It's An Adventure!

Many years ago, a neighbor couple, both of whom were blind, asked me to take them to a doctor’s appointment at Erlanger. No problem; I packed my two little ones in the van, along with those neighbors, and we set off to perform our good deed.

Erlanger covers a fairly large campus, and I was unfamiliar with the place. The friends asked me to drop them off at a certain place; then I went to park the van. I put our baby girl in the stroller and our 4-year-old son walked beside me. To my dismay, the couple had not waited for us, but had gone on their way to their appointment. They knew where they were going! Unfortunately, I did not. I panicked. I had not the least idea which building they had gone into. I made a wild guess, which was in error. My panic level rose. I was totally lost, along with my two babies, and I had lost the blind people for whom I was responsible! (No one had cell phones at that time.)

For some reason, I thought the place must be “over there.” I bumped the stroller along a grassy expanse, expecting to reach the next building. Suddenly, we were at the edge of a six-foot drop-off. This grassy lawn went nowhere. I was absolutely dismayed and without any hope of finding our friends. I was too frightened to cry. My son looked over the abyss before us and exclaimed with true delight, “Mom, this is an adventure!”

I was stunned. Adventure? This was a disaster! His comment really set me back. Not having any responsibility in the matter, he was absolutely enjoying himself. What a difference in perspective! We were both going through the same motions, but because of an awareness of plan, or lack thereof, and a sense of responsibility, or lack thereof, we had exactly opposite responses to the situation.

My son did not know that his guide was completely lost and had no knowledge of what to do. I don’t think he could even have comprehended that. So he was happy and secure.

Our situation with our Guide is exactly the opposite. God is never lost and always knows what to do. But our reaction, which should be the happiness and security exhibited by my son, is also the opposite! We worry and fuss about things we do not understand, we fear the next step or the consequences of that step. We panic. We are dismayed. We try to take responsibility for things we cannot control.

What if we actually believed God knows what is going on, whether good or bad, and is in control of our lives? He tries to tell us. One of our Scripture passages in our recent study of the Holy Spirit is Proverbs 3:5&6, with which we are all familiar. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” God tells us in Psalm 32, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye,” and in Psalm 119, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

We know from experience that even when all things seem to be going wrong, God can sort all that out in a way we never expected and make a beautiful result.  We did find our friends, through an amazing chance – or God’s provision. Sometimes our disasters do not have a happy ending, at least, not that we can see. Yet, could we go through life every moment expecting God to make a beautiful result? Let’s practice. At every step, let’s say, “This is an adventure!” And thank our good God.

--Lynda Shenefield

The Power of Words

Have you recently thought about the power of words? Have you considered the words you’ve spoken and how they would impact the various people with whom you were speaking? In a very familiar passage of Scripture, James compares the tongue to a fire. Like a tiny spark can cause a dangerous and destructive fire, so a word off of our tongue can cause great devastation (James 3:5-6).

I love the word picture that Solomon paints in Proverbs 12:18: “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (ESV). There is a comparison here between two types of people. The first one mentioned is the rash one who doesn’t think before he speaks but says whatever is on his mind without regard of the one to whom he’s speaking. In contrast is the wise one who thinks before he speaks and who understands the weightiness of words. And look at the results! The rash one’s words pierce like swords; the wise one’s words bring healing. The words of the wise are like good balm or medicine to the soul.

Haven’t we all used ‘sword thrust’ words at one time or another? Said things that hurt deeply and left a wound? Used a tone that was harsh and demeaning? I know I have. I have been that rash one at times whose words have pierced like a sword. Those words cannot be unspoken, and once said, can bring pain into a relationship. This can apply to any type of relationship: simple acquaintances, deeper friendships, and even (maybe especially) marriage and family relationships. Praise God for forgiveness and for grace that is given in those times.

However, what would it be like if we were marked by words that bring healing to the soul? If our words brought balm and soothing to a hurting spirit? If our words encouraged a neighbor, helped bring hope to a struggling sister in Christ, or built up our spouse and children? Oh to be known as a person whose words bring healing!

In Psalm 141:3, David wrote in his prayer to God, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” David understood the power of the tongue, and he knew he needed divine intervention to use his tongue for good and not for harm. And thankfully, as believers in God after Christ’s time on earth, we have that guard living inside of us. It is the Holy Spirit Himself who seeks to aid us in this process of spiritual transformation to become more like Christ. The fruit of the Spirit that He enables in us and that often can be seen in our words as well as our actions are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The tongue of a person who is characterized by that fruit will be one of healing and not sword thrusts.

So, as we go into this new week, may we consider our words in the conversations we have. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to be the guard over our mouths, so that our words truly would be a reflection of our Heavenly Father, bringing healing to hurting hearts.

--Amy O'Rear

In the Midst

On our refrigerator we have photos of our darling grandchildren (to make me smile every day).  Also, we have this quote that causes us to try to keep our “feet in the race” or “our hearts outwardly focused.”

Henry Drummond (1851-1897) only lived 46 years. But here I am quoting him today.

He was a Scottish evangelist who assisted Dwight L. Moody in many of his campaigns. If you are not familiar with him, enjoy reading about this man who used a few years to influence future generations. He stated:

“Keep in the midst of life. Do not isolate yourself. Be among men and things, and among troubles, and difficulties, and obstacles.”

Isn’t that an amazing statement? I could stop right there. But let’s think about being “in the midst” with our best example...Jesus.

One of my favorite stories of Jesus is in Matthew concerning his relationship with John the Baptist. Of course, we know John was very important in introducing Jesus Christ to the people. Some background on this relationship:

In Matthew 11, John was in prison. He (verse 3) sent to Jesus and asked if Jesus is really the One they should believe. Jesus did not say, “Go ask John what is he thinking??? Of course! I am the MAIN MAN! Doesn’t he know that???” No, Jesus instead just had the disciples go to remind John “again” about all the good things that had been done. Then Jesus proceeded to say in verses 7-15 that “among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist.” No criticism of John’s concerns...only praise for the servant he was for Jesus.

Now to how Jesus exemplifies being “in the midst” as Henry Drummond reminds us...

 In Matthew 14, John had been beheaded because of his preaching truth. When Jesus (verse 13) heard about John’s death, He “departed by ship into a desert place apart:” Notice that punctuation after “apart” tells us the verse has not ended yet.

The rest of verse 13 says: “And when the people had heard thereof they followed Him on foot out of the city.”

What did Jesus do? Did He say, “Leave me alone. I need to grieve. I am so weary!”

Verse 14 needs no explanation about Jesus being “in the midst of life...among men...” as Henry Drummond implores us to be:

          “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them and he healed their sick.”

Of course, we will have times of grief, of rest alone, of “getting away.” We need to be willing to “Keep in the midst of life. Do not isolate yourself. Be among men and things, and among troubles, and difficulties, and obstacles.” God needs us to touch other people’s lives for His glory.

--Maylou Holladay

Rain, Rain

Rain, rain go away, come again some other day…

The entrance to our neighborhood remains flooded – three weeks now-an inconvenience to us, but the people whose houses are surrounded by water are no doubt experiencing more than an inconvenience. We all long for the sun!

Yet, it will come and warm our souls and we will work outside in our yards pulling weeds, planting our gardens, enjoying the longer days filled with sunlight and our kids; they will play outside and we will all feel the warmth, and marvel at the spring flowers, the beautiful butterflies, and watch as all of God’s goodness seems to come alive. It happens every spring. We have renewed strength and vigor! Then, after a short while, it gets hot and dry – gone are those moments of spring happiness. Now there are flies, mosquitos and relentless ninety-five-degree days and we wish it would RAIN!

I think this is how many of us walk through life. We are always longing for the rain to end until we forget that even the rain is a necessity. And, while at times it causes rivers and creeks to overflow their banks, causing destruction, without the rain, we would be thirsty. Water is an absolute necessity for life!

Our lives (or at least my life) is a lot like this. I love a challenge. I love to learn new things, take on new tasks, new responsibilities, alleviate boredom. But sometimes I allow myself to become overwhelmed either out of frustration or lack of time or management of my time and the task is too hard. I beg for the “rain” to stop and most of the time if I will just pause, be quiet, and wait, right beside me will be an umbrella or a reprieve of some sort, and I will be able to persevere and complete that task or challenge.

Isn’t that the way God often works in our lives? He is there guiding us, directing us and leading us through the pouring rains, flooding waters or maybe even just the puddles we get caught up in, but He is holding the umbrella to not only keep us dry, but to shade us when it gets too hot!

Along with a few other people, I have been memorizing Psalm 34 and verse 8 is the verse I am learning today: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” (ESV) Oh, to enjoy each day, rain and all knowing that God longs for us to take refuge in Him-He is holding the umbrella - both during the floods and the droughts!

Pam Dratnol

March 2019

Got Health?

Sometimes I wonder if I believe a lie about alternative medicine. Am I wasting time and money on supplements, acupuncture, essential oils, organic food, medicinal herbs, etc? I want to believe these things work, but do they? I want to be healthy. There are few studies on such things. Some of it does not seem to work or I cannot tell any difference. Maybe I’m not applying these tools correctly? Some of it is preventative, so I don’t know what would have happened if I had not used these methods. The success rate is hard to measure, and even testimonials are varied in reporting success rates.

So I pray, “Lord, please give me wisdom about these things. I want to be a good steward of Your resources.”

In response, the Lord reminded me of things I know promote good health. I love to make lists, so here are a few:

Drink lots of purified water. (I like to add lemon or make herbal teas too)

Adequate sleep

Moderate exercise (sweat!)

Limit processed sugar and calories

Basic supplements (quality multi-vitamin and multi-mineral)

Eat lots of vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fruits (organic when possible) with adequate protein to stabilize blood sugar

Eat clean meat (organic, grass-fed)

Strive for a healthy gut

Gratitude (count my blessings when feeling down, thank God for them, and express appreciation for what others do for me)

 Prayer/ Reflection/ Meditation of Scripture/ Practice stillness

Forgiveness – “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison yourself and waiting for the other person to die.” Marianne Williamson

Positive relationships

Consistent hand-washing

Keep my bowels moving (that’s good advice!)

Fun and laughter

Fresh air and sunshine

Meaningful work – using my God-given gifts for Kingdom-building

Limit stress – have margin with time and money (“Margin” by Richard Swenson is a good resource)

Self-control, especially with addictive substances such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and food (I recommend the book, “Your Future Self Will Thank You, Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible & Brain Science” by Drew Dyck)

Have a positive attitude – look for the good in others and circumstances

Trust and obey God – Know He has my best in mind. He loves me. He is on my side.

Be faithful in church attendance and fully engage. The benefits are cumulative and sometimes subtle. 

Be generous with time, talents, and money

Follow the Golden Rule – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

Never stop learning

Most of these things do not cost much money, and I certainly don’t apply them perfectly. But we all have room to grow and develop ourselves for God’s glory. We have the Holy Spirit to help us. And what benefits! Emotional, psychological, physical, and spiritual benefits! Maybe there’s something on this list you would like to explore further? Maybe you have something to add to this list? I would love to hear about it.

joyce hague