As we acknowledge Earth Day and do our best to tend to our little corner of the world, let us remember this psalm of David:
Psalm 24:1 – NIV: The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
Happy Sunday
Tag Archives: scripture
The Boardwalk of Life
As we walk along the boardwalk of life, though the boards are uneven at times, may our steps be guided and our trips be few. Happy Sunday.
Then you will travel safely on your way, and your foot will not stumble. Proverbs 3:23
The Visitor
In the past few days we have relived the death of Jesus and his resurrection from the dead.
Now He speaks to all of us for whom He died…that means all of us.
“Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with him and he with me.” Rev. 3:20
Who will acknowledge the knock of the Visitor, hear that gentle voice and respond to the invitation to dine with the One whose love for us knew no bounds.
I was ten years old when that gentle tap came to the door of my heart. I often wonder what my life would be like if I had not invited Him in.
How about you? Is it time for you to open the door to the Visitor?
On Being Afraid
How many of us suffer from fear on a daily basis or even just occasionally? My last bout of fear was in 2005 while waiting for confirmation of a cancer diagnosis. It was a mind and body numbing fear until the verdict came in and I had to face it…the fear and the cancer.
Here are a few things the Bible has to say about being afraid along with that delightful song, “Whistle a Happy Tune” from the 1956 movie, The King and I.
Do not be afraid for I am with you. Genesis 26:24 NIV
The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 NIV
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. Hebrews 13:6
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Proverbs 3:24
Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 1:8
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
“Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5:36
These are a few teachings from scripture that have helped me as well as others overcome fear at one time or another.
And now…go ahead…whistle a happy tune.
Beside Still Waters
Psalm 23
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Happy Sunday.
Don’t Just Pretend to Love
Is there any other word in the dictionary or Bible or world for that matter that fills a being with the best of feelings? True love moves us to want the best for others, to have compassion, to offer protection…as when one’s umbrella is not large enough for two. May God touch you life with his true love today. Happy Sunday.
The Plank in My Eye
Recently I came face to face with the plank in my eye. In trying to convince someone to see the error of their ways, I was forced to see the error of some of my own ways. “Aha!” said I to myself. “So that’s what that verse means!” I love it when I get convicted of my own convictions…another of life’s lessons learned!
New International Version
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:5
This is just one of the commands of Jesus in his famous Sermon on the Mount which starts at Matthew 5:1 and ends at Matthew 7:27. The sermon is chock-full of life lessons and well worth reading many times.
I can see clearly now.
A Tribute to Billy Graham
The world has just said good-bye to one of God’s finest recruiter of souls. With the exception of Jesus himself, I doubt there has ever lived such a one whose magnetic sincerity drew people to the One who once said, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19 NIV) This was Jesus talking to two fishermen, Simon and his brother Andrew who immediately dropped their nets to follow him. And many of us are still following him to this day. Was Billy Graham one of the best “fishermen” ever? I like to think so.
And here is the hymn that was instrumental in leading us followers forward…it still touches my heart and causes me to raise hands to the One who is ever ready to receive those who heed His call.
To all who have not yet made that commitment, I invite you to come, just as you are, and receive one of life’s greatest blessings.
If we had to guess Billy Graham’s final words to his Creator, we may be sure they were, “Oh, Lamb of God, I come.” Rest in peace good and faithful servant.
The Woman and the Silversmith
Last week I received the following email from my sister. I think it is worth sharing…what do you think?
Malachi 3:3 says:
“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.” She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy — when I see my image in it.”
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they’re going through, they’ll be a better person in the end.
Pass the polishing cloth, please.
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Our Anxious World
Make no mistake about it. Our world is us…we the people. So what about us is influencing the marked increase in anxiety among our young, mid-age, and elderly?
Some say it is the food we eat, the meds we take, the air we breathe, the games we play, a synapse malfunction…and a myriad of other reasons. Granted, some of these may be responsible but why not look into ourselves? Could there be a connection to the way we treat others, to the way we tune out the conversations that make us uncomfortable, to the way we handle our differences, to the way we exhibit aggressive behavior with the excuse that ‘that’s just the way I am’? All this and more is seen in families, business, the coach’s bench, schools, churches…you name it.
Anxiety is not only a modern day problem. It existed two thousand years ago and even longer. It existed in the Garden of Eden. But that’s not to say that it can’t be overcome. A change of attitude on the part of ourselves and the people we share the world with would be a good first step. Asking ourselves if we could be a contributing factor to our own or someone else’s anxiety and then making a move to do something about it would be a good second step.
I feel that like cancer and other debilitating diseases we deal with on a daily basis, we must continue to look for ways to eradicate this mind-numbing, body-stiffening, nausea-producing ailment before it eradicates us as a humanity.
I, for one, am praying for healing of the afflicted and know that with our own awareness and God’s help, they will be restored. There is a way…let’s find it.
My Precious Life 