Friday, Black Friday

This is that crazy day when Americans seem to forget everything they thought or said yesterday about gratitude, and instead take delight in pushing and shoving their way through malls and shops in order to save a few dollars.  The older I get, the less I enjoy shopping in crowded stores.  Shopping, yes.  Crowds, not so much.  I prefer to leisurely work my way through the mall.  So on this Black Friday, you will find me nowhere near a mall or a store!  I might do some on-line shopping later, but I fully intend to stay right here at home for the entire day!

My day is pretty full anyway.  I'm busy with final preparations for our long-anticipated trip to Israel.  It's a day full of final loads of laundry.  Making my lists and checking them twice....or three times!  Final house cleaning before being away for a couple of weeks.

On this Friday morning as I'm thinking about walking where Jesus walked, my thoughts have turned to another Friday some two thousand years ago. And as I reflect on that particular Friday, I'm remembering an Easter musical from years past entitled "Then Came Sunday" which chronicled the week between what we now know as Palm Sunday and Easter.  From Hosanna to He Is Risen.  On this Friday morning, I can almost hear the narrator speak the lines "Friday.  Dark Friday."  Truly that was a "black Friday".

"And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.........And it was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, the sun being obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two.......And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit,' and having said this, He breathed His last."  (Luke 23:33,44-46 NASB)

The good news is......that isn't the end of the story!  Then came Sunday!

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing spices which they had prepared.  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus."  (Luke 23:1-3 NASB)

As I look forward to being in Israel again in just a few days, one of the places I'm excited to visit again is the Garden Tomb, the site many Christians believe is the place where Jesus was buried following His crucifixion. 

There are also those who believe He was buried at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.  While we cannot know with absolute certainty, in my mind it really doesn't matter.  In either case, the tomb is empty!  And that is reason for Thanksgiving!!

Still Giving Thanks

Still giving thanks.  Still grateful.  That's me!  On this day before Thanksgiving, I'm still counting my blessings.  Will I ever be done?  Nope!!

Today I'm thankful for.......

• a good report at my eye check-up this morning.  After last week's laser zapping, my left eye is back to 20-20!
• not getting on an airplane today.  As I watch the news reports today of holiday travelers waiting in line at busy airports around the country, I have flashbacks of many holiday eves spent at airports waiting in line and I'm glad not to be doing that today.
• my free turkey!  Having earned enough "turkey points" from my grocery store just for buying the groceries I would have bought anyway, I got my free turkey today.  Since I'm not cooking Thanksgiving Dinner, Mr. Turkey is in the freezer waiting for Christmas.
• phone calls from my grandsons.  I talked to AJ on Monday and to Christopher on Tuesday.  There just aren't words to describe my joy and delight when I answer the phone and hear "Hey Nana!".

This is, of course, only a partial list.  My fingers would probably be very tired if I typed until I had exhausted the list of things to be thankful for!

It's a beautiful day.  And I'm thankful.  I have plenty of coffee.  And I'm thankful.  My sweet husband got the groceries out of the car (a task I hate!).  And I'm thankful.  And on and on the list goes.

At this moment, our trip to Israel is still on.  And I'm thankful. And, no, I'm not afraid!  I think I have mentioned this before :)  If the trip gets postponed, I'll still be thankful.  Disappointed, certainly.  But still thankful.

Thankful.  Overflowing with gratitude for my wonderful life.  That's me!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB)

Grateful

I can hardly believe it's just two days to Thanksgiving!  Where has the year gone?  Over on Facebook many people are participating in 30 days of Thanksgiving.  While I have not been a participant in that activity, I have enjoyed reading the posts and seeing the variety of things people are giving thanks for.  There are the expected posts.....thankful for family, friends, health.  There have been some more unusual ones as well.....thankful for high heels, for example.

I enjoy reading the posts.  I like that people are taking time to articulate the things they are thankful for.  But I'm wondering, as I always do when this activity comes around, why we need a Facebook challenge to remind us to be thankful.

I read a couple of unrelated articles recently that perhaps give some insight.  One article was about how ungrateful we Americans are, how prone we are to complain about everything.  The other was about how much less "religious" Americans are becoming.  I'm wondering if there might be a correlation between the two.  As we are less and less people of faith, less and less making even minimal connection between the God of the Bible and our everyday lives, does it automatically follow that we are therefore more and more ungrateful?  Something to think about.

As I am writing this post, there are reports of rockets being fired toward Jerusalem.  I am grateful that I am not hearing air raid sirens as I sit here in the comfort of my home.

Earlier today I saw reports about the continuing aftermath of Superstorm Sandy in the Northeast.  I am grateful that I have a warm home, plenty of food, electricity and water.

I am grateful for my church.  For a pastor who proclaims the truth of God's Word without apology.  For the fellowship of Christian brothers and sisters who so warmly welcomed us into the "family".

I am grateful for my family.  For the best husband ever!  For two wonderful sons, and the "daughters" I now call my own, and for two precious grandchildren.  I am grateful for my heritage of godly parents and godly grandparents.  For my brother and "sister", my nieces and their families, my cousins......this wonderful group of people that I am blessed to call family.

I am grateful for good friends.  For new friends and for those who have been part of my life for many, many years.  And for my sweet Molly, my little furry friend.

I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me, who has called me to Himself through the person and work of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for His written Word.  I am grateful to live in a country where I have access to multiple copies and multiple translations of that Word, and to multiple teachers and preachers of that Word to help me grow in my faith, to help me know my God, His works and His ways.

I could go on and on.  I am grateful for so many things......for beautiful sunsets, for coffee, for chocolate, for ice cream, for good books, for fresh air, for good health.  I am grateful for those of you who actually read what I write and offer your comments and encouragement.

So, at this season of Thanksgiving, and throughout the year, I'm giving thanks to my Father for blessing me so abundantly.  Truly my heart overflows with gratitude!

"Praise the LORD!  Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting."  (Psalm 106:1 NASB)

"Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."  (James 1:17 NASB)

Not Afraid

I wish I could count how many times I was asked the same question yesterday.  The question was "aren't you afraid?" and my answer was always the same.  No, I'm not afraid.

The questioners were referring to our planned trip to Israel.  We're scheduled to leave next Monday.  As of this writing, the trip is still on.  Of course, as situations  warrant, that plan could change.  But right now, we're still planning to go and I'm really excited about the trip.

I can understand the skepticism and the nervousness about going into a country where bombs are going off on a regular basis.  But I'm being completely honest when I say I'm not afraid. 

Now, before you get an entirely wrong impression and think I'm some kind of wonder woman who has no fears, let me correct that assumption.  There are, in fact, a number of things I'm afraid of.  Like bears on the front porch.  And coyotes.  And snakes.

And there are lots of things that cause me at least some degree of anxiety.  Like dental procedures.  And anything that involves an IV.

But I really am remarkably calm about this trip.  For one thing, bombs going off in Israel is not a new thing.  Residents of southern Israel and of the Gaza strip have been dealing with this on a regular basis for quite some time.  Certainly events have escalated in the last week.  But it really isn't anything new. 

If we don't make the trip I'll be terribly disappointed.  Yes, I've been there before but I very much want to go again.  That decision is out of my hands and will be made by my pastor, the tour company, and the people they are working with in Israel.  Whatever happens, I trust them to make the right decision.

Last week as events began to escalate and the reality that we might not make the trip began to sink in, I was reading in the Psalms.  My reading plan for the day took me to Psalm 46.  I've been holding on to that Psalm in the days since, praying the words of that Psalm as I await a decision.  These are the words that are bringing me comfort and calm.  Perhaps they will do the same for you in whatever situation might be causing you anxiety today.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea.......
Come, behold the works of the LORD.......He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth.......
Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  (Psalm 46:1-2, 8a, 9a, 10 NASB)

Partly Cloudy

I had an appointment with my eye surgeon this morning, the same surgeon who had removed my cataracts and implanted new lenses for me about a year ago.  Lately my vision was becoming a little cloudy, which is apparently common with the type of lenses I had implanted.  The back wall of the "capsule" where the lens goes gets a little thick, almost like scar tissue, and needs some laser "zapping" to clear it up.  So this morning, the left eye was zapped, and in a few weeks I'll go back and get the right eye taken care of.  I'm told my vision will be a little fuzzy today - and it is - but I'm promised that it will be clear in a day or two.

This cloudy vision with the promise that I'll soon see clearly has me thinking about the words of the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians.  There's a similar promise there.....now we can only see dimly but one day we'll see clearly.  That's a promise I'm holding on to! 

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." 
(1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV)

But I Don't Have Time

Yesterday's post focused on the possibility that we might be taking a half-hearted approach in our relationship with the Lord. That we might not really be giving Him very much of our time.

You see, I believe that any relationship requires time. Whether with your spouse, or with your children, or with your friends, or with the Lord, for a relationship to be all that it can be requires time. In our Christian circles, we often refer to that time with the Lord as our "quiet time".

I can hear your protests already. Susan, you just don't understand what my life is like. You don't know how busy I am. You don't know what it's like to have a child and work and get the groceries bought and get to soccer practice and......

But, wait! Yes, I do! Certainly at this season of my life, I am not a working mother of young children. I no longer have to juggle work schedules and school schedules and music lessons and ball practice and choir practice and.......

But once upon a time, back in the olden days, I was a young mother. A young working mother. And before you get your knickers in a twist, it is my firm belief that all mothers are working mothers. Parenting is a tough job. So let me clarify. Once upon a time, I was a young mother with two little boys and a husband who also had a job of her own outside the home.

I vividly remember what it was like to get us all up and fed and dressed and out the door well before 7 in the morning, so that I could drop the boys off at before-school-care and make the commute to my job and then make the commute back in the afternoon, already weary, so that we could go to soccer practice or a soccer game and a violin lesson, hopefully have a decent dinner, get homework, baths and bedtime taken care of, so we could get up the next morning and do it all again. And somewhere in the middle of all that, there was laundry and grocery shopping and being sure the dog was taken care of and house cleaning. Oh, and maybe, just maybe, there would be time to actually sit down and read a book or watch a TV show or have an actual conversation with my husband or even just catch my breath.

But in the middle of all that I had to find time to be alone with God. Without that, I would not have made it through. Did I have huge blocks of time back then for Bible study? No......so I took it where I could find it, in small blocks of time. Did I have to get up earlier than I might have wanted to so that I could have a few uninterrupted minutes with the Lord? Yes. Was it hard? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes.

I've never been one of those people who think that your time alone with the Lord must be "x" amount of minutes every day at the exact same time. I'm not one who believes that your time with God must always occur at a certain time of day that has been predetermined by somebody somewhere who made a decision that 4:30 AM (or some other arbitrary time) is somehow the holiest part of the day and that God is only available during that time. Nor am I sold on the idea that there is some rigid "this is the only proper way to have a quiet time" schedule of how your time with God is to be spent. However that works out is, I believe, between you and God. But I am one of those people who believes that time alone with God is an abolute necessity for the health of your relationship with the Lord.

I can say that because I know how my life has been affected in those seasons where I neglected my time with the Lord. How all my other relationships suffered because I neglected the one that mattered most.

My friend Melanie has some excellent posts on this topic over at her blog. http://pleasuresforevermoreps1611.blogspot.com. Check it out....you'll be glad you did!

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2 NIV).

Cobwebs and Dust Bunnies

Some days I am very energetic when it comes to household tasks.  Like dusting, for example.  I get my dust cloth and furniture polish, all the necessary tools for thorough cleaning, and I go after those dust bunnies and cobwebs with a vengeance!

Some days......not so much!  I always want things to be clean.  I just don't want to spend my energy to make it happen.  And so, on those days, I make a half-hearted effort - a "lick and a promise", as folks used to say - and I end up with a half-way result.  A half-clean house.

It occurs to me that many of us often take that same half-way approach in our relationship with the Lord.

We think that an hour - maybe two - on a Sunday morning is enough for God, and that the rest of the week belongs to us to do with as we please.  We don't believe that we need those mid-week services or those small group studies.  Those are for the fanatics or for people who really need some extra help.

We think that a quick devotional paragraph or two - if we have time - is adequate.  We are not willing to dig any deeper, to actually make an effort to study the Bible or to memorize Scripture ("Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee." - Psalm 119:11) or to actually apply it.  That's for the fanatics and the super saints.  Not for ordinary people.

And what about sin?  We all have sin in our lives that needs dealing with.  Gasp!  Yes, we do.  This means you!  And me!  And dealing with it is more than just a quick "forgive my sins" and then going on about your business.  That's the half-hearted approach.  Dealing with sin requires confession.  Being specific.  Confession means calling it what it is. Confession means agreeing with God about what is sin.  And then "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9).

When it comes to sin, it's His opinion that matters.  Not yours.  Or mine.  Or your sister's.  Or the neighbors.  Or the celebrity on TV.  And knowing His opinion would require actually spending time with Him.  In Bible reading.  In Bible study.  In prayer.

Something to think about.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way."  (Psalm 139:23 NASB)

Yellow Kitchens and Other Random Memories

I read a blog post last week in which the writer referred to her yellow kitchen.  Sorry, but I don't remember where I came across it so I can't give credit.  That blog post triggered a trip down memory lane.  You see, in our very first house, long years ago, our kitchen was yellow.  A sunny yellow.  I don't remember why I chose that color back then, but I'm glad I did.  It was a cheerful room and I loved it!  And, of all the kitchens we have ever had, it was one of my favorites, probably because it was sunny and bright, but also because it had LOTS of cabinets!

Here in our log home, our walls are sort of yellow as well.  The actual color is "Hepplewhite Ivory" or something like that.  In actuality, these walls look a lot more yellow than ivory.  (In much the same way that the walls in the office downstairs look a lot less "Queen Anne Beige" and a lot more pink!)  This is a much softer yellow than that kitchen was long years ago.  But I love the color just as much.  It's a warm, happy color.  An optimistic color.  It makes me smile.

Thinking about this kitchen and our first kitchen, and all the kitchens in between, has me thinking about all the places we have lived.  All the houses and apartments that became "home".  All the friends we have made along the way.

All that moving around required some adjustments here and there.  Adjusting to different climates.  To different accents and speech patterns.  To knowing whether a Coke was really Coke or pop or soda.  To knowing whether to call a shopping cart a cart or a buggy or a trolly or a wagon.

Life has turned out differently than I once envisioned it.  But it has been a wonderful adventure!  And I'm so very grateful.......for all the stops we've made along our journey.  For all the places we have lived.  For all the people we have met along the way.  For friendships.  And for yellow kitchens.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits."  (Psalm 103:1-2 NASB)

Bond, James Bond

One of the things I learned about my husband pretty early on is that he is a fan of the Bond movies.  And so, I became a fan as well.  From the earliest days of our relationship, every time there was a new Bond movie, we scraped some money together and headed to theater to see it.  (Back in the day, we didn't have Netflix and DVD players.....gasp!!).

Unless you've been living under a rock, you have probably heard that this month marks the 50th anniversary of the Bond movies and that a new Bond movie has been released.  So, on Saturday we headed to the movie theater to see "Skyfall".  This post is not a movie review, but I will say that I really enjoyed it, and in fact, I think it's one of my favorites.

As we were heading home on Saturday afternoon, we were discussing a scene in the movie where "M" expresses her opinion about the current state of the world and the challenges facing those tasked with maintaining national security.  Among other things, "M" says that it is harder now to determine who the enemy is than it used to be.  In World War II,  for example, it was obvious which countries were fighting against each other.  But these days, it isn't that clear.  No longer is one country fighting against another country; now the enemies are ideologies and individuals bent on terrorizing.  Rather than being clear, the situation in the world is actually more opaque, and the battles are now fought and won in the shadows.

What "M" has given us here is more than just a scene in a move, but we have here what I believe is a realistic assessment of the world in which we live and the challenges we face as a nation. 

But beyond that, I believe "M" has given us a metaphor for the Christian life.  It is not always easy for us to recognize the enemy.  Certainly we know who the enemy is, but he is not always easily recognized:

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."  (Ephesians 6:12 NASB).

"And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."  (2 Corinthians 11:14 NASB)

As we are engaged in this spiritual warfare, we do so in the confidence that, ultimately, the war is already won.  It was won at the cross.  But as long as we are in this world, we must deal with this spiritual warfare in the battles of daily living.  And it is at this point that we fight and win the battle "in the shadows", on our knees in prayer.

"With all prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints."  (Ephesians 6:18 NASB).

I enjoyed that Bond movie on Saturday.  It was great entertainment.  But it was more than that.  It was also thought-provoking.  Whether or not you see the movie, I hope you'll give this metaphor some thought, and I further hope that we all will put our armor on (see Ephesians 6), fight in the shadows, and resist the enemy.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.  Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  But resist him, firm in your faith."  (1 Peter 5:6-9a NASB).

My Hope

I began the week with a sense of optimism.  With a sense of hope that things might be changing for the better in the country.  With a hope for a brighter future for my sons and my grandsons.

In the middle of the week that hope took a real hit when I realized that not much had changed at all.  That perhaps the only thing that had changed was that as a nation we are more divided than ever.

As I have reflected on the election and its results, a sense of optimism has returned.  You may wonder why, since nothing has really changed.  And perhaps that is the real reason.....because nothing has really changed.

Because today and tomorrow and the day after that, just as in all the days before, my hope is not in government or politicians.  My hope is "built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness."  My hope is not in elephants or donkeys.  My hope is in the Lamb.  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  The Lion of the tribe of Judah.  My hope is in the Lord.

MY HOPE IS IN THE LORD

My hope is in the Lord Who gave Himself for me,
And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.

No merit of my own His anger to suppress,
My only hope is found in Jesus' righteousness.

Refrain
For me He died, For me He lives,
And everlasting life and light He freely gives.

And now for me He stands Before the Father's throne,
He shows His wounded hands, and names me as His own.

His grace has planned it all, 'Tis mine but to believe,
And recognize His work of love and Christ receive.

(Text and Music by Norman J. Clayton)

What Do We Do Now?

The election is over.  And if the results reveal nothing else, they reveal a country that is deeply divided.  Looking at the red and blue map, the colors are split pretty evenly.  Half of the electorate is therefore happy with the results, and the other half is disappointed, perhaps discouraged.

Not much has changed as a result of the election.  The country still faces the same problems we faced prior to Tuesday.  Folks in the northeast who have not yet recovered from Sandy are probably thinking our problems have gotten worse now that they are dealing with another storm and many of them are still without electricity and water.  And as we face these same problems, the people who are tasked with dealing with and finding solutions for these problems are, for the most part, the same people who were tasked with that for the last several years.  Will these people suddenly have a meeting of the minds, put aside partisan rancor, and be willing to make tough choices to solve our problems?  The cynical side of me says "probably not."  After all, there's not much in their track record that says that will happen.  The hopeful side of me is trying to remain....well, hopeful.  Only time will tell.  We just have to wait and see, I guess.

In the meantime, what do we do now?  How do we deal with our disappointment and discouragement?

And, let's be honest here.  Disappointment and discouragement are part of life for many more reasons than just election results.  Certainly Tuesday's results have led to discouragement for many.  But what about those storm victims in the Northeast?  Are they not discouraged? 

There are many, many things in life that lead to disappointment and discouragement.  Too many to list here.  Health concerns.  Financial struggles.  Job loss.  Bereavement.  Relationships.  And the list goes on.

How do we handle it?  Where do we turn?  What do we do now?

Here's what I did yesterday.  And what I have done many times in the past when facing tough times and disappointments.  I turned to the Lord and His Word.  The old gospel song perhaps puts it best......."where could I go but to the Lord?" 

Here are a few of the passages that have brought me comfort.  I pray they do the same for you.

"Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired.  His understanding is inscrutable.  He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.  Though youths grow weary and tired and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." (Isaiah 40:28-31 NASB)

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses; we trust in the name of the LORD, our God."  (Psalm 20:7)

"Look among the nations!  Observe! Be astonished!  Wonder!  Because I am doing something in your days - you would not believe if you were told."  (Habakkuk 1:5 NASB)

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal, and it will not fail.  Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay........For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:3,14 NASB)

"But the LORD is in His holy temple.  Let all the earth be silent before Him."  (Habakkuk 2:20 NASB)

"LORD, I have heard the report about Thee and I stand in awe.  O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of years, in the midst of years make it known.  In wrath remember mercy." (Habakkuk 3:1 NASB)

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail, and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.  The Lord GOD is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet and makes me walk on my high places." (Habakkuk 3:17-19 NASB, emphasis mine.)

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39 NASB)

"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  Wait for the LORD; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD."  (Psalm 27:13-14 NASB)

Not at Home

Do you ever feel like you just don't fit in?  Like you just don't belong?  Maybe you have memories from childhood of always being being picked last - or of never being picked.  Of being the one nobody wanted on their team.  Maybe you have memories from those awkward adolescent years where you felt you just didn't fit in. 

Some years ago my husband and I traveled to Tokyo.  I really felt out of place there!  I didn't understand the language at all.  And I definitely stood out in the crowd.  Most Japanese are short - which I am, and thin - which I am not.  Add to that my blonde hair and blue eyes, and you can understand why I felt like I stood out in a crowd!  I didn't feel like I fit in there.

I'm having much the same feeling this morning, post-election.  As I look at the election results, I really feel like I don't fit in....that I'm a stranger in my own country.  I'm not talking so much about Republican vs. Democrat.  I'm talking about not recognizing my country any more. 

The first presidential election I remember was in 1960, Kennedy vs. Nixon.  And I vividly remember President Kennedy's inaugural speech......."Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

We've come a long way since then, haven't we?  As a people we are no longer interested in what we can do for our country but instead are apparently only interested in what our country is going to do for us.  When I see people making decisions based on free cell phones and free birth control, I hardly know what to think.  I'm saddened to see people more interested in stuff than in substance.  I'm baffled that people seem to be more interested in what a celebrity is wearing or who that celebrity is dating than in the serious issues we face as a nation.  I'm confused by a nation that is willing to pay athletes millions of dollars to play games, but is not willing to adequately compensate teachers and the men and women of our armed forces. 

As I said yesterday, God is God and I am not.  I firmly believe this.  I have staked my eternity on this truth.  I know that God has a plan and purpose for all things.  I know that He is in control.  Even so, I find myself confused and disappointed by many things I see going on around me.  And more and more, day by day, I feel as though I just don't fit in.  I don't feel at home in my own country any more.

And so I look forward to the future.....to my ultimate home where I will be at home forever.........for Jesus said "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so I would have told you; for 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."  (Matthew 14:1-3 NASB)

I don't feel at home in my own country any more.  I don't feel like I fit in.  And while my earthly citizenship is in the United States of America, and I love my country, my ultimate citizenship is in heaven.  The Apostle Paul wrote about this in his letter to the Ephesians:  "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God's household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit."  (Ephesians 2:19-22 NASB).

So, the bottom line is this:  there are many things about which I can say I am disappointed this morning, but I have much more reason to rejoice.  God is in control.  He has a place prepared for me.  And I'm not home yet.

"This world is not my home, I'm just passing through.

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.

The angels beckon me from heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home in this world any more."

 

(Alfred Brumley)

And We're Not!

As you looked at that title, you may have wondered what in the world this post is about.  So let me enlighten you.  Around here a recurring phrase lately has been "God is God, and we are not."

I had a rather lengthy to-do list for today, which included a trip to town.  But it's snowing, so my trip to town is cancelled and my agenda for the day is now adjusted.  Snow was not part of my plan for the day.  But God is in charge of the weather, and I am not.  God is God, and I am not.

Over the years we have had a problem with our water supply.  From time to time our spring has dried up and we have been left without water.  About a year ago, we thought the problem had been solved.  The solution involved a back-up well from which water is pumped into our reservoir as needed.  A recent electric bill was was more than $300 instead of the usual $10, which revealed a problem with this system and that some repairs were needed.  So, until repairs are completed, every time we get in the shower or use the washing machine or dishwasher, there's that nagging little thought in the back of our minds.......is this the day we run out of water?  Once again, this is something over which we have no control.  It's another area where we just have to trust God to supply our need.  That's what He has promised to do.  And He is God, and we are not.

Today is election day in our country.  Fortunately, since it's snowing and getting down off this mountain is therefore a rather tricky proposition, we voted early.  Like many Americans, I am weary of political rhetoric and endless political commercials.  Like most Americans, I have a preferred candidate for President, as well as for other state and local offices.   I am grateful for the privilege of voting.  I am saddened that so many of our citizens don't vote.  Like many Americans, I am praying for my country and for this election. And no matter the outcome of this election, the fact remains that God is a sovereign God.  That He is in control.  That He is God and I am not.

And in every circumstance, that brings me great comfort.


"The Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows on it whomever He wishes."  (Daniel 4:25 NASB)

"For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation, and all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, 'What has Thou done?' " .  (Daniel 4:34-35 NASB)