The Five Ws

     I've been told that good journalism, or the way to tell a good story, is with the use of the five Ws - Who, What, Where, When, and Why. 
     The who of my story is Jesus, the Son of God.
     Where it all begin was out in the universe before the world was even created.  Then, the where was a scene taking place in a manager, and later upon a cross between two thieves.  
     When did the main focus of the story occur? When the temple veil tore into from top to bottom, the earth shook, the rocks split apart, graves opened and some of the dead arose, and then again when the stone was rolled away.  The "final when" of the chapter is only known to God when He returns in the air.
     What is this all about?  It's about truth and mercy; it's about love, peace, and light.  It's about a King willing to live, rejected by many, in order to teach and heal.  It's about a Savior willing to give up His life for sinners.  It's about forgiveness.  It's about death and life everlasting. 
      Why?  It was all done in order to provide an eternal home to those who believe.  It was done to save me and you.  John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
      Often writers add "How" to their storyline.   My further thoughts would be that the how will take place when Jesus returns in the air to take His people home.  1 Thessalonians 4:17 "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

    


 


    
 

Fallow Ground

     It is not even the end of January and certainly not the end of cold weather, yet my thoughts are all about cleaning the frozen, wilted greens and weeds out of my small garden.  Hosea 10:12 tells us to "break up your fallow ground."  After looking up the meaning of fallow ground, you might say that is what my garden is at the present moment.  It is currently unproductive, filled with weeds, and unprepared for new growth. 
     I suppose my life could also be fallow ground if I do not continually work to maintain it.  The full verse of Hosea 10:12 says, "Sow with a view to righteousness;  Reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallow ground.  For it is time to seek the Lord until He comes to rain righteousness on you."
     I pray that I seek daily to "break up my fallow ground" spiritually.  I pray that I seek to remove the thorns of worldliness, deceit, and evil habits.  Help me Lord to prepare my heart with seeds of righteousness, love, and kindness.  Let not my ground become fallow and unusable.    

    

Building the Temple

     1 Chronicles begins with a series of genealogies that trace the roots of God's chosen people.  I have to admit I have a tendency to skip over this list of names which identifies and sums up the history of the people, and I fail to identity with their characters and spiritual choices which is an important aspect in understanding their failures and their successes. 
     For instance, in Chapter 28,  I closed in on David's advice to Solomon, "And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately.  Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought.  If you seek him, you will find him.  But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.  So take this seriously.  The Lord has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary.  Be strong, and do the work."   Solomon did, indeed, seek God and he was given great wisdom, riches, and success. 
     I believe, I too, should build my temple by studying His Word and by preparing my heart and mind to seek God.  This is an on-going process.  Just as David gave Solomon plans for building the temple, God has given me His plans for building my temple.  I must "be strong and do the work."

Count Your Blessings!

     I recently found an old Broadman Hymnal songbook, with a copyright date of 1940, in a discount shop.  I grabbed it up for fifty cents.  Even though I am not gifted with musical ability, I love to recall these old songs. 
     Just to clear up one thing though, I was not even born in 1940, but the Broadman was the songbook used in my little church when I was growing up; however, I was disappointed not to find "Count Your Many Blessings" in this particular one.
     What ever happened to these old-time gospel songs?  Ones like, "Count Your Many Blessings,"  "In the Garden", "On Jordan's Stormy Banks, "We've a Story to Tell," "Heavenly Sunlight," and many others?  It is refreshing to recall them. 

Count Your Blessing
 "Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God has done."

     I find when I stop and really, really count my blessings, it makes me thankful.  It removes many of my fleshly desires and anxiety.  It helps me be content with what I have.  I like what Max Lucado said when writing about Paul's imprisonment, "What he had in Christ was far greater than what he didn't have in life."

In the Garden
"And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own:
And the joy we share we share as we tarry there,
None other has every known."

What a blessing to know that He walks with me daily, and that I am His child!

 
    

New Year Resolution

      It is a little late for New Year resolutions, besides, I have never been one to keep them anyway, but as I was thinking about making improvements I considered the fact that usually my resolutions have always been about me; losing weight, forming a more consistent exercise program, eating healthier, and developing a better budget.  These are not bad resolutions,  but I wonder if I could be more consistent by making resolutions around God instead of around me.     I am not referring to just reading the Bible through in a year but more about:

1. Slowing down in order to allow God time to speak 

Psalm 85:8  "I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly."

2. Considering His will rather than mine

Matthew 4:19  "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

3. Developing boldness to witness for Him
Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

4. Scheduling more time for God

Matthew 6:33  "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

5. Budgeting better so I can give more to Him

 Malachi 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."

6. Be more loving toward others
Matthew 5:44 "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

 

 

 

 

       

King David's Song

     I am sure most everyone remembers the story of David and Goliath; of how David, a young boy, killed the mighty giant with only a stone and a slingshot.  This is not just a childhood story seeking to amaze children.  It is a story of how God can overcome the greatest obstacle in life if we only have faith in Him.  David not only knew the Lord was with Him, but throughout his lifetime, he often sang songs of praise to God.  No wonder David was a man "after God's own heart."  In 1 Chronicles 16 parts of his song are:

vs. 7-10 "Give thank to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what He has done.
Sing to him; yes sing His praises.
Tell everyone about His wonderful deeds.
Exult in His holy name.
Rejoice, you who worship Him."
vs. 14 "He is the Lord our God."
vs. 23-24 "Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Each day proclaim the good news that He saves.
Publish His glorious deeds among the nations."
vs. 29 "Give to the Lord the glory He deserves!
Bring your offering and come into His presence.
Worship the Lord in all His holy splendor."
vs. 31 "Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Tell all the nations, "The Lord reigns!"
vs. 35 "Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
who lives from everlasting to everlasting."

Then in David's prayer of thanks, vs.25 he says, "For when you grant a blessing O Lord, it is an eternal blessing."

   For me, I believe it would be good to follow David's example and not forget to praise and thank God for my many blessings in life as well as proclaim God's goodness to the world.   

New Year 2018

     Did you ever watch the movie, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles?  If not, it is about a man trying to get home for Thanksgiving.  His flight is rerouted and he is forced to hook up with a talkative, annoying guy.  The insanity of the road trip becomes rather comical as the man loses all control over his travel plans.
     I honestly do not know why I thought of this movie, this first day of 2018, but it left me with thoughts of who will be flying my plane, who will be in charge of my train, and/or who will be navigating my car this coming year. 
     Just who will be in charge of my destination and how will I get there in 2018?  If I try to course my direction along, I will be deep trouble and it will not only be comical but sad.  Only if I let God take charge and follow His direction, will I be able to experience the rewards ahead.
     I pray that 2018 finds me letting God take the leading role and be my navigator.  I further pray for wisdom to forge forward, seeking His will, after acknowledging my sinful ways and accepting His forgiveness.
     In the words of Max Lucado, "There is a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror.  Your future matters more than the past."

     I pray that the year of 2018 will be bigger, brighter, and more promising to all.  Let us all strive to give God more of ourselves, more of our love, more of our praise to Him, and more of our time.