CHOOSE A PROOFREADER FOR YOUR LIFE

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

When writing a paper, an article or a book, it is very important that you give it to someone else to proofread, edit and critique.  As the author, you are too close to the writing to proof with a clear mind.  You will read things in that are not there because the context and meaning are in your head.  It is equally important that your proofreader be proficient in the language, reading, spelling, grammar, and contextual critique. 

I enrolled in a writing course in college that was held at an offsite classroom.  The class was filled with kids just out of high school, who apparently had never written a coherent paper in their short life.  When it came time to correct and critique papers, I was faced with the impossible task of proofreading a paper that did not contain one complete sentence or thought, without embarrassing the writer.  The person proofing my paper simply handed it back and said, “good writing.”  But was it?  I received an “A” in the class but was never sure if it was deserved or if the teacher was just happy to be able to read a clear paper.

It is equally important that you be prepared to listen to constructive criticism.  I know the writing is a “piece of you,” that you want to protect and nurture but you have asked for wise counsel because you want this writing to be the best ever.  Be prepared to correct the spelling and grammar mistakes.  You may even have to rewrite portions because although it makes perfect sense to you, your reader may not have a clue as to what you are trying to convey.  Go ahead, shed your tears, soothe your wounds, then get busy and rewrite.  It is a risk to involve someone else’s thoughts in “your baby’s life” but your writing will be better and you will have learned a lot during the process.

Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

The Writing of your Life continues and a new chapter is begun the minute you get out of bed.  Sometimes we “write” without ever taking the time before we close our eyes to read over the day’s installment.  We keep it close, stroke and protect the story of our life, setting it on the shelf, safe between its lovely covers, to be admired; but not too closely.  I would say that most of us never open its contents and invite another person to proofread and critique the “story of our life.” 

There are many voices that swirl around us daily in a cacophony of noise.  Many of those voices are only too happy to speak into our lives.  BE CAREFUL!!!  It is a good idea to proofread their life before you allow them to proofread your “life story.”  Are they are proficient in the “language?”  Is their life sealed tightly against any criticism or wise counsel?  You will never become an expert proofreader of someone else’s life until you open your own life to proofreading.

It is important that we all seek Wise Counsel; a “Proofreader” in our lives.  Choose prayerfully and wisely THEN listen, accept the critique and make the corrections.  You will grow, your story will be improved and your “readers” will thank you.

NOT A ZERO-SUM GAME

Have you ever heard the expression, “a zero-sum game?”  In economic theory, it says, “as one gains, another loses the same amount.”  As an example, if you have a whole pie and someone takes a piece of it, you lose the same amount of pie that the other person gained.  The amount you lost added to the amount the other person gained will equal the whole, so one person cannot gain without the other person losing.  It is a win-lose situation.

As a mom with two boys only 17 months apart, I had a full time job trying to make sure things were equal and one didn’t get more candy, gifts, attention, etc. than the other.  I did not want their life to feel like a “zero-sum game.”  I finally realized that there were times when one had a greater need than the other and fulfilling that need at the necessary time did not take away from the one who had no pressing needs.  If one came in with a bloody nose, I didn’t grab a wet cloth for both to staunch the bleeding, so that the uninjured child wouldn’t feel neglected.  No, I tended to the injured child until the bleeding was stopped and he was ready to play again.  How useless it would have been for me to have blessed my children with identical gifts, as they grew. They had different needs, abilities, interests and levels of maturity and it was reflected in my blessings to them.  

God blesses His children as they have need and according to their abilities and level of maturity, yet sometime we get the attitude that God is playing a “Zero-Sum Game.”  Materially, why would God bless me with a different car when I have a brand new car sitting in the garage?  Yet, there are times when we find it hard to rejoice with a brother or sister when they receive a material blessing that is better or newer the thing we own.  For years, I looked with longing as people seemed to be blessed spiritually and I was, seemingly, “left behind.”  It seemed that ministry, especially, was a “zero-sum game.”  Every time a brother or sister was used in ministry, was promoted to a position or asked to fulfill a need that I had dreamed of, I assumed my chances had diminished. Passed over time after time, I fretted and fussed, convincing myself that soon there would be nothing of value left for me to accomplish.  Finally, God allowed me to experience one of the coveted “blessings.”  I fell flat on my face and I received an eye-opening revelation; YOUR BLESSINGS DO NOT DIMINISH GOD’S BLESSINGS FOR ME.

As the years have passed and I have matured, I have learned to be content.  The desire to be used in God’s service has not waned but I have learned to be content with allowing God to work through me as HE WILLS.  I can rejoice as I take a ride in a friend’s shiny new car because God is good, not just to me but to all who trust Him. When a sister is asked to speak at a meeting, I listen with enthusiasm, realizing that I was not “passed over” but needed to hear from God through this sister.  I follow my life from the beginning until this very moment and I realize that if the blessings of God turned out to be some “Cosmic Zero-Sum Game,” I would be declared the winner!!!  I have been blessed throughout my life with all that I could handle and more than I deserved.  There is even times that the Creator of the Universe; the Savior of the World actually allows me to reach out and bless another precious brother or sister.  Can it get any better?  I think I have received the BIGGEST PIECE OF THE PIE in this game called Life.

HOW DO YOU SMELL?

Of course I love nice smelling things; I’m a woman!  We love the soft, velvety smell of a freshly bathed baby, the deep sexy scent of expensive perfume, a bouquet of flowers, citrusy-scented hand soaps and lotions, spicy candles and a just-showered husband.  After painting our master bathroom a beautiful Caribbean aqua, the hunt for accessories began.  Included in my cart of purchases was a beautiful, plug-in, wax-melter and vanilla wax cubes.  I couldn’t wait, of course, and soon my bathroom smelled so sweet.  It didn’t end there, the fragrance spread to the master bedroom and wafted down the stairway to the living room.  My home was filled with the smell of crushed vanilla bean.

Did you know that you are a diffuser of the fragrance of His knowledge; the fragrance of Christ among those who are perishing and being saved?   Oh yes you are!!!  I have never thought of myself as a sweet smelling representative of the aroma of God and I doubt if you have either, but look at the following verses.   2 Corinthians 2:14-15 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. ¹⁵ For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 

 The fragrance you leave after meeting with unbelievers just may form their view of God.  Do you fill the room with the sweet odors of love and forgiveness or do the musty smells of superiority and condemnation linger as you exit the room?  Is it the promise of joy and peace that draws them to God or does the stale air of defeat and fear continue to overpower the atmosphere?  Does your aroma smell of hope or carry the stench of despair?   As Believers, there should be a lovely fragrance trailing us, as we walk through the room.  The refreshing aroma of hope and love should not only fill the room we are in, but waft through the whole house and leave a lingering, pleasant scent long after we are gone.

I raised 2 boys, so I know about sports-smells, outdoor-smells, clean showered-smells and pre-date aftershave smells; quick underarm whiffs and "cupping your hand around your mouth and nose, fresh-breath" sniffs.  Maybe it is time the Followers of Christ take a quick sniff to catch a whiff of our personal aroma.  Check yourself!!!   If there is no sweet smelling savor; if your space is beginning to smell a little dank and stale, it is time for a bath!  Soak awhile in His presence; allow the Holy Spirit to baptize you afresh and infuse you with His fragrance so that you can diffuse the fragrance of Christ among those being saved and those who are perishing.

IT IS TIME FOR A TRIP TO THE WELL

What was she thinking as she hurried to the well with her water pot?  Maybe it was a small bit of time that was hers alone.  Perhaps it was just another chore added to the drudgery of her life.   The day was heating up as she stopped to wipe her brow.  She knew the 6^th hour of the day was not the best time to draw water but hopefully, everyone else would be busy preparing the noonday meal.  She didn’t want to face the cold stares, the disdain that darkened the eyes of the other women or hear the thinly veiled whispers.  This wasn’t the life she had signed up for; it wasn’t the life of her childhood dreams; life was to be endured. Someday it would all be over but for now there was water to draw.  As she stooped to pick up her pot, she spied someone sitting by the well.  Just her luck, she would not even get to be alone.  And even worse, it was a man she would have to contend with.  But this wasn’t just any mundane day in her life.  This would be a day like no other she had ever or would ever experience again.  This would be her moment at the well.

In God’s universe, nothing just happens, it wasn’t just “by chance,” there are no coincidence; in the plan of God, everything is intentional.  John 4 tells the story of the intentional encounter at the well.  The story begins in verse 4, “But He needed to go through Samaria.”  This was not the normal route a Jew would travel from Judea to Galilee.  The Jews hated the Samaritans and went miles out of their way to avoid traveling through their town; but not Jesus.  Oh no, He intentionally cut right through Samaria where he knew he would find that exact well and arrive at the exact time to fill an outcast woman with joy and hope.

Our stories are not so different, we may not be a societal outcast but we all experience the loneliness, at times, of not being included in the inner circle.  Maybe we haven’t committed any great sins but we have allowed the burdens of life to keep us from experiencing the abundant blessing of God.  Perhaps it is just the mundane routine of life that is depressing your joy and you know there has to be more.  IT IS TIME FOR A TRIP TO THE WELL!!!  I know it may not be the best time right now, you may be in the heat of the battle or the midst of a fierce storm, but the pot is empty and IT IS TIME FOR A TRIP TO THE WELL!!!  This could be the day that Jesus says, “I must go through….because there is a woman; a man that is just waiting for a drink of Living Water.”  

This could be YOUR day.  Pick up the pot, wipe your brow, and start walking toward the well.  Jesus is waiting to fill you with cool, refreshing living water.  IT IS TIME FOR A TRIP TO THE WELL!!!

BEYOND THE "WHAT IF"

Tragedy has a way of making us reflect on our lives and reassess our priorities.  I am reminded today, that not only is life fragile but it is made up of moments in time.  There are moments of pleasure, joy, laughter, sorrow, pain and intense grief.  At times the moments seem to last for eternity but then there is a new moment to take its place.

Reflecting on tragic moments, I am always struck by the exact timing required to make the moment happen and the question that follows, “What if?”  Several years ago, a young lady my boys knew from school, was home from college for the weekend.  Her sister had attended the Homecoming Dance and an after dance party.  Sometime after midnight the elder sister went to pick up the younger.  On the way home, a young man who had been drinking ran a red light and the girls were killed instantly.  WHAT IF the timing had been just one minute earlier or later?  WHAT IF they had lingered just a little longer at the party?  WHAT IF one driver had been driving a little faster or slower?  The “what if” could have made all the difference in “what was” but it didn’t so we are left with the question.

Six years ago, I received a call from my husband saying he had been involved in a fatal accident.  A motorcycle had sped up around a semi just as Steve was pulling out of a McDonalds.  The motorcyclist hit Steve’s truck broadside at a speed of about 80 miles per hour and was killed instantly.  WHAT IF?  We struggled with the “what ifs” for a long time.  WHAT IF he had not taken the exit and stopped at that McDonalds?  WHAT IF he had paused an extra couple of seconds and taken one more look?  WHAT IF the motorcyclist had been going the speed limit?  Is there peace beyond the “what ifs?”

Yes, life is made up of moments and full of “what ifs.”  It seems the “what ifs” are more difficult to get past then the actual event.  Until the “what ifs” are dealt with, it is impossible to move on to a new moment.  So how do we move past the “what ifs?”  First we must recognize the past cannot be changed but the future is still being written.  Give yourself a break; if it something that needs to be forgiven, give it to Jesus.  Receive His forgiveness, and then forgive yourself.  If it involves something that was beyond your control, accept your limitations and put your trust in the One who is strong in our weakness.  Last of all look to the future and allow God to take all the “WHAT IFS” and use them for your good.  In all the moments of life, He is still God and He wants to be God of the “WHAT IFS.”

WHEN THE DREAM IS ALIVE AFTER HOPE HAS DIED

Throughout our lifetime we dream of what we can accomplish, the things we will acquire and who we will share our life with. Our ability to dream never completely goes away, although the dreams may mature or be replaced with more realistic expectations. As a little girl, I wanted to be a bride and have babies just like my mom. During a revival, I dreamed of being an evangelist’s wife, wearing high heels and playing an accordion. After attending my first gospel concert, I wanted to be a professional singer and tour the United States, performing nightly for my adoring fans. At eighteen I married prince charming, wore the high heels, had the babies and sang in the church choir. Some of my dreams have been fulfilled in ways I could not have imagined, others took their place in the distant past of a little girl’s fantasy, and a few of the dreams lingered in the future still waiting to be realized. What do you do when you wake one day with a living, breathing dream but recognize that the hope of bringing it to fruition has died?

In the Bible we read the story of David. We are first introduced to the Little Shepherd Boy, David. He tended his father’s sheep, played music on his harp and sang songs praising God. Every child knows the story of David coming against Goliath with a simple sling, five stones and his faith in God. As he became a man and won many battles for Israel, we learn that he was anointed King of Israel. He triumphed, he sinned, he repented, he wrote Psalms to the Lord and danced before the ark as it was carried back to its rightful place. God blessed David throughout his life, and promised that his house would be established forever. It would appear that every desire of his heart had been fulfilled, but there was one dream that David would never live to see accomplished. The dream was alive but for David, hope had died.

In 1 Chronicles 17, we read about David’s dream; “Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD remains under curtains.” David had a dream of building a house of worship to the Lord. A house that would hold the Ark of the Covenant; a house that would honor the God that he loved and for whom he had written some many Psalms of praise; a house that would bring attention to the God of Israel. Nathan, the prophet, agreed that it was a wonderful idea. 1 Chronicles 17:2 says “Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee. What could possibly be wrong with this desire to honor God? In verse 4, God tells Nathan, “Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shall not build me a house to dwell in.” For David, hope of building a magnificent house to glorify God had died. He would not live to see the Glory of God fill the temple at the dedication service, it would never be called, “David’s Temple,” but the dream was not yet dead. In 1 Kings 5:5, we learn that God told David, “Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build a house unto my name.”

What did David do when he finally realized that the hope of accomplishing what he had dreamed of was dead? Did he get angry, give up on God, or stop being King? No, we find that David continued being king and he continued to trust God for victory over the enemy. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he began to dedicate the spoils of war to God and amass many of the materials that would be used in building the temple, its furniture and vessels.

There are times in our lives that we must face the reality that a dream is never going to develop as we had envisioned and hope dies. Don’t give up; perhaps you were given the dream for a purpose. What if your purpose all along was to be the “David” to “Solomon” in God’s plan? Perhaps that youthful dream of being a professional ballplayer was given to you so that you would coach the little league team of the next all-star pitcher. The exalted dream of “Making a difference in the world” took a course beyond your wildest imagination and you made a difference by nurturing and raising the little boy or girl who would go on to preach the gospel to a people who had never heard of Jesus. The dream of pastoring a mega church wasn’t just a pipe dream, you were given the dream to be the planter or the waterer and God will give the increase to the next generation. Next time you use that hairbrush as a microphone, remember, your voice was always meant to glorify God rather than be the next American Idol.

1 Corinthians 3:6-8 “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7So then neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase. 8Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. “You may not see the completion of the dream but God may use you to be an important component of the end product. Maybe you will be the one that proposes the idea, or the one that assembles the materials or people. The dream may not stand as a living memorial to you and no one may ever even realize that you were the one with the idea, but God put the dream into your heart for a purpose and He will accomplish it in His way; in His time.

PRAYING OR PREYING

The English language contains many words which are pronounced the same but have very different meanings and spellings. Often one letter makes all the difference, changing the meaning of your statement. Words such as “too or two,” “wear or ware,” “bases or basis,” and “meet or meat” all fall into the homonym category. In this day of texting, acronyms and abbreviations, it seems we have become very lazy when it comes to proper English and Facebook is a prime example of our laziness.

I came across a request for prayer in a friend’s status update. It simply read, “Please continue to pray for my family.” To which I replied, “Praying in Jesus Name,” then took a moment to ask God to intercede on behalf of my friend’s family. Usually, I like to check back and see if there are any updates or praise reports on the request.

 Directly under my post was a post that read, “PREYING for you.” I’m sure the person had just misspelled a word or hit the wrong letter, but I began to ponder the difference that one letter made in the meaning of our statements.

To PRAY is defined as”making earnest petition or entreaty for,” however, if you change the “a” to an “e”, 

To PREY takes on the sinister definition “to seize, devour, to victimize another or others.” 

One word portrays a lovely vision of a fellow believer kneeling before the Throne of Grace delivering a petition of need for a loved one. The second word invokes the scene of a lion stalking a victim then crouching ready to strike at just the right moment. How many times have I confused the vowels; told a friend I was praying when in fact I was preying for them.

James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” 

We are not afraid to ask people to pray for us. In fact in my Pentecostal circle of friends, it is common place. We assure each other after every conversation that we are praying for them. If there is a loss, we are PRAYING. Illness, PRAYING; financial need, DEFINITELY PRAYING and hopefully, we mean it and follow through.

What do we do, however, when there is a need that includes “unsavory” details? What if someone trusted you enough to “confess their faults?” What if you read some “juicy” details on Facebook put 2 and 2 together and came up with 4? Would we fall to our knees and PRAY or would we run to the phone and PREY?

Too often, I fear we would whisper “God bless them” as we screamed, “Can you believe what I just heard?”

Dear God, help me to not get my vowels confused. When a friend confesses a “fault,” remind me to fall on my knees and PRAY rather than wait for just the right moment to PREY. I ask that you will help me to become the righteous person that has an effectual, fervent prayer life; one that knows how to intercede for my brother or sister in need. May I never be guilty of victimizing the weak but rather lead them to victory in Jesus.

Help me always to PRAY and never to PREY.

HOW GOES THE BATTLE?

Some days it feels as if everything we encounter becomes a battle. The alarm clock doesn’t sound and the kids are late for school, the coffee canister is empty, you get behind the lady in the grocery line that must write, record and balance her check book before the clerk can finish the transaction, then return home to find that even the dog has not cooperated. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could just crawl back into bed and start over? Or as my mother would say, “Go back and get up on the right side of the bed.” You long for someone to sympathize with you, give you hope for tomorrow and make you smile again. If only one person would take the time to ask, “How goes the battle?”


In 1 Samuel 30 we read of David’s really bad day. It was a day that thankfully, most of us will never face. David and his men returned to Ziklag to find that the Amalekites had arrived first, burned the city and taken the women and children captive. There were no encouraging words for David, no friend tapped him on the shoulder and said, “Brother David, how goes the battle?” Instead, the men spoke of stoning him. What do you do when everything goes wrong, your loved ones are being held captive and your trusted friends want to throw stones at you? Give up, start the day over, take a happy pill? The Bible tells us that David encouraged HIMSELF in the Lord!!!

I believe he began to remember all the times that God had led him, delivered him and given him victory over the enemy. After his encouragement session, David went on to the priest and enquired of the Lord what should be done. God told David to pursue the enemy, that he would be victorious and recover all. David obeyed and God was faithful. Hey David, “How goes the battle, now?”

Many times I have received a timely phone call or email from a friend with an encouraging word. I am always so thankful for those Godly men and women who are obedient to the voice of God to pray or send a word as the Lord has impressed them. There are days, however, that nothing changes until I encourage MYSELF in the Lord. Down on my knees I begin to recount God’s faithfulness; the many times of blessing, the times he didn’t just walk with me through the flood, but he carried me, the times of healing, and the times of provision. Then a still, small voice whispers to my heart, “How goes the battle?”

If God has put a friend in your mind today, pray for them, give them a phone call, send an email, and ask them, “How goes the battle?” Let them know all is not lost; they are not in the fight alone; God is faithful and will help them recover all. If on the other hand you are in the midst of the fight, and there are no encouraging phone calls, get down on your knees and enquire of the Lord. He will send His peace and calm the storm. Soon the battle will seem like just a little skirmish and you can face the day with victory. To the question, “How goes the battle?” You can answer, “The battle is not mine, it is the Lord’s!”

THE PEOPLE GOD WANTS!!!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Rebecca Manley Pippert tells the story of Bill from Portland Oregon. Bill was a brilliant, eccentric student at the Oregon College who moved to his own drumbeat and refused political correctness or societal expectations. There was a well-dressed, middle-class church across the street from the college. They felt a burden to reach out to the students and welcome them into their service. It just so happens about that time, Bill found the Lord. One Sunday, Bill decided to worship at the church across the street. He walked into church wearing blue jeans, a t-shirt and of course no shoes. The church was quit crowded and Bill, finding no seat, simply walked down the aisle to the front pew and squatted down on the floor. Suddenly, an elderly man began walking down the aisle toward the boy. What was he going to say to the brash college student? He would probably “straighten out” this young man, such disrespect simply could not be allowed in the House of God. The congregation held its collective breath. When the elderly man reached Bill, he simply lowered himself to sit beside Bill on the carpet. He and Bill worshiped together on the carpet that Sunday morning. There was not a dry eye in the congregation.

How many “Bills” have walked through our church doors, felt the chill of the condescending stares and walked out, never to return. How many “Bills” have we passed on the street and looked the other way because they didn’t fit our soul-winning vision. Matt Maddix, a popular soul-winning evangelist, has coined the phrase, “If you reach for the people nobody wants, God will give you the people everybody wants.” TRUE!!! Another speaker has said, “If you reach for the people nobody wants, God will MAKE them the people everybody wants.” TRUE!!! As I thought about these phrases, I thought about all the people I come in contact every day. Some are wealthy, educated, poor, illiterate, intellectual, mentally-challenged, athletic, handicapped, well-dressed, and others are homeless. They are all the people that make up my world. The people Jesus died for! The people God wants!!!

The Bible tells us that Jesus came to “seek and save those who are lost.” When Jesus came, he didn’t check out the demographics, take a poll or target a specific socio-economic group. Who did Jesus “hang” with? A rich, young ruler consulted with Jesus, there was a little widow who had a simple “mite” to put in the offering, a prostitute washed his feet, and he debated with the priests in the temple. His immediate circle consisted of fishermen, wealthy tax-collectors, a wild, wilderness-loving cousin; he had a humble young girl for a mother and the village carpenter for a father. Jesus reached out to the demon-possessed, the epileptics, paralytics and lepers, children, military commanders, the religious elite and sinners. There was no one too great or too unimportant for Jesus to reach for, can we say the same?

We are commanded to go into ALL the world; we don’t have the right to be selective. Take a look around the world in which you live, is there a “Bill” you passed over because he wasn’t in the place you were looking. Maybe he didn’t fit your vision of the ideal “Christian.” Perhaps his ideas didn’t fit your religious philosophy. “Bill” is one of the people God wants!!! I am praying that God removes all prejudice, preconceived ideas and clears my vision to see all the people that are hungry to experience what I have; all the people God wants.

I WANT TO BE A BALCONY PERSON

A year or two ago, my friend, Suzanne and my sister, Anita recommended that I read a book by Joyce Landorf Heatherley, entitled Balcony People. I finally bought the book and have read it through twice. It is a small book, only about 60 pages but it contains a very powerful message. It deals with two types of people in our life, Evaluators and Affirmers. My personality and nature makes me a natural Evaluator. I tend to immediately pinpoint the problem, and then offer solutions to fix the problem that make absolute sense to me. It doesn’t matter if the solution seems totally foreign to the person I am evaluating. I am convinced that if they will follow my sage advice their lives will improve and they will become a better person.

As I mature and realize life is not all about me, I have started observing and evaluating behavior in a totally different manner. I have observed that one of the most important needs in a person’s life is affirmation. We all need and desire to be affirmed. Affirmation means what I do and say has value or meaning. It means you acknowledge that my opinion is valid and worth consideration. Too many times I have listened half-heartedly to an opinion, my mind distracted with the need to insert my own thoughts, which of course I feel are much more intelligent and well–thought out than what I am hearing. Naturally, I expect the recipient of my wisdom to fall at my feet in awe that one person could utter such profundity. Instead the person leaves feeling that once again their opinion was dismissed and probably wasn’t valid anyway.

How different the situation would be if I took the time to really listen what the person was saying. I could still evaluate the content according to my set of core values and then express my views on the matter. However this time, I would be acknowledging their insight, seeing the similarities, affirming their thoughtful opinion and preparing them to hear a different view and hopefully open their mind to consider new possibilities.

A Balcony Person is an Affirmer. This person sees the positives that outweigh the negatives in every situation. The Balcony Person emphasizes the positives and cheers you on toward them. The Basement Person, on the other hand concentrates on where you went wrong and how it can be fixed. In other words, the Balcony Person lifts you up while the Basement Person pulls you down. Although it will take a lot of effort on my part, I am striving to become a Balcony Person.
I have been fortunate to have some Balcony People in my life. The number one person in my Balcony is my husband Steve. For 33 years he has been in the front row cheering me on. Steve has always believed in me and encouraged me to grow and pursue my dreams. Because of his support I was able to go to college and earn my degree. When I felt like I didn’t have what it took to apply for certain jobs, I heard him whispering “If anyone can do it, you can. Go for it.” Last night, he sat quietly supporting me as I taught a Bible Study Series to a church group. You see, Balcony People, do not feel threatened by your success. I want to be a Balcony Person.

God has strategically placed other Balcony People along the path that have urged me on, cheered my victories and offered a helping hand as I sat mortified in the midst of my failures. Some of these Balcony People have been put there for a short time or on a temporary, as needed basis. Others have walked beside me every step along the path of life. I want to be a Balcony Person in someone’s life. I can think of nothing I would want someone to say at my funeral than, “She loved me, saw my positives, cheered me on and was one of my Balcony People.”

MY NAME IS SHAWN

Yesterday, I met Shawn. A friendly, talkative 10 year old, sporting a “Desert Storm t-shirt” and desperately wanting to go swimming in Higgins Lake. Jenesa, and I were sitting on the beach watching Caleb frolic in the sand and water and Nathan was snoozing under the umbrella. Caleb assumed everyone was family and every toy was his to play with, after all it has always been this way in his world. Most of the other groups were family with children and thought the little blond 2-year old who excitedly pointed out the water, boats, birds, butterflies and other things we could not understand, was adorable; of course, we agree. Caleb had just come back to the blanket for a snack when Shawn walked up. Caleb said hi to his new “friend” and Shawn stopped to talk. He told us he really wanted to go swimming but his dad said he couldn’t without a “buddy, not even dip his toe in the lake.” Having raised 2 precocious boys, I totally understood his father’s explicit instructions. First it’s a toe, then an ankle, up to the knee and somehow “a wave came ashore and swept your whole body into the lake!”

Shawn told us he had just moved here and not just for the summer, he was going to live here permanently with his dad. We learned they were trying to blend two households, having a garage sale and made almost $1,000 yesterday. He mentioned he had a little 3 year-old sibling and a 6 month old sister. His sister, however, lived with his mother in Grand Rapids with her new husband. He matter-of-factly stated that he was from a broken home and his dad had custody of all the other kids, except his 18-year old sister who had just gotten married. I listened half-heartedly, asking all the polite questions until Jenesa asked this question. Noting his “Desert Storm t-shirt, Jenesa asked, “Was your dad in Iraq? Shawn quipped, “Oh yes, that’s when my Mom was cheating on my Dad every night. My sister was practically my mom. If it hadn’t been for her, we would have been left alone.”

My heart missed a beat, Shawn had my full attention. This wasn’t just a chatty little boy wanting to go swimming. This was a kid who calmly spoke of adult situations in terms that a child shouldn’t have to know. I don’t have a degree in psychology, but I know little boys. This was a boy craving the attention of a mother, even if it came in the form of a grandma feeding a two-year old and a mother cradling her sleeping, 3-month old. He wanted to identify with Caleb and Nathan, but found nothing familiar. Did he want, for just a moment to pretend that he was the one being nurtured by a loving mom and getting the snacks and juice box placed in his little 2-year old hand? I wanted to hug him but he was 11 and I was a stranger. I wanted to offer him snacks, but we live in a world where that may not be acceptable. He looked clean and well-fed but did he get a good-night kiss, did anyone ever read him a book at bed time, had anyone ever told him about Jesus?

Shawn waved goodbye and went on his way back home to tell his dad there were lots of people at the beach that would notice if he got in trouble in the water, so could he please go swimming? Jenesa and I stayed for about another hour, but never saw Shawn again. His story stayed with me all evening. I hope that for just a moment we were a warm smile in his life: that our portrayal of motherhood will overshadow his reality or at least that’s the one he will dream about. I wish I could go back to yesterday. I would ask Shawn to sit down with us for a while. I would offer him a snack, put my arm around him and tell him about a friend that will stay beside him all his life. This friend will never cheat on him or break up his home. This friend will be his “buddy” when he is swimming, playing ball or feeling all alone. I would tell Shawn about Jesus!!!

INSTRUMENT OF FREEDOM OR HISTORICAL DOCUMENT

The powerful first line of the Declaration of Independence jumped off the page as I reread one of our most valuable documents. When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them.. It eloquently portrays the passion in the heart of our courageous founders. The body of the Declaration continues to enumerate the Colonists’ grievances against King George and declares they will no longer be subject to England’s law and rule. The most quoted and perhaps most misunderstood line is the opening line of the second paragraph: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Unalienable means, not to be separated, given away, or taken away. The United States Government did not give us liberty or life and they cannot be taken away. We need to understand that our rights are bestowed upon us by God they are UNALIENABLE!

As citizens of the United States our most important document is our Constitution. The preamble or opening paragraph of the Constitution states: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. The Constitution consists of 7 articles and 27 amendments. It establishes a form of government, granting the specific powers to the 3 branches of government, defining the governing rights of states and the guidelines under which government will interact with foreign entities. The 27 amendments are promises of our rights as citizens and the guarantee that government will not interfere with those rights. The Constitution is not just a historical document giving us insight into the minds of our founding fathers and an understanding of 18th century culture. It is as relevant to its citizens 223 years later as it was to the patriots in 1787. As long as we remain citizens of the United States, our rights our guaranteed and protected by this valuable document.

As Children of God and Citizens of Heaven, we have been endowed by unalienable rights. We have been given Life. Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. We were only a statue formed by God, then He breathed into us and we were given life. It is UNALIENABLE, no one has a right to take life; not from the preborn, elderly, innocent or guilty. We have been given Liberty. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus proclaimed, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. As the Patriots shed their blood to gain our freedom and the Constitution instructs the government to protect those rights, Acts 20:28 instructs the Ministry to protect and promote the general welfare of the church because it was purchased with “His own blood.” Our Liberty has been purchased by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Finally, God has granted us the right to Pursue Happiness. Psalms 144:15 guarantees, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. Psalms 146:5 states further, Happy is the man whose hope is in the Lord. Benjamin Franklin said, The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness; you have to catch it yourself. Many people forget to include the word pursuit when they speak of the happiness guaranteed by the Constitution, just as many ignore the same word in receiving happiness from the Lord. Our happiness is guaranteed and protected as we pursue God and put our hope in Him.

The Bible is a precious and valuable document it proclaims the sovereignty of God, establishes His government in our life and enumerates all the precious promises that we have a right to as citizens of His kingdom. It is not generational or cultural; the Word of God is still as relevant to your life today as when it was given to “Men of Old” by God. Don’t allow His Word to become just a Historical Document; it is your Instrument of Freedom. Read it again, grab hold of every promise, know your RIGHTS, as a Child of God and be prepared to fight for them. They are UNALIENABLE and Satan has no power to deprive you of the rights God has bestowed on His Children.

CAN I FIND GOD IN YOUR BLACKBERRY?

Dear Church Member:

My life is a mess! I’ve made all the wrong choices, followed the wrong path and I’m not sure where to turn next. A co-worker told me maybe I should try God. I noticed the sign in front of your beautiful church and decided to attend last Sunday. I was really hoping I would find some answers.

The greeters at the door were so warm and friendly. They gave me a welcome packet full of information about your beliefs, programs and church community and then helped me find a seat. I sat directly behind you. It was so kind of you to make sure I had a bible and your lovely smile and handshake gave me hope; maybe this was the place I had been searching for. The service began with everyone praying out loud. I had never heard such a prayer; maybe God would really hear me if I talked to him with all of these believers. The songs and worship made me cry; I felt so close to Heaven. The hardness inside of me began to break; could I finally let go of all the hurt and disappointment that had filled me for so long? Even the announcements and the offering seemed to glorify God. I was thankful that the leader asked everyone to turn off their cell phones because I was so hungry for God and I wanted to hear every word. The congregation stood to honor the reading of the Bible; I think the Pastor picked the scriptures just for me.

I was on the edge of my seat, hanging on to every word when I noticed you grabbed your blackberry. I hadn’t heard it ring but it suddenly seemed so important to you. I looked at you full of concern and said a silent prayer that the emergency call was not bad news. You looked at the screen and smiled as your fingers flew over the keys. Wow, no emergency, maybe there is something to this prayer thing! Then you scrolled down the screen looking at the latest headlines, checked your Facebook page and posted an update. Turning my attention to the speaker, I finally got back on track with what he was saying when another “emergency” occurred. You winked at your friend across the aisle, hardly able to contain your laughter as you replied to her witty comments. Sadly, I walked down the aisle and out the door. Maybe I’ll just buy a music CD and a Blackberry!

Sincerely,
A Searching Heart
Written by Susan Niswonger to make us aware of the hurting people who may be watching us.

DON'T LET ME MISS THE GLORY

Moses had led the people out of Egypt, across the Red Sea. In Exodus, God commands Moses to go and take possession of the land of Canaan. God promised to send an angel before them and drive the enemy out of the land. Moses prayed, “God you know me by name and you say I have found grace in your eyes, but you haven’t let me in on exactly how you are going to accomplish the task before me. God tells Moses that His presence will go before him and he will be given rest. Moses continues, “God if you don’t go before us, don’t even bother sending us on up. And by the way how is everyone else going to know that you have commanded this thing and I have found grace in your sight?” True to form, Moses needed a sign. Moses asks God to show him His glory. God tells Moses He will make “all of His goodness pass before him.” God continues, “As my glory passes, I will shield you until I have passed and you shall see my back parts but not my face.”

I believe the “back parts” of God’s glory that Moses saw was all the wonderful things God had done up to that point. It would have been too much for even Moses to have seen all the future glory (the face) of God. I believe Moses saw the glory of the world being created, how God saved 8 people in an ark, how Abraham was led to a city whose builder and maker was God. Moses was reminded of God’s glory in the Egyptian plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. Then Moses began to understand that the God who had been faithful since creation could surely perform everything necessary to see His people enter the Promised Land.

If we are not careful, like Moses, we will begin to doubt and question the daunting task God has set before us. The Glory of God is passing by us as a witness that we are called, we have found favor in His sight and that He has equipped us for the journey. We can be so caught up in fear and doubt that we miss the glory. Today as God removes His hand and allows you to glimpse His glory be encouraged that the same God who saved you will carry you through; the same God that healed you as a child is still a healer. He is still a burden-bearer, a provider, a friend, and a comforter. Whatever you have need of, He is. God may not show you His face, the whole picture, tomorrow or even the next step but if you allow Him to lead, you won’t miss the glory.

OPPORTUNITY LOST (ALMOST)

January 1, the dawn of a new year, an opportunity for a fresh start; sure it is all a mental exercise, but half of the battle is getting ourselves into the right frame of mind. Many people say they don’t believe in setting a New Year’s Resolution, but I think it is because of their fear of failure. Every year I resolve to or as I prefer to say, set goals regarding personal improvement. They always include eating and weight reduction after the decadent indulgences during the holidays, but I also like to include economic and spiritual disciplines.

This morning during my morning devotions, I asked God to help me with what I consider my most important resolution for the year, allowing God to work through me every day. After praying and reading a biblical passage for the day, I was off to purchase the necessary props to help me with another resolution. Then it happened at the Wal-Mart deli counter.

I walked up to the deli counter with an absent-minded smile on my face. The smile was because there was no one else at the deli counter, the absent-mindedness because I was thinking about taking down all the Christmas decorations and what a relief it would be to finish that chore. I told the clerk I wanted a pound of smoked turkey and promptly receded into my swirling thoughts. Without missing a beat, the clerk said she couldn’t wait until 2:00 so she could go to the hospital to see her mother. For a moment, my mind couldn’t connect deli turkey, 2:00, and a complete stranger’s mother. Thank God at those times the Holy Spirit takes over. I asked why her mother was in the hospital. After she told me her mother was suffering with lung cancer and was having a very hard time breathing and I told her how sorry I was that she had to start the New Year in this way. She continued to tell me how scared and worried she was. I had enough presence of mind to ask her mother’s name and tell her I would pray for her. I took my packaged turkey from the counter, turned to move on to the cottage cheese, noticing the tears in her eyes and feeling pretty good about offering to pray for her and her mother.

As I moved down the produce aisle, I realized the Holy Spirit wasn’t done. I was reminded of my sincere prayer this morning to be a willing vessel. But, I was busy, I had decorations waiting to be put away, the store was so busy and I didn’t want to embarrass her. I continued to the dairy section, but the Holy Ghost wouldn’t leave me alone. This could be an opportunity, one moment in time to help a hurting soul. I frantically searched my purse for a church business card and hurried across the store to the deli counter. My new friend was nowhere to be seen. Kicking myself, I finished shopping, all the while praying for Joyce and her daughter, hoping that would soothe my stinging conscience.

Finished shopping, I entered the checkout lane. I could see my new friend assisting another customer at the deli counter. With card in hand, I passed up the check out, approached the deli counter and waited and waited. Finally, I gently told her I would not only pray for her, but offered Steve’s services as a minister and invited her to our Sunday service. I’m not sure if it will impact her in the way it did me, but I do know that if I had failed to be obedient, I would have missed an opportunity.

Opportunities have limited lives. Once the moment has passed, the opportunity may never present itself again. You may never get the chance to be in that situation, with that person and be the one God has appointed to speak words of hope. I will pray for Joyce and make it a point to frequent the deli counter as a follow up to a God-ordained opportunity that was almost lost.

BECAUSE OF GOD'S GRACE

The following is a devotional I received this morning. It left me with a feeling of uncertainty rather than hope. Any rebuttal that I can write would be sorely inadequate, so I asked one of my favorite thinkers and writers to stand in my place. Below the devotional is the commentary written by my son Steven who is much more eloquent then I am. I am so thankful we have all been chosen for salvation and that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Amazing Grace or Random Grace
Tim Challies

A while ago I received an email from a father, concerned about the task of sharing the gospel with his children. Here is what he sent to me:

I have such a hard time grasping the notion of election as a father. I struggle with why so much of Bible addresses us as decision making/choice making creatures, appealing to us to recognize something and depart from sin and accept Christ.
Yet if God is simply "zapping" us with irresistible Grace, it seems to me that our efforts for others to turn away sin and accept Christ is really not genuine. It seems rigged.
Is there anything that can assure me that I have an influence in whether my child's number is called?

I certainly understand the heart behind this question. I, too, am a father and one who is deeply concerned about the eternal welfare of my children. I love them so deeply and desire nothing greater than that they would turn to Christ in repentance and faith
Like this reader, I am sometimes tempted to express frustration with the way God has chosen to save a people for Himself. But through it all I know that his ways are not only good; his ways are best.

Here's the 3-part answer I gave this father:

First, I think we need to have much greater confidence in God's sovereignty than in the ability of our children to choose God without his foreordaining grace. Without God's grace, none of us could ever turn to him. So we need to take refuge in God's sovereignty and not make it an occasion of fear or dread.

Second, I think it is helpful to see predestination as something that is of far greater concern to God than to us. While we see from Scripture that God has predestined his elect to eternal life, I'm not sure that it is helpful for us to think too much about who is among the elect and who is not.

Third, we need to be careful in how we understand God's work of election. Scripture does not say that certain people "had their number called" and others did not. Instead, we read that God chose some because he had special love for them. There is nothing random about it.
Take adoption for example.

When a couple sets out to adopt a child, they have a large number of potential children available to them. But somewhere in the process of adoption they set their heart on a particular child. It is not that they have chosen this child randomly, but rather that they did so because their affections were set upon him.

Their selection of a particular child is not unfair to the other children. One child was graciously selected for the special blessing of adoption while many others were not. Giving a gift to one person does not make it unfair to withhold a gift from another.

While God has, indeed, ordained who will be saved, he has not told us who he will save. And so we are called us to take the gospel message far and wide, preaching it to all men and allowing God to work the gift of faith into those whom he has chosen for life.

Our task in evangelism is not ultimately to win people to Christ but to faithfully preach the gospel message. If we preached that message, we have done what God calls us to.
As believers, we must learn to rejoice in his goodness as well a sin his sovereign choice and grace. His grace is not random.

It is amazing.

HERE IS STEVEN'S COMMENTARY:

The view expressed in the devotional is a most unfortunate viewpoint. Not only does it do nothing to assuage the fears the father has for his children, it paints a picture of God who is anything but sovereign. True sovereignty rises above emotion and reaction.

1. A sovereign God does not fear that some will not choose Him...He cannot have His pride hurt. Though this is not stated outright, the concept of God fearing that He will lose control is underlying in Calvinism and that is why we as mere humans cannot possibly have free choice. God will never lose control regardless of the decisions we make. His sovereignty means that we must play by His rules no matter what. God's sovereignty is not in the least bit threatened by our choices.

2. The metaphor of adoption is poor because it makes God passive. God is always active, because He is the highest power and nothing can act upon Him making Him passive. A couple wanting to adopt is given a choice from what is available. They are passive in that they have no control over the range of selection. They did not create the children and then select which ones would gain their "special love". God is the Creator. He is active in Creation, not a passive bystander. He does not pick and choose out of a fixed set over which He had no control, and then pour out "special love" based upon some inherent, attractive quality that we possess. Instead, He created each individual with the same opportunity and elements of spirit required to come to Him.

If he did not create us equally, then God must be a vindictive creator that is simply toying with our lives. He then would have created those who have no choice or opportunity to worship Him, to praise Him, and to call Him Father. Likewise, there would be no value in our praise because it would not come out of a recognition of God's sovereignty and worth, but would rather come out of obligation to our nature. Following that line of reasoning, Calvinism falls apart because it states that we are in a state of Total Depravity. If it is our created nature to worship, then we are not in Total Depravity. This causes acts of sin and righteousness to differ none at all...they are simply destiny and foreordained of God. We, as the created, have no choice in the matter of our actions. All of this leaves creation without value, worship without value, and, on the other side, sin without a negative value. It removes moral consequence from our actions. A consequence is the result of a sequence of actions. If created without choice, there exists no consequence dependent upon action; instead, there is simply destiny. No matter the choice, all actions lead to the same end. Given that knowledge, there is now no guilt to be found in acting in sin because you are either chosen or not chosen. Of course, you can see the slippery slope and danger of thinking too coherently about Calvinism. Calvinists would try to deny this line of reasoning by talking about God's sovereignty and justice, but it all ends up being double speak.

3. God is no respecter of persons; therefore there can be no single, inherent quality that one possesses that will gain God's love. God's love is universal, as well as equal for all. His grace is also universal, as well as equal for all. The concept of grace is misunderstood by Calvinists. They view it more as a force that God uses to pull us to Him. Grace is simply the unmerited favor of God. It is not a force; it is the state in which each of us lives. It is by the grace of God that we live though we have sinned. It is by the grace of God that He provided Himself a sacrifice for our sins. It is by the grace of God that we have the opportunity to be saved. It is by the grace of God that we receive blessing. God's grace is available to all that are willing to receive it, but it does not actively force us toward God. God's grace entices us to Him, but does not push us.

4. If Calvinists are correct, then God has acted against His own will. The Bible states that it is God's will that none should perish. If it is God's will that none should perish and we have no choice to make (since God has made it for us), then none will perish. Calvinists will say that "none of God's chosen" will perish, but that is not what the Bible says. If God is sovereign as Calvinists define it, then nobody will suffer hell since God doesn't want anyone there.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this guy is confused in his concept of God's self-revelation to man. Jesus is the revelation of God to man. He came to seek and save that which is lost. Do we not all fall into that category, even those not "chosen"?

Steven Niswonger
sdniswonger@foremosteng.com
Feel free to send any comments to Steven. I’m sure he will be happy to reply.

It is up to each one of us to accept what God offers as a free gift by obedience to His Word. Make the right choice today!

THE ALARM CLOCK JUST BUZZED

Sleeping peacefully, snuggled under a cozy quilt, I was suddenly awaken by the shrill sound of an alarm clock. I am known in the family as an “early bird.” My eyes pop open at first light and I hit the floor running. I am the one who walks in the office with a cheery good morning but can barely whisper good night as I drag myself up the stairs at bedtime. Lately, however, the nights are cooler and the sun hasn’t quite made an appearance to signal that a new day has begun. This “morning person” is hearing the alarm on a more frequent basis.

As I reached to turn off the alarm, I was reminded of Luke 21:34, And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. This may seem like a strange verse with which to greet the new day, but the more I meditated on it, the stronger I felt that God had impressed this verse on my heart.

We are living in a time of great turmoil in the United States. During the 50 years that I have been alive, I cannot remember such a time of unrest, uncertainty, fear, confusion, and unanswered questions. Our minds and energies can become so caught up with Wall Street, Washington, our jobs, our possessions and paying for them, our families, and our recreational activities that we fail to see the day in which we are living. As Luke states, our focus is centered on overindulgence, satisfying our desires, or just getting by every day, ignoring the warning signs that are flashing before our very eyes. The alarm clock is sounding but we hit the snooze button and snuggle down to a few more moments of blissful sleep.

As a child, I remember fiery messages regarding the soon return of the Lord. People would run to the altar, afraid to leave the church without getting everything “right” with God. Today, if we can get them to the church, the yawns and furtive glances at the clock encourage the preacher to shorten his sermon and say a quick closing prayer. Actually, I find very few churches who even mention the rapture and even fewer churchgoers who are looking for it to happen any day.

Hebrews 9:28 tells us that Jesus will appear unto those that look for Him, II Timothy 4:8 speaks of the crown of righteousness that we who love His appearing shall receive and Titus 2:13 reminds us to look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. I am struck by the fact that we are to be looking, longing and waiting with eager expectation for the return of the Lord. The early church would greet each other with “Maranatha” or “Oh, Lord Come.” Today our greetings in church have changed to the golf game we have scheduled at noon, the new restaurant that we can’t wait to try, or the latest movie we viewed last night.

A prophecy came forth in a sermon I was listening to last Sunday evening that said, “The things that are happening in the world have been given to shake us out of our slumber. The trumpet has already been lifted to the lips to be blown but God is giving us a little more time to reach one more lost soul.” God is trying to shake us from our slumber but we are simply turning over and snuggling under the covers. I fear the church world has entered a season of comfort where the room is darker because we have lost truth and the fire is missing from the sermons leaving the nights a little cooler. Let us awake from our slumber and arise before we hear the alarm; there is still much work to be accomplished.

THE CORE OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

I read this quote from J. Lee Grady, Charisma Magazine, this morning. I hope it blesses you as it did me.

“I believe the book of Psalms is in the middle of the Bible because praise must be at the core of the Christian life."

David was not reserved when He shut himself away with God. He prayed, sang, shouted, clapped his hands and danced. And he talked to himself. He said with confidence: “Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I will be confident” (27:3).

We normally think it strange when someone talks to himself. But the Bible actually encourages us to do so when we are praising the Lord. If you are fighting discouragement, one of the best things you can do is hide yourself in a room and begin to tell God how awesome He is. If you can’t sing well, put on some lively praise music and follow along. The important thing is that you open your mouth and speak—because by doing so you are canceling the enemy’s lies.
Many Christians only praise God in church once a week. No wonder so many of us are spiritually frail. We’ve also lost the art of true biblical confession. When our souls have been overwhelmed by bad news, we must counteract by declaring our faith out loud.

There is an old song that comes to mind, “It’s Amazing What Praising Can Do.” One line says, Now I don’t worry when things go wrong, Jesus fills my heart with a song. If you’ve tried everything; praise! If you are at the end of your rope; praise! If your prayers hit the ceiling and bounce back; praise! When you need a way made out of no way; praise! Sing, shout, dance and praise!!!

BE A LIFTER

Are you a doer or an advisor? We always seem full of words but lacking in the action category although most circumstances require action rather than words. The following is an excerpt from the devotional book, Encouragement Changes Everything by John Maxwell.

Years ago, I came across a piece about someone who fell into a pit and couldn’t get out—and how others treated that person.

A subjective person came along and said, “I feel for you down there.”

An objective person came along and said, “Well, it’s logical that someone would fall down there.”

A Pharisee said, “Only bad people fall into pits.”

A mathematician calculated how the individual fell into the pit.

A news reporter wanted an exclusive story on the person in the pit.

A fundamentalist said, “You deserve your pit.”

A Calvinist said, “If you’d been saved you would have never fallen in that pit.”

An Armenian said, “You were saved and still fell in that pit.”

A charismatic said, “Just confess that you’re not in that pit.”

A realist came along and said, “Now that’s a pit.”

A geologist told him to appreciate the rock strata in the pit.

An IRS worker asked if he was paying taxes on this pit.

The county inspector asked if he had a permit to dig the pit.

A self-pitying person said, “You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen my pit.”

An optimist said, “Things could be worse.”

A pessimist said, “Things will get worse.”

Jesus, seeing the man, reached down and took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit.

Which person do you most identify with? Oh, to be like Jesus!!! Lift someone out of the pit today, whether by word or deed.

CERTAIN DEATH

The nation has been consumed with Hurricane Ike for the last two days. For a few hours even politics and Sarah Palin reports were pre-empted. I was fascinated by the updates and progress reports. The forces of nature have a way of showing how helpless and vulnerable we are even with the latest technological advances. Especially entertaining are the brave, or is it foolish, reporters who stand outside in gale force winds so that we can experience the deadly storm in the safety of our family rooms. I watched as Geraldo was swept off his feet when a debris-filled wave hit him in the shins. Another reporter expressed shock that over 10,000 citizens had decided to stay on Galveston Island although the National Weather Service had issued the dire warning of “Certain Death” for anyone not leaving. “We heard the warning of Certain Death,” he added, “As we were driving in.” Am I the only one who saw the irony in this situation?

The scenario that sticks in my mind was captured on a cell phone and transmitted live to Fox News. The caller was a bartender at a local bar on the island. She said there had been 10 people lined up waiting to get in when she had opened earlier. By 3:00 p.m., Texas time, over 20 people had gathered to party, drink and wait out the storm. They were laughing, dancing, drinking from glasses and turning up bottles to keep the rowdy atmosphere rocking. The news anchor asked the caller if she had heard the warning of “Certain Death.” The bartender said, “I hope that doesn’t happen. We’ll pray and ask God to keep us safe.” The reporter then urged the bartender to warn the patrons and at least tell them that if they stayed in the bar, they would die. “Please tell them, they are going to die,” he said. The bartender said she would tell them and hung up. I heard on a later report that the customers had second thoughts and later dispersed. If only we could get the same response as we sound the alarm to a dying world.

Matthew 24: 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Every day we encounter people seemingly unaware of the approaching storm. The warnings of “certain death” are being broadcast through world political events, natural disasters and God’s modern day prophets, yet sin continues. Let us take one more opportunity, as the reporter did, to plead again with a lost world. Can we sound the alarm a little louder, a little more forceful to let them know, “Please, you are going to die!” Would you be bold for 10 souls, for 5, for just 1? This week think of one person in your life that you need to warn of impending destruction and pray that God would open the door of opportunity to let them know one more time that they are traveling a road to “Certain Death.”