Christmas Tonight!

I love this time of year! Don’t we all?  (Most of us, certainly.)  The thing that strikes me is how much we have to do and yet we still manage to throw in a few extras every day. I remember my mom saying, “I love Christmas. People do such nice things.” It occurs to me that everything Jesus touches becomes beautiful.  Many say that our Christmas holiday was developed to take the place of a pagan winter festival. That may be so. I have not done the research (‘scuse me for that), but here’s what I know: Christmas is now a beautiful and warm time because of Jesus.

The following verses are on my mind. Notice that they speak of Jesus coming to every place and person, of his care for sorrow and his love of light.  The words are by Phillips Brooks. Enjoy!

Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night!
Christmas in lands of the fir tree and pine,
Christmas in lands of the palm tree and vine;
Christmas where snow-peaks stand solemn and white,
Christmas where corn-fields lie sunny and bright;
Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night.

Christmas where children are hopeful and gay,
Christmas where old men are patient and gray,
Christmas where peace, like a dove in its flight,
Broods o'er brave men in the thick of the fight;
Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night.

For the Christ-child who comes is the Master of all,
No place too great and no cottage too small;
The Angels who welcome Him sing from the height,
"In the city of David, a King in His might."
Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night.

Then let every heart keep its Christmas within
Christ's pity for sorrow, Christ's hatred for sin.
Christ's care for the weakest, Christ's courage for right,
Christ's dread of the darkness, Christ's love of the light.
Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night.

So the stars of the midnight which compass us round
Shall see a strange glory, and hear a sweet sound,
And cry, "Look! the earth is aflame with delight,
O sons of the morning, rejoice at the sight."
Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to-night.

--Sherry Poff

Content...Whatever Sunday School Class I'm In

I was sitting in Sunday School the other day wondering once again, "Why did the Lord lead us to this class?" You see, we are in class with many of our friends' parents. That is to say, most of our class members have grandkids while we are still raising our children. We are trying to save for our retirement, they are, for the most part, retired. I have oftentimes thought that we maybe "should" be in a class of people our age; people who are going through the same trials we are...dealing with the kind of stress associated with raising teenagers, dealing with grammar school playground politics, financial burdens, etc.

As all these thoughts were running through my mind, our class began to take prayer requests. It struck me, the openness with which they shared their supplications. It honestly shocked me, their very transparent brokenness, and the depths of their pain. I had not before quite comprehended the depth of struggles that these dear brothers and sisters in Christ had seen and are still seeing in their lives. You see, the people in this class are consistently filled with joy. I mean real "Jesus through us" joy. The kind that makes you think that they not only have it all together, but that they must not be going through the horrendous pain and trials that I have. My limited reasoning suggesting that they couldn't be. How in the world would they be able to be such a steady witness of Christ, while hurting like I am...and like I have. I have often observed that there is something in their demeanor that draws you in. They literally exude the Love of Christ. So, I figured they must have a pretty good deal. They have been through their hard trials years ago and have come through it stronger and better. What I did not consider was that they were still in the midst of various trials.

Not only had they indeed gone through the current type of trials I am experiencing; but their current trials are harder, deeper, and consequently, their brokenness as well. God said to me in the stillness of my heart, "You and Brent are in this class to learn, from the example of their lives, these people are My over comers, My witnesses, and My good and faithful servants." 

I have been teaching Philippians on Wednesday nights, and our class has stood in amazement at the rejoicing of Paul in the most dire of circumstances. I have been personally challenged and commanded to rejoice in all things. I do this via Christ through me, in my mind, but not yet in a present tense sort of way that the Lord commands. I frequently allow my feelings too much weight, too much influence, and lay aside the truths I live to teach, to my great shame; however, these precious "elder" believers stand in daily witness to the truths of "to Live is Christ" and "I press on." A few months ago, I shared that the Lord was teaching me to look for a better country as Hebrews says, to not grieve the lack of leisure or easiness found here because this is not my home. These faithful saints before me not only know this truth, they live it. Which means, joy upon joy, I can too. Christ is building in Brent and me more of Him, less of us. A life meant to be sacrificed and not hoarded, not for us, but for others, but mostly for our Lord. I am but a bond-servant and my "happiness" is truly never found in the trials being gone, but in my life being gone--the daily dying to self, dying to the desire for an easier deal, living unto Christ. For he who loses his life shall find it.

So, as The Lord taught me all of this and spoke to me, I wanted to stand and proclaim, "Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake." 2 Cor. 12:10 These difficulties and trials are making me weak so that I can be stronger in His strength. So, I praise God for my trials, and I praise God for His servants that have taught me so much!!!

Sarah Beasley

Sig

SIG 

            The first time I saw Sig I thought he was a homeless man, a street person.  He came to our Sunday school class, drawn by Dr. Price.  He was searching for truth, and for him that was a struggle.  He was a fairly tall man, but bent over and slouching.  His hair was gray, his face lined, teeth missing.  He was wearing work clothes, but they were clean.  He kept his head down and seldom spoke.  He was Jewish and proud of the fact, though he was not a practicing Jew.

            I often saw him at the flea market on Twenty-third Street.  I spoke to him, but he never answered, never even looked up.  I kept at it, always with the same response (or rather, lack of response.)   But then it changed.  He needed a ride (as far as I know, he had never driven or owned a car.)  My husband volunteered to take him where he needed to go, and so began a strange friendship.  Soon my husband was his chauffeur.

            Then, another change came when my husband started bringing him home, usually for a meal.  Most of the time he ate whatever I had prepared, but Sig would decide every few months that he wanted to barbecue.  He would bring the meat and I would fix the rest of the meal.  He worked every time to perfect his barbecue sauce and I was his assistant, finding what he needed and handing it to him.  Then we would have this huge meal and after I had cleaned up the dishes, Sig and I would sit in the living room and visit.  We talked about philosophy, society, government, religion.  Sometimes I played the role of mother (though he was ten years my senior!), scolding him or offering advice.

            I think my children were actually a little bit afraid of him, sometimes uneasy in his presence, but he did have a place in our family.  I have not seen him in many months, life having changed for both of us.

            Last Sunday I opened the paper to the obituary page and saw that Sig had died in a local health care facility.  I grieved for him and hoped that there would be some recognition of his death.  I was afraid that he would be ignored in death, as he often was in life.  There was no announcement of a funeral, but Tuesday afternoon I read the paper and saw that there had been a graveside service for him at the National Cemetery.  Since my son-in-law works at the cemetery, I asked him about the burial.  He said that there had been a full military burial and that somewhere between seventy-five and a hundred people had been there that morning.  Even an ex-mayor had been present, since Sig had worked for the city on the street crew for many years!  

            I realized then that I had underestimated Sig.  I had forgotten the people he sat next to on city buses and had given money to, when he saw their needs.  I forgot the waitresses he had befriended.  I forgot that, in his own way, he had been concerned for people and their needs.  He made an impact on this city, on his world.           

            Every person is valuable, is worth honoring.  I will remember Sig.  I honor his life.

                                                                        ~~Faith Himes Lamb

            

What Can I Do?

I’m feeling a little overwhelmed just now. The news from the Philippines is just crushing.  I talked to my daughter Sarah, who spent some time working in a hospital there in 2001, and she has heard from a friend who is safe. That’s an encouraging bit of news, but the images are awful, and we are too far away to take a cup of water or a blanket.  However, I did see a picture of United States Marines who were loading up supplies to go to those in need. In moments like these I am so proud of my country. I know we have a lot of problems, but the world does look to us for help.  May we never stop giving.

I was struck by a couple of lines in one of our songs from Sunday morning: “Christ is the water; We’re the cup God holds.” But how can we help those who are on the other side of the earth?  I remember years ago Bea Ward talking about the angst that develops when we have access to information but are too far away to do anything. The inability to provide tangible help creates stress. This is when we pray. It’s also when we look around Chattanooga and see how God might use us here.

My sermon notes from Sunday morning include these three points: 1—Be generous.  2—Pay attention to details.  3—Serve God. These are things I can do right here. How? I can buy yet another box of fruit or package of wrapping paper from a student who’s raising funds. I can set aside some money support some of these young people who will be going on mission trips next summer. I can say a kind word to someone who’s hurting or help a scared toddler find Mommy. In all of these things, Jesus said, “You did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

If Christ is the water, and we’re the cup, may we be so full that when we are jostled, it’s the love of Christ that spills out onto others. Life is rough, that’s for sure. So let the jostling begin!

 

--Sherry Poff

Life: A Journey, Not a Destination

“Life’s a journey.”

All my life I have heard this cliché, but now I see its meaning with clarity. In my youth, I listened to the instruction of well-meaning men who taught us to “seek God’s will for your life,” and asked us to “find God’s call.” In theory, these ideas snapped together neat and tidy. First, we were advised to obtain the necessary skills to start our careers; then, to discover our life mates. We young people worried that we would somehow miss the “call” or fail to find just the right man or woman with whom to spend our lives. What if we united with the wrong person? What if we dozed when the call came? What if we misunderstood what God was saying?! We would be out of God’s will and ruined!

After I completed college, I secured employment as a social worker. I thought this ministry was my life’s calling…a destination, a place where I would stop until I retired, died, and then found a new life in Heaven. My social work “destination” was actually a long detour, a mere side road. (I certainly wouldn't call it a rest stop.) It took me eight years to explore that road all the while learning valuable lessons that would include how to be a better parent. Had I not prayed that God would teach me to be a good mom? Although far from perfect, I am a much better mama for having worked at a children’s home. God felt the detour was worth the time investment, and He does not get in a hurry - ever! I learned so much on that scenic by-way.

As I have grown older, I have little-by-little gained a more complete map of what my life will look like when it is finished. Side roads begin to link with longer highways revealing more and more of the journey with interesting surprises along the way. This life map consists of twists and turns, hills and valleys, rough roads and smooth, all revealed one moment at a time. As the map grows larger, I am able to zoom out and see patterns emerging and observe the complex plans the Master Mapmaker has wisely crafted.

As I walk with Him daily along these roads, He acts as my Guide. Whether I turn to the right or to the left, in my ears I hear a voice behind me, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21) His Word is a light for my path with only a few feet illuminated at a time. Whatever road I travel, I know my calling is to follow and obey Him each day. This is made possible when we learn to trust in His goodness; knowing that He has our ultimate good in mind. The destination and the journey are the same – being with Him every step along the way.

-Joyce Hague

It's Poetry Time!

This month I offer you one of my very favorite fall poems.  It actually suits September better than October, but it’s on my mind, and it reminds us that God is in control of even the seemingly little things. Our world seems to be all out of whack. There are terrorist attacks and government take-overs in the news every day. Tennessee is the most violent state in the country (Who knew?)! Congress can’t get their act together. (I really don’t want to talk about it.)  But here is something that still works the way it’s supposed to.

I taught fourth grade for several years and read this poem to my students every fall.  They got it. They always got it. It’s wonderful. Enjoy.

    Something Told the Wild Geese
           
Something told the wild geese
It was time to go,
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered “snow.”

Leaves were green and stirring,
Berries, luster-glossed,
But beneath warm feathers
Something cautioned “frost.”

All the sagging orchards
Steamed with amber spice,
But each wild breast stiffened
At remembered ice.

Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly,
Summer sun was on their wings,
Winter in their cry.

by Rachel Field

Have a great week! God is in control.

--Sherry Poff

THIS SEASON

Fall. Halloween. Football. Breast Cancer Awareness Month.These are just a handful of the seasons October brings. If you don't believe that these are all seasons, visit any store today and you'll find paraphernalia for all of them! And just like weather seasons, these items will soon be gone from store shelves and you'll be packing your own back in boxes to be replaced with your Christmas decorations.

What came to mind as you read those words? I'm guessing that nostalgia was stirred from the deepest depths of your soul, maybe not when you read "football"...but...maybe.

Fall makes me think of pumpkins, banana bread, hayrides, leaf tag, and sweatshirts. Halloween inspires jack-o-lanterns, pillowcases full of candy, my mother's rice and chili, spider webs, and headless scarecrows sitting in rocking chairs (I know, dark stuff.). Football did not become a part of my life until I started coaching cheerleaders, so the word doesn't conjure up team colors and tailgating recipes, although I'm learning that these are vital to my survival in the South, but I think of the "Star-Spangled Banner," megaphones, cowbells, bleachers, and...well...footballs. Breast Cancer Awareness Month causes tears to build in the corners of my eyes as I think about pink ribbons, 5K races, hats, bandannas, and Cherry Vanilla Bagels at Panera.

I could have added a name or two with each of the items listed above. In fact, it's not the banana bread or the bandannas that stir the nostalgia, but rather the memories of people I love that shared these moments with me.  In addition to countless childhood memories, I have shared bonfires, beach trips, birthday celebrations, white chicken chili, fall festivals, and football homecomings with dear friends...all in the month of October. 

However, despite the fond memories of Octobers past, the season also tempts a sadness that I won't see any of my family this month, I'll miss my nephews' first birthdays, and I don't have a husband and kids with whom to create any new nostalgia. The memories make me long for the past and for future moments to share with my family and friends.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds me,

"To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:"

Whether the October season brings fond or painful memories or thoughts, God's purpose for these events in our lives is sure, and they come but for a season. As you reflect on past seasons while placing your newly "fundraiser-season-purchased" Caramel Apple Pie candles around your home, I pray that your thoughts toward your next season, whether joyful or sorrowful, will be filled with the confidence that God's purpose will far extend the existence of your freshly-baked pecan pie, and that it can be savored far longer than your Pumpkin Spice Latte.

~Rebecca Phillips

Confession Brings Healing

I was six years old, but I can remember like it was yesterday. I had been reading a book from my 1st grade teacher's "special" shelf. It was a big book with chapters. To this day I can't tell you what it was about, because quite frankly I didn't like it, and I didn't finish it. However, that didn't stop me from making up the end of the story when my teacher asked me how the book ended. I was more concerned that she believe I'd actually finished the book than I was about whether or not she'd probably read the book and already knew how it ended.
One night when my mother came to tuck us in for bed, I asked her-hypothetically, of course-the question that had been plaguing me for weeks, "If someone lies to someone else, do they have to tell that person, or can they just tell God?" I don't remember what my mother told me, but I do remember scheduling a time where I could go tell my teacher that I had lied to her. What a feeling of relief swept over me when I'd finally "...confessed my faults one to another (James 5:16)." I had told God countless times, yet relief, peace, and healing came when I confessed to my teacher.
God was preparing my little heart at age six for a huge truth I wouldn't come to understand until I was 33! The truth that AFTER the cross, confession of sins is to each other. AT the cross, my sins were forgiven once and for all!
Confession to one another allows relationships to be mended, private sin struggles to lose potency, and addictions to lose power. Hurts, habits, and hangups become distant memories that only remind us of God's grace, mercy, and power in our lives.
May your healing begin today.

~Rebecca Phillips

Vacation Time!

Well, folks, summer vacations are over. By now, we are all back in school—if we go to school—and with Labor Day in the past, we can effectively say good-bye to summer. Still, if you know me at all, you know I don’t easily let go of the sunshine and flowers. Until the autumnal equinox comes in a couple of weeks, it will officially be summer, and I’m going to enjoy it!  

I’m also remembering some advice I read many years ago—advice that helps me avoid stressing out when the days get so very busy. The advice was this: Learn to give yourself “mini vacations” throughout the day. Yes, the weeks at the beach are over, but that doesn’t mean I can’t take a seat on a sunny bench for a few minutes while I fill out those forms. I can take my lunch out to a quiet spot and enjoy the gentle breeze and birdsong of a late-summer day. I can put on some music and dance around in my kitchen before I get to the business of cooking supper.

A couple of weeks ago, my memory work was in Hebrews 4: 9-16. The passage begins, “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his own works as God did from His.”  God did not get tired, so He didn’t need to rest in that sense. But he sat back and reflected, I believe; He enjoyed the work He had completed.  And he gave us a model. We need to rest, to stop pushing and striving and enjoy what has already been done.

A hymn by Jean Sophia Pigott says, “Jesus, I am resting, resting/In the joy of what Thou art;/I am finding out the greatness/Of thy loving heart.” The second verse is even better: “Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus/I behold Thee as Thou art/ And Thy love, so pure, so changeless/Satisfies my heart.”

God in His wisdom gave us a day to rest, to lounge in the hammock and read a good book. Even more meaningful, He shows us that our salvation is not dependent upon ourselves, that Jesus is the one who already completed the work of satisfying God’s requirement for sin. The idea of resting is a rich one that I am still learning, but all along the way, I’m thankful for each part of the lesson as God reveals his ways to me.

Have a great week, y’all, and don’t forget to take a few vacations!

 --Sherry Poff

Success Is . . . .

SUCCESS IS . . . .

            “Success to me is having ten honeydew melons and eating only the top half of each one.”  ~~Barbra Streisand

            “Success is stumbling from failure to failure, with no loss of enthusiasm.”  ~~Winston Churchill

            “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”  ~~Maya Angelou

            “Success is determined not by whether or not you face obstacles, but by your reaction to them.”~~  Ben Carson

            “You are a success is as much as God reigns and directs in your life.”  ~~Dr. Lee Roberson

            Everyone has a different definition of success.  This week I heard Ricky Skaggs’ definition of success and thought, “By his definition, I may never be a success.”  His quote set me wondering about my definition of success.  What makes a person successful and what is it to be a success?

            Joshua 1:8 says, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it, for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success.”  So meditation and practice of the Word of God will give you success. That has to mean that we totally immerse ourselves in Scripture.  How else are to know how to glorify God, what pleases Him?  We need to read, think about, and practice Scripture.

            The Westminster Shorter Catechism says that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  I think the way to be successful is shown in Philippians 1:11, where it says that we are to be “filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”  Colossians 1:10 says that we are to “walk worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects.”  So to me, to be successful is to glorify God through my life and walk worthy of the Lord.  I do not think that means that I do things to win God’s love, in order to be successful.  Rather it means that I choose to do that which will glorify God because I love Him and want to please Him.

            I do not always choose the right thing, the thing which will glorify God, but I want to.  I want to be a success in God’s eyes.  That may be foreign to what men think is success.  Galatians 1:10 says, “Am I seeking the praise of men or of God?”  I may never be a success in the eyes of man, or even in my own eyes, but please, God, let me succeed in Your eyes.

                                                                        ~~Faith Himes Lamb

WHOSE JOB IS IT?

This might sound a little familiar if you've already read your church newsletter...

It's a little like the nature vs. nurture debate from my College Freshman General Psychology class. Since the beginning of humankind, we have been excusing our bad behavior by blaming someone or something else rather than taking responsibility. Some say, “They were born that way.” Others argue, “They were reared that way.” All agree, “They can't help it!”

So naturally…or nurtureally…we want to debate over whose fault it is when a child walks away from God after growing up in church. The parents want to blame the church, and the church wants to blame the parents. The responsibility of the spiritual development of our children is often left to a toss-up between parents and church. Parents expect the church to teach their children the Bible stories and doctrines, while churches shake their heads at the failure of parents to involve their children in the programs designed to do just that. When children walk away from their faith, the parents tend to blame the programs and practices of the church. The church assumes that the parents did not have good parenting skills and probably didn't place the proper amount of value on spiritual things. This blame game does nothing to fix or prevent problems. However, both home and church could have a positive impact on the spiritual growth of our children, if each would understand and accept their responsibilities.

So whose job is it?

In Deuteronomy 5-6, Moses is repeating the law to the Israelites. In the midst of his appeal, he urges parents not only to rehearse the law for their own benefit, but also to diligently rehearse it to their children. We often recite Deut. 6:7 as a reminder that parents have many opportunities to speak into their children's lives. The word "shan-an" translated "teach them diligently" is the word for sharpening, piercing or whetting. Throughout chapters 5-6 Moses urges the men and women to tell the story of deliverance over and over so that their children would know from where they came, what God had done to lead them, why God gave the law, and what the benefit of following the law would be. It has been proven that parents have the greatest influence on their children – positive or negative. So it makes sense that the parents have a great responsibility to positively impact their children’s spiritual understanding.

However, in Titus 2:1-8 we find Paul urging Titus to instruct the older men and women to teach and train the younger in what is good and right. They are also admonished to live according to these teachings so that they will be respected and proven righteous. It's interesting that these verses were not given to parents. They were instructions that were to be given to the church-the believers. This implies that the training of our children goes beyond the constant rehearsing from parents, but encompasses the whole body of Christ working together to instill Truth into our children's lives. How better to encourage a parent to fulfill the Deuteronomy Challenge than for our older men and women to carry out the Titus Challenge? And may I point out that the challenge goes further than a discussion? Our teaching and training is about much more than what we simply tell our children.

Our children are ready sponges waiting to soak up whatever comes their way. So don't delay! Parents, teach. Church, teach. Parents, live out your faith in front of your children. Church, live out your faith in front of everyone. I have a hunch that if we will passionately pursue the teaching of our children, the Holy Spirit will do His amazing work in their lives, and they will grow to be a generation that Knows God, Loves God and Serves God...naturally.

~Rebecca Phillips

~edited by Pearl Phillips, Rebecca’s mother, because it’s her nature to nurture

Let It Rain!

I spent some time this summer reading a book about the hours observed by monks in a monastery. It has given me some good things to “chew on” sitting on my front porch with my coffee cup in hand watching the birds pecking around at the bird feeder. Consider this statement: When we open our eyes with gratitude to anything that comes our way, we see the divine light shining through everything that is.  This sounds an awful lot like “In everything give thanks.” (I Thess. 5:18)

It’s easy to feel grateful for sunshine and good health. This summer, however, we’ve had abundant opportunity to praise God even when sunshine fails, and many in our midst have dealt also with failing health. Can we still give thanks? It’s a good lesson to learn to see the blessing of sunshine behind the clouds and spiritual wholeness hidden within a frail body. To be able to lean on God’s grace and demonstrate to the world how a child of God perseveres through trial is a privilege. It’s not a privilege we would seek, but when it comes, it can be a rich experience.

The author of this book I’ve been reading (called The Music of Silence) goes on to talk about how gratefulness creates generosity. Being generous, he says, creates a sense that [God] blesses us in unexpected ways, often in ways we obviously don’t deserve. Lamentations 3:23 tells us that God’s mercies “are new every morning.” Do we deserve this? Is it because of my own merit that I live here in a land of relative peace rather than in Pakistan or Syria? Certainly not. So how can I first be grateful for the life I have and then share the blessing with others?

I think it begins with acceptance. It’s easy to complain when the rain spoils our picnic or when the car won’t start or when the kids are throwing up. Somehow, even though we don’t say it, we think we deserve better. My mother-in-law made a simple statement that has gotten me through some annoyances this summer without griping. “It’s raining this year,” she said. “Some years are like that.”

I want to see the divine light shining through the rain, to praise God for his goodness, and then to respond in love to those God puts in my path. It’s going to rain; let’s drink it in and let it flow out in blessing.

--Sherry Poff

 

I CELEBRATE AUNTS!

I CELEBRATE AUNTS!

          I celebrate aunts!  No, not the little pests that find very crumb, every grain of sugar, every drop of honey, nor the ones that bite and sting, like fire ants.  No, no.  I want to celebrate my mother’s sisters—Joy Martin, Joanna Rice, Jessie Sandberg, Libby Handford, and Grace MacMullen.

          I am the second of twenty-eight grandchildren.  My parents lived in my grandparents’ home when I was born and all of her sisters were there.  Except for one short break when I was a preschooler, I lived in Wheaton, where my grandparents and all five of my aunts lived, until I was thirteen.

We ate together every Sunday noon, celebrated every birthday and every holiday together, went as a body for a week of vacation every year—a farmhouse in Michigan, a group of cabins in Wisconsin, the Bill Rice Ranch, eventually to my grandparents’ home in Murfreesboro.  We didn’t need a special occasion; we could create one at a moment’s notice.

I like to joke that my sister and I are among the very few alive who were present at all five weddings of the sisters, but my memories go much further than these weddings.  These five women have been a major part of my life.

Because the youngest, Joy, was just ten years older than I, she was my playmate.  I remember sitting in the sandbox with my sister and Joy and Wilma, her best friend, as they used wooden Velveeta cheese boxes to create a village for us from the damp sand.  As I got older, she offered advice on hair, makeup, and dress, even adding to the makeup I was wearing when she didn’t think I had enough on!  When I began teaching on the college level, Joy was my colleague and friend, not just my aunt.  Today we both teach speech and compare stories and share ideas often.

           Joanna is the next sister.  Her first child was born the day before my tenth birthday and I thought I had a new doll!  Joanna was my Sunday school teacher when I was in junior high, but after that our paths diverged.  Today, however, we have discovered a fresh closeness as we each learn to live alone. We often eat together and have found that we can encourage each other.  I sit next to her in choir and in many church services and look forward to our time together.

        Jessie’s wedding is the first I really remember.  I can even tell you about my dress, made by my grandmother, for her wedding. Her romance was a fairy tale for me. She has challenged me all my life to be creative, to plan, to pray for individuals.  She has been through difficult things in her own life that teach me how I ought to respond.  She has been my encourager, most recently with the words, “The story isn’t finished.  The end has not been written.”

          I carry Libby’s name as I, too, am an Elizabeth, but I hope that I have some of her other characteristics as well.  She encouraged my love of music, even teaching my sister and me after we rode our bikes to her house, carrying Lloys Jean's violin and my viola. I sat on the floor in Libby’s office when I was a college student, reading the drafts of her books.  I called her when my heart was broken as a graduate student, crying my eyes out, and she provided my grounding.  She is my example of a Renaissance woman, always looking for more challenges, for more to learn.

          The oldest of my aunts, Grace, has been gone for more than thirty years.  I could talk about her fantastic piano playing, about her smile, about her laugh, but those things are not what made the most impact on me.  Her last years are what I think of, as they were full of grace and courage.  She faced first breast cancer, then the spread of the cancer into her bones and liver.  She still smiled and laughed, not focusing on herself or her illness. I was expecting my first baby during her last months here on earth.  We once sat next to each other for dinner at Gram’s.  First she would leave the table to throw up, a result of her illness, then I would leave the table to do the same, but mine was because of my pregnancy.  Her nausea was a precursor of death while mine was a symbol of life. I learned how to face death with courage from Grace.

          Five women, five aunts, some shared characteristics, some very distinctive characteristics.  They have each played a different role in my life.  I cannot measure their impact on me.   I celebrate aunts, mine in particular!

                                                            ~~Faith Himes Lamb

                                                            

The Heart of the Issue

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” ― C.S. Lewis

I had messed up, and surprise of all surprises, my offense was perpetrated by my mouth.  My heart was truly in the right place, but my mouth just runneth over.  You may wonder, and rightly so, that if my heart was in the right place, how then, did I offend with my mouth?  Well, sometimes (more often than I like to admit) good intended words, are not thought-out words.  I am the world’s worst for telling people too much information and for digging too deep into their business.  I forget that some people are not complete open books, and flat out do not want to be known thoroughly within the span of a 2-minute conversation.

This though, is not what God has laid on my heart to write about.  It is my REACTION to my mess up that deserves a more critical investigation. You see, I was up all night over it. My angst over my sin came in three spheres.  First, I was concerned that I had hurt this person in some way, offended them or caused them some embarrassment over being questioned so deeply by a complete stranger. This then, lead to condemning myself repeatedly for my impulsive nature and just flat out hating my words and lack of control in this area!!  Just beyond all reason and logic, I was ill with myself.  I mean, how could I?  Am I not studying deeply the book of Proverbs which has much to say on words…Do I not know that where words are many sins are present (Proverbs 10:19), and why then, do I not learn?  Why did I mess up?  Why did I not apply the truth I know, and even teach?  Why, oh why, did I sin?  (Judging by your reaction to my self-recrimination would probably reveal quite a bit about you too; if you are thinking, “Well yeah, Dummy,” this article may be for you J)…  Finally, and this is the kicker, and the most embarrassing part of my torment; I was SO concerned about what this person thought about me, because it is imperative that all must think I am really great, don’t you know…

While it was correct and right to be concerned about offending a brother or sister in Christ; ALL the other stuff was Satan taking me on a merry game of ME.  Think about it… I was upset that I sinned because I knew better!! That is flat out PRIDE.  There is nothing pretty about that.  What, am I above sinning?  Do I never mess up?  What a joke!!!  I still need Jesus as much now as I did during my reckless youth.  As a matter of fact, you could the make the case that I need Him more now.  Scripture says; our flesh continues to deteriorate.  In Ephesians 5:22 we are admonished to lay aside our old flesh “that is being corrupted."  Our flesh continues to be corrupted.  It goes from yuck to super yuck.  That is encouraging, isn’t it?  J

Anyway, back to my soul-bearing; it is quite obvious that worrying over what this person thought was of course, absolutely PRIDE, as well. If I try to present an image of having it all together it is a lie. Guess what everyone?  I mess up.  I still sin. I do really stupid things, and do you know I struggle with being self-focused every SINGLE day?… Bill Stafford used to say, “6 minutes away from Jesus, and there is no telling what I might do."  That is me.  Any true Christ-likeness in my life is, and ALWAYS WILL BE, because I have died to myself.  Christ is what is good in me; never me.   I have a heart of flesh that wants to walk with Him; but I have nothing to do with that, it was given to me.  Anyone who knows me will know this. Yes, I yearn to please my Lord, but sometimes the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

So what can we learn from this?  Think with me on this:  If we go overboard berating ourselves; are we not thinking too highly of ourselves?  I believe Satan, in his parading as an angel of light, provides us with the deceptive thought of “Oh, we just hate to disappoint God” when in actuality we may just hate to fail.  Sometimes, the real truth is much deeper than the surface….. Let God, by His Word and through His spirit show you, who you are, and what is truly motivating you, so that you may repent and come clean of the real issues. 

Sarah Beasley

Abiding in Him

“What should I do?” “What if . . .?”  “If only I had . . .” “Maybe I should try  . . .” These are the kinds of questions and thoughts that take away sleep and sap energy. It can be maddening and exhausting to deal with such uncertainty.

A few weeks ago, I found myself with very similar thoughts running on a continuous loop in my head and making productive work impossible. Then somehow—by God’s grace—I thought of the truth of God’s Spirit in me. God will show me the answer, I thought. I need to trust that He is in control and will show me what to do. And so it was. The dilemma I was struggling with seemingly worked itself out. I found myself profoundly grateful for sweet people and their understanding ways, but so much more grateful for God’s love and care for me in those ordinary decisions that become so large in my everyday life.

Little by little these days, God is teaching me to rest and trust that he is there, that he will lead me as I submit my will to his. I have been re-reading Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray. It’s an old book, published in the nineteenth century, but its relevance never goes out of date. In a series of thirty-one meditations, designed to be read over the span of a month, Murray discusses what it means to live by Jesus’ word in John 15:

                Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the      neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in           me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. . . .If you keep my   commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and   abide in his love.

I read this book years ago, and I am grateful that parts of it have stuck with me and that God uses them to guide my thinking. The following passage from page thirty-seven is what I think must have pulled emerged from the nooks and crannies of my mind when I was in that mental stew recently:

                And live, above all, day by day in the blessed truth that, as He Himself, the living Christ Jesus, is your wisdom, your first and last care must ever be this alone—to abide in Him. Abiding in Him, His wisdom will come to you as the spontaneous outflowing of a life rooted in Him. I am, I abide in Christ, who was made unto us wisdom from God (I Corinthians 1:30); wisdom will be given   me.

What a blessing! There is much more I could say about this wonderful little book and what God is teaching me, but I'll save something for another day. Have a great week abiding in Him.

 

--Sherry Poff

In the Potter's Hands

IN THE POTTER’S HANDS

            I recently received the gift of a video of a potter.  He formed a vessel which then seemed to collapse into ruin.  He then took the ruined pot and formed an even more unique pot.  He then said that his real intention had been to create the second pot, that the first was no mistake, but part of the process.  He made a spiritual application, but I didn’t need his.

            For many years I have been intrigued by the verses in Jeremiah 18:

            This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord:  “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.”  So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel.  But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.  Then the word of the Lord came to me.  He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord.  “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.”

            Then in Romans 9:20-21,

But who are you, O man, to talk back to God  “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”  Does not the potter have to right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

 I have conceded that God the potter has the right to do whatever He thinks is best in shaping me, that He has a plan for me.  I remember the quote from the Bill Gothard seminar about forty years ago.  “Please be patient.  God is not finished with me yet.”  I could understand that as a twenty-something.   But I have recently been overwhelmed by the thought that I am still not a finished vessel, that I am still on the wheel.  Somehow I thought that when I got to be an (almost!) old woman, then He would be done with His shaping, that somehow I would have arrived at who I am supposed to be.  But I’m not!  As my aunt has emphasized to me about another situation, The story isn’t over!  I think perhaps this present shaping is more painful, yet hopefully more productive, than the earlier.  My story and the story of my children has not been the story I thought was being written.  I don’t know what the future holds.

George MacDonald, in his book The Diary of an Old Soul, wrote,

Thou art making me, I thank thee, Sire.

What thou hast done and doest thou knows’t well,

And I will help thee:  gently in thy fire

I will lie burning, on thy potter’s wheel

I will whirl patient, though my brain should reel.

Thy grace shall be enough the grief to quell,

And growing strength perfect through weakness dire.

                                                              ~~Faith Himes Lamb

           

"Only One Mother"

I remember hearing my mom lament, “The world can be a lonely place without your mother in it.” Her mother—my grandmother—had been in heaven for years, and most of us had gotten back into our routines. But there are some people we don’t forget and never quit missing. 

On this week when we think of our mothers, I am so thankful for the wonderful women I have to remember and look up to still.  I am thankful for friends who help model good mothering for me and for a sister and others who help fill in the gap left by my mom’s passing nearly sixteen years ago.

The longer I live, the more days there are that bear special significance—some happy and some sad. Many people in our midst need special love and attention.  So it is with joy for the mother I had, gratefulness for my own children, and prayers for friends that I offer you this little poem that I remember from my own childhood.

Only One Mother
by George Cooper

Hundreds of stars in the pretty sky,
Hundreds of shells on the shore together,
Hundreds of birds that go singing by,
Hundreds of lambs in the sunny weather.

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.

 

 

Exulting in Tribulations

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our  Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we EXULT in hope of the glory of God, AND NOT ONLY THIS, but we also EXULT  in our tribulations…”Romans 5:1-3

The context of this incredible, jaw dropping, how do I really “get this” truth, should not be overlooked.  This letter (my personal favorite) was written to the Roman Church.  We know that the church at Rome (not begun by Paul) was a church that was renowned among Christendom.  Romans  1:8 “your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.”  Paul longed to go there “to impart some spiritual gift to you that you may be established.”(Rom.1:11)  In the meantime; however, God through Paul imparted a spiritual gift to all of us through this letter that has often (and rightly so) been called the constitution of our faith.  The letter, I might add that God used to change one of my favorite spiritual heroes, Martin Luther.

Yes, I digress, sorry.  Ok, so back to the context and interpretation of our verse. Because Paul did not establish the church in Rome, nor had he been able to even visit Rome (at the time of his writing), God through him explains all of the particulars of our faith.  Romans 1, God is evident through the creation and all men are “without excuse”, Romans 2, The Jews are also “without excuse” in that they teach truth they do not live, and then Romans 3, so everyone is “without excuse” and we all need Jesus.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.”  Romans 4, the chapter of chapters in the Bible, explaining and liberating all in that Righteousness comes by faith, by faith Abraham was made righteous.  Not by his works.  So, I did nothing to deserve God’s salvation and cannot lose it.  A gift is not a payment.  Praise Jesus!

Now to our verse, Romans 5 begins with (in Sarah-speak) “How cool is it that we (being the worms we all are) actually have peace with God, and we stand (or live) in this peace.  So, this is something we are naturally so pumped up about that we Can’t stand it, AND because of that continual amazement, we are able to rejoice in our trials.

So, our rejoicing in our trials is invariably connected to our hope in salvation, this link is often overlooked and to our detriment.  What does the fact that I am saved, not by works, and even stay in peace with God, have to do with the fact that:

I am in a terrible financial fix

My child is undergoing very painful trials (albeit some by her own making)  

          Sometimes, I can’t breathe well… etc, etc,

EVERYTHING!  I have peace with God.  He loves me and accepts me.  I cannot lose that.  Our lives are like a blade of grass, so does anything else truly matter?  Think about that for a minute...  Think of the big IF of God not changing a single thing in the trials in your life.  Does it matter?  Truly?  You may say, “does not faith consist of assurance of things hoped for?” (Hebrews 11:1)  Yes, but are these “things hoped for” necessarily given in this life or are the things hoped for more eternal in nature?  God wrote the Bible and His  perspective is always eternal, and does not line up with ours. Our perspective is unfortunately tainted by the here and now.

We know from Hebrews 11 that the “hall of famers” of faith were desiring a better country, a heavenly one (11:16).  Many of them died without seeing the awaited promise of the new covenant (the city they desired) men of whom the world was not worthy…(11:37)  When their earthly circumstances put them through horrors unimaginable to us (i.e., being sawed in two, etc).  They were still desiring the heavenly country.  You don’t see that they petitioned God incessantly for a better deal here.  This is not our home so why should we be comfortable?

You see our lessons from scripture should be: NOT to “hang in there” and then God will give you what you want, which is quite possibly something earthly and passing away.   NO, our lesson is DESIRE the things of God.  Party, as a way of Life, that you are a partaker in the new covenant and so able to “stand” in peace with God.  We have received everything worth having and that my friends, cannot be taken away.

Yes, God wants us to be happy and yes He does answer prayers with exceeding and abundant blessings; quite often, and always for His glory.  My point is, He has already given us more than we could ever sincerely be thankful enough for, why not live in light of what you and I neglect instead of bemoaning the passing away silliness of this world, which is not our home anyway.  J  I am preaching to myself, believe me. ‘

May we all be women “of whom the world is not worthy” and fix our eyes on Jesus, knowing we are given breath to correctly glorify or show HIM, with every minute we are given.  Everything else is incidental……

Sarah Beasley

Shout and Sing

Is it April already?  My stars! Where has the time gone? This happens to me every year.  At first I feel that time is dragging and the whole long school year looms ahead. Then before I know it, spring has sprung and I don’t have time to breathe properly.

But isn’t this a beautiful time of year?  I have violets blooming all over my back yard. Some see them as weeds, but they have lovely heart-shaped leaves and beautiful purple and white blooms. They’re my very favorite! The frothy blossoms of plum and cherry trees are a sight to behold, and bright yellow forsythia shines forth from several yards on my street.  It’s almost too much to appreciate at once. 

Before we know it, dogwoods and azaleas will be putting on a show. The weather will warm up some more, and it will be time to set out all the warm- weather vegetables.  The turning of the seasons is evidence of God’s goodness and His love of beauty.  He is so inventive and imaginative to create so many colors and textures.

I sat down here to write about something else, but this is what is on my mind. So let’s just praise the LORD for his wonderful creation!

“Praise is awaiting you, O God, in Zion. . . .You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it. The river of God is full of water; You provide their grain, for so you have prepared it. You water its ridges abundantly, You settle its furrows; You make it soft with showers, You bless its growth. You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance. They drop on the pastures of the wilderness. And the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks. The valleys also are covered with grain; they shout for joy, they also sing.” Psalm 65 : 1, 9- 13

Have a great week!

--Sherry Poff