Growing Older

For the past few weeks I have had a lots of thoughts about this aging thing, these “golden years”.

I realize how fortunate I am to have lived a fairly healthy life up to this point. I feel guilty when I complain about the aches and pains of aging and admit, even to myself, that I really don’t have it so bad.

Yet, despite my gratitude for all my blessings, I do get impatient when I have to depend on others to do simple things that I have always done for myself. It often seems that they “will get to it” or it’s “just a minute, Grammie” and I find waiting patiently is just difficult.

Today I had to smile at the memory of my youngest grandchild’s frustration when he had to wait (not so patiently) for someone to read some directions for him. I still hear him say “I’ll be glad when I can read and don’t have to depend on you people”.

I smile at the circle of life.

Psalm 92:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

I smile when I remember childhood days of laughter and very little responsibility outside of homework and a few chores and being impatient to grow up.

I smile at the memory of a large and noisy family.

I smile when I remember being devastated by unrequited infatuation.

I smile when I remember the unbelievable joy of holding the child that I had been told could never be.

I smile at the picture of me surrounded by grandchildren.

Life has been good and fulfilling in so many ways. My life has had the resiliency of the palm to weather storms in bad times and the strength of the cedar when needed to comfort the ones I love; and I know that these gifts come from God.

I smile when I remember that I am just as much a child of God today as I was when I was indeed a child and that my Heavenly Father knows my heart just as much now as ever.

I smile because I know that He knows that in my heart I appreciate all that He is and has been and that His child, though far from perfect, is still a child who loves the Lord.

I know that these “golden years” will require lots of patience so I pray for ways to be of service because I know that giving of myself is the best way to get out of my own way and enjoy the wonderful life I have been given.

Psalm 92:13-15                                                                            ¹³ Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.  

¹⁴ They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

¹⁵ To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

I thank God for the gift of long life. I pray for opportunities to be a light to someone and to help others find joy in a relationship with Our Father. I thank the Holy Spirit for the gentle reprimand and reminder of all of my blessings and His continued love.

I pray that you find joy in all of the steps on the cycle of life.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!

Shall We Study Together?

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.                                                                                                                                           

Studying the Bible with friends requires some clarity of purpose and very good ground rules about purpose, roles, and acceptable behavior.                                                                                                            This is especially true when members of the group come from different backgrounds and levels of familiarity with the Word.

How do you keep everyone safe in the group? This is a BIG question, especially when members admit to being too intimidated to ask questions in more traditional groups or to having been made to feel foolish for not knowing answers to what some thought were simple questions.                           How to keep the focus on learning, not on “being right” or proving a point or argument for argument’s sake.

2 Timothy 2:23-25 (KJV)

²³ But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.                                   ²⁴ And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,           ²⁵ In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

Our purpose in evangelism is to lead people to Christ, to be the light that will shine in the darkness and glorify Our Father. This is a wonderful, yet frightening charge.

Matthew 28:19-20   (KJV)

¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:                                                                                                                                             ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

I thank God for the presence of the Holy Spirit, The Comforter, I thank God for good and patient teachers and mentors who encourage and support. I thank God for the comfort of prayer. I thank God that there are people who want to develop a closer relationship with Him and actually seek opportunities to learn His Word.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!

The Gift of Giving -3

There is a poem from an unknown author on my desk entitled “Attitudes”. It is a frequent reminder to me that I can decide how much and how I want to react to teaching,  slights and offenses, corrections and reprimands, and other dealings with my fellow man.

A lot goes into the formulation of our reactions:  who is speaking and how we feel about them, where the interaction occurs and who else is present, whether or not the subject falls within our comfort zone.

We must admit that is easier to accept a correction or suggestion in private than in front of another person or group and from a person we love and respect than from someone we are less fond of.

Now, what in the world does this have to do with the “Gift of Giving”?

2 Corinthians 9:7   (KJV)

⁷ Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Picture a family who routinely give without complaint or fanfare.

Compare this with a family who makes much ado about everything they do for anyone, including the church, or who complain bitterly about any request for giving whether or not they intend to participate in the giving.

Which of these families do you see encouraging “cheerful giving” to those whose lives they touch?

The Apostle, Paul, encourages us to avoid being a stumbling block to others. Our attitude and the expression of those attitudes can go a long way toward helping or hindering others in the joy of the “Gift of Giving.”

We can decide on our attitude. It might take a bit of work if we are burdened with a long held sense of right in some of our negative attitudes, but change can come.

Take joy in the fact that our own happiness is increased when we are a part of a cheerful experience.

Take a chance. Encourage yourself to be a cheerful giver and enjoy the “Gift of Giving”.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!

Prayer and thr Song of Ascents

Song of Ascents          

If you have a desire to strengthen your prayer life consider reading the 15 Psalms written by David, Solomon, and unknown writers that are known as the Song of Ascents

There are various theories about the origin and reason for these particular Psalms (Psalms 120-Psalms 134); but, regardless of the origin, they exemplify many of the reasons we come to God in prayer.

These Psalms acknowledge God as our Protector, our Comforter, our Source of Peace.

These Psalms let us know that it is not only “all right” to come to God with our petitions, it is encouraged by God Himself.

The Song of Ascents have the advantage of brevity, some are as short as three verses, and show that our hearts can be revealed without long oratory or complicated phrases.

If you have a desire to strengthen your prayer life consider reading, and perhaps studying, the Song of Ascents.  It is my prayer that you will develop a richer prayer life and closer relationship with Our Father.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!

The Gift of Giving - 2

Exodus 35:4-10  (KJV)

⁴ And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying,

⁵ Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass,

⁶ And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair,

⁷ And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood,

⁸ And oil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense,

⁹ And onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod, and for the breastplate.

¹⁰ And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the Lord hath commanded;

It is a wonderful experience being a part of cheerful giving on a large scale. There is something magical about working on a project when everyone involved is committed and excited about the work being done. 

These are the times when no one is concerned about 10 percent, or how much the person next to them is giving or doing. These are the times when the ability to contribute to the work is what brings the joy.
The ability to give is evidence of blessings already received. The ability to give shows that the giver has been provided for beyond his needs.
These people had been slaves and in the natural should have had nothing. Instead, they had been provided for in such a way that they had the opportunity to say "thank You" with open hearts and open hands.

Exodus 36:3-7 (KJV)

³ And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.

⁴ And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;

⁵ And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make.

⁶ And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.

⁷ For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.

What a blessing to the man of God to have such a response from the people. What a blessing to the people of God to be among those with a united purpose. I can only imagine the shouts of praise in this evidence of joyful giving.

2 Corinthians 9:7  (KJV)

⁷ Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

May you be blessed with opportunities to witness and be part of the Gift of cheerful Giving.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!

The Gift of Giving

2 Corinthians 8:1-3 (NKJV)

Excel in Giving

8 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:

² that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

 ³ For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,

There is a great deal of discussion about giving to churches, most of it negative. 

Many feel that the churches of today have lost their connection with God and, at best, are slot machines where you put your money in, pull the lever and God will shower you with blessings.

There are folks who cringe at the mention of tithing reminding us, correctly. that the New Testament does not mandate a certain percentage in giving and point to ministers with lavish lifestyles and “prosperity messages” as a reason for avoiding church at all cost.

I was once in this number, much more concerned with the behavior of a few high-profile ministers than I was with the state of my own soul.

Then I was led to a church that simply encouraged prayer, study and more prayer led by ministers who consistently gave more than they received and my whole life began a wonderful transition.

This week our Pastor shared the message of 2Corinthians 8: 1-9 which speaks not to the issue of tithing but to the joy of giving.

Over the next few days I hope to share some of the wonderful blessings revealed in the Gift of Giving.

Mark 12:41-44 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Widow’s Two Mites

⁴¹ Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.                                                             ⁴² Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.              ⁴³ So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;             ⁴⁴ for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

I always pictured this widow as a wizened old lady near the end of her life still struggling to participate in the obligations of her faith. All the artists renditions of this scene confirmed this. Then I saw a picture depicting a young woman with four children clinging to her putting in what she could not afford, and the Widow’s mite took on a whole new meaning.

2 Corinthians 8:2 (NKJV)

Excel in Giving

8 ² that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. (emphases added)

I truly believe that this widow experienced an abundance of joy in her giving beyond the limits of her poverty.

Thank you for joining me in this journey of discovery in the Gift of Giving.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!