God's Way of Working

God so desperately wants people to get the message of His love, that He packages it in visible ways. In His created world, in the written Scriptures, most of all in His son Jesus, and finally in us when we demonstrate the genuine characteristics of the Family.

"All this [newness of life] comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you." (II Corinthians 5:18-20)

►The best way to win people to God's love is to love them yourself.

►The best way to convince people that God accepts them is for you to accept them.

►The best way to assure people that God cares for them is for you to care.

►The best way to persuade people that God will forgive them is for them to experience your forgiveness.

What is your attitude toward someone who has offended you?

"Heal my wound," or

"Be reconciled to God."

"Make good the loss I've suffered," or

"Make things right with God."

"I give up," or
"There is great, good hope for you."

"Mercy for me but justice for you," or

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

MaryMartha

Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

God Is Loyal

The final post in a series on "The Endearing Personality of God"


The color blue stands for loyalty.
Whenever you see blue sky, think of
GOD"S FAITHFULNESS!



It would be the rare person who had never experienced a disappointment in one or more of their relationships. An employee does not follow through on the assignment or responsibility entrusted to him/her. A service provider turns out to be less than trustworthy. A friend proves unfaithful. Families may be fractured. Even a spouse who promised "till death do us part" sometimes changes his/her mind. We value loyalty—but we cannot always depend on it defining our relationships.



God is different! He is always right here, even if—sadly—we are not welcoming His presence. "Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you're there! If I go underground, you're there! If I flew on morning's wings to the far western horizon, You'd find me in a minute—you're already there waiting! Then I said to myself, 'Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I'm immersed in the light!' It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you." (Psalm 139:7-12 MSG) Surely when circumstances not of our own choosing lead us to the "underground" or into the dark, we can know that He is already there!



Children ran to Him to be blessed—and still do! He cares for the elderly; "even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isaiah 46:4 NIV) He is especially watchful of orphans and widows and the disenfranchised who look to Him for their provision and protection. (See Psalm 68:5, 6)



"Since God assured us, 'I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,' we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I'm fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?" (Hebrews 13:6 MSG) Christians may say, "The Lord has forsaken me, He has forgotten me." No, He responds, "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" (Isaiah 49:15 NIV)

This characteristic of God is very precious!  He is unfailingly loyal!

MaryMartha

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture marked MSG is taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Art from http://sxc.hu/

God Is Impartial

One of a series on "The Endearing Personality of God"

I sometimes feel just a little uncomfortable when I compliment people, "You have a lovely home," or "That's a beautiful car." Their response may be, "Yes, God has blessed us," or "Yes, God has been good to us." Really, I do understand the desire to credit God with what we enjoy, but in the back of my mind, I am comparing my own home or my own car and hearing, "Too bad about you."

Does God have favorites? If we are not very careful how we speak, it almost sounds that way. I do not have the home or car or clothes that compare to what other people have. Looking at it another way, if I were with the homeless or hungry or endangered, how then could I explain the advantages and comforts I have—yes, my riches? Does God have favorites? Certainly not. Everything good finds its source in Him, even if I "earned" it. If acknowledging Him carries with it even the tiniest bit of self-importance, it would be better for me to thank Him in the secret place of prayer, lest I be like the Pharisees who wished to be seen as devout.

No, God is no respecter of persons; the Bible is clear about that. (The Apostle Peter finally understood. See Acts 10:34-43) Again and again, he says, "all" and "whoever." Where did we get the idea that God's blessing, His goodness, His favor, is measured by what we own or the circumstances in which we are? If the Gospel of God's grace and goodness does not work in Calcutta or Appalachia or New Orleans, it is not the true Gospel. If it doesn't apply in prisons or refugee tent-cities or land-mined fields, then it is not the Gospel that Jesus taught and exemplified. How is it lived out in these unfortunate places? I don't know the answer to that personally, but down through the ages, Christians have proved that God is faithful in the most miserable "have-not" situations. I know for certain that God is impartial; His love and grace are available to all, and I really love that about Him!

MaryMartha

I think you would also enjoy reading two other posts; click on a title.
Does God Always Provide Bread?
But If Not

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

God Is Approachable

One of a series on "God's Endearing Personality:

Before they sinned, Adam and Eve loved to hear the sound of God walking through the Garden. After the day's work was finished and they had eaten supper—I imagine—they went out into the cool shadows, unafraid, and talked with their Great Friend.

The disobedience of Adam and Eve did not alter God's intention to fellowship with His human creation. God did not change, but they did. God still loved them and yearned for the return of their love, but they were afraid to approach Him. And thus it has always been: sin separates us from God, although His desire for relationship with us remains the same. He is never far away, but the fact of our rebellious humanness—we are just like Adam—keeps us from acknowledging and enjoying His presence.

"Come close to God," His Word says, "and He will come close to you." (James 4:8) How do we achieve that? We depend on the new and living Way, Jesus Christ. Through His sacrificial life and death, we who were once far away are brought near to Him. (Ephesians 2:13) The writer to the Hebrews urged that we go so far as even to approach boldly. (4:16)

This is what the God wants! "Boldly" does not mean we come rudely or with pride. But we are to come confidently, much like the mothers who brought their little ones to Jesus for His blessing. Yes, God is the awesome Creator. He is the King to be honored and the Judge to be respected. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere-present, eternal and everlasting. But He is, above all, Love, waiting for us to draw close to Him.

MaryMartha

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

God's Endearing Qualities

One of a series on "God's endearing personality":

A lovely thing happened to me today. As one of my co-workers and I chatted about the past weekend, she told me she had attended a convention of her church's members. The theme of one afternoon's symposium concerned the endearing personality of God. What a sweet, uplifting thought! We usually get all theological when we consider what God is like. We speak of omniscience, omnipotence and the like, often neglecting to mention the qualities that draw us to Him—making Him dear and beloved.

From her notes, my friend shared that He is:

* approachable.
* empathetic
* appreciative
* generous
* impartial
* forgiving
* reasonable
* loyal

We think that each of these characteristics is worthy of being expanded into a topical study in the Scriptures. Would you like to accept that challenge too?

MaryMartha

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

Reunion

I have just returned from the biennial reunion of my extended family, three generations who are direct descendants of my parents. We had the use of a six bedroom home on lake property in this area. What a time we had! We prepared our own meals in the well-equipped kitchen. Even though we did not assign duties, certain fellows just took it upon themselves to empty and refill ice trays, bring in the newspapers and mail for the host family, empty the trash and carry out the "compostables," and make grocery runs. (We did try to keep most everyone out of the kitchen most of the time where we prepared some food favorites! Stir, stir, chop, chop, chop. Bake, blend, and freeze.) Sisters, sisters-in-law, granddaughters and nieces loaded and unloaded the dishwasher many, many times. All the while we laughed and talked, sang, cried, reminisced and planned.

It occurred to me a number of times during this happy occasion that if a family reunion is so joyful, what will it be like when we all are gathered together and never have to say our goodbyes again? While there are many details about heaven that are not clear to us while we live here, we will "know fully, even as we are now fully known." We'll not be separated by time and distance and schedules and circumstances. What a day that will be!

MaryMartha

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

Connecting

I have just finished reading an article (Time magazine, May 31, 2010) on the communication phenomenon, Facebook. I use the term "communication" cautiously, because I have to wonder if seeing pictures of your cat or sharing with you what I'm having for dinner is really communication. But then, I must be wrong, for sometime in the next few weeks Facebook will officially acquire its 500 millionth active user, defined as someone with an account that they have accessed within the last 30 days. While serious career networking happens there, so does a lot of silly socializing. For many people, the article stated, the site is a second home and they spend many, many hours a day there.

We actually like to share, the young entrepreneurs believe. It is also hugely, hugely lucrative. (You didn't think this free, massively-interlaced network was created solely for the pleasure of the end-users, did you?) There is something to be said for openness with your friends, and each person must draw the line for him/herself when it comes to the bajillion readers and ad writers online.

While I pondered on what I was reading, I thought of how readily we can communicate with Jesus, our great Friend. Many times a day, I speak to Him.

Just listen to that wren singing. Isn't that thrilling?
Owww, help me, Jesus. (after ramming my toe into the chair leg)
Look! The orange lilies are blooming.
Thank you for the new shoes!
Please don't let the hail destroy my new roof.
Thank you for that note from Lorie.
Help me find my earring, balance my checkbook, go to sleep.

I am so glad for the ease of connecting with the one Who already knows all about me. And it's good to know that He is actually interested when I share the experiences of my daily life with Him!

MaryMartha

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

God on My Side

The persons responsible for my early religious instruction made sure that I understood it was my duty to align myself with God's purposes. I was not to concern myself too much with whose side God was on, but whether or not I was on God's side. (Perhaps referring to the statement attributed to Abraham Lincoln?) God doesn't have favorites, I was told; He loves everyone.

While all of this is true, what I failed to understand was that God really is on my side. This is not to say that He is on my side in a way that eliminates good for other people and their plans and programs. He is not particularly on my side as it relates to sports events, political elections, or bargain hunting. But He really, truly is on my side. He has my best interests at heart. He wants good things—but not necessarily just easy things—for me. He guards me, guides me, and provides for me. He watches out for me as a loving, careful father would watch out for his child. He has creative ways of bringing balance into my life.

We sometimes do not realize, in our endeavor to see God's love as all-inclusive, that His love is also very personal. He, in a particular way, suited just to me, loves me! The children's song I used to sing is really true!

I am so glad that my Father in heav'n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv'n.
Wonderful things in the Bible I see;
This is the dearest that Jesus loves me.

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

Oh, if there's only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the Great King,
This shall my song in eternity be:
"Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!"

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

--Philip P. Bliss, 1870

MaryMartha

Things Mama Taught Me: "Don't Pick at a Scab"

Eww, gross! Yes, the topic I'm writing about is just a bit on the unpleasant side. Why did our mothers (because probably yours said this too) tell us not to pick at the scabs on our scraped knees, our mosquito bites, and even our chicken pox? Why did we want to anyway? Well, because they were there? Or maybe it was the itch that sometimes comes when healing is underway

4 Our mothers knew that picking off the protection that nature has provided reopens the wound and might cause fresh pain and more bleeding. And more trauma for the afflicted youngster! Not a good idea.

4 Taking the cover off the healing wound tears the new skin that is forming. That delays the healing process and is apt to cause scarring.

4 Opening the wound open again increases the chances of bacteria entering and an infection developing. A greater chance of scarring.

4 When left alone, eventually the crusty scab will be shed—without any help—and bright, new skin is underneath.

This is a great deal like the injuries we sometimes suffer emotionally. Someone hurts us, and it is natural for us to have some kind of response. We may realize the hurt was unintentional, or it may have been completely unrelated to us and we just happened to be handy as a target. We may understand that the other person has unresolved issues, or we may truly have been at fault but were dealt with harshly. Whatever the reason, we have been wounded; now what do we do? The Bible is very clear about our need to forgive, and if possible to seek reconciliation with the other.

But often people treat personal injuries much like children treat scraped knees. In a little while, the initial sting has gone away, but they begin to pick at the healing offense. Time goes by and they continue to re-open the wound, never treating it with the antiseptic of forgiveness and then leaving it alone to heal. What happens then?

4 Every time remembrance of the offense comes to mind, or whenever the offending person is around, there is fresh pain and more "bleeding." The trauma is kept as current as when it first occurred.

4 The healing process is delayed, or it never happens at all. Scarring is almost inevitable, and to a much greater degree than that of a clean, neatly healed injury.

4 Bad stuff can get into the wound: ill will, revenge, gossip, and other things that infect the spirit. This infection can become so vicious that it attacks other people who are nearby.

I have a few scars from childhood injuries that I did not allow to heal well. But with the help of the great Forgiver, I am working hard to promote healing of inward "scrapes" so that they can heal cleanly!

MaryMartha

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

Forgiving Seventy Times Seven

I wonder what Peter had in mind when he came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

“No, not seven times,” Jesus told him, “but seventy times seven!" (Matthew 18:21,22)

Was Peter at odds with one of the others who were also followers of Jesus? That seems quite possible to me, for Peter was not noted for refinement and gentle conversation. And where did he get the idea that seven occasions of forgiveness would fulfill his obligation? Was it perhaps from the Old Testament laws that prescribed the sacrificial blood, or oil, or water to be sprinkled seven times? Or had he at an earlier time heard Jesus say, "If you see your friend going wrong, correct him. If he responds, forgive him. Even if it's personal against you and repeated seven times through the day, and seven times he says, 'I'm sorry, I won't do it again,' forgive him." (Luke 17:3-4 MSG) Whatever the reason for his question, Jesus gave him an answer that implies, "Stop counting! Just forgive."

To me, it does not seem likely that we will be faced with someone repeating the same hurtful action seven times in one day and apologizing each time for it. (The unrepentant offender is a whole different problem, and in another Scripture, Jesus instructs us how to handle that also.) But what's more apt to happen is our hitting the "replay" button and going over the incident again and again until our mind is muddled and our insides are churning with emotion. Then is the time to ask, "How often must I forgive?"

How often does the remembrance of the hurt come? Forgive that many times.

How often do you think, "But he/she didn't even apologize." Forgive each time.

How often does some anger, righteous and justifiable anger—oh, of course!—surge up? When it does, forgive again.

How often do you wish God would pay them back since He doesn't allow you personally to get even? Forgive, and just go on.

The greatest incentive to forgiving until I've lost count? Jesus isn't keeping track of my failures and blunders and the hurts I've caused Him. "Love keeps no record of being wronged." "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." (I Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 4:32 NLT)

MaryMartha

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved. Scripture marked MSG is taken from The Message. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

Better Than Diamonds

Someone asked me the other day if I had special plans for Valentine's Day this weekend. When I replied that I did not, she said, "Me neither. I don't need candy, and I don't need flowers, and I don't think anyone is going to be giving me diamonds!"

Although I like candy and flowers and would welcome any given to me, I already have something better than diamonds! "God's Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds." (Psalm 19:10 MSG)


♦ Better than diamonds because diamonds can be lost or stolen; they can chip or break; they can burn. Mary of Bethany, hanging on the words Jesus spoke, found something which He declared could not be taken from her. The Word of God, hidden in our hearts and practiced in our lives, is indestructible. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Matthew 24:35 NIV)

♦ Better than diamonds because most, if not all, diamonds are imperfect. "The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. (Psalm 19:7 NLT) To be sure, our understanding of God's instructions is imperfect, but we can rely on the fact that there is unchanging, ultimate Truth and that one day we will see it as it really is. "Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when full understanding comes, these partial things will become useless." (I Corinthians 13:9, 10 NLT)

♦ Better than diamonds because diamonds don't change lives. Countless thousands who believe the Word of God could testify to the difference that faith has made in them. It is not to mere improvement that they would bear witness, but radical life-change. The Word showed the way to freedom in Jesus Christ, brought hope and peace in their times of difficulty, and provided guidance when their way was uncertain.

♦ Better than diamonds because diamonds, contrary to the famous DeBeers ads, are not forever. Twelve precious stones are set into the twelve foundations of the heavenly city; a diamond is not mentioned. That does not mean it couldn't be there, for the identification of some of the stones is uncertain. Whatever the case, any heavenly diamonds are not going to be the same ones that are set in tokens of our earthly loves—rings and bracelets and tiaras. All of these, as precious as they are to us, are worthless baubles when compared to the eternal beauty of the Living Word, ''who being the brightness of [God's] glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:3 NKJV)

God's Word is better than a diamond! I'm pretty happy even if there's no candy or flowers!

MaryMartha

Scripture marked MSG is taken from The Message. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture quotation marked NIV is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved. Scripture marked NKJV taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

Neighbors

Today, in the United States, we are observing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. A little over forty years ago, this African-American preacher and civil rights activist preached his final sermon in Memphis, Tennessee. The next day, April 4, 1968, he was assassinated.

In that speech, Dr. King spoke out in support of the striking sanitation workers in the city and quoted Jesse Jackson who earlier had said that up to now only the garbage men had been feeling the pain, and now we must "redistribute the pain."

What did that mean? He described the situation in terms of Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan. When Jesus taught that we ought to love our neighbor, a man approached with a question to trick Him. "Who is my neighbor?" This could easily have ended in an involved theological and philosophical debate, but Jesus' response was a simple story.

A certain man was traveling the winding road from Jerusalem to Jericho. It is a dangerous place, well-suited for ambush by thieves. Not surprisingly, the man was attacked, beaten and robbed, and left for dead. A priest came by, but did not stop to help. A Levite too passed by without stopping. Dr. King said,

"Now you know, "we use our imagination a great deal to try to determine why the priest and the Levite didn't stop. At times we say they were busy going to church meetings—an ecclesiastical gathering—and they had to get on down to Jerusalem so they wouldn't be late for their meeting. At other times we would speculate that there was a religious law that 'one who was engaged in religious ceremonials was not to touch a human body twenty-four hours before the ceremony.' And every now and then we begin to wonder whether maybe they were not going down to Jericho to organize a 'Jericho Road Improvement Association.' That's a possibility. Maybe they felt that it was better to deal with the problem from the causal root, rather than to get bogged down with an individual effort.

"But I'm going to tell you what my imagination tells me. It's possible that these men were afraid. . . That's a dangerous road. In the days of Jesus it came to be known as the 'Bloody Pass.' And you know, it's possible that the priest and the Levite looked over [at]that man on the ground and wondered if the robbers were still around. Or it's possible that they felt that the man on the ground was merely faking. And he was acting like he had been robbed and hurt, in order to seize them over there, lure them there for quick and easy seizure. And so the first question that the Levite asked was, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But then the Good Samaritan came by. And he reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?' "

With compassion, he gave aid to the wounded man, took him to an inn, and arranged for his care there, promising to pay for whatever was required. "Now then," Jesus asked, "who in the story was a neighbor?" Obviously, the one who helped was neighbor to the one who was in need.

We are neighbors to the suffering people of Haiti. We are neighbors to the homeless and hungry in our own city. If we do not stop to help, what will happen to them? If we close our eyes to need, something closes off in our hearts—compassion—even if there is not very much that we can do to bring actual aid. If we can't be bothered even to care about abused children and laid-off workers, we get calluses on our spirits.

If we do not redistribute some of the pain, what will happen to us?

MaryMartha

Art from http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Picture.htm

Learning from Swimmy

Do you remember Swimmy? He is the one little black fish in a school of fish living in the sea. ("Swimmy," an enduring children's classic, written by Leo Lionni, 1963) Swimmy is different from the others, as they are all shiny and red, while he is as black as can be. They all swim happily together.

Lesson that people can learn from the story of Swimmy: Different is okay. We can still all "swim" together.

One day a big hungry tuna fish comes and swallows every one of those little fish in a single gulp—all except Swimmy. Only he is left, all alone in his big wet world. At first, Swimmy is lonely and sad. Then he begins to swim around and discover all sorts of amazing things: jellyfish, a lobster and an eel, seaweeds and anemones.

Lesson to learn: If we keep our eyes open, there may be something good for us to discover, even in the situation that first presented itself as a personal disaster.

At last Swimmy discovers another school of fish, just his size, and all of them are shiny red just like the fish he used to hang out with. But instead of swimming around, they are all hiding in the dark places of the sea. When he asks them to come and swim with him and see all there is to see, they refuse because they are afraid they will be eaten by the bigger fish. "But you can't just lie there," Swimmy tells them. "We have to think of something."

Lesson from Swimmy's new friends: Fear keeps us from venturing out of our "safe" place. Fear keeps us from experiencing wonderful things. Fear keeps us from thinking straight.

At last Swimmy says, "I have it!" He teaches all the little fish to swim close together in formation so that they look like one huge red fish moving through the sea.

Lesson from Swimmy: Obviously, teamwork can accomplish what many small individuals cannot. "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

Then, because Swimmy is black and looks different from the rest of the huge fish-shape they have formed, he says, "I'll be eye." And so they all swim together and chase the big fishes away.

Lesson from Swimmy's story: Different is not only okay, it is absolutely necessary!

"Swimmy" is one of my favorite children's stories. Not only is it a work of art, but it has so much to say. It isn't really a stretch to see that the ideas it presents are not at all foreign to our life of faith. And those lessons are not juvenile!

><> Differences? The Apostle Peter said, "I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right." (Acts 10:34, 35) Paul writes, "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)

><> Look for what is good. ”And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)

><> Fear? "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (I Timothy 1:7) “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom." (Luke 12:32)

><> Teamwork is the key. "Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct." (Galatians 6:2-5)

><> We need each other. "Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other." (Romans 12:3-5)

Thanks for reminding us, Swimmy!

MaryMartha

Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.

Art from www.wpclipart.com

E. G. R. People

We all have them—the people around us who are not really toxic and poison the surrounding atmosphere, but those who are just tiresome. There is
Extra Grace Required
when we deal with them. Perhaps they talk too much, or they always interrupt when you're busy, or their requests sound too much like demands. They may have only one topic to discuss: their children, or football, or the stock market, or their diet—whatever you’re not all that interested in. Or they ask about your children and team and investments and diet—things you don't really want to discuss. Maybe they always want a ride somewhere, or they have an annoying habit of pencil-tapping, or they snap the gum they're chewing. You get the idea. Unless you are a hermit and never see another person, you know just who in your life I am talking about. [What a strange picture that brings to my mind! A hermit in a cave who has a computer and reads blogs!]

With our advanced technologies, many photos are retouched so that people and places are not exactly as they appear. We'd be surprised, I'm sure, if we were to meet some celebrities or personally visit some scenes; they would be so different! In day-to-day contact all the "warts" of our fellow-humans' personalization are clearly visible.
Extra Grace Required
to get along with them!

Most of the references to grace in the New Testament are to the grace of God, the grace of Christ Jesus, and the Spirit of grace. A few places remind us that we also are to extend grace. "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold [varied, many-sided] grace of God." (Ephesians 4:29; I Peter 4:6 NASB)

Certainly, when Christ called each of us to follow Him, there was
Extra Grace Required
that had already been freely given! Let's pass it on!

MaryMartha

Scripture is from the New American Standard Bible, used by permission of The Lockman Foundation, www.lockman.org

Covered by Feathers

Occasionally I spend the night in the home of one of my family members. Covering the bed in which I sleep is a huge down comforter. This keeps me warm, of course, but it offers more than that: Comfort. It is, after all, a "comforter." There is something about the smooth softness of that comforter when I pull it up over my shoulders and even over part of my head—with only my face peeping out—that offers a sense of security and encourages my rest.

"He [the Almighty God] will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. (Psalm 91:4-6) That is a strange picture, God with feathered wings. But since God is a spirit and our connection with Him is in spirit, this picture of Him is as true as any other we can imagine. When I think of God as a great hovering, protecting, concealing Presence in my life, it's not a stretch to visualize being under His wings.

I remember reading, many years ago, the story of a young woman who experienced a literal covering. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of my recall, nor even for the truth of the story itself, although it was presented as fact. As this woman approached her car in a dark, almost-deserted parking area, she was grabbed by a man who had been hiding there. She was not able to see her attacker, but recalling the above Scripture about God's protection, she began to shriek, "I'm covered with feathers! I'm covered with feathers!"

The man loosened his grip on her. "Be quiet!" he demanded.

She screamed all the louder. "I'm covered with feathers! I'm covered with feathers!"

Fearing he had inadvertently taken on a real "looney," the man released her and ran off.

The truth is real whether or not the incident is. God is our security, a comfort we can wrap ourselves in time of stress or need.

MaryMartha

Scripture quotation is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/ and www.wpclipart.com

How to Tell a Friend

Six little mice sat down to spin.
Kitty passed by, and she peeped in.

"What are you doing, my little men?"

We're making coats for gentlemen."




"May I come in and cut off the threads?"

"No, no, Miss Kitty! You'd bite off our heads!"




"Oh no, I won't. I'll help you spin."

"That may be so, but you can't come in!"



-- from Mother Goose

That was my public speaking debut when I was age four! The occasion was the last-day-of-school program and picnic, held at the one-room rural schoolhouse which I later attended, from the first grade through the eighth.

Those were very smart little mice. They knew that not everyone who passes by is your friend. So how do you know who really is?

Here are just a few of the ways that you can tell a friend.

* A friend gives himself/herself. "There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13 NLT) There are many ways other than dying that friends lay down their lives—in time, resources, energy. The famous friendship in the Bible illustrates this. Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.

* A friend tells the truth. "An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship." (Proverbs 24:26 NLT)

* A friend is faithful. "A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need . . . There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 17:17; 18:24 NLT) "If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble . . A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:10, 12 MSG)

* A friend is trustworthy. "Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!" (Proverbs 25:13 MSG)

* A friend gives good (if any) advice. "Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket . . . The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. (Proverbs 25:11; 27:9 NLT)

About Miss Kitty as a friend? No, I don't think so. Not everyone who wants to befriend you is going to be worthy of being called a friend. Friends don't use you for their own agenda. Friends don't lie. They don't desert you when things are tough. Friends are reliable. They don't pretend to have the answers all the time, but they're willing to share any wisdom they have.

"A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray." (Proverbs 12:26 NKJV) It pays to be cautious.

Like the six little mice.

MaryMartha

A related story: You Knew I Was a Snake [here]

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved. Scripture marked MSG is taken from The Message. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture marked NKJV taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Art from www.wpclipart.com

A Disappointed God

It's hard for me to think about God being disappointed, but I believe that He is sometimes. Isn't He big enough to do what He wants and to have what He wants? Of course, He's big enough! But He is not a bully, forcing His way through the world and through our lives. He has chosen to limit Himself to the boundaries of our choice. This does not mean that He is ever taken by surprise; He knows who we are and how we will behave! Nevertheless, He persists in extending His love to all. How painful the rejection of us humans must be!

"For this is what the high and lofty One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: 'I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.' " (Isaiah 57:15 NIV) That is God's desire and plan, to have relationship with us. All went well until Adam and Eve were no longer humble but wanted to be as smart as God. All their descendants, even until the present, have the same inclination.

In Noah's time, the Lord saw the terrible wickedness on the earth and the continually evil thoughts people had. He was grieved that he had placed humans on the earth, and His heart was filled with pain. Through many centuries, He called people to follow Him. In Jeremiah's time, He said through the prophet, “Long ago I broke the yoke that oppressed you and tore away the chains of your slavery, but still you said, ‘I will not serve you.’ On every hill and under every green tree, you have prostituted yourselves by bowing down to idols." (Jeremiah 2:20 NLT)

Jesus came, but "He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him." (John 1:10, 11 NLT) To the Ephesian church, John was told to write, “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. . . You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first." (Revelation 2:2-5 NLT) The apostle Paul warned, "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." (Galatians 5:13, 14 NIV)

No, God does not always get what He wants—not in His ancient people, not in the Church, not in our homes and places of business, not in individual lives.

What can we do so God won't continue to be disappointed?

MaryMartha

Click on the title to read "Failure" or "When Jesus Cried".

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.

What's the Use?

One of Job's so-called comforters was a young man named Elihu. He deferred to the older men, letting them speak first. Round after round, they chastised Job for what surely must be some sin, in order for him to be suffering so greatly. Finally, Elihu could not contain himself any longer. In fact, he said his belly was full of words, ready to burst like a wineskin without a vent. (Beware the danger of talking when you simply cannot keep your thoughts to yourself!)

Job had complained that the righteous suffer along with the wicked—that hardly seems fair—and sometimes the godly even suffer while the wicked prosper! Elihu carried Job's words a bit far, insinuating that Job thought serving God was a vain endeavor. "He has even said, ‘Why waste time trying to please God?’ and ‘What’s in it for me? What’s the use of living a righteous life?’ " (Job 34:9; 35:3) Even so, Job would not be the only one who has ever said, "This holy stuff doesn't work. What's the use? I'm wasting my time."

No, this is missing the point. We are not trying to make something work. We are not wasting our time just because things are difficult. According to one Scripture paraphrase I recall (maybe the old "Living Bible," forerunner of the New Living Translation), the Psalmist sang, "He helps me do what honors Him the most." (Psalm 23:3) That is the point.

Seeking to honor the Lord is the most helpful way I have found for directing my daily path. Trying to make the life of faith work is frustrating—and doesn’t work. Trying to be good enough to please the perfect Divine One is never a sure thing—and doesn't work. Trying to find the benefit to me of living a righteous life is self-centered, maybe even hypocritical—and doesn’t work. Letting Him help me do what honors Him the most—works.

MaryMartha

Scripture quotation is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.

My Father's World

This is my Father's world,
He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.

These words from the well-known hymn, "This Is My Father's World," were written by Maltbie D. Babcock, a noted clergyman of the nineteenth century in New York and Maryland. He was fond of walking along the cliffs near his home where he could enjoy a panoramic view of "his Father's world." The poem was published after his death in 1901 at the age of 42, and was set to the music of a traditional English melody.

I am reminded of that hymn when people ask, as they sometimes do, how I think of things to write about each day. Admittedly, I experience a short-lived "writer's block" on occasion, but mostly I enjoy the flow of inspiration from everyday occurrences. Quite likely you do too, you just don't happen to be writing about them!

I believe in the "very present-ness" of God. My mother thought the following lyrics were almost irreverent, seeming to her that they minimized the greatness of God.

My God and I go in the field together;
We walk and talk as good friends should and do;
We clasp our hands, our voices ring with laughter;
My God and I walk through the meadow's hue.
From "My God and I," Austris Whithol (20th century, I think)

It doesn't seem to me that this song is so very different from the hymn she found somewhat more acceptable:

And He walks with me and He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joys we share as were tarry there,
None other has ever known.
From "In the Garden," C. Austin Miles, 1912

Whatever the terminology, each of these songs speaks of an intimate relationship with the Almighty. I think that to relish His friendship is not to lessen His majesty at all. Only a God as great as He could arrange a plan whereby lesser creatures may enjoy communion with someone so totally Other!

He is everywhere—omnipresent, the theologians call it. And what a wonder! He speaks to us everywhere, all the time! It is left to us to prepare our attention to see and hear Him everywhere.

MaryMartha

Things Mama Taught Me: Say "I'm Sorry"

But what if I'm not sorry? Or what if I'm sorry only that my action was discovered? That made no difference to my mother. She knew that the humbling process of apologizing was a step toward genuine sorrow, especially if accompanied by corrective measures so that I didn't care to repeat it! Action often has to precede emotion; if I say "sorry" and act out "sorry," the chances are good that I will eventually feel sorry as well.

Wouldn't it have been nice if, as a child, I had had a PR person following me around, declaring, "She didn't really mean that. What she intended to say was . . ." On a regular basis, we hear leaders in politics, religion, and business offering their sort-of apologies: "I'm sorry you misunderstood . . . " "A lot of people were hurt . . . " "I did not intend to . . . " Do you ever get the feeling that given the same opportunity but with the assurance that this time they could avoid being caught, the offenders would probably repeat their action? Whatever happened to "I was wrong. I'm sorry. Please forgive me and I'll never do this again"? As documented by primatologists, even chimpanzees have reconciliation protocols, which sometimes look a lot like handshaking. Obviously, they had mothers who taught them to say, "I'm sorry."

The horror of many a crime or tragic accident is mitigated by the genuine remorse the offender demonstrates. Even judges are not immune to the presence—or absence—of authentic regret. For those who have suffered loss, sometimes the closure afforded by seeing the sorrow of the one who caused their grief is as important as the sentence handed down by the court. Too often they are denied that relief by someone who is not even sorry for the pain they have created.

"For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death." (II Corinthians 7:10) Saying "I'm sorry" when we're wrong is good for us.

MaryMartha

You may want to read the post Never Saying "Sorry." Click on the title.

Scripture quotation is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.