Encouragement

You know, everyone needs some encouragement. Sometimes, in spite of the sinfulness of doubting God, we just need to get a great word; reading some encouraging passages of scripture, or phone a friend who always seems to lift us up. You know that Elijah was confronted by God in that cave. You remember the scene after the Lord's marvelous victory against the Baal prophets, the wicked Jezebel threatened Elijah's existence sending him fleeing for his life.

Perspective is always important. Elijah had his eyes on his circumstances, but the Lord was not taken aback. Elijah thought I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me. Paul recalls this in Romans 11: 2 and following, "God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to [the image of] Baal." You see this? God always has the answers. You must be willing to pray, listen, and wait. Get your eyes off of yourself and onto the Lord God of Heaven. Remember Paul's admonition in Gal 6:9, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

OK, so we need not slack up, pack up, back up until we are taken up! Press on. with love

On Grief and The Resulting Beauty

Our little dog of 15 years developed a rare disease. Through sadness this last Resurrection Sunday we had to make the tough decision to put him to sleep. He went "the way of all the earth" as is said in Scripture. This invoked some powerful emotions within our family. The little guy was a good companion. He used to go with me for runs through the neighborhood; he dutifully sat and waited until I got home in the evening for his needs to be met, and he greeted me with a happy banging of his tail in the wee hours of the morning hapily anticipating a hug and embrace. He was almost always the first that greeted me at the door, as he were St. Peter keeping watch on the Gate. He was perhaps the warmest most-loving dog I have encountered in my years; like a good friend, he faded away...but he is in my heart.

I have endured much loss in the last three years. How do we deal with the grief here top-side of the earth? God reminds us in 2 Cor 1:4 ..." Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God". Our trials are to be the rich canvass by which we paint the soothing picture to bring beauty and healing to others. We are to be of comfort to those around us, where they will see our good works and glorify God our Heavenly Father (1 Pt 2:12). I am.

On Precious Beginnings

A friend of mine and his bride just had a little baby boy. The little Californian landed just a few days back and after a brief stay in the hospital due to minor complications his parents brought him home. What overwhelming joy to hold a precious little one, and while my smallest bambina is eight years old now and baby number 1 is twenty-one, I am still warmed of the precious thoughts of each one. Even my son who is now 16, and standing taller than me by half a foot invokes memories of his tiny little eyes looking up at me just minutes after his birth.



At this writing, it is now fully spring. The buds are white and pink on the trees and the grass has lost its brown hue, giving way to irish green; the flowers are aburst. It reminds me of each precious day we have before our Lord. A day that we have to work diligently before Him. A time that we can once again earnestly learn from Christ a new death to our selves; a time again to dedicate our life to him and adorn the earth in His precious colors. His delightful fragrance; one that draws others deeply to Him. Jesus Christ beacons the seeker with his testimony through His saints lives. Our life lived before others in an earnest Christ-honoring manner is the loudest proclamation of the Gospel. Proclaim on! In loving service. Sherrell

He Hideth My Soul

I am warmed by the glow of the church's precious hymns. Many today fuss over types of music; this is not that debate. I am delighted to hear of the circumstances where God's people penned wonderful hymns through time. One such story was the ocassion of the circumstances of Mr. Horatio Spafford who suffered several back-to-back great tragedies, the loss of his business in the great Chicago fire, the loss of his four daughters in a heart-rending accident at sea. One could sense the astounding paradox of his most noted hymn in the ensuing days after his learning of the loss of his closest and dearest loves. Upon learning of the tragedy from his wife's telegram from England, he sailed to meet her. At sea he pondered the events and penned this familiar hymn..."When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll....whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say; It is well, it is well with my soul!". You hear that? Whew, that preaches! You know only God gives the peace which passes all understanding. When God takes us through the fire, there are ornaments left over for others to visibly see; the beauty that is revealed in the shedding of the dross. The sweet smell of the fragrance of God's Grace pervades the area and people are moved by the presence of the Master.



I am touched at Spafford's story and the beautiful hymn he left us. One of my favorites is "He Hideth My Soul"; dont know much about the circumstances surrounding this one, but there is a familiar Biblical passage. Moses wanted to see God, but God would disallow such, for no one had looked upon Him and lived. He helped Moses see the reality of His Being......He hid him in the cleft of the rock and as He passed by, Moses was protected. What a picture! Like the Blood on the door pillar, like Christ's precious blood covering you and me....Selah.



With kindest affection; in Christ