Forty Years Of Wear

     It was supposed to have been a rainy day, and my alternative for a project was  the dreaded task of cleaning out my closet.  Thank goodness it did not rain, and I was not faced with that overwhelming job.
      Who really wants to make a decision on what to discard from an over-packed closet?  I have to admit that I actually have clothes in my closet which are perfectly good but many years old.  My daughter would say, “Mom, these are obsolete.  Get rid of them.”  My thoughts are, “but I may need them.”
     When I stopped to think about how old some of the clothes in my closet actually are, I could not help but remember Deuteronomy 29:5 “Yet the Lord says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.”  That was a true blessing to the Israelites.   However, I cringe to think that my clothes would not wear out in forty year.  Image it! Who wants to wear the same thing for forty years?  We are certainly blessed to have choices. 
     However, most of us would be glad if the roof on our homes lasted forty years  or if our automobiles and lawnmowers did the same.  Come to think of it, we would all be financially better off if we were satisfied with the clothes we had; if we wore them longer; and if we were not constantly updating with the current trends that keep us buying more and which lead to neglecting the ones which are already hanging there in perfectly good shape “taking up space.”  We do this because we become bored with the same old thing.  We make the fashion designers wealthy while we and our families become poorer. 
     Maybe it is time to stop and think!  Maybe it is time to be thankful for what we have instead of buying more and more.  Wouldn’t our financial pocketbooks be better off?  Wouldn’t we be more thankful if we took a moment to just say, “Thank you God for what I already have?”
    Looking back, I remember that my Mom didn’t have many clothes in her closet.  What she had was a well-worn Bible.  She never appeared bored with life or the clothes in her closet.  When I picture my mom, I see love, peace, and contentment.  I see her filling her time with doing for others.  I see a spacious closet with a somewhat outdated wardrobe, but most of all I see her reading her devotionals and her Bible.  Her Bible was well-worn like her clothes, and neither were dusty or just “taking up space.”

    

       

Guys In Camo

     It would have been every guy in camo’s dream come true!  Nothing would have created a more adrenalin rush than to see this covering of birds flying in from every direction and landing just a hair-trigger away.   
     A true guy in camo will hunt anytime and anywhere.  It does not matter if it is raining, snowing, sleeting, or scalding hot.  They will tread thickets, briars, swamps, creeks or any thing that gets between them and their prey.   They will brave snakes, mosquitoes, and other wild varmin.  They do it because they have an expectancy for the big trophy; they do it to provide meat for the table; they do it for the camaraderie; and they do it for the serenity that God’s natural habitat provides. 
     Most guys in camo are not patient in everyday life events.  Yet, they can be very patient if they need to wait hours for the animal or bird they are hunting to come their way.  Most guys in camo cannot hear the alarm when it comes to getting up to head to their daily week-day job.  Yet, the alarm need only make a tiny sound in the early morning before daylight breaks and the guy in camo is up, dressed, and out the door with his first cup of coffee. 
     Most spouses would say the guy in camo is foolish.  It is a big waste of time.
     In the book, The Circle Maker, the author, Mark Batterson, talks about feeling and looking foolish. He wrote that foolishness is a feeling that Moses was very familiar with.  Moses must have felt foolish and looked foolish when he held up his staff to save the people. However, it no longer looked foolish when the Red Sea parted and the Israelites were able to escape. Most people called Noah foolish when he was building the ark, but, as they soon found out when the floods came, Noah had not been foolish by obeying God.  When Moses told the complaining people that God would cover the land with quail, he probably felt foolish, and the people thought the same.  How was God going to send enough quail to a desert land to feed six hundred thousand men?  Yet that is exactly what God did.  In the The Circle Maker we find that "faith is the willingness to look foolish." 
     Yes, it would have been a “Guy In Camo” dream come true to see all those quails dropping from the sky, but for the Israelites it was a source of meat they had not tasted in a very long time. 

“Now a wind went out from the Lord and drove quail in from the sea. It scattered them up to two cubits deep all around the camp, as far as a day’s walk in any direction.”  Numbers 11:31

 

     For those who enjoy short true life hunting stories check out my book GUYS In CAMO  kindle edition on Amazon.  It is loaded in coon, squirrel,deer, and quail hunting episodes.   

http://www.amazon.com/Guys-In-Camo-Mary-Crisp-ebook/dp/B005CB8O1E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394989360&sr=8-1&keywords=guys+in+camo

 

Sin Fascinates And Then Assassinates

A sign at a nearby church read, “Sin fascinates. Then it assassinates.”

     As I look back over the events in the lives of the people in the Bible and the choices I have made in my own life I realize that when we know what is right but choose to do the opposite in our lives we pay the price. 

     I imagine when Adam and Eve looked at the fruit of the tree in the midst of the Garden of Eden they saw a ripe, mouth-watering fruit; one that, if eaten, would be so much better than all those other selections which had been given to them.  They were told not to eat of it, but they chose it anyway.  When they took of that fruit, they allowed “sin to fascinate.” In the end, "it assassinated."  The Garden of Eden was not only closed to them forever, but henceforth, man was required to labor.
    When David feasted upon Bathsheba and desired to have her for his own, he had her husband killed.  David knew his lust for another man’s wife was wrong, but he devised a plan to have her anyway.  Because of this, God was angry with David, and their first child died.   “Sin fascinated.  Then it assassinated.” 
     Judas, one of Jesus’ own disciples, betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of gold.  That money enticed Judas; it worked on his self-greed.  He must have thought it would buy him wealth.  In the end he could not live with his guilt, and he went out and hanged himself.  “Sin fascinated.  Then it assassinated.”     
      How many times in our lives have we looked at what appears to be “greener pastures” and made choices that did not follow along with what we knew to be the right thing to do?  How many times have we taken the easy route rather than work on the right thing to do?  How many times have we let instant gratification overcome the fear of the certainty we knew could result?  In the end, did we find that “sin fascinated, and then it assassinated?”   What price have we paid for our decisions? 
     The price could be anything: The loss of a family, the loss of respect, the burden of unnecessary  bills, addictions, job loss, physical injury, guilt, loss of financial success; just to name a few, all because we failed to weigh the outcome. 
     Yet God gives us hope.  For those of us who have "paid the price" because we chose sin, and it caused a great loss in our lives, we may have to live with the results, but we can persevere, although it does not come easy.  To make a correction we can no longer take the easy road.  We must learn from our experience, and not allow sin to continue to assassinate our lives. 
     I am so glad I have a God who loves me enough to allow "assassination" to happen in my life in order to keep me on the right track.  I am so glad I have a God who was willing to pay the price for my human weakness; a God who will forgive me even when others won't; One who will give me hope; One who will help me overcome  my failures; One who chose to pay the price for my salvation. 

Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

Bluebirds

     I enjoy watching the bluebirds feed their young and have had the opportunity to watch a rare and long-awaited moment when the newborns leave their nest.  For those who wait and watch long enough, you know that it only takes one flight and, in just a few short minutes, they are gone. 

     The baby birds depend upon their parents to cover them with the warmth of their feathers as they snuggle in their nest.  They rely upon  them to stay busy gathering worms throughout the raising season in order to provide them with food and nourishment. 
     Some of the newborns fly out of their nest with strong wills and rapidly disappear among the tree tops.  Some take a little coaxing and fly weakly to the ground only to be encouraged to spread their wings and take flight.
     Most of us find refuge and protection, much the same way,  in the comfort of our homes as we grow into adulthood.  Our parents cuddle, love, feed, and protect us.     Families are bonded together because of that love
     God tells us that He will do the same.  When our souls dwell in God we are secure.  “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty,…He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler….  Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day: …Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation… For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”  Psalms 91:1,4,5,9,11
     My parents are no longer around to protect me and advise me, but I take comfort in the fact that I was adopted into God’s arms of protection and His family when I accepted His plan of salvation.  I take comfort in the security of knowing He has placed His angels in charge over me.  If I should spread my wings in my own strong self-will, I will still have a God who will continue to love and protect me if I will only call upon Him. “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:  I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”  Psalms 91:15-16.  

Humor With A Cool Drink Of Water

     The five year old had just gotten up and was whining.  The mom scolded, “You got up on the wrong side of the bed.  You need to go back to bed.”  The child cried, “But how do I know which side to get up on?”
     The best way to “get up on the right side of the bed” and start any day is with a prayer.  Ask God to direct your path and relinquish your strong self will to His.   When you allow God’s will to carry you through the day you will find that most projected problems simple disappear.  Life becomes less stressful and what you expected to be a big issue simple didn’t happen. 

http://www.amazon.com/Humor-Cool-Drink-Water-Devotionals-ebook/dp/B00I61KFP0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1392856193&sr=1-1

 

     On a positive note, a laugh and seeking God first sets the pace for the day.  My devotional kindle version of "Humor With A Cool Drink of Water" found on Amazon, just a click away on the site above, provides just that.  In it you will find a humorous joke, a short devotional thought for the day, and a scripture verse. 

Constant Companion

     Technology has become my constant companion.  Suddenlink is my internet provider and its name supports its meaning, "coming quickly" and a "link".  Verizon is my mobile phone provider.  They both connect me instantly to businesses for home shopping experiences and to friends on facebook and email.  What would I do without this quick connection to them?   
     Down through the ages we have had different links and connections.  There was and still is the mail, the phone, the personal visit, and the computer but text messaging is fast becoming the favored method of communicating.  I have found that if I forget my phone and leave it at home I turn around, no matter how late I may be in getting to work.  I just cannot be without my phone.  I would be lost without it.  What if I missed a call or a text message? 
     As I think about all this growing technology, I have to admit that none of this will get me in touch and on a communication level with God.  None of this great technology can replace a personal prayer life and a daily walk with God through the pages of His Book.   
     There is one consultation for when I fail to offer up a prayer in the morning before I leave home for work.  I do not have to return home to get God.  The reason is that He is with me at all times through the Holy Spirit who lives within my heart.  What I do have to remember; however, is to slow down and allow God to talk with me.  I often miss His call because I just do not listen for His vibration within my heart like I listen for the phone vibration alerting me to an in-coming call.   
     Last Sunday our pastor requested  that the members of our church fast and pray one day a week.  This is something few of us do, but as I searched the scriptures I found that there were times when people fasted.  In Matthew 4 we are told that Jesus fasted.  In Matthew 6 it says, “When you fast.”   It does not say “If you fast.”  I do believe that God listens to every prayer and every request, but by fasting we are showing a deep desire to seek His will.  We are allowing God to slow us down to listen to us, to respond to us, and to allow us to praise Him, as well. 
     I personally want a sudden, coming quickly, link with God but, more than that, I must have a daily constant walk with Him.  He is the One who sustains me.  I need that constant link in order to get me through the events of my daily life.  In order to obtain this link to my Higher Power, I need to disconnect the  Suddenlink and the Verizon connection I have come to rely upon in order to keep me in touch with earthly people and things; otherwise, I will not create time to talk with God and allow Him to be my constant companion; the One who will refresh and nourish my soul.   
     The only excuse I would have not to disconnect my service is by down-loading a Bible application and reading it daily followed by a true connect to God through prayer.      

      

    

      

 

 

 

 

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS

      Sitting in “A Friendly Shade,” I see the reflection of fallen leaves lying scattered across the ground.   The trees do not reflect the same image they did during the spring and summer months.  Their limbs are laid bare, and I am left with the chore of cleaning up what was once an array of beautiful clothing layering the horizon.  I see these leaves and bare tree limbs in a different light.  Thinking more about this, I reflected upon the fairy tale story of Snow White and how the wicked Queen changed when her magic mirror told her words something like, "Though fair ye be, ye are no longer the fairest to see."  
     For those not familiar with the story, Snow White's evil stepmother possessed a magic mirror which she asks every morning, "Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"  The mirror replies, "My Queen, you are the fairest of them all." The queen is pleased because the magic mirror never lies, but when Snow White grows up and becomes more beautiful than the Queen her mirror responds, "Oh my Queen, though fair ye be, Snow White is fairer far to see.”  Not hearing what she expects, the Queen gasps! She is horrified.  She becomes bitter and deceitful which leads her to plot evil against Snow White. 
     Mirror images often fool us.  What do we see when we look in the mirror?  Does the lighting over the mirror cause us to look different from one mirror to another?  Indeed, what we see may not be what others see; the mirror reflection could be far different.  Actually what most people come to see, over time, is the reflection of what comes from the mouth and the heart, and it is that mirror image they will remember. 
     If we truly want to become “the fairest in all the land” maybe we need to clean up our attire by shedding the leaves that hinder our growth.  Could we possible take a lesson from the seven dwarfs who rescued Snow White?    
  Bashful- may just have to get outside himself, open up to others, and unashamedly be a good Christian example. 
  Doc – may have to get closer to God and His Word to heal the mind and the spirit.  He may need to provide some loving care toward others to help heal their broken spirit.
  Dopey- may need to wise up and began to love others more.
  Grumpy- may need to make a decision to enjoy life and be happy.
  Happy - already has joy in his heart but may need to be more supportive toward others to spread his “Happy” around.  He needs to show people he cares about them and their happiness.
  Sleepy – could do with a little less sleep to spend more time with God, create more time for church attendance, and allow more time to do good deeds for others.
  Sneezy – needs to take better care of his life style and eating habits in order to become healthier and better able to carry on God’s calling.
     Now that I have given myself a lesson in cleaning up my attire and in what I want to see reflected from the mirror of life, it is time to abandon “A Friendly Shade”, take rake in hand and clean up some of these fallen leaves in order to make my landscape more attractive for the fast approaching festive holiday season.   I would truly like the appearance of my landscape to cause an exclamation, "Though fair other's be, yours is the fairest for all to see."  

 

Catch and Release

     One of my favorite past-times is a good ole’ fishing trip whether on a pond or a lake.  It’s almost as good as sitting in “A Friendly Shade.”  In fact, my husband and I recently returned from a trout fishing trip.  This one, I have to admit, was not the typical fishing I am used to doing.  I learned at an early age that if you want to fish you do it all yourself; that is, you bait your own hook, remove your own fish, and clean them yourself.  This is not the way it is when you book a guided trip on the White River.  Jamie, our guide at Hurst Landing does it all for you.  He puts the boat in all the right places and baits the hook.  All we have to do is catch the trout.  Then he removes the trout and releases them, waiting for just the right size to keep.  At the end of trip, he cleans and bags them.    
     We actually did a lot of “catch and release” on this half day fishing trip.  Jamie counted 84 in a four hour span, letting us keep our limit of only five for each person.  I  suppose, if you counted the cost, the trout we brought home would be considered quite expensive.  Needless to say, they will be considered a special delicacy when served.  The ones we released will simply be forgotten.   
     We have been on several of these trips and I have never really thought much about the ones we “catch and release” until I read a story from my “In Touch” devotional publication.  In the story, a homeless black man asked, “I heard when white folks go fishing, they do this thing called ‘catch and release.’  Why?”  The answer was simple. “It’s a sport!”  The reply to that response was mind-catching.  “Well, if you is fishing for a friend, and you gonna’ catch and release, then I ain’t got no desire to be your friend.”
      Hold that thought!  How often do we strive to develop friendships and then let them go.  Maybe one moves.  How much effort is made to maintain that friendship.  Maybe one says or does something we don’t like or agree with.  How willing are we to “let it go” in order to maintain that friendship?   Maybe one has a problem.  Do we get fed-up with listening to their complaints and began to avoid them altogether?  What efforts do we make to maintain friendships?  How do we feel when we are the ones being released?    
     I don’t think the words, “catch and release” will ever mean the same after considering those wise words from this homeless man.    

 

 

 

The Help - Some Good Self-Talk

     It's a rainy day here in "A Friendly Shade."  Just the perfect day for getting out of my Sunday clothes and into a soft pair of lounging knits and t-shirt and then sticking a good movie into the VCR.  My first thoughts were a popular bestseller which I have previously watched but certainly didn't mind repeating, The Help. 

     On my second viewing of The Help, what grabbed my attention was not so much what the blacks had to endure years ago but  motivation and self-talk.   Abileen was the black maid who  cared daily for a white child who seemingly was neglected by her up-to-do mother.  Abileen is constantly giving the child an example of some good solid self-talk.  She lovingly encourages  the child by saying,  "You is beautiful.  You is smart.  You is important."
     Do you think that sometimes we fail to accomplish the things we want to do simply because we feel inferior?  Do we avoid making friendships because we feel inferior? 
     Whether we are black, white, or some other nationality, we need to remember that God loves us all.  Some of us are not in high paying positions.  Some of us do not have the nicest homes or wear the nicest clothes.  Some of us did not have the nicest up-bringing.  Some of us have past problems in our lives which we let hold us back.  We forget that they are "in the past."   Maybe, just maybe, it is time to let them go and give ourselves some good old self-talk.  "We are good.  We are loved.  We are important." 
     This is not to say that we should blame our situation on others and carry a chip on our shoulder,  but rather, make a choice to improve.  Develop self-esteem with some daily, good self-talk.   
     As Christians, we know that God ransomed all His people with His blood.  He does not select any one group of people no matter their position in life.  He created each and every one of us, and we are all loved by Him.  We are all important to God!  God does not hold our past sins against us once we have asked for forgiveness.  He does not hold us back because we were born "red, yellow, black, or white." 
     "Shut the front door!"  is a slang sentence some like to say when they hear some shocking, unexpected news.  I think I will change it a little and exclaim, "Shut the back door!"  Yes,  close the back door to all those things in the past that hold us back and open the front door to new experiences and new friendships. It is up to us to open the door of opportunity and forget the past expereniences of where we came from, what was done to us or our family, what sins we have committed and move on to the greener pastures of life.  Be brave, be strong, and trust the Lord that loves us.     
     As Abileen said in The Help, "You is beautiful.  You is smart.  You is important."

 Revelations 5:9  "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God and from every tribe and language and people and nation."

          

Christ In Me

     We all suffer at times from sickness, death, accidental injury, disappointments, and other unnamed problems which seek to pull us down.  As I sit in “A Friendly Shade,” I wondered how anyone without Christ and their faith in Him can cope.  There are no words anyone can say which will give the comfort that the simple presence of God can bestow.   During hard times it is good to “stop” and be thankful for the Christ that lives within us. 

               Christ In Me!

Whatever happens in life, there is hope,

For I know the One who carries me over the mountain slope. 
Though troubles creep in, I have no need to fear.
My Christ is always near.

When dreams vanish and flee, all is well within my soul.

I am assured my God will keep me whole.
If I am tossed and beaten, somewhere there is an open door.
Peace comes in the night for my God goes before.

As disappointments leave me shattered and frail, 

My God will lead me down another trail.  
The wind may push me to and fro,
But my Christ will love and lead where e‘re I go. 

Though I walk through the lion’s den, there is One who delivers me.

He knows, He loves, and He will see.
When I am in complete despair, He is there.
I find Him everywhere; within myself and in the air!

Although my world is broken down,

I look for the One who rejected a crown.
I look for the One who died for me.
I pray for the ones who have no faith; the ones who just don’t see.

When life brings a troubled sting,

I stop to remember there will be a new born spring. 
For Christ is in me.  He lives, He is!
I am loved, valued, and His!
                                  Mary Crisp  Jameson – 9/27/2013

...God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16b

 

Like Father, Like Son!

     I have heard the saying, “Like father, like son,”  all my life, but until today I have never associated the saying with the One true Father and Son.   How were they alike?  This question came to mind while I was reading John 1:14 in  The Message.  It reads, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the   neighborhood.  We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.”
     Christians recognize that the Father and the Son are One.  But God loved His people so much he sent Jesus to walk among them with a plan for Jesus to die to save our souls.   “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.”
     While Jesus walked on the earth among men, how were they alike and what did they do the same way?

                 Like Father, Like Son!

God created man and gave Him dominion over all creatures.

Jesus created an earthly ministry and gave man a commission to spread this ministry.

Through God’s creation, He provided life.

Through His death, Jesus provided life.

God’s word was first rejected by Adam and Eve and later by men.
Jesus’ words and death were rejected by man and are still rejected.

In the Old Testament God called special men to lead his people.

In the New Testament Jesus selected 12 disciples to lead the people.

In the Old Testament God did many miracles.

In the New Testament Jesus did many miracles.

God led the Israelites.

Jesus led the disciples.

The evolution theory rejects the notion that God created the earth and every creature.

Non-Christians reject Jesus’ death and the eternal life He provided.

God finished His work of creation.

Jesus finished Him work of salvation.
 
God is our shelter from the storm.
Jesus is the mediator for that shelter.
 

They are One and They are Love!

They are the way to eternal life!

Red Touch Yellow, Kill A Fellow

     I don’t like it when snakes invade my “Friendly Shade.”  When that happens, one of us must go and, I have to admit, it is usually me.  In order to protect myself  and to know my enemy I must take the advice which is given to me. 
     When I was growing up I was told that a snake with a triangular head was poisonous.  My only problem is the fact that I am not around, after I see one, long enough to determine the shape of the head.  I was also told that the coral snake and the scarlet snake are often mistaken for each other; one is poisonous and one is not.  The way to remember whether it is poisonous or not is this standard rule or rhyme, “Red touch yellow, kill a fellow  - Red touch black, venom lack.”  Again, who can even remember this quote when they are eyeball to eyeball with such a ground crawling demon?
     Yet, it is up to us to know our enemy.  We are told so many times in scripture to chose who we will associate with.  There are angels all around us who are send from God.  It may come in the form of a friend, a casual acquaintance, a parent, brother or sister.  They may give us encouragement at just the right moment.  However, there are also those we come in contact with daily who are all too ready to lead us astray, away from the God who created us, away from the guidance of our parents, and away from the friends who love us.  
     How do we know our enemy?  I believe that knowledge comes from knowing God, His Word, and having a close walk with Him.  Since God lives within every Christian there is a built in feeling; there is either a complete peace or a feeling that something is not right.   
     We will meet people who are smooth talking and charming, but if we will watch their ways and listen to their actions rather than their words, we will soon learn their ways.  There are examples in the scripture regarding who we should allow to be our friends.  Proverbs 22:24-25 is one, “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.” 
     The more we love the world rather than God, the easier we will be deceived by our enemies and the more accepting we will become of the ways of the world.        

     Satan has his own followers; they will attack in our weakest moments.  If we allow ourselves to be caught up in loving the world more than God, we may find that “at the last it biteth like a serpent but stingeth like an adder.”  God tells us in 2 Timothy that in the last days men will become  lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."

     I wish I could recognize all my enemies by applying the rule, “Red touch yellow, kill a fellow - Red touch black, venom lack!”  However, the enemy comes in many different forms.  There was only One that walked the earth who was "whiter than snow."  I pray that I will always follow His example and will not become my own worst enemy by allowing the enemy to creep into my "Friendly Shade."  

Boots On The Ground

     There is much to consider when the our government leaders talk of putting “boots on the ground.”  No one likes war and certainly not ones where loved ones are put in harm’s way.  Yet, there are many brave, dedicated men and women willing to sacrifice being away from family, friends, and other loved ones to serve their country.

     When I think about putting “boots on the ground,” I not only considered the controversy over going to war but the commission given in Matthew 28:19-20.
     “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
     Since this commission was issued, and even before, there have been dedicated servants willing to leave family and friends to follow Jesus and take His gospel throughout the nations and even into dangerous territory.  They are strong advocates and missionaries who are willing to put “boots on the ground.”   Then there are some whose intentions start out good but, at some point, simply go AWOL (absent without official leave).   Their intention is not to completely desert their mission but somehow slip and slide until they reach a point where the Commander In Chief redirects their path. 
     A sign stating, “Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter,” is what really got me to thinking about missions.  What is it and how can we all be missionaries?
     Missions, to me, is being willing to follow God’s call and His commission.  He is our true Commander and Chief, and He has called all Christians to put “boots on the ground.” 
     So, just how can we follow?  Let me sum it up with an acronym.
F- ocus on the gossip
O-ffer love to everyone
L-ove the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind
L-et God work through you
O-perate within God’s direction
W-illingly serve
     Christians need to remember the charge, "Go ye therefore," so we can successfully follow our Commander In Chief into a battle that will allow us to put "boots on the ground."

    

Vanity of Vanities

     As I sit under "A Friendly Shade," I am thinking and praying that an investment I made comes to fruition.  I am sure we all worry about our investments.  We want to accumulate enough to meet our needs and are often disappointed when our investments fail or, if we are fortunate enough to accumulate more than we need, we are still looking for something else to fill our desires. 
     In Ecclesiastes King Solomon wrote that all is vanity; everything is meaningless.  He wonders what profit a man has for all his labor "under the sun."  Soloman talks of how one generation passeth away-another cometh; the sun rises and the sun goes down; all rivers run into the sea yet the sea is not full. 
     Solomon was rich.  He had acquired more money than he could spend.  He was powerful, yet he pondered, "What is the purpose?  Everything is wearisome, we are not content."  He knew there was a time to live and a time to die.  Life was a cycle.  
     The key here is "under the sun."  The conclusion is that while we are busy building an earthly inheritance we need to be just as committed to building a godly inheritance, for God is the only true source of happiness. 

Vanity of Vanity;

The soul of humanity!

I created a great estate

And put up a mighty, protective gate.
I saw what my hands hath wrought,
But was it all for naught?
What profit did I have under the sun?

Vanity of Vanity

The soul of humanity!

I labored morning and night,

Purchasing possessions for my delight. 
I saw what I had accomplished upon this earth,
But who’d really know its worth? 
What value would it be under the sun?    

Vanity of Vanity;

The soul of humanity!

When old age has taken its toll.

I will yearn for a different earthly stroll;
Something more profitable under the sun; 
A work bringing words, like, “Well done!”

Thoughout the days and to the end,
Let not life be for naught, my friend.
Will it be, “Vanity of Vanity;
The Soul of Humanity,”
Or “Works of Christianity?”  
                       Mary Crisp Jameson

 

 

Labor Day - A Restful Holiday

     Labor Day is a United States Federal Holiday designated by man for  the contributions made by men to the labor force.  Those who are able and those who choose to work as God intended without depending on others to take care of them, gladly take this day off from their jobs, but it is not necessarily a day of rest.  We often find some other form of work that keeps us busy.   We are so busy being busy we forget some very important issues in life.

      It is the same on Sundays.  We are so busy being busy we forget about God.  On the seventh day God ended His work and He rested.  He actually blessed the seventh day and declared it a day of rest.  Sunday is our weekly Labor Day that was designated by God.  But do we take the time needed for the important things in life? Do we slow our pace and rest?  Do we take time to worship God and talk with Him? 
     Even in the very early days people were busy being busy.  Martha was very busy when Jesus went to visit her.  She wanted her home to be clean and neat.  She wanted the dinner prepared just right.  When her sister, Mary didn’t help her, Martha became fretful and started complaining.  Yet, Mary chose to take a “Labor Day” off from work.  She chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and spend time with Him.  She chose to listen to His Word and His teaching.  
     I wish I could say I was like Mary, but I must be honest and admit that I am more like Martha.  I am just like most people. I am busy being busy; although, I do have my preferences.  After a week sitting behind a desk, I am ready for some manual labor.  I actually enjoy it! That probably accounts for why my daughter presented me with a sign that read, "A day in the garden is better than any day in the mall."  Don't get me wrong.  I do enjoy shopping, but that can be tiresome and laborious, too. Regardless of which activity I chose, I am still busy being busy.   
     This Labor Day we need to remember Jesus’ answer to Martha, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

Out of Slavery; Into Forgiveness

     Slavery has been a keynote of our lives since the beginning of time, or at least since after the time Adam and Eve chose to disobey God.  From that time forward people have chosen to follow their own weak desires and offended people.

     Last week in “A Friendly Shade,” I wrote about how we struggle with the slavery we create in our own lives through our spending habits and how we allow ourselves to become slaves to the credit card company. 

     This week as I sit under my “Friendly Shade,” I thought back to a recent phone conversation of a woman going through a divorce and how she was reacting to that period of hurt in her life.  It brought to mind my own divorce and how much it hurt.  But, more than that, it brought to mind how I dealt with forgiveness. 

     We are given the greatest example in life of forgiveness when Jesus hung on the cross and said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”  That was true love!  Jesus freed us that day, and I believe He wants us to be free while we live here on earth.  When we fail to forgive we are placing ourselves into a state of slavery.  Resentment, bitterness, anger, and ill-health will build up inside of us.   We become sick inside.  When we fail to forgive we injure ourselves.   Unforgiveness festers and it changes us. 

     Unforgiveness has caused families to be split, wars to develop, and tension to brew.  It burns like a fire, and it will destroy.  The more we forgive, the more beautiful our lives can become.  When we choose to forgive, we begin a healing process that releases us from our own self-pity.  We are freeing our minds by doing good for ourselves. Healing takes place.  When we forgive we are no longer the victim.  Booker T. Washington had it right when he said, “You can’t hold a man down without staying down with him.”   

     Forgiving is hard to do.  It is not an easy road to travel, but it can be done.  It takes an attitude change!  I read a quote somewhere that said, “Forgiving is not forgetting, it’s letting go of the hurt.” 

     I believe that forgiveness is required in life, not only to help us create a healthy life-style and keep us out of the bondage of slavery, but we are required to do it if we want to be forgiven of our own failings in life.   We must forgive to be forgiven. 

      “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15)

      “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good  to them which hate you.  Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.  Luke 6:27-28

     We are told to love our enemies, and we will be rewarded.  I believe a part of that reward is the freedom that is created inside of us.  When we let it go and  forgive, we are removing hatred and replacing it with love.  We are rising above, gaining a steady foothold in life, and finding wisdom, maturity, humility, and courage. 

     “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” Luke 6:35  

     “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

     There is much to be said about being angry, but when we let it simmer and fail to forgive we are robbing ourselves of peace and rest. Do you think, that maybe, the scripture below also means do not let the sun go down on your unforgiveness?

     “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:” Ephesians 4:26

      There are many scriptures in the Bible regarding forgiveness.  The hurt and the pain placed upon us may be so great that we wonder, “How can we find it in our hearts to forgive?”  We may ask, "If I forgive how will I obtain justice?" It is then that we need to go humbly to God remembering that He is the only one who is to provide justice in His way and in His time.  "Let Go and Let God!"  We need to seek out all the scriptures we can find on forgiveness, pray over them, and pray for the offender.  We can overcome and find the peace we seek!  We can remove the slavery of unforgiveness from our minds, attitudes, and hearts.  We will have our rewards without injury to any man!   

     “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:7

     “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”  Isaiah 40:31

Candy Crush!

     There is a game that is all the rage.  Those that play it loudly proclaim, “I am hooked on Candy Crush!”  I must say, that I am on my way to the same addiction.  Besides loving my sugary candies, I do like a good challenge, and Candy Crush provides just that.  It all started with a desire to find something to keep me occupied.  I was also eager to see what kind of game everyone was talking about and finding so enticing.    I fell into it hook, line, and sinker, although, it took a while to realize some of the clues needed to help win the game.    The more I play it, the more I enjoy the thrill of hearing that little widget announce, “Sweet! Delicious! Devine! Tasty!” and then, oh yes, “Candy Crush!” 

     As of right now, I am sitting under “A Friendly Shade” anxiously and  impatiently waiting for time to be added so I can once again delve into a new level of Candy Crush.  You see, I used up my “lives” – (time) because I was frantically and unsuccessfully trying to crush the jellies.  

      This being said, there is nothing wrong with the game; but it is merely symbolism for the way people get drawn into situations in which we never thought we would find ourselves.  We may lose our focus while looking for a thrill; something to take away the boredom.  We follow the trend of what everyone else is doing.  Sad, but true.  Even when we find ourselves wandering off course, we often continue on down the same path, unwilling to change directions.  

     My question is, “What could we do differently to keep life from being boring? What can we do to get us back on track once we have veered off into the wrong direction? How do we regain our focus?”    Hmmm! Just as in the game of Candy Crush, it takes baby steps to get back into the game of life.  It takes doing it “one day at a time.”  We may need to find something daily that sparks an interest; something rewarding, just as in Candy Crush when we are rewarded by getting four candy colors in a row; when we can use the one  candy that sparkles with all the different colors to crush many other candies.  Besides finding something that sparks an interest and something rewarding, we need to replace our hunger for fulfillment with something good in order to crush the loneliness that led us down the wrong path in first place.  What is more filling than God Himself and His Word? He is the Higher Power in life that keeps us on the right track. 

     Even if we find that spark of interest, there are still times when life gets frantic and stressful. It is then we need to “HALT: Don’t get too hungry, too angry, too lonely, or too tired.”   With God in our lives, we can eliminate our hunger and be filled, we will be less tempted to allow anger to rob us of our blessings, we will have a constant companion to prevent loneliness, and we can rest in the fullness of His promises.

     It is awesome that at the end of the day, when I account for my daily activity, I know my slip-ups and mishaps are forgiven; they are crushed through God's grace.  This is so “Sweet! Delicious! Devine! Tasty!”  It’s a win! Oh yes, “CANDY CRUSH!!!” 

Declaration of Independence

     The Fourth of July commemorates the Declaration of Independence.  It is  America’s day for celebrating and is marked by patriotic displays and fireworks.  Americans love their freedom; although many take it for granted.  We fly our flags and wear our colors of red, white, and blue.  We sing our patriotic songs, such as: “The Star-Spangled Banner”, “God Bless America”, “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”, and many others. Yet, all too often, we neglect to care for the land in which we have been so blessed to live.  Where is our pride in our “land of opportunity” as we litter our streets and highways?  We enjoy our grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, watermelons, and home-made ice cream but fail to praise the God who provided our bountiful feasts and our freedom. 

     Among the highlights of the Fourth of July are firework displays which are shared at parks, fairgrounds, neighborhoods, lakeside parks, and baseball fields.  Crowds gather just before dusk, spread their blankets on the ground or unfold their lawn chairs, and prepare to be wowed by the bright, crackling sound of skyrockets and other types of fireworks.  Men, women, and children are watching! They are anxiously waiting for the first burst of colors to streak across the sky and light up into the many sparks of colors, typically oranges, silvers, purples, reds, and blues.  As the first boom sounds out loud and clear, the people point and exclaim in wonder at the beauty of it all.  The fireworks have finally begun, sending out a magnificent array of lights illuminating the darkened sky.  Too soon, the show is over.  As the last of the ashes descend, the crowd silently folds their blankets and chairs and walk away.

      Watching it all, I can't help but think about how I love the land in which I live, and I can't praise God enough for allowing me to live in Arkansas, a place where I was born and raised by loving parents.  I love God even more for giving me my very own "Declaration of Independence," when I accepted Him into my life.  That was a special time in my life for it was the time I really won my freedom.

     This freedom has a completely different meaning.  Things can change and have changed in this land we love; laws change and people change, but God and His law will never change.  Once I accepted and believed in God, I discovered that my freedom with Him will never change; I have no fear that it will be lost.

     As I celebrate my very own Independence Day, I hope God will find me watching, not for beautiful firework displays, but for the amazing appearance of His coming in the sky.  Much like the crowd watching for the fireworks display, I must continually remain vigilant and watchful for I do not know the hour I need to look up to see the magnificent of the moment.  "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."  Matthew 24:42   It will all happen so quickly. “The Lord will come like a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2b

     I certainly do not want to miss my own fireworks display.  It will be so much greater than any I have ever seen before.  "For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:27.   “At the time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky,…they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:30  And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.” Mark 13:26-27

      I wonder, “Will the crowd be pointing at the amazing display?”   “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him…” Revelations 1:7  

      Will we have any warning as to the time to watch?  “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars.  On the earth, nations will be anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.  Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.  At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads…” Luke 21:25-28

     How will His coming change those of us who eagerly await Him?  “…And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.  Philippians 3:20”  “…then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:4b  “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:4

      What an introduction there will be to the amazing display of fireworks that is to come.   “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…..”  1 Thessalonians 4:  16-17.

     As I ascend into heaven to meet my Lord, will I be too excited to care about those left behind, or will I look back and weep for those left to endure troubling times?  Will they watch as I change into a glorious new array of light ascending into the sky? Will they mourn with regret, or will they simply fold up their blankets and lawn chairs and walk away? 

 

 

 

 

A Forever Friend

     A friend is defined as someone you know and like and is a supporter.  Yet, I would take it a step further and say that they must like me, as well.   They should be someone with whom I can share my values and confidences without concern that these will be passed on to become a “gossip column.”

     Some of us have those types of friends.  They may have developed in childhood and stayed with us, or they may have developed as we met new acquaintances along our journey in life.  Those relationships are precious.  Then, some friendships are here for a while but, for whatever reason, have gone by the way-side.  They were here only for a season; at a time when their friendship was needed.  

     Some of us have a host of friends, and some have only a few.  Whatever the case, sometimes I am sure there are times when we question whether our confidences will be betrayed.  We may be fearful of allowing them to know the true person we really are.  We may choose to disclose one area of our life to one friend while disclosing another side to another friend. 

     Regardless of how many friends we have or what we choose to disclose, there is one true relationship which takes the form of 3 friends; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Here is a relationship that can be counted on.  Our whole being is disclosed to them, and we are still loved.  We need have no fear of what will be disclosed to others, and we have a certainty that They will be on our side through thick and thin. 

      We are told in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.”  That friend is Jesus!  He knew how we would treat Him, and He chose to die for us, anyway. 

     We are also told in Proverbs 18:24, “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”  I believe that friend is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  God knew us before we were born, He has every hair numbered.  He is a friend who knows all about us.  Nothing is hidden.  It is God the Father, though Jesus’s intercession, who gives us the Holy Spirit.  “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.  John 14:16-17.  

     Our friend, the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us leads and directs us. He helps us make the right decisions.  He is our shining light.  “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” John 16:13.

     There is no greater friend or relationship than the friend we have in the Trinty; God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.   He promises to be our friend forever if we will only believe.  How simple is that?

     However, as in any friendship, it takes work on our part to develop a strong, lasting intimate  relationship.  We have to step out in faith and belief, being confident in the guidance and protection bestowed upon us.  There is no place for compromise and empty promises.  We have to lay out a groundwork of honesty.  God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit stand waiting every day for us to knock on the door to share our burdens, our fears, our hopes, our joys, and our dreams.  God is a friend who understands it all. 
     Yet, developing a friendship is a two-way street.  We need to befriend Him back.  God wants us to love Him with our thankfulness, prayers, and reading of the Word.  He wants us to get to know Him.  He wants quiet time from us so we can listen for the silent voice and nudging of the Spirit.  He wants us to share His great love with others.  Is that too much to ask for an eternal home with our best friend?