Author: admin

X marks the spot. Isn’t that great? I always study with the window cracked right by my desk. I love to hear the early morning sounds. It’s such a comfortable feeling to hear the earth awaken, little by little, as the morning sky lightens. This particular morning I heard a screeching going on. I strain to hear if it’s a varmint after my chick-chicks or after my kitty-girl. I just can’t tell. I tiptoe down the stairs as the house is still asleep, and walk to the kitchen door. I open the door and take a listen. It’s nothing but that weird little bird we’ve never seen but has the oddest cat-bird screech. As I look up at the ridge, this is what I see in the sky. The clouds are literally streaking the sky all over, but right in front of me, prominently displayed – X marks the spot.

God said, I’m right here! I wanted to fall to my knees. Instead, I ran to the camera because I wanted to capture that sky and hold on to that reminder, forever. I need reminders, how about you? I’m right here! You see, just like everybody in the whole wide world, I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. I’ve been taking all kinds of stuff to the Lord and praying He’ll sort all things out. Praying His wisdom. Praying His guidance. Praying His provision. Praying His strength. I’m sure you’ve done or are doing the same thing.

But, let me ask you this question – do you always feel God is right there? Do you always feel like He’s hearing you? Do you always feel like He’s sorting things? Do you always feel like He’s guiding? Do you always feel like He’s strengthening? Do you always feel like He’s working for your good? Honestly, I don’t. Not because of Him, but because of me. In my mind I know that He is, but it doesn’t always feel like it. Feelings, they are funny things. I was telling a friend the other day, I mustn’t base my decisions or responses to something on my feelings because I’m a fickle sort and my feelings change day-to-day.

This led me to the question — Does my faith fall in line with my feelings or do my feelings fall in line with my Faith? In other words, is my faith dependent on how I feel or is how I feel dependent on my faith? That’s something to gnaw on, isn’t it? If we’re honest we know what that answer should be. If we’re honest, we know that we don’t always have the right answer. Right?

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God’s approval.
Hebrews 11:1-2

Do you see that? By their faith, not by their feelings? It was by faith…Hebrews 11 is full of examples. Did Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and so on and so on, rely on feelings or faith? Did their faith fall in line with their feelings? I don’t think so. I’m sure some of the roads that the Lord had laid before them brought about many different feelings – fear, anxiousness, anger, frustration, etc., they were a fickle sort too, just read about them. But, when it came down to it, they didn’t rely on their feelings, they relied on their Faith and every time He said I’m right here! X marks the spot.

So where do we fall? Faith based on feeling or feeling based on Faith? How do we get to the latter?

The apostles said to the Lord, “Make our faith greater.”
The Lord answered, “If you had faith as big as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Pull yourself up by the roots and plant yourself in the sea!’ and it would obey you.”
Luke 17:5-6

Jesus was saying to them, it’s not about the amount of faith you have, it’s about the genuineness of your faith. Faith is humble obedience to God. Faith is trusting in His word. Believing in an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-encompassing God. A God who says, I’m right here, whether you feel Me or not. X marks the spot!

Isn’t that a beauty? Tony was traveling for work and came across, or should I say went across this last week. Conjures up a bit of nostalgia for the good ole days, right? It feels good just to gaze on it, doesn’t it? When he first sent that to me, just for a nanosecond I thought it was our bridge on Tuscarora. Of course, I knew it wasn’t. Maybe it was wishful thinking. It sure is lovely.

Covered bridges are covered in order to protect the bridge, the boards, the trusses from the elements. Another lovely thought…we too are covered or protected from the elements. We’ve learned a good bit about bridges lately. We must have a firm foundation in Him and He will provide safe passage over the turmoils of life all the while protecting us from the elements of life by covering us from above.

And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name.”
Then Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.”
“I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—before you. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
And He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.”
The LORD continued, “There is a place near Me where you are to stand upon a rock, and when My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back;
but My face must not be seen.”
Exodus 33:17-23

Isn’t this passage absolutely beautiful? It’s one of my very favorite. Moses said, please show me who you are, show me your presence, show me your glory. The Lord said because I know your name, I know who you are, I will reveal myself to you. He said no one can see me and live so come over here, tuck yourself in near me. When my glory passes by I will put you in the cleft of the rock and protect you.

That scripture leaves me breathless. I know your name. I will show you who I am. I will protect you. You know, Jesus promised the exact same thing.

I know your name…

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27

I will show you who I am…

“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal myself to them.”
John 14:21

I will cover you…

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself.
And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
Romans 8:28-30

So as we cross the bridges of life, we can be reminded that our Lord and Savior will cover us and protect us from the elements of life because we are His.

When we thirst for a drink that does not come
When we are withered by the sun
You flow streams from your Son
Run river run

We are drowning in brokenness
Your water laps at the shore of our emptiness
You flow streams from your Son
Run river run

Rushing water overflows the cup, why such despair
Should we place our faith in other saviors that just aren’t there
You flow streams from your Son
Run river run

You quench our dryness with water to the lip
Offering living water if we will only sip
You flow streams from your Son
Run river run

Water that brings us to our knees
Peace-filling, Hope-building, Life-giving eternity
You flow streams from your Son
Run river run

Run river run
Wash the drought from our souls
Flood us with your thirst quenching Son
Run river run
Fill us full

Living water? Life giving water that flows so freely. We don’t have to obtain it. We don’t have to buy it. We don’t have to earn it. We don’t have to do enough. We don’t have to do more. Living water that’s free for the taking. Living water available to quench the aching thirst of our souls, of our lives, of our eternities. We simply have to accept the power of it and allow it to run within until overflowing.

“If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within.”
John 7:38

I’ve been thinking about marriage a lot lately. Two months from today our kids, Jon is already part of our family, are getting married. We are just so excited. I trust this is God’s direction and God’s selected mate for Livi as I’ve been praying for her husband, just the right one to be chosen by God, since she was born. There were some very nice boys that came aporch, but none like Jon! We couldn’t love him more, and we’re thrilled. So we’re currently running the frenetic wedding preparation race. T-2 months and counting. You know the drill, flowers, cake, venue, caterer, lists upon lists of to-do. It’s super busy, a little stressful and super exciting. But the courting, the engagement and the wedding don’t just take place overnight. It’s all a process leading to the wedding.

It all starts with a commitment. There has to be a “yes.”

They answered, “Let’s call her and find out what she has to say.” So they called Rebecca and asked, “Do you want to go with this man?”
“Yes,” she answered.
Genesis 24:58-60

Then there’s the marriage, the union. Don’t forget, marriage was God’s idea and He set it out for us. Look here:

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him.” So he took some soil from the ground and formed all the animals and all the birds… but not one of them was a suitable companion to help him.
Then the Lord God made the man fall into a deep sleep, and while he was sleeping, he took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the flesh. He formed a woman out of the rib and brought her to him. Then the man said, “At last, here is one of my own kind—
Bone taken from my bone, and flesh from my flesh.
‘Woman’ is her name because she was taken out of man.”
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one.
Genesis 2:18-24

Then there’s the wedding. The day it all comes together before God with celebration.

Two days later there was a wedding in the town of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.
John 2:1-2

Now this wedding isn’t going to be like weddings in Jesus’ day, it’s a one-day event, not a week long event. Wow, no wonder they ran out of wine! Regardless of the length of the celebration, at the end of the day Jon and Livi will be married.

“Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’ And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
Matthew 19:4-6

I’ve been thinking of all the particulars, or details of Livi and Jon’s wedding that result in the marriage. Then I think about all the details and particulars of another wedding that will take place but we know not when. Commitment. Faithfulness. Dependence. Permanent. Binding. Love. Honor. Obedience. Oneness. Forgiveness. Provision. Aren’t these some of the details of the Great Wedding that will take place? The Great Wedding we’ve been invited to?

As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.
Ephesians 5:32

God is preparing a Great Wedding for the marriage of His Son and the Church – the Groom and the Bride. So, I ask myself…will I be as prepared for the Great Wedding, the marriage of Christ and the Church, as I am for Livi and Jon’s wedding? Just as a husband and wife are merged into one at the marriage, Christ invites us to be merged into one with Him. Am I prepared? Have I worked through the details?  Have I made a commitment?  Am I faithful?  Am I dependent on Him?  Is my commitment permanent?  Am I bound to Him?  do I love Him?  Do I honor Him?  Am I obedient to Him?  Am I one with Him?  Have I asked forgiveness of Him?  Do I accept His provision?

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.
Revelation 22:17

Come! Be united in eternity with Christ. Work through the details. Come exchange the vows and experience Oneness with Christ for eternity – what God has joined together let no man put asunder.

So, you know I’ve taken up the habit of watching golf. The real reason was because they whisper and generally, it’s a calm sport and I thought it would make good napping. But, I’ve come to really enjoy the sport. I don’t golf, but I like watching it and learning about it. There are some things that confound me about the sport, like why they don’t just aim for the hole and whack the ball instead of pulling out their books and getting all technical with trajectory (I don’t even know what that word means) and ball speed (how hard you whack it), and curve (hitting it the wrong way). If I played golf, which I don’t, I think it would take all the fun out of it to have to be so precise. Tony says it’s not for fun it’s for money. I guess that makes it a little more serious for some folks.

I have learned that part of the point of golf is to get the ball into the hole in as little hits as possible. They call it a stroke, which does sound more gentile and professional than a hit but let’s be honest, they’re hitting a tiny ball that’s 1.70ish inches in diameter with a piece of metal to make it go into a hole, or cup, that’s 4 ¼” big. By the way, each of those metal sticks or clubs (more gentile) also has a different name, I just don’t know what they are, or what difference it makes.

I’ve also learned that each hole has a recommended number of hits/strokes. I guess some expert designed the holes and scored them so you’d know how you were doing. For instance, a certain hole might be a Par 3 – that means that you really should hit the ball into the hole in three whacks or less. In golf, less is always better I’m told. A Par 4 means you smack it in the hole in four or less whacks. See the pattern here? I really am learning something during nap time.

Anyway, one thing in particular I recently learned is that a hit is a hit or to use correct terminology a stroke is a stroke. I know that sounds simple to you, but it was utterly profound to me. Why so, you ask? It seems that no matter how far you hit the ball, regardless of the distance, a stroke is a stroke. See what I mean? Whether I hit a ball and it lands one inch from the hole or 25 feet from the hole, it still counts as a stroke. A stroke is a stroke.  My mind connected that with sin.  No, not that golf is a sin, but just like a stroke is a stroke on the golf course, a sin is a sin on the life course.

For everyone has sinned we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Romans 3:23

Just like in golf, regardless of the span or the degree of the whack,  sin is sin. I don’t know about you, but I am a whacker, just like Brother Paul, remember?

So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.d I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
Romans 6:15-20

I do things I don’t want to do and I don’t do things I should do. I’m a sinner. My sins are just that sins. Not white sins, little sins, medium sins, big sins or ginormous sins. They are sins. Plain and simple. What is sin? It is disobedience to God. There’s either disobedience or obedience. We don’t obey a little or obey a lot, God is not a God of the little bits or the whole bunches, He’s a God of truth. We either obey or we don’t. Of course, the consequences of our sins have degrees. The basis of our laws are Biblical principles. Look it up.

Are we willing to call sin “sin” not because it is big or little, but because God’s law forbids it? We cannot categorize sin if we are to live a life of holiness. God will not let us get away with that kind of attitude.
The Pursuit of Holiness, Jerry Bridges

Sin is not about the law, it is about the Lawgiver. Do we obey in only some things or in all things? Do we recognize that all sin is against God? That all sin grieves God? That all sin separates us from God? A stroke is a stroke, regardless of where it lands, inches away or feet away. A miss is a miss. Sin is sin, regardless of our human assigned value. Sin is sin. Only the consequences have varying affects.

I’ve said before that where I go in this blog is where I am in my walk. If you read this blog, you go there with me. I’m working on sin and its separation impact. The only thing that can separate us from God is sin, not one other thing can. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be separated from God.

We must not be separated from God by sin — the 1″ or the 25 footer — not a little bit or a lot. It is critical that we seek Him for every answer. It is critical that we work out our salvation with fear and trembling. It is critical that we understand our responsibility in our salvation. Salvation comes from Christ, but we must train ourselves to be like Christ, no one can do that for you. It’s between you and Jesus.  Are we separated from Him on the course of life?  Do we need to pull out our book, strategize a little more before we play, and check our strokes?

So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation, because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose.
Philippians 2:12-13

Isn’t that a joyful sight to see? Another reason to be thankful for the bridge replacement. You see, this glorious sight is seen on the Dry Run Road part of the detour. If the bridge wasn’t out, this sight would not be seen. We’d a missed out on this little piece of the joy.

As these sunflowers were growing in a former corn field, all the passersby speculated as to what the newly planted crop was. Definitely not corn, definitely not hay, too tall for soybean, and then one day – pop! The sunflowers had burst into action. They had had just the right amount of nutrition to bloom, to flower. One thing I love about sunflowers, in addition to their bright color is their huge flower, their big heads. Some are enormous. Some are so big it doesn’t look like their stem will hold them up.

But, here’s my very favorite part of sunflowers, take another look at the picture — they all face the sun. All their heads are turned in one direction, all toward the source of light in the east, the rising sun. Isn’t that cool? Their large blooms, their heads, are all turned to face the sun, their source of sustenance, their source of energy.

Look at the picture again, don’t those sunflowers look regal, like royalty, standing tall, swaying back and forth to the songs of the heavens? Praising the Son!  Like a heavenly choir!

Suddenly a great army of heaven’s angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God:
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!”
Luke 2:13-14

These flowers would not be if it weren’t for the heavenly rains and the source of light, the sun. Isn’t that true for us too? We would not be able to flower and bloom and sing praises were it not for the Living Water and our Source of Light, the Son who reigns.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession,
that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9

If we are not blooming, if we are not flowering, if we are wilting and drooped over, maybe we need to turn our faces toward the Source of Light, the Son. We were called out of darkness into light by the Light, by the Son.

Isn’t that a funny word? Earbuds. With the advancement of technology, computers, laptops, tablets, cell phones, came the birth of earbuds. Oh sure, there were headphones in the past, but nothing like these little buggers. Hardly a day goes by that we don’t see someone with these things stuck in their ears. Oh sure, now there’s wireless headphones, but we still mostly see earbuds. Earbuds, that’s a funny word. Say it. Anyway, I love my earbuds.

I have a set (are they a set?) beside my bed, in case I want to listen to something before I go to sleep. I have a set at my desk at home, so I can listen as I study. I have a set at work, so I can sneak in a sermon here and there. I throw a set in sometimes when I’m out for a walk. I have them all over the place. Here’s the thing about earbuds, I’m constantly untangling the cords. You too?!?! I just don’t know how this little tiny wire gets so coiled and twisted and tied in knots. Boy, is that not frustrating? I shake and shake to untangle them, which by the way doesn’t work. Tony tells me often, you have to be careful with them because there are little wires in there that can break if you’re not careful. If I’m careless the wire can break and I can lose my connection…I won’t be able to hear.

These little cords remind me so much of our walk with Jesus. We must stay plugged in. We must stay connected. We must not be careless with our connection to Him.

Pay attention, my child, to what I say. Listen carefully. Don’t lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart,
for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning.
Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.
Avoid all perverse talk; stay far from corrupt speech.
Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil.
Proverbs 4:20-25

If we are not plugged into Him, we cannot listen carefully. If we are not plugged into Him, His words cannot penetrate our hearts. If we are plugged in we will experience life and radiant health. Who doesn’t want that?

Our lives are full of cords that are so easily tangled.  I love His message here, don’t get sidetracked. Boy, isn’t that easy to do? Our lives get all tangled up like those earbud wires and our connection gets broken. Of course, our distance from Jesus is not intentional, but it comes from losing our connection to Him. Instead of carefully untangling the wires and marking out a straight path and sticking to the path, we just shake those wires, trying to pull and twist them into place. Sometimes throwing our hands in the air and tossing the tangled cord in frustration. But, here’s the promise…

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
And his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.
1 Peter 3:12

If our connection is broken, His ears are open to our cries. All we need to do to untangle is turn to Him. His ears are open.  He’s the Master untangler.

Faith comes from listening to this message of good news – the Good News about Christ.
Romans 10:17

So, there’s some roadwork going on out our way. If you travel west on Tuscarora Pike, you’ve now got a detour. To get to our house it’s an extra 5-7 minute commute to or from town, depending on the detour you take. Neither of these routes are direct, both may be longer if you run up on a tractor. One route looses cell service for about three miles (not that we should need it while driving, right?). It was projected that this roadwork would take about three months. I’m a calculator, and I’ve conservatively calculated that if I run in to town and home, just once a day, that’s an extra 14 minutes a day. That’s an extra 98 minutes a week – an extra hour and 18 minutes. Over a period of three months that’s an extra 19 and a half hours travelling into town.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining one little bit because there’s an excellent reason for the detour. The bridge is out over the Tuscarora. It is being replaced. I’m pretty sure that bridges do not get replaced for the fun of it or just to irritate us. That’s a lot of hard work and expensive big equipment for nothing. Here’s the thing…we didn’t know there was a problem with the bridge. We travelled it every day, often, and never had a clue that it might be worn. So, they’re replacing it. We hope their estimate of three months outage will be accurate and then we can stop saying — yes, Wendy, the bridge is still out – but if it takes longer, it’s way okay.

As you can see, they’re working on the most important part of the bridge right now, the foundation. Can’t you see this one coming? It’s all about the foundation.

“So why do you call me ‘Lord,” when you won’t obey me? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then obeys me. It is like a person who builds a house on a strong foundation laid upon the underlying road. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who listens and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will crumble into a heap of ruins.”
Luke 6:46-49

We all know how important a firm foundation is. In the case of the bridge, if there is not a firm foundation, it is very dangerous. It is no different for us, my friends. This world is tugging and pulling us. Spiritual forces much stronger than we people are at work in the world. If we do not have a firm foundation, if the Bible teachings, the mortar, is not mixed with Living Water to form a rock solid foundation, we will land right in the creek.

Bridges raise us or create a safe way above the dangers below. If our foundations are not firm, we are swimming in dangerous territory. If we are not seeking Him through his Word and through prayer, we’re in very, very dangerous territory. We must learn from the Samaritans.

“So, I the Lord, will make the city of Samaria a heap of rubble. Her streets will be plowed up for planting vineyards. I will roll the stones of her walls down into the valley below, exposing all of her foundations. All her carved images will be smashed to pieces. All her sacred treasurers will be burned up. These things were bought with the money earned by her prostitution, and they will now be carried away to pay prostitutes elsewhere.”
Micah 1:6-7

The prophecy of Micah was revealed when the Assyrians destroyed Samaria, the capital of Israel. Why was she destroyed? Because of sin, because of disobedience. Samaria’s foundation was built on itself. On false teachers, dishonest leaders, selfish motives, and idolatry.

So here’s a question to chew on…

if our foundations were exposed, what would be seen?

Have I built my foundation on God or on myself and others? It’s a tough question, but it must be answered. We cannot overcome danger and destruction if we do not have a firm foundation. If our foundation is not rooted in Him, we have no chance of living. I can’t urge you enough to be in the Bible, read it, know it, live it. Seek the only One who can give Living Water. The only One who can carry us over the rough waters.

“Your leader will break out and lead you out of exile. He will bring you through the gates of your cities of captivity, back to your own land. Your king will lead you; the Lord himself will guide you.”
Micah 2:13

If our foundation is strong, solid, if we are deeply rooted in Him, He will lead us over the bridge.

 

Thinking this morning about how much I miss my lunchtime walks in the summer (because I’m a heat wimp) also made me think of Mr. Cooper.  The man I never met, the man  I want to be just like.  The following was published last year at this time.  It’s a good reminder.

There are a couple of graveyards not far from where I work. I’ve never visited them, until a couple of weeks ago. In my pursuit to persist in the presence of God, sometimes during lunch I go for a prayer walk. By myself – just me and Jesus. On my walk, I pass a couple of graveyards up on South Street. One on each side of the street. They’re beautiful. I’ve always thought graveyards were beautiful, not in a creepy way. They just usually look so neat, rows of headstones, some with flowers, some without. Big monuments, small monuments. Usually very uniform and tidy. Orderly. Old. Obviously, very peaceful.

Even though I’ve probably been by those two graveyards at least a thousand times in my life, I never really thought about them until recently. I don’t know who owns the graveyards. Just by their appearance they are owned by two different graveyard-owners. Does one own a graveyard? Anyhow. One of them looks over the City. The other on the opposite side of the street backs a wooded area. Both are surrounded by a lovely stone fence. One is bolted shut, one is not. Both are beautiful.

While walking by last week, I started wondering how old some of the stones were. I couldn’t get in to the bolted graveyard but the oldest stone I could see through the bars showed that the person memorialized there was born on December 24, 1795 and died September 13, 1879. Does that not blow your mind? This person was only 19 years older than our Nation, and lived to be 84 years old. Ponder that.

Anyway, today while walking by the graveyards, I checked out the graveyard on the opposite side. To be honest, I can’t believe I walked in. Here I am in my dress and sneakers, tiptoeing through a cemetery, not in a creepy way. As I’m walking around, which I have never done before except at funerals, I’m checking out the age of the headstones. I was interested in seeing how old the tombstones were on this side of the street. What I did find spoke right to me, not aloud, but deep in my heart. I found the monument of Alexander Cooper. Mr. Cooper was born April 16, 1775. Mr. Cooper was born before our Nation was born! Mr. Cooper died September 4, 1852, at the age of 77 years old. That’s crazy to think about, isn’t it? Mr. Cooper was born nearly 250 years ago.

Written on Mr. Cooper’s grave marker was the following:

A man without reproach.
A Christian humble and decent.
An Elder who ruled well.
Sober, grace, temperate.
Sound in faith.
A life of usefulness terminated in a peaceful death and his rest is glorious.

Obviously, I didn’t know Alexander Cooper, but reading his headstone makes me wish I had. Who wouldn’t want to know that kind of person? By the look of it, Mr. Cooper was everything we Christians aspire to be on this earth. He was blameless. He was humble. He was decent. He was fair. He had a sober, graceful temperament. His faith was solid. His life benefited others. He died a peaceful death and is living in glory. Don’t you want that? Better yet, don’t you want others to say that about you? I do. I want my life to say that I’m blameless, a Christian, humble, decent, fair, sober, grace-filled, with a firm foundation. I want others to think that I was useful and I’d prefer to die a peaceful death before I dance in His glory. Yep. I’d be happy to be compared to Mr. Cooper, he appeared to be a Godly man.

Therefore, I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling,
for you have been called by God.
Ephesians 4:1

Paul urged the folks at Ephesus to live a life worthy of being called by God. We need to do that as well. We all want to stand before our King and hear him say: “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Don’t we?

How do we make that happen? What do we need to ask ourselves? Is our faith solid? Are we blameless? Are we humble? Are we decent? Are we fair? Is our temperament graceful? Do we need to change so others will see God in us? What attitudes do we need to adjust? What words do we need not speak? What actions do we need to take? He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it, if we’re willing to let Him.

All you can do is all you can do, and I’m doing all that I can.
Chase Outlaw, Bullrider

We were watching bullriding one night on television and after an unsuccessful ride, Chase Outlaw (no kidding, that’s his name, how cool is that?) was interviewed. Of course, they asked these meaningless questions in a roundabout way. Like, why didn’t you stay on – because I fell off? How did you fall off – I didn’t stay on? Will you do better next time – if I don’t fall off and I stay on. You know what I’m talking about. Chase Outlaw had only one answer for the announcer, which he said with a little frustration – All you can do is all you can do, and I’m doing all that I can. I love it! He answered their roundabout silly questions with a roundabout seemingly silly answer, but was it really?

I think a lot of us in this world feel that same way – All I can do is all I can do, and I’m doing all that I can!! We too may say it with a high pitched voice and a little frustration. But, I think we’ve got it backwards. It seems there’s this constant barrage. The world is constantly asking for more, isn’t it? Our churches are asking for more doers. Support this cause. Advocate for this group. Fight for justice for this. Our employers are asking for more doers. Add this to your list. Do this, do that. Another deadline. Our families are asking for more doers. I need. I need. I need.

Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.
Colossians 3:2

Our churches, our employers, our families, our clubs are all important and all have a right to ask us to-do. And there are many more important social justice, political, civic and community groups vying and clamoring for our attention. But sometimes, I think we lose perspective. When we lose perspective we forget the purpose, we get it backwards. And sometimes we even forget why we’re doing what we’re doing and who we’re doing it for. When we lose perspective we too may say – all you can do is all you can do and I’m doing all that I can – at a sqweeky pitch.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24

Ah!!!!! Our hearts. That’s always where it starts. Not a soft heart – anyone can have that. Not a good heart – anyone can have that. Not a nice heart – anyone can have that. Not a heart for people – anyone can have that. But, a heart for Jesus – everyone can have that. Having a heart for Jesus will impact our churches, our employers, our families, our communities. It’s a heart issue. But, it cannot be done backwards. Jesus must come first. Being doers in our churches, for our employers, for our families, for our communities, for social justice, in our serving, must be an out growth of our heart for Christ. Our doing cannot be a way to Jesus, it’s a result of Jesus!! Being committed to Jesus, having a relationship with Jesus, serving Jesus is where it must start. If not, it’s church for church sake; employers for employers sake; families for families sake; communities for communities sake; it is social justice for social justice sake; when it should be all for Jesus’ sake. True social justice cannot be taught. If it doesn’t start with Jesus, it’s just a good people thing, not a God people thing. It’s just doing for doing.

Our purpose is to please God, not people.
He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:4

If we keep our focus on Him, if we keep perspective, we will be busy, but our attitude may not be — all you can do is all you can do, and I’m doing all that I can!

Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be.

All my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into your hands.

For it’s only in your will that I am free
Jesus, all for Jesus.