Category Archives: Family, Friends & Fellowship

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July 13, 2015

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Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, Family, Friends & Fellowship, God's Grace & Love, Holy Spirit, Miracles, Prayer, Thanks & Praise

ANSWERED PRAYERS

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And in the same way—by our faith—the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words. [Romans 8:26 (TLB)]

Thank you, God, for answered prayers.

While it was obvious the relationship was in deep trouble, I knew neither how nor why it had happened nor what could to be done to remedy it. Realizing that this situation required divine intervention, I took it to God in prayer. As I poured out my distress, I was unable to articulate the problem or think of a solution. I just knew something was damaged that desperately needed to be fixed—how I didn’t know. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit put my lament into words as I dumped the frayed relationship in God’s lap, trusting Him to do the necessary mending. Recognizing that the situation was way beyond my job description, I stopped trying to repair what was torn or attempting to patch up what was tattered; that was clearly a task for God. While offering my wordless prayers and waiting patiently for His heavenly hand, I continued to love the person and did my best to keep the situation from further unraveling—the rest was up to Him. Praise the Lord, God came through! I don’t know how He did it, but He did!

Did the other person have a change of heart and attitude? Yes, indeed. What about me? Although I wasn’t aware of it, I think God may have made a few alterations on me, as well. All I know for certain is that prayers, even inarticulate wordless ones, can and do get answered.

We’re often perplexed about how and for what we should pray. It’s not always possible to voice our fears, sorrow, distress and longings. Thank you, God, for giving us the Holy Spirit who knows our hearts and makes our needs known to you. And, thank you, God, for answered prayers.

The best prayers have often more groans than words. [John Bunyan]

Prayer is not eloquence, but earnestness; not the definition of helplessness, but the feeling of it; not figures of speech, but earnestness of soul. [Hannah More]

But you, dear friends, must build up your lives ever more strongly upon the foundation of our holy faith, learning to pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit. [Jude 1:20 (TLB)]

 

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July 6, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Bible Stories, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Fear & Doubt, Love & Works, Obedience, Trusting God

THE BURNING BUSH

Now I am going to send you to Pharaoh, to demand that he let you lead my people out of Egypt. “But I’m not the person for a job like that!” Moses exclaimed. [Exodus 3:10-11 (TLB)]

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Flame Vine

Things were going well for Moses in Midian: he was happily married, with a family and tending his father-in-law’s sheep. Then God interrupted his comfortable life with a burning bush and a major task: free the Israelites. Moses reacted the way most of us would by questioning God. Who am I to do this? Who do I say sent me? What if they don’t believe me? He then told God he simply wasn’t up to the task. God, not one to be thwarted, responded to all off Moses’ concerns. He would be with him, provide the words, the proof, and even Aaron to do the talking. In short, God promised to provide and Moses obeyed.

God sends all of us burning bush moments that interrupt our comfortable lives. While not history-making assignments like freeing people from slavery, they are, nevertheless, important to the people involved. A few years ago I had a burning bush moment and, like Moses, I questioned God about my ability to respond.

My mother-in-law had suffered a mild heart attack and we were in a treatment room in the local ER. Resting comfortably, she’d been diagnosed and treatment had started. We were simply waiting with her for a hospital room to become available. Suddenly, a young man on a gurney was wheeled past our room. Surrounded by paramedics, an automated CPR machine was pumping on his chest. As doctors and nurses sped past, I said a quick prayer for him. Not much later, I saw a young woman being consoled by a nurse. There was no doubt in my mind that this woman had been married to the man brought in by the EMTs. Clearly, the outcome had not been good; while she’d started the day as a wife, she would be ending it as a widow. This tearful woman was being given papers, directions and some small solace before the nurse turned away. It was a busy night in the ER and other patients called. This was my burning bush moment. Alone in her grief, did she need someone to be with her?

Like Moses, I had questions and excuses. I’m not a grief counselor, what would I say? What if she rebuffed my offer? What if she’s not Christian? Would I have to drive her home? If so, how and when would I get back to the hospital? What if I got sucked into all sorts of family drama? Unlike Moses, however, I didn’t trust God’s provision. In fact, I didn’t even listen for His answers to my questions. While busy thinking about me and pondering various difficult scenarios in my mind, the opportunity passed. When next I looked, the woman was gone.

Unsure of what to do and hesitant to get involved, I should have prayed for God’s guidance. Instead of thinking of all the reasons I wasn’t qualified, I should have trusted His provision. I may have been told to mind my own business or been slightly inconvenienced. I’m a big girl and I could have handled that. Like Moses, I didn’t know what I’d say. It probably wasn’t relevant Bible verses, however, that this woman needed. She just needed God’s love and compassion and I have plenty of that. I could have offered a little help, prayers, sympathy and a shoulder on which she could cry.

Without a doubt, there will be other burning bush moments in my life. I pray that I will respond with an open and trusting heart the next time that happens. Keep your eyes open; there may be a burning bush in your path today. How will you respond?

Among the early difficulties of our early ministry, my brother Charles often said, “If the Lord would give me wings, I’d fly.” I used to answer, “If God bids me fly, I will trust Him for the wings.” [John Wesley]

Help me to do your will, for you are my God. Lead me in good paths, for your Spirit is good. [Psalm 143:10 (TLB)]

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June 30, 2015

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Bible Stories, Challenges & Difficulty, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Love & Works

JOB’S FRIENDS

In trouble like this I need loyal friends – whether I’ve forsaken God or not. But you, my friends, you deceive me like streams that go dry when no rain comes. [Job 6:14-15 (GNT)]

My closest friends look at me with disgust; those I loved most have turned against me. [Job 19:19 (GNT)]

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Job was enduring unbearable suffering; surely he could count on his friends for some support! His friends came to him but, instead of the compassion and encouragement that Job needed, they opened their mouths and began to criticize the poor man. They immediately assumed the worst of their friend. It was all Job’s fault; God was angry with him and punishing him for his sins! Surely, Job’s past behavior hadn’t given his friends reason to suspect him of sinfulness; in fact, Job is described as a “blameless” man—a man of “complete integrity.” His friends, however, were quick to believe the worst of him. They became accusers instead of comforters and judges instead of supportive friends. Granted, there are a few nuggets of Biblical truth hidden in their long accusing speeches but Job needed sympathy and reassurance rather than theological arguments.

Friends like Job’s aren’t the kind we need in a crisis. They are the people in the basements of our lives: the ones who jeer and yell catcalls. Instead of helping us up, they kick us when we’re down and may even delight in our failings. Nevertheless, we tend to keep basement friends around, probably because they often praise us when we don’t live up to our potential and offer encouragement when we’re on the wrong path. They frequently tempt us or distract us from God’s plan. They may be interesting and fun, but they’re of little use when trouble hits.

Job needed a cheering section, not a jeering section. He needed friends who would lift him when he was down and strengthen him in his weakness. We all need friends in the bleachers of our lives who will cheer for us. Good friends, however, do more than encourage us. While they see our potential for greatness and offer praise, they also tell us the truth. They can be trusted to give us an honest critique of our conduct. Tactfully (and with love), they will tell us when our behavior is inadequate or unacceptable and they’ll hold us accountable. Most important, unlike Job’s friends, good friends know how to sit silently with us in our sorrow, affliction and even shame. They’ll hold our hands, wipe our tears, and pray with and for us. A good friend will help us find strength in our weakness and hope in our despair.

Lord, guide us in our friendships. Lead us to befriend the people who will make us better and show us how to be the kind of friends who, in turn, will bring out the best in others.

When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares. [Henri Nouwen]

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. [Proverbs 18:24 (NLT)]

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June 22, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Holidays & Holy Days, Money & Wealth, Today: Make it Count, Wisdom & Guidance

GRANDPAS -Father’s Day 2015

If God doesn’t build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn’t guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap. It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves? [Psalm 127:1-2 (MSG)]

6-22-150402cropOld friends were in town and several couples had gotten together for dinner. The men (now all retired and grandpas) got to talking. Instead of talking about work, which is what they used to do, or sports, which they still do, they started talking about their various grandchildren. I loved hearing them go on about teething, toys, Disney movies and the various cute sayings and fantastic achievements of their beloved grands. In short, they sounded just like my women friends and I did some forty plus years ago when we spoke about our children. These men clearly loved the grandpa gig and they chatted about it with the same enthusiasm they used to save for their golf games and the play-offs.

This group of men is from a generation of fathers that weren’t very “hands-on” in the way of baby and child care when their children were young. Parental roles were more defined then: our husbands were the breadwinners and we women were the homemakers, in charge of the house and children. Don’t get me wrong! None of them were neglectful; they are men of faith and all were attentive and loving fathers. They were, however, extremely busy in furthering their careers and attaining financial security for their families. Good fathers all, they just weren’t as involved in the diapers, doctor’s appointments, feeding, classroom parties, lessons and homework as many of today’s dads are. Their own children had done all of the same things their grandchildren were doing, but this was the first time these olds guys were taking part in it. I’m glad they all have grandchildren so they can now experience some of the joy they missed the first time around. Grandchildren are, indeed, God’s reward for growing older (and for not killing one’s teenagers, but that’s another meditation!)

Everything turned out well for these men’s families; it didn’t for many. These men have been blessed with a second chance; not all will be. We need to make sure none of us get so busy building our houses that we neglect building a home for those in it. Unless God is part of the building and guarding of our home and family, we will have nothing. It’s fine to be ambitious, but not to the extent that our spirit, body or family is neglected. Financial security is meaningless if the home life suffers. What good are accomplishments, honors, wealth or fame if we lose our souls, physical health, or families? If we don’t trust our lives to God, we will be anxious and have no rest. If we trust him, he will surely provide and give us the rest and peace we so desire.

Children are, indeed, a gift from God. And grandchildren are the frosting on His cake!

Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you’re keeping them all in the air. But one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls – family, health, friends, integrity – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. And once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginnings of balance in your life. [From “Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas” by James Patterson]

Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep. [Psalm 127:3-5 (MSG)]

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June 20, 2015

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Family, Friends & Fellowship, God's Grace & Love, Holidays & Holy Days, Knowing Him

GOD THE FATHER – Father’s Day 2015

fdayhorzAnd I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. [2 Corinthians 6:18 (NLT)]

What are the qualities of the ideal father? I think he’d be loving and upright, wise and patient, gentle and kind. He’d be a comforter and good provider, a teacher and a helper. He’d be a firm but fair disciplinarian with a forgiving heart. The perfect father would be easy to approach and always ready with an encouraging word. He’d have a wonderful imagination, a great sense of humor and would always have a few surprises up his sleeve. He would protect his children and never abandon them. Some of us were blessed with fathers who had all or most of these qualities and others, unfortunately, had fathers who fell short in some (or many) of them. It’s comforting to know we all have a Father in Heaven who has every one of these good characteristics plus many more!

Thank you, Lord, for being the perfect father and for loving us, your imperfect children, as only a father can!

It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father. [Pope John XXIII]

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. [Romans 8:15-16 (NLT)]

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! [1 John 3:1a (NLT)]

 

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June 5, 2015

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Challenges & Difficulty, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Joy, Prayer, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Worry

IN THE DARKNESS

Be full of joy always because you belong to the Lord. Again I say, be full of joy! [Philippians 4:4 (NLV)]

Hear my prayer, O Lord! Let my cry for help come to You. Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble. Turn Your ear to me. Hurry to answer me in the day when I call. For my days go up in smoke. And my bones are burned as with fire. My heart is crushed and dried like grass. And I forget to eat my food. I am nothing but skin and bones because of my loud cries. I am like a pelican in the desert. I am like an owl of the waste places. I lie awake. And I feel like a bird alone on the roof. [Psalm 102:1-7 (NLV)]

moon-ACLwebI woke at 2:00 AM and limped to the bathroom for some Advil for my aching foot. Returning to bed, I knew my foot would feel better, if not that night then surely in the near future. God willing, I’ll be back to power walking within a few months. But, as I lay there, I wondered how many people were also awake and hurting that night, but hurting in a way that couldn’t be helped by a few ibuprofen. How many people see no end in sight for their pain and anguish?

Why such dark thoughts in the middle of the night? At Bible study earlier that evening, several people had asked for prayers for loved ones suffering from depression and, as often happens when serious depression is discussed, the topic of suicide also arose. While we’ve all been sad, depression is far more than just a bad case of the blues. Depression is when that sadness becomes so persistent that it interferes with everyday activities and adversely affects someone’s life. A complex illness, it has many contributing factors including grief, genetics, medications, illness, a history of being abused, and personal problems. I’ve watched family and friends suffer from serious depression and mental illness, some to the point of hospitalization, and I imagine they might describe it as a living hell.

Since we’re told to live lives of praise and joy, I don’t think God wants us to live a life of despair and agony. Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world and both mental and physical afflictions are part of it. We may not find the word “depression” in the Bible but anguish and despair can be found throughout its pages. I think Job was depressed and, at some time or another, so were David, Hannah, Jeremiah, and Elijah. Their depression didn’t mean they’d lost their faith any more than having cancer or diabetes means we’ve lost ours. Accepting Christ doesn’t mean we get a vaccination making us immune to any illness, least of all depression.

Lying in bed that night, I knew there is little any of us can do to alleviate the anguish of the mentally ill. We can, however, support Christian mental health services, be compassionate and supportive to both the ill and their families, and offer our heartfelt prayers.

Father in Heaven, I cannot begin to fathom the agony suffered by the mentally ill and the distress their illness brings to their loved ones. Protect them from the pitfalls, like addiction or homelessness, that so often accompany mental illness. Reassure them of your presence, lift their hearts, and guide them to healers so they can get the support and treatment they so desperately need. Give them the gift of hope and peace and restore them to health. Fill the hearts of their families with love, empathy, patience and understanding and help them to trust in your power and might.

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I plan what to do in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will those who hate me rise above me? … But I have trusted in Your loving-kindness. My heart will be full of joy because You will save me. I will sing to the Lord, because He has been good to me. [Psalm 13:1-2,5-6 (NLV)]