what Santa brought?"

The traditions of Christmas are about family, food and gifts. Some people spend all year thinking about the next Christmas. They shop a little during the year, hide the gifts away and save up for the special treats that the family loves to eat at Christmas time. More books, songs and movies revolve around Christmas than any other holiday. It is a celebration for people of all nations and cultures, even for those who do not believe in the Christ who made it all possible.

The first Christmas was anticipated for centuries. The prophets spoke about the coming of the Christ child long before that day Mary gave birth to Him and laid Him in a manger. Mary herself must have been excited about the dawn of the day when the promise given to her was born from her own body. That sunrise brought her Son to her and to the world.

As people choose Christmas gifts, they put much thought into it because they want to please the ones they love. Sometimes that entails sacrifice on their part. They may scrimp and save in order to get that special item to wrap and put under the tree.

The gift of the Son to save the world was planned by God before time began. He knew the gift that was needed and He sacrificed much in order to give that gift. God's love for us is so great that He was willing to suffer to give us the gift that we needed most.

As the sun rose on that first Christmas, one day the Son will rise again. What God promises He fulfills.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Joseph, The Man in the Background in the Nativity

2011-12-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

When unpacking my Christmas decorations, I love pulling out and setting up my collection of nativity scenes. It is the picture of the real Christmas story: the gift of the Son of God to the world.

Jesus is the central figure in the nativity scene. It would not mean anything without Him. When I am placing the other figures around Him, I usually place Mary behind His right and Joseph behind Him on the left.

The placing of Joseph in the nativity scene is somewhat symbolic of his life. He is the man in the background. Many stories have been written about how Mary was chosen to be the mother of our Savior, but little has been said about the man who was chosen by God to raise His son.

Matthew tells us more about Joseph than anyone else. Like me, I think Matthew must have been impressed with this humble man who loved God, loved the mother of His Son and loved His Son in a way that no one else could.

After Mary told him she had been chosen to bear the Christ child, Joseph had the first of his dreams that included instructions from God. The angel in the dream told Joseph not to be afraid but to wed Mary as he had planned.

Joseph was visited by an angel of the Lord in his dreams at least twice more. After the visit of the wise men, he was instructed in a dream to take his family to Egypt because Herod wanted to kill the child. He was told to stay until he was visited again. After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to go to the land of Israel. Joseph settled in the city called Nazareth, thus fulfilling the prophecy about Jesus that He would be a Nazarene.

Joseph is mentioned again when he and Mary found Jesus conversing with the teachers in the temple. When Mary questioned Jesus as to why He had not come with them when they left the city, Jesus said, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" (Luke 2:49). This is the last time Joseph is mentioned, so he must have died between the time Jesus was twelve and the beginning of His ministry.

Although Jesus' brothers resented Him and for a long time did not believe in Him, that was not true of Joseph. He did not resent raising a Son that was not his own. He accepted that assignment from God without question.

Joseph was an unusual man, humble and obedient. What Jesus learned about carpentry, he learned from Joseph. Joseph must have also taught Jesus much about His Father's word as well, for we know that Jesus learned the Scripture as a child.

I am looking forward to meeting Joseph in heaven, the man in the background in the nativity.

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-25).

Preparing for the First Christmas: Greetings from Gabriel

2011-12-10T06:34:00.000-08:00

Preparing for Christmas is a delightful experience to me. I love getting out the decorations, playing Christmas music, watching favorite Christmas movies, lighting candles reserved for the season, entertaining, preparing special treats that for some reason are only eaten during Christmas time, strolling through stores and malls with special decorations and driving through neighborhoods that have prepared for this most important day.

Most of all, getting ready for Christmas includes the reading of the Christmas story. As a believer, I continue to be amazed and grateful that God would send His Son to live among men so that we might live with Him forever. As God was preparing the world for the first Christmas, He enlisted angels to bring messages to those who would be directly involved.

Many people are fascinated by angels, including me. Movies, television programs and books support the idea that good people become angels. That theory can make interesting entertainment, but it is not true. According to scripture, angels are unique creations of God and are spirits sent by God to minister to believers.

Other popular pieces of literature about angels concentrate on their involvement in the lives of people - sometimes detailing rescues and comfort in trying situations. Although it is possible to have encounters with angels, these visitations originate with God, not the angels themselves. Good angels are always on assignment from God. He deserves the credit for any rescue or comfort received at the hands of angels.

Joseph, who was engaged to the virgin Mary, came to understand his special role in the life of Jesus through many visitations of angels. After the birth of Christ, humble shepherds in the field were honored to receive a birth announcement - via special delivery through an angel and accompanied by an angelic choir.

Gabriel is one of two angels whose name we know. We first discover him in the Old Testament where he was sent by God to explain visions to Daniel. His most familiar appearances were in the New Testament as God sent him to prepare the world for the coming of the Christ child. He told Zacharias that God sent him to bring him news of the birth of his son, John the Baptist, whose voice in the wilderness would prepare the way of the Lord. When Gabriel is last mentioned in scripture by name, it was to deliver greetings from God to a young virgin who, because she had found favor with God, would be blessed among women and give birth to the promised Messiah.

"I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God... the angel Gabriel was sent by God...to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary...And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus...The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you, therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:19, 26, 27, 31, 35).

Heroic Shepherds

2011-12-02T12:25:00.000-08:00

Usually, when one thinks of a hero, someone who has been through the battlefields of war or has achieved widespread acclaim because of their accomplishments for mankind comes to mind. It is unlikely that anyone would initially think of shepherds as heroes. Yet shepherds are some of the notable heroes of scripture.

Abel, the First Shepherd

Abel, son of Adam and Eve, was a keeper of sheep. He gave the proper sacrifice to God when he brought the firstborn of his flock. God gave His only begotten Son - the firstborn among many brothers - so that whoever believed in Him would be saved.

Abraham, a Wealthy Shepherd

When Abraham proved to God that he trusted Him above all else, God substituted the lamb (ram) for the sacrifice of Isaac. John the Baptist announced that the living Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The writer of Hebrews tells us that the Good Shepherd offered Himself as the sacrificial lamb, one sacrifice for the sins of all time.

Jacob, a Shepherd in Love

For the love of Rachel, Jacob served Laban fourteen years - seven for Leah and seven for Rachel. Before he died, he gave a blessing to his beloved son Joseph who was Rachel's child. Israel (Jacob) acknowledged that the God of his fathers had been his shepherd all through his life and that his son Joseph was strong because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.

Moses, a Shepherd in Training

Before leading the children of Israel out of Egypt, Moses spent forty years as a shepherd in Midian. This period of obscurity, guiding and protecting defenseless sheep, was preparation for forty years spent in the wilderness with fearful and stubborn people.

David, the Giant Killer

Although a youth, David's experience as a shepherd enabled him to fight the giant Goliath. Even as king, David never forgot lessons learned tending sheep. His Psalm 23 is the most often quoted Psalm of the Bible.

Shepherds in the Field

Humble God-fearing shepherds were honored by a visit from an angel announcing the birth of the Christ child. Finding Him in a manger made them feel quite at home.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd

Shepherds, under-shepherds and sheep are an important part of God's story. He warns against false shepherds. He calls His people His flock.

The Old Testament characters above (and others) pointed to the coming of the Chief Shepherd, the Son of God. Although heroic in their actions of protecting the sheep under their care, the true hero of the Book is the Good Shepherd, the Lamb that was slain.

Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rules for Him; behold His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young (Isaiah 40:10-11).

Christmas is coming

2011-11-19T01:46:00.000-08:00

Spending a delightful day in mid-November in London, England, it was obvious that the city was preparing for Christmas. The stores, the streets, the advertisements all reminded one that "Christmas is coming." Particularly enjoyable was a stroll through Covent Garden Market, where the decorations were all in full display. The gigantic Christmas tree was adorned in only lights and balls of all sizes. Overhead were gigantic red balls dangling from the rooftop of the market square. A hugh reindeer made of greenery was adorned with white lights.

Throughout the city the decorations were classic - large stars lit with white lights hung between the buildings on the main thoroughfares. Store displays were being dressed in Christmas colors and packages were lying in the windows all around with a gentle reminder that gifts would be needed for father, mother, aunt, son, daughter, uncle, aunt and cousin.

As a Christian, I am aware that preparation for Christmas in much of the world is a secular activity. On the web and in the mail, the announcements that Christmas is coming are in hopes that people will buy their products for Christmas gifts. Many people are simply looking forward to time off from work and the family traditions surrounding the most popular holiday of the year.

Unfortunately, few are experiencing the inner reminder that without the first Christmas, there would be no Easter. Without the coming of the Christ child, His perfect life, His substitutionary death on the cross and His resurrection, there would be no hope for eternal life. Whether or not stores, streets and homes are decorated with the intent to honor Christ, the decorations can speak for themselves, just as the Bible says that the rocks would cry out if people fail to worship God.

All of the decorations in London did, however, remind me of the first Christmas - the coming of Immanuel, God with us. The balls reminded me of a globe - our world and the planets and stars of the universe. The Christ who was born in the nativity is the One who created the universe and our world. The trees and the reindeer caused me to reflect on how He adorned our earth with plants and animals and all that is good. As I gazed at the stars hanging over the streets, I envisioned the star that led the wise men to the Christ child. The lights everywhere - in white - made me think of Jesus, the Light of the world.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...Through him all things were made...In him was life, and that life was the light of men (John 1:1, 3-4).

11 Reasons To Honor Our Veterans for Their Service

2011-11-11T07:02:00.000-08:00

A date like this one (11/11/11) doesn't come along too often. Not only do we observe Veteran's Day on the 11th of November, but it was at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice was signed between the Allied nations and Germany to officially end World War 1. Formerly known as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, this day is a national holiday in many allied nations, honoring the members of the armed forces who lost their lives in the war.

Rightly so, Veterans Day now pays tribute to all military veterans. Those who have served in the military or are presently serving in the military deserve our thanks. Many nations have reason to thank their servicemen for their contributions, but this reflection is based on those in the branches of the U.S. military.

The U.S. official motto is "In God We Trust." Although much effort has been expended to remove God from our schools and our speech, this motto was reaffirmed this month by the U. S. House of Representatives. Some say that this reaffirmation was a needless distraction from our nation's other problems. I, for one, am proud of the House for the reaffirmation. Whatever the religion of the servicemen and women (and they should be free to worship as they please), they do serve a country that still recognizes sovereign God.
Military service is selfless. Personnel in every branch of our military sacrifice time with their families and other pursuits. They are willing to given their time unselfishly for the good of their country and their grandchildren. It costs them much to be in the military.
Military members are brave and honorable people, willing to lay their lives on the line for others.
Military members are worthy examples for young people. They are the true super heroes of our nation.
Military members know the value and honor of teamwork.
The official motto of the United States Army is "This We'll Defend." That is a statement that covers all the military branches. Our nation is still free because of our veterans.
The United States Navy motto is "Honor, Courage, Commitment," a standard that should be true of all of us.
"Semper Fidelis," the motto of the United States Marine Corps reminds its members of the need to be "Always Faithful."
The United States Coast Guard vows to be "Semper Paratus," "Always Ready." They have proven their loyalty many times in recent years.
The United States Navy Seals know that service is not easy. They are ready for any challenge as their motto is "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday."
Finally, but not least because I have two sons serving in the United States Air Force, is the motto, "Aim High...Fly, Fight, Win." "Above All" and "No One Comes Close" are still remembered as USAF mottoes. Their core values say it all (even for other branches of the military): Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do.

Thank you, sons, family and friends who have served and are serving in the United States military. I owe you a debt of gratitude for the freedoms I still have.

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends (John 15:13).

Forgetting the Cross

2011-11-10T01:30:00.000-08:00

Some years back, my husband was a pastor in far west Texas. He led our church to hold an annual evangelistic crusade in a mountain amphitheater. Although it was difficult in that city to get new people to come to the church building, in this beautiful outdoor setting, the attendance was always very good.

A large cross, illumined by spotlights, was placed strategically behind the stage area. No one attending the services could miss seeing the old rugged cross on the hill. The cross was central in the preaching and the music. Many people were saved as a result of the crusades.

Set up and tear down of the equipment was an all day affair, involving many people and much labor. One year, when things that were to be carried back to the church had all been loaded on the trucks and the tear down team was ready to drive away, my husband heard one of the clean up crew for the amphitheater cry out, "Hey, mister, you forgot your cross!" Sure enough, the cross still stood on that hill, all alone, and forgotten. My husband has never forgotten the implications of that oversight and neither have I.

For many years, I have observed preachers and churches who have forgotten the cross. No one seems to be offended with stories about Jesus, the nativity, the miracles and the parables. However, when the whole gospel is preached and the cross is included, there is a different reaction, sometimes a violent one. Preachers are tempted to leave the cross out of the gospel in order to reach the crowds. People would rather hear a motivational message loosely based on scripture than the whole gospel, with the terrible reality that it was our sin that nailed the Son of God to the cross.

The sweet story of the nativity has to include the horrors of the cross and the glory of the resurrection. Jesus paid for the sins of mankind on His cross. After His resurrection, He sat down at the right hand of the Father, His mission complete. The whole story of Jesus must include the cross and the resurrection.

Don't forget the cross!

Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said...And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world (1 Corinthians 15:3-4,17-19 NLT).

Days of Remembrance

2011-11-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

Every country has national holidays, many of them commemorating a special event in the nation's history. Traveling internationally exposes me to many local holidays and I learn something new about the country I am visiting each time one comes around.

Some countries celebrate some of the same holidays but with a different twist. Halloween, for instance, a hugh commercial event for America, is only given a nod by some countries. In Poland, for instance, Halloween is observed for the children, but the real celebration is the next day: All Saints Day or the Day of the Dead.

Although All Saints Day is officially only one day, it usually lasts for several days. It is common for Polish people to take off work for a day if All Saints Day falls close to a weekend. All Saints Day in 2011 fell on a Tuesday. Many families left work Friday afternoon (so many that the congestion on the roads leaving Warsaw resulted in many automobile accidents) to travel long distances to visit with families, took the following Monday off from work, and returned home on Tuesday evening.

In most European countries, cemeteries are more than resting places for the dead. Beautifully maintained by family members (not by cemetery staff), none of the graves are overgrown or neglected. Especially during All Saints Day, when people visit cemeteries to clean grave sites of loved ones and place flowers and candles on them, many people will wander through the cemetery to look for graves which have not been cleaned. Even if they do not know the family of these deceased, they will tend to the grave and put a candle on it.

I have visited a cemetery on All Saints Day with Polish friends. The beauty of the cemetery nearly took my breath away. There are so many flowers on the graves that it is more like a garden than a cemetery. At night, the glow from candles in glass containers of various colors (thousands in the larger cemeteries) accentuate the beauty of the stone grave markers and the flowers on top of them. The cemeteries are so full of people you can hardly walk. Graves of national heroes are easily identifiable as people put extra flowers and candles around them - so many that it is hard to see the grave stone.

America is the only country I know of that works its retail people harder during a holiday. In other countries, when it's time for a holiday, everything closes down. That literally means that if you are out of milk and bread on a holiday, too bad. You must wait until the next day. Although I learned this lesson the hard way and still gets surprised sometimes by a holiday I was not aware of, I very heartily approve of this system. Owners and employees of businesses have the day off just like everyone else. A holiday is a holiday for everyone.

In many countries I travel in, the same is true for Sunday. Unfortunately, this is changing in some places, but most of the time, Sunday is a day of rest. Families get together, go for walks together, and celebrate life. Although many that observe Sunday as a day of rest don't do it for the same reason I do (God said so), they understand the value of a special day set aside for leisure, not work.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work; you, nor your son, nor your daughter, or your male servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it (Exodus 20:8-11).

Adaptation and Identification

2011-10-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

Traveling as much as I do is an exercise in adaptation. My husband and I stay overseas often for an extended period of time - several weeks or months.

We don't stay in tourist areas, but live where the locals live. Sometimes there is a lot of difference between the two. I prefer living among the people. I get a much better perspective.

Although my primary frame of reference is American, I am very happy to say that my frame has grown and keeps growing. Adaptation to other cultures has given me a better and broader world view.

Since we do live among the people for extended periods, there are many things I need to discover about each new location. Will I be close to public transportation? Are schedules reliable? Do many people speak English? Can I safely walk in the neighborhoods? Are dogs behind fences or are they allowed to roam the streets? What are the expectations concerning pedestrians and driving?

When staying somewhere for more than a few days, it becomes necessary to set up housekeeping (of a sort). Sometimes I know in advance what the accommodations are like. Many times I don't. Where we stay has a bearing on how much I can do for myself. Will we be in a room or an apartment? Will I have an oven, a stovetop, a refrigerator or internet connection? Will I have access to a washing machine or will I be doing laundry by hand?

Packing for such a trip is always a challenge. Is it going to be cold or hot (we've had many surprises in that area!)? Do I need to pack hangers, a coffee pot or an electric kettle? Several things I never regret packing are:

ziplock bags (few countries other than the U.S. have these)
headache medicine, sleep aids, stomach medicine, etc. (sometimes these are very hard to obtain)
a pillowcase (I often use this for laundry although it has come in handy when the pillows do not have pillowcases. I have even used a pillowcase for a hand towel.)
cloth shopping bags (even though the U.S. is starting to encourage people to use these, other countries charge for their own bags!)
soap
a small flashlight (sometimes used as a reading light when there is no lamp)

Being exposed to different cultures leads to an identification with the local people. There are times I have an "aha" moment thinking, "that's why they do what they do!" Discoveries first hand make a bigger impression than reading about the culture or hearing someone else describe their experiences.

The most surprising thing to me has been reverse culture shock upon returning to America. Things I have gotten used to overseas - great public transportation, the abundance of woods with hiking trails and cheese I can afford! - I often miss when I go home. Most of all, though, I miss my new friends.

I am often eager to return to places I have been to see my friends, but I also miss my family, home and friends in the U.S. when I am overseas. I often wish I could be in more than one place at a time.

Jesus chose to leave heaven and adapt to the limitations on earth for our sakes. He identified with us. I don't have to wonder if He misses His friends because He, unlike us, can be in both places at once. His Spirit is still with us.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us... (John 1:14a).

Transcending the Language Barrier

2011-10-20T07:34:00.000-07:00

God has a great sense of humor. I am never at a loss for words - unless I can't speak the language. In our ministry, my husband and I travel all over the world. I am more often than not in a situation where I cannot speak the language.

We minister often in Poland. I don't speak Polish. We go frequently to Spanish speaking countries. I can't speak Spanish. Although we lived in Germany, I only learned a small amount of German (I sometimes revert to the little German I know even in countries where it is not the national language). We spent a year ministering in France, and I don't speak French. We have traveled to Austria, Portugal, Italy, Ukraine, China and countries in the Middle East where English is not the national language. Not once could I do what I do in America - meet people on the streets and in the shops and carry on a conversation.

Although I would very much like to get to know people I meet on these trips, I am handicapped because I can't communicate in their mother tongue. I often give locals who want to practice their English a workout, but I would rather speak to them in their own language. I wish I had a gift for languages. I don't.

The common denominator in all these places is that someone I work with speaks excellent English. I must rely on them for all the information about the area, how to conduct myself, how to shop and use the transportation system, etc. For those dear friends who are gifted in multiple languages, I pray that God will especially bless them for their service. I couldn't do what I do without them.

I am able, however, many times to get my point across without using the local language. There are a few things that transcend the language barrier, especially in the church.

In a special service in Poland, for instance, I had a meaningful worship experience even though I didn't understand a word that was spoken. What I did understand, through song, message, testimonies and tears, was a love for God and a desire to praise Him. The language barrier was transcended by the common bond I have with the family of God. His Spirit was with us all.

Music is a special language all of itself. Familiar tunes to hymns and choruses I hear in church services around the world make me feel at home and connected with the other worshippers.

I try to learn a few phrases in each language, especially "Good day" and "thank you." I find myself repeating those expressions over and over again, sometimes appropriately, sometimes not. My mispronunciations are received with good natured laughter. One of my problems is I also have issues with correctly pronouncing some words in English!

Everyone is complimented when you at least try to greet them in their mother tongue. Occasionally, I will learn an additional phrase. In China, I also learned the expression "God bless you." I will never forget the smiles on the faces of some of my new friends as I left and said "God bless you" in Chinese.

Although I must be careful about how I do this, sometimes charades will do the trick. That has resulted in lots of laughter, but physical demonstrations can communicate.

Intentional presence makes a statement. Even among English speakers, many times, just "being there" is the preferred message of the moment. Sometimes there is nothing that can be said to remedy a situation. It can transcend the language barrier. Facial expressions and mere presence communicates "I'm here because I care."

Expressions of greetings are different in every country. They vary from a handshake to a one cheek kiss to a two cheek kiss to a bow to a big hug. Even though I try to find out what is practiced locally, sometimes I just do what is natural for me and give a big hug. I have yet to have someone chide me for this even when it is not common. Especially when I greet another woman, our eyes meet and there is a big returning smile, when I give her a hug, she returns it with gusto. It always seem to communicate.

Although I know my handicap will not be a problem in heaven, my attempts to communicate here result in a lot of laughter. After all, God does have a sense of humor.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28)

The Forest and the Trees: My Perspective, God's Perspective

2011-10-12T03:08:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to do is take a walk in a forest. I love trees. Being close to many different types of trees helps me notice certain features about them: their size and shape as well as the particular characteristics of their leaves. Especially during fall, this is an exercise in delight. The leaves changing colors and floating to the ground right in front of me is like watching a painting in progress - a work of art only God can create.

Taking note of the intricate design of leaves, the route of gnarly tree roots and various designs of tree bark is something that can only be done close at hand. I walked recently through a small area of a forest that had been harvested. Before reaching the site, it appeared that there were no trees at all in that spot. However, walking next to it, I discovered that the area had been replanted. Those small trees would someday grow tall like their neighbors, house birds, and provide shade for small animals.

Viewing the forest from a distance, such as from above in an airplane or from a car passing by, would render these details inaccessible. That view is also beneficial, however, as it gives a different and important perspective. Each tree in a forest is part of the whole. Without individual trees, the forest would not exist. Together, they are something more than they are alone.

I am often reminded that God's perspective includes both the forest and the trees. While my perspective on life is often determined by my experience, a point in time or my location, I know that God does not have those limitations. He truly does have the big picture. He can focus on the minute details of the tree and see the forest as a whole at the same time. The smallest detail is a part of His plan. His perspective includes the details of my life along with everyone else's.

Knowing that God created the tree and the forest and sees the intricate details of one tree as well as the entire forest at the same time helps me cope with unknown elements of my future. No detail in my life is inconsequential in His plan. The small things in life are significant because they are part of the whole.

The trees of the Lord are full of sap, the cedars of Lebanon which He planted, where the birds make their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees...O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions (Psalm 104:16, 17, 24).

Connecting the Dots: An Exercise in Understanding Life

2011-10-07T02:25:00.000-07:00

As a child, I worked with books containing several different kinds of exercises: coloring pages, mazes, crossword puzzles and connect the dots. My favorite was connecting the dots. On the most complex pages, you could not tell what the picture was until you had completed the process of connecting dot number one with dot number two and so on until the last dot had been connected. The resulting picture was already there in the background. The creator of the page had it in mind before he removed the lines that connected each dot. His goal was for the worker of the page to discover the picture after each dot was connected.

I remember some of the “aha” moments I had when I had finally connected enough dots to know what each picture was going to be, but finished the exercise anyway because I wanted to see the completed picture. I might then color it, but I often left it just as it was when the last dot had been connected because I had seen all I needed to see. The delight was in finding the hidden picture.

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., died this week. In a speech he gave to the graduating class at Stanford University June 2005, his first point caught my attention. It was about connecting the dots.

Steve Job’s story of connecting the dots had to do with his own life. He was where he was in business because of a series of events that happened, some beyond his control: the circumstances surrounding his adoption as a child, his quitting college and deciding to pursue his personal interests, his being fired at the company he started, etc. All of these things led him to a point where he was able to accomplish certain things. Connecting those dots in retrospect helped him see the fuller picture of why he was able to do the things he did.

Steve Jobs is one of those people whose achievements greatly affected the way people live their lives. He said connecting the dots is only possible when you look back on life, but when you do connect the dots or circumstances, situations that at first seemed to be negative can sometimes lead to a positive outcome.

Connecting the dots is my favorite way to study the Bible. The many ways to study God’s word, such as verse-by-verse exposition, character analysis, theme, book study, etc., all have great value. The important thing is to spend time reading His word, asking Him to reveal His truth to you, and making the application when it has been revealed.

Often, when I am reading God’s word, I notice the repetition of a word or a concept and start connecting those dots. For instance, when I was reading through the letters the apostle Paul wrote, I started noticing similarities in his prayers. The result of that study was a book: The Prayer Driven Life. Paul’s prayers included prayers of blessings, thanksgiving for the saints, praise and thanksgiving to God, petitions to God on behalf of the saints, and benedictions. I never would have discovered those groupings of prayers had I not connected the dots that flowed from Romans through Philemon, and all the letters in between.

Connecting the dots of God’s word is exciting to me. Many of my Bible studies have started that way. Connecting the dots between His word, history and current events makes sense. Reading the Bible is as currently relevant as reading today’s newspaper. Connecting the dots between His word and the events of life takes the focus off myself and onto His plan.

Steve Jobs was partially right. We can only connect the dots in our own lives by looking backwards. Christians, however, have an advantage: one of faith and trust in God who does have a plan. The resulting picture of our completed lives was already in our Creator’s mind before we were ever born. His plan connects the dots of our past and present with our future. As I watch the picture He has created unfold, I know I can trust the Creator to do all that is right.

My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them (Psalm 139:15-16).

Poisonous Plants, Protection and Prayer

2011-10-01T14:32:00.000-07:00

Like a lot of other people, I am extremely allergic to poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. I have done a lot of research on how to recognize these lovely plants. That is actually harder than it seems. Sometimes the recognition comes when I am in the midst of a patch of it (or after I have swung on the vine!) Working in it sometimes cannot be avoided. What I try to avoid is the terrible consequences of not working wisely in it. Forewarned is forearmed.

There are certain types of ivy I would like to cultivate. Although some consider English ivy a noxious plant, overtaking everything, I do like the fact that it looks good, seems to like the shade and will not create a rash like its poisonous cousin.

One of the disturbing things about the poisonous varieties is that they imitate the plants around them - making me a little nervous about every plant I come in contact with. The leaves of three - leave them be rule does help, but the leaves may be pointed, oblong or round. Sumac does not follow the leaves of three rule. I must remember to watch out for a single leaf at the end of a long row of innocent looking leaves on a branch. And. . . there is always the possibility that one of the leaves in the configuration has fallen off - so there might be two leaves in the cluster of three or the single leaf at the end of the sumac branch has disappeared. So, my answer is to always be cautious and protect myself as much as possible.

Protection involves extra clothing - 2 layers of long sleeves and 2 layers of long trousers. I also put on two sets of gloves just to be sure. I lather up with Ivy Block, which is supposed to prevent oils from getting on to my skin. When I am through, I use Tecnu Xtreme to wash off any oils that might have come through the two layers of clothing and the Ivy Block. Somehow, even after all these precautions, I still get the rash and have to wait out the two to three weeks for it to dry up and disappear.

The offending oil on the poisonous plants is not obvious. The leaves don't always shine. The experts say the oil is still there even after the plant is dead. Working in an area where poison ivy is plentiful takes all the courage I can muster, but sometimes I think the results are worth the effort.

Working around these poisonous plants make me think of life as a Christian in a worldly society. If the Christian's life is to have any influence on the world, he must be willing to work in the midst of some fairly unpleasant circumstances. Even when one's standards are according to God's word, just setting out in business, or shopping or traveling or any contact with others opens the possibility of being exposed to some poisonous influences. Just as the English ivy might grow next to the poison ivy or the poison sumac resembles a harmless tree, it is not always possible to prevent all negative influences from coming into your life.

Living life as a Christian hermit is not the answer. Fighting against those negative influences is the answer: by prevention (being so close to God you learn to recognize the evil), by protection (arming yourself with the resources the Holy Spirit has made available) and prayer (asking God to help you through the forest of good and bad). Living the Christian life is hard, but it is worth the effort.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world...I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one (John 16:33, 17:14-15).

Playtime, Love and You

2011-09-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

Being a grandmother brings back memories of time spent with my own sons when they were preschoolers. Then, as now, time was more plentiful than money; however, being forced to be creative in our playtime was, and still is, a good thing. Especially with the current economic situation, parents and grandparents are sharing tips that have worked for them as they help their children enjoy life without spending much money.

I have noticed that expensive toys often spend the largest part of their time lying in the toy box or closet. Although rotating toys helps, after the novelty wears off again, they must then be put up once more or even given away.

Toy companies are expert at advertising, but not always so clever at creating toys children can really enjoy. A lot of toys do not hold the interest of a small child. Some toys wind up and do their own thing while the child sits by and watches. Some are just too difficult to play with. My husband and I bought the biggest and best transformer for one of our grandsons, but it was so hard to put together, I'm not sure he ever played with it. I have discovered it is the simpler versions they like the best.

Children love to work with their hands. Give a child time to play in a sandpile with old margarine tubs, kitchen utensils (sifters, spoons, etc.) and he can create anything - forts, farms, trains, churches, or just plain mud pies.

When my children were small, unless we had to go somewhere, I didn't worry about them getting dirty. They loved it. In fact, on nice warm days, they could water the dirt and have extra fun with mud. This kind of dirt play is not only enjoyable for children, it also develops small muscle coordination and their imagination. Playing outside makes them more aware of all the good things God has created for them to enjoy.

Just as children love to play in dirt and sand, they enjoy play dough or clay. I found homemade play dough lasted much longer than the purchased kind. Cookie cutters and plastic items from the kitchen are great things to use with play dough.

A lot of throw away items hold charm for a child: old clothes, bits of wood (with no splinters), old wooden spools, spray can tops, plastic bottles (not pill bottles), and boxes of all sizes. Uses are limited only to the imagination of the child. Children love to create something of their own. One of my grandsons is especially good at making something out of practically nothing. I am always looking forward to seeing what he has created.

Furniture boxes make a great play house. We sometimes placed one on a patio or the corner of a son's room. It became his private domain - with endless possibilities - a hideaway, a spaceship, an office like Dad's, etc. I just cut out a door and a window and let my sons do the rest. They also often created a hideaway underneath the kitchen table, spreading a large blanket over the table and letting their imagination run wild.

I remember camping out in the backyard with our young sons. My husband spread a blanket over two lawn chairs and fixed a pallet underneath for the boys. We slept on cots beside them. We had snacks outside that night and even took our portable television outside on the patio. The boys loved it and slept soundly.

When my children were crawlers and toddlers, I installed childproof openers on the cabinets I didn't want them getting into and put all plastics and light tin pots and pans in the remaining cabinets. While I worked in the kitchen, they would entertain themselves stacking the plastic bowls, banging tin dishes together and even crawling into the empty cabinet for a hideout. I remember one time in particular when my oldest son was about seven or eight months old, his grandparents, his Dad and I observed as he stacked pots and pans together matching the right lids to the proper pans. He struggled with a drip coffee pot until he got all the parts together again the right way which took him a good ten minutes. During all this time, he was concentrating so hard that he didn't even notice that he had an audience!

The most important of all is time a parent or grandparent spends playing with his child. I am so proud of my sons and their wives as they are taking advantage of every minute they have with their young children, recognizing that this stage does not last forever. There comes a time when a child is not as interested in spending all their time with their family, but for a preschooler or elementary age child, there is no one that can take the place of his parent.

During the important formative years, God made young children somewhat possessive of his parents in order to use this golden opportunity to influence that child for good.

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children (Proverbs 17:6 NLT)

The Miracle of Adoption

2011-09-18T15:04:00.000-07:00

My newest grandchild became a part of my family today. I haven't met her yet, but I have been anticipating her arrival for three years.

In September 2008, my son and his wife felt God calling them to adopt a child - preferably a girl. They have two terrific natural born sons, so they are in the minority of people who choose to adopt. Since most couples adopt because they can't have children any other way, my son and his wife did not request a newborn. Wanting to keep the existing birth order in their family, they did ask for a child under three.

Anyone who has been through an adoption process or is related to someone who has knows that adoptions are expensive and enormously time consuming. Deciding to adopt a child makes a bold statement. Parents (and in some cases, siblings) are willing to pay the price to adopt a child.

In their case, two adoption agencies (the first one didn't work out), much money and three years later, the day has finally arrived.

With all the hiccups in the process, one blog entry of my daughter-in-law's was "God has a plan, God has a plan, God has a plan." Today, we know what that plan was.

In September 2008 Olivia's birth mother was in her first trimester. After giving birth to Olivia seven months later (March 2009), she left her on a doorstep. Found, she was taken to a foster home that works with our family's adoption agency.

The referral from the agency came just after Olivia's second birthday in March 2011. As soon as we all saw her picture, we knew why God allowed the delay. Everyone instantly knew that Olivia belonged to our family. She was not even born when they started the process with the first agency.

Olivia's family is in China. They picked her up today. It was such a delight to receive pictures of her with her brothers and parents.

Olivia will know she is adopted. She will know that she is loved and wanted. She will be told that she was longed-for, chosen and considered worth any price that had to be paid so she could be part of the family.

God, the Father, and God, the Son wanted, longed-for and chose to adopt those who accepted the sacrificial gift offered by Jesus Christ. Through the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit, He has told us that His adopted children are wanted, longed-for, chosen. He paid the highest price for each child of His: the life and death of His only begotten Son.

to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God... So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son... God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure (John 1:12, 14, Ephesians 1:5 NLT).

The Cross and 9/11: Hatred Does Not Have the Last Word, Love Does

2011-09-11T16:40:00.000-07:00

The 10th anniversary of 9/11 has enabled us to know more about the sacrifices of the men and women who lost their lives on that day. Families have shared testimonies of last phone calls with their loved ones and phone messages left on recorders. Common threads for these heroic men and women who died needlessly or sacrificed themselves attempting to save others is duty, dignity and love.

The terrorist attack on America on 9/11/01 can only be explained by pure evil. Their aim was to kill as many people as they could and destroy the morale of a nation. Hatred struck our nation, but it did not have the effect the terrorists desired. Yes, of course, life will never be the same, especially for those family members and friends who lost a loved one that day, but hatred did not have the last word. Love did.

Firefighters, policemen and every day citizens did in the moment of tragedy what evil never would have done. They thought of others instead of themselves - the husband who called his wife knowing he would not survive continued to tell her how much he loved her and wanted her to have a good life, the firefighters who went into the burning buildings knowing there was a good chance they would never come out, the people of New York who came out of their homes with sandwiches and water to give to anyone who needed it, the heroes of Flight 93 who took over the airplane knowing that it was a target for the nation's Capitol and many, many more stories like these that were proof that people cared enough for others that they would sacrifice their lives. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends (John 15:13). Hatred did not have the last word. Love did.

The airplane that struck the first tower shocked everyone. Those in that building were taken by surprise. Many who sacrificed themselves during the next three crashes were aware of the attack. Although they had little time to respond, there was a little forewarning because of the first crash. Even so, the stories of heroism continued. Hatred did not have the last word. Love did.

In the intervening ten years, young men and women in our military have voluntarily gone into harm's way to protect not only the freedom of the country they love, but the lives of those they left behind. Hatred did not have the last word. Love did.

The legacy of these heroes is being lived out in the stories told by their husbands, wives, children, parents, grandchildren and friends. People are alive today because of the sacrifice of someone on 9/11 or because of the sacrifice of a serviceman on the battlefield. Many have decided to serve because their loved one served. Many are striving to live a life that would make their loved one proud of them. Hatred did not have the last word. Love did.

Evil caused 9/11. Evil caused the death of Jesus Christ, who sacrificed Himself for all mankind. His trial, torture and crucifixion did not take Him by surprise. It was His plan all along to declare His love through His sacrifice. In the strongest sense of the word, the cross was His declaration of "I love you" to the world. All those who trust in Jesus are alive spiritually forever because of His sacrifice on the cross. Hatred does not have the last word. Love does.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers . . . will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35, 38-39).

Some of The Richest People I Know Don't Have Any Money

2011-09-03T16:46:00.000-07:00

Since I have the privilege of teaching Bible internationally, my friendship circles are as big as the globe. I have been incredibly enriched by getting to know so many people from a variety of different backgrounds and cultures. I have been exposed to them in their churches and their homes and have been the recipient of their amazing hospitality.

Some of the richest people I know don’t have any money. “Poor me” is not in their vocabulary. In spite of extremely limited material resources, they do not feel deprived. They share what they have - many times giving the best of what they have to their guests.

Their joy does not come in the possession of things, but in the contentment of a life that is counting for something far greater than anything material. They love God. They love life. They love people.

Like Jesus, who had nowhere to lay his head, they understand all the resources of heaven are at their disposal. Their measurements of riches, however, are not monetary.

They are rich in:

loyalty, love and laughter
honor, hope and humility
generosity, grace and genuineness
patience, peace and purity
justice and joy
faith

Some of the richest people I know don't have any money. They have Jesus.

Paul: A Man Rich in Faith

My friends remind of the apostle Paul who discovered that the richness of faith outweighed the riches of the world. He was a man with many advantages in his life. For a long time, he persecuted followers of Christ because he did not understand who Jesus was. When he finally met Jesus and accepted His offer of salvation, he made an about face and never looked back.

Paul gave up the advantages of status and worldly riches when he became a disciple of Christ. What he gained was greater than what he lost.

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:7-8).

Paul’s heart and his mind, given to God, enabled him to be content no matter what his circumstances.

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:12-13).

Preparation, Hope and Predicting the Future

2011-08-28T21:59:00.000-07:00

None of us can predict the future. Or can we?

Like the rest of my country, I watched and prayed this week as Hurricane Irene made her way along the eastern coast of the United States. Weather experts noted the historic nature of this storm and the impact it could have and eventually did have on those in her path.

Even those of us who were not directly affected by her knew she caused havoc all over the nation by interrupting air travel. Eventually, I believe this will bring about yet again higher prices for airline travel - which will directly impact me.

There will be a ripple effect on the entire nation because of this storm - just as there has been a ripple effect from the dismal economic crisis.

I heard the phrase, "Prepare for the worst. Hope for the best," several times during this week. The advice was directed toward those who would potentially be in the path of Irene's fury. With all the technology available to the experts, their best predictions were still an educated guess. Some of them, when questioned about what would happen, said, "Give me 24 hours, then I can tell you."

There were, sadly, many who lost loved ones and property because of this storm. The losses would have been greater still, though, had people not heeded the advice to prepare, evacuate or stay in during the storm. The capabilities of prediction today are so much greater than they were in times past that saving lives and protecting property is more possible than it used to be.

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best could also be applied to the economic situation. Experts in every financial field have been asked to make predictions about unemployment figures, home foreclosures, hopes for reviving retail figures, the stock market, the value of the dollar and everything else related to the crisis. Expert opinions run from dismally pessimistic to cautiously optimistic.

However, no one really knows for sure. We must prepare for the worst. Hope for the best.

We cannot live effectively with blinders on. We must be aware of the big picture. At any given moment, circumstances beyond our control can change our lives. Prepare and hope is good advice.

As a Christian, I believe that I can prepare for the best and hope for the best. The best in this life and in the next is knowing the love of Jesus. My hope is in Christ, my Savior. That hope is not a "hope so," but a solid expectation that what He has promised will come true.

Preparing for the best, to me, involves being ready to greet Him either when I meet Him in my death or when He comes to receive His own. In that sense, I can predict the future. I know without a doubt the best is yet to come.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:37-39 NIV).

The Value of Encouragement

2011-08-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

I attended nine schools before junior high school. All of those schools and the teachers are a little fuzzy in my memory, with the exception of one teacher.

In seventh grade, my English teacher asked me to stay after school. After reading essays and stories I had written, she wanted to encourage me to write more. Her name is the only teacher's name I remember from all those years of attending different schools. I have never forgotten her or her encouragement.

As an adult, I have enjoyed writing and teaching Bible studies - in churches and conference settings. Through my husband's encouragement, I have written a book, established a website and this blog and am currently working on other books and Bible studies.

I am convinced that none of this would have taken place without encouragement. I have my husband to thank as well as friends and family who have encouraged me to continue to write. Those who encourage others have a vital part in participating in their work.

I am not alone in this. Most of us wither a little when someone discourages us. All of us thrive on the encouragement of those we know and love. Recently I read an interview with a best selling author. She said the most encouraging words she had received were from her eight year old grandson who said, "Grandma, you are a good writer."

Never underestimate the value of encouragement.

God's word can encourage you each time you read it. He also wants His children to strengthen and encourage one another.

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT).

The Current Economic Crisis: Don't Give In To Fear

2011-08-16T18:40:00.000-07:00

I am a self-confessed news junkie. Lately all news sources (internet, television, newspapers and magazines) have concentrated on the current economic crisis. Words like fear, nail biting, stress, perilous, risk-adverse, nervous, panic are commonly part of these news reports.

It is very hard not to give in to fear. The current situation has been compared to the Great Depression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt has been remembered most for his comment that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." His wife Eleanor said, "He who loses money loses much; he who loses a friend, loses much more; he who loses faith, loses all."

Since FDR presided from a wheelchair (as a result of polio), the nation listened to him with admiration and respect. He also commented, "Once you've spent two years trying to wiggle one toe, everything is in proportion."

When through no fault of your own, your accumulated nest egg disappears (as is happening with multitudes of people at this time), there is a natural tendency to be afraid that:

you will no longer be able to provide for your needs or the needs of your family
diminished or depleted savings will result in a bleak future
a lower standard of living will mean unhappiness
education and experience will no longer do you any good

Loss of resources you have worked hard to acquire is a major blow.

However, despair is not inevitable.

If a lifestyle change is necessary, it need not be devastating. Solutions begin with a positive attitude and a faith that God is with you and has a plan for your life - a plan for your good and His glory.

My natural tendency is to panic and be fearful. At age 13, I became a Christian. At that time, my father gave me a Bible inscribed with his favorite verse: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). That verse, along with many others, has helped me make the choice to fight fear and trust God no matter what the circumstances.

Teamwork: My Job, Your Job, Our Job

2011-08-08T16:47:00.000-07:00

My sons are both pilots in the U.S. Air Force. I have visited many of the bases where they have served. Today was another chance for me to learn a little more about their jobs. I had the privilege of taking a guided tour of my son's Air Force base by the Airfield Manager. As he was showing us the flight line from a different perspective than I had seen before, I was again reminded of the cooperation that is mandatory between military personnel.

Everyone in the military community seems to have some understanding of what the rest of their team does. Cooperation and big picture awareness is a trait of all Air Force personnel.

Base commanders are expected to see everything from the standpoint of the workings of the entire base; however, their operations are part of the workings of the entire U. S. Air Force. Squadron commanders are not only concerned with their own squadrons, but must coordinate with the other squadrons on base.

Pilots see things from a unique perspective but they know that their safety depends on every other person on the team, especially maintenance personnel. Without people dedicated to taking care of the airplanes, the pilots would not be safe. Pilots are trained to recognize when something is wrong with the airplane, but keeping them airworthy is the assignment of the maintenance personnel.

Airfield maintenance is another category altogether, but a very important one. The flight line must be clear of debris and maintained so that take offs and landings can be made safely. The controllers in the tower have a most important job as they are must be aware of everything that is happening on the ground and in the air. Teamwork is a necessary part of being safe, being productive and doing the assigned job.

This same teamwork principle is practiced in team sports. Baseball, football, soccer and many other sports give examples of the necessity of working together. That should also be the case in business and politics. The many examples of breakdowns in business and government are largely due to the inability to work as part of a team.

Being part of a whole is God's plan for the church, His family. We are part of a family, a team, a body. When Christians follow His guidelines, His body functions as it should. When some in the Body of Christ do not cooperate with the rest of the church, it becomes dysfunctional. Not only can we learn from each other. We need each other to accomplish His will.

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another (Romans 12:4-5).

The Christian Day of Worship

2011-08-01T08:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Sunday. I worshiped the Lord in my home church in Texas. As I did so, I was struck with the reminder that we were joining other Christians all around the world. No matter where we live, we are all part of one family. That family has a special bond on Sunday. Our spirits are joined together in praise to our God.

Since my husband and I travel all over the world in our ministry, we are often in a different place on Sundays. I might worship in America one Sunday, Cuba the next, France the next or Poland, Germany, China, Africa or Austria after that. Wherever we go, I have a sense of belonging. Even when I can't speak the language or totally understand the sermon, I feel the Spirit.

The First Day of the Week?
If you have ever traveled internationally, you know that there are differences in the way countries mark their dates and times. If you observe local calendars or need to date a local document, you must check to see what standard is used. The date is written differently across the world. The International Organization for Standardization would use 2011-08-01 for today's date. Europeans would write it as 01-08-2011 while 08-01-2011 is the American usage.

There are, of course, many other differences in noting time. While many countries use a 24 hour clock, there are several that use a 12 hour clock. Among those that use the 12 hour clock, the military, aviation and some other industries of those countries use the 24 hour clock to avoid confusion.

Many European countries do not count Sunday as the first day of the week. They follow ISO 8601, set in 1988 by the International Organization for Standardization, which marks Monday as the first day of the week.

Most Christians today observe the day of worship on Sunday and regard it as the first day of the week. They will often tell you if, for some reason, they cannot worship on Sunday, their week does not start off right. Of course, we should worship Jesus all during the week. There is something about corporate worship, however, that energizes the soul.

No matter how one tells time or marks their weekly calendar, across the time zones of the world, there are gatherings to worship Christ and thank Him for the wonderful gift of His salvation. His Spirit joins us together. I have been privileged to worship Him with people from many nations. It gives me a little taste of what eternity will be like when every knee will bow before Him.

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb (Matthew 28:1). Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week. . . Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you" (John 20:19). Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul. . . spoke to them and continued his message until midnight (Acts 20:7).

Cleaning House

2011-07-24T17:36:00.000-07:00

My husband and I own a house in the U.S., but we are seldom there. When we do return home, it is obvious we have been gone. Not so much from the outside (we have wonderful neighbors and church friends who look after the yard), but when I walk in the door, it isn't long before I head for the vacuum cleaner. There is a layer of dust all through the house, covering the furniture and floors.

Beautifully crafted pieces of furniture do not look attractive with a layer of dust. In order to see details of a piece, dirt must be removed. Sometimes a good polish is also in order. After that is done, I remember why we bought that piece of furniture. Clean, it is very appealing. Dirty, it is not.

The house is a 1905 Queen Anne Victorian. Although there has been much restoration done (and more in the process), there are some things lacking that most modern houses have. There is no insulation in the walls or under the floors. Daylight can be seen underneath entry doors. Where pocket doors inset the wall, the ground is sometimes visible from the floor.

As a result, insects can easily find their way into our home. In our absence, spiders take up residence. There are cobwebs everywhere - especially in the corners of the twelve foot ceilings. Getting rid of the cobwebs is quite an effort. I am short. I need to stand on a ladder just to reach them with the extension on the vacuum cleaner or a long handled broom.

I really notice those cobwebs when I first return home, but a strange thing happens if I don't tackle them right away with the dirt that is so easily seen. I forget about them. I no longer look up in the corners of the doorways or the ceilings. I get busy with other things - office work, yard work, shopping and visiting friends and neighbors. I feel a bit like Morticia from the Addams Family. The cobwebs can stay. They are part of the decor.

It occurs to me that sin in my life is a lot like the dust on the furniture and those spider webs in the corner. If I don't insulate myself (by staying in the Word or talking to God about everything) against things displeasing to Him, I tend to get used to them. I don't notice the irritable thoughts, the lazy attitude toward the commitments I have made to Him, the selfishness that rears its ugly head. I get busy with other things and neglect to clean in the corners of my life.

The best remedy for cleanliness at home and in my spiritual life is to tackle the dirt immediately. A close examination of my house always requires more cleaning. A close examination of my life does the same. Maybe I get accustomed to those unattractive, sinful attitudes, but I'm sure God does not. His desire is for my life to be pure and clean. He wants to see the reflection of His Son in me.

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart. . . (Psalm 24:3-4a NKJV). Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10 NLT).

National Checkpoints and Boundaries

2011-07-19T09:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday evening, I returned from yet another trip to see part of my very large family - the family of God. As God has called my husband and me to work with His family internationally, we travel a great deal. So far this year, our ministry has taken us to France, Poland, Cuba and South Africa.

Most of the time we fly to our destinations. In the process, we encounter many checkpoints - passport checks, immigration checks, custom checks, etc. These checkpoints mark a boundary between two countries: either the country of our residence or the country where we are traveling from to the country we are traveling to. Each country has a specific form that must be filled out on entry with information on the person who is traveling - the foreigner. Even though people at the checkpoints speak English, it is still obvious we are entering another country.

Although we mostly travel by air, we sometimes use a train or drive to another country. When we lived in El Paso, TX and traveled to Mexico, the long lines at the border were stark reminders that this was a checkpoint - a boundary.

There was a time when car travel in European countries meant going through tedious checkpoints at national boundaries. Now many who are part of the European Union can travel freely from one country to the next without being stopped, but the physical checkpoints are still there as a reminder of the boundary.

When traveling by train from one country to another, even if the train does not stop at the border, there are officials who enter the train and check your documents. Boundaries exist for security reasons. We have observed people without proper documentation being removed from the train we were on.

I learn a lot by watching people in airports and train stations. I hear many languages being spoken around me. As I pass through the check out lines, I observe the variety of colors in the passports people are holding in their hands. Even languages and passports are a type of boundary.

God's Family Has No Boundaries

Once we are through the checkpoints, have collected our luggage and are joined with our partners in ministry, there is a great sense of relief. Boundaries no longer apply. We are all part of the family of God, no matter what country issued our passports. Even if we don't speak the same language, there is still a bond. I am not a foreigner in their homes or in their churches. I am part of their family. What a blessing it is to be part of a world wide family of God where boundaries do not exist.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). There is one body and one Spirit. . . one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:4, 6).

The Anticipation and Excitement of Being Face to Face with Loved Ones

2011-07-11T01:25:00.000-07:00

When it comes to a reunion with a loved one, I'm like a child. Not only do I prepare for the visit - cleaning house, making beds, preparing meals - but there's something about the moment of greeting that brings joy to my heart. I get excited.

When my family drives in for a visit, I go to the window or the door constantly looking for them. I am seldom in the house when they arrive. I am usually waiting for them on the back porch. By the time they turn off the ignition in the car, I am by their side.

My husband and I work together, travel together and play together. When he does go out by himself, I find myself listening for the car to come down the driveway or for the door of our house to open. I am often upstairs, but head downstairs to greet him at the door. I want him to know I missed him.

We travel frequently and for the last few months have been living in a third story apartment in France. The kitchen window overlooks the entry way. Recently, anticipating the visit of a dear friend, I was able to greet her as she arrived - from the window!

If I am meeting family or friends at the airport, I look through the crowd until I see their faces. It is not hard for me to recognize them. I know them. They know me. They are like me. They are part of my family, either my immediate family or my spiritual family.

The same is true when a loved one leaves. I watch them until I can't see them any longer. I often feel like a part of me is leaving with them because we are family.

I can identify with the apostles who stood gazing into heaven as Jesus was taken up. They couldn't take their eyes off of the clouds just in case they could catch one more glimpse of Him.

The sense of joyful anticipation I feel when greeting loved ones, I believe, is a small preview to what it will be like for me to see Jesus face to face. I want to be ready to greet Him. I cannot wait to see Him. I know I will recognize Him because I know Him and He knows me.

As eager as I am to see Him, I believe He is also looking for me much like I watch for the arrival of my loved ones. I get excited just thinking about it.

But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2b).

America Bless God

2011-07-04T00:43:00.000-07:00

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all His benefits (Psalm 103:1-2).

This year, as we celebrate Independence Day

There are some things we need to recall

How God has blessed us each step of the way

Without Him, we would have no blessings at all

What our ancestors acknowledged as true

We must remember this day and every day

It should be the same, even more now, for me and you

As there are those who would argue, the meaning is falling away

“All men are created equal and endowed by their Creator

with inalienable rights,” states the Declaration of Independence.

Those men who unanimously penned this document, included later

Their “firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.”

“The Star-Spangled Banner,” the anthem of our land

Praises the God who has blessed us

With His power and His hand

As the One in whom we should trust.

Read these words written by Francis Scott Key

In 1814, nearly two hundred years ago

As I read them today, I could plainly see

How he recognized that God had blessed us so

“Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: “In God is our trust;”

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

In 1918 Irving Berlin wrote another patriotic verse

“God bless America, the land that we love"

In the form of a prayer, he acknowledged God first

And asked for this nation His blessings from above

“In God We Trust” was placed on the two-cent coin in 1864

Followed by the nickel, quarter, half dollar and the one

Finally all coins contained this motto, and more

For currency was also included, now it is on every single one

Over the years, God’s activity has been acknowledged

As our leaders continued to recognize His hand.

For Eisenhower, in 1954, included in the national pledge

“One nation under God” as Communism threatened our land.

It is not Communism today, but America is definitely under attack

Not from terrorists alone but also from some of our very own

There are those who want to rewrite history, turn the clock back

And say that what our ancestors said, they did not mean

The only hope that the blessings America has experienced will last

Is, like our ancestors, we recognize His hand on this land we trod

He does not need us - we need Him and His blessings of the past

God has blessed America. America should acknowledge and bless God.

If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Freedom and the French-American Friendship

2011-06-29T06:09:00.000-07:00

The Statue of Liberty

A joint project between France and America, the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty was built by the Americans and the statue itself, designed and built by French artist Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, was completed in France, disassembled and shipped to the United States. An icon of freedom, the official name of the Statue is the “Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World.” The statue was a gift from the people of France and symbolizes the friendship between the two countries.

Normandy

The Allied assault on D-Day (June 6,1944) aimed to liberate France and drive into Nazi Germany. Over 9,387 Americans are buried in the American cemetery in Normandy with an additional 1557 names inscribed on the Walls of the Missing. France has granted a special perpetual concession to the land, free of any charge or tax. The cemetery is maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission. Two Italian granite figures at the western end of the central mall represent the United States and France.

From August 19 until the surrounding of the occupying German garrison on August 25, the last battle in the Campaign for Normandy was the Liberation of Paris. It started with an uprising by the French Resistance against the German Paris garrison. On August 24, French Forces of the Interior received backup from the Free French Army of Liberation and the United States 4th Infantry Division. On August 29, 1944, a joint Franco-American victory military parade traveled through the streets of Paris.

Casablanca

The cooperation of French and Americans during the war inspired one of the best known movies of all time.

Casablanca was set in unoccupied French Morocco during WW II. The movie bore the name of the stopping off point on the way to Lisbon and then to America as people attempted to escape Nazi occupied Europe.

The main characters in the story are Rick Blaine, lIsa Lund and Victor Laszlo. Prior to the German occupation of Paris, Rick and lIsa fell in love. On the day the Germans marched into Paris, lIsa was to meet Rick at the train station but failed to show up. She had received word that her husband Victor Laszlo, a Czech resistance leader, had not died in the Nazi concentration camp but was alive and needed her.

Rick goes to Casablanca and sets up Rick’s Café Américain. Rick and lIsa meet again as lIsa and Victor arrive in Casablanca, attempting to find passage to America. German Major Strasser comes to Casablanca to prevent Laszlo from leaving. While in Rick’s cafe, he leads his soldiers to sing the German national anthem. Victor Laszlo then orders Rick’s band to play La Marseillaise, the national anthem of France. When the band leader looks to Rick, he nods his head in approval.

Rick helps Victor and lIsa escape to America by providing them with letters of transit to Lisbon. When Major Strasser tries to stop them, Rick shoots him. The movie ends with Rick and Captain Renault (the local police chief) making plans to join the Free French at Brazzaville, ending with the memorable line by Rick, “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

Friends and Brothers, Free Indeed

I have been an American living in Paris for the last ten months. My husband and I have been conducting our international ministry from here. Not only has my life been enriched by being involved with a wonderful international church, but I now know some of my brothers and sisters in Christ who are French.

Our national mottos are Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, and In God We Trust. The origins of the French motto are not Christian, but the principles are. Through Jesus, we have liberty that enlightens the world. The God in whom we trust has provided a way for us to have liberty, equality and brotherhood. Through Christ, true freedom is possible. Through Christ, we know that we are equally loved by God. Through Christ, we can experience a brotherhood that lasts forever.

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. . .Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:32, 36).

The Joy of Food, Fellowship and Family

2011-06-23T12:40:00.000-07:00

There's something about sitting together around a table full of food that invites conversation - especially with family. When our sons got married, I made a family recipe book for my new daughters. It occurred to me that many of our best memories were around meals celebrating Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays or traditions we had created for meals on Friday nights, Saturday mornings or Sunday after church. Those memories were of great joy when we were all gathered around the table.

Now the joy is magnified because the family has grown. On rare occasions when we have mealtimes together again, it is with grandchildren and all the delightful contributions they make to the conversations.

This last week was another reminder of this truth. I attended two fellowship meals with our church family here in France. There was a covered dish luncheon on Sunday after church. So much good food and time to visit with friends around the table is a great treat. On normal Sundays, people have to be out and about and visiting time is limited. On covered dish Sundays, people make an effort to stick around, visit and enjoy a meal together.

On Tuesday, our ladies Bible study group got together at a member's lovely home for lunch. Again, there was time to discover more information about my sisters in Christ. People I had grown to love I love even more because I know them better now - they shared their testimonies and experiences with the Lord. It was truly a joyful time.

Jesus had similar experiences. He never was in a hurry, but it was at mealtimes we see him having the luxury of sharing life with those He loved. He spent time in fellowship and meals with His friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Those were times of rest and restoration for Him, just as times of food and fellowship with family are for us.

There was one very special meal where Jesus was able to have a time of very needed fellowship. It was just before His betrayal and crucifixion. In the upper room, after Judas left, Jesus had an opportunity to share some special revelations of Himself to eleven of His closest friends. He had come so they might be adopted into His family. As He left His brothers with incredible words of encouragement and promise, He told them that His intended purpose for doing so was that they might share in His joy.

Food, fellowship and family are perfect settings for experiences of joy.

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full (John 15:11). But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves (John 17:13).

To "Our Father in Heaven" on Father's Day

2011-06-18T13:27:00.000-07:00

“Our Father in Heaven” we say

When we start to talk to God.

“Please give us our bread this day,”

As your Son taught while on earth He trod.

How can You be both His Father and ours

When You are God and we are only men?

How can we partake of Your power

When our lives are so full of sin?

Incredible though it may be, but true

You had this plan before time began,

That our sins would be hid in You

When Your Son became a Man.

The love You give freely to us

Is more than we can understand;

All You require is absolute trust

In the One You sent, the Son of Man.

“Father in Heaven, how can we say

Thank You for adoption into Your family?”

On this, what we celebrate as Father’s Day

We remember Your love crucified on a tree.

With a heart full of gratitude, we say,

“We want You to be pleased with us,”

As we remember on this and every day,

You are the Heavenly Father we can trust.

Politicians, Promises and Predetermined Choices

2011-06-15T07:24:00.000-07:00

If you are a news junkie (like me), you cringe when elections come around. Scandals and innuendoes about people running for office dominate the media. It makes you wonder why anyone would ever want to put themselves in that position. They all say they do it because they are working to make a better life for the people, but in the end, we find ourselves asking the question, "Are they really?"

It is hard to trust politicians. They often make promises they don't keep. It seems promises are made to win elections, not to help govern a free society. Even those politicians who appear to mean what they say at the beginning of their campaigns soon get caught up in politics as usual. Once the hard reality of the office hits the politician, there is a great deal of backtracking done. The complicated process or the opposite party gets blamed for unkept promises. It sometimes makes me wonder if a monarchy isn't better (just kidding).

Politicians aren't the only ones who have a problem with promises. We all do. Who among us could say they have kept every promise they ever made? There is only one person who ever lived who made good on all His promises. One of the most comforting things about being a Christian is that God can be trusted. He doesn't have a faulty memory. Some of His promises have already been fulfilled and some of His promises are for the future, but He has proven Himself trustworthy. He says what He means. He means what He says. We can count on Him.

I recently led a Bible study where we looked at a specific characteristic of David, the man after God's own heart. Through his psalms, we discovered many instances where he declared what he was going to do. It was nearly like David was thinking out loud as he said in psalm after psalm, "I will." His predetermined choices were to: praise God, sing praises to His name, not be afraid, worship in God's house, tell of His works, give thanks, trust Him, rejoice in Him, wash his hands in innocence, restrain his mouth, teach others God's ways, wait on God, lie down in peace, hope always, go in God's strength and many others. Even after making his predetermined choice to follow God, David still sinned. He always returned to God through repentance, however, and would then again state his intentions to follow Him.

One of the ladies in the class remarked, "We can choose to say, 'I will,' like David did, but what about the times when we don't follow through?" The general consensus of the group - the answer to that question - was, the more good predetermined choices you make, the more likelihood you will be faithful to Him in most of them. It is when we don't give thought to what we will do and just let life happen, that we are so susceptible to falling prey to being less than what He wants us to be.

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4 NKJV).

Street Cleaners and Foot Washing

2011-06-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

This morning as I was walking to Bible study (all uphill!), it was a little difficult to keep consistent footing because there were so many leaves on the sidewalk. It had rained recently and walking on wet leaves can be a bit tricky. Halfway up the hill, I encountered public service people cleaning the sidewalk and street. It was a joint affair - one man sweeping the leaves, another behind him with a large water hose spraying the leaves from the sidewalk to the gutter and finally a big truck gathered the leaves from the curb and vacuumed them into the truck. After passing the workmen, my trek was much easier: the path was clean and there were no obstructions.

Starting my walk, I really hadn't thought about the leaves or the mud. I was just trying to work my way through them or around them. The pathway didn't really look dirty to me. In fact, I didn't think about it until after I had passed the workmen and was treading on clean pavement.

If you are a believer in Jesus, in the family of God, you have been cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus. Believers still sin and should confess their sins, but God tells us He stands ready to forgive those sins and have us return to fellowship with Him.

Sometimes, though, like the leaves on my pathway, we hardly notice the things that need moving out of the way. We walk through those things or around them without giving it much thought. Everyday obstructions of the world become so commonplace we aren't even aware that our pathway needs a washing. Those obstructions can be anything: a sin, a worry, a disease, a concern about a loved one, a problem with our job. There is a constant need to check for things that need to be cleaned up in our lives: anything that might hinder us from following the Lord without interference. A clean, clear path is much easier to follow than one that has to be maneuvered around.

Just before His crucifixion, Jesus made this point to His disciples. He washed their feet. As He told Peter, they were clean already because they had bathed, but a foot washing is necessary to get rid of the world's dirt and grime. When we submit to Jesus for a foot washing, He can remove some things - such as sin or worry. Other things that are not in our control, but obstruct our path, we can simply give to Him to carry - such as ill health or a concern about a loved one. After all, He is the one who walks beside us as we travel.

We often come to Jesus in prayer and praise Him, thank Him, ask Him for guidance or direction and bring all kinds of concerns to Him. He delights when we do that. We should pray for all those things. Before we bring any of our concerns to Him in prayer, though, it would be a good idea to ask Him first if we need a foot washing. Is there anything in your life that would hinder you from walking a straight path for Him today?

Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you" (John 13:8-10).

Twitter, Facebook, Blogging: Thinking Out Loud on the Internet

2011-06-10T03:12:00.000-07:00

I do a lot of internet research searching Wikipedia or websites specific to the topic I am interested in. If I want a personal perspective, though, I check out the blogs. I appreciate those who are willing to share their expertise in a field. Some of the blogs I follow have to do with writing. The publishing world is changing so fast that the best way to keep up with it is to read an expert's blog on what happened in the industry yesterday or even today.

I view life from a Christian perspective, so I also research the people posting the blogs.That doesn't mean I only read blogs posted by Christians. It means I evaluate what I read by their experience in their field, and take their spiritual state into account as well.

If you follow the news, as I do, you know you should be careful what you post on Twitter, Facebook or your blog. What you say reveals who you are. Politicians and other public figures have discovered that posts are definitely not private: "your sins will find you out."

The tools the internet provides has allowed me to feel connected even though I am not in one place for very long. On Facebook, I might discover a relative has been in the hospital, a friend I haven't seen for a long time has a birthday, another friend had a death in the family or another friend needs prayer. In an instant, I can send an appropriate comment.

Blogs give bloggers an opportunity for even more individual expression that Twitter and Facebook since the words are limited only by the blogger's desire. I follow one person who intentionally writes a 1000 word blog every Thursday. Others are of various length, but research has revealed that most internet readers quickly scan a blog, so one of no more than 500 words has more of a chance of being read. Short paragraphs, breaking up the text with bullets, and using proper font make it easier to read. If there are no comments on your blog, don't despair. Experts say that over 90% of blog readers don't leave a comment.

One blog I follow is a daily blog on prayer. My friend who writes the blog told me, "This is really hard. I am always thinking about what needs to go in my devotional on prayer." Well, honestly, how cool is that? His thoughts are always on the subject of prayer.

The internet has given us the opportunity to think out loud in front of a world wide audience. What we think eventually comes out in what we say, and for those who are in our real world (not just our internet world), they know what we think shows us in our actions as well.

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8 ESV).

Situational Awareness: A Life Principle

2011-06-09T02:33:00.000-07:00

Situational awareness is a term familiar to pilots. Flight instructors teach their students that it is imperative to hone their observation skills: to be aware of everything around them at any given moment and in every circumstance. They must be prepared to react to anything unexpected in the flight path.

The same is true for operating any moving vehicle. When the operator loses focus or is distracted, he is no longer situationally aware and can put himself and others in danger. That is the reason cell phone usage while driving has been outlawed in many places.

Whenever possible, my husband and I try to start our day with a walk. He is the leader. I follow. I need to observe his every move. If he turns left, I need to turn left. If he crosses the street, I need to go with him. It is not as easy as it sounds because I have a tendency to lag behind. I have on occasion lost sight of him and for a brief moment, have a sense of panic. I need to keep my eyes on him not only because I want to walk with him, but because I often don't know where I am. God neglected to put a compass in my brain. Since I am also inclined to fall, I have to watch the ground and him at the same time. This morning, God provided a big stick for me to use as a walking stick and that did help a great deal. I was able to keep my balance and enjoy the surroundings a bit more since I didn't have to keep my eyes on the path every second. I enjoy the walks, but I do have to be situationally aware of my husband's leadership and my surroundings.

A believer also needs to be situationally aware. There are lots of obstacles on the path of life. In order not to be tripped up, it requires a constant focus on Jesus. As the living Word, He is our guide. It is up to us, though, to finely develop observation skills so that we recognize when we have deviated from the path He has chosen for us. It is possible to ask for help and get back on the right path again, but when we realize we have lost sight of Jesus, there can be a moment of panic. His written word can serve as a rod to guide us. As we hold it dearly in our minds and our hearts, it is easier to keep our eyes on Him.

The Lord is my shepherd. . . He leads me beside the still waters. . . He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His names's sake. . .I will fear no evil; for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:1,2,3,4).

Home: Here and Heaven

2011-06-07T08:52:00.000-07:00

I have a passport issued by the United States of America and my husband and I have a house there. However, for most of each year, we travel overseas on mission assignments. He jokingly says we live in the airport.

Our home is wherever we are. We really just leave our belongings behind in a house that we call home, but that house does have our mark on it. We set up housekeeping temporarily in different locations around the world, some longer than others. No matter how long we plant ourselves in any one spot, however, we are still essentially living out of a suitcase.

If we are fortunate enough to be in a place where we come and go for a period of time and have a small kitchen to be able to cook in, I often go to the refrigerator or the cabinet searching for some item that is not there. It is actually in my home in the states.

As happy as I am to do what we do, occasionally I get homesick – for the familiar security of the surroundings we call home. There is a sense of renewal and refreshment when I walk into the doors of our home: a sense of belonging. There, I am joined again not only with our stuff, but our memories.

Along with you, my heart has broken for those who have lost their homes to earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and tornadoes this year. Many whose families survived the tragedies commented on what remained was what was really important. If all the family members were without injury, they counted their blessings and did what was necessary to start over.

I have tried to imagine what it was like for Jesus while He was here. How hard it must have been for Him to be away from the security of heaven. Although He is the creator and owner of everything on earth, He was treated like a stranger. He left his Father and the comforts of his home to live among many who didn’t understand his language. When He spoke about his home, He was often misunderstood. Eventually, of course, He was crucified because of his description of his relationship to the Father and his rightful place in heaven. His sacrifices were many. Among them was the temporary condition where He identified with those who had no home. He literally had no place to lay His head.

The more I travel and meet Christian brothers and sisters all over the world, the more I contemplate my eternal citizenship. Some places we return to again and again. Some places we have a single temporary assignment. Each time I am introduced to more of my Christian family, when we leave, I do not say “good bye,” but “I will see you again,” as we will spend eternity together.

Among the things I would like to say "thank you" to Jesus for was His willingness to leave His home for a time so that those who of us who believe in Him could be home with Him forever. Heaven will be home because that is where Jesus is.

In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:2-3).

Falling Down and Getting Up

2011-06-04T04:07:00.000-07:00

At present, my husband and I are ministering in France. I love shopping for groceries in France. A car is not necessary. You can walk to the local market or easily take a bus to a favorite store. As I was leaving my favorite discount store yesterday with a buggy of groceries on one side and a full bag of groceries on the other shoulder, I tripped on a piece of jutted pavement and fell flat on my face.

Instantly, three French gentlemen stopped their vehicles and got out to check on me. Had any one of those men been walking beside me when I fell, I am sure he would have tried to catch me; however, I was already on the ground. One of them extended his hand to help me up. Although I told him I was OK, the other gentlemen had to make sure themselves. Although slightly embarrassing (I am now toting a black bruise on my chin), the response of these men reminded me that chivalry is not dead.

I couldn't carry on a conversation with any of these men since I don't speak French. All I could say was "Merci." Although they were not angels and it is doubtful they are Christians since there is a very small percentage of believers in this country, that brief encounter was a reminder of some Christian principles.

In our spiritual lives, we often stump our toes and wind up in a spot we did not plan on. Being unaware of obstacles in our path, sometimes we trip and fail to carry out the will of God in a given situation. We may sin by "commission" or "omission," but the sin would have been prevented had we been carefully watching for rocks in the road.

It is our responsibility to be aware of the possibility of stumbling and guard against it. Once we fall down, it is more than embarrassing. It might be some time before the bruise of the fall disappears. It might be so obvious that it affects our witness. However, when we fall, we need to get up and move on. If we have stumbled because of sin, certainly we need to ask for God's forgiveness and do what we can to rectify the situation and ensure it doesn't happen again. We might be required to go back and move the rock out of the way so that others will not stumble.

Sometimes in the moving on process, we need help from our brothers and sisters in Christ. They can extend a hand, lift us up and help us get back on the path again. God puts the responsibility for sin squarely on the shoulders of the sinner, but one of the ways He provides restoration is through the support of members of His family. It is good to remember that we can be on either side of this situation. Sometimes we fall and need help. Other times we watch our brothers or sisters fall and need to lift them up. That's part of being a family.

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. . . For each one shall bear his own load (Galatians 6:2, 5).

South Africa Women's Conference

2011-06-02T04:14:00.000-07:00

One of my speaking engagements in South Africa was a women's conference in Cape Town. The other conference leaders quickly became new friends. The theme chosen by Sandra Johnson was "Sister, the Master is Asking for You." Lizz Rickert began with a beautiful song, "I look to You, Lord."

Sandra, the first speaker, had taken the theme from the passage in John 11:20-30. After Lazarus had died, and Jesus arrived, Martha ran out to meet him, then came back for Mary, stating "Sister, the Master is Asking for You." Sandra emphasized that when Jesus calls for us, it is part of a family affair.

Laticia Sives, a local pastor's wife, then spoke of the passage in Matthew where Mary had anointed Jesus with perfume. Are we doing that today?

Luann Rickert reminded us all that we need each other and we all have a gift. Her scripture came from 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. The Master is calling all of us to service.

Caroline Schiesl, a friend of many years, spoke next about how Mary and Martha were so different but God looks on the heart. She asked pointed questions: "Is Jesus really Master? Do you have a willing heart?"

I closed with a look at different women of the Bible that had been sought out by God: Eve, Hagar, Sarah, Ruth, Hannah and Mary, the mother of Jesus.

It was a blessing for me to be a part of that conference and meet Christian women serving in South Africa. Many of them made sacrifices to be part of the conference. As has been the case in every country, I have come away enriched by the examples and dedication of the people I met.

I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world (Romans 1:8).

Abundance: So Near Yet So Far

2011-05-30T09:05:00.000-07:00

Ministry has taken me to many locations where I have observed a variety of living conditions. Two weeks of ministry in Cape Town, South Africa have caused me to reflect on some of what I have seen.

During years of living in Germany, several German friends gave testimony of the state of affairs before and after the Berlin wall came down in 1989. Some of these friends were in Berlin at the time. The freedom that came with the removal of that wall was more than a news report for people living on each side of the wall. It was a life changing event. For so long, those on the eastern side of the wall had dreamed of a day when they would be able to once again see family and friends. They had been so near, yet so far away.

Last year, as I traveled through Nigeria with friends, we drove past an enormous mansion protected by a high fence. Everything else I had seen, including the immediate surroundings of the mansion, was evidence of poverty. The people living next to the mansion were aware of the luxury, but it was not available to them. They were so near, yet so far away.

Much of this year has been spent in France where the local beauty and the housing is well above many of the other countries I have visited. Yet, many days I have passed by a woman who sits on the sidewalk in between a large bank and a nice shop. She was huddled against the wall during the cold and her tin can in front of her was an indication that the abundance in the bank and the shop were not available to her. She was so near, yet so far away.

This situation has seemed even more pronounced here in Cape Town. In a beautiful natural setting, the very modern cosmopolitan city has pockets of severe poverty throughout. The shanty towns, where thousands of people live, are right next to the well maintained highways where luxury vehicles travel. They are so near, yet so far away.

Many in their spiritual lives are in the same situation. God's love promises the abundance of His everlasting love, the adoption into His royal family and a heavenly inheritance that lasts for eternity. Unless one reaches out and receives Jesus' invitation to become a part of His family, they will never experience the abundance of the life that He has to give. They are so near, yet so far away.

I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10b NAS).

A True Handicap: Loss of Communication

2011-05-26T02:19:00.000-07:00

While lodging with a mission team here in South Africa, there have been some surprises. No one expected to stay in an inn that had no heat (especially when winter is making its entrance in Cape Town); however, the lack of internet access has been an even bigger hurdle for most of us. Everyone brought a laptop or IPad expecting to be able to do business as usual. Although there was a varied response to the lack of communication, we all felt the loss. After much searching, we finally found a coffee shop where internet time could be purchased, which is the reason I am able to do this posting.

Many of us now live in a world totally dependent upon instant communication. Ministry carries me to one country where internet is not available for any of the population and to some others where it is greatly restricted. Even in those countries, though, the people are aware of the possibility of instant access and greatly desire it for themselves.

It is now possible to make connection with someone from the other side of the world, form a friendship and never meet face to face. We have seen recently how Twitter and Facebook have sparked revolutions and even changed the punishment for a high school student who asked for a prom date using his school wall. Complete strangers now have the possibility of becoming involved in any issue, whether it pertains to them or not. Social media is a great influencer.

Those of us who are dependent upon the internet feel the loss immediately when it is not available. However, how long does it take us to discover there is a loss of communication with God? Prayer is conversation with God. He is always instantly available. His desire is that we come to Him with anything that is on our minds. Whatever concerns us concerns our heavenly Father. He loves His children and yearns for a relationship that is unhindered by sin. God is as close as our thoughts – even closer – His Spirit resides within our hearts.

Although God never leaves us, it is possible to block communication with Him. When communication is broken, it is all of our own doing. We can ignore Him. When world noise rings louder in our hearts than the voice of the Holy Spirit, it is because we have chosen to let it be that way. Even believers, who have the Holy Spirit, can permit the temptations of the world to interrupt fellowship with God. However, the connection can be quickly restored. As obedient children, when we succumb to temptation, we can then immediately go to God, ask for forgiveness, and then fellowship is once again unhindered. However, if we let the temptation dwell in our heart and give in to the desire, we create a wedge between us and God. When that wedge becomes as prominent as losing the ability to go online, perhaps we will be quicker to remedy the situation.

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear (Psalm 66:18).

Sweaters, Sandals and Seasons

2011-05-24T04:36:00.000-07:00

I am in Cape Town, South Africa. I flew here last week from Paris, France. Checking the weather report, the predictions for both locations were similar. Even though France is going from spring to summer and South Africa’s fall is changing into winter, I erroneously thought that 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit was going to feel the same in both places. Wrong.

What I didn’t take into account were winds from an icy Atlantic and the start of the rainy season in South Africa. The lodging where I am staying has no heat available. None. There is a fireplace, but even when it is in use, it is basically ornamental. All the heat goes up the chimney.

My heavy suitcase is full of summer clothes. At least they will still be clean when I return to France. You would think that with all the travel I do, I would know better. Just before I left France, I observed many people wandering about in sweaters and jackets, but eager for the warmer weather, I suppose, they had changed their winter boots for summer sandals.

Now I find myself in that same situation. With one exception, I only brought sandals to South Africa, but I find myself layering all those summer clothes and wearing the two jackets I brought every day – whether or not they match my clothing!

Life is full of seasons. Sometimes we are prepared for the next one. In moving from youth to adulthood, or high school to college, we spent years anticipating and preparing for that season in our lives. From being single to married, from living with parents to being on our own, we plan for that season. Other times we are caught by surprise. Parenthood sometimes comes without a definite plan; becoming grandparents especially so. Each season that presents itself has its own challenges and joys.

Job, a man who trusted God and was blessed by Him, was taken by surprise when he experienced the hardest season of his life. Without any warning, he lost everything but a nagging wife. During the trials and heartache of that season, he longed for the days of his prime. Through it all, God was watching and allowing Job to be tested. In the end, Job passed the test. Even in his most despondent days, he did not sin against God in what he said about Him. Even when he wondered if God had deserted him, he was determined to trust the God he had known in the past seasons of life. God richly rewarded him, not only restoring family and riches, but giving Job a new level of understanding of who He is. Whereas Job had heard of God before, he said, now my eye sees You.

For those of us who long to know God better, when an unexpected season presents itself, we can learn lessons from Job’s experience. God has not vacated the premises. He still cares. He is still in control. He wants to bring us into a new level of relationship with Him. Through times of confusion, be encouraged that He has a purpose for anything He allows in our lives.

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Time, Trains and the Total Picture

2011-05-16T00:03:00.000-07:00

The other day, I waited for a train, and waited, and waited some more. Over an hour after arriving at the platform, the train finally showed up. Although during that time there had been occasional announcements over a loudspeaker, I couldn't understand them. I don't speak the local language. A friend showed up a few minutes before the train came and said she heard there might be a strike on that day. That would explain the delay, of course, but if she had not said something, I still wouldn't have any idea what had delayed the train. The problem, of course, is not only do I not speak the language but I was missing other essential facts. I didn't have the big picture.

Only God has all the facts. In His wisdom, He knows what has led me to a point in my life and He knows where I am going. He also knows what is going on with those around me and how their lives intersect with mine. He may try to give me clues along the way (like the public announcements on the platform), but He knows I will understand only so much. Mainly, what He asks is that I trust Him to do what is right because He does have the big picture.

I am confident of God's love. I love Him and I know He loves me. The more I discover about Him, the more trustworthy I know He is. As much as He loves me, though, I am aware that, this side of Heaven, I am only going to understand so much. I don't totally understand His language or His ways. His perspective is based on His unlimited knowledge and His eternal plan.

The Weaver, a poem attributed to Benjamin Malachi Franklin (1882-1965), starts this way:

"My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me, I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride forget He sees the upper but I the under side."

God does have all the information He needs to lead me where He needs me to go. Sometimes that involves a waiting period I don't understand, but I don't have to understand it all. My choice is to trust the one who does.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Keep Moving: It's Great Spiritual Exercise

2011-05-10T07:12:00.000-07:00

I used to be a runner. I was one of "those." I ran because I loved it. There was a certain point in which I thought I might run forever . . . and ever. I even ran in the rather steep hills surrounding San Diego working up to 9 1/2 miles a day in my mid-40s. The beauty of the surroundings and the private time with God was delightful. I miss it.

I can't run any more - doctor's orders. Time is catching up to me and sometimes just rolling out of bed causes back pain. My knee gives me fits every once in awhile, but the real kicker came when I developed floaters and flashes in my eyes and I was told that excessive jarring (running a jack hammer, operating a garden tiller or running) might result in a detached retina.

So, alas, now I just walk. But I do walk. I don't just walk for exercise. I walk to DO things, like shopping or banking or getting my hair done. In Europe, that is not strange. Europeans walk everywhere. In America, some well meaning person is always stopping me asking me if my car has broken down. Am I OK? Do I need a ride? They find it hard to believe I walk because I want to.

I tell you all this not so you will think I feel sorry for myself that I can't run any more (although I wish I could), but I have made a discovery. The slower I have to go physically, the more I am determined to stay on the race track spiritually. You see, I have more time behind me than I have ahead of me. There is no time to waste. What I do I want to count for God. So, where I meandered along slowly in the past thinking there was lots of time for God to point out things to me, I realize now I need to move faster. I want to know God better and I want to know Him better now.

Honestly, lately, I have thought how sad it is that because of my lack of spiritual exercise I wasted time:

times when God was right beside me and I ignored His presence
times when He was trying to teach me something and I was unteachable
times when I stopped altogether because I didn't want to make the effort to get to know Him better
times when I could have spoken for Him and kept my mouth shut

Obviously, I can still trip myself up on the track, but I am determined that with the time I have left, I want to pick up the pace. My physical endurance may have waned, but my eyes are on the goal and I am determined to keep moving.

The Apostle Paul likened our Christian life to a race and talked a lot about the discipline of the journey. Jesus did most of His work in little over three years. He rested physically, to be sure, but He never stopped moving spiritually. God provides the endurance. There is a prize awaiting!

. . . let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1) . . . I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14 NKJV).

Forced Renovations

2011-05-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

Recently, in between mission trips, my husband and I returned home to the U.S. for a few weeks. We had quite a surprise when we entered our home. Even though we had turned off the water and drained the pipes, a long hard freeze while we were away resulted in so many water leaks in our home that we eventually lost count. Not only did the plumbing need fixing, but there was dry wall repair needed throughout the house. As a result of the repairs, we had a forced renovation to two bathrooms. That was not exactly how we had planned to spend those two weeks.

My husband kept reminding me that we had not lost anything. Everything was repairable. With the recent tornados and floods in the U.S., I knew he was right. I should count my blessings and pray for those who had lost everything.

When the unexpected happens, I often look to see if there is a spiritual application. Is it possible that sometimes we need a forced renovation in our spiritual lives? Could it be that God sometimes finds it necessary to allow a "freeze" in our lives so that He can fix the leaks and repair the walls? Can it be that our old natures leak through, obscuring the new nature we have in Christ? If so, what is the cost of the repair? It takes work to maintain a house. It takes work to maintain the right spiritual attitude. You know, I am just wondering. . .

The Apostle Paul made these statements as a Christian, an apostle, a church planter and a mentor. Even he admitted that we need to fix the leaks and repair the walls in our Christian lives.

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. . . For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. . . O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God - through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 7:14, 18,19, 24, 25 NKJV).

One Focus is a Choice

2011-05-09T03:02:00.000-07:00

A blog, short for a web log, gives personal reflections intended to be shared with internet users. Wow, how things have changed in the last few years. There is no longer the need for hand written letters in order to communicate with friends and family (although I still love writing and receiving hand written notes in the old fashioned snail mail). Technology is moving faster "than a speeding bullet," and sometimes I think only Supermen (or women) could possibly keep up with the changes; however, if you want to communicate with anyone, you must attempt to keep up with changes on the internet.

It is so easy for life to get in the way of Life. So many things can occupy our time and thinking that we are tempted to have no focus at all. We just flit from circumstance to circumstance, or thought to thought or day to day, never really being grounded in the reality of the Truth.

One Focus - the only way I can handle all the changes going on in this world is to keep my feet firmly planted on the one foundation that I know is unshakeable and never changes. The love of God is expressed through the person of Jesus Christ, His Son. That Truth is my reality and I hope and pray that it is yours.

The book, devotionals, and Bible studies on my website, www.onefocusministries.com, attempt to provide resources to help me and others keep our eyes focused on the One who can help us navigate the joys, trials, questions and changes of life. This blog is designed for a more current reflection of how I see God working.

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV).