There's No Place Like Home

     "There's no place like home.  There's no place like home."  I'm pretty sure most of us are familiar with Dorothy's assessment of home in the Wizard of Oz movie.  That sentiment holds true for each of us, but sometimes from opposite viewpoints on the spectrum.  To some, home is that safe place of refuge from the world where they can find love and acceptance and a clear sense of belonging.  To others, home is the place to be avoided at all cost.  It is a place of hurt feelings, anger and violence, and fearfulness.  How sad it is to think that "home" should ever carry such a negative message to our hearts.

     Protecting the sanctity of our home is a full-time job in this world.  Satan's attacks come from every side and through numerous avenues.  Daily, we are barraged with horrifying stories from the news networks on our televisions.  We may live in a place where we are subjected to the shouting and hatefulness of neighbors nearby.  The newspaper touts headlines of wars across the globe, domestic abuse in our communities, and untimely deaths resulting from impaired driving on the highways.  In short, Satan wants to keep us ever mindful of the state of this fallen world and distract our attention from the power we have in Christ Jesus to triumph over such tragedies.  It is not his desire to see us enter our homes with an attitude of peacefulness, joy, love, and encouragement.

     Down through the years, my husband and I have ferociously protected the peaceful sanctity of our home. Years ago we determined that "home" would be a word that meant "safe,"  "quiet,"  "acceptance,"  and "love" to our family and anyone who entered into it.  On occasion, it has been necessary to defend that mindset vigorously and in the face of people who would try to undermine it.  I distinctly remember one event wherein my husband informed a disruptive couple in our home that they were being given a choice:  "You may either choose to walk out that door under your own power, the way you came in... or you may choose to have me put you out that door under my power.  I can promise you, one way or the other, you are leaving this home!" It was not a pleasant task for him and was certainly unsettling to the rest of us, but it was necessary at that moment.

     We have often opened our home to others who needed a place to stay, as well.  We are always blessed to be able to offer our guest room and bath to individuals in need of them.  However, we have often cautioned those people that we will not allow any behavior (from them or those with whom they associate) to enter into our home that will disrupt the peacefulness that we hold so dear.  Unfortunately, that message sometimes isn't taken to heart, and we have in the past had to require that people pack up and leave our home after causing unrest and division.  It always makes us very sad to do that, but in the end we believe the lesson being taught is that of respect, dignity, and personal responsibility for the one who is asked to depart. We do no favors if we allow people to behave in disruptive ways and rob others of their peace, and we do nothing to show that such behaviors are unacceptable to us and to Almighty God.

     Until recently our son had a precious dog named Mason, whose company we also were blessed to know in our home for many years.  He was a beautiful golden retriever and a blessed addition to both our families. Shawn (our son) and his family live next door to us.  Because they do not currently have a garage, he stores his motorcycle in ours and rides it often back and forth from his daily workplace.  Mason could hear Shawn approaching home long before any human ears became aware of him.  He would hop up from the floor and head for the back door, eager for our daughter-in-law to let him out the door to trot across the two yards and greet his master (or "Alpha," as Shawn referred to himself), tail wagging and a dance in his step.  You could almost hear Mason say, "You're home!  You're home!  I'm so glad to see you!  I've missed you!  I really, really love you!"  I loved watching this welcome unveil each day.  I know Shawn also loved it.  Mason is gone now, but we will always remember that feeling of warmth and acceptance that he so freely shared with those he loved.  I think we would all be wise to follow Mason's example.  What a blessing it would be to those we love to know that we're excited to welcome them home.  In Luke 15:11-32 we can read the story of the return of the prodigal son and the joy his presence generated in the heart of his father.  His son was home.  Regardless of what had happened out in the world, the son was welcomed home with enthusiasm, joy, and unconditional love.

     To some people, the word "home" carries with it the thoughts of verbal abuse, degradation, and even (for some) physical violence.  It is a place to be avoided at all cost, and so they seek love and acceptance out on the streets or in other inappropriate places that only bring more heartache and hurt into their lives.  How sad it is to see those homes where Satan has been given the victory and the peace of God has been covered over by the anger of mankind.

     I encourage you today to determine in your heart that home will always mean "HOME, SWEET HOME" for yourself and those you love.  Whether at work, at school, or even in the Land of Oz, may you and your family always be able to say "There's no place like home," and to do so with smiles on your faces and joy in your hearts as you anticipate your return.

"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it..."

(Psalm 127:1)  

Lessons From Mason

Last week was hard.  It was a week of difficult, painful decisions and then the emotional upheaval resulting from those choices made.  It was a time of saying good-bye to a long-time, faithful friend and companion.  Last week was a moment in time that felt as if things would never be the same again... and so far, that feeling lingers on.

Sometimes love is glorious and happy, but sometimes love is difficult and agonizing.  Love is hardest when we are called to make a decision that doesn't feel good to us for the sake of the well-being of the one we love.  Perhaps one of the greatest lessons we can ever learn in life is that real love is never selfish.  Real love requires that we put someone's best interest before our personal desires.

I think God may have brought Mason into our lives to teach us valuable lessons that we could not have learned without his help.  From Mason, we learned that everyone needs to feel as if coming home is the greatest thing we can do for those who love us.  We should never be ashamed to run out the back door, across the lawn, and into the arms of someone who returns home to share our love with them.  Perhaps they're coming home from a horrible day at work or a hurtful experience at school, but that shouldn't matter to those waiting there at home.  It's all about reminding loved ones that home is a good place, a safe place, a place where we will always find acceptance.

Mason taught us that even the little pleasures in life are significant.  A bowl of popcorn and a cold drink-- when shared with someone we love, those small pleasures become gigantic memories that will last a lifetime.  A warm arm around our shoulder or a gentle kiss on the cheek can make all the difference in someone's day.  Sometimes, just sitting beside that person and listening intently... keeping our focus on that one singular person for a time... making eye contact so that he or she knows you are hearing what they have to say-- those moments in time speak volumes about the depth of our love.

From Mason, we learned that it is our responsibility to watch over those we love and protect them from potential harm, to the best of our abilities.  Most of our days will be quiet and non-eventful, but when danger approaches, we must be willing to put ourselves out in front of our loved ones to fearlessly face the onslaught. When we know we are loved and that home is a safe place, we can lie down to sleep peacefully.  We can expose our weakest parts and most intimate feelings without fear of being hurt, because we will know that those we love so deeply love us in return.  As we have protected them, so will they protect us. 

God brought Mason into our lives to teach us that love does not hinge on how we look, what we own, or even how we smell.  Love transcends all things.  Love trusts and can be trusted in return.  And sometimes, love hurts.

Last week, love meant letting go of Mason so that his suffering could come to an end.  It meant putting his needs before our wants.  And oh, how that love did hurt as we said good-bye.  But I believe with all my heart that Mason knew he was loved... and there is no doubt that Mason loved us all.  Now, Mason runs the open fields of heaven.  He was a loyal, faithful friend.  Mason was a good dog, and we will miss him.

  ^"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

(I Corinthians 13:4-7)

Making the Tough Choice

Back in 2012 I began this blog because of the prompting of the Holy Spirit in my heart, and I believe as much today as I did back then that it was in the Father's plan for me to share the thoughts and beliefs I hold with those who would read them.  However, life is always changing... that is one constant of which we can always be certain.  Nothing remains the same.  My life is changing now, as well.  I have become the associate pastor of a congregation here in South Carolina and am pursuing ordination as a Wesleyan pastor.  In addition, I will be continuing classes through Southern Wesleyan University toward my bachelor's degree in ministry.  I also participate in a weekly nursing home ministry, teach back-to-back classes on Sunday evenings at my church, preach on a fairly regular basis, and direct the music and worship for our congregation now.  I still try to maintain close communication with members of my family back in Michigan and also minister to individuals within our community on various levels.  Recently, I received the go-ahead from our city hall to organize and facilitate an interdenominational revival service later in the fall.  Perhaps you are beginning to see that my daily schedule is becoming increasingly full of commitments, all of which I cherish.  But, like anyone else, I simply cannot do it all and have it all if I am to retain a healthy balance of ministry life and personal life (and believe me, my relationship with my husband and family are always a top priority for me).  Sometimes, we find ourselves needing to make difficult choices, and this is one of those times.

While I have been truly blessed to post my thoughts on this blog, and have been blown away by the knowledge that people all over the world have read many of them, I must admit that the overall effectiveness of this avenue of ministry is probably quite limited.  More often than not, we are most effective when ministering on a personal, face-to-face level with individuals, such as I do in my church and community ministry efforts.  So, now I find myself needing to decide where I will devote my time in order to be most fully used by the Lord.  Composing and maintaining this blog takes valuable time in my schedule that I believe can probably be best used in my local ministry.  Unless I receive some divine direction to the contrary, I will  greatly decrease the number of blogs I post in the future, or may even discontinue the site altogether.

If you have been reading my blog and desire to see me continue writing and posting, please make a comment to that effect so that I can know who is being blessed by those efforts on my part.  This is a tough choice to make, and I want to be certain that I'm making the right one.  Your comments (or lack thereof) will help me make that decision.  I thank you all personally from the bottom of my heart for reading what I've had to say.  My most fervent prayer is that in some way I might have touched your heart with a word of encouragement or enlightenment to make your journey just a little easier.  May God richly bless you all!

Back I Go!

This morning I am preparing to do something very, very, VERY hard:  This morning I am returning to Weight Watchers once again to take charge of my weight and my health.  For any of you who have ever fought this battle, I don't need to tell you how difficult and discouraging it can sometimes be.  Issues with weight, and the resulting effects on my overall health and well-being, have plagued me since I graduated from high school.  Since 1969 I figure I've lost about 300 pounds... lost and gained back multiple times.  Don't think for a moment that I have not prayed for this battle to be taken away from me.  Like the apostle Paul, I have repeatedly asked God to take this "thorn" from my side, but each time He has given me the calm assurance that His grace is sufficient for me.

A person with a personality like mine (and probably like yours) can find herself focused inward far too easily.  Because I often sing solos for groups of people and/or speak publicly, the standard mode for expressing appreciation comes from people through the same words...."You were really wonderful.  You blessed me.  You have a beautiful voice."  I hope you get the picture.  While I know that people are trying to let me know that they were touched or moved by the message of a song or sermon, the words used to convey that can turn my thoughts inward and cause me to believe that somehow I was responsible for that blessing in their lives.  The truth is, without the moving of the Holy Spirit and the constant abiding love of Jesus Christ and the gracious gifts given to me by the Father, I could do nothing.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills-- From whence comes my help?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."  (Psalm 121:1-2)

I don't pretend to know the mind of God, but sometimes I wonder if He allows this constant struggle in my life in order that I do not become too full of myself, but that I am reminded daily of my need for His abiding grace and strength to meet the challenges of this life.  It is a humbling experience to return to a group of people where I have previously experienced a victory (and, some say, have served as an inspiration to them) in order to confess that once again I need their help and support.  Learning humility is not comfortable!  According to Easton's 1897 Bible dictionary, humility is defined as "a prominent Christian grace. It is a state of mind well pleasing to God; it preserves the soul in tranquility and makes us patient under trials."  Humility must become a PROMINENT Christian grace in my life, not just a passing experience on occasion. 


So, here I go again.  I will return to this group of fellow journeyers and will seek to give encouragement and draw upon the strength of the knowledge that there are others on board this boat with me.  I know we'll celebrate some victories and share some defeats with one another.  That's what this sort of group is all about.  Along the way, I'll be praying for more victories that defeats, and I'll be praying the same for all the others who are there with me.  Together, we will keep trying to embrace a healthier lifestyle and weight.  Now... back I go!

"For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.  Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]."

(Hebrews 4:15-16, Amplified Bible)

How Can We Say Thank-You?

My family experienced quite a scare this week.  Our son-in-law, who is a law enforcement officer for North Carolina, was seriously injured in the line of duty chasing down a suspect.  As a result of his efforts to uphold the law and keep the public safe, he will now be laid up for several weeks (possibly months) recovering from his injuries.  During that time, he will be forced to give up all his vacation and sick leave time before any benefits can be realized from the workman's compensation arena.  Even then, his compensation will only be a fraction of his normal wages and his family has been thrown into financial hardship as a result.

Now here's the thing:  this young man has dedicated his life (and laid it on the line multiple times) for the purpose of protecting the public and upholding the laws of the state in which he lives.  He has been cursed at, spit upon, called derogatory names, had things thrown in his face, maligned by drunkards and drug addicts (as well as irresponsible sober citizens), and now even seriously hurt by a criminal suspect who walked away from the incident unscathed.  All this because our son-in-law chooses to believe that the greater good of mankind is worthy of his dedication and the risks he accepts each day as he slips into his uniform and heads out the door of his home.  Matt is not alone.  Each and every day dedicated men and women choose to put themselves in harm's way in order to serve others.  Some become fire fighters, others law enforcement officers, many are military servants, and others serve as first responders.  They don't seek praise and don't consider themselves heroes.  In addition, most of them receive pitiful compensation in return for their dedication.  Each year, hundreds of these fine human beings give their very lives for what they believe in.  How many names appear at Ground Zero in New York?  How many names cover the Viet Nam Memorial Wall?  How many headstones mark the places of fallen military men and women in Arlington Cemetery and other cemeteries across our nation?

As average citizens, we need to become fully aware that without the selfless dedication to duty and the willingness of these public servants and military personnel, our lives would be at risk and our peaceful existence called into serious question.  Can we really afford to continue to overlook the needs of these individuals and simply expect they will continue to risk life and limb on our behalf?  Every day, I see reports on the news broadcasts of homeless American military veterans sleeping on the pavement in some of our largest cities.  They go hungry and without needed medical care, and no one seems to remember the years of their active service in defense of our country.  Policemen and women are injured and killed, fire fighters perish in raging infernos while they attempt to save others, even first responders often come under gun fire as they try to give aide to injured people.  Folks, we need to sit up and pay attention here!  These fine people make our lives safer and more peaceful each and every day.  We must not ignore their needs when in service and duty they become injured or even killed.  We have a moral, ethical, and spiritual responsibility to ensure they are well cared for and that their families do not suffer as a result of their dedication.

You might be asking how you can make a difference.  Sometimes the simplest gesture can turn a bad day into a blessing for someone.  Have you ever thought of paying for a policeman's meal at the restaurant?  What about a heart-felt "thank you" and an appreciative hand shake when you meet a firefighter on the street?  Could you be the one to take a homeless veteran to a hot meal and purchase him or her a new pair of shoes?  I know of a group of ladies who spend time crocheting plastic sleep mats out of used grocery bags and distribute them to the homeless in their community.  The possibilities are endless, and are limited only by your imagination and your willingness to express gratitude for the service of others.

Showing kindness and appreciation brings its own special reward to the one who does it.  Such expressions of gratitude do not escape God's sight.  He is pleased with every effort to extend love and encouragement to those who serve us in such selfless ways.  I pray that each one of us will take the opportunity today to thank a public servant in a meaningful way.  Oh, by the way, when was the last time you said "thank you" to your pastor and his wife?  Maybe an invitation to Sunday dinner is in store; perhaps a card of appreciation sent through the mail ; maybe a platter of home-baked cookies anonymously placed on his desk at church... let your imagination run wild. 

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  (John 15:13)

Making the Time

Sometimes life gets very busy.  It's hard to "find" the time to do those things which God has asked of us, so we often just need to "make" the time.  If we all began to write down exactly what we do in a day's time (in increments of 15 minutes) I think we'd all find that there is a big portion of each day we simple fritter away on non-essential, unimportant things.  I suspect, if you are anything like me, the biggest thief of our time is the television.  It's so easy to get caught up in that make-believe world of the small screen that an hour can pass by before we know it.  Now, I'm not saying that we must discipline ourselves to never watch television (although my daughter and her family have not had a T.V. in well over 5 years and don't seem any the worse for wear as a result), but certainly restricting ourselves and choosing the programming carefully is in order.

"I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me."  (Psalm 101:3)

Another thief of our time is the bed.  I know of several people who have cultivated the habit of spending far too much time in bed and whose lives show the consequences of such a lifestyle.  Generally speaking, they are overweight, feel sluggish all the time, and complain of a "foggy head" nearly every single day.  Some suffer from chronic back pain and others from chronic headaches.  Too much sleep, like anything else in our lives in which we overindulge, is not good for the human body.  Medical research indicates that oversleeping results in obesity, back pain, headaches, increased risk for diabetes, higher incidence of coronary artery disease, and depression.  The average adult requires seven to nine hours of sleep each night, and anything over that becomes problematic. 

"Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare."  (Proverbs 20:13)

"How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?"  (Proverbs 6:9)

Yet another thief of our time has been the newest craze for social media.  Smart phones seem permanently attached to the hands of some people.  In fact, the other day I was using a public restroom and heard the woman in an adjacent stall talking on her phone to someone.  Are you kidding?!  If you cannot even use the bathroom privately, surely things have gotten out of hand somewhere.  Hours of time can easily fly past as we choose to sit in front of a computer screen or a smart phone and live vicariously through the lives of others.  Sometimes it appears nothing more than a raging desire to know everyone else's business is what prompts people to glue themselves to these tiny screens.  

"Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before."  (I Thessalonians 4:11)

Do not misunderstand me here.  Sometimes life does indeed get very busy.  The past couple of weeks I have found myself inundated with responsibilities that have kept me from writing on this blog.  There have been important events at church that required preparation and presentation.  I have been a part of an effort to furnish over 300 free meals to members of our community who often go without food for most of their day.  I am organizing a women's mission group that had fallen by the wayside for many years.  I am also putting together a community-wide interdenominational revival which requires countless hours of work and phone calls.  Add to all those things the fact that I just finished final exams at seminary and am now preparing to enter into my ordination training for the ministry.  Obviously, I have been busy.  However, the Holy Spirit gave me inspiration to start this blog and He has not released me from that obligation as yet.  I apologize for not "making" time to see to it that there has been fresh inspiration and insight for those who regularly read it.  And I promise to try very hard to do better in the future.

So... now I need to schedule a time into my busy weeks ahead to be responsible to this area of ministry.  Perhaps you, too, need to "make" time for something in your life to which you know the Lord is calling you.  Start by unplugging the T.V., temporarily turning off your cell phone, and getting out of bed a half-hour earlier than you have been (or maybe even an hour, depending on how much time you've been spending there).  Purpose in your heart to make each moment of each day an offering to the Lord and service to others.  The eternal rewards will far exceed any temporary satisfaction we may find in the things of this world.

"For we must all stand before Christ to be judged.  We will receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body."  (2 Corinthians 5:10

It Will be Worth it All

Sometimes when I read Scripture I find myself saying, "What??"  There are passages that confuse and concern me, this I freely admit.  I have found that at those times God is trying to teach me something new and give me deeper insight into the hidden meanings of His Word.  The passage in Matthew 10:34-39 is one such section of Scripture:

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth.  I did not come to bring peace but a sword.  For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be those of his own household.  He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life my My sake will find it."

The first time I read this passage I found myself shocked at the thought that Jesus said he had come to earth not to bring peace, but a sword.  After all, I had been given an image of the Christ as a quiet, unassuming, peaceful suffering servant, not a sword-wielding warrior.   But as I looked more deeply into His statement, I realized that I'd left out a couple of crucial words from my understanding.  Christ did not say He would not bring peace... He said He would not bring peace on this earth.   Jesus did not descend from His throne to change the social structure of the day or to effect some sort of political alteration.  As long as the world is embroiled in sin and disobedient to God, there can be no peace.

When we think about the peace that Christ spoke of in so many other scriptures ((Luke 2:14; 7:50; 8:48; 10:5-6; Acts 10:36; Ephesians 2:13-17), we need to understand that this peace will only come to those who choose to believe in Him.  As long as a man stays lost and tied to this world, he (or she) will never know the "peace that passes all understanding through Christ Jesus, our Lord."  The hardest part of that is the realization that some of those individuals who refuse Christ as Lord may actually be a part of our own family.

Jesus said that He brought a sword, not peace to this earth.  A sword is an instrument that pierces and cuts and divides asunder.  That is a clear understanding of what the Gospel of Truth does in this world.  It divides the believer from the unbeliever and penetrates deep into the soul of one who is lost.  It brings conviction and discomfort as it pierces the conscience.  It is not eagerly embraced by a sin-sick soul.  Following Christ will surely bring some division into our lives.

It seems the first and most ferocious opposition we receive when we choose to believe in Jesus comes from our own family.  I think our choice to follow Him may be seen as some sort of disloyalty by many of them.  Our behaviors change, our desires change, our attitudes become different, and suddenly we are a stranger to those who grew up knowing all about us.  They feel threatened and confused at this "new" person with whom they are faced, so they lash out in an effort to subdue and conquer, returning the individual to one whom they can recognize again.  A new believer may feel the need to strike back in defense, but the longer I have walked with Christ the more I have come to understand that this is not the way for a disciple to respond.  In His final hours on earth, as He stood wrongfully accused before Pilate of all manner of lawlessness, Jesus did not speak.  He chose to remain silent because (I believe) He knew that to respond in the face of such hate and anger would only fuel the fire of evil.

Now, I am as human as the next person, trust me.  There have certainly been those times when I have returned anger for anger in my life.  This much I can say with deepest conviction:  not one single time did that turn out well for me.  In fact, I only suffered greater anguish as I became convicted and chastened by the Holy Spirit for wallowing in the mud from which He had already once lifted me.  I felt shame and regret for my failure to recognize that following Christ means I will be faced with persecution, but those experiences are part of what will bring me closer to Him.  If I am to be a follower of Jesus, if I am to call myself a Christian, then I must accept all that comes with the title, knowing that God will be faithful to carry me through each confrontation or attack.

My friends, if following Jesus Christ brings division among you and your family or friends, count it a blessing.  It only means that you have been given the opportunity to share in the suffering and the glory of our Lord.  Each time we triumph over evil, each time we hold our tongue and do not return anger for anger, we become more like the One who gave His life that we might be redeemed to our Heavenly Father.  When we die to ourselves and live for Christ, persecution in this life will have little effect on us.  We will be able to keep our eyes fixed on eternity and upon the face of the One who really matters.

In his article entitled "I Came to Bring a Sword,"  Yves I-Bing Cheng, M.D., M.A. wrote:

"The cross, like the sword, separates. The cross, like the sword, exposes. The cross, like the sword, kills.    The cross, like the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), makes alive because it sets us free from sin. Now we understand what the Lord Jesus means when He says, ‘I came to bring a sword.’ That sword is the cross."

I close today with the precious words of an old hymn:

"It will be worth it all, just to see His face,

When He calls me for His own.

Then ten million years to sing 'Amazing Grace,'

It will be worth it all when we get home!"