Sweet Blessings

Acteens is the missions education organization for junior high and high school girls in the Baptist church.  A few months ago, one of the senior high leaders asked if I would be willing to read through, edit, and critique the work for the three girls who have reached the highest level of Acteens, Texas State Citation.  This is the final step, after completing and passing 6 other years of work.  This year, their work is sent to the State Office to determine if the work passes the criteria that have been set.  With all that in mind, the closer the day came to begin reading through their notebooks, the more I started to question whether I would be the best person to do that.  I even had the name of a very qualified person to recommend.  The more I thought through and prayed about it, it was very clear that all God asked of me was to be available and He would take care of the ability part of the process.  So the past two weeks I have had the privilege of reading through and editing the three Acteens’ Texas State Citation notebooks and have been blessed in the process as I read their testimonies of how they accepted Jesus as their Savior; read detailed papers on “What Baptists Believe” as well as research on another religion and the comparison of the two; saw the reports to mission sites they visited; read 3 Bible stories they wrote for a children’s book, along with activities, songs, and Bible verses to help the children understand the Bible truths; read about the worship service they planned and led at the Wednesday night prayer service, read through the devotional and prayer guide that the girls wrote for the Week of Prayer for Home Missions that was distributed on Sunday morning; as well as noting other projects throughout the year.  This year as the young women are recognized, I will again thank God for the blessing of reading and seeing how He is at work in and through their lives and for reminding me, once again, that there are blessings when I am willing to say, “Yes” to His plan.

Another unexpected blessing came Friday afternoon while we were exercising at the gym.  A lady and her grown daughter came over to speak to us as they were about to leave.  The mother reminded Larry that 18 years ago she and her daughter went to his office and he led the daughter to accept Jesus as her Savior.  As the daughter smiled, the mother said, “And she’s still following Him.”  What a precious reminder of the gift of sharing and being available.

The past few weeks, I have been reading through the book of Job for my Bible reading each day.  Job is one of the books that I usually persevere through when it comes time to read it, but this year was different.  Aaron Jeoffrey, in his song “He Is,” sings about God being the “Timeless Redeemer” in the book of Job.  Even in the midst of Job’s losses, hurts, and frustrations, God proved Himself faithful as the Timeless Redeemer and I know He will be the same for me. 

A few of the verses that blessed, challenged and encouraged me in Job:

Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. 
Job 2:10b

I know that my redeemer lives,
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
 Job 19:25

And he said to the human race,
    “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
    and to shun evil is understanding.”
Job 28:28

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. 
Job 38:1

So I am continuing to learn that…
* God desires a willing heart that is available to do whatever He asks. 
* Obedience brings blessings.
* Whatever my circumstances, state of health, or concerns, God is and always will be my Timeless Redeemer.
* When God speaks, sometimes He calms the storm and sometimes He calms His child.

The Gift of Freedom

This weekend, all across our country, people will be remembering, celebrating and giving thanks for the freedom and independence we enjoy as a nation.  Because of the sacrifices, dreams, and goals of our Founding Fathers, we have the privilege and honor of living in a democratic society.  On July 4th, there were picnics, family gatherings, food, time with friends, and fireworks to add to the festivities. 

Celebrations like these can be bittersweet, realizing that not every person in the world can or has cause to celebrate like we do in the United States.  But no matter where one lives, we all have the opportunity to be free because of the gift of salvation from Jesus.  It’s not the country, state, city, or community where one lives that grants them personal freedom, but rather the One to whom they choose to entrust their life. 

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:32

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”  John 8:36

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.  Romans 8:1, 2

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.  I Peter 2:16

And the news about that freedom is worth sharing and celebrating all year long!

Remedy for Stinkin' Thinkin'

The days after camp, even as an adult, were prime times for Satan to try his hand at causing you to choose some “Stinkin’ thinkin’” instead of thoughts that God says are true.  Camp is one of those rare times when you don’t have electronics to deal with, your primary goal is to listen and respond to what God is telling and teaching you, and you are surrounded by peers and adults who encourage you along the way.  Then it is back to reality.  Even as recently as last week, I had to confront some of those thoughts and remember that “The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10a) what Jesus came to give.

Recognizing Satan’s work is the first step to stopping it.  I notice it when: 

* Comparing myself to others.

* Second guessing if what I am doing is the right thing to do.

* Focusing thoughts on me instead of others.

* Reading into situations and making assumptions.

* Reminding myself of past mistakes and failures.

* Forgetting that it’s availability that God wants and that he’ll take care of the ability and details.

Instead, I need to take to heart the last part of John 10:10 when Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” 

To get rid of the “Stinkin’ thinkin’” it is important to remember that:

* God keeps watch over me.

“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”

  Psalm 17:8

* God has provided a way for me to stay close to him and resist the lies and destruction of the enemy.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

James 4:7

* God is the greatest and he gives me strength to overcome.

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

I John 4:4

* When I keep my focus on Jesus, it helps me keep things in perspective.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:1, 2

* There are specific things to think about to have the right kind of thoughts, actions, and reactions.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8

All the time, not just when I’m at camp or retreats, I need to be intentional about spending time in prayer, reading the Bible, listening to and obeying what God asks me to do, and surrounding myself with people who challenge and encourage me to be like Jesus.

The Quilt/Comforter

Rob and Robin have worked in the high school division at church for many years.  On Sunday mornings, they taught 11th graders truth from God’s Word.  After each Bible study lesson, Rob would challenge his young men with, “So what?”  How are you going to apply what you have just studied from the Bible?  What difference is it going to make in your life?  But the investment in their lives didn’t stop on Sunday mornings.  They would go to their ball games, Camp Tallowood, and other activities to support them.  Long after students promote from their department, the ministry continues as they pray for, keep up with, and love and encourage the young people.

Rob and Robin, with son Alex, at Camp Tallowood, Camp Eagle

Last summer, after Camp Tallowood, Rob was diagnosed with cancer.  Instead of planning to die, Rob valiantly fought to live and bless his family, friends, and co-workers.  On December 4, 2013, Rob met Jesus face to face.  For the past few months, Robin has been piecing together a quilt out of Rob’s Camp Tallowood t-shirts, while remembering special times, lessons, and relationships from different camp years in the process.  And just like Robin, as she was tying off each section of the quilt, she spent time praying for the 6th to 12th grade young people who would be attending camp this summer.  Camp Tallowood began on Father’s Day, June 15, and Robin, along with her quilt, once again went to camp as a sponsor.   Another summer camp listening to her Heavenly Father and investing in the lives of His children.  My prayer is that the quilt will be a comfort to Robin as she remembers her times with Rob and others at camp and will also be a piece by piece reminder of God’s provision, encouragement, peace, protection, hope, joy, and care during these days.

 

As Robin would give updates on the progress of her project, I began to picture the quilt/comforter as a visual representation and reminder of the Comforter that God sent to be with each of us when Jesus went to Heaven. God knew that the early believers and we would need someone to remind us of His great love for us, to lead us to Jesus, to encourage, teach and convict us.  And like Robin’s quilt, God wants us to feel His presence and be wrapped in and comforted by His protection, provision, care, hope, faithfulness, and guidance as piece by piece He adds our lives to His story.

But when the Father sends the Comforter instead of me*—and by the Comforter I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you much, as well as remind you of everything I myself have told you.

John 14:26 (Living Bible)

“But I will send you the Comforter—the Holy Spirit, the source of all truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me.

John 15:26 (Living Bible)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3, 4

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13