Category: Character

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Everything’s New

I don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but our desert is getting a cleansing shower. It started midday yesterday and continued off and on through the night. About 4 this morning it increased in strength and seems to be setting in for a while.

I love the smell of the desert after a good rain. It doesn’t take long for the wild grasses and flowers to pop up and cover the desert floor with new life.

What a great example of God’s love! He showers us and we grow and blossom!

“Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better. 11 It doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, or if you are circumcised or not. You may even be a barbarian or a Scythian, and you may be a slave or a free person. Yet Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

12 God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. 13 Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. 14 Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.

15 Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. 16 Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3:10-17 CEV

These verses tell us God’s love is the same for all of us. It doesn’t matter what our nationality or social standing are, nor does it matter if we are enslaved or free; His love reaches out to make all of us new.

We are to let God’s love flow through us; we are to be kind, gentle, patient and forgiving. Whatever we say or do should represent the love that Christ has placed within us.

Just like the desert blossoms come to life after the rain, our lives should reflect the beauty of God’s love.

He makes everything new!

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Light Up the Night

I remember my grandmother had a Christmas table decoration when I was a small child. It had four small candles and when they were lit the heat from the candles would cause the mobile to turn and the angels would strike a bell causing it to ring.

I would be fascinated for what seemed like hours just watching it.

This morning, as that memory came back, it was also accompanied with some words of Scripture.

“But you are his chosen people, the King’s priests. You are a holy nation, people who belong to God. He chose you to tell about the wonderful things he has done. He brought you out of the darkness of sin into his wonderful light. 10 In the past you were not a special people, but now you are God’s people. Once you had not received mercy, but now God has given you his mercy.” I Peter 2:9-10 ERV

The message of Christmas, Christ is born, is a message of hope and light. Through Christ we are brought into a right relationship with God, the Father. Our relationship with Him is one of mercy, grace and love. We no longer have to live in the darkness of our own futile efforts, we are given His light. After all, He is the light of the world.

Have you ever been to a candle light service where all the lights are off and then one person lights a candle and then they light the candle of the person next to them and so it goes until everyone in the church has a lighted candle and the room is fully illuminated? It’s a memorable experience to say the least.

That’s how we are to be in our world, our sphere of influence – we are to bring in the light, the light of God’s love.

“The sun will no longer be your light during the day. The light from the moon will no longer be your light at night. The Lord will be your light forever. Your God will be your glory.” Isaiah 60:19 ERV

The Lord is our light that shines forever!

When there’s no light we stumble in the darkness. I have stubbed my toe numerous times getting out of bed in a strange place with no light to guide me. The same holds true in our spiritual lives. That’s why God tells us that His word will be a light for our path.

“Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps, a light that shows the path I should take.” Psalm 119:105 ERV

God has chosen to let His light shine through us. He chose us to share His love and goodness with the world. Let’s go out and light up the night!

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Bah Humbug!

We’re only a few days into the Christmas season and I have noticed that some people are already behaving like they’ve lost their Christmas spirit.

It seems sad to me when there is so much to be thankful for; so much joy to share; so much love to experience. It’s not the “grinch” or “Scrooge” that are trying to steal the peace and joy that Christmas brings, plain and simple, it’s the enemy.

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMPC

I can understand how they get that way, but I also see it as an opportunity to share that treasure of light which God has placed within us. These people need an extra hug, a bigger smile, a kind word and an outpouring of love.

“I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 ERV

But maybe, just maybe, it’s not the clerk in the store or the other shoppers that has already begun to feel stressed and grumpy. Could it be that it’s the face looking back at you from your bathroom mirror? What do we do when that’s where we find the problem?

“God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, 23 gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.” Galatians 5:22-23 CEV

Our lives should be a basket of good things. Sharing with others what Christ has done. If we find there is anything unkind or unloving about our attitudes, we need to purge it. One translation for the verse above say these qualities are the fruit of the Spirit, the Spirit of Christ and the true Spirit of Christmas.

“But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 CEV

Let’s make it our goal to squelch, defeat and destroy the bah humbug and let the true spirit of Christmas, the love of Christ, be evident in all we do!

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What We Do for Love

This morning I’m starting my day without coffee…the coffee maker works fine and I’m not turning over a new leaf with no caffeine. But, our six-year-old grandson is sleeping on the couch and he’s a light sleeper and startles easily…so no coffee because the coffee maker would wake him.

It’s what we do for love.

We make sacrifices. You know the kind – giving up the last piece of pie so someone else can enjoy it. You skip the Hallmark movie so they can watch sports or a travel show. They give us their coat because we said we wouldn’t need one and now we’re cold…I’m sure you have your own list of little and big sacrifices that you make for the people you love.

It’s what we do because we love.

I’m so glad that Jesus was willing to sacrifice because of His love for us. Yes, the sacrifice of giving His love for ours is almost inconceivable but look at the hundreds of other little things He did.

First, He left heaven – get that, heaven. He came to earth where things are dirty and messy. He left a perfect relationship with the Father to be surrounded by some fishermen and tax collectors who were always in competition as to who was Jesus’ favorite. He dealt with constant ridicule and scrutiny. People were always coming to “get” something from Him and not to just be His friend. Why?

It’s what He did because of love.

“…If you want to be great, you must be the servant of all the others. 27 And if you want to be first, you must be the slave of the rest. 28 The Son of Man did not come to be a slave master, but a slave who will give his life to rescue many people.” Matthew 20:26-28 CEV

Because of love, Jesus came with forgiveness and compassion. He went without sleep and missed meals; he brought healing, peace, release from guilt and expected nothing in return. He gave it all…it’s what we do when we love!

“ God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” John 3:16 CEV

That’s what He did for love. Now, what do we do in return?

“ We love because God loved us first. ” I John 4:19 CEV

“We should be grateful that we were given a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And in this kingdom we please God by worshiping him and by showing him great honor and respect.” Hebrews 12:28 CEV

We love Him and we show Him our gratitude with our honor and respect.

It’s what we do for love! It’s what we do to be like Him!

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Good Deeds

After I shared yesterday’s blog on Fall Harvest, I found these words in a little New Testament book, Titus. It gives us a different look on why we should be willing to share our harvest.

“They must always be ready to do something helpful 2 and not say cruel things or argue. They should be gentle and kind to everyone. 3 We used to be stupid, disobedient, and foolish, as well as slaves of all sorts of desires and pleasures. We were evil and jealous. Everyone hated us, and we hated everyone.

4 God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is. 5 He saved us because of his mercy,
and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. 6 God sent Jesus Christ our Savior
to give us his Spirit. 7 Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life.

8 This message is certainly true. These teachings are useful and helpful for everyone. I want you to insist that the people follow them, so that all who have faith in God will be sure to do good deeds.9 But don’t have anything to do with stupid arguments about ancestors. And stay away from disagreements and quarrels about the Law of Moses. Such arguments are useless and senseless.” Titus 3:1b-9 CEV

I’m making these verses part of my daily Bible reading for a while. I know when the Lord impresses me so much with a Scripture it’s something I’m supposed to dwell on.

Dwell, I love that word! Dwell means to live in, encamp there, permanent residence. These verses will be my dwelling place.

This translation says “be ready to do something helpful” and another translation says “be ready to do good deeds”. That same phrase is used in verse eight of this translation – good deeds.

Always ready – why?

Go back and read those verses again, please. Because of God’s kindness and mercy we have been saved, given a fresh beginning, treated better than we deserve! For this reason, because of what the Lord has done for us, we should show the same kindness and compassion to others.

Be thankful for what the Lord has done for you and “be ready” to do good deeds!

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No Time?

As you know I missed yesterday morning’s blog – no quiet time.

If you’ve ever done much camping you know that most, if not all, campgrounds have quiet time. It’s generally from 10 pm to 6 am; while at the racetrack camping with 10,000+ of our non-closest friends, quiet time was from midnight to 6 am. But it was a not so quiet quiet time.

Yesterday morning, trucks were backing up to their trailers at 4 am and some a bit earlier. Motorhomes were pulling out even before that, quiet time was disrupted and things got busy in a hurry. Kim and Austin were up and out the door by 5 am and Dave and I started in right away getting things wiped down and stowed away for the trip home.

I didn’t make any time for quiet…yes, I admit it. My favorite time of the day passed me. It was invaded by a cluster of activity and noise. No time.

I didn’t even take time to write down three things I was grateful for although my heart was filled with gratitude for the events of the weekend and spending time with family and making new friends. This morning I’m back in my favorite place – I’m in my rocking chair, with my cup of coffee, my computer and my Bible in my lap. My heart is filled with praise.

Quiet time should never be an obligation that we check off our daily “to-do” list. It is an intimate time of day when we close off every distraction and focus on spending time with the Father. If we miss a day do we feel God loves us less? I’ve had those thoughts.

However, I have learned over the years that the Father understands my circumstances and my human tendencies to jump right into the day without spending time with Him. I have also learned that when I do start my day with my Father it goes much smoother because I’ve prepared my heart to focus on His blessings and instruction.

I found these words which were spoken by King David shortly before he died. He was giving instruction to his son, Solomon.

“‘”Our Mighty Rock, the God of Jacob, told me, ‘A ruler who obeys God and does right
4 is like the sunrise on a cloudless day, or like rain that sparkles on the grass.’ 5 I have ruled this way, and God will never break his promise to me. God’s promise is complete and unchanging; he will always help me and give me what I hope for.”‘” II Samuel 23:3-5 CEV

Isn’t that interesting? The Lord compares our actions, those who do right, to the beauty of a sunrise or the refreshing of rain on the meadow. He reminds us that His promises are complete and unchanging – He is always with us to help.

Each morning we all have a sunrise. Each morning that sunrise should remind us that God has promised to be faithful to His word and in turn, faithful in His actions towards us. That is what fills my heart with gratitude and joy!

No time?

Let the words of an old chorus be a reminder to us all – “In the morning when I rise, in the morning when I rise, in the morning when I rise Give me Jesus”!

Let’s make time.

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Never Quit

Once we begin to exercise our praise muscle we find it gets stronger and stronger – just like our biceps or any other muscle we develop. It takes repetition and increased resistance to develop and build a strong attitude of gratitude.

“Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy.

5 Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.

8 Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.” Philippians 4:4-8 ERV

Notice the words emphasized?

Developing joy and a grateful heart isn’t a mindless exercise. No, it takes concentrated effort. And it isn’t a fatalistic approach to life or “whatever happens, happens”. It’s a concerted effort of placing our trust, our complete trust, in the Lord in every situation and letting Him show us how He will bring us through in peace.

The key is to “think about what is good and worthy of praise”. As a young David faced a blaspheming giant, who was intent on killing him, he wasn’t thanking God for the giant. He was thanking God for His faithfulness because the Lord had already helped him kill a lion and a bear so he knew that God would give him the strength he needed to kill the giant.

He was thinking on things that were praise worthy and good!

This morning, thank God for the sunrise. Thank Him that you didn’t bed down on the cold ground last night. Thank Him for the warm coffee in your cup. Giving thanks for little things exercises your praise muscle. Multiple repetitions with small things builds you muscle.

Then you will be able to be thankful for things that get weightier – things like co-workers who are aggravating, Jesus definitely knew about being harassed by jealous co-workers. Or a lingering health issue, instead of worrying or complaining be thankful that you know the Great Physician and that He knows exactly what your body needs and He will give wisdom to your medical doctors.

Always be filled with joy because the Father has promised to never abandon you or leave you alone in any circumstance.

Never stop praising the Lord!

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These Two Things

Over the last few months I have experienced the Lord stretching my heart.

Being exposed to hundreds, even thousands, of people from all different walks of life, different areas of society, has definitely expanded the depth and the breadth of my love. In order to have our love grow passed our comfort zone, we have to do just that – get passed our comfort zone. We have to invest ourselves in the lives of people, people who are hurting.

Remember the story of the good Samaritan. There was a man who had been traveling and he was attacked, beaten and left for dead. A religious man walked that same road, saw the man and passed him by. The same thing happened when someone who worked at the church saw him. Then a Samaritan, someone from a different culture and background saw him. This man treated his wounds and took him to safety.

All three men had an opportunity to step outside their comfort zone and do the right thing but only one man did.

“‘”An expert in the Law of Moses stood up and asked Jesus a question to see what he would say. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to have eternal life?”

26 Jesus answered, “What is written in the Scriptures? How do you understand them?”

27 The man replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.’ They also say, ‘Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.’”

28 Jesus said, “You have given the right answer. If you do this, you will have eternal life.”

29 But the man wanted to show that he knew what he was talking about. So he asked Jesus, “Who are my neighbors?”

30 Jesus replied: As a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, robbers attacked him and grabbed everything he had. They beat him up and ran off, leaving him half dead.

31 A priest happened to be going down the same road. But when he saw the man, he walked by on the other side. 32 Later a temple helper came to the same place. But when he saw the man who had been beaten up, he also went by on the other side.

33 A man from Samaria then came traveling along that road. When he saw the man, he felt sorry for him 34 and went over to him. He treated his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put him on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next morning he gave the innkeeper two silver coins and said, “Please take care of the man. If you spend more than this on him, I will pay you when I return.”

36 Then Jesus asked, “Which one of these three people was a real neighbor to the man who was beaten up by robbers?”

37 The teacher answered, “The one who showed pity.”

Jesus said, “Go and do the same!”'” Luke 10:25-37 CEV

Two things – Love the Father and love our neighbor. When we love the Father He will show us how to love our neighbor. Let’s share His love outside our comfort zone!

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Dusting Things Off

After being gone for almost five months let me assure you that our house needed a good cleaning when we returned. I can write my name on nearly every piece of furniture and even on the tile floors.

First thing we did was tackle the yard and patio. Dave has been working on cleaning the patio and all that was on it, while I have focused my attention on pruning and trimming the bushes, pulling out flowers that didn’t survive the summer heat and monsoon rains and replanting. Each day has been consumed with getting things spruced up and dusted off.

I see a couple more days of work ahead but I also see that we are making headway.

So, as I sit here this morning, coffee in hand, I am grateful for the dimmed lights in my office because it keeps me from seeing the layers of dust on the desk, bookcase, table and lamps.

I am also grateful that this presents me with an opportunity to reflect on God’s grace.

How many of you know that life can get dusty? We seem to deal with the issues that are most urgent, bringing them to the Lord in prayer, asking Him for help and intervention but there are other “small” things in the corners of our heart that never truly make it to the light of day and it’s these things that the layers of dust build up on. These are the little things that we choose to ignore.

Selfishness, hurt feelings, small outbursts of anger, little exaggerations (white lies), pride, wanting to be recognized for a job well done and the resentment that comes when we aren’t.

The Apostle Paul gave us instruction in half the book of Ephesians on daily living, chapters 4 and 5, teach us to clean up our lives and imitate God in the same way children imitate their parent.

“Stop all your dirty talk. Say the right thing at the right time and help others by what you say. 30 Don’t make God’s Spirit sad. The Spirit makes you sure that someday you will be free from your sins.

31 Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. 32 Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.

1 Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. 2 Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God.” Ephesians 4:29-5:2 CEV

Please don’t be condemned by what I’m sharing this morning. The Father loves us and His word is never meant to condemn but it does correct. Sometimes we need a reminder of how we are to act.

If we let love be our guide and do as our Father does, we will see the “dusty” places in our heart and by His grace, He will help us clean them up.

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Calling All Davids

You are needed for battle!!

There are many today who see a giant in the land and it is causing them to fear. It’s time for a few David’s to show up for the fight.

“The Philistine army had a hero named Goliath who was from the town of Gath and was over nine feet tall. 5-6 He wore a bronze helmet and had bronze armor to protect his chest and legs. The chest armor alone weighed about one hundred twenty-five pounds. He carried a bronze sword strapped on his back, 7 and his spear was so big that the iron spearhead alone weighed more than fifteen pounds…8 Goliath went out and shouted to the army of Israel:…’Choose your best soldier to come out and fight me! 9 If he can kill me, our people will be your slaves. But if I kill him, your people will be our slaves. 10 Here and now I challenge Israel’s whole army! Choose someone to fight me!’ 11 Saul and his men heard what Goliath said, but they were so frightened of Goliath that they couldn’t do a thing.” I Samuel 17:4-11 CEV

We have a few giants in our land that are causing the king and the fighting men to fear. COVID, political unrest in our nation and around the world, personal crises.

“David said to Saul, ‘People shouldn’t let Goliath discourage them. I am your servant. I will go fight this Philistine.’ 33 Saul answered, ‘You can’t go out and fight against this Philistine. You’re not even a soldier! Goliath has been fighting in wars since he was a boy.’ 34 But David said to Saul, ‘There were times when I was taking care of my father’s sheep that wild animals came to take some sheep from the flock. Once there was a lion and another time, a bear…36 I killed both a lion and a bear like that! And I will kill that foreigner, Goliath, just like them. Goliath will die because he made fun of the army of the living God. 37 The Lord saved me from the lion and the bear. He will also save me from this Philistine.’ Saul said to David, ‘Go and may the Lord be with you.’” I Samuel 17:31-37ERV

David knew God had made a promise to fight for the nation of Israel like He did with Joshua at Jericho. He told the king, Goliath is a foreigner – which meant he has no covenant with God – we do! David’s brothers thought he was being impudent, disrespectful and self-centered. The king thought David didn’t understand the gravity of the situation but David knew that they didn’t understand the scope and even the practicality of their covenant with God.

You know the story – David defeated Goliath with a rock and sling. He could have gone after him with a pea shooter because David wasn’t depending on his own strength and power to defeat Goliath, he was depending on the Lord.

“David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me using sword, spear, and javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord All-Powerful, the God of the armies of Israel. You have said bad things about him. 46 Today the Lord will let me defeat you. I will kill you. I will cut off your head and feed your body to the birds and wild animals. And we will do the same thing to all the other Philistines too. Then all the world will know there is a God in Israel.'” I Samuel 17:45-46 ERV

God is looking for Davids today. Don’t let what people say or think about you keep you from being used. God isn’t looking for the qualified, He’s looking for the committed!

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