Swimming Upstream

The American Alligator is beautiful, isn't he? Equally as dangerous, he brings fear to most people, including myself, upon sight. There is nothing soft and cuddly about the alligator, but plenty of his demeanor speaks of control, intimidation, and power. I will tell you from experience that alligators will wait you out, and just because they disappear from the surface doesn't mean they are gone. My dad and I have experienced a real annoying bull gator at our fishing hole, scaring the fish away as he rests under the water waiting for our bait. We might as well go home when he gets in that position, because the fish will stay away.

However, in Florida, most watering holes will have a gator around somewhere if the pond or lake is large enough. You get used to swimming with them, boating with them, skiing with them, and fishing AROUND them. It sounds scary, but I've got teenage boys in my class who have learned to do all their water activities with the ugly things--they don't let the gator stop their fun. BUT, they pay attention to where they are at all times, and they don't mess with them.

When my sister Sheri and I were young, my grandma partly owned a lake house on Lake Joe. Each house had a dock, and we loved to swim around the dock. The bottom of the lake was green and slimy and "hairy" with kelp, and I can still smell it 35 years later as if it was yesterday. Grandma would fish at the end of the dock and tell us when the gator was coming so we could hurry up and climb up the steps to the dock and get out of the lake. It was fine to swim as long as you have someone up high keeping a lookout. The rule was: no swimming without grandma. Trust me, we didn't want to break that rule.

The Bible tells us in Psalm 3 that God is our shield and protector, and He hears us when we cry out to Him. We don't have to be afraid--AS LONG AS WE LET HIM BE IN CONTROL.

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept ; I awaked ; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

Recently my mentor said to me, "Stephanie, do you believe God?"
Humbly I responded with, "Yes, Ms. Belinda, I believe God." I knew where she was headed.
"Then you either believe that God is in control or He isn't."

That is exactly it. We get afraid of what we know is OUT there--the devil--but he cannot be in every place at once. He isn't OMNIPRESENT like our God;he is only like the alligator. Dangerous, yes, but he can be spotted and watched and avoided, IF we have the ALMIGHTY on our side doing all the watching. We can't swim in this world without HIM.

I had a dream not too long ago. My sister and I were adults living on a houseboat, and my parents were visiting. Not sure what brought about the catastrophe, but my mom showed up to help my sister who was stranded. It was night time, and against my better judgment, I jumped into the water to swim out to my sister. I remember swimming upstream, and I was getting nowhere. My mom took a speedboat to get to my sister, while I found myself now stranded. I was looking at snakes and alligators all around me, and I realized that I needed to stop thrashing around and get in the stream of things and start swimming. I survived the dream, thankfully. However, I awakened with a burning thought--"Stephanie, stop swimming upstream."

We all find ourselves in danger spiritually sometimes, and when that happens we would do well to identify it. For me, I have a lot of change going on around me, and I felt that I was sinking in the depths of despair. In reality, I just wasn't trusting God. I was thrashing around for a couple of months trying to figure out alternative methods when all along I just needed to get back into the stream of life and let God be my lookout and guide me. It isn't easy to do, but it can be done. I hope that this can help one of my friends who is struggling today.

Psalm 4 made all the difference for me. Read it.

Hear me when I call , O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
Stand in awe , and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still . Selah.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
There be many that say , Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
Thou hast putgladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased .
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep : for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

I Wonder Who You Will Help to Live?

Betrayal. What an ugly, cold word. Judas betrayed Christ, William Wallace was betrayed by a comrade in a battle trying to free Scotland, and Benedict Arnold turned his back on America to join the British. These kinds of betrayals brings gasps and twisted faces as people recount the stories.

Recently a friend told me to check out a sermon online. The preacher covered a number of topics in his endeavor to drive home a thought about the Christian life, but he specifically mentioned betrayal. I began to really ponder that word since I had just taught a Bible lesson on it. With a little research, I found it is OFTEN connected with Love. The two words seem to be complete opposites because people casually throw the two together to emphasize the extreme. Actually, the relationship represented in the analogy illustrates that betrayal stems from the act of NOT loving.

We've all been there. The small betrayals start in grade school when your best friend of all time jumps ship and becomes friends with the class enemy just to get a better lunch to trade. Then Middle School nightmares of friends betraying our undying love to the boy in Science class cause us to imagine many ways to kill the enemy silently and without mess. Later in life those moments become way more serious, and we find ourselves at crossroads of desperation, many times completely destroyed and without reason to live. Someone we completely trusted with heart and soul has left us uncovered in the wind, shocked beyond realization, and we find ourselves at the bottom of the shower floor in feeling completely forsaken. One man told me that he lay on the floor for three days not moving when his wife left him. Another woman went into human hibernation for several months when her mate left her for another, accepting no contact from anyone. She lost her job over her avoidance. A scene in a movie shows a woman lying on the floor of her bathroom, hugging the toilet for hours, representing that she was at her lowest and just didn't care anymore all because someone betrayed her from her past.

Betrayal kills the soul, doesn't it? Some people come out of it, some don't. What makes the difference? Trust.

This is my main sin that I have to deal with on a daily basis. I don't trust enough. I used to be labeled in my family "the gullible child." I believed all the inane jokes, never getting the punch line because I would fall at the very beginning. I've been laughed at many times. Life teaches us sometimes hard lessons, doesn't it? And we learn to doubt and wonder BEFORE the happening, and that just isn't good most of the time. But we aren't talking about trusting in people here--people WILL let you down. We are to TRUST GOD that He knows what He's doing.

JOB 39:11 Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?

PSALM 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee

What a thought that God will not forsake us! We are so used to man letting us down, that we become cynical at times with our Creator! The God who is in control of everything--how prideful of us to even doubt Him at all! Pride seems to be the root of a bunch of sins, and "NOT TRUSTING" because we are angry, sad, bitter and despondent because someone has betrayed us is a branch of Pride. My students and I webbed it and talked it out. There is no way around it. We cannot control the circumstance, but we CAN control the outcome. And no one can really explain this unless you have been in the hot seat of betrayal. It is the lowest of the low.

Recently in my counseling I have heard the following:
"God cannot use me anymore."
"My mom and I fight. We fist fight. She hates me."
"I'm embarrassed to admit...."

These are lies of Satan who is the master CREATOR of pride. He did it first, and he's had several thouand years to perfect his evil sin. He is an infector, a destroyer, and a liar. If you are telling yourself a lie anywhere similar to these, realize that it is not from God, it is from the Devil. You do matter to God. IF you are a saved, born again, Christian, HE has a plan for you. Period. Yes, life gets in the way. Yes, some people get dealt painful blows that seem unfathomable. No, it isn't fair. But some people trust God and come out the other side---with scars, yes---but living. They didn't give in. They trusted.

I have to put my money where my mouth is one of these days at a theme park here in Florida. We have a roller coaster that is straight up in the air with a 3 second suspension at the peak before falling straight down. Fear has kept me from succeeding. Last year I was strapped in with some of my students who helped me get that far, and I unbuckled and bailed. It is a small thing that has become very big to me. Having fear and trusting God in something that I can't control is one thing. Fear over a roller coaster drop when I CAN control riding it at least once is quite another, and I'm tired of being afraid. **We'll see!**

Don't shut people out because you have become a cynical Christian because of bitterness. I'm so sorry that someone or something has caused you to hurt. That friend who hurt you probably doesn't even realize what they have done. Forgive them quietly so that you can free yourself from the chains that bitterness creates.
Some of my married friends who are on "round 2" are so precious because they have made it through a nasty situation of distrust, lies, and betrayal. My own betrayal has not been in marriage but in another avenue of life, and no one can quite know EXACTLY how you feel unless they have been there. I admire people so much when they stay in the ministry, stay involved in church, and just don't quit on life even though they have gone through such devastation. Remember that the Lord loves you, and that you matter. YOU matter to God. HIS own SON this very week faced the ultimate betrayal that cost Him His life. But imagine our lives without Christ!! Imagine that if Christ had not gone through the suffering, we would not have the grace...the grace needed to have eternity in Heaven. I wonder who you are going to help "live" because of you are MAKING IT THROUGH THE SUFFERING. Don't quit. You matter to someone. You definitely matter to God.

PSALM 139: 1-51 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising , thou understandest my thought afar off.3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

Fresh Water

For as long as I can remember, I have had a cat. My parents tell me that I have always loved the furry felines, and that stray cats had a way of ending up on our front porch of every house we ever lived in. I actually can pick up a cat at a stranger's house when we are out on Visitation, and tha cat will like me. Two of our cats turned into 15 while my sister and I were away one year at Bible college. I am definitely a cat person.

While we are much smarter than cats, of course, they have a wonderful habit that more of us should copy. They love love love FRESH WATER. Americans will grab a bottle water more than ever now when they are thirsty. Fifty years ago, coke was the number one soda people gravitated to until it was determined that sodas don't quench thirst, water does. It was unheard of in the 80's to BUY water---only the movie stars did that! Now, almost everyone keeps their "bottle" near by. But cats will go to great lengths to get water. This intrigued me so much to watch my Smokey drink out of a bowl where some potatoes were being "babied" in several bowls. She drank their water. Why? It was available.

In college, I had an English teacher (who was also our Bus Ministry Leader for the girls) give an amazing illustration one day regarding our spiritual lives. She was encouraging us to be clean, prayed up individuals before we went to visit the bus kids. Our visits would be windows of opportunity to make a difference in some teenager's life, and we would not get those moments back---so why waste them? She told us that the only way we can share from God's Word is to have God's Word already put in us. We had to fill up our well so that we had water to give. It was an amazing illustration that I often use to this day, and I'm sure the other "grown up girls" do the same. The problem lies when we try to fill up from something other than God's fresh water for the day.

1. Cats love drinking from the toilet.
In my studying this, a lot of people have opinions on the why, but the scientific answer: it is colder. But water from a toilet? Yuck. That's trashy water to us. The Bible says in Acts 4 that Peter and John answered to the church priests when they were being questioned, "we can NOT help but to speak the things we have seen and heard."
Christian: be careful what you SEE. Be careful what you allow yourself to HEAR. Don't spend a lot of time around those people who contaminate your well---or worse, dry it up---with their negativity.
Proverbs 8:33, "Hear instruction, and be wise , and refuse it not."
Proverbs 2:11, "Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee."

2. Cats drink at 4 laps/second. Really, until high-powered photography, no one knew exactly because they drink at a pace too fast for our human eyes. They do this with their mouths open until that 4th lap, and then the jaw closes down allowing them to swallow. It is elegant and amazingly accurate.

When you are filling your spiritual well for the day, remember that you will be watched. Ask God for wisdom for the things you will face today. Even if you think that your life is so insignificant that no one will be paying attention to your actions, you're wrong. As Christians there is always someone watching our lives. They watch what we say; how we respond; where we go--it never ends. There is never a time to let up in your Christian example, so don't.

3. Cats will drink water from anywhere because they are naturally thirsty. There is a new trend of "cat fountains"--a way to get your kitty to drink more. There are new "cat toilets" that are very fun and cool, but they are gimmicks to get you to buy them. The fact is: a cat is an animal and he will go wherever he needs to go to get his water. He doesn't have to have the cool toilet to do his business--cat dirt is cat dirt.
When filling your spiritual well, don't get sidetracked with the newest evangelical trick that is out there. Don't get all caught up in some devotional that has great stories and let that take the place of God's Word. I love to read, and many of the books available are wonderful as a SIDE item to go along with God's Word. The Bible is the source. The Bible is the deepest of the cold water that won't run out no matter how many times you have to go back to it during the day to refill.

Proverbs 27:9 "Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel."

Everyone has burdens. Everyone looks for that ONE person he can trust when he needs to share those burdens. What if that person is you? Do you have something deeper than some experience of your own to share with him? That kind of help only goes so far. It is humanistic at best.

Proverbs 10:11 "The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked."

Stop right now. Fill your well. Put fresh new water in it because someone needs you today.

Death and Life are in the Power of the Tongue

Death and Life are in the Power of the Tongue

The chameleon is a reptile, a colorful, curly-tailed lizard mostly known for its ability to change colors to match its surroundings. Their large eyes can be quite comical to look at, but those eyes can see 360 degrees and aid them in their avid hunting. Not all of the chameleon species can change colors, but those that do can turn beautiful shades of reds, yellows, purples and blues! One source mentions that a chameleon's mood, temperature, and health can also determine its ability to camoflauge itself. I find this especially interesting.
However, an even more amazing feature of this lizard is its tongue. The chameleon's tongue is extremely long and covered with saliva that is sticky, making the surface abrasive. It can reach almost twice its length, and can reel in prey about 1/2 the size of its body. The end of the tongue is similar to a club with a little flap that wraps around the victim and rolls the "food" back to the chameleon's mouth. He is a chewer, so the prey is soon devoured. This tongue allows the chameleon to catch its food while remaining motionless. Basically, the victim is caught so quickly, it never has time to fight back. Death is inevitable.

The Bible has a lot to say about the tongue, and most of it isn't good.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21

Deliver me, O Lord from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; Which imagine mischiefs in their hearts; continually are they gathered together for war. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Psalm 140 1-3

How many times have we been hurt by the slicing of someone's words? How many times have we sliced someone with our own words? It doesn't take much, does it? It usually is joined with a haughty spirit too.
We think we know the right way without ever considering other options.
We so easily believe the first things we hear about someone or a situation because it is just way more interesting than to consider the information just might not be true.
We end up with regret after speaking out our feelings in the name of, "You just need to know how I really feel."
Since when do we feel it is necessary to speak our minds about everything as if our opinions are the only ones that matter?
We mistreat others because we feel we are on another level than they.
We unkindly cut down others in order to make ourselves look better.

Before I moved to Florida in 2002, I taught for ten years at City Baptist School with one of the greatest Christians on earth. Miss Hibbard loved teenagers with all of her heart. She was one of the kindest, most compassionate teachers I have ever met, and it was a privilege to work under her. I allowed her to be a mentor in my life, and asked her to kindly correct me if she ever felt I needed it. THAT turned out to be about every week because I was a young teacher who made all the typical mistakes! Anyone who knows Miss Pam will tell you that she can correct you, slice and dice you, hug you when she's finished, and you never even knew what happened. I've seen Chicago teenagers challenge her in a word war and just flat out lose. She has this kind way of winning the battle without ever losing her cool. Of course it is because she is a spirit-filled teacher, but I like to think of her as this amazing, sword-waving ninja in disguise.
What made the difference is her ability to close her mouth and not give her opinion even when she knew she was right.

Many times I watched her in action, but once in particular I have never forgotten. One night before a Pastors' School conference we had an issue with a freezer for one of the ice cream restaurants we were creating. For some insane reason she agreed to do three restaurants that year, and we were unbelievably tired. We had already stayed up for 3 days and nights straight trying to prepare for it, and exhausted and aggravated, we still had to teach our classes and then get back down to the church for the opening night. Well, there is always going to be someone who is jealous or mean when you are doing something good, and she ran into one of these people. They laid into her with mean words over something so petty and details that I knew just were NOT true. I was ready to punch them in the face and defend her like Peter defended Jesus with the sword, but she held my arm and glared at me with that "Miss Pam LOOK" that said, "Say one word and I'll kill you." When they left, I looked at her and said, "Miss Pam! Why don't you tell them they are wrong? How can you let someone talk to you so rudely when you are right?" She smiled that tight little smile of hers and said, "Stephanie, let them think that they are right. There is so much more to be concerned about right now." At 28, I didn't understand that, trust me. A punch in the face or an eye-glaring stare with a Satan hiss seemed to be the answer to me, but, oh, how wise she was to hold back. I was so lucky to learn from her that day.
If only we would learn to think before we speak.

He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:27-28

Don't lie in wait to hurt someone with your tongue. Don't react to a situation and slice someone with words that are out there forever. The chameleon's tongue seizes and quickly rolls the prey right in--and you may take the words back into your own mouth-- but the damage has been done. It just isn't worth it.
Be a sword-waving ninja with a closed mouth.

Delays and the Portia Spider (part 4)

Delays, detours, and distractions. The devil will use anything to discourage us or get us "off track" as a Christian.
I have a 4th detour/delay to share with you--this time it is a delay that WE can cause in our lives, so we have to look out for the danger signs.

Recently I saw a commercial where a teenage girl is driving safely. Her phone is in a cellphone holder, she has her seatbelt on, and she is obviously driving at a safe speed. Then her cell phone beeps, alerting her of a text. She picks up the phone, smiles at the text, and crashes. The commercial states that the average text takes 5 seconds to read and begin a reply. Everything was going fine. She started her journey prepared. But she was distracted for a short time, and it killed her.

The PORTIA SPIDER is a devious little furry arachnid found in parts of ASIA, AFRICA, and AUSTRALIA. My students and I have discovered this year that it seems the most dangerous things of the world always find their way to Australia! The Portia Spider looks like every other "international spider"--typical scary-looking eyes, eight furry legs in shades of brown and black, and an evil mouth ready to devour something. However, its deadly feature doesn't lie in its looks--it lies in his deception. This spider mimics a wounded, trapped insect on his web, and distracts his victim. He is all about deceit and trickery. He imitates vibrations of other insects and sneaks up on his chosen prey. In other words, this spider is a CREEPER!

Remember that we have established there will be DELAYS in our lives. Sometimes we are going about life happily--and BAM! We hit that pot hole and it throws us off the road of life for a while; but sometimes we get distracted with minor things that cost us majorly.

Ephesians 6:11 says, "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

In college I learned that sometimes we just give the devil too much credit. We blame him for everything. HE is out there, of course, ordering his own demons to harass Christians to get them off the path of serving God. But maybe we need to just stop giving him so much homage by IGNORING his distractions along the way. God gives us signals, warnings. He put them in His Word. If we "armor up" with His way from HIS Word, we won't get so easily distracted. We'll be ready.
The cell phone commercial reminded me of a couple of things.

1. Don't text and drive.
Christian, don't do other things when it is time to "armour up." Cindy Schaap use to say it to us in college: "Choose your Bible time, and don't let anything get in the way." How can we help people spiritually if we don't have anything new and fresh to give them?

2. The teenager looked down.
We can't look down. Ever. Keep your eyes on your goal. Distractions make us look anywhere and everywhere except at the issue at hand. Recognize it as a distraction. No Christian is exempt from this.

3. The girl picked up the beeping phone.
Just because you looked down for a moment doesn't mean you have to act on it. Once you pick up the distraction, now you have to make another decision: to answer or not. Don't put yourself in that position. Whatever it is, it will beep and probably loudly.

4. She STAYED distracted.
Miss Hibbard used to drill it into the girls in Hammond, and I hope I say it in my world of teenagers enough for them to believe it. "There is always a way out." If you find yourself off on a goose chase right now in your life, recognize it and get back to the path. There is always a way out for us---God's forgiveness. When we stay too long in the sin, it WILL kill us.

Help someone with this today!
Oh, one last thing. There IS ONE spider that always catches the PORTIA in his act and defeats him. It is the EURYATTUS spider. He has fantastic vision and spots the Portia before it can "woo" him into the web, and then he charges the Portia himself! "There is always a way out."
Have a great day!

Delays (Part 3) and THE AYE-AYE

I love this determined little animal found in Madagascar! The Aye-Aye is a relative of the lemur, but has an amazing distinctive feature about him that sets him apart from the lemur: he has a long middle finger with a very sharp claw. The nocturnal Aye-Aye will sleep all day hidden in a sphere-like nest so that he can stay up all night "tapping." He taps on trees and listens for wood-boring insects behind the bark because his ears are incredibly sensitive. He taps, listens, and waits. When he decides that he has located one of these insects, he digs him out with the same middle finger. Lots of work, yes, but very worth it! Although he loves digging out coconut flesh and devouring the tasty fruit, these insects are his favorite!

Rehash on the last couple of blogs:

1. Delays never come at a good time.
2. Delays can appear suddenly.

NEW ONE! Delays make you appreciate things once you get them.

Our city (Ocala) is doing all kinds of construction on various roads, and some of them have been long-term. Anyone who attends our church/school and has to take this road named Baseline will understand the concept. EVERYONE has to take BASELINE if you live in a large segment of Ocala. It has been under construction not for days, weeks, months, but now for years. It can be frustrating and dangerous; people have incidents of "road rage" while driving certain stretches of that road. BUT everyone will agree with this: when the construction is done, it will be ONE nice highway.

Ecclesiastes 7:8, "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."

It is true! The end of things are wonderful! We love reaching the end of a marathon, pulling a beautifully-cooked roast out of the oven, or finishing a well-written book. There is satisfaction in completing a project that has taken months but the time spent with family was worth it.

But what about those pesky times where there is a delay? Even though you know the outcome will be wonderful eventually, it is inconvenient and aggravating. This is what I encountered this morning on my way to my Saturday job. Signs warned me that there was a lane merge ahead, and the light, Saturday morning traffic began to slow up as two lanes merged into one. The anxiety feelings hit me as I began to wonder WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE SO IMPORTANT for them to merge lanes at a very inconvenient spot? (There is my impatience again.) As we all traveled in one lane for about 1/4 of a mile, the "issue" finally appeared. The city was kindly fixing a pot hole to save us from accidents, causing further delays. I sighed, felt regret for being aggravated, and then smiled because I knew the Lord was teaching me again to be patient.

I learned 3 things this morning:

1. The delay was short this time, and I should thank God for the short interruptions in life. Maybe if we thanked Him more, He wouldn't have to allow things to enter our lives to remind us to love Him.

2. This delay was a good thing, and I'm grateful that the street crews scrunched us for a while in order to make a rough spot better. I need to thank God for the little interruptions in my life.
"Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day."

3. When I came out of the lane merge and traffic started to move again, I was thankful for the smooth driving and pleasant travel. We all know that there are times when life is too much to handle (like in my Delays Part 2). The tearful moments when the breath has been sucked right out of us. Thank Him for the peace you have right now because we know the potholes aren't always found before we hit them.

Some of you may be in a BIG delay or the dreaded DETOUR in your life right now. Share what works for you practically, and if you are a Christian, encourage us with what God has done for you. Write me: brasil_girl37@yahoo.com. We can learn from you.

Have a good day!
Stephanie

Delays (Part 2)

Delay: a holdup; a detainment; a wait

Do you know that moment when you are driving along to work, singing, drinking your flavor of caffeine for the moment, happily gloating in the fact that you are on time.......and WHAM! Traffic stops. There's no warning and no signs to give you time to think over a possible delay. No time to come up with a "new path"---just a SUDDEN STOP. Been there? Lights ahead are flashing red and blue, indicating emergency vehicles are at the scene of an accident. You should be concerned for the people or animals involved in the wreck, but, unfortunately, the first thought that fills your head (at least what usually fills mine) is, "Great. Now I'm going to be late."
You have the decision to follow the orders of the aggravated police personnel standing in the middle of the road with his neon orange wand motioning you to STOP and wait, OR you can take the DETOUR offered. What do you do? If you STOP and WAIT, you are going to lose time. If you TAKE THE DETOUR, you just might have to lose even more time---or worse---you may have to go back to where you started.

You do NOT want to hear frivolity from a DJ on a radio station giving you immature words, "Traffic is a mess, but don't worry! We'll be with you all the way!" What you want to hear is the guy in the helicopter above the scene giving you a new route--a way around the chaos--so that you won't be stuck there forever.

Whether it's a pothole that appears suddenly in the road, causing a flat tire in your car or an unexpected accident that ALWAYS appears suddenly, it IS a delay.

We have them in life--those "potholes" of life. They are delays that are unexpected, unwanted, and not fun. The kind that put you on the bottom of the shower floor in tears because you don't know which way to turn. They are ugly delays that seem to make your life stop. We all have had them, and if you haven't, you will. Fortunately, I went to college and learned under a great woman of God who had cancer while she taught us. We watched her LIVE the verses that I'm going to share with you.

Maybe you awakened to find that you have cancer like two of my very good friends are experiencing right now. Unexpected. Where did that come from? What did they do to deserve that? Nothing. It is a delay that could be permanent with which God has entrusted them. He trusts them to walk through the trial to teach others.

Perhaps you received a phone call that your job had just been terminated. You had no warning; there was nothing you could have done. Purely, the circumstances were beyond your control. But, what now? Do you really have to start a whole new career? A new job? In this economy?

Maybe you had a tragedy, and suddenly your current goals were crushed, causing you to go back to square one and draw a new game plan. Disappointment can be one of the worse feelings in the world

You might have heard those awful words come out of your mate's mouth that he/she doesn't love you anymore. You've been chosen over. It was horribly unexpected and dreaded. It was that moment you thought, "This happens to other people, not me." Devastation and a sick heart filled your very being as the devil made you feel like you weren't enough for your lover, and your life seemed to stop. It had to be the heartbreak of the lowest kind.

You've been betrayed by your closest of friends. You were suddenly and without warning a leftover, a gossipped-about loner who didn't see it coming.

Well, take a deep breath, and first realize that these delays aren't roads that suddenly drop off into the ocean. They are just painful delays that God allows. Maybe they are actually full-fledged detours and you DO have to start all over with a new job, a new mate, or a new game plan. We have all been there. If you are on the "other side" of the tragedy, don't be quiet and hide how to help others. Speak up, share with the hurting, and use God's Word to help someone. We have a cutting edge on the Devil---we have the Word of God and Jesus Christ Himself to give us hope, guidance, and peace when we relinquish the delay to Him. NOT easy to do, but we CAN through Christ.

1. God never gives us more than we can handle.

2. He gives us the grace to walk through anything. He IS that reporter in the helicopter ABOVE the situation and is looking down giving instructions.

3. Every day, there are mercies anew. Look for them.

4. Look for the spiritual friend who has gone through it and made it. They are life changers, and you need them. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

IPeter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he carethfor you."

Psalm 4:8 "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep : for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety."

Ruth 2:12 "The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."

II Samuel 22:31 "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried : he is a buckler to all them that trust in him."

Psalm 52:8 "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever."

II Kings 20:5 "Turn again , and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD."

Job 16:20 "My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God."

Psalm 6:6 "I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim ; I water my couch with my tears."

Psalm 126:5 "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."

Psalm 18:6 "In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears."

Psalm 19:3 "There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard."

I love this last verse the most of all. No matter what language we speak or pray in, God understands. There is not a human who can help your "delay" like our Holy God and His Word. Draw nigh to Him.

Lastly, I have friends who have gone through every one of these delays above. Do you think that if I need a hand they will understand? Absolutely. God can give you that Christian friend, but even if He doesn't, He is enough.

Have a great day!
Stephanie

Delays (Part 1) - Never Come At A Good Time

The Leafy Sea Dragon

Looks cool, huh? Almost not real! He is a relative of the sea horse and eats on "sea lice." (Just thought that this would make your day.) He is found only in Australian waters, and is now protected by Australian law. The sea dragon doesn't use those leaves to help him move, he uses them to help him hide. After all, he only grows to be about a foot and a half. The sea dragon uses the water to glide him because he enjoys tumbling gracefully through the water, and doesn't ever seem to be in any hurry at all. It takes a strong lens to even see an eye blink.

Ha! Doesn't sound like our lives at all! After all, we live in the land of the free, the home of the brave, and the world of FAST FOOD and DRIVE THRUS.

Ten or eleven years ago, I heard a sermon by Daniel Hawtree Jr. entitled "Delays In Life." This was back when wireless internet was slowly creeping into our homes---regular homes with regular pocketbooks. Everyone was excited to try it, but there were a lot of kinks and tweaks to iron out. Daniel was single at the time but still in evangelism. He was at a hotel one night in some random city trying to check his email, and the signal was down. He made a sermon on his frustration with the internet, and ended up laughing about his anxiety with something completely out of his control. I'll never forget it.

Delay by definition means: a holdup, a wait, a detention, a detainment.

When I think of the word "delay," I think of having to wait or I picture a long line of traffic. Certainly nothing pleasant comes to mind. That's just exactly it, delays never come at a good time. None of us like to wait. We live in a "microwave generation" where we want to be able to just pop our problem into life's microwave, and get it answered RIGHT NOW. Gone are the days of waiting and praying for God's answers like George Mueller and J. Frank Norris preached in their days. We want God to answer our request, solve our dilemmas, and give us our needs---by the end of lunch, please. We use Psalm 70:5 to our full advantage. "But I am poor and needy; make HASTE unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying."

Sometimes delays save us from a tragedy, but that is another blog for another day. Right now we are focusing on the fact that delays are NEVER FUN.

At school, I'm one of those teachers who does not like interruptions. I study and prepare to deliver the goods all by the end of the class hour. DO NOT interrupt my teaching because I cannot get through my agenda. How dare there be a fire drill or a Code Red? What were they thinking calling ANOTHER chapel day that is going to cut into my schedule? And, oh PUH-LEASE, don't even think of giving us more announcements over the intercom at the end of the hour!!!!  I'm exaggerating a little here, but to the extent that the internet frustrated Daniel on his preaching trip, teachers hate interruptions in the middle of their lesson because there goes the attention spans of the minds we had in the palm of our hands. So, some days I have to just say (literally) to myself, "Stephanie, chill out." When Bertha (the momma hamster in our room) "throws up" on someone's desk in the middle of a great discussion on bird feathers, I have to "chill out."  When Carmela (the rabbit) wee wees on the same kid for 3 days in a row while giving test notes and we have to stop and clean up the mess, I have to smile and breathe very deeply. After all, I DID agree to let the kids hold the animals while I teach if they behave. I made a mental decision years ago when I taught my first three years in the school basement and counted how many mice we had caught in the traps the night before (it was fun), that seeing young people happy and learning was far more important than making them learn just because I COULD. Sometimes delays in the agenda happen. It is what we do at the moment of the delay that makes all the difference.

So, we are at the moment of delay. Now what? Well, our greatest example is Jesus Christ, right? Let's look at a couple of times when there was worry and stress and delay in his life.

The disciples were beside themselves with anxiety because there was no food to feed the thousands that had been following Jesus. The disciples said (please imagine intense, whiny voices here):

"And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, THIS is a desert place, and the time is NOW PAST; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, (whiny voices again) We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me." 

Notice that Jesus didn't just make the miracle happen in the baskets. He could have. I believe that He wanted the disciples (even more than the people) to SEE that he was still going to provide the food in a miraculous way, but in HIS way and HIS time. Maybe God gives us delays so that we can SEE Him work in our lives and grow patience in us instead of us just expecting Him to fix it immediately.

Peter, the king of impulse, wanted to protect Jesus all the time. This Jesus whom He had followed and given up a career for---He meant everything to Peter. When Peter was flailing out at sea trying to TRUST, it was Jesus who told Him to keep his eyes on HIM to not sink. Peter learned to listen to Jesus when he was facing death, so it was natural for Peter to want to protect Christ when He was in danger. On impulse, he pulled out his sword and cut off the servant's ear when they laid hold on Jesus. But Jesus rebuked Peter in Matthew 26:52-54, and it was all about trusting in the moment of delay.

"Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?"

Jesus meant....look guys, this has to happen. Don't you think that I can call out to God and HE can deliver me IMMEDIATELY? But prophecy has to be fulfilled. This has to happen.

Why do we think that God doesn't have a plan for us? If God is in control, then He allows the delay. Look for the positive, look for the illustration that you can use ten years down the road, and chill out. It is in those moments that you can really make a difference in someone's life. Most of the time, the delay is according to some time schedule we made; therefore, we put the pressure on ourselves from the very beginning. Smile, and do what Marlene Evans used to teach us in college to do when we had a hold-up--REJOICE IN THE LORD. We can't be as carefree as the sea dragon, but we can trust while we are at a standstill that God has a reason. We can either choose to enjoy gliding through the water eating the "sea lice" that God has brought into our lives, or we can fume and flail---and end up still waiting anyway.

I will remember my own words tomorrow when one of my classroom critters has an accident in the middle of my lesson!

Have a good day!

Perfect Peace

A small bird protected in the storm

Peace isn't when everything is going right.

Peace is when you know you are going to be alright when everything around you isn't.

Have you ever seen so many despondent people in the world? It seems everyone is always running, buying happiness, escaping to vacations to get away from the stress that is inevitable......the chaos is a madness that never stops. Yet, one would think that with the newest phones, lightning- speed communication, and virtual toys, we'd all be happier. People are still searching for peace, even Christians who know where to find it.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3

Recently in a service in our church, we had several song specials that revolved around rest and peace. Our Music Director is very organized; he wants to know what everyone is singing/playing (instrumentally) ahead of time so that there are no conflicts. However, I am very sure that he does not dictate to our vocalists what they should sing; he allows the Holy Spirit to do that. So, when I began to realize there was a theme, I started writing down the names of the songs and began mulling over a new thought for a Bible lesson on trust.

In my digging, I found a definition that became the core of my new study.
HAVEN: A place of safety; a refuge; a place offering favorable opportunities or conditions.

We all desire to be safe. Safe from harm; safe from problems; safe from mean people; safe from the devil....safe from the STORMS of life. How do we find refuge from a storm? We seek out a haven, a place of safety.  BUT, sometimes when there is no haven immediately available, we have to ride out the storm. And to ride out the storm, we need an anchor. Yes, Jesus Christ is our haven of rest. But, sometimes, He wants to prove Himself to us through the storm, so now, He becomes our anchor.

In researching anchors these past two days, I have found that there are dozens of types of anchors. This is interesting to me because I found that an anchor is not JUST needed for the ships of the sea! Let me share with you.

ANCHOR:
1. A device usually of metal attached to a ship or boat by a cable and cast overboard to hold it in a particular place by means of a fluke that digs into the bottom .
Sounds like the anchor we first think of.  In reading about storms, I've found that it is best to ride into the storm, allowing the anchor to just slow the whole thing down. However, one needs the right anchor and enough rope and lots of patience.
How terrible to be in a storm that life throws at us and not have the right anchor. Christian, our primary anchor isn't to be another human, it is to be Jesus.
But let's say that we ARE leaning on Christ, but our relationship is not solid. We have drifted away from HIM, and our rope, our lifeline is lacking strength. It has lost length or has become frayed and useless. We have to keep our relationship with Christ tough, and to be patient with what He wants us to learn.

2. a reliable or principal support
I love this. RELIABLE. Christian friends can be wonderful supporters in times of trouble; I try to "be there" for my friends too. But we are still only flesh. People will let you down, but our God will NEVER let you down.
3. something that serves to hold an object firmly
4. the member of a team (as a relay team) that competes last
Oh, to be the "anchor" in someone's life., pointing them to Jesus Christ! Or better yet, to be the one who throws out the lifeline to the overboard Christian in times of trouble!
5. a fixed object (as a tree or a piton) to which a climber's rope is secured
Piton: a spike, wedge, or peg that is driven into a rock or ice surface as a support (as for a mountain climber)
Jesus Christ is always the same, always there.  "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." He IS that piton that helps you "anchor" yourself firmly --- and you can be someone else's PITON as they get back to Jesus.

Three Observations I've made:
1.  When in a storm of life, Stay Still.
Psalm 6:10 -  "Be still , and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. "

"Don't make a decision when your decision-maker is broken."

- Dr. Jack Hyles

"When the believer is faced with a decision regarding a questionable matter, he should never proceed unless he has complete peace about it. If there is nothing wrong with it, then God is able to give complete peace."

-Dr. Curtis Hutson

"There cannot be any peace where there is uncertainty." -

 D.L. Moody

"The reward that outdoes all others is the peace of knowing that you did right."

- Dr. Jack Hyles

2.  Before the storm hits, PREPARE for it, and REMEMBER the other storms in which Jesus proved Himself to be your anchor.

Remember when the disciples were complaining in Mark 8? They had just seen a young girl healed of a devil and four thousand people fed from just a few fish and bread loaves, but they were still complaining. Why? They forgot the goodness of the Lord . Jesus said to them, "Having eyes see ye not? and  having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?"  Mark 8:18  How quickly we forget. Don't forget. Go back and remember, and stayed prayed up. Prepare your heart.

"To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace."

 - George Washington

3.  Realize that just because Christ is our anchor, it doesn't mean that you won't get wet or thrown about in the storm. He goes through the storm with us, riding the waves of life and guiding our ships to safety. It just takes time and patience.

"For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock." Psalm 27:5

"If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you know what His will is."

- Amy Carmichael

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To end my study, I've chosen a few special quotes from unique people whose lives have proven that they trusted God in the storm.

"In the midst of the awesomeness, a touch comes, and you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ. You know it is not the hand of restraint, correction, nor chastisement, but the right hand of the Everlasting Father. Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it gives inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that "underneath are the everlasting arms," (Deuteronomy 33:27) full of support, provision, comfort and strength."

- Oswald Chambers (traveled the world preaching the gospel only to die  in 1917 of appendicitis because he refused to use a bed needed by wounded soldiers)

------------------

"If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is a storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble."

-Thomas Watson ( a Puritan preacher who died while praying in secret)

-------------------

"Were our spirits hardy we would be able to meet the most disturbing situation with peace and rest."

- Watchman Nee (imprisoned in China for his faith until his death in 1972)

Love, Stephanie

Start Again, Don't Start Over. January 1, 2012

THE BALD EAGLE

2012--a new year brings new resolutions, new goals, and yes, even new failures. But we can learn from mistakes of the past and new ones we know we will inevitably make.

Isn't it fun to water a very dried-up plant that you think has seen its last day of sunshine, only to find that a little water brings new life? It is at this moment that we are thankful we didn't throw something away that just needed a little attention. Thank goodness Jesus didn't throw me away for a better Christian. He takes me with my mistakes and failures and keeps renewing me.

There is a difference in picking up something again that you started at some point in time and just plain old STARTING OVER. Sometimes it is best to tear something down and just begin from scratch, but more times than not, picking up where we left off is all that is needed. Fear of failure keeps us from starting again.

This year, make a goal to pick up the odd pieces and get your life back on track.

My 7th graders and I began studying birds at the end of last semester, and soon we will continue our study. It is interesting to watch videos of eagles in flight. We watched eagles lock talons and fight in complete circles in the sky as well as spot fish high above the water and swoop to make their catch without ever looking down.

I have made some observations about eagles recently, and combined with God's Word, there are some amazing truths regarding new beginnings of old, left behind stuff.

1.  A bald eagle really isn't bald. Many believe that the Europeans named them bald because they saw the white cap--and, to them, "bald" meant "white." **Although, I noticed that in Micah 1:16, the eagle is referred to as bald. According to Wesley's Notes, this is the species being represented. This is definitely before the Europeans came to America! =) 

"Make thee bald , and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee."

2.  Eagles mate for life. Great huh? However, it has been documented that eagles will assume a new mate if something happens to the old one because they realize that life must go on. Eagles don't quit and give up.

3.  Eagles will remain on the same perch for hours. They don't give up, and they wait it out when protecting their young. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:13

4.  Eagles live on every continent but Antarctica. However, half of the 70,000 eagles living in North America reside in Alaska. Why? Fewer people and lots of coastline loaded with fresh fish and tons of trees!

5.  The male eagle chooses his home before he mates, never leaving this home. The parents will expand the nest actually--a little bit every year. They only move if the nest gets destroyed, but when they do move, they choose a nearby location. Nests can weigh up to 2 tons, by the way. Eagles are family birds even though they are definitely predators.









6.  A unique fact about the eagle is his eyelids. They have upper and lower eyelids, but the lower eyelid is bigger. He actually blinks "up." They have a third eyelid like other birds that even cats and a few digging animals have. But for the eagle, this membrane that sweeps from side to side constantly moisturizing and cleaning his eyes is instrumental in his survival. His keen and perceptive sight puts him in a whole other class of the raptors.

7.  Female eagles will lay 1-3 eggs, but usually only 1 eaglet will make it to maturity. The parents share in the responsibility  of feeding the eaglets, sometimes up to 5 kills per day.

8.  After 10-12 weeks, eaglets are encouraged to  leave the nest, but the "pushing" starts weeks before. The parents provide a soft, secure nest for their babies with daily food, but after a while they begin bringing food near the nest but not inside the nest. This is to show the eagles that they will need to get out of the nest in order to enjoy some chum. Also, they little by little pull out the soft lining within the sticks of the nest to where the nest begins to get a little uncomfortable. Cries of the eaglets are ignored, and soon the eaglet is encouraged to meet the world on his own. The mother eagle takes her time in teaching her eaglet though; it is not a one day "kicking out the nest" situation. She actually will do what a hummingbird does......flaps her wings in a hovering position for a short time for demonstration.
"As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:" Deuteronomy 32:11

God uses circumstances in our lives to grow us. If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you will agree. It is when we get comfortable in our current situations that we begin to not depend on Him for our needs. So, in order to get us back on track, He may begin to make our worlds a little uncomfortable, reminding us that a better Christian life is available out there, but changes must be made. However, God doesn't throw us away, nor does He throw us out on our own. He loves us. He made us with a purpose--to glorify Him. He wants us to succeed. Don't listen to the devil's lies that you are worthless, stained, and cannot be used by God. You don't have to start all over again--just get started. Again.

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run , and not be weary ; and they shall walk , and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Have a good day! Love, Stephanie

The Armadillo

The American Armadillo

Cute little thing, right? WRONG. The armadillo is a nuisance. He digs holes and destroys beautiful yards and the best of landscapes. He is mostly blind which means he meanders aimlessly through a yard, stopping wherever he chooses to leave a mess behind for someone else to clean up.
Armadillos don't just live in the States, there is a smaller version of them down in South America where they originated, and they also live in Mexico. Whereas our breed has 9 bands, the S.A. armadillo only has 3 which makes it convenient to roll into a little ball when in danger.

None of them can see very well, and they will flat run into things when in a hurry. They root in shady areas for insects and worms where the soil is moist, hunting earthworms in particular, and use their long tongues to slurp them up. The aggravating part that drives homeowners crazy is that they love to dig. Some holes (dens) that they dig are about a foot or two deep, but some have been found up to 20 feet deep. This is when they begin to annoy Floridians, in particular, because all kinds of OTHER animals can hide in holes that deep, and unwanted critters can fill a yard fast. Our armadillos out here in my neck of the woods seem to travel in twos, exasperating all efforts to keep a pretty lawn.
A female armadillo will always have 4 babies, and they are born with their eyes open. I must admit that they are cute when they are tiny, but before long, they grow up to be diggers.

Armadillos also bleed incessantly when pierced. It is disgusting. They will jump 3-4 feet in the air when they are hurt, and the blood just spurts everywhere. It is almost comical to see them hurl themselves in the air in exaggeration.
See, there is nothing cute about them!
In Psalm 57 we read of David who is once again pouring his heart out to God. David many times went straight to God when facing temptation or when his life was in danger, and it is an excellent example for us to follow. In this chapter David is obviously being pursued. He speaks in verses 4-6 of being "among the lions", giving descriptions of men with teeth that tear and tongues as sharp swords. He describes a net that has been designed to catch him and a hole that is prepared just for him. However, he adds that this hole, in turn, captured the enemy.

⁴My soul [is] among lions: [and] I lie [even among] them that are set on fire, [even] the sons of men, whose teeth [are] spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
⁵Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.
⁶They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen [themselves]. Selah.

Remember the story where Saul and his armies were pursuing David, yet the Philistines were indeed hunting down Saul? The very cave where Saul just knew he had David captured, he was, in fact, delivered into the hands of David.  God took care of His own, and in a moment of sure defeat, He proved himself mighty to David again as He had done many times before.

Sometimes when the "teeth" of the world tear into our belief in Creation by the One true God or tongues slash our faith in salvation through Christ alone, we get discouraged thinking no one will believe ever again. Yet, in many of our churches we ARE seeing people come to Christ. I have a preacher friend who has not missed one day in well over a thousand days in leading someone to Christ. It is a personal goal of his, and he asks God for a soul every day. Our job is to have faith and share what Christ did for us on the cross. He does the rest.
Sometimes when the sharp swords people use as tongues threaten to tear our reputations, we have to remember that God always wins. It was David's faith that God would deliver him that saw him through the constant fear of losing his life. Why should we be any different? Do you have an armadillo in your life who is constantly digging a hole for you to fall in? Do you have someone who is cute on the outside but they leave a bumpy wake everywhere they go, and sometimes the mess is yours to clean up? Well, to remove an armadillo the proper way, the advice given everywhere is to call a pest control to "re place" them somewhere else. Yes, we could just pick up a shotgun and take care of it ourselves, and I'm sure many who live out in the sticks do. However, the city people have to do it the right way, and not take matters into their own hands lest there be a fine.  So, to "remove" your armadillo in your life, you call God in to fix the problem. We can't just eliminate people who are mean, although it does pass through our minds---I know it has mine MANY times. But that would throw us into the same category as the enemy, wouldn't it? God wouldn't get the glory.
Let's trust God and set the example for those watching us just like David did for us. God thought it important enough that He not only included David's story in the Bible, but he gave us the Psalm that shows David looked to HIM for deliverance.
Have a great day in the Lord!

The Urubu

Urubu in Brazil

Similar to our American Black Vulture

There is an old saying that originates from an Indian proverb, "Never judge a man until you have walked a mile in his moccasins." Or if you live in South America, "Never judge a man until you have walked 2 moons in his moccasins."  Of course, this reminds us to be aware of a man's circumstances and to consider what he is going through before proposing our simple opinions and fixes. Some of us just offer our "unasked for" opinions anyway, and it gets us into trouble even when we HAVE walked those 2 moons. Like vultures who seize upon something wounded or dead with a purpose, we attack situations with our "cure". How different is God when we are in need....we receive his healing balm and calming words from His Word.

I've learned that I can never go wrong with offering someone Scripture when words fail me. The Word of God is often like restorative ointment to a hurting soul, supplying true peace and comfort, especially when I'm asking the Lord for the right words to say to someone who feels pure despondence. Psalm 147 provides the reader with promise by reminding us that God is in control of all things.

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."

"He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names."

"He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry."

"He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in his mercy."

While visiting my sister's town in northern Brazil for several summers, I witnessed a couple of funerals.  Their observances are a little more involved time-wise than our services but a lot more simple. It is a common practice in this particular town that the body is laid out on a table or in front of the wooden house for a few days before the actual ceremony. Once the day of the funeral arrives, the body is loaded onto a wagon or the back of a truck and the procession of people to walk behind the cart begins. I was very thankful that my sister encouraged me to attend because with each step I felt as though I was walking in the mourner's shoes. There is time to think of the death and what the person meant to the church, their family, and to the community. The process after the eulogy (and, in our case, a sermon by my brother-in-law) is always long and involved, for the digging of the grave and lowering of the body and pouring of cement over the wooden box is done in front of all attendees. This particular town's cemetary has an endless supply of under-nourished dogs who are always close by, often growling because they are irritated and hungry. It is unsettling but expected. Salt is poured around the burial plot to keep the flies away since the body has somewhat decayed already. And, of course, the udubu are ever lurking in the trees above and in the street curbs, looking for the yuck to devour. You can see how devastating and dark death is to these simple people unless they have the hope of Heaven. Thank the Lord for Mark and Sheri's influence in the town; they brought the light of salvation and the hope of Heaven to many who were believing in shallow prayers to a statue that was taking them straight to hell.

I've learned that it is when I view someone's needs through the Lord's eyes and not my own that I am able to help them in the long run. Like a typical funeral in northern Brazil, many lives are lived out of tradition with no hope of eternity. People with heavy hearts need balm not an udubu. They don't need bandaids of shallow words that cover a wound for the moment, they need salve that heals from the inside out. The only way to truly know the words that our Lord might say is to get them straight from Him. We have to read the Word, ask Him for wisdom, and like Jesus did, walk in people's steps, living where they live, reaching them where they are. If Mark had ignored the call and never sold everything that he and Sheri had and not moved to another continent to share Christ, some of the people they reached might still be in spiritual darkness.

For all of us, we have our own circles of life and people for whom we are responsible to encourage and help without attacking and offering spurts of our own sentiments and assumptions. Give the truth, yes, but in love.

Eleanor Roosevelt said it best. "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart." As Christians, may we all be the kinds of friends who leave a definite mark on people's lives for the good and for eternity because we walk in Christ.

When the pirahnas bite, remind yourself that you matter to God.

Small Pirahna, Brazil

One of my favorite memories in all of my trips to Brazil is fishing in the Rio Negro. Fishing is one of my favorite pasttimes, especially in the summer. However, for the people of Brazil, it is a MAJOR source of income, food, and survival. Brazilians don't casually fish; they fish with a purpose. There is a means to an end, and it is found on the end of a fishing pole.

Pirahna fishing was a new one for me, and I learned that one way to call them to the top of the water is to slap the water repeatedly. I guess we could have thrown a bucket of blood into the water to call them as well, but it would have been a nasty frenzy. :) They don't attack and eat every living thing that dips a toe into the water, but I wasn't ready to risk jumping in the river to find out if that whole theory was true or not either.

BUT, one thing I found true about every pirahna we caught: they had teeth. Didn't matter the size of the pirahna, there were always sharp teeth. My sister once told me that in her town women who gossipped or were after your husband were often called a slang word that meant pirahna. Basically, a human pirahna or a pirahna fish have the same thing in common: they rip, tear, cause pain, and leave scars.

Have you ever felt like you do not matter to anyone? Have you ever felt like you are insignificant and unimportant and your ideas are dumb? Have you ever had a co-worker cut you down to where you doubted your own abilities? Have you ever had your child speak to you disrespectfully and cause pain that you didn't know you were able to feel? Have you ever felt such despair over someone's words that you sat on the bottom of the shower floor and cried until you couldn't?  Have you ever had the love of your life speak demeaning words to you that cut right to the bone? Have you ever had someone make fun of your child because they didn't understand the whole situation?

Well, until you can say yes to one of these or something similar, you may not know the damage of what someone's words can do to the soul. When we experience the cut, the tear, the pain--we get to experience just a little of how Jesus must have felt on our Earth. The Bible tells us that he was despised and rejected, and I imagine that many times it was in the form of WORDS.

Friend, take a moment and read Psalm 64. The first 6 verses explain how the "pirahnas" devise ways to hurt with their bite. But the next 2 verses tell us that God shall shoot at them with an arrow and they will make their own tongues cut themselves. It ends with "the righteous shall be glad in the Lord..." Encourage yourself in the Lord, immerse yourself in the WORD of God, and surround yourself with positive people when you are verbally attacked.

I am currently reading EMBRACING THE WORLD by Mary Ray, wife of Dr. James Ray, former director of BIMI. She gave me a copy of her book at our recent Missions Conference, and I'm amazed to read of how God is using the "little, insignificant people" who used to not matter but now matter a great deal to a WHOLE lot of people. When we are talking about someone's eternal soul, suddenly the "little people" become really important to the lost person who is now rejoicing that he has a place in heaven!

David Livingstone, missionary to Africa in the 1800's once said, "I will place no value on anything I have or may possess, except in relation to the kingdom of Christ." Don't let the "temporaries" of this world shake your faith. You matter to Him. God has a purpose for your life. If you aren't in His will, then get in the Word and get in God's face and ask Him. If you are in His will and just going through the fire because of other people's evil words or demises, encourage yourself in the Lord, and don't see your value in what you possess. Look at the whole picture. If you are reaching people for Christ, if you are living your life to please the Lord, if you are an encourager in the things of right--you matter.

By the way, the pirahnas didn't stay around when we ran out of bait. Don't give the pirahnas in your life any bait, and they will get lost eventually. =)

Have a good day!

Changes

The American Bullfrog

These days my life consists of buying enough air fresheners to cover animal smells in the Science Lab. It seems to be always on my mind. Or keeping antibacterial liquid to clean little junior-high hands after Bertha, Charlie, Carmela and the tadpoles leave their marks. But I wouldn't trade it because those hands represent our future, my future, and I have a small time slot in this life to enjoy my BIG opportunity to be their teacher. I happen to be one of those weird people who absolutely love teaching junior highers.

It would be a perfect world if EVERYONE enjoyed their current job, but we all know that this isn't the case. Sometimes we are at a job until we "find our niche in life." Sometimes a job is used as a stepping stone to THE job. Sometimes we just do the best we can because we need gas in the car. These days, we can find a little of ALL of that in our churches, circles of friends, etc, BUT the key as a Christian is contentment.

Last night we had a LUAU for the ladies of our church, and I sat and chatted with a former teacher of our school who is semi-retired but still comes around now and again to substitute for us. I listened to her stories of people who filled my past, people who at some point were an influence on my life when I was a kid. This woman taught school all those years while rearing her own children, and made such a difference. How does someone teach 6th graders for SO LONG and not tire out? Contentment.

The American bullfrog is just plain gross. I really can't believe that the 8 tadpoles in my room will turn out to look like that ugly picture up top. I'm not sure how I will fake the kids out in my Science classes and hold the things, but I'll have to find the nerve. Even though they are yucky looking, though, we all are anticipating the "change" because the development has been really fun. We have watched those back legs form, then the knees, now the indentions for front legs. It's coming.  But I have enjoyed studying the frog for a little more than just his "change." He is a content creature.

Bullfrogs adapt well to whatever environment they find themselves in. Scientists believe that one reason this is true is because of where they came from, meaning: they swam with fish and other aquatic life in their first "round of life" and learned to work under new circumstances that they carry the same habits into their second "round of life." Oh, that we would do that as Christians.

One of my mentors used to tell her students and workers who helped her, "Never forget where you came from." That means, don't forget that you were poor once you get rich and have pocket money. Help others financially. Don't forget that you were unsaved and on your way to hell before Christ richly saved you. Live your life for Him in gratitude. Don't forget that you used to "need" when you are now filled. Reach out and be a need-filler.  Don't forget that you wanted whatever you NOW have so badly. Be satisfied. Adapt. Make it.

My parents have been married 46 years. I can truly say that it is because they have learned to be content. They just deal with life. I've learned so much from them. We all admire people who are "in it for the long haul." It's Scriptural, Jesus did it, and one day in Heaven we will see just how important it is for us to be satisfied NOW with what God threw in our paths as we are constantly pushing ourselves to do more for Him.

PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13

¹¹Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

 ¹²I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
 ¹³I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Smokey and Forgiveness

Smokey's stitches



Yesterday I picked up my cat from my vet, took one look at her incision, and knew what my next Bible lesson would be. Forgiveness.

About a week or so ago, Smokey came home with some marks on her, like animal bites. The next day she began chewing her fur around the marks, and I began to see the nicks and cuts more clearly. For a few days she kept the chewing up, and licked those places raw. At that point, I knew it was time for the vet. Sure enough, she had been attacked by an animal in the woods around my house, and would need all kinds of shots and medicine. The doctor called me within an hour of dropping Smokey off and suggested surgery. They went in and took out all the damaged, infected tissue from the 9 bites, and stitched her up. Within 36 hours, I had my Smokey back. She isn't happy with the e-collar, but I've found that PetSmart offers a soft version of one. She has to wear it for 2 weeks, so I might as well help her to enjoy it.

However, when you look at Smokey now, you don't notice her beautiful gray and white fur, her half-tail that usually gets a comment from visitors, or even how she smiles when she looks up at you. Not anymore. You see the stitches, the scar. Fortunately, the stitches will come out in a couple of weeks, the incision will heal, and the fur will grow back. But the scar will always be there.

In the Bible, David tells us in Psalm 103 that God loves us and is merciful to us if we fear Him. He remembers that we are just human and that we are going to make mistakes. Once we confess our faults, He forgives our sins and remembers them no more. Specifically we are told in 103:12, "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

I often tell teenagers that God is a GOD of second chances. He does forgive, but we should be thankful to have a scar of our sin to remind us just exactly what He did for us. Forgiveness is a wonderful thing. To forgive someone relieves burdens and cleanses the soul. But to BE FORGIVEN is like new life. It is a new start with God, a person who has forgiven you, or a situation for which you finally forgive yourself. Stop dwelling on the mistake, but focus on the healing that has been done. The scar will eventually become faint. The pain is tough now; you may feel as though you just want to die. Sometimes the pain is caused from others who are careless and scar you. But trust God that He doesn't allow anything randomly. Everything we go through as a Christian has a purpose. Maybe it is to get your focus back on God. Maybe it is to know the pain of someone else so you have compassion. Maybe it is to grow you and humble you as far as patience with other people is concerned.

One time I had a heartache and Ms. Belinda stayed up all night with me. We sat outside on an Indiana winter evening for hours swinging and talking about trials that God sees us through. She told me that it would get easier, and that I would eventually get through it, but to never, ever forget what the pain felt like. Basically she meant, don't forget the scar of hurt. I have used that situation literally hundreds of times in these past 15 years.
I've never worried about forgetting. I've never forgotten.The owner of a scar NEVER forgets where the scar is.
Forgive, and move on. Allow yourself to be forgiven. Keep  your scars.

God bless.