A VOICE IN THE NIGHT, A LOST BOOK, AND A KNOCK AT THE DOOR

Last week, you read about three babies who were born for a specific purpose.  Isaac continued the covenant line, Moses brought the Israelites out of Egypt, and John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus.  But they were adults when their service to God began.

Today I want you to consider the actions of three children/young people.

A VOICE IN THE NIGHT

Hannah wanted a child and, in her anguish, she prayed to the LORD Almighty.  Eli, the priest, heard her prayer and told her, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him”  Hannah’s prayer was answered and she named her son Samuel.  True to her word, Hannah gave Samuel to the LORD and he ministered before the LORD under Eli.

Have you ever fallen asleep and thought you heard something?  A noise?  Someone knocking on the door?  A voice?  Samuel heard a voice.  Samuel heard a voice calling his name three times.  Each time he went to Eli, but Eli had not called him.  Finally, Eli realized the LORD was calling the boy.  When the LORD came and stood there saying, “Samuel!  Samuel!” 

Are you ready for how Samuel answered this time?  Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”  I do not know how old Samuel was, but he would have still been a kid…a young boy.  And he realized he was a servant to the LORD.  And he listened!  And he continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life.   All the days of his life!!! 

A LOST BOOK

Josiah was eight years old when he became king.  HE’S A KING?  ONLY EIGHT YEARS OLD?  Shouldn’t an eight year old be out playing with his friends and learning reading, writing, and arithmetic?  What in the world would an eight year old know about being a king?  Apparently a lot.  He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left. 

When Josiah was 26, he had honest carpenters, builders, and masons begin the repair of the temple of the LORD.  This sounds like a lot for a 26 year old to undertake but what came next changed his life.  A lost book was found.  Not just any old book.  This was the Book of the Law.  When Josiah heard the words, he tore his robes.  He learned the LORD was angry because those who had gone before Josiah did not obey the words of this book, they had forsaken God, and burned incense to other gods.  The message from the LORD was severe.  His anger would burn against this place and his anger would not be quenched. 

Look back to one sentence:  When Josiah heard the words, he tore his robes.  Because Josiah had a responsive heart and humbled himself, the LORD said, “Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace.  Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.”  Josiah renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD.  Then he removed shrines, mediums, and spiritists, the household gods, and idols.  Passover was celebrated.

A young boy became a young man and the Bible says:  Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did – with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with the Law of Moses.

Josiah reigned in Jerusalem for 31 years. 

A KNOCK AT THE DOOR

Time for you to use your imagination again.  Picture this happening:  Peter had been arrested!  People wanted to pray for him and gathered at the home of Mary, the mother of John, also called Mark.  Many people were praying and praying and praying for Peter. 

On the other side of town, an angel woke Peter up.  The angel of the Lord told him, “Quick, get up?”  Peter dressed, put on his sandals, and left the chains behind.  They passed the guards, went through the door, walked a block, and suddenly the angel left him.  Imagine Peter’s confusion.  He is out of prison, but where should he go? 

Peter was set free.  He went to Mary’s house and knocked on the door.  A servant girl named Rhoda went to answer the door.  When she heard Peter’s voice she was so overjoyed that she left him standing there and she ran back to the people, who were praying, and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”  But no one believed her.  “It must be his angel.”  Rhoda kept insisting and Peter kept knocking.  Finally, they opened the door and were astonished.  Peter motioned for them to be quiet.

Rhoda was Overjoyed when she recognized Peter’s voice.  She was so excited to know he was out of prison that she didn’t open the door.  She just left him standing there.  The people, in the house, were Astonished when they finally went to the door.  What wonderful emotions.

KIDS – YOUNG ADULTS – WHAT DO THEY KNOW

We often pay little attention to the kids/young adults around us. After all, what do they know? Let them be quiet and listen.  Let them learn. Let them grow up and then - and only then - will they have matured enough to be heard.  BUT sometimes, these kids and young adults can teach us a thing or two.

Samuel heard the LORD calling him and he listened and obeyed.  He didn’t make excuses.  He served --- he served for a lifetime.

Josiah became a king at eight years of age and ruled with his soul, heart, and wisdom.  He heard the lost words that changed his heart and soul.

Rhoda had Joy the moment she heard a voice.  They had been praying and just like that, their prayers were answered.  And she didn’t back down when they did not believe her.  Peter is at the door!  Rhoda was full of joy!

I guess we can learn from kids.  BUT – what about women?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES:  1 Samuel:1 and 3, 2 Kings: 22 and 23, and Acts 12:8-17

 

LAUGHTER, A BASKET, AND SILENCE

LAUGHTER

Picture this: Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was minding her own business.  Going about her everyday activities.  You know, sweeping the floor, doing the dishes.  Trying to stay as cool as possible and working very hard to not say to Abraham, “Here I am, slaving away, in this heat, and there you are sitting at the entrance to our tent blocking the breeze.”  She thought, “Oh Sarah, he has worked hard all morning.  Let the old man sit and relax.”  Sarah went back to her chores. 

Abraham suddenly saw something.  There were three men standing nearby.  He quickly went toward the men and bowed low to the ground.  “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.”

Abraham stuck his head in the tent and shouted, “Bring some water!  Bake some bread.  Use the good flour.  Our guests deserve the best.”

As they were eating, they asked, “Where is your wife Sarah?”  Abraham replied, “In the tent.”

Get ready for here comes the good part.  Ready?  Remember Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 years old.  100 AND 90!  Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Sarah laughed at the idea of her having a child at this stage of her life.  Sarah delivered a bouncing baby boy and Abraham named him Isaac, which means laughter.

A BASKET

The Pharaoh was more than a bit concerned over the birth rate of the Hebrews.  They were increasing in number and that had to stop!  The Hebrew midwives were instructed to kill every baby boy born.  Instead of killing the babies, they told the king that the Hebrew women delivered the baby before they arrived.  The king went to plan B:  ALL Hebrew baby boys are to be thrown into the Nile.

A Levite woman gave birth to a son, hid the child for three months, and then put the baby in a basket.  The basket was placed in the Nile and floated to where the Pharaoh’s daughter bathed.

The baby grew older, became the son of the Pharaoh’s daughter, and was named Moses, which means I drew him out of the water.

SILENCE

Zechariah was excited to be the one serving as priest before God.  He was to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.  Everyone was outside praying while Zechariah lit the incense.  An angel of the Lord appeared to him and he was gripped with fear.  Oh, admit it.  If an angel of the Lord appeared to you while you were doing your morning prayers, you would be “gripped with fear.”  Back to the story.  Even though Zechariah and his wife were righteous in the sight of God, observed all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly, he was wondering what the angel wanted with him.  The angel told Zechariah to not be afraid.  I am sure he was thinking, “That is easy for you to say.  You are an angel.  The angel of the Lord.”

Then Zechariah heard the angel say, “Your prayer has been heard.  Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you are to call him John.”  It was at this point that Zechariah should have kept quiet.  Instead he asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this?  I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel.  I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.  And now (get ready for the angel to show his power) you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

Elizabeth delivered a baby boy and she declared, “No! He is to be called John.”  Zechariah wrote on a tablet, “His name is John.”  John, which means God gracefully gave.

AHHHH -- A BABY

Women smile and go “ahh” when they see a baby.  Men look, nod their head, and go back to what they were doing.  We do not look at a baby and say, “This child will be an astronaut.”  Or the President.  Or a teacher.  But God had special plans for these boys.

Isaac obeyed his parents, obeyed God, and continued the covenant line.  Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, ….  And Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.

Moses had a different life than Isaac.  His birth was hidden, he was raised in a palace, and he committed murder.  He hid until one day he said to God, “Here I am.”  With those three words, Moses became the person to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.

John was not allowed to drink wine or fermented drink and he dressed funny.  God had a special job for John.  He was to bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God and prepare the way for Jesus.

Three special babies who grew up to obey God. 

BUT — Does God also have special plans for children before they become adults? Read next week to find out.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES: Genesis 18:1-16, 21:1-7, Exodus 1, 2:1-4, 10, and Luke 1:5-25, 57-64

BEING A WOMAN

I would like to point out a few things about being a woman.

HAIR:  We want our hair to look perfect, but that is not as easy as it sounds.  A really great beautician is the only person who can get a cow lick to cooperate.  When doing our own hair, it takes half a can of spray or number 18 mousse to control one cow lick.  Are you a woman who colors your hair?  Then your greatest hair fear is that your color will be discontinued.  When this happened to me, two very sweet, older-than-dirt ladies asked about my hair.  When I explained why I was trying a new color, they quickly said, “Well, don’t get that one again.”  I didn’t.

MAKEUP:  There are a few women who feel totally comfortable with no makeup or just a dab of lipstick.  For most women, makeup is a line item in the family budget.  A morning routine of washing our face, putting on protective cream, adding a foundation to even out skin tones, deciding what three colors of eye shadow to use, carefully applying mascara, drawing the shape of our eyebrows, using blush to make our cheeks all rosy, and topping it all off with lipstick can be done in 15 minutes.  This is not a complete list and new and improved items are available daily.  Warning:  Applying makeup should not be done while driving.

CLOTHING:  What could I say about clothes?  Having never been someone who loves to shop and because I am way past size 0… Now that is a place to start.  How can there be a size 0?  Really?  Size 0?  Fashions come and go.  Back in the good-ole-days there were clothes for church, clothes for school, and clothes for playing/work.  Wearing your shirttail out was frowned upon and skirts above the knee were scandalous.  Today, you can buy Doice & Gabbana distressed (Code for we are charging extra to rip your jeans to shreds) cargo straight-leg jeans at 40% off or a mere $1,652.  If you do not have that amount and lack any modesty whatsoever, you can get jean shorts for $607.  These shorts should only be worn, as advertisement, by women who find their source of income on street corners. 

CLOTHING SUB-CATEGORY 1:  Girdles.  We called them girdles.  Now they call them shape wear.  No matter the name, why are women still punishing themselves?  Putting on that article of elastic is a full body workout.  They go from below the breasts to mid-thigh -- how do you go pee in those things? 

CLOTHING SUB-CATEGORY 2:  Bras.  The original bra was the brilliant idea of French inventor, Herminie Cadolle.  Bless her heart.  This article of clothing, created to lift and separate, is easier to get on than a girdle, IF you can put your arms behind your back and get the hook in the right eye.  Putting on a bra should count toward your annual physical as arm/shoulder mobility and finger dexterity.

SHOES:  Wow!  A three-inch heel gives the illusion of slimmer legs.  They look sexy!  They … ruin your feet, knees, ankles, nerves, blood flow, hips, back, and contribute to the risk of falling.  Oh but those Moon Star Shoes, by Antonio Vietri, put the finishing touch to my outfit.  And they are only $20 million… yes you read that right.  Three inch heels sure are sexy!  Do not forget the pantyhose.  They can cost a few bucks or hundreds.  And no matter the cost, they are hard to put on and can get a run the first time you wear them.  After that, they make good dog chews or a way to store onions.

MENSTRUATION:  The monthly curse!  When defining menstruation, monthly is a relative term.  There is no normal “period.”  It is different for every woman.  Some suffer – really suffer – and some breeze right through it.  I always thought it would only be fair if men had the periods.  Now I know this would never work.  Men would never make it through one time of bend-over, kill-me-now cramps.  Time passes and the randomness gets even crazier.  Women can go months without having a period, think they are into that time of life, and then – wham – we have to find that box of pads we stuck in the back of the closet.  Moving on –

CHILDBIRTH:  Childbirth is a wonder and a blessing.  Some women have an easy time during delivery and some – let’s just say, some do not.  Labor hurts and, prior to the epidural women receive today; pushing out a 5-10 pound baby was painful.  And required stitches.  Women, sadly, still die from childbirth complications.  Even more heartbreaking is the number of women who abort their babies. 

BEING A WOMAN:  WHY HAVE I WRITTEN THIS?

Woman:  An adult female person,

an individual of the sex which conceives and brings forth young

Being a woman has absolutely nothing to do with hair, makeup, clothing or shoes.  Being a woman has everything to do with how God created us. 

Even if for some medical reason a woman is not able to conceive or chooses not to conceive, women have a reproductive system which makes it possible to conceive and to carry and deliver a baby.  Women are wonderfully created to breastfeed.  Women are different from men and have a wider pelvis, broader hips, larger breasts, less facial hair, higher body fat, on average are shorter, and are less muscular.

I  AM  A  WOMAN

And I am appalled that the definition of “woman” is being changed to include transgender women.  These are not women.  They are males, from very young boys to adults, who are being encouraged to enter an unrealistic lifestyle.  They are males who think tucking a penis can make them a woman or taking medication can change their sex.  They are males and, no matter what state of reality they live in, they cannot produce breast milk.  They are males who enter women’s sports and use their muscular advantage to achieve the gold, which they could not achieve when competing against other men.  They are anatomically correct males who, for some reason, think they have the right to appear naked in women’s restrooms, and locker rooms, and should be given accommodation in a female’s hotel room, prisons, and hospitals. 

God created me, in my mother’s womb, to be a woman.  And I refuse to accept this new meaning for the word woman.  A new meaning which diminishes and makes a mockery of all women. 

This blog could be rewritten and titled Being A Man.  This blog would then include the women who are encouraged to enter an unrealistic lifestyle where they think they are men and take medication to change their sex.  Where they dress and undress in men’s locker rooms and use men’s restrooms.  Where they swim in public pools topless and bind their breasts to appear flat chested.  But they are not flat chested and they are not men. 

These men and women are being encouraged to live in an unrealistic world and they are demanding that everyone affirms and joins in their delusion.  I REFUSE!

 

BUT I LIVED

We ask questions as soon as we can speak a one word sentence: Why?  Children ask question after question.

·       Why is a dandelion yellow?

·       Why do dogs chase their tails?

·       Why do I have to eat my veggies?

·       Why do I have to go to bed?

·       Do you love me?

Parents will try their best to answer the questions, but often resort to, “Go ask your mother/father.”

Many years ago, I took a lay speaker class and had to write a message.  It was titled: WHY ME?  I wondered why I was fortunate enough to see, when others were blind.  Why was I blessed with being a mother, when others have empty arms?  You get the idea.  Now I have another question and I cannot find the answer.

My question comes from two events.  In 1998, I died during a simple gallbladder surgery.  It is not unusual for people to die during surgery, but with today’s technology, people survive heart attacks, strokes, injuries, and gallbladder surgeries.  I always told people, “God wasn’t done with me and the devil didn’t know what to do with me.” But the question remained, “Why did I not stay dead?”

And then — October 2022 — a blood infection — doctors and nurses told me, “We thought you would not survive.”  The question from 1998, that was a speck in the back of my mind, became a boulder.

WHY DID I LIVE?  I have talked to a number of people and found that I am not the only person with this question.  Sam (often in the local pool the same time I am) and I got to talking and I told him about my question.  He got a funny look and then said, “I have the same question.  My heart attack … why ...  now what am I supposed to do?”

We all know people who have died and were revived or people who, against all medical reason, recovered.  Those that I talked to ask the question:  “I lived.  Now what?  What am I supposed to be doing?  Surely there is something new or important I am to do. 

BUT, isn’t this a question we all ask?  What am I supposed to do?

~   ~   ~   ~   ~   ~

I started this blog, awake but still in bed, at 6:00 AM, Tuesday, May 23.  I had an appointment so I had to get up, get dressed, and get going.  Finishing the blog would have to wait.  As I was driving, it hit me and my question was answered. 

What am I supposed to do?  What are we all supposed to do?  We are to live!  We are to live right where God put us.  

We are to go to the grandkids games and root for the home team.  We are to volunteer.  We are to go to supper with our loved ones and friends.  We are to go grocery shopping, mow the yard, cook, clean, do laundry, and make the bed.  We are to go to a movie.  We are to eat a cinnamon roll.  We are to walk in the grass and plant flowers.  We are to go to work.  We are to wipe a child’s tears, kiss away the hurt, laugh with them, and read a bedtime story.  We are to worship.  Get the idea?

What are we supposed to do?  We are to live!  BUT we are to live with joy and humility.  We are to be kind and compassionate.  We are to acknowledge the blessings which surround us.  We are to hold others as they grieve and lift them up in prayer.  We are to celebrate babies and birthdays and anniversaries and recoveries.  We are to encourage and support others who are going through trials and accept encouragement and support when we face our trials.  Get the idea?

LIVE!!  THAT IS WHAT WE ALL ARE TO DO.  LIVE - WITH JOY AND KINDNESS AND …….

BUZZARDS

I manage the Facebook page for Urbana Yoke Parish and Monday’s post is called Monday Hodgepodge.  That post can be anything from a cartoon to information about buzzards.  Yes, you read that right:  buzzards.

What pops into your mind when you see a buzzard?  Maybe, “They are ugly.” or “They eat dead animals.”  You would be right on both thoughts, but did you also know:

• Around the world, there are 23 vulture species.
• They have weak feet and legs and cannot carry prey away.
• Lacking a syrinx, New World vultures are nearly silent.
• In hot weather, vultures pee on their legs to cool off.

If you are still reading this, I am really proud of you.  Here is a question for you:  Is it a Buzzard or a Vulture?  If you can tell the difference, you are for sure a birder.  (A birder is a person who spends time watching and documenting bird species.)  There is a difference though.  Vultures are large, bald birds that sniff out dead animals and then have lunch.  Buzzards are smaller than vultures and prefer to hunt, attack, and eat their prey, but they will have an afternoon snack on road kill.  The truth is you may call them whatever you want.  Early colonists saw those birds flying around and assumed they were buzzards like they had back home.  Since there was no internet, they could not access Google to see if there was a difference.  Therefore, the bird is called buzzard by everyone except a Master Birder.  (Yes, after an enormous amount of study, you can be certified as a Master Birder.)

THIS IS INTERESTING, BUT WHAT IS THE POINT?

Genesis 1:20 tells us that God created birds to fly above the earth.  God created the vulture and, although they have a foul reputation, they do serve an important function in God’s creation and His Word.  They pluck out eyes, gather around a carcass, and find plenty to eat in the Book of Revelation.  And ….

YET!  Have you ever watched a buzzard fly?  Have you watched them spread their wings, catch a current, and gracefully rise higher and higher?  Have you watched in the evening?  First one will fly over.  Then another.  Then another.  Buzzards are very social birds.  Another buzzard joins the three.  And they head home.

Yes, buzzards are hard on the eyes.  They eat dead stuff.  Their vomit stinks and is used to ward off anyone who gets too close.  And …

Sinners are hard on the eyes.  Their actions are against the Word of God.  What comes out of their mouths is spewed to ward off anyone trying to get too close.  And …

YET!  Have you ever watched a sinner after they find Jesus?  Have you watched them spread their wings and catch the Spirit, as they gracefully rise higher and higher?  Have you ever watched on a Sunday morning, as one walks in the door of the church?  And then another.  And then another.  Forgiven sinners are very social.  Another joins the three.  And they are in the Lord’s House of Prayer.

I guess we are like buzzards.  We – each of us - serve an important function in God’s creation and His Word.

 PLANTING THE GARDEN

Bill has the garden planted.   There are rows of lettuce, green beans, sweet corn, tomatoes, and bell peppers.   Because I made the decision to no longer can green beans and tomatoes, he has cut back on the size of the garden.   When he was planting for us and our kids, he would plant six rows of corn and six of beans.   He would add ten tomato plants and a like number of pepper plants.   This year it is two rows of beans, three rows of corn, six pepper plants and six tomato plants.   

You will notice I said, “Bill plants the garden.”  I used to. 

One year, I planted a garden that did not come up.  Nothing!  Nada!  We finally figured out why.  Seems an overabundance of manure had been spread in that area and it burnt up the plants.  That year there were empty jars in the pantry. 

I planted, hoed, harvested, and canned all the goodies the years we lived in Michigan.  Plus fruit from the many orchards surrounding our home.  We moved back to Indiana and I continued my garden work —- until the day the planting and care of the garden changed hands.

There I was, working away in the garden.  The beans and corn were in the ground.  The tomatoes were planted.  I was rather proud of the progress I had made that day.  Then Bill came home. 

Mr. My Rows Are Straight said, “Your rows are crooked.”  I replied, “You get more in a crooked row.”  I saw no reason to use stakes and a string to make a straight row.  A hoe handle worked just fine and was much faster.

Then Mr. Equal Spaced Plants said, “Your tomatoes are too far apart.”  I replied, “They will be easier to pick that way.”  Why trip over plants when there was plenty of space?

To this day, I do not remember what the third comment Mr. Garden Planting Know It All made.  I just remember handing him the hoe, that still had dirt on the end of the handle from making rows, and said, “No problem.  I will turn the planting and care of the garden over to you.”  Although I continued to help harvest and preserve our bounty, I have not planted or tended a garden since.

PLANTING SEEDS

Our Sunday School Class is studying the Parables and we are ready to discuss the Parable of the Sower found in Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, Mark 4:1-8, 18-20, and Luke 8:4-8, 11-15.  Read this and then ask yourself: 

• Am I a sower of seeds (God’s word)?  Or do I keep the seeds for myself?
• Where do I plant seeds?  Do I only plant seeds with other believers or do I get out of my comfort zone?
• Do I get upset if I sow seeds and they do not sprout (the person does not care)?  Or am I willing to sow seeds and realize they might need tended by someone else to make them grow?

Now go be a sower of God’s Word and have a blessed weekend.

 

As you can see, the date is a bit old.  We decided to see a new area of God’s world and the week seemed to be more of making sure we were on the correct road than thinking about writing a blog.  What to do?  What to do?  Look back, of course.  Picking a past blog on prayer was accidental, but  since the church I attend is a praying church, I thought this was appropriate.

Friday, May 13, 2011

PRAYER - A NEED? A PRIVILEGE? A DUTY?

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord. Genesis 4:26

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

PRAYER - A NEED? A PRIVILEGE? A DUTY?

The other day I heard an interesting message on prayer and it got me to thinking: Is prayer a need? Is prayer a privilege? Is prayer a duty?

Do we need to pray? The Bible says God knows what is in our hearts and he knows what we require before we even tell him. So, why pray if it is not essential for God to understand our would likes and our must haves? 

The question, "Do we need to pray?" is answered by no and yes.

Does God need us to pray so he will know what we require? No. Do we need to pray? Yes! We need to know that God is quite clear on what we would like and what we must have! Just kidding! We need to pray so the Spirit himself will intercede when we just do not have the words or the energy to express our true needs. And God, who searches our hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit and they work together in the harmony of God's will. (Based on Romans 8:26-27) Prayer is a need!

Is prayer a privilege? This question can also be answered yes and no. If you consider a privilege something that only a few of the elite are entitled to, then the answer is no. 

But if you consider a privilege something that is a benefit, an opportunity, an honor or a pleasure, then the answer is yes! What other faith is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? (Based on Deuteronomy 4:7) Prayer is a privilege!

Is prayer a duty? This question has only one answer: YES! Prayer is something we have to do. It is a responsibility. An obligation. Why?

Prayer is a duty because Jesus prayed and we, who with uncovered faces reflect the Lord's glory, are constantly being changed into his likeness. (Based on 2 Corinthians 3:18) It is our duty to live in such a way as we reflect the likeness of Jesus. Jesus prayed. We must pray. Prayer is a duty!

A question for you:  Do you have trouble praying? Trouble finding the right words? Use your own words or find scripture passages that you really like and make them personal. Use I, me and my. But remember, no matter how you say it, God loves to hear you pray. God is listening!!! He will hear you!!!

WHAT LIMITS YOU?

I think I have mentioned that I am part of a monthly discussion group.  After this month’s meeting, I told the ladies, “I think this will end up as a blog.”  They replied, “We want credit.”  Contributing to the discussion were Louise, Maribeth, Patty, Rita and Sarah. 

The discussion began with a simple question:  What stops us or limits us from achieving our goals?  I am going to try and condense a three hour, on topic discussion.  Hey, we are women.  Would you honestly expect a short discussion? 

NEGATIVE COMMENTS:  Yes, an obvious place to begin.  A negative comment can stop us in our tracks.  We instantly begin to doubt our ability, our chance of reaching our goal, or if we have the right to achieve them.  A negative comment is very loud even if whispered in our ear.  You cannot do that.  You will never succeed.  You are not smart enough.  That has already been done.  You are not worth investing my time or money in.

But, can a negative comment have a positive affect?  Have you ever dug your heals in when someone told you, “You can’t do that.  You will fail.”  Has your reply ever been, “I will show them!”  Sometimes a negative comment can be the exact motivation we need. 

POSITIVE COMMENTS:  Positive comments are priceless!  How encouraging to hear the words, “I am so proud of you.  You are working so hard to achieve your goal.”  Four words can change a person’s outlook:  I believe in you.

But, can a positive comment have a negative affect?  Encouragement must be honest.  There are many goals we will never reach, not because we do not want to, but because we do not have the ability.  Someone may constantly say, “You can do this.  Don’t let anything stand in your way.”  Misdirected encouragement may cause a person to chase the wrong goal.

You thought this was going to be a fluff piece didn’t you?  We are a discussion group and, with varied backgrounds, our discussions come from six points of view.  Moving on ….

RESPONSIBILITIES / PRIORITIES:  Our goals may begin to take shape when we are very young, but further education, marriage, having children, and career moves can place our goals on hold or they are replaced with new goals.  Health can deteriorate.  Finances are diverted or not there at all.  Life happens and we have responsibilities and must set priorities.

OLD VALUES / OLD PREJUDICES:  Sadly, old values and old prejudices continue to place limitations on way too many people.  AGE:  We can be too young to be taken seriously because we lack experience or too old and considered obsolete.  Age should no longer be a barrier.  Young minds are minds which have not been placed in a box and can lead us into the future.  Old minds contain wisdom and knowledge that still has value and worth.  Combining ages, instead of separating them, allows growth where goals can receive direction and succeed because of innovation.  SEX:  The glass ceiling has not been broken.  Women are still discriminated against in business and further education.  Men may be promoted because they are not considered the care-giver to their children.  This means women are often held back because they will need time to “be there” when children are ill or have school functions.  Men may be given better educational opportunities so women can fill “traditional roles.”  SKIN COLOR/NATIONALITY:  In 2023, this should not even be an issue and should not be used to limit the goals people want to achieve.  Likewise, these should not be used to gain an advantage over others.  I fear, until the political agenda changes, the use of skin color or nationality will continue to cause division in all areas of education and employment.  This division impacts life and the ability to reach goals.

LISTENING:  The final comment is about listening.  Learn to listen to the right voices.  Listen to the voices that are truthful about your ability to reach your goals.  Find a person to hold you accountable and then listen to their advice.  Listen with an open mind and be willing to adjust your goals.  Mainly, listen to your inner voice:  The Holy Spirit.

As believers, the Holy Spirit is a permanent part of our lives and will guide us in the way we should go.  Listen closely to that voice!!

THE FINAL QUESTION:  What do you allow to stop you from reaching your goals?

 BLESSING OF THE FIELDS

 Our church had a Blessing Of The Fields last Saturday.  There were only a few people there.  Even with the enticement of donuts and coffee, the farmers were in the fields.  Field work is a priority.  As our pastor said, “Where two or more are gathered…”  There were more than two and the program started.

 Earlier in the week, I thought, “I bet they will only say good things about the farmers.”  One thought leads to another and I decided I would be prepared to tell the truth.   Sure enough, only good words were muttered.  A video, So God Made Farmers, was shown and a poem was read. 

 I could stand it no longer.  Before they could say a prayer of blessing, I stood up and said, “I have a few comments.”  Oh the look on their faces was priceless!  And I began:

 FARMERS

I hate to tell you, but they are NOT perfect.

First, I question their basic education.  THEY CANNOT TELL TIME!  Cell phones have increased the problems associated with this lack of education.  How often do you hear a farmer say, “I will be in for supper in 45 minutes?”    Or, “I will be done with this field in ten minutes, could you come help move equipment?”    And the always accurate, “I am only working until 11:00 PM.  I need sleep.”

These statements actually mean:

• ·       I have no idea when I will be there for supper.
• ·     Please come to the field and help us move, but don’t hurry.  Auto Steer has a bit of trouble with point rows and planting corners.
• ·       You don’t need to wait up for me.  Finishing this field might mean 11:00 or 12:00 or 1:00 AM.

 Second, farmers also lack knowledge in giving directions and they cannot count. 

• ·      “Could you bring the pick up to the Smith Farm?”  Where?  “You know on 500 S..no, it is 500 N, just past the tree where the hawk was the other day.”
• ·    Farmers using their hands to give directions takes on a whole new level of confusion.  Exactly what does a circle mean when you are trying to watch and back up a piece of equipment?  Is it their left or mine?  And what does an eye roll and a look at heaven mean?
• ·    “Hey, we could really use some help.  (This part is true.)  Could you pick us up?  Then take us to Chamberlains and then take Jeff back to Rosen’s?”  Now what they failed to tell me was that there were 4 guys and I made 5 – 5 for my 4-seater vehicle.  Everyone knows Christian.  (For those that do not know him.  Christian is almost six feet tall.) Use your imagination.  Christian went to the back of my Acadia, opened the hatch, folded himself inside, and shut the hatch. 

Third, farmers do not keep essential information available for future use.  I did a presentation to the church women and when I asked the women, “What do you hate the most?”  They literally shouted the same answer.  GOING FOR PARTS!  That is where the information for future use comes in.  (Where is the parts manual?  Are you sure this is all the information I need?  Can I take the part with me, which is a silly question because they will be removing the part while you are gone.)  Talk about a room of women getting very animated and each story topping the last.  Every farm mother, sister, wife, or daughter swears they cringe when they hear the word PARTS. 

My worst parts story:  “Can you go get a part?”  Of course.  (You need to know this meant getting two children into the car, along with drinks, snacks, and a toy or two.  Way before cell phones and devices. And no part store is ever close.  Or at least one that has that particular part. ) Do I have all the information?  “Yes.”  Promise?  Remember last time.  “I promise.  It is all written down.”  And I believed him!  I handed the paper to the nice man behind the counter and assured him that slip of paper had every bit of information he would need.  The nice man looked at the paper and, with an absolutely straight face, asked me, “Is this for the right or left side?”

So, do not believe all the good things you hear about farmers.  They have faults – and

• ·   They have a love of the soil and feel the responsibility to preserve a way of life for the next generation
• ·      They have a work ethic that does not run on a schedule
• ·     They know how to get dirty, they are not above picking up rocks, and they know how to gently dry off a new born calf
• ·   They are called dumb farmers and some claim that anyone could be a farmers, but they drive equipment that has a value which includes lot of “0’s”
• ·       They know how to say a cuss word when the hammer misses the nail and they know how to say a prayer of thanksgiving when the rain comes and the harvest season ends with bins full and everyone safe

 Then we prayed a blessing for safety and good crops.

A PARABLE ABOUT THREE DRIVERS

There were three drivers.  The first driver seemed to have trouble deciding how to stay in their lane.  This driver would be over the white line, at the edge of the road, and then would be over the center line.  This continued a long time.

The second driver was driving into the sun and had a towel over the windshield on the passenger’s side.  It is said that a pencil will hide a motorcycle.  This towel would have hidden a semi, a car pulling from a side street, or a child. 

The third driver was in a hurry.  Sixth in a line of traffic, this driver decided to pass on a double yellow line.  Others had to allow the driver to pull back into the correct lane when a car approached.  The driver, apparently no wiser, passed the remaining vehicles.  Shortly, the driver was pulled over by a police officer.

A PARABLE:  AN EARTHLY STORY WITH A HEAVENLY MEANING

Jesus told many parables and, more often than not, no one understood.  Sometimes Jesus explained a parable to the multitude and other times the explanation was only given to the disciples.  Allow me to explain the meaning of my attempt at writing a parable.

The first driver could not make a decision.  After reading about the miracles Jesus performed, they were moved and believed.  But, they also read articles claiming Jesus was just a prophet and not the Son of God.  That is how they lived their faith.  One day they believed and one day they did not. 

Did not the serpent speak to Eve and make her question what God told her?  The serpent said: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”  Eve told God:  “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”  (Genesis 3: parts of 1 and 13)  The first driver is the believer who cannot make a true stand for their beliefs because they also listen to a voice other than God’s.

The second driver was only interested in what was best for them.  They did not want the sun in their eyes and did not worry that others could suffer because of their actions. 

Did not the priest pass on the other side of the road?  Did not the Levite do the same?  They left the injured man on the side of the road.  (From Luke 10:30-37)  The second driver is the believer who considers their needs a top priority.  They cannot see that their actions/lack of actions can cause others to suffer or die.

The third driver wanted to be someplace fast.  They wanted to bypass anything that would hold them up.

Do we need to suffer?  Does not suffering produce perseverance?  Does not perseverance produce character?  Does not character produce hope?  (Romans 5: parts of verses 3-4)  The third driver is the believer who builds their house (faith) on sand.  (Matthew 7:26-27)  Without withstanding suffering to learn perseverance, build character, and find hope, the believer’s faith will not stand.  The rain and wind (the police officer) will cause their faith to crash.

/\   \/   /\   \/   /\   \/   /\   \/   /\   \/   /\

I attempted writing a parable because the Sunday School class I teach will begin studying the Parables this coming Sunday.  When I passed out the information, I suggested (aka told them) that at some time, during our study, they would write a parable.  I might change my mind on that assignment.  This was harder than I thought.  Jesus wins the Parable Category hands down!

 IT’S FRIDAY

I do not like Good Friday.  I do not want to hear the crowd shout, “Crucify him.”   I do not want to picture Jesus being beaten.  I do not want to watch him carry the cross.  I do not want to hear the hammer strike the nails nor imagine the pain.  I do not want to see Jesus taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb.  

I do not like Good Friday.  Good Friday does not feel so good.  Good Friday hurts my heart.  

Friday is hard!  But Sunday… Sunday is coming and I like Sunday. 

It’s Friday, But Sundays Coming!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-0XUo2HcnMw&feature=youtu.be