No, No, You Never Let Go

Things happen.  We don’t always know why.  We examine our hearts.  We pray and ask God for forgiveness. Wepray about things that “if” we didthem or “think” we did – we repentand ask forgiveness for that too. We pray. . .we wait. . .not always patiently, I might add, but I havelearned through many years of following the footsteps of my Savior that Godalways answers our prayers: in His time, in His way, and Hisway is one of these three: yes, no, or wait. 

2012 is well on its way and ithas not been they way I would have chosen to start a year out. . .any year forthat matter!  So, I decided thatnow might be a good time to brush up on my readings of Job. 

Job 23:10, 11, 12, and 14 reads, “But he knows the way that I take; when he hastried me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I havekept his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasuredthe words of his mouth more than my portion of food. For he will complete what heappoints for me, and many such things are in his mind. “

It is sometimes quite difficultto focus and to write when you are just not feeling well.  You start a page and give up.  You throw out your “inspired” moment.  You toss the idea – “oh, that wasn’tGod speaking to me anyhow. . .” When these “things” happen to us, it’s reallyeasy to feel separated from God, from our friends. . . no one likes acomplainer – we all have problems and you reach a point where you just get sickand tired of being sick and tired.

However, in the midst of it all,I am a firm believer that, if everything seems to be going your way and thereis no opposition, one of two things is occurring:  [1] it’s the calm before the storm and the Lord is preparingyou for battle; reminding you how to put on your armor and how to stand. [2] Youare riding on the “other side of the fence” and the enemy doesn’t feel a needto “bother” you.  So, in light ofnumber 1, above, I decided that I’ve been getting pushed around long enough. Withthe exception of the illness I have been fighting, I had suspicions about theother things that had been happening and should have had my armor shined, puton and ready for battle, shield held high.

As I stood inside of ourcommunity of believers this morning, I listened to hundreds of voices singingthe song, “You Never Let Go” by MattRedman

Eventhough I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know you are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

(Chorus:)
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

(Chorus)

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Asthe worship band and leaders led us in praise, the melody proceeded and thewords flowed from my lips as I joined the other believers. I listened to eachand every word as I realized that, although it was a time of trial and testing,and even though I am not quite sure exactly what God is doing in our lives, Iknow HE will NEVER let go! No matter what. No matter how long.  And there will be an end totroubles.  And, yes, I have andwill continue to praise Him in the midst of it all, I praise Him. 

As I pulled away from the church’sparking lot today, the sun was shining, it was 42º (mid February!) and Irealized God would never let go.  Iknew that while I was feeling better today that tomorrow would be Monday.  The words to another old hymn floodedmy mind.  It has been one of myfavorites and it has sustained me many times over the years.  The writer was Ira Stanphill. I hope youwill find its words comforting, uplifting, and may the words to this songminister deeply to your soul.

I Know WhoHolds Tomorrow

I don't know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to grey.

I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden's getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.

There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

I don't know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.

And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

To God be the glory forever, Amen.

“For God's Word is solid to the core; everythinghe makes is sound inside and out.  Heloves it when everything fits, when his world is in plumb-line true. Earth is drenched in God's affectionate satisfaction.” Psalm33:4-5 The Message

Legacy of the Faithful?

It’s dark.  My husband has gone to work. I was sitting looking in the sunroom at the naked Christmas tree, and a few boxes of Christmas decorations waiting to be taken to their resting place in the basement for another eleven months.  Glancing out the windows, I watch clouds quickly passing by the sliver of moon on the southeastern horizon.  It’s January 1^st – January 1, 2012.  Now the dangerous part – I start to think! I began to think about the past year. . .you know, 2011, the one that slipped away so quickly. . .the flash of a crystal ball in New York, and it was gone – forever!

I wondered to myself, “Was this world a better place because I was a part of it?”

“Did I do anything to bring a smile to someone’s face?”

“Did I make my husband happy in ways that brought a smile to his face when he was alone?”

“Was I still a good mother even to my children who are now all adults?”

“Did I play and giggle with my grandchildren enough and tell them Mimi loved them enough?”

“Were my students better because I was their teacher?”

“Was I the best friend I could be to my friends?”

“Was I ‘there’ when I was needed?”

“Was my heavenly Father pleased with my life this year?”

“Did I truly affect anyone’s life for the better?”

Most importantly, “how many people did I point to Jesus?”

If you’re like me, you could probably double that list of questions in a heartbeat.  Life is so fleeting.  Didn’t I just graduate from college?  Wasn’t it just last year, we celebrated our first Christmas together. . .Or, last week, didn’t I bring my son home from the hospital and was the love of his life, only to watch him walk down a church aisle in June to take the hand of another woman now as the love of his life;  and, oh yes, didn’t we just return from living in Brazil so that we could grow our family by adding two little children into our home. Oh, wait! One of those ‘children’ just gave me two beautiful granddaughters! 

Wasn’t it just this past summer I baptized my dear friend, Gale, in her sister’s swimming pool. . .

Words to the song, “Legacy” floated through my mind. Dictionary.com defines legacy as “anything handed down from the past” and I pondered whether or not the legacy that I was leaving would point to the One who has defined my past and Who holds my future. My dad left me a legacy of a good work ethic; mom left me the legacy of not giving up, never quitting.

Most of us try our best to be good moms, dads, grandparents, teachers, friends, ministers, employees and most of us are working diligently to leave that little part of ourselves with those we may someday leave behind.  We know we have the legacy of God’s word. The Biblical patriarchs left legacies that we may follow that lead us to a loving Savior. Jesus, Himself, gave us a wonderful legacy.  He left us His Holy Spirit to lead and guide our lives, a legacy of love, compassion, of work, and diligence, of humility, meekness, and

The more I thought about it and the more I poured over the scriptures, the more I determined to leave a legacy. The song, “Legacy” is written below, and it’s the song that stirred my heart.  But, when my children think of me and remember my time on earth, I want them to find me faithful. I could find no words that could better describe the prayer of my heart than that of Steve Green’s song captioned here.  I trust you will be blessed.

We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives

CHORUS:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

CHORUS:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

If you really want to be doubly blessed, click this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s392HyzQ79M and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you and stir your heart.  Be sure to watch to the end.

And I trust you will be equally blessed and God will touch your heart and lift your spirit as you read the lines of Legacy.

“Legacy” by Nicole Nordeman

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

You can listen to Legacy here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHX3qV83W3k

There's a Sense of Urgency. Can you Feel It?

There is such urgency in our world. Can you feel it?  

            “The nation of Egypt is at a critical juncture. Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are convinced that the End of Days has come. They believe the Shia messiah known as the “Twelfth Imam” or the “Mahdi” will appear soon to establish a global Islamic kingdom known as the caliphate.” (Joel C.  Rosenberg)

            “New details are emerging about Israeli preparations for a possible first strike on Iran. Aides to Netanyahu tell me no decision has been made and Israel’s policy hasn’t changed. What’s more, there is outrage in and around the Israeli government about leaks that some are calling “treasonous.” One thing is certain, events are moving quickly.” (Joel C.  Rosenberg)

            Terrorists lurking in places we wouldn’t think to look and unreliable intel doesn’t make me feel like the US is a safe place. Instability and uncertainty describe our own economy and political climate and, coupled with the desperation and unrest within our borders these past months, we find ourselves asking, “What’s next?”

            Joel C. Rosenberg is a messianic Jew and an author that, once you start reading one of his books, you cannot put it down.  I totally trust his knowledge of the mid East happenings, but 2000 years ago, there was the same sense of urgency in the world.  There was unrest in the Middle East, yet most people feared the Roman Empire and just complained and prayed for relief.  The Jews were being persecuted then, too, but at that time, they were responsible for what was happening to them due to the fact that they had fallen into idolatry and disobedience – two things with which God has always taken issue.  The Jews were complaining and crying out for deliverance from their oppressors; they were looking for a Messiah - much like today – nothing has changed.  But God remained silent for about four hundred years.  Talk about a long wait for an answer to your prayers!

            When it seemed as though there was absolutely no hope, Gabriel (God’s personal messenger angel) brought a message to young teenage girl, probably about fourteen years old, and told her that she was the one who would be used in God’s plan to deliver Israel.

            While Israel kept hounding God to send a mighty warrior to defend and deliver His people, they totally missed the fact that He had another plan! They were looking for a deliverer who would eliminate the Roman Empire that had enslaved and oppressed them; one who would come to earth and set up his kingdom and rule with a sword and an iron fist. Never did they expect that God would choose a chaste young virgin from the tribe of Judah, to deliver a baby boy who came into the world by way of a virgin – who came not to set up an earthly kingdom but to set up a kingdom of love in men’s hearts. (Isaiah 7:14) But God remained silent for many years . . .

            Feel the urgency?  When Mary told her fiancé that she was pregnant, he hurried to get her to a place where she could wait out her pregnancy (Unwed motherhood was really frowned upon back then!) Then, of course you’ve heard the story – an angel paid Joseph a visit so he knew, then, that Mary was telling the truth.  (Matthew 1:18-20) Just when it was getting close for Mary to deliver her son, Caesar insisted that everyone go back to their cities of origin to pay taxes – now! (Luke 1:26-56; 2:1)

            Feel the urgency?  You didn’t dare disobey Caesar!  It would mean your head for his collection.  And, Roman soldiers were not known for their compassion.  But, of course, it was all in the plan.  Being good citizens, Joseph obeyed and packed up Mary and headed to Bethlehem.  It wasn’t just a few hours drive on the freeway; it was a long, tedious, hard and difficult trip.  Just outside the city, Mary went into hard labor.  They tried the hotels along the strip, but they were no vacancies.

            Feel the urgency? In desperation, Joseph tried one last place.  The hotel manager directed him out back behind the hotel, to a stable or open cave where the service animals were kept.  (Luke 2:6-7) Joseph put their blankets on the straw next to the feeding trough (manger), helped Mary to get as comfortable as a woman in the final stages of labor could be, and Mary began her final work in labor to bring our Savior into a world where very few would accept His love or His message.

 

                    Feel the urgency?  At the specific time of the miracle of Israel’s answered prayer, a (scientifically proven) nova (http://newsinfo.iu.edu/OCM/packages/bethstar.html and http://epistle.us/articles/star.html) took place in our galaxy and yes, a star shone brightly above the lowly place where baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  I cannot imagine how a group of men, whose job it was to take care of sheep, felt when first they saw the star nova and along with it, the night skies became as bright as mid day and heavenly beings filled that bright sky declaring that Israel’s prayers had been answered. (Luke 2:8-18)

            Feel the urgency?  The shepherds wasted no time getting to the “birthing suite”.  They felt that same sense of urgency.  How did they know which baby it was?  By his outfit, of course!  Swaddling cloths!  (Luke 2:16-17)

            Can you feel the urgency? It was time for the Hebrew ritual of circumcision when Jesus was eight days old.  As they walked up the steps to the temple to meet with the priest who would perform the ritual, elderly prophets to whom God had promised that they would behold His salvation rushed to Jesus, Mary and Joseph, having no introduction and proclaimed that He was the savior of promise.  (Luke 2: 21-38) 

            Eleven years later, Jesus and His parents took a trip to Jerusalem for the Hebrew Passover and to visit with family and friends.  On their way home, they looked in the back donkey and Jesus was nowhere to be found.  Feel the urgency?  A frantic mother and father raced back to Jerusalem searching and yelling His name, “Jesus! Jesus!  Where are you?”  He was found, safe and sound, doing what came natural to Him – teaching!

            “Follow me”, he said to twelve men.  They felt the urgency.  They followed Him at first with wondering skepticism, but as they learned His ways, watched his compassion in ministry to thousands, felt His love, listened intently as He spoke life in His teachings, and walked in His footsteps for the next three years, it became apparent that His work, at least His physical work in this life, was over and they were feeling the urgency that He was, in fact, going to leave their physical presence.

            Feel the urgency?  His blood completely spilled out, it was finished.  He said so with His last breath.  His lifeless body laid in a borrowed tomb until, with an urgency that rivals that very last push a mother gives in birthing her child, life sprang back into His body and He burst forth from that tomb with such radiance that His image was forever burned into the cloths that covered his body in burial.

            Feel the urgency?  As he spent a brief time on earth with his friends and family assuring them of His continued presence in their lives through the power of His Spirit, He then ascended to heaven leaving his followers to spread the good news of His love, His atonement for their sins, His soon return.

            Feel the urgency?  Do you feel the urgency of a loving savior tugging at your heart inviting you to celebrate His birthday with the “family” this year?  Do you feel the urgency to answer the knock at your heart’s door?  Yes, there is an urgency in our every day lives.  We live on the edge. The urgency that was so prevalent 2000 years ago is still trying to get our attention today.  If I could cause a star to nova so that your eyes would be opened to truth, I would do it so that you could experience the overwhelming love explode in your heart bringing to you new life and purpose, just as the birth of the savior exploded into a darkened, lost world and bathed it with the light of His love.

            Feel the urgency?  It could just be that Christ  (the baby born so long ago) whose birthday is the reason we celebrate this season, is tugging at your heart, speaking and whispering love to your spirit, “come follow me”.

            Do you feel the urgency?  He said, “"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill fitting on you. Keep Company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."  (Matthew 11:29-30 The Message)

            This Christmas, as you feel the urgency of the season, put your trust in One who can calm the urgency, who loves you and you need to know that if YOU were the only one in this world, He still would have come, as a baby, and go through it all – just for you!

            "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted. . .” (John 3:16-17 The Message)

          Christmas blessings!

           

In My Garden

In 1912, C.Austiin Miles penned the words to the song, “In the Garden”.   The first verse and refrain went like this:

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

In a far away place (my younger life) about thirty-four years ago when I was feeling more of the weight of the world upon my shoulders than usual, and trying to figure out a way to keep cool without air conditioning in the heat and mugginess of a late July night, I sat on the stoop of my apartment that joined the sidewalk.  The air was so thick and heavy with heat and moisture and sleep was nowhere to be found.  I was scribbling on a tablet and found myself humming the words to the song above.  It was then I thought about my own “garden” and it was at that time I was impressed to write In MY Garden.  I hope you will be blessed.  (By the way, four days after I wrote this, I met the man who would become my husband of 33 years now but who’s counting?)

“You'll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past.” Isaiah 58:11 (The Message)

IN MY GARDEN

I long to go to the garden alone,

To be quiet and rest with my Lord.

Away from the hustle, my burdens, and cares.

Alone just my Lord to adore.

I’m just tired, I am weak, and I’m worn

I’m not asking for much, don’t you see?

It’s just that my soul is troubled, my peace is disturbed,

And your Word promised rest just for me.

I’m anxious lately and my joy I find ebbing

There’s always work to be done, the children to raise,

Someone needs me wherever I go

How I long just to sit in your presence and just praise.

Yes, Lord, I’m not asking, I’m just weary now.

But I’m trusting you Lord, it can’t last too long.

Even you became tired and went away just to rest

You promised me the same since to You I belong.

So, here I am Jesus, please come and lift me up

Above all my worries and cares.

Let me soak in the light of your presence

Just You and me – alone to share.

The road I must travel gets rough and steep;

I’ve fallen again and again.

But You’ve picked me up and helped me to see,

Your glory for me in the end.

So alone with you Jesus in the garden I love

To smell your sweet fragrance so fair;

I thank you, dear Father, to the garden you take me,

Alone in my closet of prayer.

            (Originally written 07-25-1978)

Snowflakes and Children

Spending a day cleaning my office is not on my top ten list of favorite things to do, but something that occasionally must be done in order to maintain a reasonable semblance of order in my paper world.  It was time to throw out a lot of really old stuff – you know, the “why in the world did I ever keep this for?” kind of stuff.  In the midst of throwing, I pulled from the back of my file drawer in the bottom of my desk a folder full of poems and inspirational writings that I used to do when I was young. . .mostly before I was married.  I thought I would share some with you over the next few weeks. 

The weather has been unseasonably warm for this time of November, but we will soon pay with subfreezing temperatures and what the weather people say will be one of our worst yet.  As the first big snow begins to fall (one of my favorite things), I thought this would be an appropriate first poem to share with you.  I hope you enjoy it.

SNOWFLAKES AND CHILDREN

I watch serenely as the snowflakes fall

Upon my window pane

Each one so different, no two alike

A miracle again and again.

Fresh and clean, pure and untouched,

The pillows of snow soon appear.

It reminds me of a new born babe,

Warm and soft, so precious and dear.

All too soon, a stranger walks by,

Leaving dirty footprints in the virgin snow.

And all too soon the baby dear,

Gets prints on his soul as in life he grows.

We can’t help but see the prints in the snow,

That leave their mark so plain.

And, if we’re not careful with our child so dear,

We’ll soon see on his life a stain.

The snow will melt and the prints fade away.

Not so with the heart of a child.

He must be shown the right way to go,

While he’s still young, and tender, and mild,

Fresh, clean snow falls many times,

Bringing beauty, fun and delight.

But a child has not so many chances,

So he must learn to love and what’s right.

For a child doesn’t fade and his sin melt away,

Like the snow when the sun shines upon it.

Only Jesus can make his heart clean and pure,

When to Christ the child gives his heart.

Next time the snow falls fresh and new,

Take note of each unique flake.

Remember that children are much like the snow,

To be molded, their young lives to shape.

Snow will fall ‘til time is no more.

With a child, his time will run out.

So, take time, love, and patience to guide him,

For unlike the snow, a child will not melt.

--Rhonda Shure

(originally written 12-20-1979)

It's My Turn Now. . .

It was one of those days.  I was thinking to myself, I really don’t feel like doing this, but I just have to do it now or I won’t have any other time to get it done.  The Christmas decorations.  Should I put up one tree in the sunroom?  Put the other tree downstairs?  Do I decorate all the side tables. . .then it dawned on me, I had to do it.  I had to carry on tradition.

When I was a little girl, Christmas Day meant that all of my mom’s sisters and brother and their families and all of the cousins would be gathered at Grandma’s and Pap Pap’s house by noon. There would be no doubts in our little minds that Santa had visited Grandma’s house!  The smell of the pine from the live Christmas tree with the bubble lights permeated the air in the big old house. As you moved from the front parlor into the dining room and kitchen, smells of candied yams, ham, fresh bread, cinnamon apples and pumpkin wafted all the way through the house.

The adults mainly stayed in the kitchen and dining room helping out (They just wanted by the food!) and talking among themselves about all the things adult sisters and brothers talk about.

There were presents under the tree in the living room and there were beautiful Christmas decorations (many of which were provided courtesy of the grandchildren’s creativity) of every kind adorning the tables, the wooden banisters (it temporarily prevented our sliding adventures), and Grandma had oodles of yummy, chewy cookies and candies that called to our taste buds and irresistibly drew us into a tantalizing ecstasy of indulgence with gooey chocolate chips, sweet date pinwheels, figs, pecans, walnuts, and fruits. . .all delightfully cut out and shaped into magnificent treats.  In the background, soft Christmas carols would be playing on Pap Pap’s old record player.

Each one of us were thrilled when, after awhile, Grandma would say, “I think Santa Claus left you a little something, but I don’t remember where he put it, so you’ll just have to go and hunt for it.”  We let out a whoop and started looking under furniture, along the stairways, behind doors, until we found the treasured gift with our name on it.  After a day of playing with our gifts and our cousins, eating sumptuous ham and turkey and desserts, we would curl up on the floor anywhere and drift off to sleep listening to the adults chatter.

Better get those Christmas boxes out and get the tree trimmed and the tinsel and wreaths hung.  Cookies needed baking. Some gifts needed wrapping. Christmas carols were playing on my iPhone. Christmas would be here soon.  I had to get it done.  It is my turn now.  I must carry on.  I am Grandma!!

- - - - - - - - - -

I thought this poem was a fitting tribute to my Grandma.  She did wear an apron all the time and I find myself pulling one out of the pantry to keep my clothes neat when preparing a meal.

The strings were tied, it was freshly washed, and maybe even pressed.
For Grandma, it was everyday to choose one when she dressed.
The simple apron that it was, you would never think about;
the things she used it for, that made it look worn out.
She may have used it to hold some wildflowers that she'd found.
Or to hide a crying child's face when a stranger came around.
Imagine all the little tears that were wiped with just that cloth.
Or it became a potholder to serve some chicken broth.
She probably carried kindling to stoke the kitchen fire.
To hold a load of laundry, or to wipe the clothesline wire.
When canning all her vegetables, it was used to wipe her brow.
You never know, she might have used it to shoo flies from the cow.
She might have carried eggs in from the chicken coop outside.
Whatever chore she used it for, she did them all with pride.
When Grandma went to heaven, God said she now could rest.
I'm sure the apron that she chose, was her Sunday best.

-by Tina Trivett-

I Stand in Awe. . .

Since September, our Bible study has been studying a discipleship series, “Worship from the Tabernacle” by Wayne Barber, et al. Tonight as I was putting the finishing touches on what I wanted to share with my small group, I was wowed by how the Israelites were instructed to approach God, what would happen to them if His instructions were not followed, and how nonchalant we, as His church, had become, not only in our approach to God, but in our attitudes toward Him.

I KNOW we do not live under the bondage of the Old Testament Law and that we exist truly and only by the grace of God; that Jesus was the ultimate and only sacrifice for our sins and yes, His death and atonement provided direct access for us to the throne of God, but it makes me shudder to think that Satan has gotten such a foothold in our churches and in our lives, that we believe we can take God for granted and the “coming boldly” to the throne of grace means that just because we have access to Him, we can barge into His presence with a less than holy approach. Remember, even the high Levite priest could go in before Him once each year on the day of atonement and if He did not approach God's throne holy and humbly, He would be smitten dead.   

As much as He continually waits for and desires our fellowship, there is a process that is acceptable to Him and for us to deviate and approach Him with a nonchalant, “hey, God, what’s happenin’, Bro”, I feel good, you feel good attitude is like the Israelites not following the Instructions to enter into the Tabernacle. Unless they went through the thirty-foot wide, one and only, entry gate, they could not get in. And, unless we first deal with our sin, renew our heart and mind and enter into His presence with a clean heart and pure intent, we may feel we have a relationship with Him but we will not enjoy fellowship that could be likened to being in the very Holy of Holies.

The Doobie Brothers song, “Jesus is Just Alright With Me”, is, unfortunately, the mindset of the majority of believers today. Where has our reverence, the awe, the wow of coming into the presence of a holy, mighty God – creator of heaven and earth – gone? Why do we treat Him like a good luck charm?

As I have prepared each week to teach this study, I am convicted, I am humbled, I am in awe and I can but feel as the Psalmist David said, "God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!"(Psalm 51:10-12 MSG)  Our Heavenly Father is approachable and He waits, having the table set and ready for our fellowship, but we must come to Him, humbly, thankful, and expecting that we will be received.  I am so glad, He always comes to meet me as I "run" to Him.

All in all, after I have examined my own heart, and my attitudes, I can confidently say ,“God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I cleaned up my act, he gave me a fresh start. Indeed, I've kept alert to God's ways; I haven't taken God for granted. Every day I review the ways he works, I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I'm watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.” 2 Samuel 22:21 (MSG)