Month: April 2021

People like to be together.  We like to congregate.  We are a gregarious bunch.  There is comfort in being together.  There is excitement in being together.  We need each other – we learn from each other, we help each other.

In the book of Genesis, after God made Adam, He said that it was not good that man should be alone.  So He made Eve.  And Adam and Eve were together, and they were together with God.  This was the foundation of togetherness.

Then Adam and Eve started having children and they were together as a family.  Then their children had children who had children and so on, so the earth’s population exploded, but they still were together.  However, as the number of people multiplied, they became separate families.  This was the natural progression as they became further removed from the original family. 

Ancient societies were developed by families being together and then banding together with other families to form groups.  This was not only what they wanted to do; it was necessary for their survival.  People traveled in caravans, they lived together in walled cities, they worked together in the fields. They were together because everyone’s help was needed to get the work done; and because there was safety in numbers.   

This brings up an interesting point.  From the beginning, it was God’s design that people be together, and be together with Him.  But all along the way, there was also an opposing force endeavoring to separate people from each other and from God.  The serpent beguiled Eve and as a result, Adam and Eve’s relationship with God was broken.  Then their family relationship was decidedly harmed by their son killing his brother.  And that was just in the beginning.  Evil has always opposed the ways of God and is still at work today.   

Now, after that brief history lesson, we move on to talk about what I really want to discuss, which is being together with each other. 

Usually, we learn about being together in our families.  Families provide a loving environment and a nurturing haven for children to learn and grow.  There is comfort and security in the family setting.  Families take care of each other and protect one another.   Surrounded by this kind of family atmosphere, children can thrive.  Then, when they’re grown, they can do the same for their family. 

Families offer a cornucopia of opportunities for learning about being together.  Think about it.  Our parents show us about love, care and concern, and giving by their example.  Often, we first learn about sharing with our siblings. (that can be a tough one!)  We learn to be considerate of others, we learn to be dependable, we learn to trust and to be trustworthy, and much more.  Of course, all these things can be learned outside the family unit, but how much better it is to learn in an environment of love with people who genuinely care about your well-being!

The best part about families is that they are dynamic.  People are constantly learning and growing.  And families manage to adapt to the changes and remain together.  When parents learn new things, they teach their children.  And children teach their parents as well.  As time passes family relationships change.  Children grow up, move out, and start their own families.  But they are all still a family.

BUT, as I mentioned before, there is an opposing force that would like nothing better than to destroy the family unit.  Ever since the time of Adam and Eve, the family has been a target for destruction.  Because of that, many families are torn apart nowadays.  People fall prey to circumstances that cause broken homes, overwhelming life pressures, fighting and resentment, and more.  All of which muddy the comfortable and secure family environment.  Consequently, the togetherness of the family becomes damaged or non-existent.  The good news is that God had a plan for that eventuality.  He is able to bring people into our lives to fill the gap if the family is missing.  Friends, teachers, counselors, etc., can provide care and direction that otherwise might be absent.

Even when we have a great family, togetherness doesn’t stop there.  Think of all the people you know outside your family who have influenced your life.  Friends come to mind.  We meet people and tend to bond with those with whom we have common interests or similar ideals.  And they become our friends. Friends expose us to new perspectives, ideas, and experiences beyond our family circle.  They broaden our horizons.  Friendships can become as close as family and sometimes can help us in ways our family can’t.  And the great thing about friends is that we can have as many of them as we want.  My mom always said that if you want a friend, be a friend.  So if you want a lot of friends, be really friendly!  And don’t we just love to hang out with a bunch of our friends?  We love being together and it’s even more fun if we can throw some family in the mix! 

We can have a million friends, but there will always be those whose souls connect with ours.  Those are our best friends.  They are a valuable and beautiful find.  I am privileged to have a few of them in my life and each one has an incredibly special place in my heart.  I think of them as sisters.  I love them as much (almost) as my own sister.  And I cherish our times together.   

Of course there are many other people who affect our lives.  Life provides situations for us to be together with students, coworkers, neighbors, teammates and hobby enthusiasts to name a few.  In addition to that, all kinds of people can touch our lives, maybe by a simple smile in the grocery store.  People might stop to lend a hand; or brighten our day with a kind word.  These brief encounters can leave their marks on our memories.   And the one thing that all these examples have in common, is being together. People like to be together. 

But having a loving family, great friends and all those other people, was not God’s grand plan for being together.  He wanted even more for us.  His plan from the beginning of time, was for us to be together with Him in His family.  God provided a family for anyone (and everyone!) who believes.  He opened the doors wide to His living room and invited all of us in.  He provided a family to those whose didn’t have one.  He gave us brothers and sisters who were not only family, but also friends.  He gave us a group that is stronger than any opposition.  And He is our heavenly Father now and for all eternity.  Together forever!

So, although we are guaranteed to be together with God in His family forever, we still need human companionship now.  We need our physical families, our friends, acquaintances, and especially our family of God.  We need to see each other’s smile and feel each other’s touch.  We need to hear each other’s voice.  We need to be together. 

Together is the best place to be! 

Note to my readers:  In our fast-paced society that has no time to be together, stop and find a minute of togetherness, even if it’s just a smile in the grocery store. 

I have lots of stuff.  I have essential stuff.  I have special stuff. I have sentimental stuff.  I have inspirational stuff.  I like my stuff.  Does this sound like you?  Maybe, maybe not, but everyone has stuff – just in varying amounts, and in varying degrees of importance. 

George Carlin did a terrific routine about stuff.  (You can find it on YouTube if you’re interested.)  In that routine, he says that your house is just a place for your stuff.  I can relate.  When we moved about a year and a half ago, one of my considerations in looking for a new house was how it would accommodate my stuff.  I mean really, storage space a viable consideration in choosing a house, right?  Why?  Because of all our stuff!  In addition, moving meant that I had to make lots of choices about what stuff would move and what stuff wouldn’t; about what stuff I needed and what stuff could I live without.  When you think about it, the physical side of moving is all about your stuff.

Now, some stuff is essential in life, there is no way around it.  Even in the most austere living situations, stuff is needed for survival.  Stuff for protection (like clothing), for shelter, for food consumption are all necessary to live.  But most of us prefer to have a little more comfortable lifestyle than living in a survival hut in the Alaskan wilderness.  So we have incorporated non-essential stuff into our surroundings.  How much non-essential stuff we should have, then becomes the question.  And the answer is as individual as we are. 

I think there are 3 basic factors that determine the amount of stuff we collect – our environment, our lifestyle, and our personalities. 

Our environment.  This is the practical influence on accruing stuff.  Big house – more stuff.  Small house – less stuff.  Northern house – more coats.   Southern house – less coats.  Big family – LOTS of stuff.  Small family – not quite as much stuff.  Our environment logically governs the amount of stuff we have.

Add in our lifestyle.   Our lifestyle affects the amount of stuff we have and the kind of stuff we have.  Are you working every day?  You need to have the stuff necessary to do your job.  Are you raising a family?  That requires lots of stuff.  And our lifestyle not only includes the work side of life, but also our pastime.  Maybe you pursue a sport.  Then you need the specific stuff to do that sport.  Maybe camping is your pastime of choice.  Think of all the stuff you need for that!   Whatever recreation you choose, it usually requires some particular kind of stuff. 

Now, our personalities come into play.  This is probably the biggest contributing factor in determining how much and what kind of stuff we have.  Personalities can override the logic of environment and embellish the requirements of lifestyle.  That is not to say that our personalities aren’t logical or that we over-embellish.  It is just to say that our personalities are not limited by those things.

Different personalities make different choices and have different priorities.  As individuals, we have unique tastes, unique opinions, and unique lifestyles.  So even though we may logically choose an item, our personalities will decide its specifics.  For example, I like fresh ground pepper.  Logically then, I need a pepper grinder. My personality picked out a beautiful purple one.  I have seen pepper grinders in others’ kitchens, but not purple ones.  And I really like my purple one.  It looks really cool sitting next to the stove.  Plus, it was a gift.  So it is not only practical, but also special. 

Which brings me to another personality trait.  Some people are sentimental, some people are not so much.  There are also varying degrees of sentiment.  My mom saved every greeting card she ever received.  And I know others who throw cards away as soon as they are read.  I am somewhere between – I save some particularly special cards, and eventually throw others away.  Sentiment, however, is a big factor in the stuff I have.  Stuff that was a gift, stuff that was handed down from my parents or grandparents, stuff that brings back sweet memories, is all special stuff to me, and I enjoy surrounding myself with it.

In addition to being sentimental, I am also very visual.  So, I also like to see all my stuff.  My house is merely a canvas that I use to paint with all my favorite stuff.  And part of that stuff, is my inspirational stuff.  I have Bible verses and other inspirational sayings sprinkled around the house.  These edify me and remind me not to forget that God is always with me.  They encourage me through hard times and help me rejoice in good times. 

I can’t really talk about stuff without mentioning photographs.  Photos are my weakness when it comes to having too much stuff.  How could I get rid of pictures of my family or my dream vacation?  I can’t.  But I’ve learned that those pictures can be in albums and not hanging on the walls.  Although I do enjoy viewing a wall collage of photos, sitting down with a photo album offers pleasant relaxation.

Now, I know that not everyone is like me and having lots of stuff does not interest everyone.  And that is certainly okay.  Our home should reflect our personality.  And our stuff offers a good portrait of us. If you are a practical person, your home should be practical.  If you are an artistic person, your home should be artistic.  Whatever your forte, let it shine in your home in the way you want it to shine. 

Our homes are also our refuge.  We want to feel content and at ease when we are there.  Surround yourself with the stuff that blesses you in the amount that blesses you.  Make your home not only your refuge but also a welcoming solace to all who enter.  If you are blessed, others will be too.

Note to my readers:  Thanks for being you.  And enjoy your stuff! 

This week, I’d like to talk about family.  Family is an integral part of our lives.  It is a precious part of our lives.  It is an unavoidable part of our lives.  And we are all those things to our families as well.  Each member of each family fills a unique position and brings a unique flavor to that family.  And without each member, that family just wouldn’t be same. 

I think of family like this…

I have three families:  the family that raised me, the family that I raised, and my spiritual family.  Each one is vitally important in my life.  However, I know that not everyone has 3 families.  And that’s ok.  We actually only need one.  And no matter what our family situations are in the physical realm, it’s always available to be in God’s spiritual family (more on that later).  But if you do have two or three families, you have added blessings in your life – and added responsibilities. 

The family that raised me… 

We would not be the people we are today without the family that raised us.  Whether you had a wonderful up-bringing or a horrible one, it laid the foundation for who you are.  Think about it, in order to be here today, we must have been born.  And we must have been cared for and trained in some fashion or we wouldn’t be functioning adults.  Our parents did that for us because they loved us.  Maybe we don’t agree with everything they taught us or the way they raised us, but that doesn’t mean that they were bad parents.  Whether we like the way our parents raised us or not, they did at least one great thing for us – they taught us to think for ourselves. 

In addition, the family that raised us often included siblings.  Siblings are special individuals who hold a distinct place in our lives.  In our youth, they could be our opponents or our biggest supporters. They could be our nemeses or our rescuers.  But as adults, they are usually our trusted friends.  They can be our confidants and our secret-keepers.  We may have had friends in our lives that we have lost track of, but our siblings are seldom forgotten. 

I know that there are many different kinds of families and many kinds of family problems.  But all in all, no matter what our family situation was, it was a necessary part of our growing up.  And honestly, we must admit that our lives are full of memories, habits, traits, thoughts, and opinions that came from the family that raised us. 

The family that I raised…

As special as the family that raised me, is to me; the family that I raised is even more so.  Seeing the family from the parent’s perspective, changes everything.  It’s no longer about the care I receive, but about the care I give.  It’s no longer about whether I am loved or not, but about how much I love. 

Child-rearing is a parent’s most important responsibility.  It is a daunting task when you consider that you are leaving an imprint on a future adult.  But it is also the most gratifying adventure when you see your children flourishing.  As parents, we want the best for our families.  We are willing to make sacrifices to see our children succeed and our families prosper.  We appreciate the value of the family unit.  And if we are really fortunate, all our hard work will pay off with the ultimate prize – grandchildren!  (All of you grandparents know just what I mean!  😊)

I know that in the world, any number of things can prevent us from having a happy family life.  We’re all simply people subject to frailties and failures.  We make mistakes, we get hurt, we hurt one another, we give in to selfishness.  Any of these things can come between even the closest family members.  But when families work out their differences and stick together, there is strength.  Families support and protect each other. 

But even though families can fall apart, and for some they may never have been together; God has provided a family for all of us by calling us to salvation.

My spiritual family…

Anyone who gets born again becomes a son of God and therefore part of His family.  He is the loving Father, and we are His children.  When you think of the best family situation you can picture, God’s family is better.  God is LOVE.  His actions are always motivated by love.  He is the most loving, most kind, and most generous Father we can imagine.  And, like we carry the genes of our physical father, we carry the nature of our Heavenly Father as well.  So, not only are we loved, but we also can love without fear.  God is a perfect Father.  There is no frailty or failure in Him.  He will never leave.  He will never quit.  He will always protect us.  And if that isn’t enough – we also have a perfect big brother!  Christ Jesus who is sitting at God’s right hand, is always speaking to God on our behalf.  He is always, always our biggest supporter and our rescuer! 

In God’s family are many children, all of which, by definition, are our brothers and sisters.  If you were the only child in your physical family, you’re not anymore!  You now have more siblings that you can count!  And when we all are likeminded on the instructions that our Father has given us, we will be the happiest and most blessed family ever!  With God as our Father directing our steps, we will shine as lights in this world.    

So, whether you have 3 families, two, or just one – as long as one of them is God’s family; you will always have all that you could ever need.

Note to my readers:  I hope you have as much joy in your families as I have in mine.  God bless you!

This week, I thought that I would include another poem in my blog.  I wrote this a couple years ago, but it is very applicable to what I have been thinking much about lately. 

It seems like bad tidings have been engulfing us for more than a year.  We may feel like the world is topsy-turvy and ‘normal’ life is eluding us. We may have been affected by sickness, loss of income, or other anxieties.  We may be confused, angry, or even depressed by what we see around us.  We might be filled with worry or fear for our future.  All these concerns seem to be commonplace in many people’s lives today, and perhaps for good reasons.  But we cannot give-in to the negatives surrounding us.  We cannot allow ourselves to be dragged down by circumstances that are designed for that purpose.  We must fight for our peace of mind; and not give up on our positive expectations. 

The Daily Decision

 Every day we face a choice
 To be unhappy or to rejoice
 Every moment we must decide
 What thoughts stay out or dwell inside
 In our minds, the battles rage
 Will good or evil take center stage?
  
 Negatives thrive in the world today
 Always seeking a place to stay
 If in our minds, we let them come
 They’ll do their best to make us glum                  
 But when our minds, we closely guard
 Evil influences can be barred                               
  
 God’s Word comes as a brilliant light
 Piercing through the darkest night
 If to that Word, our minds will cling
 God’s truth will make our hearts to sing
 And when God’s Word is tightly held
 Our fears and worries will be dispelled.
  
 The choice is ours, our will is free
 It’s up to us which thoughts we keep
 Will God’s Word supremely reign?
 Or worldly hardships consume our brain?
 Determine now with God you’ll stay
 And hurl those worldly thoughts away 

God’s Word is the only thing I know that provides the knowledge necessary for us to live a more than abundant life.  We can be genuinely helped, healed, and delivered from anything that the world throws at us by seeking God’s answers and applying His solutions in our lives.  But in order to do this, we must not only put God’s Word into our minds, we must hold tightly to It. The Bible must be our only rule of faith and practice; and the benchmark to which all information is measured. 

Here is a simple illustration of how to utilize the Bible in your daily thinking.

Let’s say you need a job.  You go to the Bible and find a passage that addresses your need.  In this case, we’ll use:

3 John 2

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Read that verse.  Repeat it to yourself.  Memorize it, write it down, leave your Bible open to that chapter.  Do whatever it takes to get that information in your mind. 

Now, let’s say that you see the news and they announce that the unemployment rate is rising.  Rather than dwelling on that information, remind yourself of 3 John 2.  Maybe your neighbor tells you a story about someone not being able to find a job.  Immediately repeat your Bible verse in your mind.  You might even have a job interview and not get the job.  Rather than getting discouraged, remember that God said it is His wish for us to prosper and be in health. 

Have you ever dieted?  We do this same process in our minds when we diet.  For instance, when your tastebuds cry out for a donut but you’re avoiding sweets, don’t you have a wrestling match in your brain about eating the donut or not?  And isn’t it very satisfying when you beat the craving?  How much more satisfying it is when God’s Word beats the world’s negatives in our minds! 

The battle in our minds is a continual process.  The Bible calls it renewing your mind.  It is replacing the old dusty thoughts of the world with brand new shiny thoughts from God’s Word.  And it’s RE-newing because it isn’t a one-time deal.  It takes a concerted effort and repetition.  But the benefits far outweigh any effort that we exert!

So today, let your decisions be in favor of God’s Word and against the world’s negatives.  Seize the truth.  Claim the promises.  Refute the lies.  And live victoriously! 

Note to my readers:  I want you to know that I appreciate each and every one you.  Thank you for sticking with me.  I get super-blessed every week sharing my life with you and I hope you are as blessed as I am! 

In last week’s post, I talked about the sunrise.  Given the upcoming holiday, I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about the most important event in history, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

HE IS RISEN  are among the most significant words that were ever spoken.  They changed history forever.  These words paved the way for our salvation and sealed the devil’s fate forever.

The resurrection and ascension completed Jesus’ work on earth and made salvation possible to whomever desires to receive it.  The Bible says that when Jesus ascended into heaven, he sat down at the right hand of God.  Biblically, sitting is an indication of rest following the completion of work. (like God rested on the 7^th day in Genesis – the work was done).  Jesus Christ’s work to accomplish our salvation and everything that it entails was finished, so he sat. 

We can rejoice this Sunday (and every other day) because our Savior arose from the dead. He completed the work necessary for us to be born again with a more than abundant life now, and everlasting life to come.  We’re going to heaven and all hell can’t stop us, because HE IS RISEN! 

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Happy Resurrection Sunday!!

Note to my readers:  I am reminded of the song, Victory in Jesus, by Eugene M. Barlett