WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A.......

I will never forget a statement made by my College Economics Professor; “Your desire will determine the price you are willing to pay for any item.” He then used the example of your thirst after a long hike in which a bottle of water is $5. You pay the first $5 with no hesitation, you consider the price and pay the second $5, then you consider your thirst and decide the third bottle is not worth $5.

Most things in life follow this law of economic, so it is the job of Marketing Departments to create a desire for their products. Consider, for a moment, these familiar lines from advertisements, “I’d walk a mile for a Camel,” “Snicker’s really satisfy,” “Cookoo for Cocoa Puffs,” and many more that are coming back to you right now.

Last week, I again heard the jingle for a Klondike Bar. Sing it with me, “What would you do-oo-oo for a Klondike Bar?” The commercial goes on to ask, would you do this? Or would you do that? Would you go this far? How about this? What would YOU do for a Klondike Bar? I began to reflect on the lengths we will go to fulfill our personal desires. We will overcome the obstacles of money, distance, availability, health warnings and sensibility to satisfy our lust for material things.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD?

The Bible tells us of different people who were willing to do whatever they had to do to get what they desired from God. Matthew, Mark and Luke relate the story of a woman who suffered with a medical problem for 12 years. She had spent all of her money and tried every medical remedy to no avail. She heard Jesus was passing by and this was her only opportunity to get relief. It didn’t matter if she had to get down in the dirt and crawl, she had to touch Jesus. The minute she touched Him, she received everything she desired.

Zacchaeus was a rich man and a leader in the city but there was something missing in his life. He had heard about a man named Jesus and wanted to meet him. As Jesus passed by, he stood on his tiptoes, maybe he jumped to see over the crowd or tried to push his way to the front, but there were just too many people. The desire to see Jesus overcame his pride and position as he shimmied up the nearest Sycamore tree. Jesus passed by and looked up; a life was changed. Testimonies abound in the Bible about the relentless pursuit of those who followed Jesus. Everyone who was willing to “do whatever it took” went home fulfilled.

The story of Grandma Freida touches my heart. Grandma Freida was very ill; so ill that hospice had been called in to assist the family in caring for her. Matt, Grandma Freida’s grandson had begun to attend a Pentecostal church, where his life was changed. Matt desired above all that his grandmother would be ready to meet the Lord when the end came. The church prayed as Matt began to tell his grandmother what a great God he served and of his hope of Heaven. Grandma Freida agreed to have a Bible study. As truth was revealed to her through the Word of God, she wanted to be baptized. She was so ill that the doctors forbid her to be baptized. She was informed that if her skin contacted any water, whether in a swimming pool, bathtub or lake, it would end her life, but Grandma Freida wanted to be ready to meet Jesus. One day she had an idea, she would wrap her body in Saran Wrap, so that the water would not contact her skin. Well, the pastor came and Grandma Freida was baptized in the wonderful Name of Jesus. The next Monday morning, she went home to be with her new-found Lord.

What about your relationship with God? What would you do for a closer relationship with God? How far would you walk to reach a soul? What crazy risks would you take to experience something so great in God that your life would be changed forever? What would you give to have that longing in your spirit satisfied? It takes total commitment but God’s Word promises that if you take the risk, you will never thirst again.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A NEW ENCOUNTER WITH GOD?

MY LIFE, HIS PLANS

Last week I spent a few days with my granddaughters, Mackenzie, Madison and Anabel. We call it “Grandma Camp” and they get some one on one time with Grandma, including sleeping in the same room at night. On Tuesday night, Madison was fast asleep, but Mackenzie was having a hard time settling down. Five-year old Mackenzie crawled into the twin bed and snuggled up to Grandma, however, she had no intention of going to sleep. Mackenzie wanted to talk to Grandma about life. We talked about the fun things she had been doing all summer, her pre-school and Sunday school class, the swimming lessons from that morning and what we had planned for tomorrow. Then Mackenzie began to talk about her dreams and aspirations for the future. Kindergarten, puppies, her fifth birthday party and Grandkids camp in August were all subjects of interest. We whispered and giggled and just as I closed my eyes, Mackenzie had one more dream to share; “When I grow up, I’m going to find a boy that’s not married, marry him and have my own house.”

I was taken back to my own 5-year old dreams. I wanted to be a bride. I dreamed of my wedding, the dress, the cake, my bouquet, walking down the aisle, the only missing ingredient was “the boy that wasn’t married.” Steve came along 13 years later to complete that dream. I had several other dreams, some came true, some fell by the way, and others were crushed under the weight of life. When I look back over my life, although I’ve been blessed, everything isn’t the way I had planned it; life hasn’t turned out exactly as I dreamed. I know very few adults that can say, as they look back over their life, “This is exactly what I had planned, my life is perfect and everything has happened just as I dreamed.”

As I began to meditate on this fact of life, I realized that life isn’t supposed to turn out the way “I planned” or according to “My dreams.” God always intended that I would go His way. According to Jeremiah 29:11, God reminds us, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. If your life isn’t going the way you always thought it would, maybe God is keeping you from a huge mistake or disaster. The only people who ever say their life turned out just the way THEY dreamed and planned have not submitted to God’s plan and sadly, their eternity will not be as they dreamed or planned.

Isaiah 58:8-9 tells us, 8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.. Mackenzie will find out that her dreams will change as she matures. She will face setbacks, disappointments, victories and challenges to her plans. There is one thing she can be sure of as her life continues, if she will totally commit her dreams to God and His plan for her life, “It will turn out exactly as He planned and His dreams for her will come true.

IF YOU DON'T TRUST THE MONITOR, UNPLUG IT!!!

Our grandsons, two-year old Caleb and two-month old Nathan stayed with us while Steven and Jenesa enjoyed a four day anniversary trip. Caleb is an old hand at staying with Grandma and Grandpa. He knows where I keep the toys, the step stool in the bathroom, his toothbrush, where his blanket is in his room and exactly how many books I allow in bed with him. Nathan has never been away from his mom more than 2 or 3 hours at a time; secretly, I was very nervous. If you think 2-year olds are unpredictable, try an infant!

The first few hours passed without incident and bedtime arrived. Grandpa spent some alone time with Nathan while Caleb splashed in the tub under Grandma’s watchful eye. Clean “jammies”, video, snack, 3 books, prayers, blanket, noise machine, lights out, one down!! Now the adventure begins. Around 10:00, Nathan sucked down his last bottle, his little eyes were heavy with sleep and his little body so warm against me; this is Heaven!!! How long will it last? Last diaper changed, snuggly wrapped like a little mummy in his swaddler, I carried him up the stairs. Just like mommy said, I laid him on his wedge, securely tucked a blanket around his legs, turned on the air purifier for background noise, turned off the light and most importantly, TURNED ON THE BABY MONITOR!!!!

I took a quick bath, brushed my teeth and checked both boys one last time; sleeping like little angels. Sinking down into my pillow, I realized how exhausted I was. I don’t remember being this tired 30 years ago when my 2 boys were this age. Turning over, my eyes flew open; the clock read 3:30. The monitor must NOT be working. I knew not to trust these electronic devises, I hadn’t heard a sound. What if he had scooted under the blanket, what if he had stopped breathing, what if he was lying there awake not making a sound, what if, what if, what if? Jumping out of bed, I hurried into his room, he was lying there sound asleep, I touched his warm little cheek just to make sure he was still breathing and slowly backed out of the room. The rest of the night was spent in fitful sleep as I listen to the monitor broadcast nothing but a rush of air.

How many times have I followed the rules, made all the right preparations, prayed about a situation, then plugged in the “God Monitor” and waited? God, I’ve been waiting a whole day, now it’s been a week or two and I’ll I hear is a rush of empty air. God, this monitor isn’t working, I’d better check on things; are you still breathing, do you hear me? Maybe I’ll just lie here awake and worry or better yet, figure it out for myself!!! All the while, God is saying, “IF YOU DON’T TRUST THE MONITOR, UNPLUG IT!!!!

My history with the baby monitor, tells me it can be trusted. It has been used with three other grandchildren and worked every time. I used it for nap time just this morning and heard every cry, so why do I doubt that it will function at night? My history with God tells me He can be trusted! I have placed other situations in His hands and He has come through every time. Just this morning I talked with Him and I felt His presence in the room, so why do I doubt that He knows exactly what to do in the dark hours. God, I think I’ll stay plugged in and trust that your voice will come through when I need to hear it and it will be just the right time.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

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.

JUST TO BE CLOSE TO YOU

My dad passed away September, 2001 and my heart still hurts with longing every time I think of him. Dad’s 74th birthday is Sunday and our family holds the memories of his last earthly birthday dear. All of his kids and grandkids made the trek down to Doniphan, MO with no anticipation that this would be the last time some of us would see him in this world. We sang, laughed, shared stories, wrote love letters, prayed with him and enjoyed just being close to him. This is a great memory, but one of my most precious memories occurred in February 2001. Dad was very sick at that time, so I offered to sit with him while Mom and Steve went to Sunday evening service. For two hours, I listened to the sound of his voice, soaked up his many “pearls of wisdom,” and delighted in just being alone with him. When it was time for us to return to Michigan, he held me so tight, as if he wanted the imprint of his arms and love for me to burned in my memory for ever. There are many days, as the tears flow down my cheeks, I stop for a moment just to remember those arms wrapped tight around me. I am so thankful that I have a Blessed Hope of one day soon gathering together, singing, laughing, sharing stories and feeling those arms holding me close.

This morning, I turned over, wide awake, only to find out that it was 3:20 a.m. I’ve learned not to fight the sleepless nights but to lie there enjoying the presence of God. God is always so real in the stillness of the early morning. As I made my way downstairs a few hours later and entered the room where I like to spend time with God, His presence continued to hover. It seemed as if God didn’t want to let me go about my day, just yet. I knelt down by my chair and began my devotions as always, thanking Him for another day, for keeping us safe through the night, for health and strength. Just as I started to go through my litany of requests, I felt overwhelmed by His love for me. I simply said, “God, you know what I have need of today and I ask that you would grant it.” As I continued to sit quietly in His presence, just listening to His voice, I realized His incredible love for me. The tears began to flow, His love flooded my soul and soon His language filled my heart and lips. I knew my day would begin soon, but for now I just wanted to be close to Him.

There is a worship song that comes to mind that portrays this morning’s experience:

Just to be close to you, is where I want to be
Let me hide myself inside your heart to find my destiny
Every step I take, is one less step I’ll need
To be in Your presence, close to thee

Someday soon I know I’ll see You face to face, sit at Your feet and feel Your warm embrace, but for now, it is enough Just To Be Close To You.

AND IF I BE LIFTED UP

What an eventful month we have experienced this June. North Korea is threatening to launch a missile at Hawaii, Iran is experiencing an uprising that despite their government’s efforts continues to gain strength, and President Obama advances with his mission to bring us level with the rest of the international socialist communities. Last week a senator admits to having an affair with a staffer and this week a governor disappears for a hike in the Appalachians, winds up in Argentina and confesses to having an affair. We learned of the deaths of three famous personalities, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and on Thursday, Michael Jackson. At one time they seemed on top of the world, riding high on life, but in death McMahon was bankrupt, Fawcett suffered the pain of cancer, relationship problems, and has a son in jail, and Jackson’s entire life was such a mess that he existed on a daily cocktail of drugs. Everyone of these devastating life situations are a result of elevating the wrong individual.

I have heard so many ask the question HOW? How can we sit by and watch Iran kill people for speaking out? How can we say nothing while our President destroys what’s left of our economy? How can a governor with a beautiful family, on track to possibly run for President, throw everything away for momentary pleasure? How could Ed McMahon lose his home to foreclosure? How could Michael Jackson waste such a promising life and career? Answer: the wrong person has been elevated.

I am always amazed at the emotional displays attached to coming in contact with people we have set up as “idols.” Every year thousands of fans make a pilgrimage to Graceland to celebrate Elvis’ birthday. President Obama has been given god-like status in the eyes of millions around the world. Obamaites consider his words infallible, scream and faint in his presence and many broke down with emotion at his inauguration. At the announcement of the death of Michael Jackson, thousands rushed to the Los Angeles hospital, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton took the opportunity to get some TV face time, and sales of his recordings hit all time highs. We are elevating the wrong person.

I love the song by Michael W. Smith called, “Be Lifted High.” One line says, “Sin and its ways lead to pain, left here with hurt and with shame.” When we elevate the wrong person, the outcome is only hurt and shame. The accumulation of things no longer satisfies, the fawning crowds leave us empty inside and all the beautiful people surrounding us are not so beautiful any more. It all turns to loss, defeat and sometimes even public ridicule. Oh what a difference when we elevate Jesus Christ.

The song continues, “And I fall to my knees so it’s you that they see, not I, Jesus you be lifted high.” When we get the focus off of ourselves and our desires and elevate Jesus, the hurt, the shame, the feelings of inadequacy, and the pressure to perform all fade into the background and we begin to experience His love, His joy and His peace. Jesus said in John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” If you are feeling like life has let you down and there is nothing that can satisfy the emptiness, fall on your knees and allow Jesus to be lifted up.

POTENTIAL GARBAGE OR GARBAGE WITH POTENTIAL

Jeremiah 18:44 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make.

Do you have friends that are avid recyclers, garage sale junkies or maybe just pack rats? I once read a story about a “pack rat.” She had accumulated so much “stuff” that it took a bulldozer to move her treasures to allow the EMT to reach her dead body. She had magazines stacked to the ceiling; I’m sure they held some great recipes, articles or coupons.

There are women and some men who actually warn other drivers with a bumper sticker; “WARNING, I stop for garage sales.” I have to admit I’ve snagged some great bargains that my neighbors had determined were no longer necessary.

Every Sunday afternoon a parade of pickup trucks drive slowly up and down the streets of our neighborhood cruising for treasure. Saturday is “clean out the garage and basement day” and Monday is garbage day, which makes Sunday a perfect “garbage with potential” day. I had a friend who would yell at the “garbage pickers” as they looked through her curbside offerings. In her eyes it was garbage and if it had any value, she would have given it to someone. I, on the other hand, become so excited that someone can use my trash, that I run out to the curb, help them load it and offer them more.

Our great-grandparents understood the value of recycling long before it became a government mandate or politically correct. The Christmas ham bone became flavoring for a pot of soup beans (southern term) or bean soup for you northerners. Potato sacks morphed into shirts and dresses and finally found their resting place in a cozy quilt top. Empty cans were kicked and barrel rings were rolled with a stick. I can feel the earth shaking from all the “grave turning” as we nonchalantly toss out potential clothing, hours of fun for children or delicious pots of soup. Their minds could not comprehend the piles of computers, game boys, cell phones and other outdated electronic devices. But I’m sure given the chance; they would have turned them into the latest gadget our teenagers could not live without.

We have become such a disposable society, that we only see value at the time of purchase. Has this mindset invaded the Christian community when we look at people? Do we only see the value in those who appeal to us and our goals? Do we use people, and then toss them on the garbage heap once they no longer fit into our plan? Perhaps there are even those in which we see no value; the halt, the lame, mentally-challenged, dirty, poor, fat, and ugly or the unborn. Have we forgotten that Jesus came to seek and save those we consider potential garbage? Jeremiah tells the story of turning potential garbage into garbage with potential.

Jeremiah 18:44, “And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.” 

The vessel that had become landfill in society’s eyes was changed into a vessel of value in the hands of the Master Recycler.

A song says, “He looked not at what I was, but at what I could become.” Left to our own desires and short-sightedness, we would have all eventually been left on the “curb of life,” mere fodder for the trash pickers. I am so thankful that Jesus looks on the potential garbage of life and sees garbage with potential.

Dear God, today, let me see everyone through your eyes, reach with your arms and love with your heart.