We first met many years ago in Minnesota. We were two southern families transplanted into the frozen north country. We had found our way to the same Baptist church, where me met and instantly connected.
We have shared lots of laughs. And some tears. We have spent Easters and Thanksgivings together. We have experienced the weddings of our children. We have had some good health and some not so much. Through it all, a deep and abiding friendship has bloomed.
After a few years in Minnesota, we moved to Florida because of a job opportunity for Al. Some years later, Bill and Jean returned "home" to Nashville. And last night, we were together again. We picked up right where we had left off, even though it has been several years since we were in the same place at the same time.
That's the beauty of friendship. Time and space do not diminish that kind of connection. Last night we ate a little and laughed a lot. It was just like old times!
Love. Laughter. Friendship. Grace gifts from our loving Heavenly Father.
What a blessing!
"A friend loves at all times." (Proverbs 17:17a NASB)
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Road Trip. Day 2.
Our road trip began yesterday with a very uneventful drive from Spartanburg to Atlanta. As expected, there was heavy traffic around Greenville, and heavy traffic again as we entered the Atlanta metro area.
We arrived at corporate headquarters around noon, had lunch in the cafeteria there, and then I settled into a vacant cubicle to read while Al took care of details about the trip. He met with some people, talked to people on the phone, gathered up more supplies. Just a regular day in the office!
Today he's holding the first two training sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Meanwhile, I'm hanging out here at the hotel, looking forward to a quiet day. Last week was a hectic time of unpacking from our beach vacation and repacking for this road trip, so I'm very ready for some down time.
We need quiet days from time to time, don't we? The world we live in is full of noise and chaos. Full of busyness. Full of do this and go there.
What our world doesn't have a lot of is quiet. Our busyness doesn't allow for a lot of down time. Our hectic lifestyles don't allow much time for rest. But rest is necessary. For our bodies. And for our minds and our souls.
Today I'm giving myself permission to rest. Permission to have a slow, peaceful day with no agenda. I will probably do some reading. I may go for a walk or sit by the pool. I'll probably drink some coffee.
I'm looking forward to it. Resting. Relaxing. Being still.
Here in the middle of summer, after the busyness of the last week, as we begin this road trip, I'm looking forward to, longing for, this time of quiet and stillness. This time to "cease striving and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10 NASB)
One of the things that I have been praying concerning this lengthy time away from home is that I would make good choices. About food. About exercise. Often those things get out of control when we travel. I have also prayed to make good choices about how I spend my "alone time". Today I'm choosing to be still. To be quiet. To rest. To spend time with the Lord. In His Word. In prayer.
It's a good choice.
"Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37:7a NASB)
We arrived at corporate headquarters around noon, had lunch in the cafeteria there, and then I settled into a vacant cubicle to read while Al took care of details about the trip. He met with some people, talked to people on the phone, gathered up more supplies. Just a regular day in the office!
Today he's holding the first two training sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Meanwhile, I'm hanging out here at the hotel, looking forward to a quiet day. Last week was a hectic time of unpacking from our beach vacation and repacking for this road trip, so I'm very ready for some down time.
We need quiet days from time to time, don't we? The world we live in is full of noise and chaos. Full of busyness. Full of do this and go there.
What our world doesn't have a lot of is quiet. Our busyness doesn't allow for a lot of down time. Our hectic lifestyles don't allow much time for rest. But rest is necessary. For our bodies. And for our minds and our souls.
Today I'm giving myself permission to rest. Permission to have a slow, peaceful day with no agenda. I will probably do some reading. I may go for a walk or sit by the pool. I'll probably drink some coffee.
I'm looking forward to it. Resting. Relaxing. Being still.
Here in the middle of summer, after the busyness of the last week, as we begin this road trip, I'm looking forward to, longing for, this time of quiet and stillness. This time to "cease striving and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10 NASB)
One of the things that I have been praying concerning this lengthy time away from home is that I would make good choices. About food. About exercise. Often those things get out of control when we travel. I have also prayed to make good choices about how I spend my "alone time". Today I'm choosing to be still. To be quiet. To rest. To spend time with the Lord. In His Word. In prayer.
It's a good choice.
"Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37:7a NASB)
Monday, July 6, 2015
The Journey Begins
After months of anticipation, today is the day. The rental van is loaded, and today Al and I begin a road trip around the country. He will be working, doing training on a new product, and I'm along for the ride, and to help out when needed.
We've packed our clothes and some snacks for the trip. We have the chargers for all our electronic devices. We've tried to anticipate what we will need while we're away and what will need to be taken care of here while we're gone. As much as we are able, we are prepared for this adventure.
Of course, it is impossible to fully anticipate everything that we might need or see or do. And that makes me very thankful for our loving Heavenly Father who sees all and knows all, and who will be with us all the way.
I'm excited about the places we will go and the things we will see as we travel. I'm looking forward to the adventures we will have. I'm praying for safety as we travel. And I'm praying that, wherever we go and whoever we come in contact with, we will shine the light of Jesus.
So, we're on the road again, as the old song goes. Let the adventures begin!
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14 NASB)
We've packed our clothes and some snacks for the trip. We have the chargers for all our electronic devices. We've tried to anticipate what we will need while we're away and what will need to be taken care of here while we're gone. As much as we are able, we are prepared for this adventure.
Of course, it is impossible to fully anticipate everything that we might need or see or do. And that makes me very thankful for our loving Heavenly Father who sees all and knows all, and who will be with us all the way.
I'm excited about the places we will go and the things we will see as we travel. I'm looking forward to the adventures we will have. I'm praying for safety as we travel. And I'm praying that, wherever we go and whoever we come in contact with, we will shine the light of Jesus.
So, we're on the road again, as the old song goes. Let the adventures begin!
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14 NASB)
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Proclaim Liberty
"Proclaim liberty throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof." Those words from Leviticus 25 are inscribed on a bell we have come to know as the Liberty Bell, originally cast in the Whitechapel Foundry in East London, England, and now housed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Today we celebrate our nation's independence. July 4, 1776 was the date of the signing of our Declaration of Independence and we celebrate that day every year.
But our independence, our freedom, is about more than a one-day-a-year celebration. It's about more than picnics and parades. It's about more than fireworks and flag-waving and funnel cakes. No matter how you choose to celebrate today, keep in mind the reason for the celebration!
We celebrate today because a group of men gathered together on this date in 1776 to sign a document proclaiming our independence. We celebrate because there were men willing to risk all they had to fight for that independence. We celebrate because, in that year and in all the years since, men and women have worn the uniform of the United States of America and have dedicated themselves to protecting our freedom. We celebrate because we are a free people, with rights and privileges only dreamed of by many around the world.
Our freedom as Americans is something to celebrate every day of the year, not just on one day in the middle of summer. It's something to be cherished and protected. It's something we must never take for granted, but continually be thankful for.
Our freedom as Americans is a precious thing that must be guarded and defended. And just the verse on the Liberty Bell reminds us, we must "proclaim liberty throughout the land"!
If that is true of our freedom as Americans, how much more is all that true of our freedom in Christ!
Freedom in Christ isn't something just to be celebrated once a week on Sundays, but to be celebrated and cherished and treasured and proclaimed every day! Because "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!" (John 8:36 ESV)
"For freedom Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1 ESV)
"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2 ESV)
[Jesus said] "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32 ESV)
Free indeed! Free in Christ Jesus! Our freedom in Christ is not dependent on political parties or political correctness or political whim. That freedom is all and only in and through Christ Jesus! Free indeed!
Proclaim that freedom "throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof"!
What will you do today to proclaim liberty? To let freedom ring?
"Let Freedom Ring" - The Gaither Vocal Band: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVVbSXz7jaU
Today we celebrate our nation's independence. July 4, 1776 was the date of the signing of our Declaration of Independence and we celebrate that day every year.
But our independence, our freedom, is about more than a one-day-a-year celebration. It's about more than picnics and parades. It's about more than fireworks and flag-waving and funnel cakes. No matter how you choose to celebrate today, keep in mind the reason for the celebration!
We celebrate today because a group of men gathered together on this date in 1776 to sign a document proclaiming our independence. We celebrate because there were men willing to risk all they had to fight for that independence. We celebrate because, in that year and in all the years since, men and women have worn the uniform of the United States of America and have dedicated themselves to protecting our freedom. We celebrate because we are a free people, with rights and privileges only dreamed of by many around the world.
Our freedom as Americans is something to celebrate every day of the year, not just on one day in the middle of summer. It's something to be cherished and protected. It's something we must never take for granted, but continually be thankful for.
Our freedom as Americans is a precious thing that must be guarded and defended. And just the verse on the Liberty Bell reminds us, we must "proclaim liberty throughout the land"!
If that is true of our freedom as Americans, how much more is all that true of our freedom in Christ!
Freedom in Christ isn't something just to be celebrated once a week on Sundays, but to be celebrated and cherished and treasured and proclaimed every day! Because "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!" (John 8:36 ESV)
"For freedom Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1 ESV)
"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2 ESV)
[Jesus said] "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32 ESV)
Free indeed! Free in Christ Jesus! Our freedom in Christ is not dependent on political parties or political correctness or political whim. That freedom is all and only in and through Christ Jesus! Free indeed!
Proclaim that freedom "throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof"!
What will you do today to proclaim liberty? To let freedom ring?
"Let Freedom Ring" - The Gaither Vocal Band: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVVbSXz7jaU
Friday, July 3, 2015
Yes
Yes is such a positive word, isn't it? I have begun my day today with that kind of yes. I'm looking forward to the day ahead, planning out my very long list of to-dos.
Yes is also a radical word. In her book Twirl, Patsy Clairmont describes yes this way. (You should read the book to see what I mean!)
Yes is a positive word, but my focus today is on yes as a radical word. As in, what would it mean if we really said yes to God? If we really said yes to all that He calls us to do and to be? How different would our lives be? How different would our world look?
Yes is also a radical word. In her book Twirl, Patsy Clairmont describes yes this way. (You should read the book to see what I mean!)
Yes is a positive word, but my focus today is on yes as a radical word. As in, what would it mean if we really said yes to God? If we really said yes to all that He calls us to do and to be? How different would our lives be? How different would our world look?
My Bible reading had me in the Old Testament book of Ezekiel again this morning, so I'm thinking about yes in terms of what I have been reading there. And I'm challenging you to do the same. Think about yes in light of these words of the Lord to the prophet Ezekiel:
“So you, son of man, I have made you a watchman.” (Ezekiel 33:7 ESV)
What does a watchman do? What is a watchman’s job?
A watchman, in Ezekiel’s day, stood on the walls of the city, alert for danger. When he became aware of a threat, he blew a trumpet and sounded an alarm.
Ezekiel was called to be a watchman. And I believe you and I are called to be the same. To blow the trumpet. To sound the alarm.
Our nation is in serious trouble. We have lost our moral compass, and as a result, we have lost our way.
The solution to our problems is neither republican nor democrat. It is not libertarian or tea party. The solution is not about politics at all. The solution to our problems is not found in the Supreme Court. (Some would perhaps argue that the Court is the source, rather than the solution, for many of our problems!)
God did not call Ezekiel to politics; He called Ezekiel to warn people of the judgment to come.
I believe He is calling us to do the same. He is calling us to be watchmen. He is calling us to stand up for Him. He is calling us to sound the alarm. For such a time as this.
Will you say yes?
“If My people, who are called by My name, 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 ESV)
“Blow a trumpet……sound an alarm……for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near.” (Joel 2:2 ESV)
“The hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11 ESV)
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Some Things Never Change
More than fifty years ago, Francis Schaeffer wrote what has become a modern-day classic in Christian literature, How Should We Then Live?
In light of recent events in our country, many today are asking that same question. The last two weeks have been a period of turmoil and sadness for many. This has been a period of tension and heightened rhetoric about murder and racism and a flag. Added into that mix was the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding same-sex marriage.
Because of all that has transpired in our country over the last two weeks, the question is pertinent. How should we then live? How should we respond to these events?
Two weeks ago, nine Christian people were brutally gunned down in a Bible study at their church. That was a tragic, horrific event. That the gunman had white skin and his victims had black skin brought pontifications from many, both black and white. Much of what has been said has no basis in fact. So, how should we then live?
How do we respond?
My skin is white. I was born in South Carolina. I have lived most of my life south of the Mason-Dixon line. My ancestors, though not wealthy or plantation owners or slave owners, fought in the Confederate army. That is my heritage. It would be a mistake, however, to assume that because those facts are true, I am a racist, a white supremacist, a hate-monger, or a bigot. It would be equally a mistake to assume that because I am Southern, because I was born in South Carolina, and because I have an accent reflecting the area of my birth, I am somehow ignorant and less intelligent than if I had been born in a different part of the country.
Assumptions can be trouble. So the first answer as to how we respond to these events in our culture is not to make assumptions. Be discerning. Think. Get all the facts and reason them through. Just because you read something on the internet does not make it true. Check your facts. Be a thinking person.
The same is true regarding other cultural issues. I am a white woman. I am a heterosexual woman. I am a married woman. I am, above all, a Christian woman. It would be a mistake to assume, based on those facts, that I bear hatred toward those who are different than I am. I don't. So far as I am aware, I don't hate anyone. However, because I am a Christian woman, I do hold certain beliefs, certain core values, that are non-negotiable. Among them, I believe that marriage is a God-ordained institution, defined as a covenant relationship between one man and one woman. You may disagree with me. That is your right and your privilege. It does not, however, alter what I believe.
Much is changing in our culture these days. As Christians, what should be our response? In the words of Francis Schaeffer, how should we then live?
As Christians, our response should be the same as it has always been. Jesus Christ has not changed. The culture may have changed, as it has many times since the days Jesus walked this earth. But Jesus is still the same.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:6 NASB)
His instructions to us still stand. Among them, are these:
Jesus said, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37 NASB)
Jesus said, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39 NASB)
Jesus said, "Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you....." (Matthew 28:19-20a NASB)
Jesus said, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." (Luke 9:23 NASB)
Jesus said, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you." (John 15:18 NASB)
In these challenging days, be alert. Be discerning. Be a good student of the Word of God. Hold on to Jesus and to the unchanging truths of the Word of God. Because, although many things are changing in our world, some things never change.
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever."
(Isaiah 40:8 NASB)
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23 NASB)
"What you have, hold fast until I come." (Revelation 2:25 NASB)
In light of recent events in our country, many today are asking that same question. The last two weeks have been a period of turmoil and sadness for many. This has been a period of tension and heightened rhetoric about murder and racism and a flag. Added into that mix was the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding same-sex marriage.
Because of all that has transpired in our country over the last two weeks, the question is pertinent. How should we then live? How should we respond to these events?
Two weeks ago, nine Christian people were brutally gunned down in a Bible study at their church. That was a tragic, horrific event. That the gunman had white skin and his victims had black skin brought pontifications from many, both black and white. Much of what has been said has no basis in fact. So, how should we then live?
How do we respond?
My skin is white. I was born in South Carolina. I have lived most of my life south of the Mason-Dixon line. My ancestors, though not wealthy or plantation owners or slave owners, fought in the Confederate army. That is my heritage. It would be a mistake, however, to assume that because those facts are true, I am a racist, a white supremacist, a hate-monger, or a bigot. It would be equally a mistake to assume that because I am Southern, because I was born in South Carolina, and because I have an accent reflecting the area of my birth, I am somehow ignorant and less intelligent than if I had been born in a different part of the country.
Assumptions can be trouble. So the first answer as to how we respond to these events in our culture is not to make assumptions. Be discerning. Think. Get all the facts and reason them through. Just because you read something on the internet does not make it true. Check your facts. Be a thinking person.
The same is true regarding other cultural issues. I am a white woman. I am a heterosexual woman. I am a married woman. I am, above all, a Christian woman. It would be a mistake to assume, based on those facts, that I bear hatred toward those who are different than I am. I don't. So far as I am aware, I don't hate anyone. However, because I am a Christian woman, I do hold certain beliefs, certain core values, that are non-negotiable. Among them, I believe that marriage is a God-ordained institution, defined as a covenant relationship between one man and one woman. You may disagree with me. That is your right and your privilege. It does not, however, alter what I believe.
Much is changing in our culture these days. As Christians, what should be our response? In the words of Francis Schaeffer, how should we then live?
As Christians, our response should be the same as it has always been. Jesus Christ has not changed. The culture may have changed, as it has many times since the days Jesus walked this earth. But Jesus is still the same.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:6 NASB)
His instructions to us still stand. Among them, are these:
Jesus said, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37 NASB)
Jesus said, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39 NASB)
Jesus said, "Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you....." (Matthew 28:19-20a NASB)
Jesus said, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." (Luke 9:23 NASB)
Jesus said, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you." (John 15:18 NASB)
In these challenging days, be alert. Be discerning. Be a good student of the Word of God. Hold on to Jesus and to the unchanging truths of the Word of God. Because, although many things are changing in our world, some things never change.
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever."
(Isaiah 40:8 NASB)
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23 NASB)
"What you have, hold fast until I come." (Revelation 2:25 NASB)
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
The Right Thing
Reading the Scriptures can have a powerful, convicting effect.
Consider these verses from 1 Timothy:
"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NASB)
Prayers. For all people. For kings and all who are in authority.
There's nothing in this verse that lets us off the hook when we don't agree with those in authority. Or when they are from a different political party. Or when we didn't vote for them. Or even when we just plain don't like them!
Paul wrote this letter to Timothy when Nero was the emperor of Rome. The letter to Timothy was intended to be shared with other Christians. Therefore, not just Timothy, but all Christians, were being instructed to pray for those in authority over them. In other words, in that particular time period, to pray for Nero, well-known as a persecutor of Christians!
Fast forward to the twenty-first century in America. The instruction still applies.
It isn't an instruction to pray for our favorite people. Or our family. Or our neighbors. Although praying for all those is an important thing, a good thing, to do.
The instruction from this particular passage is to pray for those in authority over us. The context is praying for those in governmental positions of authority.
Not because we like them. Or because we voted for them. Or because we agree with them. Or because we are from the same political party or share the same political opinions. Or because they have made good decisions. Or because they are somehow deserving of our prayers.
We pray for them because we are instructed to do so. Because it is "good and acceptable in the sight of God." And because it benefits us to do so, "that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."
It may not be an easy thing to do. But it's the right thing to do.
And no one ever said doing the right thing would be easy!
Consider these verses from 1 Timothy:
"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NASB)
Prayers. For all people. For kings and all who are in authority.
There's nothing in this verse that lets us off the hook when we don't agree with those in authority. Or when they are from a different political party. Or when we didn't vote for them. Or even when we just plain don't like them!
Paul wrote this letter to Timothy when Nero was the emperor of Rome. The letter to Timothy was intended to be shared with other Christians. Therefore, not just Timothy, but all Christians, were being instructed to pray for those in authority over them. In other words, in that particular time period, to pray for Nero, well-known as a persecutor of Christians!
Fast forward to the twenty-first century in America. The instruction still applies.
It isn't an instruction to pray for our favorite people. Or our family. Or our neighbors. Although praying for all those is an important thing, a good thing, to do.
The instruction from this particular passage is to pray for those in authority over us. The context is praying for those in governmental positions of authority.
Not because we like them. Or because we voted for them. Or because we agree with them. Or because we are from the same political party or share the same political opinions. Or because they have made good decisions. Or because they are somehow deserving of our prayers.
We pray for them because we are instructed to do so. Because it is "good and acceptable in the sight of God." And because it benefits us to do so, "that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."
It may not be an easy thing to do. But it's the right thing to do.
And no one ever said doing the right thing would be easy!
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