By Faith

Hebrews 11 says: 

v23.. By faith Moses was hidden.

v24.. By faith Moses refused to be called the son of Pharoah’s daughter.

v27.. By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the King.

v28.. By faith Moses kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood.

     

I, Mary, do have faith just as Moses did. My faith may be weak at times and strong at times, but my faith lives within at all times. 

 

By faith, as a youth Mary found the Lord.

By faith, Mary knows she is saved.

By faith, Mary has assurance she is forgiven when she asks.  

By faith, Mary knows that God walks by her side.

By faith, Mary lives to seek God’s promises.

By faith, Mary believes, through her troubles, all will be well.

                  

Stubborn or Unyielding

I was thinking about how stubborn and unyielding I can be sometimes. This is not a trait I like to acknowledge, and I certainly do not want to be like Pharoah. He was one hard-hearted, stubborn soul. 

 

1.     Pharoah would not listen with the 1^st warning when Aaron’s staff became a snake

2.    Pharoah would not listen when the Nile, the streams, the canals, the reservoirs and all the waters turned to blood. The fish died and the water stank. 

3.    Pharoah would not listen when frogs covered the land, came into the palace, the bedrooms, ovens, and kneading troughs.

4.    Pharoah would not listen when all the dust of the land became gnats that got on the people and the animals.

5.    Pharoah weakened only somewhat when swarms of flies invaded the land, the palace, and the houses but his heart was still hard.

6.    Pharoah was unyielding even when a plague hit the livestock and the horses, donkeys, camels, and cattle died.

7.    Pharoah still did not listen when boils broke out among the people and the animals throughout the land.

8.    Pharoah’s heart was still hardened when the hail came and lightning flashed back and forth. The hail beat down everything growing in the fields and stripped every tree. 

9.    Before the next plague, Pharoah wanted to deal but only on his own terms so, once again, he did not listen and would not be humble. The locusts came and covered the ground; they devoured what little was left after the hail.

10 Pharoah still wanted to deal on his own terms when darkness descended and no one could see or move. 

11 Pharoah only agreed to listen when the final plague came; when every firstborn of both people and animal died. Still, the Pharoah wanted to undo his decision. He never really feared the Lord, for he sent his army to bring back God’s people, and that resulted in further disaster. 

 

       In my own defense, although I may be stubborn at times, I greatly respect and fear my Lord. I would have yielded at the snake. “God’s ways are better than my ways.” 

     I pray for those who are too stubborn and unyielding to acknowledge God, His Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I pray for those who wish to "go it alone" without God.

"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."

     

 

 

The Walking Stick

 As I walk into today and every day in the new year of 2025,  I want to remember verse 20 of Exodus in the ERV version, Moses "carried the walking stick with the power of God."
     I can also carry the walking stick with the power of God if I keep my heart centered on God.

10 Commandments

     Exodus 20 presents God's commandments as given to Moses on Mt. Sinai.  These commandments are the way of life God intends for His people to apply to their lives.  We all need to read the Scriptures as written; however, since I enjoy rhyme, below is a little something that came to mind regarding the 10 Commandments:

        Commandments

Obey the laws of the Lord;

Write them on heart and mind; keep them stored.

There is to be no other God; just the Almighty One.

Placing Him first is how life is won.

He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.

There is no greater Father and friend.

Do not bow to graven images or idols of any kind

Lest God slip from your mind.

Silver and gold, wealth of any form,  

In the heart and soul, it will not warm.

Do not take God's precious name, nor that of His Son, in vain;

Keep it holy, without stain.

Watch the tongue

From which your words are sprung.

As did He,

Six days He worked, then He rested. Test it!

Do the same!  On the Sabbath rest.

While giving praise to God, enjoy the day with zest.

Love and honor Mother and Father.

Enjoy them whenever you gather.

Respect and grow within their wise direction;

Fill the heart with parental affection.

Do not your friend, neighbor, or others kill

Nor cause unnecessary ill.

Instead, love friend and foe;

Sow seeds of peace wherever you go.

Do not steal;

It lowers character appeal.

Rather, work for your living, food, and what you wear,

Giving God His fair share.

Stay away from worldly desires and adulterous ways.

They'll snare and destroy your days.

Human touch is sweet when mixed with faithfulness;

Keep it pure, and God will bless.

Lies, deceit, false witness; It's trashy talk

and has no place in the daily walk.

Heaven's eyes take notice of gossiping faults,

Plots, and schemes throughout life's waltz. 

Do not covet anything or anyone;

Look only to what God, for you, has done. 

Be ever thankful for blessings on each bestowed;

It's God who decides what each is owed.    

Daily; second, minute, hour

God's laws hold power.

Through the ages they prevail;

A map to guide your trail.

Obey the laws and win God's applause.

John Wayne Quotes - Day 2

  I believe it was in the movie, In Harm's Way, John Wayne said, "All battles are fought by scared men who'd rather be somewhere else."

     How many times in Scripture were battles fought or God's commands followed by men who had rather be somewhere else?  Moses argued with God when he was told to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.  Jonah ran from God and ended up in the belly of a whale until he agreed to follow God's command.  Exodus 3:11, "And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?"   
     There are many today who struggle with where they are being led in order to win others to Christ.  The one thing I have to remember is that if God calls me, He is prepared to help me win the battle.  Proverbs 21:31 "The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord."

     I recently saw a poster with John Wayne as the author, "Talk low, talk slow, and don't say too much."  Many of us would be better off taking his advice.  I might add to that, "Watch your words for they reveal your character."  Proverbs 15:1  "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

     Just for fun, I will do one more John Wayne quote today.  "Tomorrow hopes we have learned something from yesterday."  If we are wise we will, indeed, learn from our mistakes of yesterday; we will learn from our troubles and grow stronger because of them.  2 Corinthians 12:10, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

More to come....

Ten Plagues

      When God has a plan, nothing or anyone can stop it.  When Moses was sent to deliver the Israelites from the cruel hand of the Egyptians, he had to deal with a hard-hearted Pharaoh.  In fact, Pharaoh was so against what God requested that God actually issued 10 plagues  upon the Egyptians.  Why did God use 10 plagues, since He had the power to impose His will at any time?  Scriptures tell us, "I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army.  After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!" (NLV-Exodus 14:4)  
     I pray it does not take anything like these plagues to wake us up to what the Lord wants us to do; although, I must admit, we are having a lot of devastation  and turning from God today.    What will it take to wake up the souls of man to God and His wonderful salvation plan?  God did not send His only Son to earth to be crucified in order to be rejected. 
     As a reminder, here are the 10 plagues God used against the Egyptian people:

1.  The Nile turned to blood.  The fish died and the water stank.  There was none to drink.

2.  Frogs covered the land, entering bedrooms, jumping into ovens and kneading bowls. They tormented the poor Egyptian souls.

3.  Dust turned into swarms of gnats, covering everyone, people and animals alike.  They came from the dust and spread with the wind's gust.

4.  Next came swarms of flies.  They filled the houses and the palace.  No one was spared from their malice.

5.  The livestock died; horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep, and goats.  None were spared.  For this the people were unprepared.

6.  Festering boils infected the Egyptians and their animals.  The boils spread by soot and ashes in the air which was more than they could bear.

7.  A devastating hailstone blew in killing people and animals, wiping out plants and trees.  Yet it did not bring Pharaoh to his knees.

8  The East wind brought in swarms of locust which covered the whole country and darkened the land.  They devoured the plants and the fruit which had survived the hailstorm.  Not a single leaf remained, in any form.

9.  Deep darkness so thick the people could not see was brought upon the land.  No one moved, and all went un-soothed.

10.  It took death to break the stubborn heart as all the first born sons and animals were struck down.  This brought crying and loud wailing never heard before, all lasting for hours and more.   

I Am With You

     No one likes to stand alone.  We all need to know someone has our back.  That is just exactly what God does when we love and obey Him.  Not only is He powerful and all knowing, but He is everywhere!  Many times God told His people,  "I am with you." 

In Exodus 3:12 when Moses said, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharoah and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"  God replied, "I will be with you."

In Judges 6 when Gideon asked, Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family?" God said, "I will be with you."

In Jeremiah, when Jeremiah was called and responded with, "Ah, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak, I am only a child."  God said, "I am with you."  Several other times in Jeremiah, God states, "I am with you."

In Genesis God told Isaac, "I am the God of your father Abraham.  Do not be afraid, for 'I am with you' ". 

In Isaiah 41 it says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

In Haggai we find, "Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with you,” declares the Lord.

 

In Matthew 19-20 we find, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Again in Acts 18:9-10 the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. ¹⁰ For I am with you,..." 

    

     Knowing that God is with me strengthens me daily. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#1 Best Seller

    “A Friendly Shade” often finds me reading a good mystery/romance novel.  The one I just finished was listed as “The #1 New York Times Bestseller,” and it was described as “Engaging, quirky characters, a captivating setting, intriguing plot, witty dialogue, and sizzling romance.”

     I don’t know if I would classify it as a “Number 1” best seller, but I do know a book that has been in circulation much, much longer and has been read by many more people, and I would definitely classify it as the “Top #1 Bestseller” in all of history.  This book draws the reader back to it time and time again.  There is no end to how many times you can read this book and keep coming back to read it again. 

     I would further describe the various stories in this is book as “Engaging, quirky characters, captivating settings, intriguing plots, witty dialogue, and sizzling romance.”

     Let me defend myself.  Within the pages of the Bible there are quirky characters.  By definition, quirky is "out of the ordinary in a way that causes curiosity or suspicion; an unusual habit or way of behaving."  That would describe Noah.  Out in a desert land where there had not been rain, we find a man building an ark.  The people scoffed; they laughed and thought him a fool.  I am sure there was some witty dialogue among the scoffers and those who passed by as Noah sawed, hammered, and nailed.  The plot gets thicker as he marches animals of every kind into this huge completed boat.  Then the rains fall.  No longer did the people remaining outside the ark scoff and laugh.

     We also find Moses who followed God’s instructions when, time after time, the Pharoah agreed to let the Israelites go and, at the last minute, changed his mind.  The intrigue builds higher when the Pharaoh’s army charges after the Israelites.  Moses holds his staff and the waters of the Red Sea divide.  What a miraculous event!   

     Envision the scene with Jonah!  Think about the setting.  Here was a man thrown overboard into the sea and got literally swallowed by a huge fish.  Remarkably, after Jonah repented and decided to follow God, the fish spit him out onto the shore. 

     What about the setting of the story about the fiery furnace and the lion’s den?  Engaging! Captivating! Intriguing!

     I cannot leave out the sizzling romance.  Remember David and  Bathsheba?  Herein, not only lies romance but deceit and murder. A man after God’s own heart created a story line for repentance.   

     Samson and Delilah created a story of what should have been romance and true love, but it was filled with betrayal.  

     Image the romance that must have occurred over the span of fourteen years as Jacob worked for Laban in order to marry Rachel.  Again, after the first seven years, there is deceit when Leah is disguised as Rachel and Jacob marries her instead,  and then he is forced to work another seven years for the hand of Rachel.

     There is courage and fear within the story of David and Goliath.  Envision the scene!  The mighty army was shaking in fear over one huge giant of a man called Goliath.  It took a small boy with a sling shot and one small stone to bring the giant down. 

     There is no way I have touched on all the stories laid out in the book of the Bible that are "engaging, with quirky characters, captivating settings, intriguing plots, witty dialogue, sizzling romance.” and the descriptions given here do not cover them all or even do the book justice.  So many stories!  So many different settings! So much intrigue! 

     There is the wall of Jericho with spies, trumpets, fear, and a mighty shout.  There is deceit when Joseph was sold into slavery, and again when he was lied about and thrown into prison. There is mystery when Moses was found in a basket and rescued by the Pharaoh’s daughter.  Who was this child?  And who, mysteriously, was called to tend and raise the child? 

     We have talked about romance but what about true love?  There is the story of Ruth who left her family to take care of Naomi and then found true love herself with a man named Boaz.  

     Yet, there is one other story I must mention.  It is the most important, the most intriguing, and the most engaging.  This is the story of real, true love not like a love as humans know it.  This love is much greater.  The story starts out with an infant child, being born in a manager.  The angels and the stars announce this great event.  This child is wise.  He grows into a man who could be a King, but he chose  to live a simple life.  He walked the land with no home to call His own.  He healed and did miracle after miracle, yet deceit evolved.  This man, called Jesus, had so much love for those who followed Him that he was willing to give up His very life.  Jesus allowed himself, the very Son of God, to be nailed onto a cross in order to save sinners like us, so that we can have life eternal. What a truly, great indescribable love story!  What is even more captivating is that He rose after the 3^rd day.  He is alive! 

     Please read this book, Bible.   It is the “#1 Best Book” in all of history.

       

     

THREE DAYS!

     “The saddest and the happiest day was in 3 days.”  This was on a sign I saw during  Easter.  As Christians we can only imagine how the followers of Jesus felt, as they stood and watched Him hanging on that cross and even before, when they watched the abuse and the nails being driven into His hand.  Yet joy occurred in just 3 days.   Jesus gave us hope and life in his resurrection.  Death, burial, and resurrection-it all happened in three days.

     As I reflected on this in “A Friendly Shade,” I thought it might be interesting to discover what other Biblical events brought sadness or happiness in just 3 days. 
 
     I went back to Genesis 40 when Joseph was in prison with the Pharaoh’s butler and baker.  They both had dreams which Joseph interpreted. One ended up being a very happy day while the other ended sadly. 
     ¹² And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:¹³ Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.
^{…………………
     16} When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head:¹⁷ And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bake meats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.¹⁸ And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days:¹⁹ Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.²⁰ And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.²¹ And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:²² But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
     The question to consider here is, what did the butler do with his joy?  How long did it take before he remembered his promise to Joseph? 

     After the death of Moses, we find in Joshua 1 that the people were told they would finally possess the land promised to them.    This 3-day wait must have been very exciting as preparations were being made.   Here we must remember the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness because of disobedience and lack of faith. 
     ¹¹ Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it.

          I cannot leave out the story of Jonah who tried to flee from doing the Lord’s calling.   After being in the belly of a whale for 3 days, can you imagine the happiness of being back on dry land?    Then in Matthew we find a comparison being made.  
     ¹⁷ Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights………Matthew12: ⁴⁰ For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

     In Mark 8, we find Jesus feeding the multitude after they had been with Him for 3 days. This act truly shows Jesus’ love and power.  Of course, His healing power had already, time and time again, been demonstrated to the people following him. 
     ² I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:³ And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. ⁴ And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?⁵ And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. ⁶ And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. ⁷ And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. ⁸ So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. ⁹ And they that had eaten were about four thousand:

     In Luke 2, we find the story of Jesus when Joseph and Mary were returning from the feast of the Passover.  Unknowingly, Jesus tarried behind, and Joseph and Mary had to return to look for Him.  After 3 days they found him in the temple.   In response to their question about why he has stayed behind, Jesus said,  vs 49: “How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?”
     ⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.  ⁴³ And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. ⁴⁴ But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.  ⁴⁵ And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.  ⁴⁶ And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

     We also see in Act 9 when Saul was on the road to Damascus with intent to persecute the followers of Jesus, he was suddenly blinded by a light from heaven.  What joy there must have been when, after 3 days,  he could see again.  Here was a cruel man who suddenly had his life changed.  vs 20 “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.”   

     ⁷ And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.  ⁸ And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.   ⁹ And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

 

     There are many more references to 3 days in the Bible, but none overshadow the death, burial and resurrection of my Lord.    John 2: 19   Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.  

The saddest and the happiest in just 3 days certainly has meaning.           

 

Win! Place! Show!

     Win! Place! Show! What does it take? The right bet on the right thoroughbred horse in the right race.

      According to one article I read, a thoroughbred has a small yet elegant head with a high chest. Their profile is straight and the neck long with well-sloped shoulders. It is handsome, alert, and spirited with boundless courage and immense stamina. The breed is known for endurance, agility, and a big heart.

     When I occasionally attend the Oaklawn horse races, excitement runs high as I watch the thoroughbreds enter the track. I look at their coloring, the way they hold their head, and the spirit of their gait. I have to admit, some are just better looking than others. I listen to the gasp in the crowd when a jockey has a problem getting his horse in the gate. However, the horses are all soon off and running with breakneck speed only to either lag behind, overcome another, or stretch out their legs, running neck to neck, through the finish line. As always, in the game of racing, the favorites nor the best looking ones, do not always win.
     I wonder if that is why Jesus did not always select the most upstanding, handsome, or the most favored people to do His work. Maybe they had to learn to run with endurance, agility, and heart to become thoroughbreds.
     Jonah was afraid, lacked faith, and was stubborn. He ran from God’s call, but after being swallowed by the whale and given a second chance, he learned not to defy God and became a thoroughbred. Moses had murdered a man and escaped to the wilderness when he was called. He argued with God that he could not do what God was asking, but in the end Moses became strong, obedient, and ran with stamina. He faltered at times but God gave him courage, faith, and endurance. Samson was given supernatural strength, but he allowed his weakness toward an untruthworthy woman to rob him of that strength. At the end of his life he turned to God, regained his strength, and showed great courage. David was short in statute and just a boy when he killed Goliath. The people did not see him as a strong and mighty soldier for the king’s army, but God gave David the strength to kill a giant with only a slingshot and a small stone. Zacchaeus was a wee little man who could not see above the crowd, yet Jesus offered him a special invitation. Zacchaeus was converted and became a thoroughbred.
     I believe thoroughbreds are formed through a strong and daily relationship with God. Jesus provides so many examples of endurance, heart, courage, and stamina. Being a thoroughbred does not necessarily mean being a favorite among men, but becoming a thoroughbred does make a difference on whether you win, place, or show in life.
     I have a long way to go, but I pray, as I sit here in "A Friendly Shade" that although I falter at times, God will mold me into a thoroughbred for Christ. 
       

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