One Nation Under God…With Liberty…

Independence Day observes the beginning of our nation no longer under the rule of another. Webster defines independence as “the state of not being subject to the control of others…self-governing…not requiring or relying on something else…not looking to others for one’s opinions or for guidance in conduct…” We like the sound of being independent! However, when America became free from Britain rule, America did not throw all government out the window. There were laws to be followed and order to be implemented. I’ve been thinking about this idea as it relates to our Christian liberty, and I’m not the first. Paul wrote in Romans 6:16, “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” In John 8:34, Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” The idea here, is habitual sin, though we sometimes revert back to our old habits even when we’re free. Webster defines addiction: “to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively.”

Consider that besetting sin in your life, no matter how seemingly insignificant. Maybe it’s lack of financial discipline. Maybe it’s gossip. When I surrender to the sale racks for items I don’t need or to the temporary pleasure I experience at the cost of slandering a sister in Christ, I do not typically think about myself being addicted. In fact, the first things that come to mind when I think about addictions are drugs, alcohol and prostitution, as those are the issues common to the women I work with on Tuesday nights who have been incarcerated for these behaviors. I do not have addictions to these things, so I often let myself off the hook. In fact, most of us wouldn’t perceive our behaviors as addictions, I’d like to argue that we may need to think outside the box (or should I say bottle) a little bit. As Eve was deceived in the garden, I too, find myself believing that I’m missing out on great things, and I have erroneously indulged. I should see HUGE RED FLAGS flying when I start thinking this way, because Psalm 84:11 says, “…no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless...” But oftentimes I allow untruth to set me in bondage rather than listening to the “truth that will set me free” (John 8:32). I surrender to the temptation and many times become addicted.

My prayer is that July 4, 2011, will be Independence Day for the ladies of Grace Baptist Church. May our addiction to sin be liberated as we enslave ourselves to righteousness. May we live with liberty...under God.

~Rebecca Phillips

Slow Me Down, Lord!

            

Slow me down, Lord!

“Summer time and the livin’ is easy!”  Yep, it’s vacation time!  I just returned from a week in Seattle with my youngest son, there for a break and for his graduation from a community college.  We spent some time at a vacation home owned by my brother on San Juan Island.  We ate, read, talked, napped, browsed thrift and antique stores, toured a chocolate factory, took pictures of foxes and deer who ventured near enough on the the North Beach, and just relaxed.

            And now it’s time to go back to the grind.  The rest of the summer promises to be hectic.  I’ll be teaching two classes in a “minimester” of five weeks, while preparing to change over to the semester system in August.

            Our lives are frantic, but all of us need a rest, a break from our frenetic schedules.  And our breaks are Biblical.  God Himself during creation (Genesis 2) established a day of rest, a Sabbath, and blessed it because He rested from His work.  Also, when the disciples returned from a “short-term missions trip,” Jesus said to them (Mark 6:30-31, NAS), “‘Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.’ (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)”  Jesus and His disciples needed a “vacation” and so do we.

            I don’t expect another “vacation” this summer, but I do plan to schedule time to rest awhile.  I don’t plan to schedule all my evenings and weekends with activity.  I plan to make sure that Iivin’ is easy, but I want it for the right reasons.

            An unknown poet put it this way:

Slow me down, Lord, I’m goin’ too fast.
I can’t see my brother when he’s walkin’ past.
I miss a lot of good things day by day;

Don’t know a blessing when it comes my way.

            So I am asking, Lord, please slow me down!

                                                                                    ~Faith Lamb

American Idol vs Bethlehem King

I have never been a fan of American Idol.  But when I heard Lauren Alaina Suddeth from Rossville, Georgia was going to audition, I thought I might tune in every once in a while. I was convinced she would become the next American Idol when she made it to the top two. But America had another plan. After the votes were in, Scotty McCreery was the winner.  He had become surer of himself, skilled on the stage and competitive. Even though Scotty was one of the youngest contestants; he was presented on stage at America’s request. America doesn’t need an idol but they wanted one. America spoke and Scotty was their next idol!

So….I wondered what American Idol would look like in Bethlehem…..

God told Samuel He would select a king from among the sons of Jesse the Bethlehemite.

1 Samuel 16:6-12 says, and it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, “Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him.” But the LORD said unto Samuel, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.”  And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are these all the children?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep." Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here."  So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he."  Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward.

Samuel had his own idea of who he thought would be the next king. He was convinced one of Jesse’s oldest sons would become the next king. But God had another plan. After being presented with all of Jesse’s sons, David was chosen. He was a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor and a warrior.  Even though David was the youngest of Jesse’s eight sons, he was presented to Samuel at God’s request. God’s people didn’t need kings but they wanted kings. God spoke and David was there next king.  

We have no idea what the future holds for Scotty McCreery, but we do know that from David’s lineage came our glorious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  And that my friends is what it is all about!

Tina Laubscher

A Good Name

Because of my job, I suppose, I get asked to write a lot of recommendation letters. I don't mind doing it; I rather enjoy bragging on people I love, and writing the letters gives me a good opportunity to reflect on what is right and wonderful about them. The problem arises when I know the person isn't a hard worker or hasn't really tried to improve. There have been times when I've handed a sealed envelope to a young person with the admonition, "Now don't you make a liar out of me!" My name is precious to me; I don't want to ruin my reputation, and I sure don't want someone else dragging my name down into the mud with them.

We are told in Proverbs 22 that "a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches." Paul instructed the Thessalonians to "abstain from all appearance of evil" (I Thess. 5:22), and he reminded the Ephesian Christians to "walk worthy of the calling" with which they had been called (Eph. 4:1).

People are watching. This fact has been demonstrated to me on more than one occasion. I have what some consider an odd practice of eating a whole apple, including the core. (My sister does this too and told me that we got it from our dad.) One day several years ago one of the fourth-grade boys I was then teaching approached me during our morning break. "Why do you eat apple cores?" I had never discussed my apple-eating practices with this child; he had just seen me do it.

Now that I teach high school, it is fairly common for a student to remark, "I saw you at Chili's last night," or "I was driving behind you on the way to school." These are reminders to me to always behave myself. The last thing I want to do is to bring reproach on the name of Christ, to cause some young person to throw out everything I've told him or her because of my carelessness or bad choices.

"Mrs. Poff watches this," or "Sherry Poff says it's good" should be a trustworthy recommendation. I want you to know that's my prayer and goal. If you'll pray for me, my friends, I will pray for you.

--Sherry Poff

Hats Off!

Many of us can identify with the expression "wearing many hats." I have the daughter hat, the sister hat, the Aunt Bec Bec hat, the friend hat, the coach hat, the VBS hat, the roommate hat, the orchestra and VOP hat, oh and of course, the many hats I wear at work. Too bad I don't have matching shoes for each of these!! :)
All of the hats I listed are important in my life and valued to the highest degree. There are other hats that I try on occasionally, and even wear for a period of time. I won't mention the hats I wanted to wear that never fit quite right!
I'm looking forward to some future hats. These hats will represent the hats I wore on Earth. They will prove the eternal value of the hats I wear now. They hold royal significance, for they are the crowns that Jesus Himself will give to me. They are crowns of life, glory, rejoicing, and righteousness. They are unfading and incorruptible.
 

^{2 Timothy 4:8}
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

 When you feel like taking off all of your hats and throwing them away forever, remember the crowns that await you!

~Rebecca Phillips

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, RIGHT? I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LATE POST. MY WEEKEND PROHIBITED ME FROM GETTING TO A COMPUTER. I BELIEVE YOU'LL FIND THAT TUESDAYS ARE AS GOOD AS MONDAYS FOR CUP OF GRACE! ~ Rebecca Phillips :)

**This week's post is written by a special guest author who requested to be left anonymous.

Our family outings are often spent walking through a local prayer garden, with bronze statues of Jesus.  The statue of Jesus washing Peter's feet often captures my son's attention.  He loves to study the face of Jesus, as Jesus humbly serves His servant, Peter. 

On another outing we visited Veterans' Memorial Park.  My son was taken with the statue of the field medic caring for a wounded soldier.  Later, he referred to the statue of the medic, as being Jesus.  Quickly I corrected him.  However upon thinking on it my thoughts were, "He is correct, that field medic was Jesus!"

Recently life took a very difficult turn, the wounded soldier was me.  As the tears flowed and depression settled in, Jesus showed up. The Jesus that was there looked very average. He was dressed in friends' and family members' faces, He even appeared in some brand new faces. During this time He showed up in so much tenderness and compassion.

Everyone needs Jesus in human flesh at times.  We know the Lord is there; but how sweet it is to have a hug, someone comforting you, or praying for you, someone being Jesus. 

You may never have served in the military.  However, remember we are all in a spiritual battle; we are veterans of war.  No one escapes this life without battles.  May we be faithful to seek out the wounded and be Jesus to those who are hurting.

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  


P.S.
We serve a great God,  He answers prayer!

Excuses! Excuses!

Excuses!  Excuses!

I hate teaching!  At least some of the time I do.  And this is that “some of the time.”  Right now I am fed up with students.  I teach on the quarter system so I still have four more weeks of the term.  And I’m tired, drained, and irritable.  I am tired of excuses! 

·         “I didn’t know I had to turn that in.”   (It’s been on your syllabus and class assignment schedule since the first day of the quarter!)

·         “Do I have to do it that way?”  (Yes, you do.  That is why I showed you how.)

·         “I still can’t decide on a topic for the speech.”  (The one that has the outline due tonight?)

·         “The power went off at 11:00 p.m. and I couldn’t take that test.”  (That test was due by 11:55!) 

·         “You’re taking points off because I went over the time limit?”  (Yes, that’s why I gave you a time limit.)

The later in the quarter it gets, the more elaborate the excuses.

            I have suddenly begun wondering if God is just as fed-up with my excuses when I think He’s telling me something He wants me to do.

·         “I’m too tired.”

·         “I’ve got too much to do.”

·         “It won’t make any difference anyway.”

·         “I will feel so foolish!”

·         “I’m afraid.”

·         “I don’t know what to say.”

·         “I don’t want to make him angry.”

·         “I can’t afford to do that.”

·         “I’m afraid they will hurt my feelings.”

I am just as full of excuses as my students are.  And these are my responses to what I think God wants me to do, not just what a speech teacher requires of me.  Does God get as exasperated with me as I get with my students?  I don’t know, but I know I grieve him.   Ephesians 4:30 commands me not to grieve the Holy Spirit, but I do.

Tonight I sat in the communion service and examined myself as Paul commanded us to before we participate.  I saw my excuses for what they were—excuses.  I don’t want to be an excuse-maker.  I want to be found faithful, trustworthy.  That is what God requires of me, that I be found faithful.  (I Corinthians 4:2)

Will you join me?  Will you help me not to make excuses?  Will you work to quit excusing yourself?  Can we work together?  No more excuses!

                                                            ~Faith Lamb