Author: admin

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.

So, are there passages of scripture that are so familiar to you that you don’t know what they say? What in the world is she talking about, you say? Stick with me for a minute. The other day I read a passage of scripture that I knew nearly by heart. I first learned this passage by felt board. You know what I’m talking about. Four robed paper men, two on either side carrying a man on a stretcher all stuck whopperjawed on a felt board. One man falls off the board, he’s picked up and pressed back in place.  Beside them, just as crooked, was a paper flat roofed house with a hole in the top. This passage was taught to me more than once through my life and as I grew so did the delivery. As I read this passage today though, I saw it with fresh eyes. Maybe I was so familiar with the mechanics of the story that I missed the message of the story.

We will learn many Bible passages and be familiar with many Bible stories and characters in our life, but it is up to us, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, to work out the message behind the mechanics.

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 2:1-5

You can see that scene played out on the felt board too, can’t you? As a passage we’ve heard teached and preached, more than once. Come with me as I work out some of my thoughts about this passage. As we work through this passage, how about making notes of your own, praying the Holy Spirit gives you new insight into His Word.

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum,
the people heard that he had come home.

Jesus had come home. I hadn’t really thought of Jesus having a home. A place. This may not have been His home, it might have been Peter’s home, but He came to a place. Think about that word home. Where is home for you? Where is your home place? Where’s the heart of your home? Where’s the home of your heart?

So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door,
and he preached the word to them.

Felt board this verse. So many people came to hear Jesus that there was no room in the house or outside the house. Family and friends, loved ones, had come to hear the Master teach. All crowded together, look at the faces on the board as they listen to Him to teach. Do you see the joy? Do you see the excitement of being in his presence? Wow! Do we gather? Would we complain if it was crowded? Are we joyful? Are we excited to be in His presence?

Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus…

Picture the crooked men on the felt board carrying their sick friend. They brought their friend to Jesus for healing. At some point in life, I was the paralytic. I was immobile. I was the immoveable person. I needed, and still need, Jesus’ healing. There are folks in our lives who presented us to Jesus for healing, right? Do I bring those immovable of my family and friends and present them to Jesus for healing?

…and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.

Can you picture that? Four men on the roof desperately picking away at the mud thatch, trying to claw an opening in order to present their friend to Jesus for healing. That’s a powerful vision, isn’t it? Do I desperately pick at what stands in the way of healing for my friends? Do I fervently and diligently pray, take them to Jesus for deliverance and healing?

Their friend was lying on a mat. Am I lying on a mat? Are my friends lying on a mat? Are we content in our surroundings, are we comfortable?

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic…

Jesus saw their faith, through their actions. Is my own healing reflected in my life so that my friends want healing? Not what do my lips say, but what does my life say?

“Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Are they not the most beautiful words ever? This man’s friends were worried about his physical health, Jesus cut to the chase – the man’s spiritual health. Jesus will meet our deepest need – forgiveness of sins is the ultimate healing. Jesus looks at eternity, forever. He is most interested in healing our hearts.

The great intention of the blessed Jesus in the redemption he wrought,
is to separate our hearts from sin.
Matthew Henry

So, here are a few questions I pondered:

• Am I a bringer or just a taker? 

• Do I pave a way by strengthening my own faith? Prayer? Study?
• Who will I lower through the roof?

• What pains will I go to, digging and clawing, to present them to Jesus? 

So, you know how we had the dryer issue the day we came back from vacation in May, right? We had to get a new one. Well, guess what happened in June – yep, the washer started going bad. I had thrown a load in, hit the buttons as usual, and it started doing its thing. It filled, it washed, it rinsed, it spun – oh my word, what is that noise? One of those noises where you run screaming, turn it off! turn it off! turn it off! When in the spin cycle, the washing machine made this hideous sound, like marbles rubbing metal. We ran. We hit Stop. We sank.

We’re thinking here we go again, back to Lowe’s, where they fix all your woes, if you spend enough money. Ugh! We try again, we turn it back on, maybe it was just off balance, let’s give it one more go. We hit the power button, and the washer starts spinning. Other than that hideous noise, nothing seemed out of kilter except…as we stand there, pieces of dog food are flying across the laundry room floor from underneath the washer! I know, crazy. The dog’s nightly portion had just flown out from under the washer – what the heck is going on here?

We looked around because the dog food is kept in a plastic tub in our laundry room. We had recently gotten a new bag that wouldn’t quite fit in the tub so it was propped beside the tub. We look at the bag and there’s a hole, not just a little nick, baseball size. Tony pulls out the washing machine and underneath was enough dog food to fill a large coffee can, twice, no lie. When he tilted the washer for me to clean underneath, more fell out of the bottom of our washer. I know, crazy. He’s ba-ack…we have a mouse – ugh! That darn thing was taking the dog food out of the bag, through the hole he had chewed, and was storing it in the bottom of our washing machine. I know, crazy. He was quite industrious, I will give him that. He had quite a stash. It made me think what am I stashing?

Are you a collector? A stower? A stasher? A – I might use this one day – person? What are some of the things you save, you store? What are some things you’d stash in my washing machine?!?! That little mouse was storing up treasures. He couldn’t have possibly eaten it all, even if he’d had a party.

Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal.
Matthew 6:19

What am I storing? What am I keeping? Are my possessions that important that I treasurer them more than my relationship with Jesus, here on earth? Are my collections that collectible? Are my treasures taking up too much space, too much time? Jesus gives us the simple, not so simple, solution.

Store your treasurers in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves.
Matthew 6:20

He’s saying that the things we collect, the things we store on this earth mean nothing. Our material things will always lose value. They will decay, they will be destroyed, they will be stolen. When Jesus was asked by the rich young ruler what he must do to have eternal life, Jesus said sell all your stuff, your collections, the stuff you’ve stowed away, the money you’ve stashed.

…and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.
Matthew 19:21

Empty yourself. That’s where the real treasure begins. Then, follow Jesus.

Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will be also.
Matthew 6:21

What do we need to get rid of or sell off? What do we need to empty ourselves of that take up our time, our space? Do we have stuff that is replacing Jesus?

Peter said to Jesus:

“We’ve given up everything to follow you.”
Matthew 19:27

He may never ask us to get rid of our earthly possessions, but then again He might. He’s not saying go today and sell all of your possessions, or maybe He is. He’s saying your only treasure is in Him. We can collect all we want, but the only thing that has lasting value is Jesus.

Remember my meltdown in April? When I came unglued and went Tammy Faye, ugly cry and all? Remember when I got a little dramatic about the edges of my beautiful field and woods where trees were felled and uprooted in the pushing back process? [Ignorance, 04-12-19]

This is what it looks like now…

I’m a little partial, but I think it is the most beautiful corn field I’ve ever seen. Now, I know that just because something is pretty doesn’t mean it’s right or good, and I know nothing about crops and growing corn, but we’re told it’s a really good looking crop and should have a high yield. I smile because here’s the thing…what I could not see in April has now been revealed to me. Farmer J. knew the truth of the matter was that you have to clean the fields up and push the edges back in order to glean the most and best from the land. I can now see the end result. Beautiful, unending rows of corn. Mystery solved.

I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud and start bragging. Some of the Jews have hard hearts, but this will last only until the complete number of gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved.
Romans 11:25-26

Mystery. What is a mystery? A whodonit? What does that mean? Maybe not what you think. It means truth revealed. God’s purpose, God’s truth, revealed to man. Made known. Manifested. Something formerly hidden or obscure, unseen or unseeable, now made known by God.

What mystery is Paul speaking about? That God’s salvation is for ALL, Jews and Gentiles alike! What’s a Gentile, essentially anyone that’s not a Jew – me, you. Mystery revealed! Paul was telling the Gentiles that the Jews were responsible for their (my, your) salvation!  God’s chosen nation, responsible for our salvation, another reason to support Israel.

For since the Jews’ rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, how much more wonderful their acceptance will be. It will be life for those who are dead!
Romans 11:15

Their rejection brought me eternal life. I am no longer dead, you are no longer dead, if you know Christ. Life for the dead. Wow. Do you know anyone who is dead? If they aren’t a follower of Christ, not just an acknowledger of His existence, they are dead. That sounds harsh, but it is truth revealed. Plain and simple.

And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. So whoever has God’s Son has life; whoever does not have his Son does not have life.
I John 5:11-12

Just as the mystery was revealed in what I called “carnage,” which actually made a way for more yield of corn, God’s mysteries are revealed to us. In time. For ALL to know.

Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is or us to understand his decisions and his methods! For who can know what the Lord is thinking! Who knows enough to be his counselor? And who could ever give him so much that he would have to pay it back? For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory everymore. Amen.
Romans 11:33-36

The Declaration of Independence was written in June 1776, by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. It was adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776, severing forever British rule, and birthing the United States of America.

July 4th is observed nationally with a day off work, fireworks and picnics. Just like we celebrate people’s birthdays, July 4th is a celebration of our Nation’s birthday. Just as people’s birthdays celebrate life, July 4th celebrates the life of the Nation we live in. This Nation is not a perfect nation but it is independent, free, and self-ruling.

Like every nation, we have symbols, all coming at various stages in our growth as a Nation. There’s the United States Seal – you should check it out. It’s beautiful and the symbolism will really make you think. There’s the American Flag – we’re all familiar with Old Glory. And there’s the Star Spangled Banner – which seems to be quite a controversy stirrer these days, written just down the road from us. We display these, we wave these and we sing these proudly. As we should.

I was out walking with the worst-best one morning. It was pretty dark, kind of cloudy, and as we walked, I noticed the sun starting to peak. And I thought, this must be a little of what Francis Scott Key felt when he penned those famous words!

Oh, say, can you see by the dawn’s early light.
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming.

Although the subject is the flag, these words mean a little something different to me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a patriot through and through. We fly the colors, we stand for the anthem, we appreciate our forefathers who labored long and at great cost in the birthing of our Nation,  we respect the original Constitution and we love our homeland.

Mr. Key was talking about the flag. He saw it in the twilight and with a battle waging, he was pleased to see it still flying in the morning. Throughout the battle, the flag was constant. It was there the night before and the morning of. Do we know of something that constant, regardless of the battle we’ve got going on? Do we know of someone that constant? Of course we do. God.

The Lord guided them by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. That way they could travel whether it was day or night. And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from their sight.
Exodus 13:21-22

Who the Israelites saw in the morning, by the dawn’s early light, was the last thing they had seen at the twilight’s last gleaming. He was constant!

Oh, say, do you see by the dawn’s early light.
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming.

You know, as Christians, we can proudly sing these stanzas. The meaning is the same, it’s the symbol that’s different for us. Our symbol is the Cross. The Cross of Christ. The Cross symbolizes Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Cross symbolizes for us eternal life. The Cross is constant. We never need fear that what we see in the twilight will not be there in the dawn’s early light, because He is the dawn’s early Light.

We don’t always finish what we start. We are beginners, not enders. We are openers, not closers. We are halfwayers – we get halfway, then we halt. We commence, but we don’t complete. We embark, we don’t arrive. We initiate, but do not consummate. All of us will see evidence of this if we but look around our homes – projects started, but not finished. I hope I’m not alone.
Call me crazy. Getting ready for work one day, I flipped open the cabinet and pulled out the hair gel. That’s the last thing I do before heading downstairs and out for the day. I slap on some hair gel – my finishing touch. While slapping it on one particular day I had a revelation. I’m a starter, not a finisher. You see I had two containers of hair gel – one that was almost empty and one that was brand new. I grabbed the brand new one – I wanted to start something new. The first thought that came to my mind when I did that was: “Thank goodness Jesus finishes what he starts.” I promptly returned the new to finish out the old. In my quest to see all things Jesus, I saw Jesus in the Hair Gel – I know what you’re thinking and you might be right!

I started thinking about my faith-race. Will I finish? What will my finish look like? Will I limp over the line or will I lunge across for the crown of glory? Philippians 1:6 says: “And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.” He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it! Jesus has done His part in my faith-race – will I do my part? Will I run and not grow weary? Will I endure? Will I be faithful?

Endurance in the faith requires testing. No one in their right mind would voluntarily sign on for testing, but that’s how we are made to grow. We grow strong physically by testing. We grow strong spiritually by testing. James 1:12 says: “God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” We must endure. Endurance means bearing hardship, holding on, running on, never giving up, never stopping, persevering, spunking-up! Enduring means running the race, completing the test, finishing.

James told the Jewish-Christians how to finish. Grow your faith — when faith is tested endurance has a chance to grow. Endurance, courage, strength, the will to continue, to keep going in spite of hardship, burdens, grief, injury, oppression, trials, disasters – in spite of it all. Endure and you will grow.

Testing comes in many forms – interruptions, work, family, busyness, idols, laziness, complacency, death, destruction, fear, confusion, friends, excuses, attitudes, food, money, etc. My list goes on and on. I bet you have a list of your own. There are so many things that I allow to separate me from my Savior. He never separates from me – He will be faithful to complete. He’s a finisher. I separate from Him – I don’t train and I get tired. I get weak. I grow weary.

But, this is one race I must finish – it’s about life or death. It’s about the crown! Who doesn’t want that? First Timothy 4:7-8 says to “spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.” Paul said to spend time and energy in training for spiritual fitness because he knew Timothy, and those to follow – us — would need it.

First Timothy 4:1: “that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe; they will follow lying spirits and teachings that come from demons.” Paul told Timothy that in the last days some would turn away from what they believed and follow others – they would not endure. They would not finish.

We must finish what we have started and finish strong. Finish with confidence. Run and not grow weary. Finish for the crown.

Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world! Look, I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.
Revelations 3:10-11

Life is full of tests. We face them every day. This is the fallen world. Some trials are small – irritants. Some trials are enormous – mind blowing, gut wrenching, devastating. We must train, we must be ready. We must hold on. We must overcome. Jesus told us he is with us “always.” Not sometimes or only in the big stuff, but “always.” He told us we would have trouble. He told us to take heart. He told us he has overcome the world. He’s the Finisher.

Try to study the Word and feel all over the place. Try to settle your mind and can’t figure out where to start. Trying to pray but the words just don’t come. Searching for wisdom and only finding confusion. The Spirit Slayer works overtime. But…you don’t give up. You don’t stop. You don’t relent. You don’t give in. You keep opening your Bible. You keep asking God to intervene. You keep praising!

My chick chicks love fruit, especially watermelon. Now it is too expensive to buy for them, but every now and again we’ve bought a watermelon on a super busy week. You know those weeks when you just can’t find time to do one more thing, even cut up a watermelon? There’s lesson number one – examine my life to see if it’s too jammed packed to cut up a watermelon, and if it is, why do I do that? If it’s too busy for a watermelon, am I too busy for really important things? Anyway, when the watermelon starts to turn, we slice it in halves and put it out for the girls to enjoy. Another lesson – waste not, want not.

As I write, lots of lessons are coming to my mind – isn’t God good – teaching me through a watermelon. Who’d a thought? Anyway, where was I? It is amazing to me how my chicks peck away at that watermelon, all the way down to the skin scooping out every bit of meat without ever piercing the skin, or the rind. It reminds me a little of what can happen when we sincerely pray the prayer – Cleanse my heart O God…He picks away at everything, completely cleaning out my life leaving it empty. Leaving a shell, a vessel, to which He can pour into Living Water.

So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel.
Jeremiah 18:3

Isn’t that a beautiful image? The Lord forming, creating, molding, shaping us into containers? Containers to hold The Word, Jesus. A vessel to hold Living Water.

Yet, O Lord, you are the Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Isaiah 64:8

He is the Potter. We are the clay. He is forming and working. He is hulling out, creating a vessel that He can use.

I’ve been watching this watermelon for over a week. Although its edges are shriveled a little from the sun, amazingly enough, this vessel still holds water. I wonder…Can I hold water? Can you hold water? Can we bear up? Can we be used?

If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:21

God does not shape us for uselessness. He is a God of purpose. We are made in His image. We are vessels made to be used by Him.

You may never look at a watermelon in the same way again! It’s all about practicing His Presence, turning every aspect, every thought, no matter how large or small, to Him.

So, you may had read on Monday that my Susan passed away. I’ve been watching the rest of my flock this week to see what their reaction would be.  She was their leader.  It’s interesting. We’d not lost a chicken so we weren’t sure what to expect. On one hand they don’t seem to notice she’s gone. On the other hand they seem to be a little willynilly. We’ve talked before about how chickens have a pecking order, they’re no different than the rest of the world, and Susan just happened to be the chick in charge. She peeped loudest, pecked hardest, and herded fastest. Lucky for the rest of the flock, she wasn’t too plucky, for a chicken, I mean.

Now, when chickens lose a leader nature takes over and they fill the gap. I’m telling you, chickens aren’t so different than us. A new hen will emerge as the leader, and the flock will be reordered. Things for them have changed. Exactly the same for us, right? In every house, group, church, office, sport, school, club, there is always a leader and there are always followers. From the playground to the boardroom either you lead or you follow. The more I read the more I find that throughout history, people aren’t so different than my girls.

The Lord said to Moses, “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.”
So at the Lord’s command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran. All of them were leaders of the Israelites.
Numbers 13:1-3

Do you see that? God led Moses, Moses was the follower. Moses led the tribal leaders, the tribal leaders were the followers. The tribal leaders led the tribes, the tribes followed. And so on and so on. It’s circular.   Skilled leaders have skilled followers who become skilled leaders. Not all leaders are good, but there was one who was especially Good, in fact perfect, spotless.

Remember Jesus and His followers…the disciples.

So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them…
Matthew 26:19

He was their Leader. He was their Comforter. He was their Provider. You know, I can’t even imagine how they must have felt as they watched the Crucifixion, as they thought they lost their Leader. As they did not fully understand His teachings to this point, they may have even felt abandoned, lost, willynilly. Their Leader was dead, or so they thought. And what happened? The led became the leaders. The followers became the followed. Followers of the Word. Leaders of the faith.

…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20

This is how the gospel was spread – leaders to followers to leaders. We are all called to be leaders and followers. We are to go and make disciples. We are to lead folks to the salvation of Jesus. But, we can only be leaders if we are followers. Followers of the Word, not followers of the world. In this very Word, we are given everything we need to lead. In fact, we can only lead if we follow this Word.  Not my word or your word, the Word.

So I ask myself, am I a leader or a follower? Am I a leader of the Word or a follower of the world? That’s a little ouchy. You too? You see, I cannot be both. The Leader’s teachings say that. We have a choice, a difficult choice. Leaders have followers that become like their leaders. Who is leading me?  Who is leading you?  Who am I following?  Who are you following?  Leaders of the Word, or followers of the world?