Faith and Faithfulness

I'm continuing my study of the fruit of the Spirit.  Monday was faith, but the writers chose faithfulness instead.  Now you may be wondering why I am continuing with this study since I don't seem to agree with it.  It's actually really making me think!  I don't want my reading to just be an automatic thing that I do without it challenging me.

The first thing I looked at was the Greek definition of the word faith in this verse:

persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

 

The word faithfulness is not found in the New Testament, but the word faithful is.  The Greek definition of faithful is: trustful: - believe (-ing, -r), faithful (-ly), sure, true.

 

Faithfulness is found in the Old Testament.  The Hebrew definition is: literally firmness; figuratively security; moral fidelity: - faith (-ful, -ly, -ness, [man]), set office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily.

 

The word faith is only found twice in the Old Testament.  The Hebrew definition of the word faith is: firmness; figuratively security; moral fidelity: - faith (-ful, -ly, -ness, [man]), set office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily.

 

The Greek word for faith in Galatians is the same one used repeatedly in Hebrews chapter 11.  Verse 6 of that chapter says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."  This is definitely not the same as faithfulness.

I believe a person can demonstrate faithfulness without having faith.  A person can be faithful to their job and have no faith.  NFL quarterback, Tom Brady, who just won his seventh Super Bowl, has been faithful to football.  He attended a football camp as a child and has spent his life committed to playing his best.  High school, college and now 21 years as a professional, he's been committed to the game.  He follows a strict diet and exercise regime.  All these things make him a great football player, but not a man of faith.  Wikipedia had this quote, "I don't know what I believe. I think there's a belief system, I'm just not sure what it is."

 

On the other hand, I do believe someone with faith will be faithful.  Take another look at those great heroes of faith in Hebrews.  Their faith, their persuasion and moral conviction, took them on journeys and led them to do great exploits.  Noah built an ark when it had never had rained before.  His faith in God and his faithfulness to the task went hand in hand.

 

Repeatedly, Jesus said, "thy faith."   Faith made people whole.  The woman with the issue of blood faithfully went to doctors for 12 years, but it was her faith, put into action, that finally brought her to Jesus.  Then she was made whole.

 

Walk in faith and faithfulness will follow.

Patience and Long-Suffering, Part 2

My Bible reading today was about kindness.  One of the passages was Colossians 1:9-10.  I read the entire chapter and verse 11 says, "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness."  Well that certainly caught my attention!  I turned to e-Sword and some of my favorite commentaries to see what they had to say about the use of these two words in the same verse.

John Wesley's Notes on the Bible:

Strengthened unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness - This is the highest point: not only to know, to do, to suffer, the whole will of God; but to suffer it to the end, not barely with patience, but with thankful joy.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible:

Unto all patience - So that you may be enabled to bear all your trials without complaining. It is only the power of God that can enable us to do that.
And long-suffering - slowness to anger or passion; longsuffering, patient endurance, forbearance. It is opposed to haste; to passionate expressions and thoughts, and to irritability. It denotes the state of mind which can bear long when oppressed, provoked, calumniated, and when one seeks to injure us.

David Guzik's Enduring Word Commentary:

As we walk worthy of the Lord, His strength is there to help us meet all of life’s challenges, and to endure and overcome problems with circumstances (patience) and people (longsuffering) with joy.

 

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible:

unto all patience; to bring forth fruit with patience; to run with patience the race set before them; to bear patiently all afflictions and tribulations; to wait patiently for the things promised by God, and for the coming and appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the heavenly glory or hope laid up for them in heaven:
and longsuffering; to be slow to anger, and not easily provoked to wrath; to be ready to forgive injuries; and to bear long, and with patience, all reproaches and persecutions for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel; all which require daily fresh supplies of grace and strength, especially to endure all.

 

To be able to be patient and long-suffering, we need God's strength and glorious power.  When we have that, we can endure with joy.

Long-Suffering

I mentioned on January 1st that I would be doing a variety of Bible studies this year.  This week I started "Fresh Fruit," a study of the fruit of the Spirit.  Each day has contained a short devotion and several scriptures pertaining to that day's fruit - love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.  Reading in the app, I can read the verses that are included, but I've found that is not quite enough, so I then read the entire chapters.

I thought today's topic fell short.  The fruit for today is long-suffering.  The version of the Bible used by the writers used the word patience instead.  I don't feel that those two words are 100% interchangeable so I wanted to look at long-suffering a little more.

The Greek definition of long-suffering is longanimity, that is, (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude: - longsuffering, patience.  Longanimity, according to Merriam-Webster is, "a disposition to bear injuries patiently, forbearance."

The Greek definition of patience is cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy: - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).  *I believe many of us have learned to wait, but cheerfully waiting is still a work in progress.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible says about long-suffering, "Long-mindedness, bearing with the frailties and provocations of others, from the consideration that God has borne long with ours; and that, if He had not, we should have been speedily consumed: bearing up also through all the troubles and difficulties of life without murmuring or repining; submitting cheerfully to every dispensation of God’s providence, and thus deriving benefit from every occurrence."

Each time the word long-suffering is used in the Old Testament, it talks about God's long-suffering.  Interestingly, the word patience is not found in the Old Testament. The Hebrew definition of long-suffering is a combination of two words:

'ârêk - long: - long [-suffering, -winged], patient, slow [to anger].

'aph - properly the nose or nostril; hence the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire: - anger (-gry), + before, countenance, face, + forbearing, forehead, + [long-] suffering, nose, nostril, snout,  worthy, wrath.

When combined, it means "long of nose" (or "breathing"), and, as anger was indicated by rapid, violent breathing through the nostrils, "long of anger," or "slow to wrath." It is associated with "great kindness" and "plenteous in mercy."  Have you ever been SO angry, but instead of responding, you concentrated on your breathing, trying to calm yourself down?  Maybe you counted to 10, or even 100.  I think God's long-suffering is like that, but He probably has to count to one million, then start over, when dealing with some of us.

1 Corinthians chapter 13 is the well known "love" chapter.  One of the characteristics of charity is that it suffers long.  We can't patiently endure or be slow to anger without love.  Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible says about 1 Corinthians 13:4, "It can endure evil, injury, and provocation, without being filled with resentment, indignation, or revenge. It makes the mind firm, gives it power over the angry passions, and furnishes it with a persevering patience, that shall rather wait and wish for the reformation of a brother than fly out in resentment of his conduct. It will put up with many slights and neglects from the person it loves, and wait long to see the kindly effects of such patience on him."

Long-suffering is taking patience to the next level.  It's not just waiting.  It's waiting without being filled with resentment.  It's enduring without seeking revenge.  It's a mind that is firm, that doesn't give in to angry passions.  It takes God's love in our hearts to be long-suffering.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Sunset Edition

 There was a pink glow coming in our window a little while ago.  I stepped out and captured this:

I miss the beautiful sunsets in Hawaii, but this was spectacular!

Sliced Bread

Most of us have heard the saying,“That’s the best thing since sliced bread!” What do you think is actually the best thing since sliced bread?

 

Earlier this week I had an idea about how I wanted this post to go.  My answer was simple and straight forward:  Jesus is the best thing ever, not just since sliced bread!  I thought the words to "If Heaven Never was Promised to Me" or "Jesus is the Best Thing" would fit nicely.  But I just couldn't seem to get the post written.

I headed out for a run this morning.  It rained most of yesterday, so the air was fresh, about 37 degrees, no wind.  Just like I like it!  I turned on my music and about the fifth song was a new one by Jordan Feliz - "Jesus is Coming Back."  If you haven't heard it yet, go find it on your favorite music site, it's awesome!  I listened to it on repeat this morning and knew that was the answer - having Jesus in my life is wonderful, but when He comes back, that is going to be the best!

Jesus said in Luke 21:28, "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."  In that chapter, Jesus answered the questions, "Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?"

 

The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:19, " If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."  I love the second line of the first verse of this song, "Crazy as it seems, yeah, I know it's gonna be okay."  It's going to be okay!  My hope isn't in Washington, D.C. It doesn't scare me, it's temporary!  No executive order is going to change the day that is appointed.

 

Jesus Is Coming Back

 

We know, He's coming back (we know, we know)
We know, He's coming back (we know, we know)
We know, He's coming back (we know, we know)
We know, He's coming back

 

Have you ever thought that the world has kinda lost its way?
Crazy as it seems, yeah, I know it's gonna be okay, oh, yeah
It doesn't scare me, it's temporary
There's something better, we got forever
And it won't be long, 'cause we know our help is on the way, the way

 

So, keep your head up
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back
No don't you give up, hey
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back
And when the world gets complicated
We gonna keep on celebrating, 'cause we know (yeah, we know)
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back

 

Gotta stay awake 'cause nobody knows the day or time, no
The trumpet's gonna blow, and the skies are gonna open wide, oh, yeah
He's coming for us, just like He told us
It's been a long wait, but there's a new day
And we're gonna sing hallelujah when the King arrives

 

Oh, you know you gotta keep your head up
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back
No, don't you give up, no, no
'Cause Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back
And when the world gets complicated
We gonna keep on celebrating, 'cause we know
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back

 

Are you ready?   

Are you ready?
People get ready  

People get ready
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
People get ready
People get ready
Are you ready?
Are you ready?
People get ready
Yeah, let's get ready

 

Oh, He's coming back
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back
No don't you give up
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back
And when the world gets complicated
We gonna keep on celebrating, 'cause we know (yeah, we know)
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back

Now isn't that so much greater than sliced bread?

Burning Down the House

Your home is on fire.  Grab five items (assume all people and animals are safe). What did you grab?

 

This post practically wrote itself, because I've done this!  Our house has never caught fire, but we have received evacuation warnings because of fires that were in our neighborhood. 

I wrote a post called "Why I Pray for Rain" in October 2009.  I shared our first experience with fire in our neighborhood that happened in October 2003:

After a restless night, we awoke to more fires in Simi on Sunday morning. Les got up for a while, then went back to bed around 7:30. I was following the news and talking to neighbors. A nearby development received evacuation warnings at about 8:00, they were told to pack up what they wanted to take, and be ready to leave with 10 minutes notice.

I decided to start packing things at that time. If you've never had to determine what is really important in your life and what is not, a fire in the neighbor will help you do that very quickly. I loaded about 3 boxes of pictures and financial records in the back of our van and decided everything else what just that - things!

I wrote another post called "Southern California Wild Fires" in December 2017.  Les was traveling for business, so I had to plan on my own.  Sometime between these two events, we moved all our computer files to Dropbox so I didn't need to pack any financial records or pictures.

I received an email from Nextdoor.com yesterday afternoon that first alerted me to possible trouble, "Simi Valley residents are advised that the Rye Fire in Santa Clarita may travel to Simi Valley this evening due to the weather conditions and heavy winds. Residents on the northern side of the City should be aware of this possibility and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. Residents will NOT be encouraged to shelter in place should the fire breach Simi Valley and will be encouraged to evacuate. Please be prepared to Ready, Set, Go if the situation requires."

We live on the northern side of the city so I knew I needed to pay close attention.  As the evening wore on, with winds howling, I decided to pack a few things in the car.  You might be surprised at how little I packed.  Les' trumpet and bass guitar, our wedding photo album, our Bibles (including Mom's), and an overnight bag.  I had all my electronics in a bag by my bed and woke every hour last night checking out the window for the glow of fire (did not see any) and my phone for any updates (did not receive any.)

One final post, written in October 2011 is called "Trusting in God or Riches."  This sums up my feelings about "things." 

 

We received an evacuation warning that said if an evacuation notice came we would have ten minutes to leave our home. That notice never came, but I did pack a few things just in case. I still remember the peace I felt as the fire raged ~ nothing that mattered was inside our house. Les and I were safe.

 

The process of deciding what to pack in case our house burned down wasn't as difficult as you might imagine. I packed very little. Don't get me wrong ~ I enjoy nice things. I have a closet full of clothes and shoes. We have a lovely home. We have also lived on unemployment checks that didn't come close to the income we were use to. None of those things change who I am... unless I let them.

The Bible has a lot to say about riches. Not all of it is negative. Riches themselves are not the problem ~ it's how we treat them:

 

Proverbs 11:28
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
Proverbs 23:5
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
Ecclesiastes 5:19
Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
Jeremiah 9:23
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Luke 8:14
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 6:17
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

It is not wrong to enjoy the blessings that God sends. It's wrong to think that we brought the riches upon ourselves.  His riches will never fade away.

Musical

What role does music play in your life?

 

 

A quick glanced shows that 60 posts on this blog have the tag "music."  I hardly know where to start describing the role music plays in my life.  I've always loved music.  I remember records playing in our home when I was a child.

 

 

In a post called "Courage to Start" I wrote about learning to play the piano after Les and I got married:

I enrolled at Moorpark Community College for a semester of Class Piano.  I knew nothing about music, so I was starting at middle C!  I tried to keep it a secret that I was attempting to learn the piano.  Long before I was ready, Sis. White found out and before I could do a thing about it I was playing a keyboard in church!  Actually, I was attempting to play a keyboard in church! 

I was terrified.  Even though I could hide behind the organ, bass and drums, I was still terrified.  My keyboard wasn't plugged into the house system - I just had a small amp that I usually kept so quiet I couldn't hear it myself!  It took a lot of courage in those early months to come to service and try to play along.

I have had so many people help me through the years.  I don't consider myself a great musician, but I can carry a service entirely if I need to.  Victory Tabernacle is now blessed with many musicians who started at a much younger age and have far surpassed my abilities.  But I do think my courage to start was an example to others that they too could be a blessing to the Kingdom!

 

I wrote about the Sunday school child who said I sing like a Rock Star.  I've also written about the time it all fell apart at Pacific Coast Camp when the organ got out of tune.  I've written about Christmas recitals and music workshops.  I've written many, many posts about how a particular song encouraged or challenged me.

I wrote a post a few years ago called "The Power of Music."  If you're involved in music ministry at your church, it's worth reading.  I just want to share a little:

I have been involved in music in one way or another the majority of my life.  I started in children's choir and have been involved in just about every type of choir or group there is.  I love music and I know how it can move me.  I've written before about crying over "Jingle Bell Rock."  The thoughts I want to share have been in my heart for quite some time.  After reading Long Way Gone, I decided today would be the day to share them. 

Church Isn't American Idol
There are a couple of minor characters in Long Way Gone.  The first chapter opens with an old man playing his guitar on a street corner.  Much later we meet his grandson, Jubal.  When Jubal is going to play in front of a crowd for the first time he is very nervous, wondering how people will respond if he messes up.  "But all those people on the TV shows always get raked over the coals by the judges..."  Cooper sets him straight, telling Jubal that music is a gift that we make to give away.  And anyone who doesn't like that can "go suck on a lemon."

It's tough playing or singing in church sometimes.  Over 30 years ago I was part of a small singing group.  The director stopped us in practice and pointed me out, telling me I was not singing my part correctly.  He went over our part again.  When the sopranos sang, I just listened, trying to hear our part in a female voice and figure out what I was doing wrong.  The director stopped us and again pointed me out, telling me I was still off (even though I hadn't actually been singing.)  I've never forgotten how he made me feel and I've tried to be careful in offering even "constructive" criticism to others.

I've been on the receiving end of criticism many times.  I'm not the greatest singer or musician in the world but I give it my best.  Words hurt and and they can make people back completely away from doing what God wants them to do for His glory. Sitting in church, judging those who are striving to lead the congregation in worship only accomplishes one thing - it takes our minds and hearts away from Who we should be worshiping.  Believe me, musicians and singers know when they've messed up.  You don't need to tell them!

 

Music is Powerful
Choosing songs for a service, whether it's a solo or the entire service set, is something I struggle with.  It's not that I don't have songs.  I've got hundreds of them.  But I don't take the responsibility lightly.

Music is powerful.  It can cause people to dance and shout or bring them to tears.  Hurting souls walk through our doors every service.  They may be first time visitors or long time saints, but life has brought hurt their way.  Music can bring peace and healing. We can't take that powerful gift lightly, but must prayerfully consider each song.  

Keep on Singing!
If you're a musician or singer, I hope you'll be encouraged.   If you've been burned and are thinking about hanging up your microphone, don't!  Remember Who gave you the song in the first place and keep on singing!

Ready, Set, Go

Set a timer for ten minutes. Open a new post. Start the timer, and start writing. When the timer goes off, publish.

 

I have to qualify this post by saying I started working on it on Saturday!  I'm pretty sure most on-line "journalists" use this method of hitting "publish" without re-checking their story 99% of the time!  There are many reasons NOT to publish something without thinking it through.  In my opinion, here are a few:

1.  Haste Makes Waste

This is a phrase I have heard all my life.  I did a little research and found the first record of the phrase haste makes waste comes from the 1500s. It may originate from part of a longer proverb: “Haste makes waste, and waste makes want, and want makes strife between the goodman and his wife.”  Rushing things leads to mistakes or poor results.  The result of working too fast might be that you end up having to throw out what you’ve done and start over. 

 

2.  Grammar Matters

I can't tell you how many times I've been confused reading an article.  I am not an English teacher, I struggle with correct grammar myself, so publishing without proofreading is going to produce a messy post.  I am not thinking of anyone in particular as I write this post.  Please don't be offended if you struggle with correct grammar! 

3.  Overlooking Mistakes

It's easy to overlook a mistake on something I've just written.  Sometimes I'll type "this" when I meant "these."  Even when I proofread, it's easy to miss a mistake because I know what the sentence is suppose to say. 

Poor Joey ;)  Breaking his heart and correcting his spelling!

4.  Passing the Philippians 4:8 Test

“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.”   I want what I write to pass the test for truth, honesty, justice, purity, loveliness.  I want it to be a good report filled with virtue and praise.  I want to carefully think about what I write before I hit "publish."  I Googled "fake news" and there were almost 900 million results!  Fake news does not pass this test.

 

5.  Charity Counts

Just because I think something, it doesn't mean I need to say it or post it.  My Bible reading this morning included 1 Corinthians chapter 13.  If my writing doesn't reflect a spirit of charity, what I've written will be ignored or ridiculed. As I have said many times, what we publish on the internet, stays on the internet.  More important that correct grammar is a kind attitude.

Writing Prompts January 24-30

January 24 - Ready, set, go 

Set a timer for ten minutes. Open a new post. Start the timer, and start writing. When the timer goes off, publish.

January 25 - Dearly departed

Write your own eulogy.

January 26 - Musical

What role does music play in your life?

January 27 - Sliced bread

Most of us have heard the saying,“That’s the best thing since sliced bread!” What do you think is actually the best thing since sliced bread?

January 28 - Ode to a playground

A place from your past or childhood, one that you’re fond of, is destroyed. Write it a memorial.

January 29 - Through the window

Go to the nearest window.  Look out for a full minute.Write about what you saw.

January 30 - Burning down the house

Your home is on fire.  Grab five items (assume all people and animals are safe). What did you grab?

Breaking the Law

Think about the last time you broke a rule (a big one, not just ripping the tags off your pillows).  Were you burned, or did things turn out for the best?

 

I have a problem with this prompt!  I don't like the assumption it implies.  It doesn't ask, "have you ever broken a big rule?"  The question assumes we all break laws.  I'll confess to driving too fast on occasion. My most recent ticket (I think about five years ago) was for being in the carpool lane on a freeway on-ramp.  Unfortunately, I didn't realize it was "carpool only" at the time - the meter came on just minutes before I got in that lane and there was no way for me to move out of it.  A costly mistake, but not one I did intentionally.

I wrote a post called "Jane Eyre and Temptation" back in 2011 that fits this topic:

 

Of course one of the most powerful scenes is when Jane and Mr. Rochester are to be married. The wedding is interrupted and we finally meet Mr. Rochester's lunatic wife. Mr. Rochester then tries to convince Jane to run away with him. Here are Jane's thoughts:

This was true: and while he spoke my very conscience and reason turned traitors against me, and charged me with crime in resisting him. They spoke almost as loud as Feeling: and that clamoured wildly. “Oh, comply!” it said. “Think of his misery; think of his danger—look at his state when left alone; remember his headlong nature; consider the recklessness following on despair—soothe him; save him; love him; tell him you love him and will be his. Who in the world cares for you? or who will be injured by what you do?”

Still indomitable was the reply—“I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad—as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth—so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane—quite insane: with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster than I can count its throbs. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot.”

Jane Eyre was published in 1847, but those words about temptation I find relevant today. How often we humans try to rationalize our breaking of the God's laws. "Think of his misery." As if choosing to comfort Mr. Rochester would have been justification for breaking God's laws. "Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this..."

 

And for the record, the tags are still on our pillows...

In a Crisis

Honestly evaluate the way you respond to crisis situations. Are you happy with the way you react?

 

My ability to handle a crisis situation goes back to my childhood.  Rod's health was always in danger. Due to his hemophilia and the lack of his blood's ability to clot, a simple cut for most of us could turn into a serious bleed for him.  Both my parents were extremely calm when something happened to Rod.  At least they seemed calmed!

I remember one Tuesday night when Rod and I were teenagers.  We had "Teen Time" at church, which was always a fun time.  That particular night, we met at the church then split up.  We girls went swimming at someone's house and they boys went to some lake/pond.  When we met back up at the church, Rod told me he had stepped on something that cut through his shoe.  I knew this was serious.  Of course this was in the 70s so I had to use to church pay phone to call Mom to come get us.  I remember being completely calm while relaying this message to her and saying, "You might want to hurry because Rod has a cut on his foot."

Other times of crisis come to mind - the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, the weekend that Les was in a bike accident and the hill behind our house caught on fire, the false alarm in Hawaii that a ballistic missile was headed our way.  Each of these times I was afraid and shaken, but I was able to keep calm.

The question this post should really ask is, "How can you react calmly in a crisis situation?"  I'm not capable of handling a crisis on my own.  But thankfully, I don't have to!  Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."

 

Matthew Henry's commentary says, "Here is, 1. God's sufficiency for the saints: His name is a strong tower for them, in which they may take rest when they are weary and take sanctuary when they are pursued, where they may be lifted up above their enemies and fortified against them. There is enough in God, and in the discoveries which He has made of Himself to us, to make us easy at all times. The wealth laid up in this tower is enough to enrich them, to be a continual feast and a continuing treasure to them. The strength of this tower is enough to protect them; the name of the Lord is all that whereby He has made Himself known as God, and our God, not only His titles and attributes, but His covenant and all the promises of it; these make up a tower, a strong tower, impenetrable, impregnable, for all God's people. 2. The saints' security in God. It is a strong tower to those who know how to make use of it as such. The righteous, by faith and prayer, devotion towards God and dependence on Him, run into it, as their city of refuge. Having made sure their interest in God's name, they take the comfort and benefit of it; they go out of themselves, retire from the world, live above, dwell in God and God in them, and so they are safe, they think themselves so, and they shall find themselves so." 

 

The Pulpit Commentary says this, "The Name of the Lord signifies all that God is in Himself—His attributes, His love, mercy, power, knowledge; which allow man to regard Him as a sure Refuge. The words bring before us a picture of a capitol, or central fortress, in which, at times of danger, the surrounding population could take refuge. Into this Name we Christians are baptized; and trusting in it, and doing the duties to which our profession calls, with faith and prayer, we are safe in the storms of life and the attacks of spiritual enemies. The righteous runneth into it (the tower), and is safe; literally, is set on high;  he reaches a position where he in set above the trouble or the danger that besets him. Thus St. Peter, speaking of Christ, exclaims, "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Prayer is the wall of faith, our arms and weapons against man who is always watching us. Therefore let us never go unarmed, night or day.   From the greatness of his might is the Name of the Lord; and running unto it the righteous are exalted."

 

We don't have to be in control when a crisis happens.  We have a place of refuge where we can run.  Run!!  Run to that safe place, the name above all names, Jesus!

Wednesday Chuckles

 

Writing Prompts January 17-23

January 17 - In a crisis

Honestly evaluate the way you respond to crisis situations. Are you happy with the way you react?

January 18 - Free association

Write down the first words that comes to mind when we say...home...soil...rain. Use those words in the title of your post.

January 19 - Apply yourself

Describe your last attempt to learn something that did not come easily to you.

January 20 - Breaking the law

Think about the last time you broke a rule (a big one, not just ripping the tags off your pillows).  Were you burned, or did things turn out for the best?

January 21 - Sweet sixteen

When you were 16, what did you think your life would look like? Does it look like that? Is that a good thing?

January 22 - I got skills 

If you could choose to be a master (or mistress) of any skill in the world, which skill would you pick?

January 23 - Shipwrecked 

Read the story of Richard Parker and Tom Dudley. Is what Dudley did defensible? What would you have done?

Toot Your Horn

Most of us are excellent at being self-deprecating, and are not so good at the opposite. Tell us your favorite thing about yourself.

 

I'm a really good cook!

It's true.  The recipes I post (more than 100 are linked on my Friday Foodie page) are things I have made, but more than that I'm good at taking a recipe and tweaking it to be a little healthier and often tastier.  When Les and I were first married I wasn't much a cook, but I can read and that's all it took for my journey to get started.  I really enjoy making great tasting food.

 

Sometimes I'll throw a meal together in under 20 minutes, but most of the time I enjoy taking more time.  It's not unusual for me to spend time in the morning or early afternoon prepping a meal.  Most great meals take time and if flavors can spend more time together, marinating or just blending, the meal is going to be even better.

One of the most important keys to being a good cook is having good tools.  My kitchen arsenal includes - food processor, pasta maker, air fryer, toaster oven, Crockpot, blender, and mixer!  I'm getting a new oven in a few weeks and I'm so excited about that!  My current oven is original with our house (over 30 years old) and the thermostat hasn't worked in years.

 

On a more serious note, I am also a good friend.  I try really hard to be the friend people trust.  I want people to feel better, not worse, after spending time with me.  I want people to trust that whatever they tell me in secret will remain just that.  I want to be the Pollyanna, cheer-leading friend that brings joy.  Even when it's just here on my blog, I want to turn people to the One who can bring the greatest joy and peace that can be found.

While working on this post, I went down the rabbit hole that is my blog.  I looked up the word "friend" and found many, many posts about being a friend.  I want to share one from 2009 that I describes the kind of friend I want to have and I want to be.  The post is called Rejoicing and Weeping, you can read the full post here.

Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." I realized that not everyone follows that verse completely. There are many reactions to rejoicing and weeping. Here are my thoughts:

Rejoicers only - rejoicers are there in the good times. Going out after church, they're there. Going shopping, they're with you. Party? Good times? Oh yeah, they're on it. But, when weeping begins they are nowhere in sight. Kind of like the friends of the Prodigal son. He alone was in the pig pen.

Nonrejoicers - these people cannot rejoice when anyone else is blessed. Their favorite saying is, "It's not fair!" My friend, Caroline, wrote about this subject recently and I agree with everything she said. Nonrejoicers think, "Why does she have a new car/dress/pair of shoes/job/boyfriend/etc. and I don't?" Envy and jealousy are the nonrejoicers close companions. I believe if they would learn to rejoice with them that do rejoice and be thankful for what they already have, God is waiting to bless them even more.

Weepers only - just like rejoicers, there are weepers. They don't weep with you, but when you weep they find more to weep about. If you share the news of some horrible diagnosis, their response is to tell you about their friend or relative who had the same diagnosis and the horrible outcome they suffered. Weepers live a life in the dark. They don't know how to rejoice. They can't see a positive outcome from anyone weeping.

Nonweepers - these people are similar to rejoicers, but they may not rejoice either. Nonweepers have no compassion. If your life is in shambles, it must be your fault. If you are stricken with an illness, you probably weren't eating healthy. Nonweepers forget that "it rains on the just and unjust." Job's friends fell into these category when they began speaking to him. Repeatedly they accused him of sinning, urging him to confess, so God could restore him.

I want my rejoicing to be real, if the blessing is mine or belongs to someone else, and I want my weeping to be filled with compassion. I want my words to reflect a heart of caring.

Finally, the phrase that came to mind most frequently was one I never want to do:

Weep over them that rejoice, and rejoice over them that weep.

Two for One: Ripped from the Headlines + Polite Company

Two of this week's writing prompts immediately brought a "no, thanks" response:

January 14 - Head to your favorite online news source. Pick an article with a headline that grabs you. Now, write a short story based on the article.

January 15 - “It’s never a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don’t really know.” Agree or disagree?

 

Unfortunately, the headlines these days are not worth reading, much less writing about.  I'm spending less and less time reading even conservative news these days because it's all so negative.  Of course that negativity is usually about politics!

Am I a chicken for avoiding these subjects?  Maybe.  Do I have opinions about these subjects? Absolutely.  But just because I have an opinion doesn't mean I need to share it.  Jesus said in Matthew 10:16, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible said, "I send you, inoffensive and harmless, into a cold, unfriendly, and cruel world. Your innocence will not be a protection.  Probably the thing in which Christ directed his followers to imitate the serpent was in its caution in avoiding danger. No animal equals them in the rapidity and skill which they evince in escaping danger. So said Christ to his disciples, You need caution and wisdom in the midst of a world that will seek your lives. He directs them, also, to be harmless, not to provoke danger, not to do injury, and thus make their fellow-men justly enraged against them."

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible said, "The serpent is a very sharp sighted, cunning creature, and uses various arts and stratagems for its own preservation, and especially of its head; and is so far to be imitated by the followers of Christ, as to make use of all proper methods to preserve themselves from the insults and rage of men, and not expose themselves to unnecessary dangers: and, as much as in them lies, they should be careful to give no just occasion of offense, or irritate, and provoke them to use them ill, and to avoid all snares and traps that are laid for them; and, at the same time, maintain the innocence and harmlessness of the dove, being free from all wicked cunning and craftiness, without rancour, malice, and wrath; not meditating and seeking revenge, but meek and humble in their deportment, leading inoffensive lives, and proceeding in the course of their calling, though liable to many insults, and much oppression."

I have used this particular example several times on my blog.  It's more than just a cute little story, I really believe it's an important way to live:

Two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything,wrote in the sand:

"Today my best friend slapped me in the face."

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one, who had been slapped, got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After the friend recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:

"Today my best friend saved my life."

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?"

The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."

Learn to write your hurts in the sand, and to carve your benefits in stone.
~ Author Unknown

This blog is my stone. When someone hurts me, I won't be writing it here.  You won't find my political views here.  If you want my opinion, you'll need to ask me face to face because hot topics can easily be misunderstood and twisted on the world wide web.

 

The Apostle John wrote in 3 John 13-14, ""I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face."

 

Writing with pen and ink cannot compare to speaking face to face.  Body language, voice inflection, and so much more is lost on paper or screen.  The "conversation" is one way, with no way to respond, defend or diffuse.

 

It's easy to send a text message, but not so easy to clean up the mess that may follow.  It's easy to hide behind a keyboard, but the wise Apostle John knew that speaking face to face was the higher road.

Grand Just Doesn't Seem Like Enough

The word "grand" just doesn't seem to be enough to describe the Grand Canyon, until you look a little closer at the definition of the word:

1.

  magnificent and imposing in appearance, size, or style.

2.

  denoting the largest or most important item of its kind.

 

It really is the Grand Canyon, magnificent and imposing and the largest item of its kind!

 

I don't know why it's taken me so long to blog about the Grand Canyon.  It's such an amazing place.  It's so hard to describe and the magnitude just can't be captured in pictures.  With over 1.2 million acres, it's impossible to see it all.

 

We drove from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  Traffic wasn't bad and the park didn't seem to be too crowded.  We knew we wanted to hike the South Kaibab Trail, so we found the shuttle bus that would take us to the correct trailhead. 

The only time we wore our masks was when we were at the Visitor Center and in the shuttle bus.  We did see some people wearing masks while hiking, but it was not a requirement.  There was always plenty of space to pass people and we felt safe without them.

 

My purple hiking poles really came in handy!  I felt so much safer when I needed to take a big step.

It is just under a mile to the first point of interest - the Ooh-Aah Point.  We had many ooh-aah moments before that!  Just past the 1.5 mile mark is Cedar Ridge, described as "Good turn-a-round for first time canyon hikes, casual hikers, and late starters. Restrooms."  A group of mules was on its way up.   After hanging out there for a while we decided that was far enough for the day since we were both late starters and casual hikers.

Yes, I color coordinated my hiking gear!  My Camelbak (also purple) had plenty of water and lots of pockets for snacks and places to store my gloves once I warmed up.

We really took our time.  Les would get a bit ahead of me, stop to take pictures until I caught up, then we'd keep going.

It's so amazing and stopping to just look is also a great way to catch your breath.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day.  Not a cloud in the sky.

Our total hike was 3.6 miles with over 1,400 feet of elevation gain (and loss.)  It took us just under two hours of moving time, but about three and a half hours of total elapsed time.  That's a lot of photo stops!

The Grand Canyon is definitely a bucket list item!  If you plan way in advance, you can actually hike to the bottom, spend the night at Phantom Ranch, then hike out the next day.  We did that about 25 years ago with Les' parents and his brother and sister-in-law.  It was an incredible trip.

 

 

Even if you only get a few hours, it's worth it to explore this majestic place!