THE
SCARLET THREAD OF REDEMPTION
NO SUCH THING AS A DEATH SENTENCE!
This morning I was
praying for a man who has been given
one
year to live. The Lord spoke to my spirit and said,
"With me there is no death sentence; it's a life sentence!"
That's right, although I had never really thought of it that
way. If we are saved by His grace, at death to this earthly
body we are given a life sentence with Him in heaven!
That's one kind of life sentence we should all covet. I
cannot begin to understand how wonderful it will be to shed
the pain in this old body, to get rid of every heartache,
every worry, every burden!
Perhaps you had never thought of dying in this way either.
Or maybe I'm just slow to catch on! But what joy in knowing
my Savior died to give me a life sentence in heaven.
So, if the man who was given a year to live knows the saving
power of Jesus Christ, he has really been given a life sentence.
What an awesome thought.
Keep on keeping on. Don't give up. Joy
is coming in the
morning.
I've
heard people say they were overcome with holy laughter, but I had never
experienced it
until
today, February 5, 2005. When I opened the forwarded email message from
my daughter,
the
last thing on my mind was holy laughter. I expected to be touched,
because she doesn't
forward many things, so I knew it would be special. Was it ever! (Here
is a paraphrase of it.)
The
people of Charlotte, NC invited their favorite son, Rev.
Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honor. He hesitated
because
he has Parkinson's disease, but he finally agreed when
they said
they didn't expect a long speech.
Rev. Graham stood weakly before
the gathering and told this
story:
I'm reminded today of Albert Einstein, the
great physicist.
One time Einstein was traveling by train, and when the
conductor
came along to punch tickets, Einstein couldn't find his. He
looked everywhere for it.
Finally, the conductor said,
"It's all right, Dr. Einstein. I know
who you are, and I'm sure you bought a ticket." And the
conductor
went on down the aisle.
When he turned back he saw the
old gentleman on his hands
and knees looking under the seat for his ticket. The
conductor
rushed to him and said, "Dr. Einstein, don't worry. I know
who
you are. No problem. You don't need a ticket. I'm sure you
bought
one."
Einstein looked at him and said,
"I know who I am. What I
don't know is where I'm going."
After
Billy Graham finished the story he said, "See this
suit I'm wearing? My family thought I needed a new suit, so
I went out and bought this suit for this occasion and one more
occasion. You know what that occasion is? This is the suit I'll
be buried in. But when you hear I'm dead, I don't want you to
remember I'm wearing this suit; remember this: I not
only know
who I am, I also know where I'm
going.
What
a testimony! It touched me in a place deep in my soul where I had never
been
touched before, and it brought
holy laughter. For you see, I can relate to what Rev. Graham said,
"I know who I am (in Christ) and
I know where I'm going."
CLEANING OUT CLOSETS
There was David's dad and mom in their younger days. There
was Gladys
(from church), Larry, David's brother who died a few years ago, and
even Muffin
got in a few of the shots. That box went back into the closet with a
mental note to
purchase a new
photo album the next time I go to town.
I found a pair of David's leather gloves. He
had looked for those gloves
two winters ago! As I held the gloves in my
hand I recalled times he had held my
hand on cold winter days.
My work uncovered some "lost" Christmas
decorations. That put me in
the mood to decorate for Christmas--something
I haven't done for a couple of
years. I guess I will this year-unless the
mood runs away and hides before time to
decorate.
I carted the two bags of junk out to the
garage. As I set them down I was
reminded of how we need to allow God to "clean
out" the junk from our lives. We
sometimes harbor ill feelings and unkind
thoughts and other things. As time goes by
these things take up a lot of space and hinder us
from finding the good things we are
looking for.
Heavenly
Father, I open the door of my closet heart to you today. Remove
those things that are just taking up space. I
am willing to give up all the junk I have
allowed to accumulate in my heart. Make me clean and
pure in your sight, O Lord.
Amen.
CHANGES ARE EVER PRESENT
August 8, 2004
Last Sunday was the final worship service in the old sanctuary of our
church. I sat there and remembered the special people I loved who
used to be in that sanctuary. Many of them have gone on to their rewards,
but their memory remains sweet. Changes are ever present.
I looked at the spot on the front right pew where Uncle Oscar always
sat. After he passed away no one sat there for a long time. His memory
remains strong even today. Once I sat there after he passed away and
I felt his presence.
Walter and Hilda are gone. Helen is gone. Gladys is gone. And others
I loved are gone from the fellowship. Sweet memories of them flooded my
thoughts. Changes are ever present.
As I looked around I noticed how Gary's hair has turned gray. Bob has
gained some weight. A few more wrinkles are on Ronnie's face. Some have
lost weight; some gained weight; some going bald; some growing feeble.
Changes are ever present.
August 15, 2004
Today was the first worship service in our new sanctuary. It's beautiful,
but I missed the old sanctuary. It was smaller and the people were closer.
The new sanctuary is twice as large and the people seemed more scattered.
I guess I will get used to it, but today I felt like I had lost a dear friend,
although the old sanctuary is still there and still part of the church. Changes
are ever present.
Someday the younger ones will look around and remember me. Perhaps
they will have kind thoughts and nice words to say.
Changes are ever present. So, let us make the memories as special as
possible today, for the day is coming when that is all that will remain of us--
memories; changes are ever present.
The end
A CONVERSATION WITH GOD
The early morning sun peeked through the thick branches of the
trees that form a canopy over our deck. I sat in the wicker rocking
chair and looked at the beautiful picture before me: a line of lush trees
that bordered the branch, a crop of green corn stalks basking in the
sunshine, freshly cut grass on the lawn, a variety of birds flitting from
limb to limb in the trees overhead. The scene could not have been more
perfect.
"Thank you, Father, for giving me eyes to see the beauty you have
created. Thank you for the renewal of nature and the renewal of our
souls when we turn to You for the refreshing rain of your spirit."
"This morning is new," He spoke to my spirit, "with new opportunities
for you to serve me."
"Yes, I know. But I want to praise You some more. You have been
so merciful to me. Although my life may not be as I would have scripted it,
it's still a good life. Thank you for everything! I cannot begin to name all
the good things You have brought into my life."
"You're my child. I love you and desire to bless you."
"I know, but I'm not worthy."
"Yes you are! My Son made you worthy. You are my child. Don't you
understand what that means?"
"I think I do, but sometimes I just don't feel worthy to be called your
child."
"Stop talking about being worthy! Love isn't like that. I love you because
you are my child. Worthy has nothing to do with my love."
"Okay. I understand. It's like I love my daughter. She doesn't have to
be worthy--she is my child and that makes all the difference. I love her
no matter what she does or where she goes. And you love me no matter
what."
"Now you've got it!"
"But I don't serve You as much as I should."
"You're serving me right now. We're having this conversation because
you took time out to talk to me. You've touched my heart."
About that time a soft breeze gently touched my cheek. I
smiled, for I knew it was a kiss from my Heavenly Father!
MY DAD
He was witty. He knew how to make anyone smile. He gave love like
pieces of peppermint. He was a loyal friend. His word was as good as a
bank deposit slip. He saw the bright side of life and tried to help others
see it too.
My dad was respected in the community and in his church. He cared
for others--not just in words but in action. If a neighbor needed help, he
was there.
He could enter a room and instantly the whole room would light up a
little more. In a matter of seconds someone would be laughing or at least
smiling.
My dad loved to play pranks. He was also good at being the recipient
of pranks. "If you dish it out, be sure you can take it when it's dished back
to you," was his philosophy.
"Whatever you do in life, give it your best effort," he always said.
"Treat others the way you want to be treated."
"Always protect your reputation. If you should do something to mar
it, remember that you can start over and regain a good name again."
"Be pleasant. People will always be glad to see you coming if they
know you are going to bring them a little sunshine."
Although he didn't speak a lot of his deep faith in God, he lived it. He
showed his faith through example. He lived the commandments in the Bible.
His words were supported by his actions, and that's probably one of the most
important lessons I learned from him.
He taught me so many things that I have tried to incorporate into my
life. Is is any wonder I feel such pride when people say I am just like my dad?
I wish he were here for this Father's Day, but he went home to be with the
Lord almost nine years ago.
April, 2004
THE SOURCE OF LIFE
B. L. Whitworth
Excitement rose in my breast when I saw the first bud
bulging on my Irises planted last year. Every day I watched
as the bud swelled larger and larger. Any day I just knew I
would awaken to find a beautiful bloom. But that didn't
happen.
One morning I went out to check on my flowers and the
stalk containing the one large Iris bud was gone. I investigated
and discovered it lying among the green shoots of the barren
blades. A straight, precise cut severed the shoot from the plant--
its source of life.
Who would want to cut that stalk? It had to be an intentional
cut, since it was so straight and smooth. Surely an insect could
not do that. But, that wasn't important. The promise of a lovely
Iris would never become reality. That's what was important.
I placed the severed stalk on the table on the back deck. Every
time I went in and out I saw it, and I relived the moment of
discovering it destroyed.
One day something unusual caught my attention. A sliver of
purple peeked out of the bud. Although the stalk had been de-
tached from the source of life for several days, it was still trying
to survive!
Suddenly I realized that is the way we are when we are dis-
connected from our source of life--Jesus Christ! We may try to
survive--we may even try to bloom, but without that source of
life we are doomed just as that poor Iris was.
I watched as the Iris struggled to burst out of its prison, but
it lacked the strength. Sometimes we struggle with the troubles of
life. Sometimes we come close to blooming after we have broken
connection with our source of life, but without the power of the
Holy Spirit we can do nothing worthwhile.
Stay attached to your source of life, of strength, of power. If
you are faithful you will bloom, and your beauty will bring a
smile to the face of the Creator.
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