Author: admin

As I walking the worst-best the other morning, I noticed how absolutely clear the sky was. You could see every single star visible by man. It was that clear. Big dipper and little dipper. I’m a star gazer, not a star knower. Not sure of who or what Pleaides or Orion is and to me the Milky Way is a very good candy bar. As I was looking up in the darkness though I wondered where the North Star was. I wasn’t even sure where north was, I’m directionally challenged. Then I thought about the Star of Bethlehem. You know, the one that went ahead of the wise men and led them to Jesus?

I started thinking that as much as things change, they really do stay the same. When I looked up at those stars in the sky it dawned on me, those are the same stars that Adam looked at, that Abraham looked at, that King David looked at, that the Disciples looked at. Those were the thoughts in my mind when I returned to the house and pulled out my devotional to start my day.

…before the daystar knew its place or the planets ran their course,
the interests of the saints were made secure in Christ Jesus.
Charles Spurgeon

And that’s what it said. Wow, that’s odd! No, it’s not odd, it’s God! He ties things together for us and every once in a while our faith is strong enough to recognize it.

The One who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns darkness into dawn and darkens day into night, who summons the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the earth– Yahweh is His name.
Amos 5:8

Isn’t that a beautiful verse? Yahweh is His name. The One who placed the stars in the sky – Yahweh. A name too sacred to speak. Yhwh. Lord. God. As much as things change, they stay the same, He has promised.

“I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
Malachi 3:6-7

Amos and Malachi were both speaking to the Israelites regarding repentance, 340 years apart. The message was the same. Repent. You see, people did not change from Adam to Malachi. People were the same. Rebellious. Disobedient. Sinful. Savior needing.

Fast forward about 4,000 years (give or take a year or two) from the creation of Adam to the birth of our Savior Jesus, things really hadn’t changed. Remember what Dr. Luke said?

Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins to God.
Luke 1:8

People were the same. Rebellious. Disobedient. Sinful. Savior needing.

Now fast forward another 2,000 years or so between the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus to today. People are the same. But, just as people are the same, God is the same. The same God that pursued the people of Israel is the same God that pursued the woman at the well, and the same God that pursues us today. He has not changed. He is the Word.

In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:1-5

His message is the same as it was in the very beginning, even before He put the daystar in place, it was all buttoned up. The Word, Jesus Christ, is the light that shines in our darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it. The Word is the same from beginning to end!

“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:10

Before creation, the interests of the saints (that includes me and you), our eternal lives were made secure in Christ Jesus. His Message is relevant yesterday, today and tomorrow. Why? Because people are the same as they were yesterday, as they are today, and as they will be tomorrow. Rebellious. Disobedient. Sinful. Savior needing. The truth is that God is unchanging – Amen! His plan before time began was to rescue people who needed rescuing, from Adam to Beth, to you, and beyond.

Never say never. I don’t know about you guys, but I use the word NEVER. It’s a definitive phrase, leaving no question about the intentions of the speaker. I’m a user, sometimes a lot. I almost said always! Never is a little heavy handed, isn’t it? You can almost see the fist to the surface, can’t you? As I was doing some remembering yesterday, I had to smile at some of the nevers that have now become my realities. I can’t help but think that God is giving me a little side-eyed look with the corners of his mouth turned into the slightest smile saying to me, Beth, who’s in charge? Duh?!

There have been places I swore, no matter what, I would NEVER leave. There have been places I swore, no matter what, I would NEVER go. There have been things I swore, no matter what, I would NEVER eat (i.e. tomatoes, avacadoes, beets). There are things I swore, no matter what, I would NEVER do, say, think, believe, and the list goes on and on. We are a people who like to make our own declarations and think we’re in charge. We are a people who oft times forget Whose we are, and Who is in charge. So, we tool through life making these bold NEVER statements. Only to have God give us a wink when our NEVERS become realities.

Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
His paths beyond tracing out!
Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been His counselor?
Who has ever given to God, that He should repay them?
For of him and through him and to him are all things.
To God be the glory forever! Amen
Romans 11:33-36

These verses, once I understood them fully, are just magnificent – well, actually, they were magnificent before I understood them, I just didn’t understand them. These would be a great prayer to commit to memory. It’s hard to believe they’re from Romans. They are so expressive and poetic, they flow like the Psalms. Brother Paul was just as truthful and plain speaking as King David.

Paul declares God’s wisdom and knowledge. It is so deep, so rich, so overflowing, so abundant, and so full! We know the ultimate plan would be salvation for all, should they choose it, but we cannot comprehend his manifest wisdom in working out His plan or that salvation, especially through us. Most times we set our own course, don’t we? We make plans, and sometimes those things we said we’d NEVER do are the exact things we do, right? Here’s the thing, me digging my heels in and saying NEVER, in absolutely any situation in my life is pompousness on my part. Like I get to make plans without consulting God? Let’s make this relatable.

Beth, who do you think you are? Do you know what God’s thinking? Who are we to give Him advice? Do you know God’s plan?

Can anyone tell the LORD what to do? Who can teach him or give him advice?
Isaiah 40:13

Beth, what have you ever given to God that God should repay you? Well, when you put it that way…nothing. Nothing at all. He has bestowed such grace and mercy on such a worm as I. He doesn’t give us what we deserve. He doesn’t give us what He should repay us, and it’s a very good thing.

“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”
Luke 17:7-10

Beth, of Him, through Him and to Him are all things. There is nothing we can give to God because it is all already His.

“He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need.
Acts 17:24-25

To Him be the glory. To Him be all praise. To Him be the glory forever. He deserves our praise and adoration. Not because of who we are, but because of who He is. We have no right to say NEVER if he tells us different. We don’t have to understand His ways. He is God. We simply obey His lead.

One thing I really like about holidays is that I get to do my thing a little longer since I don’t have to dash off to work. After barn chores are done, I can return to my desk with the window cracked, listening to the world wake up and the sky to get bright. That’s what I did on Labor Day.  The picture above is the view from my desk. I look out onto the barn and keep tabs on my four-legged and two-legged friends. And then it happened…da da da daaaa!!!!!!!

I hear a squawk. I didn’t pay too much attention, chickens do that you know. But as I glanced up from my screen right in front of that red gate, a hawk had landed on Georgi Girl. Chicken down! Chicken down! She was a squawking, gobs of feathers were a flying, and I’m screaming to Tony downstairs – Hawk! Hawk! Hawk! I run down the stairs, Tony runs out the door, and the hawk flies off. Georgi Girl is nowhere to be found. I cried. I didn’t want to see that. Some things you just can’t unsee, like plumbers’ pants and a hawk on a chicken. We searched and searched the fields for the hawk and for Georgi Girl, not because I thought she’d be alive, but because I was determined that that hawk was not going to enjoy his spoils. We found neither.

We trek out of the fields and back to the barn to count my chick-chicks. I’ve got two black, two white, one red (may Susan rest in peace) and Ethel. I counted four. I went into the barn and back in the corner behind the wheelbarrow I could hear a peep-peep. One more found. Now I have all five. And just at that moment, I see another movement behind the wheelbarrow. It’s Georgi Girl!!!!! I cried. With a little food, I coaxed her out. Miraculously, she was not injured. She had only a huge bald spot on her back. When he swooped in to get her, he got all feathers!

The whole thing happened so fast. Chickens are smart, they know how to protect themselves and she was only out in the open for a second. But that’s all it took. One second of letting her guard down and the predator had swooped in. Georgi Girl and Black Girl hid out in the barn all day. The other four hid out under a tree in the backyard all day. They all sought shelter, a safe place to reside until the drama and likely trauma subsided.

The whole time we’re searching for Georgi Girl, all I could think about is that it happened so fast. She let her guard down for just one second! But, doesn’t the Bible warn us of the same thing? Don’t be caught unawares? I don’t know about you, but with the speed of life, sometimes my confused priorities (more oft than not), and the more likely, my abject complacency, I could easily be caught unawares. I can be just like Georgi Girl who had gotten a little comfortable, maybe a little careless, out in the open and let her guard down. But Jesus tells us to be ready.

“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:34-36

Here, He’s warning us straight up. Watch out! Be on guard! Don’t get mired in this life! Don’t get caught in the trap! Be alert – the world needs more lerts! Make yourself strong! Be prepared! For what? For His return!!

There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:25-27

Jesus told His disciples, be on guard, look out, don’t be dulled by drink, don’t be foolish, look for the signs, I’m coming back! Do we do that? I mean spiritually. Are we eating meat or still drinking milk? Are we growing and maturing in the Spirit? Are we preparing for His return, for His restoration, or are we too dulled by this life on earth? Are we faithfully working to tell others of His return, redemption and restoration? Are we ourselves ready for His return, His redemption and His restoration? His return is a scary thought for some folks. We prefer not to think about it. Maybe because we doubt His word and that scares us? Maybe because we don’t doubt His word and that scares us? We must come face-to-face with the Father now, before his return, in order to be redeemed and restored when He returns. We mustn’t be caught unawares. But, look at the promise He gives!

“So when these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near!”
Luke 21:28

Don’t be afraid of His return, be prepared! Stand straight and look up – be on the lookout for Him, don’t be complacent, don’t be caught unawares. Jesus spoke these words 2,000 years ago and we have been awaiting His return ever since. We know not when. My lifetime, your lifetime, who knows? God. But, as we wait for His return, we must live like redeemed, restored and rescued people, because we are.

I want to be ready when Jesus comes
I want to be ready when Jesus comes
One day the Lord’s gonna crack the sky
And the dead in Christ shall rise;
I want to be ready when Jesus comes

No man knows the day or the hour
When the Lord will surely come
That’s why you need to get your house in order
Don’t let Him catch you with your work undone;
You’ve got to get ready, oh yes, when Jesus comes
Dottie Peoples

Do you ever look at the world today and wonder what has happened? Have you ever viewed a particular situation or event and thought people have completely lost their minds. How could they? What are they thinking? What’s wrong with them? What are they doing? I know people have looked at me (you) in the same way. Is she crazy? How could she? What’s she doing? What’s she thinking? Has she lost her mind? Quite possibly!

What does losing one’s mind look like? How does one who can’t find their mind act? How does one who is gone from their senses behave? One (because I don’t want to point fingers at you or me) may act irrational (world’s opinion) – never! One (again, no pointing) may have extreme thoughts (changing things that you never thought you would) – never! One (again, the pointing thing) may become very outspoken and say extraordinary things (speak truth) – never! One (again) may have responses that are not considered appropriate or acceptable responses to a particular situation (take a stand) – never! Anyway, coming round the bend of Robin Hood’s barn, losing one’s mind calls one’s actions into question. So, I ask myself, is losing touch with my senses such a bad thing? Some may think so, but maybe not.

One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said.
But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”
Mark 3:20-21

Folks thought Jesus had lost his mind too. Why did they think that? Because, to them, that’s what it looked like. Of course, Jesus did lose His mind on them and went on to chastise and warn them in the strongest way – read the rest of the chapter.

But, they actually thought He had lost His mind because of the way He acted. His fervent displays of healing and supernatural power, were out of the ordinary. Jesus was so bent on addressing the people that pressed in on Him with their cares, their brokenness, their need for healing, that He pulled long hours and didn’t take time out for a meal or a rest. The kind of perseverance that He displayed caused his friends and family to become concerned about Him. Existemi, that’s the Greek word used here for losing one’s mind. It actually means to be displaced, to be outside of, to be astonished, amazed, out of mind, mad. His family and friends tried to rescue Him because they thought he had become some type of fanatic, that He’d lost His mind. So, they showed up. I remember as a kid my parents fetching me from someplace I wasn’t supposed to be. That’s really kind of embarrassing, not for Jesus. His mission was not to be deterred. Check out His response.

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.”
Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Mark 3:31-35

Jesus’ family came to fetch Him because they thought He was crazy, because they didn’t understand. Do people look at us the same way? They should you know. Why? Because we are to be like Christ. Our lives must be so radically different that people want to understand.

If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:11-17

As in Jesus’ day, today anyone who displays a zealousness for Christ is considered fanatical and someone who has lost their mind, someone who needs to come to their senses. But the truth is that anyone who displays a zealousness for Christ actually brings glory to God. In a nutshell, if we are out of our minds it is for God and if we are in our minds it is for others. It’s circular. Being crazy is being in the right mind. Being in the right mind is crazy. Humbly delivering the truth (being in the right mind) to others brings glory to God (crazy).

Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
2 Timothy 2:22-26

When folks look at you and ask “Have you lost your mind?” The answer should be a resounding “Yes!” In today’s world losing one’s mind looks normal to us, doesn’t it? So, if our words, our responses, our actions do not look different, if we appear to be like everyone else, if we do not stand out as different, if we look normal by today’s standards, we need to come to our senses. We need to humbly persevere, despite the cost, just as Jesus did.

Four day work weeks always mess with my mind. I can’t remember what day it is. My routine is messed up as I forget the day and do things on the wrong day. Don’t get me wrong, three-day weekends are great. I’ll take it! But a day off changes things, doesn’t it? With Labor Day week still fresh in my mind, I started thinking about how much labor I put into laboring for me, and then how much labor I put into laboring for Him. Ouch!

Do I commit as much, work as hard, spend as much time and energy (mental and physical) in working for the Kingdom as I do working for my employer? That’s an eye-opener for me. I’m not sure I do even one of those things – commit, work hard, spend time and energy – for the Kingdom on as consistent a basis as I do for my employer. If weighing my work as a disciple to my work as an employee, those scales are definitely tipping to the one who pays in cash and retirement benefits. That’s just out of balance.

Jesus tells us definitively in whose favor the scales should tip. Only with Him it’s not just a tipping, it should be a complete outweighing. We often tend to separate our earthly lives from our Kingdom lives, our employer work from our eternal work. So, what should our priority be?

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples,
“The harvest is great, but the workers are few.
So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest;
ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
Matthew 9:35-38

I love that word, harvest – I feel another canning story coming on…harvest, reaping, gathering. The crops are ready to be brought in. They are ripe for the picking. Jesus’ travels brought Him into contact with all kinds of people – lost, hurting — mental and physical people That’s the harvest Jesus was talking about. Those were the folks who sought Him, they followed Him around and pressed in on Him. Why? Because they needed something He had – healing – physical and most importantly spiritual. Just like we needed something He had – healing.

Jesus’ heart filled with compassion when He saw them, they were lost and needed help. So let me ask this…Do we come into contact with folks like that? Sure we do. On a daily basis. But, do we look at the folks we come in contact with as ripe for the picking? Ready to be harvested for the Kingdom? Do we gather them in? We should, you know. Jesus instructed the Disciples to pray to the Lord to send more workers into his fields. Guess what? We are those workers.

We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. As we talk to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and your continued anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Those Thessalonians knew what hard labor really was. They were true laborers, spiritual laborers. Something we’re all called to be. Faithful work, loving deeds and continued anticipation of the return of Jesus each require us to labor. Just like the Thessalonians, we all have fields to work on harvesting. Not just one field, multiple. Remember the scale? If the Kingdom work far outweighs the earthly work, the scales will be balanced. If the Kingdom is our priority, if we live that out, all the earthly work will fall into place. But, if we put our earthly work before our Kingdom work, all work will be like pushing a rope uphill.

And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.
2 Chronicles 31:21

If gathering the crop is our top priority, everything else will fall into place. If we go out to the fields of our homes, our work, our Churches, our schools looking for those to gather in as our top priority, the harvest will be bountiful. Like the Thessalonians, we are to work faithfully to spread the Good News. That means we speak Good News, we live Good News, we teach Good News.

Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do,
whether we are slaves or free.
Ephesians 6:7

Labor Day means so many things to people. Vacations are over. Back to school. Fall’s coming. No more white pants or open toed shoes. But what does Labor Day really mean?

The U.S. Department of Labor website defines it as follows:

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

This strikes me as curious. Oh sure, I knew Labor Day was a day off work, but just to be completely honest, I didn’t know what for, other than just for being a laborer. I’ll take it!

The Department of Labor says that Labor Day is a day to honor workers, folks like you and me, for all we have done for our country, socially and economically, in the past year. I wasn’t completely wrong. Does that sound a little odd to you? It does to me. Honestly, when I go to work, the last thing on my mind is the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country. I’m going to labor because I like to spend money. Me being honored for spending money really sounds a little lame to me. I’ll take it!

But, if I really think about it, I don’t think I’m the one, or sorry to say, you’re the one to be recognized for the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. We simply do not have that kind of power and to think we do is called idolatry. We could labor a lifetime and not be able to strengthen, cause prosperity or well-being, without the help of the Lord. If we are strong, prosperous and benefiting, it is not because of us. It is because of Him. I (we) need to remember that, and be thankful.

Let all that I am praise the LORD.
O LORD my God, how great you are!
You are robed with honor and majesty.
You are dressed in a robe of light.
You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens;
you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds.
You make the clouds your chariot;
you ride upon the wings of the wind.
The winds are your messengers;
flames of fire are your servants.

You placed the world on its foundation
so it would never be moved.
You clothed the earth with floods of water,
water that covered even the mountains.
At your command, the water fled;
at the sound of your thunder, it hurried away.
Mountains rose and valleys sank
to the levels you decreed.
Then you set a firm boundary for the seas,
so they would never again cover the earth.

You make springs pour water into the ravines,
so streams gush down from the mountains.
They provide water for all the animals,
and the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
The birds nest beside the streams
and sing among the branches of the trees.
You send rain on the mountains from your heavenly home,
and you fill the earth with the fruit of your labor.
You cause grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for people to use.
You allow them to produce food from the earth—
wine to make them glad,
olive oil to soothe their skin,
and bread to give them strength.

The trees of the LORD are well cared for—
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
There the birds make their nests,
and the storks make their homes in the cypresses.
High in the mountains live the wild goats,
and the rocks form a refuge for the hyraxes.
You made the moon to mark the seasons,
and the sun knows when to set.
You send the darkness, and it becomes night,
when all the forest animals prowl about.
Then the young lions roar for their prey,
stalking the food provided by God.
At dawn they slink back
into their dens to rest.
Then people go off to their work,
where they labor until evening.

O LORD, what a variety of things you have made!
In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your creatures.
Here is the ocean, vast and wide,
teeming with life of every kind,
both large and small.
See the ships sailing along,
and Leviathan, which you made to play in the sea.
They all depend on you
to give them food as they need it.
When you supply it, they gather it.
You open your hand to feed them,
and they are richly satisfied.

But if you turn away from them, they panic.
When you take away their breath,
they die and turn again to dust.
When you give them your breath, life is created,
and you renew the face of the earth.

May the glory of the LORD continue forever!
The LORD takes pleasure in all he has made!
The earth trembles at his glance;
the mountains smoke at his touch.
I will sing to the LORD as long as I live.
I will praise my God to my last breath!
May all my thoughts be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the LORD.
Let all sinners vanish from the face of the earth;
let the wicked disappear forever.
Let all that I am praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 104

That’s just a quick rundown on who Created this world and everything in it, who the real laborer is. He’s the One we should honor today. He’ll take it!

This picture is the canning closet in our basement built by the former owner.  You can see the shelves labeled with the goods that were put up.  I’ve not yet stored my goods there, but I want to.   I’ve been on this wanna-be canner kick. You know, from field to can. Preserving vegetables and fruits for winter time. Like in the olden days. I want to rock out the gatherer part of the hunter-gatherer. So, I’ve been reading this book, The How to Can it Book of Vegetables, Fruits and Herbs, by Jacqueline Heriteau. It was written in the 70’s when wheat, avocado green and harvest gold were the happening kitchen colors, so you can just imagine what a show stopper this book is. Anyway, I like it and I’m learning a lot. One day I’m going to can. Until then, I’ll read about it.

Our distant view fogs the edges of yesterday’s sharp experiences.

That’s from a canning book! For some reason that sentence popped out at me. What in the world does that mean? I had to read it about 10 times and then go back and re-read the whole paragraph several times before I could figure out what it was saying. I think it says that things were not always as we remember them to be. That looking back on a situation, an event, a happening, a process, sometimes is very different than when we’re actually living through and experiencing that situation, event, happening or process. The author was talking about what hard work it is to grow your own food and preserve it. Food today is plentiful and readily available for most. In North America we are not completely dependent on what’s outside our kitchen windows to sustain us, thank goodness. In by gone days, not so. Those were very hard days for some.

I’m sure we can all look back on hard times, sharp experiences in our lives and remember generally that they were really difficult times, but, as time goes by, the details become a little clouded, a little blurred. Experiences from our yesterdays we just couldn’t look at in our minds eye, now we lend a darting eye. That’s called healing. King Solomon said there was a time for everything, including a time to heal.

He strengthens those who are weak and tired.
Isaiah 40:29

I love this verse. So simple. So to the point. How many life experiences make us weak and tired. Here Isaiah reminds us of God’s promise. He will strengthen us in those experiences that make us weak and tired.

For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day. And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

So, He will heal, He will strengthen, He will smooth down the sharp edges of those difficult experiences here on earth and He promises even more for eternity.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:4

Did you know that some of our food is now genetically engineered and/or modified? Did you know that they are now growing meat as a food source? Yep. You just go out to the yard and pluck you a burger and grill it up. That’s not actually how it works, in fact, those burgers are being grown in a lab in a petrie dish using a “sampling” from an animal. Eeeew! Gross!!! Sorry, but we are some weird humans. Look how far we’ve come from the lush, fertile Garden of Eden to meat grown in a lab. Beth, you’re crazy, what made you think of that? Canning.

Yep, it’s that time of year, rolls around every late summer, canning season. It’s not so much a thing anymore, we’ve gotten too busy and our grocery store food is too convenient, albeit not as tasty or naturally nutritious, for sure. But, there was a time when many many folks would plant a garden and “put up” vegetables and fruits in glass jars. At the same time, the harvesting of berries and fruits would make for some mean jams, jellies and preserves. Canning was used before refrigeration to preserve foods over the winter months. After the invention of refrigeration, some folks would can and freeze their harvest. Freezing was a little less foolproof – think power outage.

My mom and my aunt used to can, I remember that big huge pressure cooker on the stove, hot as could be, shaking the entire house and dancing from burner to burner. Every once in a while you’d hear a bang and you knew there would be green beans and glass floating when you took the lid off that big momma. Honestly, that thing scared me. I could just envision the lid flying off around the room and laying out everything in sight. Although I’d love to can our food for the winter, I don’t, but there’s something so nostalgic about the thought. I think I will one day.

Right after we got married, Tony’s Memaw thought I should learn to can. All I could think of was that scary pot exploding and glass flying everywhere. I know you know what I’m talking about. I had no desire to experience that. She was persistent. So, we planned the day. I show up and I’m given the job of washing and peeling the peaches. Washing, no problem. Peeling, a problem. Have you ever peeled a peach? I don’t think I’d ever peeled a peach in my life, my daddy was the knife wielder in our family. Anyway, I jump in. Peeled peaches on the left, peelings on the right. I’m hard at it. I look over and what do I see, Memaw peeling my peels. You see, my peeling had only yielded part of the fruit. I had left most of that sweet meat behind. I had only scratched the surface. The whole point of canning the peaches was to preserve, to protect against decay, to save, and I was disposing of the good stuff. I wasn’t getting all that wonderful fruit.

“This is the message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the origin of all that God has created. I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich and well off; I have all I need.’ But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind. I advise you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy also some ointment to put on your eyes, so that you may see. I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from your sins. Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me. To those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my throne, just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on his throne.
“If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!”
Revelation 3:14-22

We can be just like the Church in Laodicea. We get a little of the fruit, we’re on the fence, I’ll give this much to God, but not everything to God, missing out on the best, the sweetest. We need to keep peeling the peels, layer by layer, until we have gotten everything God has in store for us. We don’t want to leave anything behind. He’s offering us great riches, an opportunity to exchange our filthy rags, and a way to see clearly.

So then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners! Purify your hearts, you hypocrites! Be sorrowful, cry, and weep; change your laughter into crying, your joy into gloom! Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4:7-17

We must learn from the Church in Laodicea. We must peel completely. We can’t peel only half the peach and expect to get all the meat. We can’t stand at the door and knock, but put only a toe over the threshold. We must be willing to take all of the fruit, to be completely His, and not be satisfied with just a sliver.

We talked a couple of weeks ago about the sunflowers, remember that? Well, the other day, we rode by those big mommas again. So many lessons for me right there in that field. They are so beautiful, those bright sunshiny yellow heads with the big black eye in the middle. Remember how they actually rise to meet the sun? They are pulled up tall and their faces look skyward. As they’re pulling up tall for the sky, the most remarkable thing happens. They move. Yep, in unison, their heads move to look at the sun. When the direction of the sun moves, their gigantic blooms move. It actually has a name, heliotropism – say that three times real fast. But how wild is that? They come alive when they look to the sun. Hmmmm.

When we rode by a couple of days ago though, everything had changed. Those big heads were no longer straining with an eye to the sky. Their heads were now bowed. Yep, in unison. Check it out. I thought what an amazing reminder. Their heads were bowed in reverence. In reverence to the sun. How are we at bowing in reverence?

Oh sure, we (me) are really good at standing up tall and moving our heads from east to west to follow the Son when we have no needs, when all is right with the world. Our big heads just dance back and forth and our leaves flutter with the breeze. But what do we do when we need sustenance, when we need provision, when we need healing from a bent or broken stem, when our leaves are being ravaged by pests, when our surface roots are being burnt up by life and our deep roots seem to be pulling up. When our minds are so full, overloaded in fact with a million little things, and our heads are so heavy, that we’re forced to bow under the weight?

Sing to the LORD!
Praise the LORD!
For He rescues the life of the needy
from the hands of evildoers.
Jeremiah 20:13

We can easily identify with Jeremiah, can’t we? Jeremiah was a prophet which meant that he was regularly ignored, opposed, threatened, persecuted, and more, simply because of his message to Judah. A one word message – Repent. Jeremiah knew what it was like to be discouraged, need protection, need healing, carry a lot of weight. But, he knew which way to face and he knew how to sing. It doesn’t mean it was easy for him, in fact, Jeremiah’s road was filled with tears. But, Jeremiah was faithful. Jeremiah was obedient to his calling – to deliver the message to repent or face destruction. Jeremiah was a kingdom worker. Jeremiah knew whence his help came from. He would turn his face to the sun and allow his leaves to flutter in the breeze. Praise.

Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. “For our God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:28-29

Jeremiah sang. So, what do we do? We sing! We turn our eyes upon Jesus, we praise Him for who He is, we bow in humble adoration, and we sing!

But I will sing about your strength; every morning I will sing aloud of your constant love. You have been a refuge for me, a shelter in my time of trouble.
Psalm 59:16

We may have to move our faces to see the sun, not because the sun has moved, but because the winds may blow debris and storm clouds may gather. So we sing. Singing His praises will clear the debris and bring into view the ever present Son.

He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice because He has made me gla-a-ad!
He has made me glad, He has made me glad, I will rejoice because He has made me glad!

Remember that song? An oldie but goody. I was reminded of that song the other day and I can’t get it out of my head, no, no, no. I read a devotion where the phrase “Cheerful Holiness” was mentioned. Once I understand the meaning, I love it too and I probably won’t be able to get it out of my head. At least I hope not. Think about it for a speck, Cheerful Holiness. What is Cheerful Holiness?

It is the expected attitude of one that has been saved from something, the result of someone who has been redeemed. Oh, my. Do we have that attitude? Do I have that attitude? I pause to think. Let’s check it out. What does cheer mean? It means glad, joy, delight, encouragement, hope.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

So now, what is holiness? Holy means to be separated from sin and set apart for God.

Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
John 17:17-19

He redeemed our lives with His life, so that we can be set apart for God. His sacrifice ensures our eternity. Not our here and now, but our now and then. Does that not stir up even the slightest bit of cheer?

For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy.
Hebrews 10:14

We are cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb and our sins are forgiven, our lives are not perfect, it doesn’t mean we will not have troubles but, it does mean that we are holy.  We are made holy because of Jesus.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Since we are a holy people, should we not live like holy people? Since we are redeemed, should we not live like redeemed people? Since we are forgiven, should we not live like forgiven people? I don’t know about you guys, but I’m a sinner through and through, as Paul said, I’m the worst of the worst. So, the fact that Jesus saved me brings me exceeding great joy.

I then have to ask myself. Does my life reflect Cheerful Holiness or Gloomy Holiness? Which one? Ouch! If we are to be witnesses to the world, shouldn’t we live lives of Cheerful Holiness? Are we showing the world what it looks like to be separated from sin, to be in the world but not of the world? Do people see a difference? Do people want what we have?

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.

Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.

Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.

Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
and they will return to you.

Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.

Unseal my lips, O Lord,
that my mouth may praise you.
Psalm 51:7-14

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation – Cheerful Holiness! And renew a right spirit within me – Cheerful Holiness! Are we joyfully singing of our forgiveness? Are we practicing Cheerful Holiness?