IF ONLY............

Have you ever indulged in the mind game, “If Only?” Most of us have at one time or another. Usually we’ve experienced a bad situation and a little depression has set in. Don’t be fooled, this game will not help! Your “pity party” will continue until you stop the game or do something that fulfills the fantasy of “If Only.”

It started in the garden! I’m not sure of the year since we are not told how long it took Eve’s dissatisfaction to bring her to the point of standing in front of the forbidden. Sometimes we imagine that Eve was strolling through the garden, happened to pass by the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil when Satan began talking to her. Then on a whim, Eve reached out grabbed an apple and took a bite, shared it with her husband and brought sin on the world. I believe it was more of a process. The Bible doesn’t tell us how many times Satan confronted her before she began to entertain the thought, “If Only!”

Satan’s tactics have not changed since Adam and Eve’s exodus from the garden, so I think this might be a more accurate scenario. One beautiful day Eve was enjoying a moment of solitude, which should have been easy since she only had Adam to think of, but it seems a “woman’s work is never done!” She should really gather fresh boughs for their bed, but maybe it would be ok for one night, fortunately, there was no laundry to finish. Soon it would be suppertime and she hadn’t picked out anything for the meal. Would Adam be happy with fruit salad again or should they start with a wonderful vegetable soup? If only she had some new recipes. Satan began to whisper and Eve began to wonder…If Only!!! Genesis 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. And the SIN OF DISSATISFACTION came into the world.

What is the “If Only” that Satan has been whispering in your ear? It may be, If only I had…, If only I had not…., If only that was mine… Your “If only” may be a different spouse, another career, the house down the street, your bosses automobile, Bill Gate’s money, a model’s body or another Christian’s gifts. We all have different “If Only’s” we desire. James 1:14 says, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” How do we combat this trick of Satan? Is there a way to avoid reaching for the fruit?

The antidote to the “If Only Syndrome” is a huge dose of “Thankfulness.” When Satan whispers, “If only you had not married him,” think of 10 reasons you are thankful he is your husband. Perhaps you think, “If only I had her money, home, figure, fashion sense or personality.” Make a list of all the things that God has provided in your life; include your healthy body and the fact that God created you with a personality to be used for His purpose. The” Blessing” side of your list will soon overshadow the “If only” column. If only Eve had rebutted Satan with a list of blessings, thanking God for the beautiful home he had provided, delicious fresh food for every meal, a loving, hard working companion and faithful furry friends, always at her side “If Only” must be stopped before it is conceived. If it is allowed to give birth to the “Sin of Dissatisfaction,” “If Only” will destroy you.

THE DOOR WAS OPEN BUT YOU DIDN’T RESPOND!!!

Last Saturday was one of those rare Michigan November days. The temperature hit the mid-sixties, t-shirts were the clothing of choice and although screens have been traded for glass, I just had to leave the door wide open to enjoy the sun. A friend dropped by and we were sitting in the kitchen catching up on all the exciting news of both families. It had the makings of a great day! Directly across the street, however, the picture book day had turned into a nightmare.

Anna (name changed) had gotten out of bed, lingered over a cup of coffee and then stepped in the shower later than usual. Her husband who has been on oxygen for the past several years was in the other bathroom. When Anna finally finished getting dressed, she noticed that her husband still had not come out of the bathroom. She knocked and asked, “Are you ok in there?” When there was no answer, she opened the door and realized she needed help. She called 911 and ran out to the driveway, screaming, “Help, please somebody, Help!” No one heard, no one responded, no one came!

Steve and his friend came back after moving a refrigerator and mentioned that there was an ambulance and 2 police cars across the street. Feeling I would be in the way by going over, I watched from a window as the ambulance left; empty. Eventually a black Cadillac backed up to the garage. Soon the driveway was full of cars and I felt uncomfortable intruding. On Sunday, I had my two grandsons all day and I was too busy to see if I could be of assistance. Finally on Monday, I felt a real urging from the Holy Ghost to at least go over and offer my condolences. At noon, I left Steve with the two babies and walked the few steps across the street to knock on the door. I held Anna as she broke down and sobbed. Her words smote my heart, “I screamed for help and nobody came; I screamed for help and your door was open but you didn’t respond!” I explained that I was in the back, that I was so sorry and wish I had heard, but the fact is my door was open and I didn’t respond. This week, I have tried to be there for Anna and her family. I cooked dinner for them on Tuesday and spent the day Wednesday at her home setting up all the food for the funeral, keeping things replenished and cleaning up after. They have been very grateful but the fact remains, I was so preoccupied that although my door was open, I didn’t hear her cry for help.

Several years ago, we moved into a house by a railroad track. For the first few nights it was very difficult to sleep. I heard the whistle of the train at 11:00 p.m., 2:00 a.m. and again at 6:00 a.m. After about a week, the whistle didn’t even register and I was able to sleep straight through the night without being disturbed. How many times have I been so caught up with the “important” things in my life that, like the familiar whistle of the train, my mind fails to register a plea for help? I pray to be more “Spiritually Sensitive,” yet I fear that I have become so desensitized to the cries of hurting people that the sounds just become part of the background noise of life. The doorway of truth is wide open, yet I am so distracted that the desperate cries of my friends and neighbors stumbling in darkness never reach my ears. Dear God, give me a greater awareness and sensitivity to the distress signals of the hurting souls in my world. I never again want to hear the words, “I screamed for help, your door was open, but you didn’t respond.”

THAT'S NOT THE GOD I WANTED!!!

In the midst of his sermon, last Sunday, the preacher made the statement, “They hate us because they hate God!” As I pondered that statement, I realized that people don’t really hate God, they hate the holiness of God that reveals sin, they hate their responsibility to God, they hate the absoluteness of the truth of God, but they love the idea of God. We love the idea that there is someone out there more powerful than we are, someone we can call on when times are tough, and someone to blame when things don’t go our way, but to many God must also be someone that can be controlled with their hand holding the remote.

Throughout history mankind has resisted accepting a God that is so far beyond what we can imagine and requires absolute faithfulness and obedience from His followers. Thomas Jefferson believed in the ethical teachings of Jesus but he did not believe in miracles or the deity of Jesus, so he created the Jeffersonian Bible. Jefferson cut the passages he liked out of the Bible and pasted them into a book which included the early years and ministry, teachings and parables, the betrayal, crucifixion, death and burial. There is no mention of course of a virgin birth or the resurrection since they fall into the miracle category and give Jesus God-status. This is the sad ending to Jefferson’s Bible; “There laid they Jesus, and rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed." Thomas Jefferson missed the entire message of the Bible. A message about fallen man with no power to redeem himself from the clutches of sin and a holy, righteous and just God who so loved the world that He would robe himself in flesh and die that fallen man could be saved. It is a message about a God who has promised to prepare a place for those who will accept Him as their God, where they can live for eternity with Him. It is a message about the Resurrected Christ who reigns supreme in the lives of those who trust in Him.

Lord of the Rings’ star, Ian McKellen, admits to tearing out the page containing Leviticus 18:22 from every hotel bible he finds. You see, Leviticus 18:22 does not fit with his chosen lifestyle. In an interview he states, “I'm not proudly defacing the book but it's a choice between removing that page and throwing away the whole Bible." Mr. McKellen and Thomas Jefferson are not so very different than most of us who through disobedience tear or cut the parts out that we don’t like. Our lives proclaim, I want a God who is just a prayer away, but only when I need Him. “Don’t call me, God, I’ll call you.” I want a God who would give His all and die for me, but don’t ask me to sacrifice a few hours every week to go to His house and visit. I want a God that owns the “cattle on a thousand hills” and can supply my every need, but I think 10 percent is a little much to ask me to give from my paycheck. I want a God that will heal my body and that of my loved ones but I also want a God to be angry with when it doesn’t happen the way I had it planned. I want a God who can redeem me and save me from sin but I want to be the one who determines the definition of sin and which ones I want to be saved from. I want to make God into the image of my choosing, however, THE GOD I CREATE CAN BE NO GREATER THAN ME!!!

Genesis 1:26 describes the beginning of mankind, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” No matter what position you ascend to in life, how much money you may accumulate, how many educational degrees you may earn, you cannot make God into your image. We can, as the Apostle Paul stated, “become vain in our imaginations and change the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, birds, four footed beasts or other creeping things”, but it will not change who God is. The bible tells us in Hebrews 6:13 that “When God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He swore by himself.” There is none greater than God and He will always be God no matter what we do or think. The god that you create will be no greater than you but the God that created me is all powerful. He can supply my every need, heal every disease and sickness, comfort every sorrow and save me from every sin. Jesus Christ is my God and beside Him there is no other.

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?

What do you want from me? This questioned has been asked by every frustrated husband, wife, child, parent, employee and employer. It usually comes at a time when you feel every effort has been expended to please another person, yet your performance still doesn’t measure up to the receiver’s expectations. It can create a sense of hopelessness in the performer that if not dealt with properly, will result in the person simply giving up or trying to prove themselves in adverse, destructive behaviors.

The source of most of the frustrations of life is the lack of clear communication. No matter how hard you try, you will live in perpetual frustration if you have no idea what is expected by your spouse, parent, employer or God. Have you ever felt that God has set the “bar” way too high and that you will never measure up to His standard? Go to any Christian church in America this Sunday and if you listen closely, a song, testimony, sermon or prayer request will make a statement of God’s “requirements.” The statements will be as diverse as the Tenants of Faith espoused by the denomination of the church you are attending. You may leave as frustrated and as unsure of the answer as when you drove into the parking lot.

What does God require of me? Some people climb into their “box” of religion. They feel as long as they remain surrounded by the 4 sides of a particular “box,” they are pleasing God. Many cover themselves with a “security blanket” of church rituals. As long as the rituals are performed properly and at regular intervals, God will find them acceptable. Others find reassurance in following a set list of rules. They believe as long as every rule is followed, all the t’s are crossed and the i’s dotted, they have measured up to God’s standard. Perhaps the reason all of our efforts leave us frustrated is because we forgot to ask God for his list of requirements. Living a life pleasing to God is really not complicated. Does God have a list of rules to live by? YES!!! They are very clearly stated in His Word and they may surprise you.

Israel, God’s chosen people, were no different from the New Testament Church, they wanted to please God but their efforts always fell short of God’s Law. Deuteronomy 10:12 gives us a list of God’s requirements; “And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love him and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.“ God used Solomon to confirm our duty to God in Ecclesiastes 12:13; “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” In Micah 6:8 we find a couple additional requirements to add to our “list;” “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” The Pharisees were constantly trying to explain the law and make sure everyone was following according to their interpretation. Jesus was asked by the Pharisees, what was the greatest commandment on the list. I’m sure they were shocked to hear Jesus say simply in Matthew 22:37-40, “Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Not only did they have to accept that their interpretations were incorrect but if this philosophy became widely accepted they would lose their control over the people. Paul addressed the “list” with the Holy Ghost filled church of Galatia. They were arguing over what they could and could not ‘get by with.” Paul settled the discussion by stating in Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

For those who are not willing to get out of your “box” of religion, you will keep searching, trying to please God through your own efforts and continue to live a life of frustration. If you feel safe clutching your security blanket of ritual and tradition, the blanket will become threadbare and full of holes and you will still fall short of God’s standard. Now to all of us who need a list, make sure your list is God’s list. God’s list is simply:

1. Fear the Lord thy God.
2. Keep His commandments.
3. Do justly.
4. Love mercy.
4. Walk Humbly.
5. Love the Lord with all thy heart, soul and mind.
6. Love thy neighbor as thyself.
7. Walk in the Spirit

BUT GOD, IT HURTS!!!

Children learn at a very young age that touching something hot is not pleasant and they quickly withdraw their hands. The words hurt and ouch are soon added to their vocabulary. As we mature, experience teaches us to avoid those activities most likely to cause pain. There is a segment of people with severe mental disorders, who find pleasure in experiencing pain, but the rest of us go to great lengths to avoid even the possibility. An individual with a chronic pain condition will try any substance or method to relieve the constant assault of pain on his or her body. But could pain be a positive experience? We read in the Bible about a condition called Leprosy. Leprosy damages the nervous system and destroys the body’s ability to feel pain. Can you imagine touching a hot stove and not noticing until you smell burning flesh or grabbing a sharp knife and letting go only because you have fainted from the loss of blood. Pain serves as a warning, signaling that something is wrong.

As a child, my mother had this great red medicine for cuts and scrapes called “methiolade.” I don’t even know if it is still in existence but she would paint our wounds liberally with this antibacterial liquid as we screamed loudly. Physicians have to cut flesh to remove or repair faulty internal organs. They may have to break a bone to set it properly or stick a needle in an arm to vaccinate against a dreaded disease. Although these may cause further pain, it is necessary to prevent a future, more severe condition.

God did not create pain but he created us with an intricate nervous system to feel pain. God allows us to feel both physical and emotional pain in our life so that we become aware of a problem. Many times instead of treating the problem, we mask it with other emotions. When Steve and I were young we experienced a great hurt in our lives. The hurt came through people we trusted and admired. We needed care and guidance instead we were cast off and ignored. The experience was so painful that for years the only way I could deal with it was through anger. I felt that anger gave me the control to manage the pain. The anger became so intense that it consumed my thoughts and “soothed” my raw feelings. The day came when God finally pulled the scab off and I had to choose a life of anger or allow God to start the healing process. I chose God and only then did I realize the lost years and damage caused by anger.

There had been many times God had tried to reset the “broken bones” or apply the “salve” of His love to my situation, but anger seemed less painful. Several times, I wept bitterly before God only to close the door of my heart when He would try to help me face the situation. I would pray until I came to that particular roadblock and say, “Not now God, it hurts too much,” as I clung to my security blanket of anger. Whatever hurts you have experienced in life, God has the necessary therapy to not just relieve but remove the pain. You may be left with a few scars or a slight limp but it is amazing how glorious it feels to be free of the pain.

MAKE YOUR BED WITH CARE, YOU’LL HAVE TO LIE IN IT

My friends and family think I’m obsessive; I call it organization. I become dysfunctional in the midst of chaos. There are some things I’m more organized with than others, so no peeking into my closet. I love order-everything needs a place; balance-an item in the middle of the shelf needs something on either side; and symmetry-my hairdresser finally convinced me that my face is asymmetrical, so my hair should be parted off center. Now you understand why my bookshelf is alphabetized, ironing shirts gives me a feeling of accomplishment and you will never find a haphazard, artistic mess on my mantle. With two boys and now grandchildren, I’ve learned to compromise on the family room and kitchen. I usually have a dirty glass or bowl in the sink, a pile of mail on the counter and various toys lying in disarray in front of the fireplace creating ordered chaos. There are two rooms, however which are non-negotiable; my bathroom and bedroom.

I need a clean neat bathroom, so I keep minimal toiletries on the counter and put out fresh towels every day. Speaking of towels, I always put the freshly laundered towels on the bottom of the pile so that I use all of them the same amount and they wear evenly. OKAY, that may be a little on the obsessive side, but I’m never embarrassed if a guest stops in. Also, there is something so relaxing about not being grossed out by a grimy tub, overflowing trash can and a cluttered vanity. As you probably guessed, I also squeeze the toothpaste from the bottom and hang the toilet paper over instead of under.

Although, I seldom enter my bedroom during the day, it is always ready and inviting if I need a peaceful sanctuary for a few minutes or a calm, quiet place to catch a quick nap. I consider my mattress and pillow to be an important investment. My Select Comfort mattress is set to the exact firmness or in my case softness and my Memory Foam pillow always cradles my head with just the right support. One other luxury that I consider a necessity is high thread-count sheets. There is no feeling like slipping between 600-count satiny, cotton sheets. Every night I slide into bed and just lie there for a moment enjoying the comfort of my mattress, pillow and soft sheets. Then I let out a sigh of pure pleasure as I sink into my luxuriously made bed and let go of the day’s problems and stress. However expensive or luxurious the room and its accessories, it wouldn’t have the same effect if I neglected to make the bed every morning. There wouldn’t be much pleasure if I had to sink into a rumpled bed with wrinkled or soiled sheets rather than a clean smooth bed. My Mom always taught me, “You make your bed and you’ll lie in it.” I figured it was worth taking a little extra time to get it right, if I had to lie there all night.

How many times have I gotten carried away with the every day cares and trials of life and failed to “make the bed” but never noticed until I had to lie in it. The sheets of my world had become crumpled and soiled all because I neglected to spend a few moments changing and smoothing them. I want to take a little time every day smoothing the wrinkles through prayer, tucking in the loose ends and plumping up the pillows by spending a little time in the Word of God. Sometimes daily prayer and Bible reading are not enough to keep everything God has provided in good order and I need a complete refreshing. I have to find an altar of repentance and linger for a while in His presence. I love to let the power of the Holy Ghost wash away all the mess until I feel totally renewed. Lord, remind me that the bed I make every day is the one that I will have to lie in that night. Help me to take the time to smooth, plump and tuck and occasionally change.

IF IT WAS WRONG IN 1850....

The Bible is very clear in naming the evil and sin that transcends generations and cultures, however, every generation defines evil and sin in their own terms. Generational and cultural sins usually have to do with new or changing ideas, expression or technology. We make laws with specific definition and police the vice until the next generation matures and embraces their own designated evils.

In the 1850’s photography was the newest phenomenon with the invention of the camera. It became fodder for many sermons and decency laws were passed in many communities to protect citizens from the evil of photography. It was reported that one shopkeeper placed a daguerreotype of people eating in a restaurant, in his window. So many people gathered to view the photograph that a major traffic jam ensued. The shopkeeper was prosecuted for obscenity!

Another critic stated: The wish to capture evanescent reflections is not only impossible, as has been shown by thorough German investigation, but the mere desire alone, the will to do so, is blasphemy. God created man in His own image, and no man-made machine may fix the image of God. Is it possible that God should have abandoned His eternal principles, and allowed a Frenchman in Paris to give to the world an invention of the Devil? (Author unknown)

The following letter was sent by a Minister to a local paper, voicing his concerns; Sir, - I beg to bring to your notice the serious harm likely to come from the increasing popularity of photography. Since Mr. Talbot and M. Daguerre perfected their processes for fixing a living image on paper a few years ago, there has been an alarming increase in the popularity of this unnatural pastime. The stage has now been reached when permanent damage is likely to be inflicted not only on painting, engraving, and the arts in general, but upon industry, manners, and the home itself.

Already, I am informed, the fascinations of the photograph album have had their effect on the thousands of children who would be better employed in pit or mill; already the reputations of Landseer, Turner, and even Martin and Westall are believed to be suffering; and I can myself vouch unhappily from my own family circle that idleness and vanity are encouraged by the constant posing for portraits, and the subsequent poring over them in unhealthy crouching attitudes. This day, alas, I have been obliged to call five of my daughters before me for reproof... (Appeared in an unnamed newspaper Jan 9, 1851) I find it amusing that he felt children would be better off employed in a “pit or mill” than constantly posing for immoral photographers.

It is interesting to look back over the years and remember the things the things our parents were certain would cause us irreparable damage have been set aside for the newest evil that has reared its ugly head. I wonder what our children will look back at and laugh as they attempt to legislate against the latest music, media offerings or idea?

King Solomon declared in Ecclesiastes 1:9-11, "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath been already of old time, which was before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after. " The wisest man that every lived understood that human nature has not changed, since creation. We convince ourselves that we are smarter and more innovative than any other time in history, that we have more clarity, a greater revelation and were created for such a time as this. We will make the world a better place for future generations and our children will set up shrines to worship at the altar of our success. In reality we are destined to repeat mistakes, which will be repeated by our children and grandchildren. Every generation must make their own mistakes, learn their own lessons and find their own relationship with God.

The Word of God has left us a blueprint that crosses generations and cultures. It doesn’t address photography, rock music, or the color of your shoes but it does tell us of a loving God. A God who was not willing that any should perish, and came that we might be reconciled back to Him. A God who is so holy and by His grace clothes us in His righteousness that we may come before His throne with boldness. A God who has conquered evil and equips us to live a victorious life. . A God that went to prepare a place for us and is returning soon to take us to live with Him for eternity. A God who gives us the Holy Spirit to live in us and says, “It’s for you and your children and those who are far off;” this generation and those yet to come.