Month: April 2020

There is nothing too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Job 8:21

One of the things I have missed most in these last few weeks is the ability to be in the pool and to stretch all my muscles. Research confirms that stretching is good for your flexibility, blood flow, posture, stress relief, and mood. It also increases your energy and calms your mind. We could all do with a good stretch right now. The more you stretch, the stronger you become.

Faith is like a muscle; trouble may strain it, but in the end it grows stronger. When we are being stretched spiritually, our faith in God grows. I can bet that there are more people praying, more people invoking God’s will, and more people turning to faith than we have ever seen in our lifetime. We are being stretched!

We are being stretched mentally as well. How many of us are playing board games, doing crossword puzzles, putting puzzles together, and even reading books! We are also discovering that our old ideas about life, faith, and even religion are being challenged, and they are either being replaced with new ideas or our old ideas are being reinforced. God is stretching us!

Our relations with others are also being stretched. Selfishness is dying and being replaced with love and caring. We are learning not to take anything for granted but rather to stretch those relationships and fill each day with appreciation for those we love.

Every now and then God allows us to have stretching experiences that prepare us for the races He has called us to run in this life. Even with the stretching, sometimes our soul just “hits the wall” and no amount of strength or pressing ahead will move the problem. This is a soul stretch!

These stretches are just warm ups for the real tests and races that will come. God’s never going to allow us to run a race for Him or without Him, but we’ve got to make sure we are stretched in our thinking, our faith, and our relationships.

During this time when nothing we do seems to move this problem called COVID-19, just remember to take a deep breath and let God work on stretching us. It’s the soul stretching that allows us to face situations we think might kill us, but don’t; and to endure times when we think we won’t make it, but we do.

Sooner or later we all face difficult times, but they are just deep knee bend stretches of life. So when we feel like we are being stretched to the breaking point, don’t quit, keep letting God stretch us!

Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be broken. copied

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end says the Lord God. I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty One. Rev. 1:8

One of the great joys of life is being able to read books and draw meaning and entertainment from them. In the kindergarten years, it was rewarding for us teachers to see the joy on the faces of the children as they sat while listening to a book and looking at the pictures as we went through a story together. Later, as we began to move on to chapter books, they began to mature enough to enjoy the story with only infrequent pictures. The thing I love about chapter books is that when we read our chapter for the day, the children knew we weren’t finished. They knew we would continue the story the next time we were together.

The best chapter book of all time is the Bible. The story begins with creation, takes us through good and evil, suffering, hardship, disasters, rebellion, wars, shows us how humans tend to reject their God, comforts us, and finally gives us hope for salvation, forgiveness and love.

Chapter books remind me of the Bible and in particular the resurrection. God has said it is not finished here on this earth, but rather the journey and the story continues.

We all feel like our daily lives are a chapter book right now. We awake and never know what the day will bring, but we do know that through it all, we are learning some powerful coping skills.

Right now, we are all learning how to develop patience. Each day we think maybe the solution will come, the apex will be reached, the curve will flatten, a vaccine will be found, school will start again, businesses will reopen, vacation plans will be realized, and things will begin to return to normal, but while we wait, we are writing a chapter in the book of patience.

We are increasing our vocabulary daily with new words and phrases such as “shelter in place”, “social distancing”, “zoom”, ” pandemic”, “home schooling”, “essential”, “sequestering”, and “quarantine”. We are writing a whole new vocabulary in the chapter book of life during and after the COVID-19 era.

We are using visualization methods to get through the days and nights without human contact and touch. We see friends and loved ones through Zoom, FaceTime, Facebook, and drive by visits. We remember what it was like to hug our friends and loved ones, and we add the chapter of not taking things for granted to our book.

We are also writing lessons on giving as we are learning how we can each reach out to others to offer encouragement, joy, faith, hope and love. We are learning thankfulness for all those who give of themselves each day.

Finally, we are getting practice in the skill of predicting the ending of the book. Students usually know how they want the book to end, the character they want to be the hero, the right way to end the story, but only the author knows the ending. As in kindergarten chapter books, we can all predict how we’d like to see this end, but no human really knows. God is the author of this story, and only He can write the ending .

Through this time, we must remember not to despair. God is the author and preserver of it all and the author of this chapter book. He’s writing a great ending to this chapter book that will show His power and His love.

Stay strong and faithful, and add a chapter every day!

I love to tell the story of unseen things above; Of Jesus and His glory, Of Jesus and His love. I love to tell the story because I know tis true. It satisfies my longing as nothing else can do. I love to tell the story, wilt be my theme in glory to tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love. I Love To Tell The Story by Alan Jackson

I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances before me. Psalm 119:30

He is not here; he has risen, as he said. Matthew 28:6

The first year Randy and I were married, I ended up in the hospital for surgery on my thyroid. It was a couple of weeks before Easter, and the movie The Ten Commandments was on television. Randy and I sat in my hospital bed together and watched the movie which we’ve done almost every year since.

At that time, the scene where the Hebrew slaves cross the Red Sea was a cinematographic wonder! God parted the Seas for them, got them safely through, and closed the waters over the Egyptians. He was there to rise to the occasion every time they needed Him.

Easter has come again and with it brought so many different ways of worshiping during this COVID 19. No matter how we are worshiping or what we are doing, the truth remains that on this day Jesus arose from the dead and is alive and among us. He is alive – His body is warm! The tomb is empty! He is not the Great I “Was”, but He is the Great I “Am.” He has risen to the occasion.

Now, as we go back to the reality of our lives, our question becomes, “Is Jesus alive or dead for us personally?” Many times we testify with our mouths that He is alive, but then we live as if He’s dead. If He is alive, then we should act like it, but sometimes after the moment is gone, we forget to rise to the occasion every day.

In the middle 1980’s when we served the First Methodist Church in Calhoun, Randy was searching for a visible way to show that Jesus was alive, that He had risen to the occasion. He came up with the idea of having each person bring a live flower to place on the cross. It was a beautiful morning, and the cross ended up being a beautiful concrete way of celebrating the resurrection.

The tradition of placing flowers on the cross remained during our time there, and when we came to Mt. Bethel in 1988, Randy and the worship team (thank you Susan, Phyllis, and others) expanded on the idea and made it more spectacular each year. Now, almost every church around has picked up on the idea and crosses are alive every Easter.

This year, yet again, the church and individuals has found a way to keep that spectacular vision which symbolizes the resurrection alive. It just proves to me that not even COVID-19 can keep the resurrection, God’s church, or His people from rising to the occasion of Easter!

During the weeks to come, remember this quote, “My child, you can trust the Man who died for you. If you cannot trust Him, then whom can you trust?” Unknown author

Happy Easter!

I serve a risen savior, He‘s in the world today. I know that He is living whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer; And just the time I need Him, He’s always near. He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me, and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives? He lives within my heart. He Lives by A.H. Ackley

(The picture is of our front yard cross. After seeing some beautifully crafted crosses in neighborhoods, we made our own from two limbs. Not the most spectacular, but still symbolic.)

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds (scars) you have been healed. I Peter 2:24

In early 1973 about 8 months after Randy and I married, a doctor found a lump on my thyroid gland. Testing was limited at that time, so the decision was made to surgically remove the nodule or part of the gland. It involved a hospital stay, and the whole situation had me very upset. The crowning blow; however, came when the doctor came in for a pre-op check and with a black marker drew a line all the way across my throat. He made the mistake of handing me a mirror so I could see where the incision was planned. I dissolved into tears, and it so unnerved him, that he apologized and tried to explain that the line was only so the scar would be straight!! (That was not helpful.)

My fear wasn’t the surgery itself (although that was scary), but rather my fear was the scar that was left behind. I kept thinking that scar would change my appearance, make a negative impact on my students, my co workers, my husband, and maybe even change me. Although the surgery would save me, was it worth the scar left behind?

Everyone of us have scars and stories of our scars. Sometimes our stories are filled with pain, sometimes they can be funny, sometimes prideful, sometimes sacrificial, or perhaps life changing. Nevertheless, each scar represents a wound whether physical or emotional.

As we remember the scars that Jesus had to show the disciples after his resurrection, I know that scars can be evidence of hope and grace. It was the scars on his hands, his feet, his sides that identified his sacrifice for each of us.

Jesus tells us through these scars that although the crown of thorns wasn’t the easy thing, it was the best thing. Although the cross wasn’t the easy way, it was the best way. Although grace doesn’t always do the easy thing, it always does the best thing.

Jesus took our suffering, shame, guilt and sins, and nailed all of it to the cross to kill it. He has the scars to prove it!

In this act of selflessness, He offers us courage to face the scars that we acquire during our life. We should take the courage.

He offers us a chance to obediently serve Him. We should take the offer and be obedient.

He offers us grace to meet each challenge. We should take His grace and meet every challenge.

On this Good Friday, may we all remember the scars of our lives and have the courage, obedience and grace to handle each one. The good news is that His scars are evidence of our salvation.

When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died; My richest gain, I count but loss; and pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it Lord that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God ; All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown? Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross by Isaac Watts

And when the hour had come, He sat down and the twelve apostles with Him. Luke 22:14

In July of 1972, Randy and I were married and began what is now, forty eight years together. Isn’t it amazing how two people from entirely different families can come together and thrive? I am from a family where planning was key in a vacation, trip, or short get away. We always had reservations either at a hotel, a campground, or a friend’s house. I learned that Randy was not of this same mind.

As we left that fateful July day on our honeymoon, I was so excited on many levels, but especially because I just knew Randy had reserved a special room for our honeymoon! As we entered Tallahassee and he seemed to be looking for the hotel, I asked excitedly, “Where are we staying?” Not missing a beat, he said, “Well, I think there’s a Ramada Inn here where my Dad used to stay on business, but I’m not sure.” I can’t even describe the “Say what?” feeling at that point, but as a new bride, I patiently said, “So, no reservations?” Randy just looked at me, smiled and said, “No, I think finding a place to stay is part of the adventure, don’t you?” We drove around to five hotels before a manager took pity on us and rented us a room! Who needs reservations?

That event was a precursor to our life. There were many road trips, vacations, and other events where we had no reservations, but Randy was right, in most cases, it was the adventure that made the memories.

As I began to think of the disciples on the night of The Last Supper, I realized that none of them had reservations at the Lord’s Table on that fateful night. They just came knowing that there were would be a place for them if Jesus was in charge. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. (Psalm 23:5)

It’s significant to me that the communion took place at a table much like a kitchen table is for us today. He introduced the bread and the wine as the symbols of His body and His blood as He invited each to “Take, Eat, in remembrance of Me.” They communed with Him, and then in the end, they deserted Him. The important thing here is that He knew they would desert Him, but He forgave them. Sometimes, we do the same thing, yet He forgives us.

There’s a reservation at Jesus’ table for all of us. Look who sat with Him at the table of Maundy Thursday. There was Peter who denied him, Judas who betrayed him, and the disciples who ran away on that night. If there is forgiveness for them around His table, then surely there is forgiveness for us. Take, Eat.

During this Holy Week, we need to remember that we have our reservation at the Lord’s Table and in His kingdom. All we have to do is accept it.

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord; come and quench this thirsting of my soul; Bread of heaven feed me til I want no more; Fill my cup, Fill it up, and make me whole. Fill my Cup by Richard Blanchard

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Thy rod and thy staff , they comfort me. Thou preparest a table for me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord. Wait for the Lord, be strong, and let your heart take courage. Psalm 27: 13-14

Recently as I was reading a book, I ran across the story of a river in Texas named Los Brazos De Dios which translated means “The Arms of God.” Spanish accounts say it received its name because it provided water to many very thirsty parties in 1842. The water saved their lives, and they saw fit to give the glory to God.

We seem to be living in a time which has driven or is driving many of us to the point of despair. Bad news seems to come every day, and it is testing our ability to remain faithful and give the glory to God. It reminds me how quickly things can change from day to day.

As Jesus rode triumphantly through the streets of Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday, He was greeted with shouts of Hosannah, but that quickly changed to shouts of “Crucify Him” later in the week. Although we know He was carrying a heavy burden of the impending week, He rested in Los Brazos De Dios.

During these unprecedented times, we begin to ask questions like, “What am I supposed to do when I am at this point of despair? How long can we take this? Why does God allow this? ” When I was small, I had constant fever and illness associated with tonsillitis. I still remember the weakness and despair even all these years later. What did I have to do? I had to lean on the shoulders of my parents, the doctors and those who lifted me up in Los Brazos de Dios. All you can do is lie still in the Brazos de Dios as a little child would and trust Him.

God is always using situations to teach us the way of pure faith. He teaches us the trial of faith, the discipline of faith, the patience of faith, and the courage of faith. We have to often pass through many stages before we arrive at the victory of faith.

There are so many of us who need to feel Los Bravos de Dios at this moment. We need to wrap our medical workers, our President, our nation, our world, our leaders, our community officials, our firemen, our policemen, our pharmacists, our EMT personnel, our grocery store workers, our small business owners, our mailmen, our teachers, our ministers, our churches, our elderly, our children, our parents, our friends, and our loved ones in the Arms of God.

When we remain unswayed from our stance of faith, even in difficult situations, we grow stronger on every level. These are times that try our soul but they can be times of enormous spiritual growth and faith development.

Hosanna in the highest! We need to rest in Los Bravos de Dios.

Hosanna in the highest, that ancient song we sing; For Christ is our Redeemer, The Lord of Heaven our King. O may we ever praise Him with heart and life and voice, and in His blessed presence eternally rejoice. Hosanna, Loud Hosanna by Jeanette Threlfall