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If we are not constantly reminded we will quickly forget.

How true!  Anyone else out there shaking their head up and down saying right on, amen, I’m picking up what you’re putting down?  Think about it.  The Lord God gave us these magnificent, incomprehensible brains.  These brains govern our every thought, our every movement, our every action.  Our brains make our heart pump, our faces smile, our eyes cry, our minds to love.  Really, it is quite amazing what our brains do when you stop and think about it.

But, one thing my brain is not so good at is remembering.  Yours too?  I write notes, make lists, tell another person to remind me, set alarms on my phone, email myself, tie a string around my finger – not really but some folks do.  All of this and more to remember to do what I’m “supposed” to be doing.  In part, it’s because we have very busy lives and there are just a lot of things to remember.  But, it could also be because we fill our brains chock full of “useless stuff” that takes up very valuable brain space, or at least that’s the case for me.

The Word of God is full of reminders, in fact, it is in totality a Book of reminders.  A reminder of who God is.  A reminder of who Jesus is.  A reminder of what He’s done for us.  A reminder of how we are to live our lives.  A reminder of His power.  A reminder… The entire Bible is filled with reminders.  The word “remember” itself can be found at least 250 times in the Bible.  The inference of the word “remember” can be found many hundreds of times.  Does that tell us something?

“Remember” means to bring to one’s mind, to retain in our memories.  The opposite is “forget.” Well, I’ll tell you right now I’m super good at that.  No amount of Jeopardy, puzzles, mind games, or supplements on the shelves out there right now would change that. I’m sensing I’m not alone!

But, here’s the thing.  God knew we would struggle with remembering.  His Inspired Word uses the word “remember” anywhere from 250 times to 357 times, depending on your translation.  The word “forget” can be found anywhere from 60 times to 90 times, again depending on your translation.  Whatever those numbers might be in your Bible, it’s a strong message. 

The Bible says we are to remember God’s commands:

But from eternity to eternity
the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear him,
and his righteousness toward the grandchildren
of those who keep his covenant,
who remember to observe his precepts.
Psalm 103:17-18

We are to remember our responsibilities towards each other:

They asked only that we would remember the poor, which I had made every effort to do.
Galatians 2:10

We are to remember Jesus’s death:

On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread,  and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26

It not only talks of our remembering, but it also talks of God’s remembering.

God always remembers his promises:

For he remembered his sacred promise to Abraham his servant. 
Psalm 105:42

God always remembers his people:

The next morning Elkanah and Hannah got up early to bow in worship before the LORD. Afterward, they returned home to Ramah. Then Elkanah was intimate with his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her.  After some time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, because she said, “I requested him from the LORD.” 
1 Samuel 1:19-20

The Bible also tells us the results of remembering.

Remembering leads to rejoicing:

Come and see the wonders of God;
his acts for humanity are awe-inspiring.
He turned the sea into dry land,
and they crossed the river on foot.
There we rejoiced in him.
Psalm 66:5-6

Remembering leads to repentance:

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,  leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. 
Matthew 5:23-24

Remembering leads to hope:

Yet I call this to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed,
for His mercies never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness!
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in Him.”
Lamentations 3:21-24

The only way we can remember is to be reminded.  The only way to be reminded is to be in the Word of God.

If we are not constantly reminded we will quickly forget.

♫♫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?  That should be our daily anthem.  I read a devotion where the phrase “Cheerful Holiness” was mentioned.  Once I understood 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.

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. His love and work are enough for joy and gladness.

Holiness is not a state of denial, characterized by abstaining from defiling thoughts, motivations, and behaviors. True holiness is a state of delight. And the more true holiness we experience, the fuller our joy and greater our pleasures!
Jon Bloom

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?

Something I have been mulling over lately? Connection. Specifically, cell phone connection. I think I may have mentioned before that we live at the foot of a mountain that currently supports four cell towers. You can see those towers from most points in Berkeley County when looking west. If you’ve got a cell phone they may be your source of connectivity.

Well recently, we have been having cell phone connection problems. Lots of dropped calls, many no calls, you know, those dreaded words in the middle of an important conversation — CALL FAILED. That screen on our phones can really put the frus into frustrating. But, here’s what I have noticed, the overwhelming majority of those dropped calls happen inside my house. Despite the towers, we’ve never had great call power in our house, but within the past two months, we’ve sometimes had nil, zip, nada. But, there is one call we are able to make, the distress call … —…

True as can be, when I’m sitting in my living room my phone goes to SOS mode.

See! Again, frustrating!! But, it is just another reason to look at that cute little face. Anyway…

There it is, right at the top, SOS. I can call for help, but I can’t call to order a pizza. Hmmmm. So, I get the SOS mode of my phone usually in the evenings when I’m just sitting down to relax, or at least that’s when I notice it most.

But, here’s the thing I noticed the other day as I was prayer walking on the road facing the mountain.

Four bars, 5G!!!!!

I know this is totally about my connectivity, my cell phone power, the cell tower strength, satellites, signals that go out and bounce around, all stuff I don’t really understand and don’t care to, I just want my phone to work. But, it did make me stop and think a little.

In order to get out of SOS mode, in order to connect and communicate, I need to move closer to the signal. Hmmmm, again. My frustrating phone is a great reminder that in order for it to work properly, it must be able to receive a signal. My phone must be close to a signal in order to receive what it needs to receive a signal. That just makes sense, doesn’t it?

Not unlike us, right? In order for me to work properly, I must be able to receive the signal. It is not lost on me that when I’m sitting in my living room, usually watching some mindless TV or scrolling, trying to decompress from the day, that my phone goes to SOS. And yet, when I am hoofing it up and down that road connecting with the Lord in prayer, I have four bars, 5G, a perfect signal. Point taken.

You see, the Lord doesn’t want us to live in SOS mode. He wants us to live always connected to the signal, not only able to make SOS calls. He calls us to the perfect connectivity, always four bars and 5G, connected to Him at all times. If we live in SOS mode, we are constantly trying to reestablish the signal. We’re constantly toggling our reception on and off trying to reconnect.

He definitely wants us to cry out in our distress, but He desires more to have a constantly connected relationship with us. It’s not relationship if we only call on Him in distress. In fact, some of our distress calls may be completely eliminated by staying completely connected.

I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.
John 15:5

Check out your connection. What we fully connect to will be our source of strength.

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11

I’ve been studying on Psalm 119.  I’m moving slow, trying to spend time meditating on each verse.  It’s a super cool Psalm for many reasons, but I recently happened upon this verse.  This is one of those we know so well, isn’t it?  We’ve heard it many times, we’ve studied it, and we may even have memorized it.  But, the words jumped off the page this time.

So, what does it mean to say “I have hidden your word…”? 

The word “hidden,” or some Bible versions say “treasure,” in Hebrew means to save, to conceal, to keep, to store.  So, it might look like this:

I have saved your work in my heart,
I have concealed your word in my heart,
I have kept your word in my heart, or
I have stored your word in my heart.

Are we able to say that?  Hmmm.  It’s something to think on.  Have we saved, concealed, kept, stored God’s Word in our hearts?  Hmmm, again.  We may think we have the Word of God in our hearts, but if we don’t have it in our minds, we don’t.  The Word tells us that the only way to be transformed is “by the renewing of our minds.”  You see, our hearts and our minds are interconnected.  Our hearts shape our minds and our minds shape our hearts.  When they work together, both on the same page, that’s when true transformation works.  Transformation cannot happen without our hearts and our minds.  So, what’s that mean?

It means that “hiding or “treasuring” the Word of God in our hearts and therefore our minds, is how spiritual transformation takes place.  If we want to be changed by the Word of God, we have to know the Word of God.  In this context, “hiding” encourages believers to internalize the Word, creating a spiritual treasury.  I love the sound of that, but what does it actually mean?

We should endeavor to memorize the Word of God.  Please don’t X out of this post.  This is completely possible or God would not have told us repeatedly in His Word to do so.

Your brain has the ability to learn and grow as you age — a process called brain plasticity — but for it to do so, you have to train it on a regular basis.
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing

See, it’s completely doable. For some of us “old dogs,” it sounds like we can learn some “new tricks.”

Some of us may be saying, I don’t think it’s necessary.  I agree it does sound daunting, but, if the Lord thinks it’s important enough to put in His Word, I think we need to take notice.    If we think about it, we can probably see many benefits in memorizing scripture.

In order to memorize, we have to meditate.  We have to examine it, play it over and over in our minds, think on it.  Not just checkmark it. 

Meditating on God’s Word changes the way you think, the way you act, respond, reason, and speak.
Glenna Marshall

I don’t know about you, but I can come up with a whole lot of reasons (excuses) not to memorize scripture.  But they would all be just that, excuses.  The Lord calls us to delight in His Word.  Memorizing is one way to do that.

In essence, when you start a new habit, you are essentially rewiring your brain by creating new neural pathways that support that behavior. This is why consistency and repetition are key to forming strong, lasting habits.
Healthline

There are all kinds of methods out there for memorizing.  Settle on the one that works for you.  Don’t get hung up in the method.  Do what works for you.

The number one step, the most important step, is to seek help from the Holy Spirit.  The Word tells us apart from Him we can do nothing.  That includes memorizing scripture.  Then start small and work your way up.  The key is repetition.  Although we may feel like we’re forgetting as soon as we finish a passage, what is stored in our minds will be brought into the light by the Holy Spirit, at just the right time.

One  easy way to memorize scripture is to do it one word at a time.  For instance, memorize  two word scriptures, then three word scriptures, then four, and keep going.  Don’t move on until you know what the scripture means and you can recall it.  Don’t rush.  You have until eternity to work on it. 

Two Word Scriptures
Jesus wept. John 11:35
Rejoice Always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Five Word Scriptures
Rejoice in the Lord always.  Philippians 4:4
Delight yourself in the Lord.  Psalm 37:4

Six Word Scriptures
God is our refuge and strength.  Psalm 46:1
Love is patient, love is kind.  1 Corinthians 13:4

Seven Word Scriptures
We love because He first loved us.  1 John 4:19
Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.  1 Thessalonians 5:25

Eight Word Scriptures
This is the day the Lord has made.  Psalm 118:24
Then He asked them, where is your faith?  Luke 8:25

Nine Word Scriptures
Daughter, your faith has healed you, go in peace.  Luke 17:19
For by grace you have been saved through faith.  Ephesians 2:8

Ten Word Scriptures
God who calls you is faithful; He will do this!  1 Thessalonians 5:24
Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.  Colossians 3:2

You don’t need to plan to memorize a book of the Bible, you can just do it organically as you are reading.  If a verse speaks to you, commit it to memory. But the key is to practice, practice, practice.  Start making those grooves.  The more you do it, the easier it is.

Jump in with both feet.  It is life-changing.  I’m praying for you.

In preparation for the building of the Temple of the Lord, King David thought of everything.  Well…how about God thought of everything?  How about God thought of everything and David was so in tune, so united, so in harmony, that he heard God.  Do we hear God?  Are we that in tune, united, so in harmony with God that we can hear Him when he speaks?  Do we even care to hear from God?   Wouldn’t you like to hear God? 

I wonder if David wore glasses?  I know, random.  If you wear glasses you’ll get what I’m saying.  For some reason, I hear better when I wear my glasses.  You too?  Why is it that?  I’m sure there are some very scientific and psychology reasons for it.  Hearing loss – not that I’m aware of.  Melding of the senses – sight and sound.  Maybe.  No matter to me the reason, as long as I have my glasses, I’m in good shape because I can see and hear. 

First and Second Chronicles “chronicles” David’s preparations for the building and administration of the Temple.  Even though he would not build the Temple, David assisted by planning and preparing.  Remember, God told David no, his son Solomon would be the temple builder.  David was preparing for something he would never see.

So David gave orders to call together the foreigners living in Israel, and he assigned them the task of preparing blocks of stone for building the Temple of God.  David provided large amounts of iron for nails that would be needed for the doors in the gates and for the clamps, and more bronze than they could ever weigh.  He also provided innumerable cedar logs, for the men of Tyre and Sidon had brought vast amounts of cedar to David.  David said, “My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced, and the Temple of the Lord must be a magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the world.  So I will begin making preparations for it now.”

1 Chronicles 22:1-5

Do you remember the science fair and the social studies fair that your kids participated in?  Just as you helped your kids with the planning and preparation of those projects, David was helping Solomon in preparing for his project.  What an enormous project and what a huge responsibility — building the Temple to house the Lord.   David raised funds, gathered materials, and made meticulous plans for the Temple.    You might call him the Temple Director.  He secured skilled goldsmiths, silversmiths, stonemasons, carpenters and craftsmen of every kind.  David gave instructions to them all to “seek the Lord your God with all your heart” and to “Build the sanctuary of the Lord God so you can bring the Ark of the Lord’s covenant and the holy vessels of God into the Temple built to honor the Lord’s name.”  1 Chronicles 25:19.  The Temple was built to honor the Lord’s name.  The Church was built to honor the Lord’s name.

In addition to making plans for the physical building (trustees), organizing the priests (pastors, Sunday School teachers and lay leaders), the gatekeepers (janitors and Church council), and appointing administrators (office staff), David also made plans for the worship that was to take place in the Temple.  He planned the worship services. David was on the Worship Team!  All of these instructions came from God. 

David specifically organized and appointed the musicians:

David and the army commanders then appointed men… from the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to proclaim God’s messages to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and cymbals.

From the sons of Asaph…who proclaimed God’s messages by the king’s order.

Jeduthun had six sons…who proclaimed God’s messages to the accompaniment of the harp, offering thanks and praise to the Lord.

All these men were under the direction of their fathers as they made music at the house of the Lord.  Their responsibilities included the playing of cymbals, lyres, and harps at the house of God.  1 Chronicles 25:1-6

David made Temple plans and preparations based on what he heard from God.  Do we make our Temple plans and preparations based on what we hear from God?

He who belongs to God hears what God says.  The reason you do not hear is that to do not belong to God.  John 8:47

The only way to hear what God is telling us is to belong to Him.  To be linked with Him.  To be in harmony with Him.  To be in relationship with Him.  To accept Him.  To see Him.

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

Do we hear His voice?  Do we listen to what He has to say?  What Temple plan might He be giving that we might not be hearing?  What building, priestly, organizational, administrative, musical, leadership plan is God giving us?   How does God want us to conduct our worship services in our homes, our Church, our community, our town, our state, our country, our world?

I’m pretty sure David wore glasses, because He heard God speak.  God does speak.  David was so in tune with God because he belonged to God.  Do you belong to God?  If you do, He speaks.  But we hear Him best when we’re willing to see.  Do you need to put your glasses on?

Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth you have for me; place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unlock and set me free. Silently now, on bended knee, ready I wait your will to see; open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth you send so clear; and while the message sounds in my ear, everything false will disappear. Silently now, on bended knee, ready I wait your will to see; open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Some of this is a repeat blog. It’s one I post periodically because I need. The world is a noisy place, and I need to be reminded. The world we live in tells us we can say what we want, how we want, when we want, to anyone we want, in any way we want. The world today tells us that our opinions and thoughts and our expressions of those opinions and thoughts are all that matter. That we have a right, and some would say a duty, to allow those opinions and thoughts to flow freely from our minds out of our lips and through our pens and keyboards, without filter. The world is wrong. Full stop.

The problem is that we can become so caught up in the world and our own entitlement that we spew forth our thoughts and opinions in an effort to persuade and influence others, often unchecked. Guilty as charged! Another problem is that the more we hear others offering opinions and thoughts, be it on the television, radio, in the store, or in print, the more of an obligation we feel to do the same. But, I heard a Bible verse last week on a program recently and it felt like it had my name on it:

Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

Proverbs 10:19 (NLT)

The less we say, the less we sin, Beth! And it’s rarely just what we say, it’s most often how we say it. Our tone, our attitude, our inflection, our words, our volume, our eyebrows matter. Sometimes(?) we’re just not nice.

In my humble opinion, I think our world could do with a little less thought and opinion and a little more thoughtfulness. Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth gives some great advice for us who live in this world when it comes to what we say. Four questions to ask ourselves before we speak and offer our thoughts or opinions:

Is it kind? Is it wise? Is it true? Is it necessary (does it need to be said)?

Kind. Wise. True. Necessary. Running our thoughts and opinions through those filters may lead to a lot less picking and pecking. Running our thoughts and opinions through those commonsense filters may just help to lower the temperature in a world that’s running so hot (literally and figuratively) that it cannot hear the persuasive and influential love of Jesus.

WHEN DID IT GET OKAY? Initially posted, August 30, 2018.

You might have heard about my girls – my chicks – there are seven of them.  I love those stinkin things.  We do a lot of chicken watching at our house.  During the day they run a muck – they cover every inch of our 12, every day, and where they go, they go all together.  They’re flockers.  They stick together unless someone’s sitting anest.

During the day they wander and at night they’re cooped up – it’s one of those two story jobs.  Settling in for the night is a process, which doesn’t voluntarily begin before darkish.  When dusk hits they instinctively head for their coop.   Settling in for the night is a process for them.  They take turns going in and out before the doors close.  They run in and think about roosting then they run out for one last bite.  In.  Out.  Bite to eat.  Drink.  Hop up.  Hop down.  Jostling.   They chase each other and squeeze each other out, jockeying for the best roost position.  If one tries to go up the ladder before another thinks they should, they get a peck or two on the head.  Maybe even a pluck.  Ouch Georgie Girl!  Poor Ethel is always the last to ascend she’s most often pushed, pecked and bullied.  It’s a tough crowd.

After finally ascending to the coop, the jockeying for position is not yet over.  They move, they ruffle, they peck, they squawk.  It’s constant.  I try to intervene, to restore calm, but I’m reminded that it’s what chickens do.  They’re animals – fowl, technically.  They have a pecking order. 

One thing I’ve noticed is that we, me, I, have chicken-tendencies.  We, me, are not so different from them, really.  We do the same sometimes.  I know I do.

After watching the news the other day, I started thinking how very similar we are to my girls.  We treat each other the same way my girls treat each other, and it’s permissible and acceptable.  I wondered to myself – when did it get okay?  When did it get okay to be mean?  Push.  When did it get okay to call people names?  Squawk.  When did it get okay to degrade other people?  Bump.  When did it get okay to mistreat others?  Peck.  When did it get okay to speak our minds without care for others’ tender hearts?  Pluck.  When did it get okay to say what we want, regardless of the cost to someone else?  Scar.  When did it get okay to bully?  Jostle.  When did it get okay?

Clearly, my chickens have not heard about the Greatest Commandment.  Sometimes I act like I’ve not heard it either.

The most important commandment is this:  Hear, O Israel! 

The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul,

All your mind, and all your strength.

and your neighbor as yourself.

Mark 12:29-31

According to Jesus, this is the most important commandment.  Notice He gives us a few directions before we are to love each other.  His directions are just that – listed in order of importance.  First, he gets our attention.  Then He identifies Himself.  Next, He tells us exactly what we must do.  He says:

Listen up folks!

I am the only God!

You must love Me with absolutely everything you have – heart, soul, mind, strength,

Only when you do that can you love your neighbor as you should.

Only by putting God first in our hearts, in our souls, in our minds, with all the strength that we have, can we love others as we should.  He knew we would struggle with love because we are human, that’s why he gave us the directions – He’s shown us how to work this love thing.

God did not tell us to love our neighbors if we want to, if they love us first, if they’re loveable.  He said love your neighbor as yourself.  Do we do that?  Do we love each other as we love ourselves – maybe.  Maybe that’s our problem.

Paul tells us living in the Spirit – heart, soul, mind, strength – produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  We can pretty much tell if we’re living in the Spirit or living in the world by the fruits we produce.   Will they know I’m a Christian by my love?  By my words?  By my deeds?  By my eyes?  By my life?  The fruits are not to be practiced occasionally; they are to be how we live our life.  They are to be practiced consistently.  What a wonderful world it would be if we all immersed ourselves in the fruits.

We peck.  We bump.  We shove.  We squawk.  We pluck.  We scar.  We jostle.  We act like animals.  We act fowl.  That’s the truth.  Ugh!  We need a Cross check.  We are sinners living in a fallen world but that doesn’t excuse our actions.  Because we are His we are to be of the world and not in the world. When did it get okay to peck, bump, shove, squawk, pluck, scar, or jostle each other?  It didn’t.  It never did.  It’s just not okay.

If He said come on, let’s go.  If He said, follow me.  If He said, drop everything.  If He said, I have something for you to do.  If He said, I have somewhere for you to go.  If He said, I have some folks you need to talk to.  What would I say?  What would you say?  I will follow, I will drop everything, I will do what you want me to do, I will go where you want me to go, I will talk to who (whom) you want me to talk.  Those are all the right answers, right?  Those are all the things we’re supposed to say if we are followers of Christ, right?

Well, let’s talk reality.  For me, I’d say, with great enthusiasm…Yes, yes, yes, I will follow, I will drop everything, I will do what you want me to do, I will go where you want me to go, I will talk to who (whom) you want me to talk but, let me first finish this load of laundry – I need clothes to take; run to the store – I need snacks for a road trip; gas up the car – how else will I get there; run to the bank (yes, we still do that) – you need a little jingle in your pocket; make a call – people gotta know where I’m going; set my email autoreply – someone else has to take care of others in my absence; get a horse/chicken/dog/cat-sitter – someone needs to take care of my babies here while I’m there.  I am one prepared woman!

Then I’d say…Where’re we going?  All that way?  Am I going alone?  That might be best.  Who else is going?  Do they have to?  Will they be good traveling companions?  Maybe.  How long does it take to get there?  That long?  What route will we take?  That’s a busy road you know.  Who are we going to see?  Why them?  Do they know us?  I don’t know them.  What will we say?  Can we write out a script?  Will they like us?  What’s not to like?  Can we stop and eat on the way?  Let’s get our priorities in line.  Are we there yet?  How much longer?  All these thoughts would flit through my mind in a nanosecond.  Jesus would probably look at me and say good grief girl!  Relax!  Slow down!  And I’d be going but, but, but…

Did the Disciples have any of those same thoughts when Jesus called them?  We don’t really know what all of them were thinking when they were called.  I kind of hope they had some of the same thoughts I did.  I’d like to think of them as just as human as me because they were just as human as me, as you. 

The Disciples were not called by chance, they were called by choice.  Jesus prayed, called and instructed those He chose.  Jesus prays, calls, and instructs us as well.  Why?  Because we are Chosen.  Chosen to be His.  Chosen to follow Him.  Chosen to be His Disciples.  Chosen to spread His Word. 

Look what Jesus said to His Disciples in Matthew 10:

Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel – God’s lost sheep.  Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons.  Give as freely as you have received.

Matthew 10:7-8

You know it’s the same for us, right?

Jesus Prays:

I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony.  My prayer is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father – that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.

John 17:20-21

Jesus Chose:

You didn’t choose me, I chose you.  I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

John 15:16

Jesus Instructs:

Don’t take any money with you.  Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with an extra coat and sandals or even a walking stick.  Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.  Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy man and stay in his home until you leave for the next town.  When you are invited into someone’s home, give it your blessing.  If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it’s not take back the blessing.  If a village doesn’t welcome you or listen to you, shake off the dust of that place from your feet and leave.
Matthew 10:9-14

Jesus prayed.  Jesus called.  Then He gave instructions. Where to go.  Where not to go.  Where to stay.  What to say.  What to do.  How to do it. 

He prayed.  He called.  He instructed.  Because He’s a Forever God, He’s still doing that today.  He’s praying for us.  He’s chosen us.  He instructs us. The question is not really “if” Jesus calls, it’s “when” Jesus calls.   Is there something He’s calling you to do?  Is it something too big?  Is it something too scary?  Is it something too uncomfortable?  Is it something too difficult?   If we are His, He is calling.  If we are His, we go in His power.  If we are His, He is right there beside us, every step of the way, praying for us and instructing us.   When Jesus calls, how will we answer?

Jesus call us; o’er the tumult of our life’s wild, restless sea;

Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, saying, “Christian, follow me.”

Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world’s golden store,

From each idol that would keep us, saying “Christian, love me more.”

In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease,

Still He calls, in cares and pleasures, “Christian, love me more than these.”

Jesus calls us – by Thy mercies, Savior, may we hear They call;

give our hearts to Thine obedience, serve and love Thee best of all.

I’ve been preparing lately for things.  Preparing for the Women’s Retreat.  Preparing for a  Sunday lesson.  Preparing for this blog.  And of course, the preparing for daily life stuff, in general.  As I was thinking about the preparations, I was reminded of this incident.  I’m sure you have many such incidents just like it in life.  Even if you are normally prepared for everything, a band aide in the bag kind of person, I bet you can think of a time or two you were simply unprepared.  But I do pray that there is one preparation you have made in advance because you may not get another shot at it.  Eternity.

Unprepared – November 2018

Did you notice anything missing?  Yep.  No picture today.  This is what happened.  The first morning after turning the clock back, I woke up super early.  My internal alarm went off at 4:30 a.m., no kidding.  I figured I might as well make hay before the sun shines, so I did.  By 6:00 a.m. it was fully light out.  I peeked out at the mountain and oh my, what a sight!  The sun shining down on the frost caused all to sparkle.  It was simply glorious.  I told Shenandoah to wake up, we didn’t want to miss the glorious sight.  She reluctantly got off her bed.  I grabbed my camera.  Off we went.

We walked a little and just enjoyed – the sun, the sparkle, the breeze, the colors, the silence, the peace.  Sigh.  We rounded a corner in the front field and I caught a sparkle on the ground.  I bent down to look at the frost covering a weed.  The frost was so thick it made the plant visually multi-dimensional.  I know, it sounds weird, I just don’t know how else to describe it to you.  It was stunning!   I pulled out my camera and zoomed in as close as possible because I wanted you to be able to see it.  You could actually see the individual ice crystals.  I line it up.  It automatically focuses, because I can’t.  It is perfect.  Snap.  My camera lens retracts, the big red battery light comes on and my camera shuts off.   Ah!!!!!!   That beautiful moment lost forever, except in my mind.  It won’t last long there either, I promise.   No pictures of the sun shining on the mountain.  No pictures of the fall colors.  No capture of the breathtaking morning.  All because I wasn’t prepared.

Earlier this week I was out in the woods looking for eye-treasurers.  I noticed then that my battery was low.  I should have charged it days ago.  Now a moment in time is lost.  I can’t get it back and I can’t share it with you.  All because I wasn’t prepared.

I began to wonder, how many moments in time do I miss simply because I am not prepared.  Not just picture moments, but real make a difference life-moments.  How do I make sure I’m prepared?  Prepared to see God in everything?  Prepared to tell others of Him?  How do I make sure I don’t miss those snapshots of life?  How do I make sure I don’t fall prey to the powers of the evil one?  How do I make sure I’m prepared for Him?

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 1:13

There it is!  There’s the answer!  Gird up the loins, people!  Yes!  But wait…what does that even mean?  To understand the “gird up,” we have to go back a-ways.  Moses and Aaron are instructing the people of Israel for The Passover.  These instructions came directly from God.  Let’s look at Exodus 12:11:

And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste:  it is the Lord’s Passover. (KJV)

or

Wear your traveling clothes as you eat this meal as though prepared for a long journey.  Wear your sandals, and carry your walking sticks in your hands.  Eat the food quickly, for this is the Lord’s Passover. (NLT)

Gird up!  The fashion of the day for all was a neutral colored flowing robe, accented at the waist by a belt or rope.  As you can imagine, a flowing robe could have been a little tricky if you had to move quickly, especially for those of us who get easily tangled up.  Girding up the loins meant to pull the back of the robe between your legs and tuck it into your belt in the front, pulling up the flowing material so that you didn’t get tripped up.  The belt was not just an accessory, it was a necessity.   The first piece of armor mentioned by Brother Paul in Ephesians was the “belt of truth.”  Coincidence?  I think not.  Anyway, God’s message was to be prepared.

“Be dressed for service and well prepared, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast.  Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.  There will be special favor for those who are ready and willing for his return.  I tell you, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!  He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn.  But whenever he comes, there will be special favor for his servants who are ready.  Know this:  A homeowner who knew exactly when a burglar was coming would not permit the house to be broken into.  You must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”  Luke 12:35-41

Gird up the loins of your mind.  The New Living Translation says to “think clearly and exercise self-control.”  I struggle to think clearly and I lack self-control.  You too?  So, how do we gird up the loins of our minds?  How do we ready our minds for action?  How do we become more alert?  Let’s start with what’s currently in our minds.  Is there stuff there that needs to be handled, processed, dealt with and disposed of?  Are our minds full, cluttered, so weighted down with the temporal that we can’t even think, let alone think clearly?  Sometimes.  If we belong to Jesus, thinking clearly and exercising self-control are more difficult.  Why?  Because those are two things smutty face (as C.S. Lewis calls satan), doesn’t want us to do.  Smutty face is in his glory when we are confused and out of control.  That means he will do anything to keep us that way.   Just look at our lives.  Isn’t it obvious?  Smutty face does not want us to be prepared.   He doesn’t want our minds to be girded or guarded.   BUT…

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power.  Let heaven fill your thoughts.  Do not think only about things down here on earth.  Colossians 3:1-2

You see, for all time, it’s been about Jesus.  His coming to save.   All time has prepared us for Him.  Are you prepared?  Will you miss the once in a lifetime shot to see eternity?  Will you miss the opportunity to share eternity with someone?  Will you get tripped up or be girded up?

I’ve been thinking so much on The Word of God, maybe because I just came off a two week 30,000 foot flyover of Psalm 119 that has reinvigorated, revived and given me a renewed appetite for more of it. I mean who wouldn’t want to learn more about the road to happiness, blessedness, joy? So, I’ve been taking a really deep dive into it and I’m trying to dissect and absorb it. You know, go from 30,000 feet to 2 feet. I’ve been trying to meditate (and memorize) on it day and night (yep, that’s where it came from). The meditating is going well, the memorizing…

So, in my thoughts about absorbing and taking in The Word, I was reminded of my sweet Shenandoah, my Worst/Best (may she rest in peace) and the time she ate my Bible. Although frustrating at the time, I have recalled this event often. She unintentionally taught me one of my big life lessons. We are to absorb The Word of God. Take it in and digest it. God’s Word is true and wonderful, powerful and active, life-guiding, life-changing, comforting and healing.

Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Psalm 34:38

Literally. 

I’d left a Bible sitting on the couch and came home to this.  You’d think the Worst/Best at 10 years old would be over eating the stuff she shouldn’t.  For years you could leave things laying around, except for socks, and tea towels, and tissues, and gloves, and food, and vacuum cleaner parts, and she wouldn’t mess with them.  Now, all of the sudden, she’s decided to eat it if it’s laying there.  The other thing the Worst/Best has taken to chewing on is an old magazine we roll up to encourage her not to jump through the window when a car goes by with a whack on the bottom (don’t go all PETA on me a whack with a magazine doesn’t hurt a 90 pound, fully unglued, dog).  It just seems a little ironic to me that the two things meant for good in life (hers and ours) don’t really work unless applied.   We all need a whack (figuratively) and The Word (literally).

When I saw this chewed on Bible, so many thoughts came to my mind – I’m sure they did to yours as well. Initially I was annoyed, but then I thought she did something I (we) should all be doing.  But the one thought that gave me pause was that I want to be that hungry for the Word of God.  So hungry that I want to completely devour like Jeremiah.

When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies.

Jeremiah 15:16

What food for thought.  I won’t belabor the many metaphors and puns that immediately come to my mind about this incident. I’m sure your wheels are turning too.  But, it does remind that the Word of the Lord is to be consumed, not by dog, but by man.  In fact, many versions call it feasting — feast on the Word of the Lord.  If we are followers of Christ, why would we not want to take it in?  It is our provision, our sustenance, our life.  It is meant to be read, absorbed and applied to our lives. We cannot know Christ, follow more nearly, love Him more dearly, know who He is, if we do not read The Word of God.

We can come up with all kinds of reasons excuses (maybe even idols) for not feasting on the Word of the Lord, but James laid it out too perfectly for us, didn’t he – to know what we’re supposed to do and not do it is a big problem.  That problem is sin. He tells us to seek Him, continually, with our whole heart (yep, Psalm 119). To know what we’re supposed to do and not do it is a big problem.

Here’s the thing, the Word can change our lives but not if we don’t read it.  The Word is filled with such love, hope, encouragement, promise, comfort, healing, peace, mercy and grace.  Don’t we all need just a little bit of that in our lives?  The Word is also filled with protection, instruction, teaching, wisdom, boundaries, and guidance.  Don’t we all need just a little bit of that in our lives as well?

Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:3

I am a mountain person.  Sure, the beach is beautiful, the ebb and flow of the tide can be mesmerizing, but if I had my druthers, I would look to the mountains.  There’s just something about the tall reaches and peaks that reminds me of the magnificence and power of God.  It’s almost as if the mountains are stretching on tippy-toe to meet the Kingdom of Heaven.

I am privileged to live at the foot of this mountain .  North Mountain.  Specifically, just to the south of Boyd’s Gap and  just to the north of Roundtop.  Both ridges are decent sizes for this area, about 1,480 and 1,673 feet, respectively, give or take. That’s a lot of reaching Heavenward.  We’re situated half way in the middle of two peaks of North Mountain, which is part of the Appalachian Mountains.

O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

Oops, where was I?  I get positively gooey when I look at my mountain.  For sure it isn’t the biggest mountain in the US, Mt. McKinley, Mt. Rainier, the Rockies, White Mountains, and the Great Smokies are all much, much larger than North Mountain, but the Appalachian Mountain Range is the oldest  mountain range in this Country.  For real, check it out.

I look up to the mountains—

does my help come from there?

My help comes from the LORD,

who made heaven and earth!

Psalm 121:1-2

I often recite this Psalm as I walk Haddy Girl in the mornings.  It brings me such peace.  But, as we walked one day last week (between rains and before the oppressive heat), I noticed something new about my Beautiful Mountain, it had a utility path on which a power line traveled.  Of course, it was not new, and of course, I had seen it before, but for some reason this particular day it really stood out to me.  And I thought to myself, although it does interrupt the beautiful flow of the mountain, it really was quite a wonderful path.

It made me ask – What path am I on?  We’re all journeying through life, we’re all following some kind of path. We’re all following someone or something?  What path are you on?  I pondered that for a bit.

My second thought was the Sound of Music.  Climb Every Mountain, Search High and Low.  Just looking up at that path makes us feel the burn, doesn’t it?  As we follow our life path it can sometimes feel like this steep rocky path.

But the thing that jumped out to me most, and I realize it’s a little hard to see (if you’re on your cell blow it up), between the cell towers on either side of the path, at the very top is a powerline.  Let’s think about that for a minute.  A powerline.  What is powering my path as I’m climbing every mountain, searching high and low?  And although I know it’s a little difficult to see, note that the power line is not just at the top of the mountain.  The powerline comes up from the bottom of the mountain, right where our journey starts.

Note how tidy this path seems to be.  In order to make way for the utility line, vegetation had to be cleaned up.  Much brush and overgrowth had to be eliminated to set the powerlines.  But some good vegetation also had to be removed.  We know in our lives brush definitely has to go in order to make way for the powerlines, but sometimes even good things, or things that are not necessarily bad, need to go in order to make way for the powerlines.

And as I looked at the top, it dawned on me, the powerlines don’t stop at the top, there would be no purpose in that.  The powerlines lead over the mountain into the valley.  The peaceful valley.

Like cattle going down to the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led Your people this way to make for Yourself a glorious name. Isaiah 63:14

Just as the cattle no doubt felt the burn on their mountain path up and over, they descend to the valley floor and receive rest from the Spirit.  Isaiah tells us the Spirit of the Lord will do the same for us.  He will power His people on the path up and over the mountain. 

O Zion, messenger of good news,

shout from the mountaintops!

Shout it louder, O Jerusalem.

Shout, and do not be afraid.

Tell the towns of Judah,

“Your God is coming!”

Yes, the Sovereign LORD is coming in power.

He will rule with a powerful arm.

See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.

He will feed his flock like a shepherd.

He will carry the lambs in his arms,

holding them close to his heart.

He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

Isaiah 40:9-11

What a beautiful picture of rest after the climb.  With trembling, burning legs we walk the mountain path of life.  On the way we must get rid of all things in life that encroach on the path of our powerline, good and bad, that pull us from the power source that takes us safely over the mountain and to the restful valley.

He makes me lie down in green meadows;

He leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

Bringing honor to his name.

Psalm 23

What a beautiful portrait of the God of the Mountain, our powerline, from where our help comes from!