joy, Strength, Wisdom, Loyalty, Faith

     I  saw the following posted on Facebook and decided to share it, along with my own additional comments.

            I want: "The joy of Sarah,

                         The strength of Deborah,

                         The wisdom of Esther,

                         The loyalty of Ruth,

                         The faith of Mary."

Now, I ask, "Why was Sarah so joyful?  According to scripture readings, Sarah had always wanted a child but had been barren.  When she was 90 years old, the Lord blessed her with a son, Isaac.  Although we do not understand God's perception of time, what woman, after longing for years for a child for years, would not have been joyful.   Genesis 21:6 "⁶ And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me."   

What was Deborah's strength?  Deborah was a prophetess in Israel, and the children of Israel came to her for judgment as found in  Judges 4:5.  Then in verse 6 and 7 we find that she called Barak and said unto him, "Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, 'Go and draw toward  Mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men...and I will draw the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him unto your hand.' "  Barak was obviously doubtful, for he told Deborah he would do as she asked, but only if she went with him.  Her reply is found in verse 9, "I will surely go with thee."

Next we come to the wisdom of Esther.  Esther was wise in that she was always obedient toward Mordeccai, a Jew who had raised her.  Though her wisdom, learned from obedience and fasting to God, she was able to deliver the Jews from peril and destruction.  In the story of Esther, Mordeccai requested she not tell the King she was a Jew.  Later, when the Jews were threatened with death, she was presented with another and different request from Mordeccai.  After praying and fasting, Esther chose the right moment to reveal her identity to the King and thus save her people. 

I believe, we have all heard the story of Ruth.  Ruth was a daughter-in-law to Naomi, and Naomi lived in a distant land away from her people.  Her husband and Ruth's husband had both died, and Naomi wanted to return to the land of her own people.  Ruth was willing to leave her own mother and father and go with Naomi.  When Naomi confronted Ruth about returning to her own people, Ruth said, "Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I lodge, thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."

Can anyone even began to imagine what Mary, a virgin, felt like when she was told she would bare a Son?  Yet, Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word..."  At a very young age, Mary showed the depth of her faith.   Again, we see her faith even before Jesus performed His first miracle.   She was helping to host a wedding and ran out of wine.  Mary had faith that Jesus would take care of the situation as she instructed the servants, "Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it."   And, shouldn't that be what we tell others daily?  "Whatsoever He saith, do it."

   

The Thread

     A Facebook post showed a quilted craft project someone had completed which incorporated special baby clothes from sleepers to t-shirts to special activity clothing.  What a visual scrapbook of clothing threads this was!
     When I thought of the threads that have been sewn into my life, I remembered how my parents knitted the threads of God into my life.  I remembered the threads of events that led me though life with God at the helm.  If I had to do a scrapbook of the thread of events in my life I would have a difficult time ever completing this project, for I would have to admit that God has shown up in my life even when I have not known it. 
     In fact, God has shown up and been faithful from the beginning of the Universe through time and still shows up today.  He is constantly weaving and knitting the threads that tie and connect His people to Him.   
     When we accept Christ, He rips out the threads of our sin.  He then stitches in new threads and seals them with the Cross.

Colossians 2: 12-15 " When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,  having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.  And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

 

11 Days Until Thanksgiving

 

     When I was growing up, the picture below represented the kind of churches most often found in small rural communities.  Even though they were small churches, the people had large hearts full of respect and love for each other.  

 

 

 

     When I saw this picture on Facebook, I instantly thought about the campaign President-Elect, Donald Trump ran on, "Make America Great Again."  However, what will really "Make America Great Again?"  Only by putting God back into homes, schools, and country can this be done.  And, we cannot really put God into our homes, schools, and country unless we daily worship and find fellowship with Him.   

     I go back to one of my many favorite scriptures which is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14,  "If  my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

     I am thankful to have grown up in a family who made attending church a priority.  It set the tone for my salvation experience and my faith.  By believing that Jesus died for me, and that He is the Son of God I claim His promise of salvation.    

Happiness!

     I don't know who wrote this, but I read a post on Facebook about "Ten Things To Let Go Of To Be Happy."  They were:
1.  Let go of toxic people in your life.
2.  Let go of regretting past mistakes.
3.  Let go of the need to be right.
4.  Let go of feeling sorry for yourself.
5.  Let go of negative self talk.
6.  Let go of the need to impress others.
7.  Let go of limiting beliefs.
8.  Let go of the need to please everyone.
9.  Let go of gossip and complaining.
10.Let go worrying about the future.

     Developing these above listed habits sound like a good plan on the road to being happy, and if we research them further they are probably derived from biblical instructions.  Below are just a few of the scriptures I found that might go along with each one. 

1.  Toxic people:  Proverbs 18:1-2  "An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.  Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions."  Proverbs 18:24 "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."   Psalm 26:9  "Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men."

2.  Past mistakes:  Hebrews 8:12 "For I will be merciful to their righteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.  Romans 3:25 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."  Roman 4:7 "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

3. Need to be right: 2 Corinthians 13:11 "Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."  Matthew 6:15 " But if  ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

4.  Feeling sorry for self: James 1:2-3  "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."

5.  Negative self talk:  Philippians 4:8-9 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

6.  Need to impress: Psalms 1:1-2 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of  the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."  1 Timothy 2:9-10  " In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;  But with good works."

7. Limiting beliefs:  Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

8.  Need to please:  Isaiah 51:7 "Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings."  Colossians 3:23 "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"

9.  Gossip and complaining:  Proverbs 20:19 "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much."  Romans 1:29 "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,"   Proverbs 26:22 "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts."

10. Worrying about the future:  Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Although difficult at times, being happy is a part of the Christian life.  We are given a hope, a promise, and the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us even in our darkest moments.  We should rejoice in God. 

Happiness to be continued in my next blog.... 
























 








 

 

 

  







    

 

 

 

Love

     I have been intending to write about love for the past week, but have not taken the time to sit in "A Friendly Shade" and decide how to get started.   Love takes so many different directions.  I believe love has to be developed.  To have love we need forgiveness even without being asked, we need to develop an intent not to hurt others, and we need to eliminate self pride.  So I knew that to talk about love, there was no way to cover every aspect that needed to be considered.
     Then as I was watching a video on Facebook about a farmer's presentation to the Shark Tank, I realized how his heart changed the perspective of the Tank members.  He was full of humbleness and genuine caring for the farmers in the area where he lived.  He was demonstrating a love which was coming from his heart.  If we don't have true love it simple cannot flow from our heart.  For this reason, I think I can truthfully say the heart and love are connected.  
     In Proverbs 4:23 we are told "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."  Therefore, we cannot put love on a shelf and just take it down occasionally like a trinket, dust it off, and expect to use it from time to time and see results.   Others, who we are around every day, see how we use love; they recognize us for who we really are.  Matthew 15: 18 shows us this.  "But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them." 
     If we don't have love in our hearts, what does that make us?  I think we can find the answer in 1 Corinthians 13, "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."
     How should we handle love?  In Proverbs 3:3 we find, "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."  From this I find love to be tender and we strenghen it by protecting it.  We endeavor to keep it safe, stored away in our heart so we keep our love growing for others. 
     Who should we show love to and how?  Matthew 22:39 answers that question, "And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
     I realize it is hard to love those who are unlovable, but what more does the scripture have to say:    Take a look at what Luke 6:32 says, "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.  You see, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13)
     Finally, but certainly not least,  is the commandment on who we should love the most.  "Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'" And another scripture cautions to beware of where we place our treasure:  "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."   Where is our love, our treasure?  Are we willing to set pride aside to give love to others?

Friendships

     There are a lot of friendship quotes and many get posted on facebook. 
     Speaking of facebook, this social media provides a way to have zillions of friends, but how many do we actually know on a personal level?  Sure we click "like" and make casual written memos, but do we really talk to them or know their hearts? 
     I didn't mean to get off on facebook, so let's get back to the friendship quotes and review some thoughts on who can really be a best friend for life.  Below are just a few sayings I found on the internet.  It was hard to stop with just a few for there were so many good ones.

"A true friend is someone

who sees the pain in your

eyes while everyone else

believes your smile."    

God gives us many promises and among them is the promise to be with us through painful moments. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2   What better friend is there than the One who sees our pain and walks with us through it? 

 

"FRIENDS UPLIFT THE SOUL"                        When we make mistakes, do our friends turn away?  God doesn't.  He continues to love us and stands waiting to lift us up.  He is always willing to forgive and help us walk in a new light. "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." Isaiah 43:25  Then again, as we read of His power, we realize He is a friend who will give us complete rest.  "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:29

      "A true friend is someone who

accepts your past, supports your

present, and encourages your future."       Nothing gives more peace than knowing there is a Friend who we can go to regardless of our past.  He has forgiven us, if we have asked.   All we need to do is forgive ourselves and walk into the future with Him.  "The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalms 121:7,8

"There are some

people in life that

make you laugh a

little louder, smile a

little bigger and live

just a little bit better."

 God's Word uplifts, and His word is a way of getting to know Him.  If we have been saved by acknowleding His Son, Jesus, and His death for us, then we have laughter, joy, and peace.  "The entrace of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." Psalms 119:130  What better friends would we want than the One willing to send His only Son and the One willing to freely lay down His life for us?  Knowing we are saved gives us joy; we can smile through our problems, and we are given a desire to live just a little bit better.
 

"Friendship

is an umbrella that shields
you from the strongest of
thunderstorms.
All you need to do is
hold onto it. "                 Isn't it wonderful that our Friend provides us with an umbrella against the storms in our life?  "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."  Ephesians 6:16         "For thou, Lord, wilt beless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield." Psalms 5:12    No other friend can protect us like our Heavenly Father. 

 "A true friend is someone who thinks you are  a good egg, even though he knows you are slightly cracked."           Finally,  God knows all.  He sees our flaws, our faults, and our deeds, even our thoughts.  He created us in His own special way, and He is willing to accept us just like we are.  "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12:7 

Mobile Phones

     A friend of mine lost her smart phone a few days ago.  She hunted high and low; at her home, at the office, and in her car.  I felt her frustration.  Whenever I forget to pick up my phone in the mornings as I leave for work, I will always return to get it, no matter how late it puts me to work.  It just seems something is missing without my phone.  What if I miss a call?  How can I check Facebook to see what is happening?  How can I text message and all the other means of communication my mobile phone allows me to do during the day? 
     Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we were all as desperate to talk to God as we are to insure we have our mobile phones?  Psalm 119:10 gives us an example of what we should do, “I seek you with all my heart…”   
     What is the most important desire of our heart?  Do we stress and become as frustrated in not taking time to seek God as we are over losing our cell phone?  Are we as committed to talking with God as we are in communicating with friends?  Are we as dedicated in plugging into the God who is longing to direct our paths as we are in making sure our mobile phones are recharged?  Do we seek to fill our minds with the scriptures as much as checking what is posted on Facebook or in other news media?  Finally, have we allowed our mobile phones and other devices to become idols that prevent us from having time to communicate with the God of the Universe, the One who is waiting for a call from us?