A View From Serenity Acres

Those "Less than Perfect" Days

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:28:00 +0000

I spent 21 years home educating our four children. As I sat reflecting on those memories, I thought about the good days when we accomplished a lot and the "other" days which were simply challenging. On easy days, everyone had a good attitude, they were willing to work and they applied themselves without grumbling. However, on the challenging days, my efforts were like trying to lead a horse to water when it doesn't want to drink! In many ways, my current work alongside my husband in his professional practice can be much the same. We have those "smooth as a breeze" times when our schedule flows and other times when everything becomes hectic.
If I am not careful on those challenging days, I certainly can be tripped up by my attitude as well. Then, tension builds and everyone can sense that the air is so thick we could cut it with a knife. No one is a happy camper and progress slows to a halt. This chain reaction is like watching a display of dominoes fall down in a line. What can we do to prevent this from happening in our homes and work place? How can we be an over comer in the middle of a less than perfect day?
As I was reading the story of Abel and Cain, I came across several verses that really opened my eyes
concerning how sin creeps into our lives. To get a complete picture, read the entire passage in Genesis 4:1-7. Let us key in on verses 3-7: "And in the process of time, it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.'" (NKJV)
In these verses, we see a picture of two young men bringing their offerings of tribute before the Lord. Cain was a farmer so he brought grain or fruit. Abel was a shepherd so he brought a firstborn lamb. God accepted the offering of Abel but not the offering that Cain brought to him. We often wonder why the Lord did not accept Cain's offering. However, sometimes we forget that the Lord can see the heart (I Samuel 16:7) and we cannot.
Abel brought the best he had to offer. It was the firstborn, and it was a blood sacrifice. However, some theologians believe that Cain did not bring his best fruit or his first fruit as well as a good attitude. To substantiate this, all we have to do is look at Cain's reaction when the Lord did not accept his offering. He became angry when his worship was rejected. He stood at a crossroad as we do when confronted with sinful pride.

Trafalgar Square in London, England - A lion sculpture
which reminds us of power and beauty and also the scripture
just quoted about Satan being like a roaring lion.

God pointed out to Cain that sin was lying in wait outside his door much like the description given Satan as a "roaring lion seeking whom he may devour" in I Peter 5:8. Cain could open the door and allow sin to rule his heart or he could repent and return to the Lord. This simple choice had profound implications. Of course, we know what Cain decided in his heart, and the result of his anger shattered the family peace with the murder of his brother.
Each time we put our spiritual armor aside and allow ourselves to indulge in sin, we open ourselves to the enemy who is looking for a place to gain a foothold. Then, we wonder how it happened that Satan slipped in never realizing our responsibility to bring all our "thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ..." (2 Cor. 10:5). God gives us the victory over sin when we yield in our hearts to His Lordship and fill our minds with His Word. Quite often, though, it is much easier to just vent our anger on one another. When we do, the atmosphere of our homes and work place suffer not to mention our relationships. Attitude really does reflect the condition of our hearts.
Our Lord has given us all we need for "life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). However, we must daily put on our armor and follow Him. Keeping a "short account" with God and being willing to confess our sins quickly will keep the "crouching sin" which lies outside our heart's door from gaining entrance. This is the key to being an over comer in Christ! Selah!

I welcome your thoughts and comments here. Please feel free to leave them. May you be blessed!

Making Some Serious Changes

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:47:00 +0000

Serious change takes hard work as grandson
Aiden demonstrates in this picture.

Why is it that we only want to make some serious changes when we are up against the wall? Wouldn't it be easier to do it before we get in a bind? I have had to ask myself these questions many times in my life as it seems I tend to do things the hard way. I know I am not alone. Over and over again in the Old Testament, the Lord called His chosen people a "stiff-necked and rebellious" nation. I plead guilty to this.
The sin nature, though made toothless by the blood of Christ, is still lurking in my flesh and ready to spring into action if I allow it.
All of us have areas of weakness and can easily succumb to temptation if we do not stand our guard as God has called us to do (I Peter 5:8). Certainly, in my life, I had not been keeping watch very well.
I went to my routine physical in January knowing that I needed to lose weight. I had been reminded over the years that my weight was creeping up slowly and with it would come all sorts of consequences. I knew that, but I seemed to have NO power over my impulse to eat, or at least, I told myself that.
Over the years, my cholesterol had gone up to a point where I needed medication. Now my test results showed my blood pressure slowly becoming elevated and my blood sugar going up. It was more than a little scary. I knew that if I made no changes my health would suffer. My doctor, once again, reminded me that I needed to take better care of myself and lose weight as well as having a certain diagnostic procedure done which I had been putting off as long as possible.
I went home and prayed hard. For many years, I had tried various diets which worked for a short time, but nothing seemed to stick. I regained what I had lost and then some. Likewise, I wasn't certain I could overcome my fear of this diagnostic procedure so I poured my heart out to the Lord. God, always faithful to guide and teach us, brought to mind so many wonderful Scriptures: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13); "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb. 13:5b); "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9b). All of these and more flooded my mind. As I searched for answers, I had peace that my steps would be directed.

Sometimes we need help from our friends or our
Daddy in order to make those changes.

Since I knew that God does not move a parked car that has its parking brake on, I put myself into gear and stepped out in faith to make an appointment to get the diagnostic procedure done. With prayer, encouragement from fellow believers, and faith in the One who made me, I went through with the medical procedure. I also decided to actively pursue a diet regimen and joined an online program that has had high marks for years. Not a fad program but one that is sound. I knew it would take a commitment, a decision, no going back, a change for life in order to succeed. To date, I have lost fifteen pounds with many more to go in order to improve my health. Already, I feel better and much more fit than even a month ago. To God alone be all the glory in this success for He has guided me on this path.
Sharing this, I do not mean to put the spotlight on me. My purpose is to encourage you to step out in faith, take off the parking brake, and make a decision to trust God for changes in your life that you know you need to make. Coming to Christ requires a decision to commit your life to Him. Walking in the Spirit each day takes a concerted effort on our part not to give in to the old sin nature when circumstances get rocky. Serious change comes when we decide to step out in faith and trust ourselves to God to walk us through the necessary process to bring the results desired. Please do not wait until things are ready to boil over as I did with my health. Address them now and seek God's help in His Word and through prayer. Take the hand of fellow believers for accountability and encouragement. There is no problem or temptation that cannot be overcome with the help of Jesus Christ our Lord and a decision to follow His wisdom and guidance.
I am grateful both to God and my fellow believers who have walked with me through this process and daily lift me up in prayer. Change is hard, but the consequences of not changing can be far worse. Whether you are dealing with health issues, such as I was, or others (financial, marital, job related), I encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer, and then, be willing to follow His guidance. He WILL NEVER leave you nor forsake you. May your day be crowned with victory in Christ! Soli Deo Gloria! Selah.

The results of hard work are worth the effort in the end.
To God be the glory alone!

I welcome your thoughts and comments. Please feel free to leave them.

Let Your Light Shine

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 13:07:00 +0000

I am a candle lover from the word "go". Anyone who comes to visit my home soon sees an abundance of candles on every table. Their warm glow is relaxing and the fragrances are delectable. Plus
they are a big help when storms and hurricanes come our way.
In 2004 when we experienced three hurricanes, no one in my family complained about my many candles as it was the only light we had at night. Three days without electricity meant candlelight meals and conversations. When we blew out the candles to go to bed, I have to say the darkness was complete since our entire neighborhood had no electricity or street lights. It was an eerie feeling to say the least.

The Disney World Electric Light Parade

Perhaps this is why the Lord emphasized the importance of shining our light in the darkness all around us in this world. Matthew recorded the Lord's Words in his Gospel when he wrote in 5:14-16: "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
We are meant to shine dear friends! When God lights the fire of His call in our hearts and we respond to His invitation to salvation, we become a new light in this world. We are to dispel the darkness by revealing a whole new way of living which will bring glory to the Lord.
Anyone who has ever seen the Disney World Electric Light Parade will tell you how spectacular the sights and sounds are. All the street lights of Disney are darkened so that the electric displays on the floats are magnified. It is amazing to behold. I never grow tired of seeing this. In the same way, we are to shine, sparkle, and act as beacons to the lost. Our lives should clearly point the way to salvation for those stumbling in the darkness of their sin.
In practical terms, this means that wherever we are in a job, in school, at home, or with friends, we are to be a light in that place for the sake of Christ. I frequently hear people complain about the folks they work with or go to school with who do things which they believe are wrong. However, their solution is to quit and go somewhere else. This may be contrary to the very purpose that God has allowed them to be in that position. God has sent us as ambassadors to share our faith, to stand our ground, to shine for His glory. We cannot do that if we are hiding our light under a bushel for fear we will be laughed at if we speak up. Even if we change jobs or find a different school, this will not change the fact that we live in
a world that is lost and dying. A new job or a new school will ultimately have its own problems. What will bring change is our witness shining in contrast to the sin around us. Our call in this life is to be men and women of character reflecting God's glory as a result of our good works.

Disney World Electric Light Parade

I cannot imagine an evening without the soft glow and fragrance of my candles. They make such a difference in the atmosphere of our home. In similar manner, we need to remember how we can change the atmosphere at work, at home, or play by shining the light of Christ and being His sweet fragrance to others. May our lives radiate the glory of our Savior in all that we do so they may be drawn to Christ. Selah!

I welcome your thoughts and comments here my friends. Please leave a word of encouragement so others might also be edified.

Olive or Canola Oil?

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:20:00 +0000

A tantalizing dessert served at the Savoy Grill
in London, England

Nearly every day, we can pick up a newspaper and read about another food that has been found to be detrimental to our health. Sometimes it seems so discouraging, and often I wonder what will be the next demon in my cabinet. Just the other day, I read an article about olive oil not being as healthy for us as canola oil. Yet, for years, we have all heard the praises of this oil as being a heart healthy addition to our diet.
All this consideration of food and diet can be mind boggling, and some folks seem obsessed with eating just the right thing in order to maintain their health and peace of mind. However, our existence is made up of more than issues like what we eat.
In Mark 7:18b-23 (NAS), Jesus, who was speaking to His disciples, instructs them: "Do you not see that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him; because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated? (Thus He declared all food clean) And He was saying, 'That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts and fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.'"
This scripture points to the central issue we all must face. What we harbor in our hearts is really what defiles us not what we eat on a daily basis. Yes, we do need to watch out for our health. Learning good nutrition habits and watching our diet can help to prolong our physical health. But Jesus was concerned about our heart health....our spiritual heart health.
Often, whether we want to admit it or not, we have thoughts which we know are not pleasing to the Lord; yet, we allow them to remain and eat away at our spiritual health. No one else sees these secret sins but God does. The only time our family or friends become aware of things which we hold in our thoughts or hearts is when we choose to act on them in direct disobedience to God. This is what defiles us and hurts our relationship with others and with the Lord. Our only recourse in redeeming our spiritual health is to quickly confess our sins to God and repent (I John 1:9). By doing this, we are instantly restored to right standing with our Father in heaven.

St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland

Watching our diet and being good stewards of the physical bodies which He has given to us is indeed important, but Jesus wants us to pay attention to the thoughts which we allow into our hearts. He wants us to watch the words and actions that flow forth out of our lives. Do these match with the life of one committed to Jesus Christ? If they do not, it should be a "red flag" to us that we need to spend some time on our knees before the Father in serious prayer. May our inner person of the heart reflect God's holiness in all that we do for this is the key issue to the abundant life in Christ. Selah!

I welcome your thoughts here. I read each one and find myself blessed. Please feel free to comment and share encouragement with others.

Holy to the Lord

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:59:00 +0000

A crown from the collection of the Wittelsbach Family of Munich

Today marks the beginning of Lent a forty day period set aside to reflect on the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is also a time to consider our walk with the Lord and repent of our sins before Him in preparation for the great celebration of Christ's resurrection on Easter. While prayer and meditation on the Word should be a part of our daily routine already, we need to go a step further and consider what it means to follow Christ.
In his letter to believers, Peter penned these words: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light" (I Peter 2:9). This is what it means to be called a Christian. We are ministers set apart unto God as His people, consecrated and called to declare the praises of the Lord. Furthermore, He has sealed us with His Holy Spirit and written His name upon our hearts. What a privilege to belong to Christ!
This relationship was foreshadowed in the Old Testament when the Lord set apart Aaron and his sons for the priesthood. Reading the specific directions for the clothing that priests were to wear, I came across this verse in Exodus 28:36-37: "You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, 'Holy to the Lord'. And you shall fasten it on the front of the turban." From the description, we know that Aaron was set apart to the Lord. He wore the turban on which this solid gold plate was attached. He was called to serve God, and the Lord made it clear that the priesthood would not end. Now the ministry has been given to those who are called by Christ, and instead of a golden plate, God has inscribed on our hearts "Holy to the Lord". We were purchased by the blood of the Lamb on the cross. We are no longer our own, but we live to serve God declaring His praises. So how do we go about living a life set apart to our Savior?
First, we can demonstrate our calling by joining in family, church and individual praise of our Lord on a regular basis. God called us out of this world to live a different sort of life from that of the world system around us. We are to lift His name up with a thankful heart no matter what our circumstances are in this life. People will notice the person who is motivated by praise rather than complaining. This attitude of praise lifts up the Lord and others around us rather than tearing down.
Secondly, as a Royal priesthood, we are to stand for the Lord's truth as found in His Word. Like an ambassador, we are to represent by our words and deeds the government of God to a fallen and dark world. Today, many people are afraid to take a stand for what they believe, but as Christians, we are called to obey the Lord and stand for His truth. No one said this would be easy which is why regular fellowship with other believers is so important to us. We need one another in order to receive encouragement to fulfill the call that God has given to each one of us.
Finally, we are called to declare the Gospel to those who may never have heard the Words of truth. Jesus gave us this commission before He ascended to heaven (Matt. 28:18-20). We do not know whom the Lord has called; however, our job is to tell everyone we meet about the Lord of Life that we serve. The results are in God's hands. What a privilege to share the Good News of salvation with others! There is no greater joy in all the world than to see someone give their life to Christ.
Too often, I think the feeling amongst many believers is that the job of ministering only belongs to Pastors. Yet, if we read and re-read the Scripture, we can see that God has called us to be "Holy to the Lord"....set apart...sanctified to Him for His purpose and glory. How well are we doing? As we enter this season of contemplation before Easter, we need to seriously sit down and evaluate how we are serving God. Are we praising His name each day by the way we live and speak? Do we take a stand for His namesake when others challenge our faith? Are we telling others about Jesus Christ and what He has done for us? If we are not, we need to repent and re-think our call in Christ. We may not be preaching each Sunday in a pulpit as a vocation, but our lives preach daily to those around us at work, at home and in our church. May the Lord find us faithful, and may we each remember that we are "Holy to the Lord." Selah!

I welcome your thoughts and insights here. Have you ever considered that you are a priest before the Lord? Please feel free to share a verse, a thought or comment to encourage one another.

The Sheep of His Pasture

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:18:00 +0000

When our basset hound was a puppy, he had to learn the rules of our house and how to interact with our, then, six year old dalmatian. He needed guidance and help with things like learning to stay off the furniture. He also needed food, water and care so he would stay healthy. Being animal lovers in our home, we gladly helped him adjust to his new environment.
In the same way, our Lord is a loving shepherd of our hearts and souls when we belong to Him. He is always ready to help us and wants us to depend wholeheartedly upon Him. Psalm 100 reads: "Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations."
My thoughts today focused on the verse that says "we are the sheep of His pasture". What does that mean to us? Well, having helped our oldest son raise two lambs for 4-H taught me a lot about these creatures we are compared to.
First, sheep have no sense of direction. They can easily wander off and become lost. They need a shepherd to help them find their way. Likewise, a Christian has to rely on God's direction for their life so they can stay on the straight and narrow path He has for them.

Secondly, sheep cannot clean themselves. If you have ever been around a lamb or a flock of sheep, they have a very distinct odor which will remain in your nostrils long after you have left the sheep behind. A good shepherd will pick the briers and thorns out of the wool on a sheep and keep it trimmed. In the same manner, a Christian cannot cleanse himself. He needs the heavenly Father to cleanse him on a daily basis. Only the blood of Christ can wash our sins away!
Sheep are helpless when injured and defenseless when attacked. If a lamb falls and breaks a leg, a shepherd will often pick up the lamb and carry it until the leg is better. A shepherd also defends the flock against wolves and other animals of prey just as David did. Our Lord and Shepherd does the same thing for each of us who know and love Him. He binds up our wounds and protects us against the attacks of the enemy.
On their own, sheep cannot find food or water. They need the shepherd to guide them to green pastures which is depicted in the 23rd Psalm. God does the same thing for us. He is the "bread of life" and the "living water" if we will avail ourselves of His spiritual food on a daily basis. He always leads us to the truth found in His Word.
A good shepherd knows that his sheep are easily frightened and often sings to them or plays an instrument in the night to calm them especially if there is a storm. Our Lord is able to do the same for us when we become afraid. His promises are the soothing ointment we need for our souls.
Finally, the sheep's wool is valuable and belongs to the shepherd who has looked after this animal. It brings blessing to the one who has been willing to sacrifice all for the sake of his animals. All that we as Christians have in terms of prosperity and production also belong to the Lord. He has given us all that we need and provides for us in every way; so really all that we have is His.

How appropriate was the Lord's description of us as His sheep! He is the Good Shepherd who has laid down His life for us. If we will just draw near to Him, He will "meet all our needs according to His riches in glory". May this encourage each of us as we walk daily with our Master. Selah!

I welcome your comments and thoughts here. I read each one and pray for those who take the time to leave them. May God grant you encouragement and blessings this day.

It's Not About Us (Even Though We Think it is)

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:07:00 +0000

In the Westminster Catechism, the first question is: "What is the chief end of man?" The answer is:

The Church of the Holy Rood in Scotland

"To glorify God and enjoy Him forever." Our purpose in His calling and election is to pursue holiness and reflect His glory in our every day walk on earth. Unfortunately, we often trip over our own flesh and fall into the sin of selfishness. We take the wonderful truth of the catechism and turn the question around to read: "What is the chief end of God?" Our answer sounds something like this: "To love me and make me happy." Instead of listening to God's call for holy living, we become self-absorbed with our own pursuit of happiness and gratification. I wish I could say that none of us fall into this pit, but the truth is that ever since the Fall of man in the garden we have all come up short in this area.

Paul's letter to the Philippian believers included a call to remember who they are in Christ. He wrote:

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:3-5). If selfishness and self-centered living were not a problem, the Apostle would not have taken time to instruct believers in this matter. Self-centeredness is at the heart of and the essence of sin. Sin, itself, demands the autonomy of self instead of submission to God. We see this all the time when people (many who call themselves Christians) develop a great deal of anger when they are cut off in traffic or when someone cuts in line in front of them. Their reaction says a lot about their spiritual maturity. Self-centered people think "it's all about me". "I" am the most important person.

The Church of the Holy Rood in Stirling, Scotland

By contrast, we would do well to consider the earthly life of our Savior. Jesus summed up His lifestyle in Matthew 20:28 when He said: "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Likewise, He told us that we are to imitate Him in this servanthood to others when He answered His disciples who were arguing over their rank in His kingdom. He said in Matthew 20:25-27: "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant and whoever would be first among you must be your slave...." The King of Glory came in the form of a humble servant, washing the dirty feet of His disciples, healing the multitudes, and giving Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. There was nothing self-centered in His perfect life.

According to the Bible, our first step in changing from "me" centered to "God" centered is in coming to Christ as our Lord and Savior. When we respond to God's regenerating work in our life and receive salvation, we begin a process of transforming grace which is gradual and progressive. We are forgiven instantly and justified in Christ at that moment, but our sanctification requires a lifetime of faithful application and diligence to the teachings of our Lord. This is the area where we can fall down. How easy it is to put aside time in prayer and Bible study. Yet, we have been warned over and over in God's Word to put on His armor and be prepared because we have an Adversary that is looking to find our weak spot. This weak spot is selfishness and self-centered living.

Our culture surrounds us with messages all day long about how to gratify the self. Politicians promise "x, y, z" in order to pander to our "self-centered" flesh, and it works even among Christians. Listen to commercials and the television set or radio, and all of them will appeal to some aspect of what we deserve in life. Christians, we need to be alert, and remember to whom we belong. We were bought with a price and we are not our own any longer. If we name the name of Christ, then what we say must line up with how we live.

In order to really take a good look at our lives, we need to do an inventory of our behavior each day and reflect on whether we have acted like a servant or more like a Pharisee having the appearance of godliness on the outside but an empty heart on the inside. Asking some questions, helps us to consider our conduct: How did I interact with people at work today? Was I demanding of my own way or did I offer help and encouragement? How did I treat my family? Have I shown respect to my family, my boss, my co-workers or did I criticize and tear down? Above all, did I reflect the love and humility of Christ to those around me in word and deed?

The Church of the Holy Ghost in Heidelberg, Germany

Each day we are adding to the legacy which we will leave behind when our life on earth comes to a close. Will people remember a self-serving individual who demanded their own way or will they remember a person whose heart was obedient, servant-like, and glorifying to Christ? Our daily walk is being watched every day by people around us and especially by our heavenly Father. What will they see? My prayer is that we will glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Selah!

What helps you overcome this tendency to be selfish? Do you have a favorite Scripture that encourages you? I welcome your comments and thoughts and I read each one with joy. Blessings!

Living Like There is No Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:37:00 +0000

What if we knew that today would be our last day on earth? How would we act? What would we do? Who would we make plans to call, write, or see? This isn't just an interesting speculation. It is a reality that we have to deal with as human beings. Each day that we have an opportunity to wake up is a gift from God, yet we so take life for granted don't we?
In the past couple of weeks, people have suddenly passed from the scene. I think of a friend who attended our church and worked in our local grocery store. He was diagnosed with throat cancer and in a matter of a few weeks, he was gone. Then, yesterday at church, we heard of someone who had been recovering from surgery and by all appearances was getting along quite well. During her stay at a local rehab center, she suddenly died. It took everyone by surprise. These examples point to one thing. We are to make the most of each day.
Scripture speaks of the frailty of our human life: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). Then in Psalm 39:4-6, we read: "O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!"
Coming into the recognition that our time here is brief should help us to value each day and provide us with greater clarity. In fact, there are several reasons why it is good to live like today may be our last.
First, we have much more wisdom in the way in which we use our time if we remember that each day is a gift from God. We develop a greater focus on our tasks at hand and deal with problems and issues more wisely. Psalm 90:12 was a prayer of Moses. He certainly was charged with a huge task of taking a large number of people into the Promised Land. Moses needed God's wisdom applied in his every moment, and so do we.
Secondly, when we realize the brevity of life, we are more highly motivated to work on our relationship with God and our fellow man. We so often put off till tomorrow what we should have done today...like returning a phone call left on a voice mail, writing an email to a friend who is hurting, taking time to visit others, putting aside time to study God's Word and pray to name a few. If we thought that we would not be around tomorrow, wouldn't we want to make certain that we told our family members and friends that we loved them? Wouldn't we want to make amends for any wrong doing? Sad to say, we often postpone these things thinking we have lots of time to communicate with others. Now is the time to do these things because tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Another reason we should live like there is no tomorrow is that it causes us to develop goals and a greater sense of vision. Instead of flailing around with our activities and procrastinating, we would be able to determine what is really important and complete the tasks we have set before us. This helps not only in our jobs but also in our homes. I can honestly say that when I set a goal for myself I am able to schedule the time more efficiently to get it done. Otherwise, I will never complete anything. I speak from experience as over the years I have begun a number of embroidery projects only to put them in the closet till another day. I had no goal or timetable. Now I try to set up deadlines and continue to do a little each day to complete the task at hand. Whether it is a stitching project or a work/ministry endeavor, we need to work like we might not be here tomorrow. This mindset makes a difference.
A fourth reason for keeping our life in perspective is that we will become more dedicated to God. Our present life is brief here on earth, but we will spend eternity with the Father. Will we be ready to meet Him? How well do we know Him? Daily quiet times are so important, yet, we tend to rush out the door thinking we will spend time with God later. But "later" never happens. The tyranny of the urgent always seems to win unless we change our outlook. How much richer our life could be each day if we would meditate on the Word while we work, enjoy our family and go about our daily routine. This is the abundant life that Jesus told us we would have in Him.
Finally, the value we place on the things of this world would radically change if we live like there is no tomorrow. Jesus told us in Matthew 6:19-21: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." God has made us to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. We will spend a brief 60-100 years on this earth (if we are lucky), but we will spend eternity with Him. The question is...are we ready?
Each new day, we need to awaken with praise that we are alive and purpose to glorify God in all that we do. Living like there is no tomorrow will bring about a shift in our thinking, and help us to live with greater urgency. My mother used to say, "Time's a wasting" as I wanted to dawdle instead of work. These are good words of advice in reality. May our goal be to live each moment to the utmost and work to fulfill God's plan for our lives so we may hear Him say: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant....enter into the joy of your Master" (Matt. 25:21). Selah!

I welcome your thoughts on this subject. Your words of encouragement are read with joy and delight. Thank you for visiting and leaving your comments.

Fire Prevention 101

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:36:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of Southwalton.com

Following several freezes and having little rain, our area of Florida is very dry and easy tinder for wild fires. Brush fires are not uncommon this time of year in our state, but they can be devastating if they rage out of control. A short time ago, a serious brush fire bellowed so much smoke over I 75 that a massive pile-up resulted killing ten people. In previous years, houses have been damaged and people have had to evacuate neighborhoods until the fire was brought under control. Certainly, this is no laughing matter. There is a good deal of destruction that follows in the wake of a fire.
While we realize the danger which a fire can pose, we often do not realize that within in own lives we carry an inflammatory member with us wherever we go. If we are not careful how we use it, we can create a good deal of destruction to those around us. I am referring, of course, to the tongue. James, in his letter to believers, spoke at length about this member of the body that can create so many problems:

"How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of
unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on
fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every king of beast and bird, of reptile
and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame
the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father
and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth
come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour
forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives
or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water" (James 3:5b-12).

James is correct to say that our tongues represent a real problem. I have more than once in my life
caused pain by merely using my tongue as a means of striking back at another. A word "punch" can often do more damage than a physical one; so when we hear the well used phrase "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me", we must be aware that this is simply not true. There are so many people out there that have experienced the pain of emotional abuse at the hands of someone whose tongue was unleashed against them. When it comes from a Christian, it damages not only the hearer but also shipwrecks the testimony of the one who speaks the words.

Photo courtesy of fireinflorida.ifas.ufl.edu

In order to bring our tongue under control, we must rely upon the Holy Spirit and recognize that without God's help we cannot conquer this sin. Most of us are aware that gossip is destructive, but few of us realize that we may be actually telling things we ought not to disclose. For example, when sharing prayer requests, we do not need to go into great detail about another person's situation. We may not have all the facts and some of what we say may not be accurate. The result is that we could be spreading information that could hurt that person. Secondly, we know that lying or bearing false witness is forbidden in God's commandments, but how often do you tell "little white lies"? We all have been in a situation where someone asks our opinion, but we are afraid of their reaction to our response. So, we tell them something that is not true. It is a lie! We have all sorts of excuses as to why we needed to do that, but again, we cannot get around the fact that we violated God's command. Besides, once we start telling a "white lie", we often cannot recall what we said only leading to more trouble in the future.
All manner of evil speaking comes from that one small member of our body. Gossip, lying, blasphemy, cursing, slander and false vows have a way of corrupting our entire character and staining our witness for Christ. Like James, I know what fires and destruction can come when we unleash the tongue. Jesus said: "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" (Luke 6:46). Think about that. What is in our heart, the Lord was saying, is what comes out of our mouth. This puts things in a whole new perspective. We can look so good on the outside, but when no one is looking, what do we really say that reflects what is inside our heart?

Photo courtesy of srh.noaa.com

Having been a person who is opinionated, assertive, and always ready to answer, I am now learning to hold my tongue. It is often better to say less and listen more. An acronym that can help us remember to guard our tongue is the word "THINK". "T" stands for true. Is what you are about to say true? The next letter is "H". Will what you say be helpful to that person or will it be harmful? The "I" stands for inspiration. We are to encourage and inspire one another in Christ. If we are not doing this, then maybe what we are saying is not a good word. "N" stands for necessary. Is it necessary to say something to someone. If it is, then there are many good ways to say it according to Scripture. We can bring correction in many ways that will bring the best results. Finally, the letter "K" means kind. Are we speaking in a manner that is kind? Our goal should never be to destroy someone else with our words. There are many ways to address someone in the English language besides "dumb", "stupid" or "idiotic".
Most importantly, we need to do just what this acronym says before we speak: THINK!
Controlling wild fires in Florida is a full time job during the winter months, but so is controlling our tongues. Without the aid of the Holy Spirit, we cannot do this. Each morning before we step out into a new day, we need to pray as David did when he said: "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14). Only we can prevent the fires of hurt by keeping watch over our tongues. Selah!

I welcome your comments and thoughts. They are precious to me and I read each one.

Home Grown or Canned?

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:20:00 +0000

Picture courtesy of Birdbrook Farm

Growing up in the rich, fertile farmlands of Northwestern Ohio, I became accustomed to eating some delicious home grown food. My mother had a garden in the back of our home and we harvested fresh red strawberries, green beans, lima beans, tomatoes, carrots, radishes and sweet corn. We also had a few apple trees, so we had access to this fruit as well. Down the road from us my aunt had a lush garden and wonderful red raspberry bushes that produced an abundance of this wonderful fruit. Each summer was spent picking, eating, and freezing these items so they could be enjoyed throughout the winter months. I can honestly say that nothing ever tasted better than home grown!
When we compare something fresh from a garden versus something canned from a grocery store, the item from the garden wins hands down when it comes to full, rich flavor. Certainly, planting and tending a garden requires a good deal of effort, but the results are worth it. For the most part, my mother did all the work of tending the garden, but we were blessed with the abundance it produced.
As I thought about this today, I wondered to myself why we as Christians do not more fully appreciate the sweet, fragrant Word of God we hear preached in our churches on Sunday. It is a banquet to which we have been invited, and as the Word is proclaimed, our souls are fed and readied for a new week ahead. We are able to partake of this fresh food which our pastors have labored over in prayer during the week. Nothing is more delectable, edifying, fulfilling, or blessed than to eat from the Lord's table. All we have to do is show up and partake. Yet, there are those who prefer to feed on "canned" food. They may listen to someone preach on the radio or on a podcast, but it is not the same as sitting in the company of believers and hearing afresh the Gospel preached.

In the book of Hebrews, the writer admonishes believers to meet together: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:23-25). We have to wonder why anyone would not want to come into fellowship with others to receive not only encouragement but also the feast based upon the Bible which is offered each week. This is where we find the strength to carry on.
Perhaps, we do not realize how much the Word changes us in our hearts and thinking when we hear it preached. Hebrews 4:12 reads: "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." It is good food! We become healthy when we eat it, and our pastors are blessed to prepare weekly in giving us this rich Word.
Speaking from experience, my family enjoyed the time of planting, cultivating and harvesting our garden. My mother cooked it, and we sat down to enjoy and savor the bounty that God provided. It is no different than the church. We are a family there, and when we come together, sit under the preaching of the Gospel, and experience worship together, our lives are changed. May we never neglect eating at the banquet table of the Lord weekly. Likewise, we need to pray for our pastors who labor diligently to study and present God's Word to build up believers. They are a gift to the Body of Christ, and we need to thank them for their faithful service. These men bring us a fresh harvest from God's garden each week. So I ask you, which do you prefer? Canned or home grown? Selah!

I welcome your thoughts and comments here. It is a blessing to hear from you!

Picture of people gathered to eat is courtesy of www.grassfedexpress.com

We Know What's Ahead

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:28:00 +0000

All those pollsters and pundants out there in media land seem to think they can predict with certainty who is going to be the nominee of the Republican party and ultimately who will win the presidency. There is always a great deal of speculation during an election year, and yet, no one really knows how things will turn out. Every day there is a new twist and turn which only creates more second guessing.
In addition to the pollsters and pundants, we also have psychics who make predictions about elections and coming events in the new year. Lately, there has been a commercial running consistently put out by a financial researcher who is warning of a coming event which will drastically change everything in our country, and bring difficult times. However, no one knows what the future holds but God.
Within God's Word, we are told that we have a future and a hope. I Thessalonians 4:13-18 reads: "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus." Then, Paul goes on to describe how Jesus will return with a "shout and the trump of God". He concludes the passage by writing, "Therefore comfort one another with these words."
Having read this, we can conclude that we really have a hope and a future ahead of us! This is good news on which we can count. The world cannot offer us the stability, certainty, or power that defines the Word of God. Instead, our world system is unstable, uncertain, and fluctuates with every wind of doctrine that floats around. Perhaps the best news, though, is that the Lord Himself will return for us. Those who have fallen asleep in Christ and those who are alive when He comes will rise to be with Him forever. His reign and rule will be perfect. There will be no more suffering, tears, or heartache.

What are the odds that this will come to pass, I can hear the pollsters saying? 100% because God and His Word never fail. We need not grieve or lose hope because we have lost a loved one or because we are having difficult times in this world. We have a future that the Lord tells us: "eye hath not seen nor ear heard what has been prepared for those that love the Lord" (I Cor. 2:9). We cannot imagine in our finite minds how wonderful our future will be.
So, if life has you down, the elections look bleak, there is no money in the bank and your health isn't all you want it to be....take heart...have hope...for our Lord, Himself will be coming and He will offer us far more than this old world can ever give. Selah!

I hope you have been encouraged by what you have read today and I ask that you leave a comment to share your thoughts and insights. It is an encouragement to me and to others who read here. Blessings!

Doing What We Know We Should Do

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:11:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered what we should be doing until the Lord returns? It is a question most of us have asked ourselves. We have all been given gifts, talents and abilities to use for His glory but sometimes, we do not always follow through on our responsibility to God or others.

In reading scripture today, I came across a parable which Jesus told to both the people gathered around Him and also to His disciples (Luke 12:41-48). Peter wasn't clear whether the parable was meant for the crowds or disciples. However, in the story, the Lord made it known what we are to be doing when He returns. He spoke these words: "...Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions" (vs. 42-44). By contrast, Jesus also describes the servant who wastes his time thinking the master will not come for a while: "....the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes...for everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more" (vs. 46-48).

Within these contrasting pictures, we see two types of people. One is ready and able to do what the Lord has assigned to him. The other is slacking in responsibility. James adds even more to the Lord's admonition in his letter when he writes: "To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:17). This speaks of accountability and responsibility of the believer. Probably the best illustration of this concept is found in our own homes. We ask our children to carry out a chore and how to behave in the context of our home life. Many times, they ignore what we have asked them to do or they put it off as long as they can. As adults, we are often no different. We know what we should or should not do before the Lord. We know we should not gossip, tell lies, cheat, steal and many other things which cause us to live ungodly lives. Yet, we often do just those things, and what if the Lord returns to find us unprepared for His arrival?

Only, with the power and help of the Holy Spirit in our lives can we be overcomers living for the glory of the Lord. Nevertheless, we must also desire in our hearts and purpose to live for Jesus as if at any time He will return. We need to be about what He has called us to do whether it is being a homemaker, a laborer, a secretary, or a volunteer. Today is the day to start living like He will come any moment. We need to ask ourselves these questions: Are you hiding a talent? Are you neglecting to write, email or call someone that God has put upon your heart? Are you wasting time or procrastinating about something that the Lord has called you to do? We need to examine our hearts honestly before our Master. His burden is easy and His yoke is light. We only need to be faithful in our call. Let us be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Let us be swift to obey and serve our Lord so we may not be found wanting in our service before our God. Selah!

I welcome your thoughts on this subject. Please feel free to share your comments here as they serve to encourage me and others who read. Blessings!

You Want Some Cheese with that Whine?

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:13:00 +0000

There are a few things in life that set most people's teeth on edge: a scraping sound across a black board, an incessant honking horn because someone hit their button and now cannot find out how to turn it off, loud airboats going across a lake in the early morning hours (especially while people are trying to sleep here in Florida), a dog barking nonstop, and people whining and complaining. The last one is particularly annoying because there doesn't seem to be any way to help the person find joy in living. Everything is negative and nothing seems to please them. I know all about this because I have done more than my fair share in complaining. In fact, we "all fall short of the glory of God" in this department. A co-worker once said, "Do you want some cheese with that whine?" It was a point well made.
Here is the way it usually happens. We complain because we do not have a job. Then, when God gives us a job, we complain because we don't a) like the hours b) like all that we are asked to do or c) we are not being paid enough for our work. Never mind that thousands don't have a job and would give anything to make something! The same goes for those who are workers at home. While homemakers are not paid for their work, they have the privilege of working at their own pace and setting their own agenda. However, we hear them complain about a) no one appreciates what I do b) no one helps me which leads in both cases (those with jobs or homemakers) to c) "poor me".

Self-pity, whining, and complaining accomplishes nothing and is a grating sound in the ears of God. Consider the Children of Israel as Moses led them out of captivity. They complained because they did not have food like they had in Egypt despite the fact that they were slaves there. So, God in His mercy gave them manna in the wilderness to meet their needs. However, this was not good enough for them so they whined that they wanted meat. Once again, God gave them the desires of their heart and provided quail for them to eat. Then, they complained because they had no water. God, again, provided for this need. His long-suffering is amazing to me. I don't think most of us could ever endure such an ungrateful people. In fact, God did get angry and some of His people were destroyed (Numbers 11:1-4). Yet, the Lord was merciful when Moses interceded for the people. This example gives us a picture of the ugly sin nature.
In the Bible, we see many verses that deal with this issue. Philippians 2:14 reads: "Do all things without grumbling or questioning." Ephesians 4:29: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
James 5:9: "Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the
Judge is standing at the door." These are just a few of the verses that warn us about the sin of whining and complaining. This is one area we need to work on daily. If we do not, there will always be consequences. For example, marriage relationships can be damaged when either husband or wife spends all their time complaining about what the other person is or is not doing. In working relationships, tension builds and leads to an unhappy atmosphere at work. Most importantly, our witness is damaged when we spend our day whining about all our problems as though no one else has any. So what are we to do?
Initially, we need to recognize that we are caught up in this web of sin. We must repent and ask for God's forgiveness but also for the Spirit's help in overcoming this area. We need to be able to say as the Apostle Paul did in his letter to the Philippians 4:11-12: "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." If anyone had the right to complain, it might have been Paul. He was beaten, shipwrecked,
bitten by a poisonous snake and imprisoned. However, he found God's grace to be sufficient in all circumstances, and he learned to be content. This needs to be a goal if we are ever to avoid complaining.

Secondly, we need to learn to hold our tongue, transform our mind through prayer and Bible study, and actively look for ways to be positive. The Bible tells us: "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22). We should all want the good medicine! But some will say...how can I be cheerful when my world is crashing in? Let me ask a question: Will complaining change your circumstances? Wouldn't it be better to give it to the Lord and praise Him even during the difficult places? Complaining and whining only bring us down and those around us.
Finally, we have to recognize that in order to be a reflection of Jesus Christ to a world in need we must give up our rights and live in obedience to the Lord even as Jesus did. Paul wrote: "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made; Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Phil. 2:5-8). He is our example. We are to imitate
Him and reflect His glory. He died for us that we might have life and have it abundantly. How can we then complain and whine?
Certainly, life is not fair and there are many things in this sinful world which cause us pain. Nevertheless, our goal should be to praise Him through the storms. As we lift Him up, He will lift us up and give us hope. Likewise, we will have more fruitful relationships with others both at work and in our homes. After all, do we really want someone to ask us if we want some cheese with our whine? Selah!

I welcome your thoughts here. Please leave a comment or share how you have overcome complaining in your life. Blessings!

Not Bound by Time - Some Thoughts from C.S. Lewis

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:45:00 +0000

C.S. Lewis at work

As I began this new year, I decided to use a devotional book which was a gift to my husband from his sister. The book is entitled "A Year with C.S. Lewis". I have always enjoyed reading the thoughtful words this master writer has produced. When we home educated our children, we read through "The Chronicles of Narnia" which was a delight for the entire family, and as new Christians some forty years ago, both my husband and I read "Mere Christianity". Lewis has a way of penning words that makes the reader think and stretch his mind around a concept that otherwise he might not have considered. Such was the case for me yesterday. How often do we question God's utter sovereignty over all the affairs of men? Where does our free will come in? C.S. Lewis puts this in clearer perspective by making us think of how different our concept of time is compared to God. The following is an excerpt from "Mere Christianity" which appeared in the devotional book on January 17th (pg. 19):

"Everyone who believes in God at all believes that He knows what you and I are going to do
tomorrow. But if He knows I am going to do so-and-so, how can I be free to do otherwise?
Well, here once again, the difficulty comes from thinking that God is progressing along the
Timeline like us; the only difference being that He can see ahead and we cannot. Well, if that
were true, if God foresaw our acts, it would be very hard to understand how we could be free not
to do them. But suppose God is outside and above the Time-line. In that case, what we call
'tomorrow' is visible to Him in just the same way as what we call 'today'. All the days are
'Now' for Him. He does not remember you doing things yesterday; He simply sees you doing them,
because, though tomorrow is not yet there for you, it is for Him. You never supposed that your
actions at this moment were any less free because God knows what you are doing. Well, He
knows your tomorrow's actions in just the same way - because He is already in tomorrow and can
simply watch you."

One of the greatest difficulties we have as human beings is, as Lewis stated, seeing God on a Time-line. While studying "The Truth Project" dvd series, Del Tackett (the "tour guide" in this series) indicated that we see this world and all creation from our perspective. He represented this as being in the box. God, however, is outside of the box. He is not confined or defined by time. He is above all things. Because we are creatures that live in yesterday's, today's and tomorrow's, we assume that God does too. Perhaps this is why I enjoyed reading this excerpt from "Mere Christianity".
God lives in the "Now". He said of Himself "I Am" indicating that He is the present tense. There are no boundaries such as we experience, so is it any wonder that we do not always understand the actions of God? Why did this have to happen? Why did so-and-so have to die? We cannot see nor comprehend the plans of God. However, we do not have the whole picture as He does. We only see bits and pieces or chunks of time. God sees it all. This is why we can trust Him because He knows our beginning and our end.
One day, we will cross over into His presence and time will be no more for the Christian. We will enter the "Now" and live with Him. At present, we live in "the box" which is confined to time. This is the world we experience, and as such, we must remember Isaiah's admonition to us: "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9). We can lean on His wisdom, understanding and guidance because He holds us in the hollow of His hand. He is utterly sovereign over all the affairs of men. Therefore, we can rest in Him knowing that the plans He has for us are good as He works in our lives (Jeremiah 29:11). Selah!

I welcome your comments and thoughts. They serve as an encouragement to me and others who visit here. Blessings to you!

Picture of C.S. Lewis taken from The Gospel Coalition blog by Kevin DeYoung.

Sticking Like a Tick

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:17:00 +0000

Some years ago, we returned home from a brief vacation. We had boarded our two dogs (a dalmatian no longer with us and our basset hound) while we were away so we made our way to the kennel. The owner told us that we should carefully check both dogs for ticks as they had been having trouble with ticks that year due to the heavy rains.
Arriving home, we gave our dogs a bath and we didn't initially see any ticks. We had flea and tick collars on both animals when we took them to the kennel so we felt they were protected. Much to our surprise, when I turned our basset hound over, I found nearly 150 ticks attached under his legs, between his paws and in his ears. Our Dalmatian was a little better, but she had nearly 50 ticks on her. I spent nearly two and a half hours working to remove the nasty pests. Roscoe, our basset hound, seemed quite happy at my removal process but our dalmatian squirmed as I worked on her.
This whole experience reminded me of how easily sin can attach itself to our lives much like the ticks attached themselves to the dogs. Sin, like a tick, starts out small but can grow to monstrous proportions and create a lot of problems!

Our dalmatian Duchess resting with her friend Rocky who was
visiting our home at the time.

James 1: 13-16 points this out: "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt any one. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then, when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren." James points out that sin grows slowly, little by little until it accomplishes destruction.
We often try to convince ourselves that no one can see the bad habits or secret sins that we hide in our lives. While those around us may not see them, God certainly does. Just because we wear the title Christian, does not mean that we do not sin or that we are never tempted to sin. This is a dangerous form of thinking. Remember, I thought my dogs would be safe because they had on flea and tick collars! Throughout the Bible, we are warned to be on our guard against temptation which leads to lust and then ends with sin. (I Peter 5:8)
In addition, we often try to blame God or others for the sin we allow in our lives. How many times have we heard people say, "If only the Lord hadn't brought that person into my life, I would have remained faithful to my spouse", or "If my friends hadn't offered me a drink, I never would have become an alcoholic." All to often, we try to escape the fact that we nurtured a temptation until lust conceived and birthed sin. The death of our spiritual relationship with God was not due to the Lord or our friends. We made the choice to proceed and act on a temptation.

The ugly dog tick

How we respond to God's work at dealing with our sins is also much like the response our two dogs had when I worked on them. Our basset hound was relaxed and open to my efforts while our dalmatian was quite resistant. When God points out our sin, are we willing to give it over to Him and admit our wrongdoing? Or are we like the dalmatian that fought off efforts to free her from the ugly ticks? By yielding quickly to the Lord, we can find peace and healing. If we resist Him, we only find that sin will suck the life out of us in every area. Sin brings death to our relationship with God and others.
What is God speaking to our hearts today? We need to stop and do some self-examination in our lives. If the Holy Spirit convicts us of an area of sin, let us be quick to confess it that we may be cleansed in the blood of Jesus Christ our Savior. Likewise, let us put on God's full armor each day that we may resist temptation when it comes our way. There is no need to suffer separation from God. Selah!

I welcome your thoughts on this subject today. Please feel free to leave them. Blessings!

The Harbinger of Change

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:36:00 +0000

Growing up in Ohio, one of the first signs of spring was the arrival of the robin. Seeing this red breasted beauty told us that better weather was certainly on its way. They were always a welcomed sight after many months of cold, snowy weather.
Here in Florida, we get a visit around this time every year from the migrating birds. In fact, when we stepped out of our home yesterday, hundreds filled our yard, sat on our roof and made a mess of our cars leaving behind their not so welcome calling cards. They are attracted to fruit and the berries of the pesky Brazilian pepper tree which grows abundantly around here. Of course, they are also a harbinger of spring here in the sunshine state. They are beginning to make their slow migration northward but many will still be around until April. Its just that we seem to see them every year in January on Serenity Acres. Their presence is a sign that soon our trees will be budding once again. In the same way that the Robin announces that a change of seasons is about to come, the Holy Spirit enters our life as believers to bring about God's change in our lives.

Brazilian Pepper Tree

In Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, he describes what happens when the veil of unbelief is lifted so that our hearts can be changed (to get the context I encourage you to read all of Chapter 3): "But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit" (2 Cor. 3:14-18). When our hearts were regenerated by God and we responded to His call in Christ, the veil was lifted in our lives, but many of us did not know what change would sweep through our lives. The robin comes to foretell the change in seasons, but the Spirit comes to bring about that change. It is a radical change which transforms us into the image of Christ.
When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, He assists us in many different areas for without Him we could not have the renewed mind and heart of Christ. He acts as our guide and teaches to us all that we need to know and remember. Jesus said: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you" (John 14:26). Isn't it good to know that when we forget or lose our way, the Holy Spirit is there to help us remember God's directives for our life? He helps us recall the Word, and guides us as we go. This is one big change for us in terms of our communication with God. The Holy Spirit is our hot line to heaven.

Secondly, the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. If ever we needed help in this area, we need it today. There is so much false teaching in our culture that it is hard to hear the truth, but the Spirit of God tunes our ears to hear it. Jesus said: "When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for He will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that He will take what is mine and declare it to you (John16:13-15). How wonderful to know that God's Spirit will reveal to us the truth about our Lord! He will bring glory and cause us to glorify the Lord in our lives as we follow Him. This is a change from our lives from the confusion, uncertainty and bondage of the old life we lived. Truth does, indeed, set us free.
Another change which the Holy Spirit brings is the conviction of sin in our lives. Before we were believers, we sinned and never thought much about it. Now, however, if we transgress against the Lord, our hearts are pricked by the Spirit to repent and turn again to God. In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he warns us to avoid sins and adds: "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30). When we sin, we grieve the Spirit and our once stony hearts are aware of it because God has given us a new heart. It is like disappointing a parent whom we love. We know when we have let them down and we want to make amends. This is the picture of our new relationship with God and a change in our lives from the unconcerned, selfish person we once were to the heart tender believer we are today as the Spirit works this into our lives.

Finally, the Spirit produces fruit in our lives in contrast to the works of our flesh as outlined in Galatians 5:19-23. This fruit is sweet, nourishing to our soul and to the souls of others around us. It is not bitter, harmful or destructive as the works of our flesh. Paul concludes this passage in his letter to the Church at Galatia by writing: "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit" (Gal. 5:24-25). Indeed, we must walk by the Spirit if we want the fruit to mature in our hearts. We cannot live the Christian life on our own steam. This is why God sealed us with the Holy Spirit. Not only does this prove that we belong to Him, but the Spirit enables us to change.
These changes brought about by the Holy Spirit truly make us a new person from the inside out. Our lives are now being transformed. As we read the Word, the Spirit is there to teach us. As we pray, the Spirit is there to intercede for us when we do not know what to say. As we interact with others, the Spirit is there to guard us, teach us what to say, and help us to glorify God. Unlike the beautiful red-breasted robins that come to visit us each year but move on, the Holy Spirit comes to stay when we give our lives to Christ. He is the harbinger of change, and the One who completes it in us. How great is our Lord to send us this Helper, Counselor, and Comforter. May we never forget to thank God for this precious gift of the Spirit who comes to make us more like Jesus. Selah!

Please leave your thoughts here. I welcome them and I know they encourage others as well. Blessings and thank you for stopping by.

Doing Good While We Have the Chance

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:40:00 +0000

Our world is becoming so fast paced that no one seems to have time for the things that really matter most such as a hug, a smile, a kind word, or even saying thank you. I have made it a personal goal to give more of these this year as we never know if the recipient of our blessing will be around tomorrow. We don't even know if we will be around tomorrow so we need to make the most of each day. Scripture even points this out for us.
In Proverbs 3:27, we read: "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, 'Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow' - when you now have it with you." These words of wisdom point to a life of service and moral excellence. What an absolute dichotomy from the world's way of dealing with others. The sin nature is centered on self, but the believer is to find ways in which to do good to those around them. It doesn't have to be expensive to follow this moral course of action either.
I work in a busy office with many people coming and going each day. Not everyone is happy to be coming in or they may have some other difficulty unknown to those of us who greet them. I may not be able to solve their problem, but I can certainly give them a smile, a kind word, and respect. I would like to think they might leave happier than when they came. This is one way we can put this scripture into practice.
Perhaps God has blessed us with money that we were not expecting. With this extra cash, we might be able to do good to our neighbor by buying groceries for them if they are out of work. Another possibility is sharing an offering to assist a missionary or a local food bank. Most importantly, if we obtain extra money, we owe it to ourselves to make certain our debts are paid off especially to family and friends. God wants us to take our resources, time, and talents and reach out to others. We can be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to those in need.
This is a sharp contrast to the world's motto of: "The one with the most toys when he dies, wins!" We have all seen the rich and famous lifestyle, and aside from their possessions, there is often little else for them of substance. Being rich in relationships both with God and our fellow man brings greater rewards to our heart and lays up for us treasures in heaven where moth and rust cannot corrupt it.
Perhaps the greatest example of this proverb given in the Bible was the story of the "Good Samaritan" (Luke 10: 30-37). Here was a man despised by the Jews, yet, he was the only one who did not leave a man laying by the roadside bloodied and beaten by robbers. He took this man to an inn and paid for his care saying he would come back that way and make certain everything was covered. This Samaritan put to shame the priest who passed by this man in need because he did not want to get defiled or involved. The Samaritan was the real neighbor who did good to a man in great need. This is what God calls us to do as we go about our daily routine.
Fulfilling a call to do good to those around us is not complicated or demanding. A phone call, written message, an email, a smile, a hug, a kind word are all easy to give. If we have the financial means, we can also do good to those around us. The key is to listen to the Lord and seek the opportunity to do good while we can. What an impact we can make for the kingdom when we serve others in this manner. We bring glory to God and joy to our own lives as we give ourselves away in obedience to our Lord. Selah!

I welcome your thoughts and insights here. Please leave a comment...it is a treasure to me.

He Came to Divide

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:34:00 +0000

The Residence in Munich, Germany the home of the royal
family.

When we think of our Lord Jesus Christ, we often picture Him as a man of peace. In fact, many people have this concept of the Lord who are not believers. They see Him as a great teacher, prophet, or a "Ghandi" like figure spreading kind words and thoughts. However, as I was reading the Bible today, I stopped on a passage in Matthew chapter 10 where Jesus spent time teaching His disciples before sending them out to minister.

Throughout the chapter, the Lord told His disciples that they would be persecuted even as He had been. People would not accept the message they were sent to tell, but they were told not to fear for God valued them more than the sparrows and knew even the number of hairs on their head. Then, he announced that He had not come to bring peace. Matthew 10: 34-36 reads: "Do not think that I have come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household." These words must have sounded strange to His disciples as they do to our ears. Some of these men may have thought that the Lord would usher in political peace and take over the government from the Roman conquerors, but Jesus was going deeper than that.

In this passage, our Lord wanted His disciples to know that following Him would bring division even in families. One is called out and follows Christ while another does not believe in Him. Certainly when we become a Christian, Christ does give us peace of heart. He breaks forever the chains of sin and death, but He also changes us . Our old habits and lifestyles no longer fit, and we feel uncomfortable in some of the places we used to go. Family and friends are often the first to notice this change. It is like wearing a new perfume when everyone is accustomed to the one we had been wearing for years. Of course, when others notice the change in our life, it gives us the opportunity to share the Gospel with them. In some cases, however, it means that old friends may decide they do not want to be around us any longer. They are uncomfortable in the presence of the Holy Spirit living within us. I have witnessed this in my own life.
Truly there is a cost to following Christ which is pointed out in this passage. In earlier verses 12-13, Jesus tells us: "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven." This is a hard saying if we value friendships, family and worldly pleasures over faithfulness to God.
In His coming, Jesus came to divide the sheep from the goats. He uses the Sword of the Word in order to divide out those who belong to Him. Over and over again in the scripture, we hear the Lord say, "He who has ears, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15). This is a call to those who by the power of God's Spirit have been regenerated and can now hear the call of Christ. Unfortunately, not all our friends or even our family members have "ears" to hear. Certainly, we should continue to pray for them and their salvation daily. Yet, in the end, there may be some who can never open their heart to Christ.
A modern day example of a Christian who is making an impact is Tim Tebow. As a professional football player, he has a platform to share the faith he holds so dear, and what do we see? There is widespread division in the reaction to his prayers during a game. Some are offended and others are blessed. Whenever we hold fast and stand firm in our faith, we will face opposition. The Apostle Peter, in writing about Jesus wrote these words: "...and A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do" (I Peter 2:8). Jesus Christ is the rock of offense to those who do not have ears to hear. His mission was not to bring political peace for His kingdom is not of this world. Rather, Jesus came to bring truth and salvation through His sacrifice to those who have been called by God.

Taken at The Residence in Munich, Germany

Knowing this, we should not be alarmed when we encounter opposition within our circle of friends, family and acquaintances. We are merely passing through this world for our citizenship is in heaven. May we be found faithful to stand firm knowing that God is watching over us and guiding our steps each day. We must remember the words of Paul to the believers at Philippi: "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). Selah!

Have you faced opposition for taking a stand in Christ? Have you had friends and family pull away from you because of your faith? I welcome your thoughts and sharing here. Your comment may encourage another.

Responding to Pain

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:38:00 +0000

As I sit here typing away on my laptop, I have a moist heating pad on my back and a warm wrap around my neck, Pain is not fun as anyone will tell you. However, it does serve to get our attention. Growing older coupled with the fact that I had polio has conspired against me to cause a very uncomfortable neck and upper back pain. After struggling with it for a while now, I decided to get it checked out. Part of the pain is due to my own foolish work habits of going full blast into any cleaning project I start. When I finish, I am exhausted. I know better than to do that, but I choose to ignore, to my discomfort, the advice given to me years ago by my doctor to pace myself when I do work. Of course, the second reason for the pain is due to the damage of polio years ago. In my mind, I think I am twenty something. Physically, I am not, and have not accepted that fact. It is okay to think young, but it is not okay to be foolish in behavior.

While reflecting on my current situation, I thought about a comment C.S. Lewis made in his book "The Problem with Pain." He writes: "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." How well I can identify with this statement. When things are going well, we may hear that whisper of the Lord reminding us to follow Him, but we put it to one side since we are in "control". Then, we hear Him speak to our conscience. We know what He is saying, but again, we may choose not to listen. Finally, when we fall into the moral or physical pain which comes as a consequence of our lifestyle, we suddenly can hear God speaking loudly over the megaphone of His Word. He has roused us. Unfortunately, some people only run to God when they are in pain. He is like a life preserver for them to be used only when they are drowning. Otherwise, these same souls rarely think of God if things are going well for them.

God calls us to respond to Him when He speaks the first time in a still small voice. He doesn't want us to wait until the pain of disobedience comes knocking on our door. Further, His Holy Spirit is given not only as a seal and promise of our salvation, but also as a guide, teacher, comforter to direct our steps. We can live our lives in victory each day or choose to run our own show until the pain of life drives us to Him again. Hebrews 3:15 says it well: "As has just been said, 'Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.'" We need to hear and respond to His call the first time if we really want to avoid pain.

Pain is a useful tool in the hand of God. It certainly gets our attention, and often causes us to run to His arms. However, we also have to learn from the pain we have as well. If we brought it on by our own reckless behavior, then we need to humbly seek God's wisdom and forgiveness so the lesson will be learned and not repeated. Years ago, we told our children that if they did a good job cleaning the first time, they would not have to repeat the chore. After several times of repeating the chore, they eventually got the message and did it correctly the first time. We are no different. We need to learn from our pain so we are not doomed to repeat it.

In the future, I know I have to learn to pace myself when doing work. It doesn't all have to be done at once. If I choose to ignore God's direction in caring for my body, then, I will certainly enjoy more pain. We can either change when He whispers, respond when He speaks to our conscience, or suffer when He shouts through our pain. The choice is ours. Jesus Christ came to set us free from sin and death. Therefore, let us live each day by listening to His voice as He guides us that we may not come again into pain and suffering of sin. Selah!

I welcome your thoughts here. We all experience pain. How has God used it in your life?

Two Little Words

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:34:00 +0000

Common courtesy in our world seems to have gone the way of the "Edsel", hula hoops, and penny candy. It is rare to hear someone say "thank you" when they have received some kindness. Indeed, many today believe they are entitled to certain services, and therefore, they do not need to give any expression of gratitude. If only they realized how powerful those words really are, they would not forget to say them.
In our practice, we care for some patients who come to us through a ministry called Samaritan's Touch.
This program began this year by offering medical care to those who have no insurance and do not make enough money to pay for regular visits. It is rewarding to help others whether they say thank you or not, but it is an added blessing when people stop and tell us how much this means to them. This is the fuel which keeps the fire of service burning.
If we feel blessed when people take the time to say "thank you", think how much more our heavenly Father is delighted when we return praise to Him for all His many blessings to us. Luke recounts the story of Jesus and ten lepers in chapter 17 verses 11-19 that illustrates this point: "On the way to Jerusalem, He was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices saying, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.' When He saw them, He said to them, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, 'Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this 'foreigner?' And He said to him, 'Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.'" Only one out of ten returned to say "thanks" to God for what He had done. In addition, the man was a Samaritan considered an outsider in society of that time. None of the others professed their thankfulness to Jesus. It is my surmise that not only did Jesus heal his body but He also healed His heart by regenerating his soul to believe. As a result, he received a greater blessing than those who were only healed physically.
How often do we forget to say thank you and render praise to God for the things He has done for us? When it is something big, we may remember, but in the small things, we frequently forget like those ten lepers. According to the Apostle Paul, we are to avoid being anxious about our lives and instead pray about everything with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:5-6). This brings about a peace which surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts and minds (vs. 7). Being thankful has its benefits. It is a new way of living, loving and caring not only in our relationship to God but also in our relationship with our fellow man.

As we start this new year, we need to begin to say "Thank you" both to God for His many blessings, but also, to those around us as well. Begin by telling your spouse "thank you" for his/her help around the house. Thank your children for helping you with chores and teach them to say "thank you" when others help them. Adopting this attitude of a grateful heart changes the way we live and think. A good book on this subject is Ann Voskamp's book "One Thousand Gifts" which tells her journey of developing a grateful heart. A friend challenged her to make a list of one thousand things for which she was thankful to God, and it radically changed her. Each of us would do well to keep such a list as we journey through everyday circumstances this year. "Thank you" is just two little words that usher us into the presence of God, and lift us above the life situations that would seek to drown us. Take time to return to God and say "thank you" like the leper in Luke's Gospel because the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. Selah!

Please share a time when someone said "thank you" to you that touched your heart. I appreciate and value your comments here. Please leave one to encourage others.

Lord, Why am I Stuck Here?

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:22:00 +0000

We have all heard the phrase "Bloom where you are planted", but it is often hard to blossom when we are not certain God has potted us in the right location. Couldn't He have made a mistake, after all, putting us in a limited job situation or even keeping us at home?
I recently spoke with an individual that had just gotten a new job. It was in the field that they intended to pursue but it was not quite what they had been hoping for in terms of employment. In addition, the position was temporary with no guarantees for a long term future. As I considered their circumstance, I thought back on my own work history.
While my husband was a student in the college of Optometry, it was imperative that I find a job to help support us. He was already working a part-time lab job at the college, and we needed additional income to pay all the bills. I signed up with an employment agency which I later regretted. They found me a secretarial job, and after I was hired, I discovered that the agency had contracted with the employer guaranteeing him that I would stay there for at least nine months. No one told me about this, and I was upset. I had been trained in college to teach, and I really wanted to pursue this thinking this secretarial job would just be a stop gap measure. However, it did not work out that way with this nine month period. If I chose to leave, I would have to pay a penalty to the job agency, so I made the best of it for nine months. At the end of this time, another door opened which had previously not existed. The Ohio Optometric Association was looking for a person in public relations who could also help them publish a newsletter. Since no teaching positions were open at this time, I jumped at the chance since communications was my specialty. This job proved to be a blessing in many ways as it gave me a chance to learn more about my husband's profession in addition to providing a decent salary. God's timing was perfect.
Even today, I look back on my life at the plans that I have made and the ones that God has made for me. Guess what? The two sets of plans have not always matched. I thought I would be a Christian speaker....instead, I am a Christian writer. I thought I would be a public school teacher...instead, I home schooled for 21 years (I am so happy I did). I thought I should run my own business and for several years I did, but I found my greatest happiness in working with my husband in his practice. As Proverbs 16:9 tells us: "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." I certainly had my plans, but God sovereignly overruled me on a number of occasions. I am happy He did!

Many times we are tempted to question God about why He didn't allow us to get a certain job we wanted, or why He has not allowed us certain opportunities in whatever area we have wanted to pursue (i.e. writing, speaking, leading etc.). Yet, He sees a bigger picture than we do. His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). If we are made to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, we have to be in the position where we can best do that. So, we may ask, "Lord, why am I stuck here?"
There are several reasons why the Lord may put us into places we would not have chosen for ourselves. First, He may be trying to teach us something that can only occur through our current circumstances. His goal is to daily conform us to the image of His dear Son, and He may need to break down our pride and self assurance in order to do the job. Perhaps He has placed us in the job we currently have or has us working as a homemaker for this express purpose. Secondly, God may be testing our faith and trust in Him. He is our supplier and need meeter. If we had that "all star" position, maybe we would forget Him as the Children of Israel were prone to do. He wants us to keep our eyes on Him not on our job. Finally, God may be trying to teach us to be content in every circumstance we find ourselves in. We are not citizens of this world. We are just passing through. Therefore, we need to be like the Apostle Paul when he wrote: "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philipians 4:11-13). The key to Paul's success in remaining content came from His knowledge that whatever God asked him to do he could do it because of the strength the Lord provided. The same is true for us as well.
Over the years, I have looked back on my work history and homemaking/home schooling days with thankfulness for what God has taught me. Our Lord never wastes a teachable moment in our lives. I may not have done some of the things I had planned to do, but the Lord only knows what He has spared me from as well. With this new year, we need new attitudes of gratitude or in the words of Zig Ziglar: "We need a check-up from the neck up to eliminate stinking thinking and hardening of the attitudes." May we begin to see things in light of God's plan and purpose for us so we CAN bloom where He has planted us and bring glory to His name. Selah!

How has God caused you to remain content where He has placed you? I welcome your thoughts and words of encouragement here so others can be blessed as well.

Surviving a Fall

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:01:00 +0000

On our five acres, we have an abundance of trees in which the squirrels love to play. They are the natural acrobats of God's creation leaping from place to place with no fear and a great deal of ease. I love watching them every morning play outside our bathroom patio doors. Two trees are in close proximity so our squirrel friends run across our roof, drop onto our fence and then leap into the tree. Occasionally, they will sit on our fence for a time while enjoying a nut. Their agility and speed amazes me. However, there are occasions when they do make a misstep.
One day, my husband and I were in our pool relaxing when we glanced over at a nearby tree where several squirrels were chasing one another. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a squirrel leap and miss the tree he was aiming for. We heard a thud on the ground as he fell. There was silence for a moment as the stunned squirrel lay on the ground, Then, quick as a wink, he jumped up and ran up the nearest tree once again. I thought it was surprising that the squirrel survived the fall from high up, but they are resilient creatures. Then I wondered. Are we as resilient as the squirrels when we fall? As believers, we should be.

Traveling life's highways has its challenges every day. Sometimes, we are asked to walk a tightrope through some sticky situations just like our squirrel friends navigate the power lines in our neighborhood. At other times, we can bounce across circumstances like our acrobatic friends with no problem at all. Then, there are days when we fall. The temptation to sin overcomes us and we give in to doing what is wrong in God's eyes. We know when we have missed the mark, but our response is key. We can either turn and repent before the Lord seeking His forgiveness, or we can rationalize what we have done and continue on in sin. For example, think about being on a diet. We start out quite well until we see a delicious chocolate cake sitting on the counter calling our name. We give in and eat one piece. It tastes so good, but we know we have just broken our eating plan. We can either repent of our action and resolve to avoid such temptation with God's help, or we can use the excuse that since we ate one piece we might as well have another. After all, we have already messed things up today. We can do better tomorrow. However, tomorrow will not necessarily find us stronger. It is only when we confess and repent before the Lord that we can get up like that stunned squirrel and bounce off to another adventure in living. I John 1:9 tells us: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This is how we can survive a fall dear friends. Rationalizing our behavior will not revive us. In fact, verse 10 in this same chapter reads: "If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us."

God knows when we have fallen. Scripture tells us that He knows the number of hairs on our head, and He is aware when a sparrow falls to the ground. He is aware of our transgressions whether we tell Him or not. As believers, we have the ability to choose right from wrong because Christ has set us free from the slavery of sin. We do not have to fall. Before we came into relationship with Christ as Lord and Savior, we had no choice. The Bible tells us in Genesis that after the Fall into sin man's heart intention was to do evil from his youth (Genesis 8:21b). We are born with the sin nature. Only the shed blood of Christ can set us free, and when we come into a believing relationship with Him, He breaks the chains that have bound us to guilt and shame. This is good news!
Now, when we fall (and we all still do), we are able through confession and repentance to be restored in fellowship with God. Like the squirrel that hit the ground so hard, we are able to get up and move on in our walk. We are not permanently down for the count. This is why David was able to pen these words: "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in His way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand" (Psalm 37:23-24). It is a blessing to know that we have an advocate, an attorney who argues our case before God the Father - even our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the reason we can survive a fall just like that squirrel. If we are willing to repent of our sins and not rationalize them, He will restore to us the joy of our salvation and give us the strength to resist temptation. Selah!

Packing Away the Old Year and Welcoming the New

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:12:00 +0000

As is our custom, we packed up our Christmas ornaments this past weekend. I am one of those people who do not like to have their lights and decorations up well after the holidays. Of course, taking down the tree always tugs at my heartstrings as I look at each of the decorations I am carefully packing away. There are pictures of our children smiling on some of the ornaments that they made in Sunday School. How did they grow up so fast? Then, there was the precious cornhusk doll figure of a mother holding a baby given to me by my dearest friend before she moved away. I have kept the box she gave it to me in and the letter she penned so many years ago when we were both young mothers. It is a treasure, so I stop and pray for her. Still another hand stitched ornament reflects the friendship my husband and I had with a couple who was a part of our wedding. She was a talented woman whose life was cut short by a tragic car accident a number of years ago. Then, there are the very old glass ornaments passed on to me from my mother, and as I pack them in my boxes, a flood of memories come rushing in of family Christmases long ago. Indeed, our Christmas tree holds a treasure trove of memories and reflects the people who mean so much to us. However, this is part of life. We pack away our symbols of faith for next year's celebration, but we never pack away our faith as we welcome the new year.

Looking far below from Eagle's Nest near Munich, Germany.
God can give us this perspective in the new year if we seek to stir up our gifts.

While the Christmas decorations are safely stored and the new calendars are up on the wall, it is time for us to think about the exciting adventures awaiting us in this new year. If anything, the good will, joy, hope and peace we feel at Christmas time should spur us on to live even more for the Savior born in a stable. We must not allow the every day routine which follows the holidays to keep us from using the gifts which Christ has given to us. Instead we must seek new ways to be used by God for His glory in this new year.
In his letter to Timothy, the young pastor whom Paul ordained (I Timothy 4:14) along with other elders, he encourages Timothy to stir up the gift which God had given to him: "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control" (2 Timothy 1:6-7). Several commentaries indicate that this verse speaks about kindling the flame of faith or adding fuel to the fire in Timothy's life as it relates to using his gift. It also pertains to us. According to the Bible, each of us has received gifts from God when we became a believer. The Lord has not only given us the Holy Spirit as a seal of our faith, but He has also equipped us for service. We must add fuel to the fire in order to serve God with excellence in this new year.
According to "Barnes' Notes on the Bible", the author says: "However rich the gifts which God has bestowed upon us, they do not grow of their own accord, but need to be cultivated by our own personal care" (http://bible.cc/2_timothy/1-6.htm). We must feed our faith on a daily basis in order to fan the flame which God has ignited in our soul. Bible study, prayer and regular fellowship with other believers in corporate worship help us to do this, but we must also exercise the gift or gifts which God has given to us.

My husband saying, "Which way do we go?" in the Swiss
Mountains near Zurich. This is a good question for us as well.

It is not unlike exercising our muscles. We know how out of shape we can get when we neglect regular exercise, and the same is true when we do not use the gifts which God has given to us. If we have been called to teach, we should do so with joy. If we are called to preach, we need to speak forth the Word with boldness. No matter what our calling in the Lord, we are to use it for His glory and fuel it by growing in our faith.
This past year with its ups and downs has been packed away like my Christmas decorations, but the new year is in front of us and we should welcome the opportunities it presents. As Paul admonished Timothy, we are to remember that "God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self control." Therefore, we need to stir up our gifts and use them to His glory not looking back on the old year past, but seizing upon the adventures in faith that lie ahead for each of us. Then, when Christmas time rolls around again, we will have many more wonderful memories to hang upon the tree of our life as we live to serve Christ our Lord. May you and your family be blessed in this new year as you use your gifts for His great glory! Selah!

I welcome your thoughts and insights here. Please leave them as encouragement for others to read and be blessed.

WEARING THE VIRTUE OF MODESTY

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:28:00 +0000

Fraumunster Church in Zurich, Switzerland

One of the virtues most sorely lacking in society today is modesty. From those who openly brag about their greatness to the person who is scantily clad on most occasions, we see an overwhelming concern with self. Some folks might as well wear a sign that says "Look at me and see how wonderful I am." If it were only those outside the body of believers who live this way, we might understand that their world view is vastly different than ours, but when it happens in the church, we need to pause and take a look at our own lives.
Recently, at a church service, there was a young wife and mother dressed in the latest style of shoes with a tight and revealing dress which was rather short. On ground level, the dress was fine, but she had a part in a program which took her up on the platform at church. From the area where I sat, her short skirt left little to the imagination. I wondered if she realized what a problem this posed for the men sitting around me. What kind of an image was she trying to project? Had she thought about this at all?
According to the Bible, our actions, our comportment, our attitudes and our dress are to reflect modesty in order to attract others to Christ. By contrast, the world tells us that it doesn't matter what we wear, how we behave or walk in society. It is all relative to what makes you feel good. Unfortunately, this mindset has crept into the church. The Apostle Paul gave some sound encouragement to Timothy as a young pastor facing challenges as many Gentiles came into the church out of a pagan background. He wrote in 1 Timothy 2:9-10: "Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness -with good works." Certainly, I do not believe that Paul had anything against women's hairdos or their clothing. I believe his main point was that women should be mindful of what they wear so it does not distract or cause others to stumble. Dressing in nice clothing is not a sin. However, when we wear something which causes others to focus on us rather than the Lord, we are not demonstrating the virtue of modesty.
Another area where immodesty can be seen is in our speech. We have all heard a friend brag about an accomplishment at one time or another. Sharing our good fortune is fine, but going beyond this crosses a line especially for a Christian. In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul wrote this admonition: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." If we boast at all, we are to boast in the Lord and of His goodness and mercy. In ourselves, we do not possess goodness nor the ability to save ourselves. Instead, it is in God's domain to do for us what we can never do for ourself. The Word promises that as we lift up Christ, He will draw all men to Himself (John 12:32). We can only do this by honoring Christ with our speech as well as our dress. However there is one other area, we need to be concerned about as believers.

Statues in the pond in front of Linderhof Castle near Munich,
Germany

When we come together to worship, we need to check our hearts to make certain we have dressed them in modesty. The Pharisees were concerned with show. They wanted people to see them and honor them so they used both their dress as well as their speech to persuade others of their holiness. This, too, is a caricature of righteous behavior. Jesus said: "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 6:1). Our lives are to reflect the glory of the Lord not take glory for ourselves. We are God's living, holy temples as Paul writes in his letter to the Corinthian believers: "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body" ( I Cor. 6:19-20).
Wearing the virtue of modesty is becoming a lost practice in many churches today. We are becoming too much influenced by our society and doing little to influence them as we ought. We can be trendy in our clothing without going overboard or causing others to stumble. Likewise, we can be excited over our achievements without sounding as though we are the greatest thing since sliced cheese. This is how we put on modesty by remembering that salvation comes from the Lord. He calls us to Himself and any blessings we receive come as a result of His grace and goodness to us. Therefore, we are called to put on Christ and wear Him modestly in our attitude, actions and dress so that attention is given to Him and not to us. Our goal in this life should be like that of John the Baptist when he said: "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). May this be our prayer and our purpose in Christ. Selah!

What are your thoughts regarding modesty in our Christian walk? I welcome your thoughts and insights.

Whose Star Will You Follow?

noreply@blogger.com (Barbara Thayer) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:39:00 +0000

A bright nebula...perhaps like the star that guided
the wise men.

Recently, Time Magazine came out with the person of the year. People look forward to guessing who might be chosen, and as this year draws to a close, T.V. commentators also pick the athlete of the year, movie star of the year and even the politician who has had the most impact. Our society is good at applauding those who achieve something which can be both positive or negative. We need to recognize those who have worked hard to find answers or finish a task, but we have to be careful lest winning the world's applause becomes our sole purpose in life. Will we follow after "star status" or will we follow His star?
The Westminster Confession of Faith says that we were created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, but at times, we are caught up with glorifying man and seeking for ways we can be lifted up. It happens so gradually that we are not unlike the frog who leaps into a pot of cold water sitting on a stove. The water heats up slowly, and the poor creature is unaware that soon he will be boiled dinner for someone. We can end up like that frog if we aren't careful.
In John 5:31-44, Jesus told the Pharisees who He was. Verses 31-33 read: "If I alone bear witness of Myself, My testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness of Me; and I know that the testimony which He bears of Me is true. You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth."
Jesus goes on to clearly point out that not only John the Baptist had borne witness of Him but also God the Father who also gave signs and miracles and totally fulfilled all the prophecies in Jesus His beloved Son. But Jesus cut to the heart of the matter in verses 39-44: "You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life. I do not receive glory from men; but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another shall come in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another, and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?"
At this time, the Pharisees were caught up in all the pomp, ceremonies and ritual. They worried over keeping every jot and tittle of the Law but they cared little for the spirit of the Law. They missed who Jesus was even though He performed miracles, had witnesses who testified of Him and had God's authority and power. Yet, they would more quickly receive a man on his own say so over Jesus. They were wrapped up in receiving glory from one another and forgot about seeking to glorify God. How sad. This is, however, not unlike our world today.
We can be caught up in this same trap. It is so easy to pursue fame and honor for ourselves. We can be so busy earning our neighbor's adoration that we can miss living to glorify God with our lives. Using our talents to build our own stardom is not what God has called us to do.
At Christmas, its easy to get wrapped up (no pun intended) in buying the most extravagant gifts or running from one activity to the next, but God wants us to wrap our hearts around Him. He deserves our time, attention, and hearts; so lets be careful to avoid following the crowds or looking to men's approval. Instead, may we seek how to glorify God and come into a deeper relationship with Him. His star shines brightly and wise men still seek Him. Selah!

I welcome your thoughts here. Please feel free to share a word or two. How do we get drawn away from the real meaning of Christmas?

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AS YOU GATHER WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. SOLI DEO GLORIA!