Musings from My Sun Porch

Author: The Sun Porch Lady

  • Lessons from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

    Read Luke 9:1 – 45

    Chapter 9 of Luke’s Gospel raises a whole host of questions, such as:

    • What was Jesus doing while His disciples were out preaching?
    • Why was Herod concerned with who Jesus was, and why did he try to see Him?
    • What did Jesus mean in verse 27 about some not dying before seeing the Kingdom of God?
    • What did Jesus, Moses, and Elijah talk about at the Transfiguration, and how did the three disciples keep from telling anyone about it?

    Those are great questions, and I encourage you to study to find the answers.  However, I think this chapter raises other questions which require our immediate attention.

    • Before sending His disciples on mission, why did He tell them to “Take nothing for the journey…” (vs.3), and “If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet…” (vs. 5)? Before He sent them out, He gave them power and authority, equipping them for the tasks that lay before them.  Their mission was twofold:   He wanted them to learn to depend solely on God for everything they needed; and He wanted to remind them that their job was to present the message.  It was, and is, the hearer’s responsibility to accept the message, and if they refused, it was time to move on to someone who would hear and respond favorably. Today, He is still calling us to that same “mission”, and through the Holy Spirit living in us, He also provides all that we need to succeed.  Like the disciples, we must learn to trust Him completely as we strive to complete the mission the disciples began.
    • Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do the crowds say I am?” (Luke 9:18b, NIV84), and they quickly responded with several ideas.  Then, He asked the more important question, “Who do you say I am?” (Luke 9:20a, NIV84). He still asks us that same question today, and each of us is responsible for our own answer.  It doesn’t matter what our parents or friends believe.  We must decide for ourselves who Jesus is and what He means to our lives.

    Those are just two significant questions that Luke raises in chapter 9.  Check back next week for a few more observations.

  • Lessons from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

    Read Luke 8 Again

    In the first 15 verses of chapter 8, Jesus tells us that the hearer’s responsibility is to accept the message and make Jesus the Lord of their life.  However, that does not mean that the Gospel messengers are free of responsibility once the message is presented.

    In the remaining verses of this chapter, He clarifies several of our responsibilities as messengers.

    • No one hides a lamp under their bed.  Jesus is the light of the world, and we are responsible for ensuring that He is not hidden from the rest of the world (Luke 8:16).
    • As we “listen” to God’s Word and come to know Christ better, our responsibility to share Him with others also increases (Luke 8:18).
    • The Kingdom of God is more important than everything—including our families (Luke 8:19 – 21).
    • Trust the One who “… commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him” (Luke 8:25b NIV84). Don’t give Him reason to ask, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25a, NIV84).
    • Be prepared to “… tell how much God has done for you” (Luke 8:39a, NIV84). Your personal testimony is one of your most powerful tools for sharing the Gospel message.
    • “Don’t be afraid; just believe…” (Luke 8:50b, NIV84). If Christ is our Savior, then He is also our Rock and our Refuge.  We have nothing to fear!

    Accepting Christ as Lord and Savior requires both the messenger and the hearer.  We each begin as the hearer, but if we truly follow Him, we will become the messenger.  Our journey with Christ is a process of growth, as we learn to share His message and trust Him more.

  • Lessons from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

    Read Luke 8

    In Chapter 8, Luke explains the challenges every farmer faces.  Good soil and surrounding conditions often determine whether the farmer’s crop succeeds or fails. The same is true with the Gospel message. 

    In the parable of the Sower, Jesus describes four types of soil, each representative of those who receive the Gospel message. 

    • Some seed fell on a path where it was trampled, and the birds ate it.  Jesus explained that those were the “… ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts…” (Luke 8:12 NIV84).
    • Seeds also fell on rocky ground, where they failed to take root.  Those hearers first received the Gospel with joy, “… but in time of testing they fall away” (Luke 8:13b NIV84).
    • A Third group of seeds fell among thorns, which ultimately choked out the plants.  Those hearers “… are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature” (Luke 8:14b NIV84).
    • The last group of seeds fell on good soil and yielded a great crop.  These represent those “… who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop” (Luke 8:15b NIV84).

    Note that Jesus’ focus in this parable is on the seed, representing the hearer, and not on the farmer, representing the messenger.  After telling the parable, Jesus yelled, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Luke 8:8b NIV84). His point was that the responsibility for accepting the Gospel message and growing in Christ is on the recipient, not the messenger.  The messenger’s responsibility, like that of the farmer, is to plant the seed!

    However, planting cannot be the end of our responsibility.  As the Church of Christ, we should seek to prepare new believers for the attacks of Satan that will surely come when they accept Christ.  Further, we should walk with them to build a firm foundation in Christ and give them the support and encouragement they will need to withstand the worries and troubles life brings.

    The “seeds” we plant will not grow and produce a bountiful crop for Jesus unless we nurture them and help them to grow as true disciples of Jesus. Disciple-making does not end when the message is planted.  That’s only the beginning!

  • Lessons from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

    Read Chapter 7

    As Jesus traveled, He and those around Him showed a range of emotions and responses. Here are a few examples.

    • Amazement, but surprisingly, it was Jesus who was amazed at the faith of the Roman officer, who was not even a Jew. Yet he recognized the power of God in Christ and knew that He was more than able to heal his servant. Jesus said, “…I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel” (Luke 7:9b, NIV84).
    • As Jesus’ group approached a town, they came upon a funeral procession, where a widow mourned the death of her only son. “And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’” (Luke 7:13, ESV). He then raised the boy from the dead. The crowd that saw what happened was “filled with awe” and praised God, but they saw Jesus as only a great prophet.
    • John the Baptist, better than most anyone else, should have known who Jesus was, yet he still had questions. He sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah. Jesus said the proof was in the miracles He had done, all of which fulfilled prophecy.
    • The “sinful woman” who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair showed amazing love. Unlike the Pharisee who had failed to provide the basic tenets of hospitality, the woman was willing to sacrifice all dignity to honor Christ. Jesus forgave her much, and she loved Him completely.

    Great faith, or the lack of it (See Mark 6:6), amazes Christ, so each of us must examine our own faith. Do we trust Him and His power completely as the Centurion did, or do we lack the trust that He requires? Is Jesus amazed by our faith?

    Jesus has great compassion for each of us and for the troubles and trials that this life often brings. However, that does not mean that He will provide the complete healing as He did for the widow’s son. He will, however, walk with us in the fire. In the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, a fourth man was in the fire (See Daniel 3:25). Christ is my refuge in every storm because I know He cares for me.

    We all have questions from time to time. Thankfully, Jesus is not only able but willing to answer our questions, just as He did for John. Do not hesitate to ask.

    Finally, Jesus sums up this entire chapter with these words, “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47, NIV84).

     Reflect on the great forgiveness God has showered on you. Does your love reflect that forgiveness?

  • Lessons from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

    Read Luke 6

    In Luke 6, Jesus proclaimed that He was “Lord of the Sabbath” (Luke 6:5 NIV84), thus identifying Himself as the Creator God.  He followed that statement with a miraculous healing, adding to the religious leaders’ desire to be rid of Him.  He also spent time blessing His followers and teaching them how to interact with their fellowman.

    Perhaps the most important thing He did in this brief snapshot of His life was to designate or appoint His apostles.  All those who accept Christ as the Son of God and as Lord of their lives become His disciples with the mission of spreading His Word.  However, only the twelve whom He specifically appointed became Apostles, His messengers.

    To us, this was probably a strange group of men to be chosen for such important tasks of not only proclaiming His message but also building the foundation of His Church.  To us, they are an unlikely group of misfits, and I doubt we would have chosen any of them if it were left up to us. 

    There was Peter, the “bull in the China shop” kind of guy who didn’t know how to be anything other than “over the top” on any cause.  He was a fisherman by trade but based on some of his actions (like chopping off the man’s ear when Christ was arrested), he was probably somewhat of a loudmouth and maybe even a bully.  Still, he was the man God chose to preach the first sermon on the day of Pentecost. 

    Jesus called James and John the “sons of thunder,” which says a lot about their personalities. Nathanael (a/k/a Bartholomew) thought nothing good could come from Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown.  Matthew was a tax collector, despised by the Jews, and Simon was a Zealot who wanted to overthrow the Roman rulers.  Added to the group were Andrew, Peter’s brother, Philip, Thomas, James, son of Alphaeus, and Judas, son of James. Finally, there was Judas Iscariot, “who became a traitor” (Luke 6:16 NIV84).    

    This was quite a group that Jesus assembled—ordinary men with ordinary lives.  Yet, when the Holy Spirit came upon them after Christ ascended back into heaven, eleven of these men turned the world upside down.  They were ordinary men doing extraordinary things through the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ didn’t choose them because they were well-educated, or rich, or powerful—all the things we might consider when choosing leaders.  He chose them because they were teachable and willing to learn. 

    Jesus’ choice of these men is a reminder to each of us that He can use anyone in His Kingdom work, if we are available and willing to learn.  The power of the Holy Spirit living in us is more than enough to enable us to carry out Christ’s mission.  Those ordinary men were willing to follow Him anywhere.  The question is: Are we willing?

  • Lessons from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

    Read Chapter 5

    The fifth chapter of Luke’s Gospel gives us two incredible accounts from Jesus’ life.

    First, He has an encounter with Peter, James, and John.  These boys, fishermen by trade, had spent the entire night fishing without catching anything.  Then, as they washed their nets, Jesus commandeered one of their boats and used it as a platform for teaching. When He finished, He told Peter to go farther out on the water to put out their nets.  The guys knew the best fishing was at night, and even then, it was not always successful.  They had spent a long night with nothing to show for it, and then Jesus told them to try again.  Peter gently pushed back against Jesus’ instructions, but ultimately, he said, “… because you say so, I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5b NIV84).   He followed Jesus’ instructions, and soon they had so many fish that the boats almost sank.

    Every time I read of Simon Peter’s obedience, despite the incredibility of Jesus’ instructions, I can’t help but wonder, “What has Jesus called me to do that I have resisted?”  Jesus often calls us out of our comfort zone to do things that may seem impossible and even nonsensical to our human minds.  We are then left with the same decision that Peter had to make.  Will we obey even if the challenge seems impossible, or will we walk away? Unfortunately, I’ve done both, but I have found that Peter’s answer is far better in every circumstance: “Because You said so, I will do it!”

    In another encounter, Jesus was again teaching, and many came to be healed by Him. Several men who had a paralyzed friend tried to take him to Jesus for healing, but there was such a large crowd in and around the house where Jesus was that they could not get through.  Then, they came up with an ingenious idea.  They carried him to the roof of the house, removed some of the roof tiles, and lowered their friend through the roof right in front of Jesus. I’m not sure what the homeowner thought, but Jesus saw the friends’ faith, and it was that faith that caused Jesus to say, “… ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven’” (Luke 5:20b, NIV84).

    From this encounter, we should never assume that our faith can literally save someone else, but our faith may have such an impact on others that they will be moved to make Jesus Lord of their lives.  These friends believed that Jesus could heal their friend, and they did everything possible to get him to Jesus.  That leaves us with the question: what are we doing to bring our friends to Jesus?  As Christians, what we say, how we act, and the love we show impact the people around us—especially family and friends.  Is there a roof you need to remove so that your loved one can draw closer to Christ?  What are you willing to risk to save someone else for all eternity?

  • Lessons from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

    Read Luke 4

    As Jesus began His earthly ministry and mission, Luke recounts several key events in chapter 4 of his Gospel.  He begins by telling us about Jesus’ temptation by Satan.  Luke’s account focuses on Jesus’ connection with His Father.

    • In verse 1, he tells us that Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit,” a reminder to each of us that we all need the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish anything for God.
    • Then, Luke lets us know that Jesus was also fasting during that period.  “He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry” (Luke 4:2b NIV84). Jesus was both God and man, so like us, not eating for 40 days creates not just extreme hunger, but also weakness.  It is in those times of weakness that Satan is more likely to attack, and he certainly took full advantage of Jesus’ weakness. Unlike us, Jesus didn’t give in to the temptation.  Why?  First, because He had the power of the Holy Spirit, but also because He knew and relied on God’s Word.  Each of His responses to Satan’s temptations was based on Holy Scripture, reminding us of how important it is to know the Word!
    • Next, we find Jesus returning to Galilee “in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14a NIV84). He was ready to begin teaching the people, and He did so with the Holy Spirit’s help.  Those who teach must rely on the power of the Spirit if they are to teach the Word in power and in truth!
    • After Jesus spent His time teaching, healing, and casting out demons, Luke tells us how He began the next day of His ministry.  “At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place” (Luke 4:42a NIV84).  He was God! Still, He sought quiet time with His Father. 

    This brief look at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry reminds us that we can do nothing without the power of the Holy Spirit, the strength of God’s Holy Word, and our quiet time with our Father.  Prayer, fasting, reading, and memorizing Scripture are essential not just to a Christian’s walk with God, but also to them having the strength to fulfill the mission that He gave us.  You can tell others only if you first trust and depend on God’s power.  That requires spending time with Him.  Don’t neglect prayer or Scripture reading.  Jesus didn’t, and if it was important to Him, it certainly should be important to us!

  • Lessons from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

    Read Luke 3

    Chapter 2 of Luke’s Gospel ends with Mary and Joseph frantically searching for their pre-teen son, who is the Son of God.  I can’t imagine the panic they must have felt!  Ultimately, they found Him right where you would expect Him to be—in the Temple. 

    For the next 18 years (approximately), the Scripture is silent concerning the events of Jesus’ life.  I’m sure many of us often wonder what Jesus was like as a child and as a teenager, but that information wasn’t important to His life work, so other than this encounter at the Temple, we know nothing.

    Then, as the years pass, we are reintroduced to Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist—the voice crying in the wilderness.  John preached repentance as he prepared the way for the One whose sandals he was not worthy to untie (Luke 3:16). His message included instructions to share with the needy, do your job well and fairly, and be content with what you have.  For all his efforts, John was ultimately imprisoned by Herod and eventually killed.

    Baptism was a key part of John’s ministry, and Christ was only one of the many whom he baptized, although John did so reluctantly.  Jesus’ ministry began that day, and the Trinity confirmed both His identity and His mission. “… the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘… You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’” (Luke 3:22b NIV84).

    Are there life lessons for us in Luke 3?  I think there are at least three.

    • Don’t be afraid to speak out against sin, regardless of the consequences.  We live in an age where it’s easier to remain silent than to speak the Truth.  We need boldness like John, even if it costs us our “heads”.
    • John made it very clear that we are expected to “produce fruit” in our lives (Luke 3:8).  We need to examine ourselves to see if there is sincere change in our lives, and we can’t produce fruit without staying connected to the Vine.
    • Jesus’ life teaches us the patience of waiting.  Jesus very clearly knew His role at age 12 when He conversed with the Religious Leaders, to their amazement.  Yet, He had to wait another 18 years until God’s perfect timing for His mission was revealed.  I’m not good at waiting, but I am quite confident that “wait” is often the message we hear from God.  Remember His timing is always perfect, so be patient!  Stay faithful, keep doing what you are doing, and rest in the assurance that He will direct your paths when His timing is perfect.

  • Lesson 2 from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

    Read Luke 2

    As Luke begins Chapter 2 of his Gospel, he reminds us that God has been at work throughout all of history.  The Old Testament prophets told us that the Messiah would be born in the small city of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).  However, Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth, a somewhat obscure place in Northern Israel, some 80 to 90 miles from Bethlehem.  Joseph was a simple carpenter, so the odds of him traveling to Bethlehem on his own were slim to none.  Yet, God used the governing authorities to fulfill His prophecy given over 700 years before the birth of Christ. 

    Then, God surprises us again with the announcement of Jesus’ birth. No matter how many times I read the story, I’m still drawn to the account of the shepherds.  Of all the people in the world—rich, powerful, and famous—why did God choose smelly, uncultured shepherds to announce the birth of the Messiah? I don’t know His reasoning, but I think their reaction to the angels’ announcement confirms that He made the right choice. 

    The shepherds not only believed what the angels told them, but they immediately decided to see this great blessing for themselves.  Then, after they had found the baby just as the angels said, they began to spread the word that the Messiah had been born.  What a privilege it was to be the first human beings to proclaim that the long-awaited Savior had been born!

    So, what do we learn from this account of the birth of our Savior?

    • As our world seems to spin out of control at times, we can take comfort in knowing that our God is still in control.  He is still orchestrating all of history towards that great day when Christ will return to claim His bride.  What a glorious day that will be!
    • God not only moves and communicates in unexpected ways, but He also uses unexpected people to spread His message.  Would we have chosen the shepherds to announce the birth of the Messiah?  Probably not, but why?  Possibly because we wouldn’t consider them good enough to make such a world-changing announcement.  However, that’s part of the goodness of our God.  His message of salvation is for everyone, from the very lowest to the highest.  He doesn’t judge by the outward appearance; He looks at the heart (I Samuel 16:7). By using the shepherds—outcasts of society—God reminds us that He is concerned only with our souls.  Our position, our power, our prestige is immaterial to Him.  “For God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:11 NIV84).  God calls each one of us, from the lowest to the highest, to be His child.  It’s up to us as to how we will answer the call.

  • Lessons from the Gospel of Luke: Faith in Action

    Read Luke 1

              Chapter 1 of Luke’s Gospel introduces us to Zechariah and Elizabeth, an elderly couple who were faithful to God but had no children.  While serving in the Holy of Holies, Zechariah encountered an angel of the Lord who announced that the couple would soon be blessed with a son.  Zechariah, knowing that their ages were against them, challenged the angel’s announcement and was given the silent treatment for the entire pregnancy as a result. 

              In contrast, the angel Gabriel also appeared to a young virgin to announce that she had been chosen as the mother of the Lord’s Messiah.  Mary wasn’t quite sure how such a thing could happen, but unlike Zechariah’s doubts, Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant…May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38 NIV84).

              So, what do we learn from these two very different encounters with God’s messengers?

    • God moves in unexpected ways.  We often put God in a box, and by doing so, we limit Him to what we perceive as normal activities.  God is Sovereign and can do more than we can begin to imagine, so when you trust Him, expect the unexpected!
    • God sometimes uses unexpected ways to communicate with us.  I can’t say I have knowingly encountered an angel, but I know of others who are quite sure that they have.  I have had the Lord speak to me through a dream.  I’ve felt the nudge, or more often, the conviction of the Holy Spirit to take a step of faith.  I’ve also read Bible passages that suddenly reveal a new Truth I hadn’t seen before, and I have wise Christian friends who often give good counsel. The key is to be open to how God may be speaking to you.  Listening is not always something we do well, but you can’t “hear” if you don’t “listen.”
    • Physical limitations do not limit God.  Zechariah and Elizabeth were old; Mary was very young.  All three were available and willing to serve God, and they were used for God’s purpose and glory.  We must recognize that while we have breath, God can use us if we make ourselves available to Him.

  • I’m Back!

    Good morning, Friends,

    Musings from My Sun Porch are back! I’ve spent the last two months seeking discernment for my writing and other opportunities to serve my Lord.  I’m now teaching or co-teaching three separate Bible studies, so I’m spending a lot of quality time in God’s Word.  However, I still feel that He is calling me to continue my writing in some form, whether it be this blog, another book, or some other path.  So, until He gives me a new direction, here is my plan.  I’m going to continue this blog, but I’ll only post on Tuesday mornings, unless God lays something specific on my heart that I feel the need to share. 

    Initially, the blog posts will primarily be drawn from my Bible Studies on the Gospel of Luke.  We’ll look at each chapter of Luke’s Gospel and draw out some of his lessons for putting our faith in action. I hope that these insights will be a blessing to you.

                                                                          The Sun Porch Lady

  • The Sun Porch Lady is Taking a Sabbatical

    If I have counted correctly, this is my 400th blog post since I first began on October 4th, 2022. Writing has always been a joy to me (I know, I’m a little weird).  Even in school, term papers were always something I relished.  If I could write a paper instead of taking a test, I was all in. 

    Over the last three and a half years, I’ve laughed and cried over some of my posts.  The laughter was usually the result of the good memories that I recalled.  The tears were usually because the message that God laid on my heart was to convict me, regardless of whether it convicted anyone else.  My goal has always been to keep my writing true to Scripture, and as a result, I have studied the Bible more than ever before.  I truly believe that the Holy Spirit inspired at least 95% of my posts, so the credit is all His, not mine.

    Lately, however, I think that God is leading me to take a break.  I feel that He is prompting me towards something, but I’m just not sure what that “something” is.  I know that it has been increasingly difficult to come up with a topic for each post, which was seldom an issue in the past.  For these reasons, I’m taking a sabbatical from blogging.  This will be my last regular post until August 4th.  During this time, I’ll be focusing on my regular Bible studies, rekindling my love of reading, and spending time seeking the Lord’s guidance for what lies ahead. 

    If you would like to continue to receive my blog when it restarts, please send your e-mail address to me at thesunporchlady@gmail.com.  Upon receipt, I will send you a list of 10 Scriptures you can pray over your children and family members.  I will also add you to my subscribers, which will give you immediate access to each blog post.  If you are currently subscribed through “follow.it”, it will no longer be active, so you will need to resubscribe.  During the Sabbatical, I may also post an occasional list of other Scriptures that you may find helpful, but you will need to subscribe to receive those.  Your e-mail will not be used for any other purpose and will not be given or sold to any other person or entity.

    I have no idea what God has in store for this next chapter of retirement, but I look forward to staying focused on those “good works which He has prepared in advance for me to do” (Ephesians 2:10).  I hope you will stay connected so that you can join me on the journey.  Don’t forget to send me your e-mail at thesunporchlady@gmail.com

  • Another Remedy for the Out-of-Control Life

    We’ve all had situations where we wonder, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  First, there are no “good” people.  Romans 3:23 makes it clear that “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (NIV84).  The only “good” in our lives is because of the blood of Jesus that washes us clean.

    Secondly, Jesus gave us the answer, “In this world you will have trouble….” (John 16:33b NIV84).  Christ told us trouble would come, so we shouldn’t be surprised when it arrives.  Thankfully, He didn’t stop there.  He continued, “…But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33c NIV84).  Through Christ, we have the power to handle any trouble that comes our way, so how should we face our troubles?

    Paul recognized that our greatest defense against the troubles of this world is prayer.  In his letter to the Philippians, he said, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (4:6, 7 NIV84).  Notice, he didn’t say “scream and yell at God, demanding His help.”  He said pray “with thanksgiving” as you present your requests to God.  If anyone knew how hard it is to be thankful in the middle of trouble, it was Paul.  He received 39 lashes on 5 separate occasions.  He was beaten with rods three times, stoned once, and shipwrecked three times (II Corinthians 11:24, 25).  He didn’t even list the number of times that he was imprisoned. That is a lot of “trouble.”  Yet, he continued his mission despite the trouble, and he never stopped praising his Lord (verse 31). 

    Being well-trained in the Jewish religion, I’m sure Paul knew the story of Hezekiah and the battle with the Assyrian army.  Assyria had already conquered Israel when its army invaded Judah and threatened Jerusalem. Hezekiah assembled his army and said, “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.  With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and fight our battles” (II Chronicles 32:7 – 8a NIV84).  The apostle, John, said it like this. “…the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (I John 4:4b NIV84).

    Life will have trouble and pain and may appear to spin out of control.  Don’t despair.  God still reigns, and He not only “sees” His children but also provides for them.  Does that mean we will be free from trouble? No, but it does mean that He will be with us every step of the way.  Trust Him!  Satan may give it his best shot against us, but we win in the end because we have a Savior who has already won the victory.  Pray with thanksgiving to the one who walks beside us and be strong and courageous!

    II Corinthians 11:16 – 33; II Chronicles 32:1 – 8

  • The Remedy for an Out-of-Control Life

    “My life is out of control!”  How many times have you said those words or at least thought them?  I’ve had many of those days throughout my life, and even now, being retired is not without its challenges.  There are always the routines of life, such as doing laundry, cleaning house, and putting food on the table.  Those things alone can be exhausting, but when we add family activities, Bible studies, and serving opportunities, our lives seem out of control. 

    Jesus’ disciples felt that same kind of stress. “The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.  Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat…” (Mark 6:30 – 31a NIV84). Did you catch that?  Their lives were so out of control that they didn’t even have time to eat!  Fortunately, Christ had the solution. “…he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place” (Mark 6:31b – 32 NIV84).

    Out-of-control lives are often the norm in our fast-paced world.  The question is, how will we handle the stress that life brings?  Unfortunately, our sinful nature often evokes grumbling and complaining, just as the Israelites did in the desert (Numbers 14:26, 27), or we might throw a “pity party” as Elijah did (I Kings 19:1 – 4). However, Christ reminds us that there is a better solution.

    First and foremost, we must make time to spend with our Savior.  Even Jesus sought time with His Heavenly Father (Mark 1:35).  How much more important is it for us to spend time with our Father? The Scripture reminds us that “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak… those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:29, 31 NIV84).  Time with Jesus renews us.

    In addition to our quiet time with our Savior, we also need rest.  Jesus called the disciples to a quiet place to get some rest. God set the pattern when He rested on the seventh day of His creation (Genesis 2:2).  Throughout Scripture, He emphasized the need for rest.  The Sabbath, while primarily a day of worship, was also a day of rest.  He ordered the Israelites to give the land a year of rest (Leviticus 25:5), and He promised to give them rest (Exodus 33:14).  Jesus renewed that promise in Matthew 11:28. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (NIV84).

    The next time you feel the walls closing in or your life spinning out of control, spend some time with your Savior and give your body some much-needed rest.  The Master will help you put things back in perspective.

    Mark 6:30 – 32; Matthew 11:28 – 30

  • Why I Hate Mother’s Day

    Don’t misunderstand me.  I love Mothers and think they are more than worthy of a special day of celebration and praise.  I was blessed with a devoted Mom who not only raised two kids but also helped raise her grandkids.  I cherish her memory.

    So, what do I hate about Mother’s Day? I hate the “all-inclusive” efforts that seek to include every female as a “mother”.  I agree that giving birth is not the only criterion for being called “Mother”.  Many women have adopted and/or fostered children and are very devoted mothers.  Others are grandparents raising their grandchildren.  All these, as well as birth mothers, have earned their day of praise and celebration.

    However, I am opposed to the attempts to include all women in this category.  There are women whose heart’s desire was to be a mother, but for whatever reason, it never happened.  To try to draw them into this “all-inclusive” group only magnifies their hurt and intensifies their pain.  Focusing on what might have been is agony for them, regardless of the good intentions. 

    There is also the attempt to include so-called “Spiritual” mothers in this group.  These are the individuals who have contributed to the Spiritual growth of individuals in their lives.  They may be aunts, older siblings, teachers, coaches, friends’ moms, or others who have had the opportunity to speak into someone else’s life.  I commend them for their efforts and cherish their contributions, but they are not Mothers. 

    To me, a mother is the one who spent sleepless nights agonizing over their sick child.  She is the one who kissed the skinned knees, hugged away the hurts, and agonized over the decisions their child had to make.  A mother teaches right and wrong and then reinforces the lessons with discipline.  She gives advice and then allows her child to make their own decisions, even when it sometimes means they will have to learn from their mistakes.  No matter what her sacrifices or choices are, she is the one who always wonders if she did enough and if she carried out her responsibilities as a mother well. 

    If you haven’t experienced the blood, sweat, and tears of mothering a child, I don’t think you deserve to be called “mother”.  To include every woman in that honor is a form of “stolen valor” that detracts from the sacrifices mothers make and diminishes the honor that should be theirs.

    Call me aunt, teacher, coach, or a friend, but don’t call me “mother.”