Monday Morning Memo: Dancing Dots

Several months ago, I was sitting with my four-year-old grandson and we were texting his aunt, my oldest daughter.  After we sent her a text, Elias got all excited and said, “Grandma!  Dancing dots…dancing dots!”  At first, I had no idea what in the world he was talking about, but then I looked at my phone’s screen and I suddenly realized what was causing his excitement.  While Erica was answering our text, there were three dots on my screen that were moving. That told us that she was currently in the process of writing her answer to our text.  

Elias was so thrilled because he knew that those dancing dots meant Aunt Erica was writing us back and he could hardly contain himself.  He knew something good was coming…he knew that his beloved aunt wanted to “talk” to him.

As we face the start of a new year, I’m guessing that some of you are excited because you can hardly wait to see what Jesus has in store for you in 2019.  At this point, you are just watching the “dancing dots”...knowing He has each 24 hours planned and will be in conversation with you each and every day.  You know He loves you and wants to have constant dialogue with you and you are just waiting with anticipation as to what Jesus will accomplish through you in the year ahead.

Then, I am also fairly confident that there are some of you who aren’t a bit excited about the coming year.  You aren’t even looking for the “dancing dots”…because you are convinced that Jesus wants nothing to do with you.  You’ve listened to Satan’s bullying as he’s told you that you aren’t worth conversing with our Heavenly Father.   He’s told you that your past is filled with actions and behaviors that Jesus would never forgive.  You are facing 2019 with no hope…no peace…no excitement…and definitely no dancing dots.

I want you to know that what Satan is filling your ears with, couldn’t be further from the truth.  Jesus loves you so much and wants to spend time with you every day.  He wants 2019 to be the best year of your life…filled with moments and events that will make you look more and more like Him.  He created you in His image and there isn’t anything you can do to stop Him from loving you.  You don’t have to clean up your act before He will love you…He loves you just the way you are…but loves you too much to allow you to wallow in your sin.  He is just waiting for you to realize your need for Him and ask Him to take control of your life.

Jesus wants us to wait with excitement as He unfolds His plans for us this coming year.  The question then becomes…are we anxiously watching and waiting for his “dancing dots”?  I am and I sure hope you are too!

Happy New Year! 

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)

Monday Morning Memo: It's Not About Me

“It’s not about you.”  If that statement sounds familiar, it probably means you have read Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life.  It is the very first sentence in chapter 1. He goes on to say, “The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness.  It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions.  If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.”

Warren’s words have been coming to mind often this past week as I’ve been trying to prepare my heart and mind for Christmas.  Unfortunately, of all the holidays that we celebrate, I’m guessing that Christmas is probably one of the hardest for many to realize that it’s not about us.  All we have to do is turn on the television, the radio, open up one of the zillions of ads that we are bombarded with and we are told over and over again what WE need. We need to buy this…we have to have that…we need to make sure and include this on our Christmas list.  We won’t be happy, and our life just won’t be complete unless the gifts under the tree are exactly what we want.

I can’t believe that this is what God had in mind when He sent his Son into the world on that night so long ago.  I can’t imagine that His plan was to have his Son born, so that once a year I can be selfish and hope I am showered with gifts.  If that is what His desire was, He wouldn’t have even had to have a baby be born.  He could have just started a tradition of a day that we celebrate called, “ME-DAY”. 

What would it be like if, several weeks before my birthday, my family would come to me and give me lists of what they want me to buy for them to celebrate the day I was born?   What if when my day arrives, they all run in and say, “What did you get me?  Where are my gifts?  What are we going to do to celebrate me?”  I’m guessing I just might be a little hurt.  I’m guessing I might feel somewhat neglected…somewhat disappointed in those who I thought loved me.

I wonder then how Jesus feels when we hand Him our lists of what we want.  When we hound him over and over again, telling Him what He needs to do for us and how He needs to bless us.  I wonder if He feels a little hurt.  I wonder if He feels a little neglected…maybe disappointed in us for saying that He means the world to us but showing something different with our actions.

I’ve come to the realization that Christmas is not about me.  Unfortunately, it’s not about you either.  It is all about Him.  The precious, tiny baby Jesus entered this world because of His great love for us. He entered this world so that He would grow up to become a very important part of history.  His story is one of truth, hope and love for you and for me. His life entered this world so that one day He could pay the price for the things we have done wrong.  His life brought us salvation and He was willing to sacrifice everything He had for you and for me.

Doesn’t it make sense then that Christmas, His birthday, should be all about Him?  I happen to think it does.  

As we celebrate Jesus’ birthday tomorrow, let’s make a point to ask Him what He wants from us. Let’s do everything we can to show Him, not just with our words but also with our actions, just how much we love Him. He should be the guest of honor of our celebration so let’s make sure He knows that it IS all about Him! 

“There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

                                                      Luke 2:8-12 The Message

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

Christ the Lord!

For He alone is worthy

For He alone is worthy

For He alone is worthy

Christ the Lord!

Monday Morning Memo: Ewwwwww

I’m sure you will be thrilled to know that I have a pet peeve to disclose with you today. You may share this irritation with me…but never thought it was something to write about.  Well, maybe it isn’t, but I’m going to do it anyway!

It seems like many hotels have something that looks like this photo.  I actually took this picture a couple weeks ago in one of the hotels we stayed in and I’ve seen this same thing many times before.  If I asked you what this was, I’m sure most of you would immediately say that it is a hook which is often seen in hotels on the back of the bathroom door.  I believe that the idea is that you can put your robe or towel on this hook so that they are in arm’s reach after your shower.

The idea is great…but the problem is that it doesn’t work.  This particular hook doesn’t hook!  The two “arms” that protrude aren’t shaped like a hook…they just basically stick straight out and don’t even do that very far.  So, when a person attempts to use this like it was meant to be used…whatever is hung usually ends up on the floor.  

Oh, it looks nice and it is recognizable as being a hook, but the bottom line is that it really isn’t what it appears to be.  You can clean it…shine it…put it at any height on the door or wall, but unless what you are hanging is rather sticky…it just can’t come through with doing the job it was designed to do.  As a result, I’m usually irritated when I go to reach for my towel and it is on the hotel bathroom floor…ewwwwww.

Don’t you just hate it when what you see isn’t what it appears to be?  Maybe a hook doesn’t upset you…but what about something that is a little more important.  What about that person you met that sure appeared to be a Christian? They cleaned up well, knew all the right words to say…but when their faith was put to the test…they pretty much fell to the floor.  You thought for sure they had a close relationship with Jesus, but you were grossed out when their walk didn’t match up with their talk.

First of all, none of us are perfect.  There isn’t a Christian alive that never messes up…never fails in their faith…never sins.  We are all human and unfortunately, we all have weaknesses that can disappoint others. So, does that mean we can just use that as our excuse and not care whether our walk matches our talk?

I don’t think so.  Even though we aren’t perfect, I still believe that our goal should be to make sure that when others get to know us, they see someone who is always striving to be a devoted follower of Christ.  If others see us living in a way that doesn’t line up with our Christian values, what good is our testimony?  Regrettably, if we aren’t what we appear to be, we will probably turn more people away from our Jesus than towards Him.  

Maybe this Christmas, the best gift we can give to those we meet is our “real” self…with all of our faults and failures…but with a sincere, genuine love for our Savior. Others really don’t need to see another phony representative of someone who just appears to be a Christian, but lives in such a way that is against His teachings.  Time is of the essence and eternity is on the horizon, so our walk needs to match our talk.  If it doesn’t, I’m guessing all others will say is…ewwwwww.  

 

“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. 

Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ 

is among you; if not, you have failed 

the test of genuine faith”.

2 Corinthians 13:5

Monday Morning Memo: Are We Willing?

Dan and I just returned from working at the Operation Christmas Child processing center in Boone, North Carolina.  This is a trip that we look forward to each year and it always seems like the hours just fly by and before we know it…we are heading back home.

But this year our trip was extended.  Instead of heading home, our group went to Charlotte, NC and had the privilege of spending time at the Billy Graham Library and then we worked for a day at the Operation Christmas Child processing center in Charlotte, which is three times the size of the Boone facility.

The time spent at the library was amazing. While I assumed ahead of time that I would enjoy it, I never dreamed it would leave such an impression on me. Billy Graham was such an incredible follower of Christ and had an impact on eternity like no other.  But as I walked through the rooms, I just kept having the same thought go through my mind, which was, He had an impact, because he was willing.  It wasn’t because he was an expert on the Bible; he said his wife was much more knowledgeable on the Scriptures.  He didn’t “inherit” a large congregation to speak to from his father; his dad was a dairy farmer.  The reason that God was able to use Billy Graham in such a powerful way to impact eternity was because he was willing.  He was willing to allow God to interrupt his life in whatever way He deemed best.

I believe this thought was first planted in my mind though, the day before we went to the library.  We were processing shoe boxes and we came across box after box that had the same contents.  In each one, there was, among other things, a handmade blanket and a doll.  Each box also had a letter in it, which explained who had sent these items.  The letter read:

I am 98 years old.  I love to use my hands to make blankets to keep children like you warm at night.  I hope that the blanket I am 

sending in this shoebox will make you feel comfortable and loved.  

I know that Jesus loves you and died to forgive your sins.  

I hope you will believe in him the way I do.

The letter also included a picture of the creator of the blanket…his address…and his email address in case the child would want to contact him.  Yes, you read that right.  The tailor of the blankets was a 98-year-old man.

I was so touched as I looked at the picture of this kind looking gentleman with a large stack of blankets he had made.  He created these beautiful covers to first meet the needs of children (to keep them warm), and then to make sure and tell them about his Jesus.  You see, just like Billy Graham, God is able to use this wonderful elderly man in a powerful way to impact eternity because he is willing.

It is mind-blowing to realize what God can do, if we are willing.  I can’t even begin to fathom what all could be accomplished for His glory, if you and I were willing to be interrupted in whatever way God deemed best.  Who knows…maybe He might allow us the privilege of impacting eternity like Billy Graham or this amazing 98-year-old man.  I’m asking God to give me the courage to be willing. Will you join me?

“So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.”

James 4:7-10 The Message

Monday Morning Memo: Just Too Busy

I shared with you a few weeks ago that I don’t have a specific decorating style in our home.  To add to that exciting information, decorating at holidays or at different seasons makes me feel a little ill.  It isn’t my gift, so as a result, I often just don’t do it.  I have friends who have the knack of beautifying their home every few months and I think that is wonderful…but it just isn’t happening at my house!

For Christmas this year, I made myself at least put up the tree and display my nativity sets.  I thoroughly enjoy everything once I have it all done…it’s just taking the time to do it because I can think of many other things that I would rather be doing than decorating.  Thankfully it is all complete now and I can just take in the beauty for the rest of the year.   

As I was looking at my tree a few days ago, I decided to research the origin of the Christmas tree (now see, that is much more fun than decorating!  I know I’m strange…so you don’t have to tell me that).  But I soon found out that there are many different theories as to how it began…some believing it began as a pagan tradition to others saying that Martin Luther was responsible for the origin of it.  Many different speculations…many different ideas…everyone believing their ideas are the “gospel” truth.

At that point, I decided that instead of adopting someone else’s thoughts on the Christmas tree…maybe I should come up with my own reason for it.  Maybe Jesus wants my Christmas tree to remind me of something every time I look at it. So that led me to checking out if and how trees were talked about in the Bible.

The word tree is listed quite often in Scripture, but when I read Matthew 12:33 I knew that was my answer.  “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good.  If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.” Hmmm…I wonder if others can identify me as a follower of Jesus by looking at the “fruit” I produce?

Our small group is studying Acts this year and we are only in the third chapter and I’m already getting my toes stepped on. In fact, they are feeling a little bruised.  Last week we looked at the lame man who was a beggar at the temple gate and was healed by Peter.  Through this story, I was challenged to really begin to look in the eyes of those with whom I come in contact.  Am I willing to really look at them…to show them that I care…to hurt with them, laugh with them and even cry with them?  Max Lucado said in his book Outlive Your Life: “Let’s be the people who stop at the gate.  Let’s look at the hurting until we hurt with them.  No hurrying past, turning away, or shifting of eyes. No pretending or glossing over.  Let’s look at the face until we see the person.”

If I’m honest, I don’t always want to look in the eyes of others.  I’ve been known to hurry past…turn away…hoping someone else will have the time to get involved since I’m just too busy.  Too busy to show someone that they are loved.  Too busy to find out others’ needs or hurts.  Too busy to let them see Jesus through me.  Too busy to produce good “fruit”.  Just too busy…

So, this year, I’ve decided that when I look at the beauty of my Christmas tree, I’m going to ask Jesus to work in me so that my “fruit” will show His beauty.  I want Him to slow me down so that I really begin to see the people He puts in my path. I want Him to work in me and through me so that others will see Him as a result of my “fruit”.  

I really don’t want others to think that I’m just too busy because I should never be too busy to be Jesus with skin on to those I meet.  May my life only produce fruit that is good…so that others will want to know Him because I took the time to know them.   

Monday Morning Memo: Out of Sorts

Thanksgiving 2018 is in the books and as a result…I’m tired. I had a great week which included cooking, cleaning, eating, laughing, playing with grandkids, more cooking, more eating…well you get the idea.  I loved every minute of it, but it does take a toll on me and as a result…I’m tired.  And if I had to guess…you just may be tired too.

We had some of our family in for dinner Saturday night and while I was getting things ready in the kitchen, my two-year-old grandson came in and he was out of sorts.  I wasn’t sure what triggered his sudden mood change, so I decided to take him by the hand and we went in to the living room where it was quiet.  I held him in my lap and we just started talking.  I asked him several times what was wrong, and he finally said he didn’t know…he just wanted me.  Melt. My. Heart.  So in the quiet room we just spent time together.   We didn’t do anything noteworthy; I just held him and we talked about his day.  After a while, whatever caused the meltdown was long forgotten…he was smiling again…I felt renewed strength…and he ran off to join the rest of the family in the other room.

As I relaxed in my recliner later that evening, I thought about those precious moments with Ezekiel.   That precocious little boy sure made my day by just wanting to spend some time with me. He didn’t have a long list of things he wanted from me…he was just happy to be with me.  I think he just needed to be taken out of the noise for a while to allow him to reset his emotions.

We are entering a time of year that can be crazy busy as Christmas is on the horizon.  I’m fairly confident that there will be times during these next weeks, when we will, once again, become weary.  Maybe at those times it would be beneficial to just spend time with our heavenly Father because I’m guessing He loves it when we want to sit quietly with Him. Time spent not telling Him our long list of requests, but just being content to be with Him.  

Let’s be mindful this Christmas season of the times when we need to remove ourselves from the “noise” of this world to reset our emotions as we spend time with our Jesus.  Maybe if we do that, we will have less times when we are out of sorts.  And maybe, just maybe, others will see more of Him in us as a result of our quiet time in His presence.

 “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

Psalm 91:1

Monday Morning Memo: The Lesson in Pie Crust

I love to try new recipes.  I find many of them on the Internet and I usually read many of the reviews before I try one.  It has never ceased to amaze me, how one recipe can raise so many different opinions from various cooks.  One person thinks the recipe is the best he or she has ever had…and the next person threw the entire concoction in the trash!  Just goes to show that we are all different with a variety of likes and dislikes.

Some of the recipes I have tried over the years, have received rave reviews from my husband.  Other recipes though, have made him make this declaration, “You don’t need to make this again.”  In other words, that is his way of saying that I can dispose of that recipe.  Oh well…you win some and you lose some!

There is one thing though that it doesn’t matter what recipe I try (and I have tried many of them) I just can’t make successfully. I’ve even tried recipes that have the words “No Fail” in the title…but I still manage to make it fail.  No matter what I do or how hard I try…I can’t make a pie crust to save my life.

Because of this, I bought my pie crusts for years and I’ve just always kept a supply of them on hand.  But when I ran out of them some time ago, I decided that surely after all these years, I could be successful in making my own.  So the search began, once again, for a recipe that I could master.  I wish I could tell you that I was finally victorious…but I wasn’t.  It didn’t matter what recipe I tried, even if it had great reviews, mine was awful.

Boy I was frustrated.  For pete’s sake…it’s not rocket science…it’s just a pie crust. Lots of my friends make great crust; why in the world can’t I?  I consider myself a fairly decent cook, so if I can follow lots of other recipes and they turn out fine, what is different with this?  What is wrong with me that is keeping me from making this simple crust?

I was whining about this to my husband, telling him how I felt like such a failure and he said, “Oh well…you are good at a lot of other things”.  Simple statement…powerful words.  At that moment I realized I was doing something that I have taught we should never do.  I was comparing a weakness of mine to other peoples' strengths…and I guarantee you that I will lose every time I do that.

Now I realize that a pie crust is a pretty minor thing in life, but I know I’ve done this comparison game before.  Why can’t I sing like she can?  Why don’t I have athletic ability like they have?  Why does my metabolism run like a turtle but hers seems to run like a cheetah?  Yep, I could go on and on.

I wonder how often I make Jesus sad because I wish I was someone else, instead of being thankful that I was created to be me. I was made, with my strengths and weaknesses, to bring glory to Him and that isn’t possible if I’m whining and complaining.  Yes, I have weaknesses that I can work on improving, but I think there are times when He wants us to use our weaknesses to help others.  Sometimes, people need to see our shortcomings, to realize that Jesus can use everyone to touch the lives of others.  Sometimes others need to see that we are human…definitely not perfect…and through our imperfections He can bring beauty.

I don’t know what your weaknesses are, but I hope you aren’t dwelling on them today wishing you were someone else.  You, my friend, were created in God’s image and He loves you just the way you are.  Can He help you improve in some areas?  Of course He can.  But He is much more interested in you having a willing spirit to be used for Him regardless of what you see as your imperfections.  

So, this is fair warning that if you eat a piece of pie made by me…it won’t include a crust made by me.   But, trust me on this, you should consider that a blessing!

“So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them.”

Genesis 1:27 

Monday Morning Memo: Time With Jesus

If you have been in my home, you may remember that I really don’t have a theme as far as my decorating.  I pretty much have things on the walls and sitting around that I like…regardless of whether they all flow together or not.  I’ve heard people say that their style of decorating is country, or modern, or eclectic, or traditional or mid-century modern…my style is just me!  I really don’t care if it is the latest fashion or not…I just want to feel comfortable with it and I want my home to feel comfortable to those who visit.

My decorating includes several scenery pictures on my wall that I really like, but there is one that has a very special meaning to us.  A dear friend of ours painted this picture that I’m sharing with you today.  While I’m sure we would love it if we just saw it in a store, it has a much deeper meaning to us because the artist is someone that we know.  We have spent time with him and we know him fairly well, so when he gave it to us it immediately became a prized possession of ours. 

The photographs I have in my home of my family also mean the world to me.  Looking at them brings me comfort, happiness and a feeling of contentment.  Why?  Because I know those in the photos really well and oh, I love them so.  I have spent hours and hours with them and have desired to know everything about them.  I could put pictures of your family throughout my house and while I would think they were really nice…I wouldn’t have the same feelings when I looked at them as I do with my own family.  I know my family intimately because I have spent lots of time with them and I am closely related to them.  If I ever feel distant from them, it is usually because I haven’t spent quality time with them recently. 

All of these pictures mean so much to me because I have a close relationship with those pictured and with the artist of the picture.  I was thinking about all of this as I cleaned our home this past weekend.  As I worked, I eyed my Bible and it got me thinking about the times when my Jesus feels distant to me.  Those times when I feel alone and I become discouraged.  Is that because He has left me, or is it maybe because I haven’t spent quality time with Him for a while?  Have I been reading His Word because I truly want to know Him intimately, or am I just skimming the words to be able to mark it off my to-do list? 

I am the daughter of the author of this precious book and so it should be my desire to know everything about Him.  I should know Him so well that I should feel comfortable in His presence as I share with Him and He shares with me.  Being with my Jesus should bring me comfort, happiness and a feeling of contentment; but none of that will happen unless I desire to know everything about Him and want to live my life according to His instructions.

When you enter my home, I’m guessing it won’t take you long to know how much I love my family because of everything I have displayed.  But since I know I must love my Jesus more, I’m realizing that you should notice something more.  My goal needs to be that above all, you sense my love for my Jesus.  I want you to sense that the Holy Spirit lives in me and through me.  If you don’t…then I have failed.

I have a long way to go to be the follower of Jesus that He wants me to be.  I know I need to spend more time in His Word…devouring His ways so that they become my ways.  Since He is my Father, I want to learn everything that He wants to teach me.  I’m definitely a work in progress and I hope you will keep me accountable to live according to His ways.  I think we all need to support each other and encourage each other on our journey because we are all in His family together.  And I just can’t help but think that maybe when we get to heaven and see the home that He has prepared for us…there just might be pictures of us displayed for all to see.  Why?  Because we are His children and oh, He loves us so!

“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.”

Colossians 1:9

Monday Morning Memo: The Winning Side

I am so thrilled that tomorrow is Election Day…not because I love elections, but because I am really tired of being bombarded with all of the political ads.  In case you haven’t noticed, just about every commercial is a candidate slam blasting his or her opponent.  I normally tune out most commercials, but there are so many of these negative ads that it is almost impossible to ignore them.  I’m guessing that is their plan…to make sure they can’t be ignored.

If you are also on any social media venue, I’m sure you have noticed that everyone seems to have an opinion to share on the election too.   I’m actually amazed at times of what some people post and the anger that seems to fuel them.  There isn’t anything wrong with voicing your thoughts on a candidate, but I am saddened with the way that some decide to use this opportunity to attack others.  We all have the right to our own opinions, but why is it so difficult to share them without assaulting others with our words?

Unfortunately, we seem to almost relish stepping all over others while we loudly tell others our political views.  Why is it then, when it comes to our religious beliefs, we are often silent and use the excuse that we don’t want to step on anyone’s toes? When we have the opportunity to speak up and share what Christ has done for us, we chicken out because we might be rejected or looked down on.  Instead of telling others, in love, that we have the answer to their searching, we just hope and pray that a minister comes along to tell them the Good News.

I have to wonder what would happen if we were as willing to share our faith as we are to share our politics.  Would it make a difference in eternity?  I have to believe that it would.  Time is of the essence and we need to be willing to speak boldly about our Jesus to a lost world.  Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, I’m sure you hope you are on the winning side. Well with Jesus, we can be confident that we are and always will be the winners! 

“Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.

Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.”

Psalm 96:3

Monday Morning Memo: Being Ready

Last Monday I shared with you about a dear friend of mine, 66 years old, who had lost her battle with cancer…but had gained her much deserved eternal reward.  Little did I know that several hours later, after I wrote those words, we would receive the shocking news that another friend of ours, Jill, only 61 years old, suddenly had a massive heart attack and was in the presence of Jesus. This dear woman had no prior heart problems or conditions that would have given any indication that there was a problem.

Thursday afternoon, I stood with Jill’s husband beside her casket and his words amazed me.  He said, “LuAnn, I’ve always wondered how I would react if something like this happened.  Would it shake my faith?  How would I feel?  I can say today that this has not shaken my faith one bit.  I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is in heaven with the Lord, and I’m so thankful that I have that assurance.  My faith will not waiver.”

That my friends, is what having faith in your heavenly Father is all about.  Is there sorrow?  Of course there is.  Will he, his family and friends miss her terribly?  Of course they will.  But, when tragedy strikes and things happen that make absolutely no sense, we know that we have a Rock to lean on…a Rock to trust…a Rock that will never let us down. 

Tears are falling as I write these words today, because I am SO thankful that a babe was born in Bethlehem, taking on human flesh so He could understand what I experience, was crucified on a cross for me and then rose again so that I can spend eternity with Him.  All of that just blows me away…that my Jesus loves me that much.

And do you know what?  Jesus did all of those things for YOU too.  He endured more pain and suffering than we can even imagine…and He did it for YOU.  What is even more incredible is that He did all of that knowing that you and I might reject Him.  He knew that we might think we can handle things on our own…that we don’t need a Savior…or that He would never want us because of our past.  He knew that we might think that we aren’t good enough…that we have to get our bad habits whipped first…that we somehow have to clean up our past before He would want a relationship with us.  Jesus knew all of that…but still loved us more than we can imagine.

Yes, He still loves you, even with your bad habits and past issues.  Jesus loves you today with a full understanding of your struggles because He’s been there.  You don’t have to clean up your act before you accept Him as your Lord and Savior. All you have to do is ask Him to forgive you, cleanse you and then He will walk with you every step of the way until you meet Him face to face in heaven for all eternity.

If you are reading this and you haven’t asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, I want to urge you to do so today.  Jesus is the reason I get up every morning, pen every devotional and urgently pray for those such as you who need to know that there is hope!  Accepting Him is not difficult; you can come to Him just as you are right now…today. All you have to do is say a prayer such as this:

“Dear Jesus, I believe that you died on the cross for my sins, were resurrected and that you are alive and well today.  I believe that you are the Son of God and that you deeply love me.  I confess that I am a sinner and I need you to forgive me and cleanse me from my sins.  I accept you as my Savior and want you to create a new and clean heart in me.  I now want to live every day for you and I know that I will have eternal life with you because of what you did on Calvary’s cross for me.  Thank you Jesus.  Amen.”

If you have prayed this prayer, I would love to know so that I can be praying for you as you begin your walk with our Jesus.  I’m confident that my friend Jill, had no idea that she would be taken from this earth at just 61 years old, but I’m so thankful that she was ready to meet her Jesus.  You and I are not promised tomorrow, so it is so important that we make sure we have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior today.  God loves you and so do I and I so want to spend eternity in heaven with you! 

 “For this is how God loved the world: 

He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16 

Monday Morning Memo: Who?

Four and a half years ago, I was sitting with my father-in-law, Carl, at his doctor’s office when we were given the unexpected news that he had leukemia.  In an instant, we were all thrown into an unknown world…the world of cancer.  Carl would only live another seven weeks, but during that time we had to have a crash course on this dreaded disease as we learned a whole new vocabulary.

A month after he passed away, my mother-in-law, Alberta, was told she had multiple myeloma.  Once again, we had to learn a whole new set of words and procedures. We are so blessed though that after these four years, she is doing well.  Currently we spend one day a month at the cancer center as she has an infusion to keep the cancer at bay.

We have had numerous blessings during this time and back on June 29^th, 2015, I shared with my readers about a friendship that had been formed between a woman and me at the oncology center (see http://luannfulton.com/blog/mmm-monday-morning-memo-62915).  Marty was also a patient there and was sitting across from us during one of our day-long infusions.

To say that the love of Jesus exuded from Marty would be an understatement.  When she smiled, her face just lit up and if anyone was having a bad day, she could change that fairly rapidly.  Marty loved people just like Jesus loves people…unconditionally.  Even though she was fighting cancer herself, she would often come in to the cancer center on days when she didn’t have a treatment scheduled, just to sit with someone who was alone.  She hated to see anyone having to face chemo without someone to talk to.  

Marty and I continued our friendship following that day.  We have emailed back and forth to keep up with what each of us are doing, and I have continued to see her at the cancer center.  Whenever I have seen her in person, she always has worn that big smile on her face and always wanted to know how I was doing…even though she was the one fighting for her life.

You can imagine my sorrow then, when I received an e-mail from Marty’s friend recently telling me that Marty’s fight was over.  She has no more need for chemo because her body is now completely healed.  She is receiving her eternal reward, which she so deserved.  I just can’t imagine how big of a smile her Jesus had when He said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Since hearing of Marty’s passing, I’ve just kept wondering, Who will take her place? Who is willing to pick up where Marty left off and continue spreading the love of Jesus to those they meet?  Marty is leaving a huge hole for the rest of us to fill and there are so many people who still need to feel Jesus’ unconditional love.  Will they see it in action through us or are we too busy? Does our own pain and suffering take precedence in our day, or are we willing to reach out to others to lighten their pain?

Who will take her place?  If I’m honest, it’s so much easier for me to hope and pray that you take her place so I don’t have to…but I’m wondering if maybe both of us should step up to the plate and try to fill Marty’s shoes.  Trust me, I think it will take a group of us to accomplish what this powerhouse, Spirit-filled woman did on her own.  But we need to try…because people’s eternal destination is on the line.

“Your love for one another will prove to the world

that you are my disciples.”

John 13:35

Monday Morning Memo: Selective Hearing

A mother shared with me recently her frustration with her children not listening when they are told to do something.  She said that she and her husband usually have to repeat themselves over and over again before their children do what they are told to do.  She thought it would get better as her children grew older, but that hasn’t been the case.

Her dilemma brought back memories of when our three children were at home and I doubt there is a parent that couldn’t relate to this problem.  Unfortunately, children tend to have selective hearing skills and often only hear what they want to hear.  One way to see if your child has chosen to have selective hearing skills is to say to them, “Hey, who wants ice cream?”  If they immediately say, “I DO!” you can be pretty sure that they are probably making the choice not to hear you when you tell them to do something!  Very few children have to be asked over and over again if they want something that is a delectable delight or is a fun adventure.

We came to the realization with our children that they usually did hear us the first time and so we decided that there would be a consequence if they didn’t obey the first time.  We had to figure out what the one thing was that each child really didn’t want to lose and then if they chose not to obey, that one privilege was taken away.  For example, if one of our children loved electronics and made the decision not to obey us, those electronics were taken away from them for an undisclosed length of time.

The reason we didn’t tell them how long they would be without their “privilege” was because we realized that if we told them a week, that child would behave beautifully for a week until they got their privilege returned to them and then their bad habit would return.  So, we told them that when we saw a consistent change in their behavior, they would regain their privilege.  I can remember being asked, “How much longer?” several times because it really was hard on them to not know when their privilege would be returned.

Do you know what?  All three of our children survived and soon learned to listen the first time they were told to do something.  We didn’t even have to count…which is a huge pet peeve of mine. I will probably get flack for this, but it really bothers me when I hear a parent tell their child to do something and when they choose not to listen, the adult starts counting. “One…two…three…four…five…and I’ve heard some go up as far as ten and many times nothing happens at that point. The adult stops counting and the child still chooses not to listen.  Why? Because that little darling is smarter than you think and they know that you will tire of counting!  

Parenting is hard…really hard…and you will face many challenges along the way.  I know that it isn’t always easy being the “bad guy” to your children because we all want our children to think we are the greatest and be our friend.  But we need to remember that children are actually happier when they have boundaries and limits and that one of our jobs as a parent is to make sure they learn to respect and honor those who have authority over them.

Ephesians 6:2-3 tells us, “Honor your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise– “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”  Most children are not going to automatically learn to honor their parents and those in authority without our guidance.  We must be consistent and loving in our discipline because we know that this is what God wants for them.  Learning this will become a life skill that will go with them the rest of their lives.  If we can keep that in mind now when they are young, there is a higher probability that as adults they will have a positive influence on our world in the years to come.  And that will make these trying days oh so worth it!