The Stone Snare. The Problem with Pain, Part 4

Today's Bible Verse: 2 Cor 7:10 Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets. (The Message)

It was just a simple stone. Nothing attractive about it. In fact, it wasn't even big. It barely measured 12" by 6". It was slanted on a fort-five degree angle, and it didn't even have an interesting colour or pattern. Who would have thought it would inflict so much pain on an innocent hiker?

We were climbing up one of the beautiful mountains at Pisgah Natural Forest in North Carolina when it happened. We were taking our time to enjoy the beauties of nature that confronted us at every turn of the trail, and we had about half a mile of trail to still cover before reaching the top. I had just stopped to admire a bright patch of gold off the distance. It turned out to be the sun glinting off of a field of golden grain. Absolutely breathtaking! What I wasn't paying attention to was my next step. As I shifted my weight to my right leg, my foot slid off of the rock it had been resting on, twisting my ankle about 90 degrees counter clockwise. The next minute I was sitting on the trail with pain shooting up my leg.

I guess that's what happens when you don't pay attention.

I gingerly assessed the damage, only to discover that I couldn't put any weight on my foot-just a little problem when you are over a mile from the car! My first thought was, "Oh no! My kids will be so disappointed! They really want to reach the top and I won't be able to go on!" I tested some weight on my foot again, but it was no use. The pain was too extreme.

What didn't help maters was that this was the foot I had burned so badly in the Bahamas, the one that had ended up with an ultra-big golf ball-sized blister! I had known then that the burn had been deep enough to injure my ankle muscles. Likely my ankle was still weak from this incident, and this had put me at higher risk of injury.

It's amazing how such a tiny detail can come back to haunt you!

I took my head in my hands and started praying, and as I did, strength filled my soul. With the help of my family I was able to stand up once again, and before I knew it, I could walk without pain. I was able to climb the rest of the mountain, unaided, AND I made it all the way back to the car, a total distance of over two miles on a sprained ankle. All I could say was, "Praise be to God!"

As it often happens, however, my family simply declared that I must not have sprained my ankle after all. They figured I just twisted it enough to have acute pain, but that I hadn't really injured it. After all, how could I have walked two miles on a sprained ankle? Once back in the car however, as we were driving back to town, sharp pain once again shot over my foot and up my leg, and when we stopped at a K-Mart to buy an ankle brace, I couldn't walk. I limped back into the hotel and dropped flat on my back in agony. By this time my ankle was swollen to twice its normal size. How was I ever going to be able to visit all the things on our agenda over the next few days???

I had made a big mistake for not watching out for hidden dangers. I made a poor choice that ended up getting me into trouble. However we have a merciful God who intervenes in our bad choices, and He is able to turn our errors into blessings. I mean, how could I have ever been able to walk on my injured foot for more than two miles without God's help? By divine intervention we were able to reach the top!

In life we often make poor choices, choices that hurt not only ourselves, but others as well. We have every reason to feel deflated and depressed, blaming ourselves for our mistakes. However we also need to remember that God is a specialist in turning disaster into blessing. If we remain on our high horses of complaints, if we wallow in our own self-pity, if we let our pain dictate reality, we will never notice the opportunities God has provided us with.

"Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets." (2 Cor 7:10 The Message)

Only One can sustain us in our pain, the One who suffered extreme suffering without ever giving up, all because He loves us!

"It's obvious, of course, that he didn't go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. That's why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins, he would have already experienced it all himself - all the pain, all the testing - and would be able to help where help was needed." (Heb 2:16-18 The Message)

Instead of cursing our mistakes, let us rejoice that we have a merciful God who can turn curses into blessings!

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matt 5:4 NIV)

How did I manage the next few days of mountain exploring with a sprained ankle, you ask? Stay tuned for the next devotional: (The Day After).

Rob Chaffart

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Determination

Today's Bible Verse: 1 Cor 14:12 Try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

"Every noble work is at first impossible" (Thomas Carlyle 1795–1881)

My ancestors, two generations back on my maternal side, hail from Scotland. Our family name was then Glendenning and there is still a small piece of southern Scotland that bears that clan name. Our family tree has been traced back to King Robert the Bruce and his claim to fame is immortalised in the story of the spider and the saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again.” That was in 1306. In 1314 he led the army that defeated the English at Bannockburn. One of my ancestors, Matthew Glendenning, was Bishop of Glasgow in 1408, but we can’t trace any other Glendenning descendant mounting the steps to a pulpit until I did so some 23 years ago.

I’m no warrior so if I have inherited anything from King Robert the Bruce it can only be determination; a refusal to give up; an urge to try, try, try again. People are divided into two categories when they are confronted with any demand, task or challenge. There are those who say, ‘It’s hopeless’, and there are those who say, ‘I’ll try’. David Livingstone once said "I will go anywhere—provided it be forward."

When we read the stories of the healing miracles of Jesus, again and again we see that it was the man or woman who was prepared to try who received the healing. There was the paralytic lowered into the room before Jesus through a hole in the roof (Mark 2:1-12); the man with the withered hand (Matthew 12:10-13); the man with leprosy (Mark 1:40-42) and many other miracles.

There are still many who doubt that the message of 1st Corinthians chapter 12 is for them. In this chapter we are told that we are all part of the body and each of us has God-given gifts by which we edify and evangelise. Yet how many will say, “I couldn’t do that” or “I haven’t the confidence” or “I wouldn’t know how.”

Many years ago a saleswoman dreamed of becoming the sales champion in her organisation. She vowed that within one year she would win the top sales award. And she did. When she was asked what she had learned about winning, she said, “Not much. I learned more about trying than I learned about winning. Trying gave me a renewed confidence to get off my backside and do something. I learned that there may be good reasons for not winning, but there are no good excuses for not trying.”

God wants us to try, to make an effort, so that others may be blessed by our example and our witness. The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in one’s determination.

Pastor Ron

Waiting? That's for the Poor! The Problem with Pain, Part 3

Today's Bible Verse: 2 Cor 10:3 The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way - never have and never will. (The Message)

It had been a long time since I last visited Florida. Everything had changed. Especially the prices to the amusement parks my kids wanted to explore! But what was most shocking to me was that if you paid an additional $35 per person at the amusement parks (and that is ON TOP of the staggering entrance fees!), you can obtain a "fast pass" - a pass which permits you to go right to the front of the lines. While the rest of us had to wait 90 minutes or more at a time, those having fast passes zoomed by, cutting in front of us, making our wait even longer. Interestingly, the faces of those who waited in line became more and more sour with each passing fast past customer!

"It's unfair!" I heard someone complain (was it coming from my own family?). "They tailor everything for the rich!"

But it seemed that those in the "slow" lines weren't the only ones complaining. I even heard someone with a fast pass complain: "Can you believe it? I had to wait 5 minutes to get on that ride! When I flashed my pass, they ignored me completely! This is a scandal! I'm going to complain!" She then entered her ride frowning. I wonder if she even enjoyed what she paid for!

It seems completely unfair, doesn't it? But in all reality, is life fair? I mean, why do some young healthy people die, while others who pollute their lungs with toxic waste live to a ripe old age? Does it make sense? Why are there some people who have more than enough to eat every day, while others die from hunger? How is it possible that my neighbour can afford a Porsche while I can only afford a seasoned "no name" vehicle? Why do some children have the privilege of attending school for free, while others have to pay?

No, life is NOT fair, but our complaining will not change things. In fact, it will turn us into lemon-faced sourdough with vinegar on top. Not too tasty, if you know what I mean!

James, the brother of Jesus has some golden advice to share with us about this: "Friends, don't complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner." (James 5:9)

Instead of complaining about the unfairness of life, let's rejoice that there is Someone who is always fair! Let's rejoice that that Someone wants to be our friend! "Let out the message - God Rules! He put the world on a firm foundation; He treats everyone fair and square." (Ps 96:10 The Message)

The one who accuses the Lord is the one who is unfair and he is a liar. In fact he is the cause of all unfairness in this world: "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lie." (John 8:44 NIV)

May we remember this while we are suffering. Let us throw away our complaining habits and replace them with thankfulness that God saw us as salvageable and sent His son into this world to die for an ungrateful race. But in so doing, He offers blessed eternity to any who believe.

"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" (Heb 12:2-3)

"Excuse-me, where can I get a fast pass?"

"Where are you heading?"

"Heaven!"

"You don't need one. Jesus paid the price for your direct access to Paradise!"

"Sweet!"

Rob Chaffart

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Rob Chaffart

White Butterfly

Today's Bible Verse: Josh 1:5 I will never leave you nor forsake you.

My husband and I were threading our way down the path from our trek up to the waterfall. Nothing around. No people, no birds, no animals... except for one very small chipmunk scurrying from rock to rock to avoid our big scary shoes coming toward him.

Then a tiny white butterfly appeared. It fluttered along in front of us all, as if leading the way. All the way down the trail to the bridge at the bottom. There, by the river's edge, it flew into the woods, only to reappear behind us when we moved on.

We weren't lost. But sometimes we don't have to be completely lost to need a little guidance and direction. Or even reassurance, comfort.

Ten thousand feet up in the Rocky Mountains, could a white butterfly be a reminder saying God will go ahead of us to lead the way? And that He will also come behind us?

God tells us in the Bible, "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Joshua 1, Deuteronomy 31, Hebrews 13)

It's a promise! That's good news.

Sally I. Kennedy, ©2008 sallyikennedy@bellsouth.net

Dreaming About Swimming in Aloe Vera. The Problem with Pain, Part 2

Today's Bible Verse: Isa 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

The day after our expedition to love Beach, Nassau, Bahamas (See Snorkelling in my Underwear? Disgusting!) I woke up with a very big surprise. I couldn't stand up without experiencing excruciating pain radiating up my legs from both of my feet and ankles! When I looked at them, I was in for a surprise. Where most of my leg was its normal colour, streaks of nasty-looking red, originating from my feet, extended up my ankles and into my calves: Sunburn!

But wait a minute! I took a brief moment to douse myself with sunscreen! How...

Obviously, my moment had been a bit too brief! Close inspection revealed that the natural colour of my legs reached down towards my ankles in finger-width stripes! In my haste to get out in the water with my snorkelling gear, I had forgotten to put sunscreen on my ankles and feet!

My left foot was far worse than the right. In fact, it had the audacity to develop a blister that would eventually grow into the size of an XX-oversized golf ball!

"Time to golf you guys!"

"Get away from my ankles!!! Ouch, Aie…"

The burn was far beyond surface deep. In fact, the muscles of my ankles themselves were burned. How did I know this? Because I experienced excruciating pain whenever I stopped moving. If I walked it out, the pain would eventually wear off until I stopped again, when my ankle muscles would lock up and send waves of deep, inner pain up my legs.

What should I do? Sitting down with my feet elevated would be the logical solution, but all though the idea seemed to have its merits at the time, I didn't come all the way to the Bahamas to sit in my hotel room! That would not only be very boring, but anti-social as well!

I prayed, and I felt the assurance that God would be my strength during this time of trial. After a good doze of vinegar and Aloe Vera, off we went to admire the beauty of this tropical delightful island.

God is sure a master painter! The world He has created is so gorgeous, even though it has fallen into the grip of sin. Whenever I wanted to stop and take a picture, however, sure enough, my ankle muscles would clamp up. I grinned through the pain, and praising God, I relied on the boost He gave me to enjoy my day. I couldn't stop dreaming about swimming in Aloe Vera, but my persistence paid off, and as a family, we were able to explore this part of the world that had been, before this, unknown to us. God was my strength during these days of trial!

That's when I realized that we should never ever give up, even when facing trials, even when enduring terrible pain. God has still some great beauty to show us and some terrific lessons to teach us. Even in pain we can truly continue to enjoy life. Although we might not enjoy it the way we used to, we will discover hidden beauty at a much deeper level, ever appreciating the fact that God will always be there for us.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isa 41:10 NIV)

"It's obvious, of course, that he didn't go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. That's why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins, he would have already experienced it all himself - all the pain, all the testing - and would be able to help where help was needed." (Heb 2:16-18 The Message)

Where is that pool of Aloe Vera? I sure would like to take a dip in it!

"Anyone who drinks the water I (Jesus) give will never thirst - not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life." (John 4:14 The Message)

Rob Chaffart

Dealing with Death

Today's Bible Verse: Job 38:17 Have the gates of death been shown to you? Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?

Years ago, I saw a person actually die. He was a stranger to me, but both he and his daughter taught me an important faith lesson.

It was the first time that I saw someone actually die and he was a stranger to me. I had just started as a part-time chaplain to a local hospital and received a call very early one Saturday morning.

“Can you come and help a patient’s family member?” a nurse asked. “She’s all on her own and has asked for a minister to be with her. Her dad is dying”

It took me about fifteen minutes to get ready. I was at the hospital within half an hour. A young woman was in a side room sitting next to her father’s bed. He was an old man that I had never seen in my life before. He looked tired and weary. She looked exhausted and frail.

“Thank you for coming, “she quietly said.” I just needed someone to be here. I didn’t want to do this on my own.”

We talked for a couple of minutes and I read some scripture. Time passed so slowly. Her father was breathing intermittently and the young woman clasped his hand. She told her dad that she loved him and once or twice she tenderly stroked his hair.

And then the moment came. His face slightly changed color and the breathing stopped. It was very peaceful. The young woman quietly sobbed. I read from Psalm 23 and said a soft, comforting prayer. She graciously thanked me for being there and then the nursing staff arrived to take care of the body. The young woman thanked me once more and allowed me to quietly leave. I never saw her again and to this day I do not know their names. But the woman and her father taught me a lesson: death does not need to be feared and dying can be very peaceful.

That’s why I’m still a minister today and it’s also why I preach the Good News. Jesus has defeated death and His great victory vanquishes all of our fears. Christ not only saw the gates of death; He took them apart forever. We may pass away but once on earth, but death no longer imprisons us, for Jesus has won our eternal freedom.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Savior of our souls and the Deliverer from death. You grant us an everlasting opportunity to be reunited with our loved ones in the holy realms of God. We can never repay the immortal debt that we owe to You, but we will praise Your Name forever. Amen.

John Stuart traqair@aol.com
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

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Snorkeling in my Underwear? Disgusting! The Problem with Pain, Part 1

Today's Bible Verse: Luke 19:26 That's what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.(The Message)

We had planned our trip to Love Beach, on the island of New Providence, Bahamas, to the minutest details.

We had discovered this tropical snorkelling haven online, and although it was way out of town, we had found a jitney that would take us there. This beach was supposedly only for locals, but we had read that well-behaved tourists would be welcomed. Since we intended to be well-behaved, we didn't count on any problems. And we didn't have any!

Except for that one... But it was just a little problem, right? Or maybe not so little, after all...

As I was unpacking my snorkelling gear at the beach, I discovered that I had forgotten a very important piece of swimming gear: My swimsuit! Oh no! What would I do? I couldn't go out in the ocean without this little item of clothing!

But what were my alternatives? Going back to then hotel would take me at least half a day, as jitneys only came out to this part of the island once every hour. Beachcombing would be fun at first, but after a couple of hours it would become boring. We had come here to snorkel, and that's what I had my mind set on doing! I wanted to explore this particular reef that I had read so much about!

Ever the practical one, my wife had a suggestion: "Why don't you swim in your underwear?"

"No way!" Was my immediate response. "That would be disgusting. And embarrassing, too!"

By she had that "look" on her face, the one that said, "You're being silly!" "Why?" She asked. "We're the only ones here!"

I looked around, and sure enough, the beautiful sands of this lovely beach were practically deserted. I did notice a pair of people snorkelling way out in the water, several hundred feet down the beach, and off to my left was an older man who was beachcombing. And of course, there were the construction workers on the hill behind us, but they were occupied with their work. What would it hurt? Nobody would see me anyway, and even if they did, wouldn't they think my colourful boxers looked like swimming trunks?

I quickly slapped on some suntan lotion (an action I would later regret!), and then I did the unthinkable . . . No way! Yes way! I did it! I went snorkelling in my boxer shorts! And the reward was unimaginable. Although small, the coral reef was alive with marine life. We were so mesmerized by the splendour that hours flew by before we noticed that we better get back to our hotel.

After a lengthy wait for a jitney, we finally found ourselves back in our hotel room. That's when I discovered that my right foot was badly sunburned. When I examined the left one, however, I found it to be so badly burned that, comparatively speaking, my right foot no longer looked burned at all!

But this is another story altogether!

This whole episode made me realize that in our daily living we are constantly faced with the choice of comfortably staying where we are, or taking a risk. Staying where we are assures that we avoid most adrenaline-filled episodes. But it also greets us with a boring perspective on life. Taking risks, on the other hand, makes us discover that life is worth living, and that beauty exists even in places of utter desolation. You might get burned at times, but the rewards are always greater than the risks!

Take, for example, that angry person that constantly taunts others. He's the one who is avoided by everyone. But have you ever tried to reach out to him? Did you know that his wife just left him for greener pastures? Did you know he is petrified by the idea of having to raise his two kids by himself? He is like a world that is yet to be discovered, and you would be amazed at the beauty that can result if you just reach out to him. And who knows? The rewards could reach eternity!

Jesus gave us a basic principle:

"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35 NIV)

"You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor." (James 3:18)

It is worth taking a risk for other people. If we just sit back and watch, all we get in life is a sore bottom, but beauty awaits us if we are just willing to take the risk.

"That's what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag." (Luke 19:26 The Message)

Can anyone bring me my pants? I don't dare get out of the water!

Rob Chaffart

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No one likes to endure pain, but with God's help even during these kinds of heavy trials, we can discover beauty!

The Hurricanes of My Heart

Today's Bible Verse: Psalm 46:2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea...

“Good morning everyone." Began the TV announcer. "Let me correct that. There is nothing "good" about this morning of September 26, 2004."

He was right. We encountered, once again, an unwelcome visit from another member of the destructive and malicious gang: Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. They engaged in a vicious game of outdoing each other in merciless destruction.

At first, the action outside was not much different than the usual storms in Florida. But we knew this was no ordinary storm. It was a preamble of a destructive hurricane named Charley.

“Let’s go in the laundry room,” my husband suggested with apparent composure. “It’s the safest place in the house.” My parents, my son, his girlfriend and I headed in that direction.

“Everyone grab a pillow and a blanket,” I said. I made a mental note of the supplies we would need: a flashlight, water and our cell phones. Grabbing the small transistor radio with fresh batteries, a bit of reassurance trickled in. Bodies tense, we huddled in our confined shelter.

As expected, the lights went out. The TV was silenced. In the dark, the rage of the hurricane became more audible. The wind howled and whistled as if to announce, “I’ve arrived.” Its ominous nature intensified our vulnerability.

Charley had a vicious and unique personality. It was capricious. First giving the impression it was headed in one direction and at the last minute changing directions, it had its own raging madness as it ripped through neighborhoods mercilessly.

“Shhh…!” I ordered. I turned the volume up of the radio I held on my lap, “Listen!” I added with urgency.

Our family huddled attempting to tune out the loud roaring outside. We hung on each word coming from the only device connecting us to the outside world. “It’s headed for Orlando; the winds here are unbelievable. With the last moments of daylight, we can see the roaring winds snapping trees in half like pretzel sticks. In other areas, it’s been reported that trees have been yanked with force, their roots entangled in blocks of cement tossed aside like toys.” Some static interrupted his description. Then he continued, gasping between words, “The huge glass windows of buildings nearby move in and out in a swaying motion attempting to resist the fierce wind, but with no success.”

More reports followed: “Now the road is in total darkness. Traffic lights are gone, with those remaining not working,” announced another brave reporter standing outside to give us the detailed recount of Charley's fury.

Without air-conditioning, our cozy area turned into a small oven. But safety tossed out comfort as Charley’s rage grew closer. The strong winds thrust sporadic bangs, rattling our garage door. The hurling debris against our front and back doors as well as those slamming against the large windows gave the same sensation of the tic…tic…tic of a bomb. We knew it would strike, but didn’t know exactly when, nor did we know which window would burst or what part of the roof would yank away first.

“What is that scraping?” I asked with curiosity.

“It’s my yogurt cup,” my mom said in her characteristic calmness. “It’s my bedtime snack,” she added with a matter-of-fact tone.

“How can she eat at a time like this?” I thought.

But then I remembered her words: “My hope is in the Lord. He will protect us. Do you think this hurricane is catching Him by surprise? He is always faithful.”

Charley’s furious winds struck with more intensity in some areas, yanking off roofs like box tops. The roaring winds hurled traffic lights, smashing them to the ground. Some fatalities were reported.

“The tracking shows Charley is now in Orlando’s downtown area,” the radio reporter announced.

We all went silent to make sure we heard the good news correctly and then it was confirmed. Charley had moved north; it finally passed us. And although fatigued with anxiety, we breathed a sigh of relief.

Each member of the family gasped nervously as they glanced at the destruction barely visible through the shadows of the night. But in contrast, a deep yawn slipped from my mom’s lips and she tossed her empty yogurt cup in the wastebasket. “There was no need to worry then; no need to worry now. God is in control. Good night everyone,” she announced with tenderness in her voice.

Her profound trust and hope impacted my heart and stirred a personal hurricane of awareness within me. I’d heard these words countless times, but perhaps never before understood their significance: "We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name." (Psalm 33:20-21)

My mom’s hope and trust in the Lord was contagious. I embraced it and during storms in my life, it became my generator providing the energy to keep moving forward.

When storms rattle the doors of our heart, His grace is still at work, His truth still prevails and His hand is active. And even when those emotional hurricanes file through, God’s protection silences the winds of fear.

“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea…” (Psalm 46:2)

Fear may divert faith, but faith always devours fear. Janet Eckles jeckles@cfl.rr.com

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Enjoy this wonderful fall. Take your time in getting to know how awesome our God really is!

In His love,

Rob Chaffart

The Real Me. Real Living, Conclusion

Today's Bible Verse: Col 3:11 From now on everyone is defined by Christ.

Since my early childhood I have had the nasty preoccupation with trying to please others. Not that this is a bad thing. It's only bad when the reactions of others become the basis of your self-esteem!

For example:

I try to encourage my students to enjoy math to the fullest. I have them cheer whenever math is announced, and I always try to exclaim math facts in an exciting and thrilling way. My method seemed to work at first. My students were in competition with one another to see who can cheer the loudest when I called math class. Wow! I felt good about myself! I was finally able to please my students!

I decided to share my math methodology with the world, and I began in the staff room. For some reason however, all of my colleagues seemed to shy away from me. More often than not, I would find myself alone at the table in the corner! Then one day one of my students made a solemn, horrifying declaration: "I hate math!"

That was it. My bubble was burst. My little world of living to please others with my math knowledge came crumbling down. I was a total failure!

But why had my students cheered whenever we had math? Had it all been a façade? Is it possible they had been trying to please me instead of the other way around?

I decided then to try to redeem myself as a teacher. I would please my students with my cartoon drawings on my white board. I began changing letters into people's faces, and sure enough my students were soon "oohing" and "aahing" at my illustrations. In fact, they asked for more and more of them, and they even begged me to draw their faces on the board! Once again I felt good about myself: I had finally found a way to please everyone!

When I shared these drawings with other significant people however, their comments went something like this: "What did you draw? Is it a cow? Maybe a piranha?"

My bubble was again burst. Once again my students were obviously just trying to please me instead of the other way around.

But I wasn't ready to give up, and I gave myself one last chance to please those students. One thing that has always brought a smile to any class I have taught is when I bring out my guitar and we sing songs in French. I enjoy singing, and since my students obviously liked my voice, I reasoned that others would as well! So I began using my booming baritone voice wherever I was. The shower room turned into a sound booth where I practiced my scales, public restrooms had just the perfect resonance to practice my vocal projection, and restaurants made excellent places to test the reaction of the general public to my singing. That's when I learned a devastating fact: My family was embarrassed by my singing! Every time I opened my mouth, three sets of fingers became firmly lodged in three pairs of ears, and my wife's face took on this look of total dismay!

My self-esteem might have been able to withstand even this, but it was blown to bits by the obvious looks of horror on the faces of my own two sons. With their eyes big and bulging they approached me cautiously and asked me, "What was that noise?"

"I am trying to please others by sharing my talents with the world!" I exclaimed with a big bright smile.

"What talents? And why in a public restroom? Don't you know how embarrassing this is?"

"But my students love it when I sing and …"

"Sorry to break it to you, papa, but you sound more like a cow than a baritone, and look and all those cumulus clouds that have rolled in since you started singing!"

That's when I began to realize that some of my hidden talents would be better off remaining hidden! I also learned that I can't please everyone, and maybe I shouldn't even try. In trying to please one, I make others feel uncomfortable. Figure that one out! But the worst thing was, my efforts to please everyone were changing me into someone I wasn't!

Real living is to enjoy who you really are and to stop trying to please others by changing yourself into something that you are not. We are NOT defined by what others think of us. How miserable we would end up feeling if we were! We are defined only by what God thinks of us. Nothing more, nothing less.

If only THAT would always be reflected in my action!

"They are no more defined by the world than I (Jesus) am defined by the world." (John 17:16 The Message)

"From now on everyone is defined by Christ." (Col 3:11)

"God's love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks. How exquisite your love, O God! How eager we are to run under your wings, To eat our fill at the banquet you spread as you fill our tankards with Eden spring water." (Ps 36:5-8 The Message)

I wonder if I should take up drama and dance? Who knows? Maybe I would end up being the new Fred Astair! (Isn't he the latest sensation? Or am I in the wrong century?)

Rob Chaffart

Announcements:

Would you like to please someone special? Please Jesus. You will never regret it!

The Search for Mission

Today's Bible Verse: Col 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men

Let me tell you my favorite story of one person's search for a mission, the story of Johnny the bagger. Johnny works at a grocery store. One day he went to a training event led by a speaker named Barbara Glanz. She was talking to three thousand frontline workers for a supermarket chain-truck drivers, cashiers, and stockers.

Barbara was speaking on how people can make a difference. She described how every interaction with another person is a chance to create a memory, to bless someone's life. She talked about how important it is to look for those moments. She placed on the walls, as she always does when she speaks, posters with inspiring sayings. She told some stories and then went home, but she left her phone number behind. She invited the people at the conference to give her a call if they wanted to talk more about something she said.

About a month later, Barbara received a call from one of the people at that session, a nineteen-year-old bagger named Johnny. Johnny proudly informed her that he had Down syndrome, and then he told her his story.

"Barbara, I liked what you talked about. But I didn't think I could do anything special for our customers. After all, I'm just a bagger." Then he had an idea: he decided that every night when he came home from work, he would find a "thought for the day" for his next shift. It would be something positive, some reminder of how good it was to be alive, or how much people matter, or how many gifts we are surrounded by. If he couldn't find one, he would make one up.

Every night his dad would help him enter the saying six times on a page on the computer; then Johnny would print fifty pages. He would rake out a pair of scissors and carefully cut three hundred copies and sign every one.

Johnny put the stack of pages next to him while he worked. Each time he finished bagging someone's groceries, he would put his saying on top of the last bag. Then he would stop what he was doing, look the person straight in the eye, and say, "I've put a great saying in your bag. I hope it helps you have a good day. Thanks for coming here."

A month later, the store manager called Barbara. "Barbara, you won't believe what's happened here. I was making my rounds, and when I got up to the cashiers, the line at Johnny's checkout was three times longer than anyone else's. It went all the way down the frozen food aisle."

The manager got on the loudspeaker to get more checkout lines open, but he couldn't get any of the customers to move. They said, "That's okay. We'll wait. We want to be in Johnny's line." One woman came up to him and grabbed his hand, saying, "I used to shop in your store once a week. Now I come in every time I go by-I want to get Johnny's thought for the day." Johnny is doing more than tilling bags with groceries; he is filling lives with hope.

There is a reason Johnny's lines are three times longer than anyone else's. Our souls need to be fed, just as our bodies do. Bodies are fed by protein and carbs; souls are fed by words.

What people need from us the most is not more information. They just need words that will feed their souls. Sometimes words as simple as "thank you" or "I hope you have a really good day" can feed a soul.

Of course, what makes the words on the paper mean so much is who they come from. Words alone can come from a fortune cookie.

When people get them from Johnny, they are reminded of the beauty of one person forgetting his own limitations and seeking to make his life a blessing to someone else. Whatever burdens Johnny carries make his gift that much brighter.

Know who the most important person in the store is? Johnny the bagger.

A few months later, the manager called Barbara once again to tell her Johnny was transforming the whole store. He told her that when the floral department had a broken flower or unused corsage, they used to throw it away. Now they go out in the aisles, find an elderly woman or a little girl, and pin it on her. The butchers started putting ribbons on the cuts of meat they wrap up for customers. The people who make their shopping carts are trying to make carts with wheels that actually work.

And ail the peoples of the grocery store will be blessed through Johnny. If it can happen in a grocery store, it can happen anywhere.

By the way, do you know who the most important person in your family, your neighborhood, and your workplace is? You.

You can be a Johnny the bagger. What Johnny does isn't slick, complicated, or calculated. He is just a bagger expressing his heart. You can help make that happen wherever you are.

Ortberg, John. When the Games is Over it all Goes Back in the Box. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007, p. 158-160.

Suffering Snare with Math Facts. Real Living, Part 12

Today's Bible Verse: James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Suffering Snare with Math Facts. Real Living, Part 12

I still can remember my Grade 1 teacher. Oh, I can't remember what he looked like, and likely he wouldn't look that way anymore, but I will never forget his name: Mr. Drypants. Or that would be the English translation of his Dutch name. Now that I am a teacher myself, I can only image what kind of torment he must have had to endure from his Grade 1 students because of his rather unusual name!

But his name isn't all that I clearly remember. His Grade 1 Math class will be forever engraved in my memory as well! Never will I forget having to painfully agonize over reciting all of my multiplication tables: "1 times 1 is 1…2 times 1 is 2…3 times 1 is 3…"

Pure torture! Why did school exist, anyway? Was it to remind us that there is a real hell out there? And to make matters worse, we had to repeat this lengthy process in Grades two and three as well. Twenty to thirty minutes a day, wasted in futility!

At least that's what I thought as I faced my torture sessions. In fact, I clearly recall thinking that it wouldn't have been possible for anyone to suffer more than we did during these hideous moments!

Now, years later, I am aghast at how kids don't know their math facts. Many of them still use their fingers to figure out some basic multiplication problems, even when they are thirteen years old! I guess there was some advantage to those torture sessions, after all! My Grade 1 classmates and I know the answer before we even have to think about it! All of that "drilling" paid off!

Suffering has a beauty in itself, no matter where it originates. Our perspective on it determines if we can appreciate it or not, and if we realize that it will always draw us closer to the Lover of our soul, we find ourselves rejoicing.

James has an interesting twist on the consideration of painful trials: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4 NIV)

Not only does James consider trials "pure joy", but he also refers to them as "the testing of you faith", even though you might not be in the middle of a witnessing session! Moreover he insists that those who persevere under heavy fire will be blessed indeed: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12 NIV)

I realize now that my perspective during those elementary school math trials was more than a bit too negative. Now that I recognize the benefit of those torture sessions, I can call myself blessed indeed! I can literally multiply my blessings! Can you?

Rob Chaffart

Announcements:

God is close to those who suffer. His love towards them is unending!

Painted with a Different Brush

Today's Bible Verse: Prov 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

One man who loved the color yellow had yellow carpet, yellow furniture, yellow drapes, yellow walls and even yellow appliances in his yellow kitchen. He slept in a yellow bed with yellow covers and wore yellow pajamas. He got sick. You guessed it ... yellow jaundice.

He called a doctor who came to his apartment building. The manager told him he'd have no trouble finding the right one. "You just go down the hall and come to a yellow door," he said. "That's the one."

In a few moments the doctor was back. The apartment manager asked, "Were you able to help him?"

The doctor replied, "Help him! I couldn't even FIND him!"

I suppose it's not always a good idea to blend too closely with your surroundings. And that holds true for the way we think and behave, too. We may not always want to be like everyone else around us. I admire those people willing to stand out from the crowd.

People like a Miami mother who came to police and spilled out cash and coins totaling $19.53. Her young son added another 85 cents to the little pile. It turns out that, after two days, they were the only people to return money scooped up from an armored truck that toppled on an overpass and rained more than half a million dollars onto the street below. Police said that witnesses reported seeing rush-hour commuters loading money into their cars and driving off while the armored truck employees lay bleeding. Police had pleaded with residents to return the money, but got nothing but laughter until a mother and a boy came in.

In a world that seemed to think alike, two people had a different idea. They refused to blend in with those around them. It was as if they were painted with a different brush. "I have children and I needed to set a good example," said the mother of six, who could have used a little extra cash to supplement her low retail store wage.

Most people talk about values and what they believe to be right and wrong. But I've noticed that our REAL values can be seen by the way we live. It is the things we do and the choices we make that show what we truly believe.

An 11-year-old boy who turned in 85 cents because he felt "it was wrong for me to keep anything" stood out from the crowd. And a mother who wanted to teach her children to do the right thing set an example they will never forget. Like Ruth E. Renkel says, "Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritances."

When this Miami mother one day passes away, she will leave her children a rich inheritance. Maybe not a pile of money, but she will leave them an example of a life of integrity and self respect, an example of what it is like to be painted with a different brush. She will leave them something far more important than wealth.

If her children inherit her values, anything else is just money.

Paint them fortunate.

Steve Goodier Life Support http://www.LifeSupportSystem.com

Announcements:

Answers2Prayer ministries is offering a series of non-denominational bible studies called "Getting to Know Him". These consist of three in-depths studies:

1. Can you believe the New Testament?

Discover how reliable the New Testament books are. The verdict will be yours to make!

2. Jesus, a Fraud, a Lunatic or the Messiah?

Who was Jesus Christ? Were His claims true? Was He really who He said he was? Is there anyway to verify who He truly was? Who do YOU think Jesus really was? Was He a liar, pretending to be someone that He truly was not? Was He a lunatic, truly believing He was someone that He was not and deserving to be locked up in an institute? Or was He the one He proclaimed Himself to be?

3. Basking in God's Unfailing Love, An Open Invitation to Experience God Personally

To a world gone mad, trying to get to know Jesus may seem foolish. However if you give Him a try, you will desire to get to know Him more and more at the deepest level possible. His relationship with you will be more precious compared to any other human relationships out there. Enjoy getting to know Him.

These Bible studies are available on the Net at http://answers2prayer.org/studies.html

Come and discover the wonderful purposes Jesus has for you. Enjoy!

In His love,

Rob Chaffart

Time Busters: Naked and Out of Control. Real Living, Part 11

Today's Bible Verse: John 16:33 I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace.

My oldest son and I had just been dropped at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park at Key Largo, Florida where we would spend the morning snorkelling off of the Florida Keys. My wife and my other son were on their way to swim with dolphins, about 10 km farther up the road, and I had left everything except my bathing suit, towel and snorkelling gear in the car. As a result, I had no wallet, no credit cards, no identity, no keys, no car, not even a single dime.

It didn't strike me as strange at first, but while we were waiting to check in, I was suddenly overcome with panic. I felt completely naked and totally out of control of my circumstances. I mean, what if my wife got in an accident? I wouldn't be able to help her. What if my son got hurt and had to be taken to the hospital? I wouldn't even be able to contact my wife. What if our boat sank? What if…

Wow. All of these "What ifs" now make me realize what a real moron I was! But at the time, as I was going through each of these scenarios, I became more and more tense and less and less sociable.

All of a sudden I came back to my senses and pushed these trivial concerns to the side. I realized, to my dismay, that I was taking the devil's bait and entering the dark side. Praise God that He sent His Spirit to help me realize what kind of danger I was in! Had I ignored Him, I would have been a basket case for the remainder of the day. I would have been useless to the Kingdom of God! I would have wasted my time as well as wasted the time of others!

We did eventually take the boat, and it took us miles off the coast. There we had the opportunity to snorkel to our hearts' content around a small coral reef filled with a multitude of beautiful fish. I befriended a particular school of fish. I called them "Zebra Fish", as they had lively bands of black and yellow all over their body. I would later learn that they were actually called Sergeant Majors, though they were quite different from the sergeant majors I know of! These colourful fish followed me around as if I was part of their school. This brightened my day, for who wouldn't be delighted by being followed around by sergeant majors!

Had I dwelled on the path of panic, I would have been a grump. I would have likely swallowed lots of sea water, gone back to the boat, and never had a chance to realize what beauty was all around me. We have a daily choice to make: Will we let our circumstances dominate us, or will we trust in the Lord? One will fill us with panic, the other with inner peace. One will make us useless, the other will help us see where God is giving us the opportunity to join Him at His work.

"Ì've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances." (Phil 4:11 The Message)

"I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace." (John 16:33)

"Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good." (Rom 12:21 The Message)

"But what about who will water my plants while I am away?"

Even with this, God can help you: "The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living." (Heb 11:1 The Message)

In whom will you put your trust?

Rob Chaffart

What Do Answers Look Like?

Today's Bible Verse: Philippians 4:19 You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. (MSG)

Every year, we stay with some of our grandchildren while the parents go on a vacation.

Last year, one little grandson prayed every night that a certain toy would be in the store. He longed for this toy; he dreamed about this toy; it was high on his "want" list. He had received permission from his parents, before they left, to buy it. Towards the end of the week, we went shopping, but the desired toy was not there. He kept praying, bless his little heart. The faith of a child!

1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Never stop praying. (GWT)

A couple of days later, we went to the store once again. He was anticipating seeing the toy and buying it with his own hard-earned money. How disappointed he was, when once again, it wasn't there!

That night, as I tucked him into bed, we talked about how he had prayed every night that the toy would be available, and yet, it wasn't there. It seemed that God hadn't answered his prayer.

With disappointment written all over his face that night, I asked our grandson if God had answered his prayer. He immediately said, "No!" I suggested to him that God did answer, but the answer wasn't "Yes"; it was "No", or possibly "No, wait a while". His face just lit up. I knew he understood.

What a valuable lesson this is to learn while we are young. Often, we expect God to grant us every request we send His way. And yet, He knows it might not be good for us, or the timing isn't quite right. We don't see anything beyond today, but God sees the whole picture, and isn't that a good thing?

Let's learn the lessons here. Let's pray without ceasing. Let's trust God with the answers He gives us. Let's trust that He knows what is best for us. Let's trust that God will give us all of our needs!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an impatient people we are! We want instant gratification in all areas of our lives. Forgive us when we don't trust You. Forgive us when we are angry that You haven't met our expectations. Forgive us for trying to put You in the box that we want You to fit in. Thank You for withholding the things that aren't for our good. Help us to trust You during those times. Amen.

Judy Miller gjmiller@telusplanet.net
Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada

Thanks to http://daily.presbycan.ca

Announcements:

One of the ministries connected with Answers2Prayer provides inspirational stories http://www.sermonillustrator.org. If you have written inspirational stories and would like to share them with others, please feel free to submit them to me. The writer of any story published on our site will receive proper credit. Please submit your story to: prayer@Answers2Prayer.org Thank you.

Should I Even Try the Main Island? Real Living, Part 10

Today's Bible Verse: 1 Cor 13:12 We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! (The Message)

New Providence Island and Paradise Island, both belonging to the Bahamas, are close enough to be connected by two huge bridges. This is where all similarity ends, however. In fact, the two islands couldn't be more different!

The final destination of most tourists is Paradise Island. And no wonder, with such an attractive name! In the past the island was known as Hog Island, due to the numerous 4-legged inhabitants that bear the name "hog". When the big enterprises began to move in and develop the island into a tourist area, the hogs found themselves unwanted and unloved.

The Island is currently graced with numerous luxurious hotels and resorts. It is also home to numerous luxurious and expensive homes, most worth several million dollars. The streets are ultra-clean and well maintained, and the native Bahamians are only there to serve the numerous tourists.

The primary resort on Paradise Island is Atlantis. Atlantis offers rooms for a wide range of prices, but the most expensive two rooms are $25,000 a night, with a minimum of 4 nights' stay. You can already guess where we DIDN'T stay! But amazingly enough, these two rooms are supposedly booked solid for the next two years! Atlantis also offers a casino, a water park with numerous slides through shark and stingray infested waters, and of course, the one attraction we had read so much about: A huge, interconnected aquarium, supposedly the largest indoor aquarium in the world.

Although we couldn't afford to stay at Atlantis, or anywhere else on the island for that matter, we did spend a day exploring its luxurious facilities. As we made our way through the Island, I couldn't help but think that this was the only picture of the Bahamas that most tourists ever saw. Would they be left thinking that the Bahamas are one huge amusement park? That they are the home of the rich and famous?

I wasn't left wondering for long. Many people staying on Paradise Island accompanied us on various boat tours to other islands, and we soon discovered that most of these did, indeed, have a skewed view of what the Bahamas are really like!

But how erroneously wrong they were! If they would have only taken the time to cross the bridge and visit the main island, New Providence, their viewpoint would have been dramatically changed! They would have realized that the Bahamas is much more than a fancy tourist trap. Instead, it is a place of utter beauty filled with wonderful people. They would have found the New Providence beaches intoxicating, its marine life titanic, its history exhilarating, and its local population fascinating. They would have also noticed that though most of the residents are not well off, they don't spend their days worrying about their poverty. They smile, they spend time with their families, they consider others to be as important as themselves, and they enjoy their simple lives to the fullest!

Similarly, we often have a distorted view of life itself. I used to think that life was all about me, myself and I, and anything that would satisfy my insatiable yearnings. It might have been exciting at times, but more often than not I felt depressed and empty inside. My constant cravings for something better left me more dead than alive. I would have been able to identify with the following text:

"As long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn't have to bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you're proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end." (Rom 6:20-21 The Message)

I was in a dead end, and worse still, I believed life was nothing more than a dead end with no turning around allowed. I was empty and had no way to find real fulfillment. Then I was introduced to someone who supposedly loved me so much that He willingly died so that not only I could obtain life and life in full. I was sceptical. Part of me didn't want to believe it. I convinced myself that anything that sounded too good must have some catches. Despite my scepticism however, I decided to try the One called Jesus, and my life was turned around 100% for the better.

He is who He claims He is, friends! He indeed loves you beyond anyone's imagination. He did fill me up with hope, with purpose, with unfathomable inner-peace. Gone are the empty days. Gone are the lustful desires. Gone are the depressive thoughts. I now feel more alive than ever before! Imagine, a fifty-year old slab feeling more alive than a twenty-year old daredevil!

My whole perspective has changed and now I understand. I have left the island supposedly called "Paradise" and have visited the main island of Truth. I have discovered the One who really is making a difference in my life, and thanks to Him, I have discovered real living!

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV)

What a contrast to my former life!

"This lover of emptiness, of nothing, is so out of touch with reality, so far gone, that he can't even look at what he's doing, can't even look at the no-god stick of wood in his hand and say, 'This is crazy.'" (Isa 44:20 The Message)

Should I go on that thrilling shark-infested waterslide, or should I go to the main island?

The choice is yours!

Rob Chaffart

All That You Have…

Today's Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 4:7 What makes you better than anyone else? What do you have that God has not given you? And if all you have is from God, why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own? (New Living Translation)

The squirrel continued to speedily devour the sunflower seeds despite the attack mounted against him by the half dozen or so blackbirds that had also come to feed that morning. They desperately wanted him to leave so they could have their turn on the 12x24-inch board onto which I’d poured about a quart of seeds.

Though the squirrel seemed oblivious to them, they launched an intensive offensive against him. Some positioned themselves a safe distance away at the opposite end of the board and shrieked at him. They also showed their aggression by pecking at him and extending their wings. Despite their best efforts, the squirrel paid them absolutely no attention. His little body did not stiffen even once during the encounter that lasted several minutes.

In desperation, some of the blackbirds flew around and landed on the deck rail behind the squirrel. They took turns sneaking over to the board and snitching one sunflower seed at a time. Yet, the squirrel paid no attention to them. He merely kept on munching. Some of the hungry blackbirds flew to the floor of the deck in order to retrieve a few of the fallen seeds. Finally, all the blackbirds gave up and flew away. The squirrel didn’t seem to notice that his attackers had gone.

Once the squirrel had eaten his fill, he scampered down the steps. His leaving served as a green light for the birds waiting in a nearby persimmon tree. Cardinals, doves, blue jays, and sparrows all wanted to feed at once since the squirrel’s presence had deterred them from feeding earlier.

I watched as the birds exhibited their customary pecking order. When certain birds arrived, all the others felt compelled to leave. After the birds of higher rank left, then those of lesser rank returned.

The scene was familiar to me since I see it enacted several times each day. As usual, I shook my head over their selfishness and their lack of ability to get along and to share with others, even with those of their own kind.

As I watched them fighting over the seeds my husband and I generously and faithfully provide for them, a Scripture passage came to my mind. I realized that the author of the words must have been as incredulous as I over manifestations of greed and selfishness—among people rather than birds.

Those who adhered more to the teachings of Apollos felt that they were in the superior group, while those who favored Paul felt that they had the better leader/teacher. Each group, both so recently rescued from paganism, felt they were more spiritual, more enlightened, than the members in the other group.

To address that issue, Paul penned penetrating questions applicable not only to that situation but also to the drama enacted daily on my deck, as well as to attitudes of people world-wide. “What makes you better than anyone else? What do you have that God has not given you? And if all you have is from God, why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own?” (1 Corinthians 4:7, New Living Translation).

Why, indeed? That question demands an answer from all people—and from the birds, as well.

©2008 by Johnnie Ann Gaskill jgaskill@charter.net

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Love Delusions: Erroneous Ivy. Real Living, Part 9

Today's Bible Verse: Ps 36:5-10 God's love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks. How exquisite your love, O God! How eager we are to run under your wings, to eat our fill at the banquet you spread as you fill our tankards with Eden spring water. You're a fountain of cascading light, and you open our eyes to light. Keep on loving your friends; do your work in welcoming hearts. (The Message)

At first it is so tiny and fragile, but once the ivy plant is planted in firm ground, it grows in leaps and bounds. It will do everything in its power to take over whatever it is planted beside, be it trees, power lines, or even buildings. In fact, in just a few years, that tiny ivy plant can completely overtake an entire house, covering it from bottom to top.

How do I know? Because this happened to us! It started out as a tiny plant, eight years, ago, and by this summer it had not only taken over all the walls of our home, but the roof as well!

I can just imagine what our neighbours must have said about our ivy-infested home: "But, where do you sleep?"

"Way up on the second floor, far away from commotion and noise."

"But... How do you get up there?"

"It's simple! We climb the ivy! Would you like to try?"

Although it was beautiful, we had to cut the ivy back. Now we can see our home once again and the neighbours realize that we do, indeed, live in a house.

We visited a place this summer, in the Appalachians of North Carolina, where there is no end to the ivy. It not only covers the houses, but the trees, the hills, the cliffs, the swing sets, even the lawns. It even climbs up the telephone poles and hangs from electrical wires. It is so beautiful to behold!

Why is it that ivy can overtake everything around it? Because it is tenacious and it never gives up! It is beautiful no matter what size it is. One can't help but wonder at its perseverance. It thrives! It THRives! IT THRIVES!

Love is very much like ivy, or at least it is if we let it grow the way God intended it to! At first it is frail and fragile, and one wonders if it will ever be reciprocated. Once it takes root however, it grows rapidly and vigorously, until it fills all the aspects of our lives. And when that love is rooted in the Love Giver, no one can stop it! It lasts to eternity! It thrives! It THRives! IT THRIVES!

"God's love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks. How exquisite your love, O God! How eager we are to run under your wings, to eat our fill at the banquet you spread as you fill our tankards with Eden spring water. You're a fountain of cascading light, and you open our eyes to light. Keep on loving your friends; do your work in welcoming hearts." (Ps 36:5-10 The Message)

Because sin has invaded our world, and with it selfishness and the desire to have more and more, love is often perceived as a possession rather than a gift from God. As a result, dissatisfaction and lust rule the heart. No wonder divorce rampages and so many innocent, illegitimate children are born and abandoned! Even less surprising is that hardly anyone finds true love anymore!

"As long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn't have to bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you're proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end." (Rom 6:20-21 The Message)

By the way, do you know what God thinks about divorce?

"'I hate divorce,' says the God of Israel. God-of-the-Angel-Armies says, 'I hate the violent dismembering of the "one flesh" of marriage. So watch yourselves. Don't let your guard down. Don't cheat.'" (Mal 2:16 The Message)

Do we want to enjoy real living? Let's stop ignoring God's directives for real love. Only by letting Him completely into our hearts will we discover the true Source of love and happiness. Stop looking for love in all the wrong places. Go to the Source and start living as sons and daughters of the King of kings.

"And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness." (Col 3:14-15 The Message)

"Excuse me. Is this the property for sale? I thought it included a home. Am I wrong?"

"You see all that ivy? That will be your home! It's cushy and comfortable and will keep you warm during the winter."

"Euh… That's not exactly what I'm looking for."

What are you honestly looking for in life?

Rob Chaffart

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How Come?

Today's Bible Verse: Eph 5:14-17 Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

How come we are so quick to forward emails defaming presidential candidates, but we are so indifferent towards the plight of the oppressed?

How come we cry "wolf" when confronted with homosexuality, but bury our heads when other parts of the world are facing ethnic cleansing?

How come we complain so much about gas prices, but ignore the fact that so many homeless live in the streets of our city?

How come we blow up when we don't receive a pay raise, but we forget about those who don't even have enough money for one meal a day?

How come we become outraged when taxes increase, but close our ears towards the cries of our persecuted brothers and sisters?

Have we forgotten our priorities?

Have we forgotten how Jesus urges us to love one another? (See John 13:34-35)

It is only by loving others that we will we be able to reach out to them. Indifference and selfishness close the doors of opportunity, while love, when propelled by God's Spirit, opens the gates of Heaven!

One man left His entire realm behind. He forsook His fortune. He relinquished His position. He said goodbye to His family and friends. He fixed His focus on the oppressed and the abandoned as well as the homeless and the widowed. "I have come to set you free" became his motto. "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19 NIV) Our salvation was at the core of His heart. Our eternity was His purpose. He died a cruel death to pay the price which would set us free, if only we accept His offer.

Have we forgotten to walk in His footsteps? Has His interest really become our main focus in life? Have we let His love truly invade our soul? Are we fighting for the plight of the underprivileged? Are we broadcasting the freedom obtained by our Lord and Master?

Or do we prefer to sit comfortably in front of our media centre, echoing the complaints of this world?

Is it possible that we may be serving a different master? Do we truthfully believe in the message of hope proclaimed in the gospel?

Let's not lose sight of who we are in Christ. Let's not lose sight of the One we are supposed to be following.

"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." (Eph 5:14-17 NIV)

Rob Chaffart