Little Pilgrim's Progress

 

When I was young, I borrowed the 1978 animated vhs of The Pilgrim’s Progress from our church library. I think I must have watched it fairly often because some of the details from that movie are etched in my mind. There are some pretty intense scenes: one where Christian and his companion fall into a swamp, one with a large black toothed creature trying to attack him before he gets to the Palace Beautiful. Right after he leaves the Palace he has to fight off a winged demon with his new armor, sword and shield.

         I remember when he arrives at the foot of the cross and his burden rolls off. The moment that sticks out to me most often, and is the origin story of why I love this verse so much, is when a loud, confident voice speaks to Christian in the midst of turmoil and says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b) Even as a young child, I found such hope in that line.

My kids and I just finished a 9-month read-aloud of The Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Helen L. Taylor, a delightfully illustrated version, written for kids where all of the characters are animals. It follows the steps that Christian takes in the original, but makes it conceptually simpler for young minds. My three were excited to listen to it and tracked the story well, understanding much of the imagery of “The Good Prince,” Theia often referring to him as Jesus as she asked questions about where the story was going.

I think about the little hearts that are beginning their own journeys of faith that are in my own home, or the kids in our church that are figuring out their relationships with the Lord. Some have faced major obstacles at a young age. Others have normal hurts and difficulties, but much of the way has been smooth. But all are just beginning this journey with the Good Prince, traveling through Vanity Fair or climbing the Rock of Error or facing The Giant Despair. All silly little names for real life challenges. But they’re also learning that they have Great Heart walking beside them, or the Messages from the King instructing them, and the cross removing their burdens.

 As we look at our own paths, we face the foolish directions we choose to take, or the arrows of the enemy we need help fending off, the peaceful meadows, and the houses of rest. It is something to look back and see what God has done, review the story He has written for our own life. To know that “He isn’t safe.” He’s the slayer of the giants, the ruler over all and the defeater of evil, “But He’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

 Then we look ahead to what is shining before us. We love the stories that tell the end of the journey where the hero reaches the next shore. The one that takes him home. The elves crossing the sea sailing West, Reepicheep coming to the end of the world and crossing into Aslan’s country, and Christian crossing the deep dark water to the city shining and glorious.

 “The little pilgrims had now reached the threshold of the palace, and as the doors were thrown open they heard a sound of the sweetest music. The Good Prince Himself was waiting to receive them, and He smiled upon them and took their hands in His own. Then he led them into the palace and the whole City was filled with joy because their pilgrimage was over and they had been brought safely through the Dark River into the presence of the King.” (The Little Pilgrims Progress pg 171)

 We read these stories because of the common grace they point us to. The reality that life can be hard and sinful and has loss and grief, but that our God has overcome this world. This world that is not our home, but it points to the next. So I hope for the children who are learning of the Good Prince. I pray they do come to know Him and know Him well. And I have hope for the rest of us that while we continue to learn and fall and rise and grow and dwell in the truth, our journey too points us toward the grace and goodness that we have now, but also will experience a thousand times greater in the Celestial City.

 

-Sandy Gromacki

 (In addition to John Bunyan’s tale, stories by C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien are also referenced. Feel free to ask what they are!)  

May Jesus Christ Be Praised!

 Several weeks ago on a Sunday morning as I drove to church the radio played May Jesus Christ be Praised.  I sang along.  When I left church that morning the radio was again on, playing May Jesus Christ be Praised.  This time I said, “Wake up, Faith! May Jesus Christ be Praised!”  I remembered a Saturday night more than fifty years before when I paced the aisle of a church as a bridesmaid in a wedding.  As we passed down the aisle that song May Jesus Christ be Praised played over and over as the processional.  That’s when that phrase, May Jesus Christ be Praised, took on a life for me.  I wanted that to be the story of my life.  So once again I heard that phrase. Since that Sunday morning I have been thinking again and again, is it true in my life?

The book of Psalms is full of praise.  Psalm 44:8 says, “In God we boast all the day long, and praise Thy name forever.  Selah.”  Selah means to think about it.  So I have been thinking about it..

Here are the words to the song.

                    When morning gilds the skies,

                    My heart awaking cries:

                    May Jesus Christ be praised!

                    Alike at work and prayer

                    To Jesus I repair:

                    May Jesus Christ be praised!

                    When sleep her balm denies

                    My silent spirit sighs:

                    May Jesus Christ be praised.

                    When evil thoughts molest,

                    With this I shield my breast,

                    May Jesus Christ be praised!

                    Does sadness fill my mind,

                    A solace here I find.

                    May Jesus Christ be praised.

                    Or fades my earthly bliss,

                    My comfort still is this,

                    May Jesus Christ be praised!

                    In heav’n’s eternal bliss,

                    The loveliest strain is this:

                    May Jesus Christ be praised.

                    The pow’rs of darkness fear

                    When this sweet chant they hear:

                    May Jesus Christ be praised!

                    Let earth’s wide circle round

                    In joyful notes resound;

                    May Jesus Christ be praised.

                    Let air and sea and sky,

                    From depth to height, reply,

                    May Jesus Christ be praised.

                    Be this, while life is mine,

                    My canticle divine:

                    May Jesus Christ be praised!

                    Be this th’ eternal song

                    Through all the ages on:

                    May Jesus Christ be praised!

                    The night becomes as day,

                    When from the heart we say,

                    May Jesus Christ be praised!

                    The powers of darkness fear,

                    When this sweet song they hear,

                    May Jesus Christ be praised!

                    In heav’n’s eternal bliss

                    The loveliest strain is this,

                    May Jesus Christ be praised!

                    Let earth, and sea, and sky

                    From depth to height reply,

                    May Jesus Christ be praised!

The book of Psalms is the book of emotions.  Every emotion, both positive and negative, is recorded within its pages.  When combined with the instructions to praise the Lord, there is hope.  Psalm 42, both verses 5 and 11, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?  And why art thou disquieted in me?  Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.”  Here is the promise that though I am discouraged and at my wit’s end, I will praise Him.  I may not be able to praise Him just now, but I will.

Though most of the references to praise are found in Psalms, one of the most significant verses for me is found in Hebrews 13:15.  “Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.”  Sometimes I choose to praise Him, when it feels like a sacrifice.  

When my grandmother was in her 90s, not long before her death, she was still memorizing Scripture.  The last passage I knew she was memorizing was Psalm 150. That passage begins, “Praise ye the Lord.” and ends with “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.  Praise ye the Lord.”

May my life be a symphony of praise to the Lord!  Praise the Lord with me. 

                                                                                            ~~Faith Himes Lamb

Be Strong

 

In a 2013 study of military effectiveness, a captain in the 82^nd Airborne Division wrote: “The Soldier’s Creed demands professionalism from every individual that it guides. [ . . . ]  By definition, the military is a profession in that it is ‘a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation.’ The Army bases its doctrine on the assumption that the organization is professional and that those individuals who are soldiers and whom Army doctrine guides champion its principles.”

As I read and re-read these words, I was struck first by the level of commitment the members of the United States Army give to freedom’s cause. I began to understand firsthand the level of commitment to academic preparation, to specialized knowledge, and to professional competence needed, especially by its leaders—to champion its principles. The individual soldier’s integrity to The Soldier’s Creed principles, then, is a deciding factor when the soldier is found in the moment of decision: battle.

Second, I was taken back by the parallels to Christian living that immediately came to my mind. As a believer, especially in the twenty-first century, I have access to so many sources that can assist my academic preparation for Godly living and service: to the Scriptures, to commentaries, to the teachings of other believers who “out rank” me in the leagues of believing soldiers of Christ, to the examples of those who have gone before and have been found faithful to the cause, and to the leadings of the Holy Spirit in my heart. The strong doctrinal emphasis and immediate attention to life practice found in Scripture pointed me to the specialized knowledge I need to live for Christ. Professional competence, then, seems to be the outworking of a life of faith girded in the knowledge of and hope in the Captain of our Souls, the Lord Jesus Christ, who went before us. “For it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” Hebrews 2:10.

I thought, third, of Joshua and drew immediate parallels to his life, his military command, and service to the call each of us receive to serve in the Lord’s Army.

Firstly, Joshua spent many continued years in intensive academic preparation for the work God had required of him. He was Moses’ aide-de-damp, his personal assistant, his logistical manager, and his confidante. Joshua, born in Egypt and of the Tribe of Ephraim (Ephraim is Joseph’s second son who received Israel/Jacob’s blessing), spent forty years in preparation for the work God had for him. Moses taught Joshua. Note that this preparation is both in the Law of God--Joshua went part way up the Mount with Moses--and practical. Both types of preparation are necessary to complete an individual’s skill set. Through Moses, God prepared Joshua. Perhaps, then, the most noted words of Moses to Joshua are those of his charge: “Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt . . .” (Deuteronomy 31:23). Joshua submitted himself to a forty-year period of preparation for the work to which God called him.

Secondly, Joshua built within himself and those with whom he served specialized knowledge. That which we read about warfare and Joshua’s role as Commander of the Lord’s Army teaches us that special knowledge and understanding are necessary skills to complete God’s work. Joshua was a leader of men, a commanding officer, a servant of God. All that he did required courage—especially to march around Jericho with all of Israel the way he did. Joshua’s most important military campaign was waged God’s way: with special knowledge. Remember that even before the marching began, Joshua submitted to God’s authority when the captain of the Lord’s host told him, “loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy” (Joshua 5:15), Joshua did. Joshua had a relationship with his God and submitted to God’s authority and worshipped. All he knew about warfare was placed on the altar of obedience. We can know God that well.

Thirdly, Joshua exhibited professional competence in the way he conducted Israel’s business. He waged war, gained land, allocated that land to the tribes as God wished, and he continued in and renewed his commitment to God and Israel at Shechem. I believe his most profound act as a professional was to reiterate to Israel God’s requirements and Moses’ instructions as he was about to die. “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served” (Joshua 24:14). Professional competence based on courage and wisdom from God marks Joshua’s ministry. “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9, KJV).
          The study on military effectiveness concludes: “Professionals earn the trust of those they serve and maintain a higher standard of moral fortitude.  This makes the occupation of ‘Soldier’ a profession requiring commitment to more than simply drone-like execution of tasks.  It is for this reason that the Soldiers who live the creed, champion the oath that they swore to uphold, and ultimately are professionals.” We are each a member of God’s army—and family. We have differing roles, yet we have the same responsibilities before God. Joshua’s reverence for God’s law was prominent (Joshua 1:8), and his leadership model was grounded in a belief that authentic spirituality and Israel’s prosperity derived from faithful devotion to Yahweh. Through all challenges--internal disputes, war, and the need for communal solidarity--he exemplified prayerful reliance on God. We can do likewise—even as women—in the place, in the time, in the way God requires.

“Be strong and of a good courage!”

--Janet Hicks

Look Around

 

Are you looking around? I mean really looking? 

When I was young, I didn’t know that one day I would wish that I had paid better attention to the people around me and even my surroundings. Things I thought I would never forget, I have forgotten. I wish I had just paused and looked with intention like I was taking a picture with my mind. I have forgotten classmates and friends from our youth group. Our family moved a lot, so I’ve forgotten about some of those homes. Does it matter that I cannot remember everything? I suppose not. But I want to.

Life blurs when we do a lot of the same activities over and over. So many things are similar. But occasionally, something out of the ordinary will stand out and stick. That’s why, if we want to remember, we must be intentional in the mundane to pause and focus our attention.

My family members are subtly changing right before my eyes. I’m changing too. Our surroundings are changing. The church I attended growing up burned to the ground a while back. It was a large church with many halls and connectors to other buildings. I have since forgotten so much about the layout and how it all looked and even so many of the people. As a young person, I had such fun exploring those corridors, but now I cannot recall how it all went.

We will soon be moving into our new building. I’ll miss the time we’ve had at the Adventist facilities. You can bet I’m looking around. I want to remember the beauty of that place, the special times there, and the kindness of those people. But I also want to look into the faces of those attending our church and remember you all. Impossible, I know. But I plan to try.

One day, in a generation or two, we will all be forgotten. Hopefully, the fruit of our lives lived walking in the Spirit will live on even in those who don’t remember us.

 Forgive me. I’m waxing nostalgic today, but seriously, look around.

 joyce hague

The Poetry of Psalm 23

             Of the 150 psalms in the Bible, Psalm 23 is surely the most well-known. My guess is that most of our church members can recite it by heart and name several songs based on these famous words. This psalm also happens to be the theme of this week’s VBS program at our church. Sometimes we can become so familiar with something that we are in danger of not letting it amaze us as it should. My prayer for this week, as well as for this blog post, is that we would feel the beauty of the truth of this psalm in a fresh way.

Psalm 23, like all of the psalms, is actually a poem, or a song. The beauty of poetry is in its unique way of communicating a message. Well-known British poet of the 19^th century, Percy Bysshe Shelley, wrote the following about poetry: “It awakens and enlarges the mind itself by rendering it the receptacle of a thousand unapprehended combinations of thought. Poetry lifts the veil from the hidden beauty of the world, and makes familiar objects be as if they were not familiar.” Did you catch that? Poetry makes that which seems familiar sound unfamiliar so that we can see it in a new light.

If we took the poetry out of this psalm, we could say something like this: God cares for us and provides for our needs. He brings refreshment to our souls and leads us according to His law. Even when we go through difficult times in our lives, we do not need to be afraid because He is with us, guiding and comforting us. God brings great blessings to our lives; his goodness and mercy will always be with us. One day we’ll be in heaven with Him forever.

Aren’t those incredible truths? Praise God for doing all these things for us! David could have listed those truths out in prose like that, but instead He chose the metaphor of shepherd and sheep and included the image of a banquet table to paint a beautiful picture of these truths about God. Familiar concepts are shared in unfamiliar ways, and we see things in a new light and often with greater understanding.

I hope you take some time to read through this well-known psalm again this week. Think deeply about the word choices David made (inspired by the Holy Spirit) and what they mean for your spiritual journey. And pray for the VBS kids and workers that we, too, would grow to love and trust our Shepherd more as a result of this week.

-- Amy O'Rear

A Prayer for Our Home

 

We have just celebrated an auspicious anniversary in the United States. Two hundred fifty years feels like a long time, and it is—for a person. For a country, however, two and a half centuries is not yet a mark of longevity. I am so glad we have lasted this long, however, and I pray for our leaders and decision makers to have wisdom and courage to do the right thing.

 But certainly the United States does not have a corner on God’s blessing. Believers everywhere are instructed to pray “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (I Timothy 2:2).

On my journey through Psalms, I have come to #144. In this psalm, David acknowledges God as his “fortress,” his “deliverer,” and his “shield.” He asks God to make Himself known and to deliver him [David] from enemies. It’s a beautiful prayer that has echoes of other well-known passages, bringing comfort and peace.

Then, starting with verse 12, there is a meaningful four-verse passage that makes a perfect prayer for our country—whatever country we might live in. Here it is in two different translations:

¹² That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters

 may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:

¹³ That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:

¹⁴ That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.

¹⁵ Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. (KJV)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

¹² When our sons in their youth are like growing plants,
And our daughters like corner pillars fashioned for a palace,
¹³ Our granaries are full, providing every kind of produce,
And our flocks deliver thousands and ten thousands in our fields;
¹⁴ May our cattle be bred
Without mishap and without loss,
May there be no outcry in our streets!
¹⁵ Blessed are the people who are so situated;
Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord! (NASB)

Do you see what the writer is saying here? His request is for the nation’s children to be strong and productive. He’s asking for plenty of food from gardens and pastures--for enough to feed the nation’s people and some to share with others. He’s asking for peace, contentment, and safety in the cities. The final verse of the chapter implies that such people recognize where their blessings come from, that they fully acknowledge God as their Lord and source of all good things.

I submit to you that this prayer is a good one for us to apply to our own homes—to our town, our state, and our country. Other scriptures instruct us to pray for those in authority. I am asking for them to have the right priorities as mentioned here and to listen to good counsel. God knows how to use our prayers to bring about His will, and it is He who brings good to His people wherever they live.

--Sherry Poff

Finding Treasure

 

When we were getting ready to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, my husband, Jim, booked an Alaskan Cruise. The cruise was one of the most beautiful I’ve taken and revealed so much about the beauty of God’s Creation.

While on the cruise, we scheduled several onshore excursions, and one was a train ride up to the Canadian border when we arrived at Skagway. Unfortunately, on this day, Jim had contracted the nasty stomach illness common on cruises and was quarantined, so I decided to do the excursion alone. As the train traveled up through the mountains, we were told to look in a specific direction and find the trail that went up through the mountains. We were told that this trail was the path taken by gold-diggers during the gold rush era. The path was extremely steep and narrow.

In his devotional, “Living in His Light,” David Jeremiah made the following comment: “Hungry for wealth, prospectors traveled from all over the United States –and many from other parts of the world –to search for mineral treasure buried in the ground. No sacrifice was too great relative to the treasures to be found.”

Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (ESV) Many prospectors for gold and silver gave up their lives for treasures that they never found. King Solomon used the seeking earthly treasures as a metaphor for seeking spiritual treasures, mainly wisdom. In Proverbs 2:1-5 we find a guide for seeking spiritual treasures which include: “receiving, hearing, applying, asking, seeking, searching – all things necessary when looking for something of value.” (Jeremiah). In Proverbs 3:15 we are told that “wisdom is more precious than rubies.” I Peter 1:7 says that “our faith is more precious than gold that perishes.”

The early prospectors sought treasures that were valuable but temporal. As believers, are we seeking temporal or eternal treasures? Is your heart focused daily on God, or are you looking to find treasures and pleasures in the things of this world?

Remember: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

--Bonnie King