“Hope” is the thing with feathers —
That perches in the soul —
And sings the tune without the words —
And never stops — at all —

And sweetest — in the Gale — is heard —
And sore must be the storm —
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm —

I’ve heard it in the chillest land —
And on the strangest Sea —
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb — of Me.

by Emily Dickinson

What is Hope? We use the word countless times a day. Hope you feel better, Hope you have a safe trip, Hope everything goes well with your surgery. Hope…hope…hope, like little prayers flying from our lips.

A Christian’s hope comes from God. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom 15:13

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. Rom 4:18 There was no reason to hope because he was already about 100 years old, yet his faith didn’t grow weak. He continued to trust in God.

I can’t help but think of the people in the news last week. One had the hope of a tour in London. Another hoped to be healed from cancer. Two others, I imagine, hoped for a “few more years.”

We hope for tomorrow, yet ‘tomorrow’ is not promised.

Life is full of uncertainties, disappointments and sometimes broken dreams. As Christians, we can be confident in our hope in God. This hope is a certain guarantee about things that are unseen and still in the future. It’s hope that will be realized if we remain faithful to God. Rom 8:22-25 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

This same hope separates the Christian from the nonbeliever, who has no hope. Eph 2:12, 1 Thess 4:13

Consider the following from Nelson’s Bible Dictionary…Christian hope comes from God (Rom 15:13) and especially His calling (Eph 1:18; 4:4), His grace (2 Thess 2:16), His Word (Rom 15:4) and His gospel (Col 1:23). Hope is directed toward God (Acts 24:15; 1 Peter 1:21) and Christ (1 Thess 1:3; 1 Tim 1:1). Its appropriate objects are eternal life (Titus 1:2; 3:7), salvation (1 Thess 5:8), righteousness (Gal 5:5), the glory of God (Rom 5:2; Col 1:27), the appearing of Christ (Titus 2:13) and the resurrection from the dead (Acts 23:6; 26:6-7).

So dear readers, my hope is that we will all make our “calling and election” sure, in order that we will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Pet 1:10

 “Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.” Bob Pierce

According to Wiki Answers.com 250,000 to 300,000 people die each day. Those figures are mind boggling to me.

Someone’s heart is breaking on a continual basis, lives are changed forever, and at times… families are even torn apart because the grief is so unbearable.

I don’t pretend to know the heartache of losing a child. I have lost my grandparents, my dad, aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. I understand death is a part of life and to lose a loved one hurts us deeply, yet every death is someone’s child.

As you know, this week alone three celebrities have died, as have hundreds of thousands of others not mentioned, many of whom we have very little knowledge. It saddens me to watch the news and see the reactions of some of the populace, especially those who are trying to profit from the death of another, or who slander their names.

We are all sinners, we have all made mistakes. Most of us are fortunate enough not to have our sins on the five o’clock news, plastered on the web, or in every printed paper or magazine on the rack.

If I were a celebrity and had died about 32 years ago, the headlines about me may have read something like this…

Janice (previous last name here)…dead from alcohol poisoning and drug overdose. Remembered by her children as one who didn’t pay them enough attention, yelled too much and was too wrapped up in the hurt of her past to deal with her present. (That would be the ‘toned down’ version) Not very flattering is it?

The thing that is different for me is that God spared me, he allowed me time for repentance. He put people in my life, whose friendship I accepted, who taught me “a more excellent way.”  He allowed me time to leave behind my life of sin, of hate and un-forgiveness. Some people never find a way out of their pain and others look in all the wrong places.

I ask you… say a prayer for all the families who are grieving today, whose hearts are breaking. Pray especially that you will be the light for someone else, someone that does not know the joy of having a Savior. Reach out to them; share your hope with them.

You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Ps 39:5

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Eph 4:32

I didn’t flunk fourth grade, I just missed it, the whole year!

During summer break I woke up one morning with a fever and a very stiff and swollen arm. The pain was piercing; the slightest touch caused me to flinch. My mom did what most moms would do. She tended to me, gave me some aspirin and kept an eye on me. Money was scarce and most families did their own ‘doctoring’ as much as possible. By the third day I wasn’t showing any signs of getting better so mother took me to the doctor. The news wasn’t good. I had Rheumatic Fever.

I spent a week in the hospital and an entire year in bed. I was not allowed to be up for any reason whatsoever. That meant mother had to bathe me in bed, wash my hair in bed, feed me in bed and… I had to use a bed pan for an entire year. I was also on penicillin for a year. The reason for complete bed rest was to hopefully prevent damage to my heart. I couldn’t even get up when mom changed the bedding. I had to roll to one side of the bed while she worked on the opposite side. Trips to the doctor meant someone had to carry me to the car and into the doctor’s office. Thanks to the excellent care from my mom, I did not sustain any heart damage at all.

After I began to feel better, it became harder and harder for me to understand why I couldn’t get up. I didn’t feel sick anymore and I wanted to go outside with my brothers and friends and play. Mother made sure I had plenty of books to read, color books and crayons and my baby doll. She even moved my bed near the window so I could look outside. I had plenty of pity parties when I saw my friends out playing and riding their bikes. (I was supposed to get my first bike that year)

I had to have a tutor too. I don’t remember her name; I do remember what she looked like. She was a very small woman, probably in her mid-thirties. She was nicely tanned, had short dark hair and her breath smelled like peppermint. I always looked forward to seeing her. She was funny and made me laugh a lot.

One of the ladies from church made me a heart shaped box out of recycled all occasion cards which she had crocheted together. Someone, perhaps the same lady, had all of the kids from church sign cards and she put them inside the box and brought it to me when she came for a visit. I received many, many cards and letters during the course of my illness and I kept each one of them. I also kept the box and those cards and letters are still inside of it today, some 51 years later. I’ll do the math for you….I was nine when I became ill. (See pictures at top of post. The box has lost some of its original shape over the years.)

That was quite a year for me, and I’m sure for my family as well, especially my mom. As I think back, I realize she made many sacrifices for me that year as she basically had to put much of her life on hold for me. Thank you mom!!

I survived the year, all the meds I had to take, all the “not under the arm and not under the tongue” temperature taking. (I’m trying to keep it toned down for some of my more sensitive readers) I especially did not like that part! I never did get my bicycle either. Finally got one after I was married, just wasn’t as much fun as I had remembered.

As you can imagine, being confined to bed for a year caused some weight gain. I have been in the battle of the bulge since then. I basically had to learn to walk again, I hadn’t forgotten how; my muscles had grown too weak to hold me up. It didn’t take too long to strengthen them as I was very excited to get out of that bed.

The following information is from the Mayo Clinic website: Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop as a complication of untreated or poorly treated strep throat. Strep throat is caused by infection with group ‘A’ streptococcus bacteria. Rheumatic fever is most common in 5- to 15-year-old children, though it can develop in younger children and adults. Recurring episodes of rheumatic fever most often affect people when they are about 25 to 35 years of age.

Although it’s relatively rare in United States and other developed countries, rheumatic fever remains common in many developing nations. Rheumatic fever can cause permanent damage to the heart that may result in serious harm to the heart valves and heart failure. Treatments can reduce tissue damage from inflammation, lessen pain and other symptoms, and prevent the recurrence of rheumatic fever.

I remember sitting in Miss Lillian’s Sunday School Class. I was about six years old. Our class room must have been either downstairs or in the basement as I recall gray cement walls, no windows and a musty smell. It was summertime and very hot outside. The coolness of the basement felt good to me. It was bright though, so the lighting must have been sufficient.  About seven or eight of us kids were lined up in two rows sitting on metal folding chairs.

I loved Miss Lillian. (She was really a Mrs.) I recall that she was very slim, she seemed tall to me, of course just about everyone seemed tall to me then. She had brown hair and she always looked real pretty and smelled pretty too. I also remember my mom telling me she worked at a bank.

I had on a starched white dress and a petticoat. (I think my mom liked dressing me in white because of my jet black hair and very hazel eyes) I was sitting on the front row with three or four other kids and the rest of the kids were sitting behind us. Next thing I know the boy behind me upchucked all over the back of my dress. I mean to tell you, he drenched it. As young as I was I remember being horrified! I jumped up out of my chair, trying to look at the back of my puke-soaked dress. And being the typical kid and not holding back my thoughts or reactions…I started gagging at the sour smelling vomit, chunky looking milk and half-digested cornflakes. I’m telling you, it was beyond gross! I expect had it not been for Miss Lillian urging me to “wait for my mother” I would have stripped down to my undies.

Miss Lillian was ever gracious; she was  trying her best to take care of the sick kid, and calm me and the other kids down at the same time. I’m sure she must have sent some of the other children to fetch our mom’s because the classroom was suddenly full of women trying to restore some calm to the situation.

I’m not sure what took place after that. I imagine mother took me home to change. (I’m wondering if she put me in the trunk.) Ha! She didn’t do well with those kinds of incidents. She had a weak stomach and I recall was prone to fainting spells.

I can laugh about this now. I think the boys name was Randy Gilbert. This happened in the mid-50’s and was at the 10^th and Bell Street Church of Christ in Shawnee Oklahoma.

Tomorrow I shall share more “childhood memories.”

Will Rogers said “Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.”

There’s a comforting thought at the close of the day, When I’m weary and lonely and sad,That sort of grips hold of my crusty old heart and bids it be merry and glad.

It gets in my soul and drives out the blues, and finally thrills through and through. It is just a sweet memory that chants the refrain: “I’m glad I touched shoulders with you!”

Did you know you were brave, did you know you were strong? Did you know there was one leaning hard? Did you know that I waited, listened and prayed, and I was cheered by your simplest word?

Did you know that I longed for that smile on your face, For the sound of your voice ringing true? Did you know that I grew stronger and better because I had merely touched shoulders with you?

I am glad that I live, that I battle and strive for the place that I know I must fill; I am thankful for sorrows, I’ll meet with a grin what fortune may send, good or ill.

I may not have wealth, I may not be great, but I know I shall always be true, For I have in my life that courage you gave when once I rubbed shoulders with you. 

Author Unknown

My friend Karla lost her husband Les, to cancer earlier this year. Daphne, another of our friends does very nice woodworking and she put this poem on some wood with a picture of Karla and Les.

It’s a beautiful poem so I thought I would share it with you today.

When I’m walking on frozen ground, wet or slick floors I’m in my “Caution Zone”.  I’m stepping ever so carefully to keep from falling and possibly injuring myself.  I want to avoid danger.

The text I’m looking at today isn’t speaking of our simply walking around; it’s speaking of how we live our lives.

The King James Translation warns us to have circumspect behavior: –See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Eph 5:15-16

Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Eph 5:15-16 NIV

Circumspect means “looking around.” “See that you walk carefully, with exactness” is the meaning. We must give thought to how we live our life.

We are to be wise, “not as fools.”  We have received the truth and our conduct should illustrate our beliefs.

 “Redeeming the time”…making the most of every opportunity God gives us.  Understand what the Lord’s will is. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Ps 90:12

“Because the days are evil”…I don’t think any of us can deny we live in an evil and corrupt world. Everyone wants to “have it their way”, a way that leads to destruction. Temptation is all around us.

Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.” John 12:35-36

The bible is our roadmap, our guide to heaven. If we don’t follow it carefully we will be eternally lost.

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. Heb 4:11

We are so blessed to have been called, to be chosen. Jesus died for us. I know; it’s hard to comprehend!!

Don’t long for what the world offers, long to be with Jesus…let us encourage one another daily to “walk circumspectly.”

Are you leading an influential life?

Many times we talk out of both sides of our mouth. We claim to follow Jesus, yet our actions contradict our claim.

I am often surprised and disappointed by the conduct of “Christians”. When I hear profanity, see immodesty and indifference in ones conduct I am bewildered. Please don’t misunderstand, I know we are all sinners, we all sin, and we all fall short.  I also understand many are ‘babes’ and really just don’t know any better…yet.

If we are to follow the example Jesus left us then I must be missing some pages in my bible. I don’t ever recall reading about Jesus cussing up a storm, seeing pictures of him out drinking with his friends, sharing vulgar hand jesters, and walking around half naked….and before you accuse me of being “Hoity-Toity”.. .I have been guilty..guilty..guilty of all of the above.  

Thankfully, I was taught “a more excellent way.” I learned my behavior was not acceptable to the God I claimed to love, follow and worship.

Consider the following paragraph from Practical Bible Illustrations.

Your influence is like your shadow. It may not always fall where you want it. Therefore, you need to be especially careful to see that wherever it falls, it will have a “good” effect on all. You may not be able to control the shadow, but you can control the one who casts the shadow. Make your influence count for God. Be not deceived! Others are being influenced by your example right now, this very hour.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matt 5:14-16

Do you think much about God’s comfort or about comforting others? Consider the following verses, prayerfully you will find the same peace and comfort I did.

I love the quote below; it is a great example of love, compassion and comfort. It made me think of all the ways God comforts us and how we can and should comfort and encourage each other.

It was one of the worst days of my life: The washing machine broke down, the telephone kept ringing, my head ached, and the mail carrier brought a bill I had no money to pay. Almost to the breaking point, I lifted my one-year-old into his highchair, leaned my head against the tray, and began to cry. Without a word, my son took his pacifier out of his mouth and stuck it in mine. Clara Null

Comfort-tempered with mercy: They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.  But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant. Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return. Ps 78:35-39

Comfort in fear: I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Ps 23:4

Comfort now and in future: You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. Ps 71:21

In our dark hours: May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Ps 119:76

Comfort from being united in Christ: If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Phil 2:1-2

Comfort when we are down- but not out: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 2 Cor 1:3-7

Comfort with a Promise of Peace:  ”I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

 Maintenance – Actions performed to keep some machine or system functioning or in service. To keep up; to preserve.

How are you doing in the maintenance department? Are you keeping up on your home obligations, car, teeth, health, yard…how about spiritual maintenance?

I think it’s fair to say, most of us clean our houses, wash our cars, brush our teeth and have regular dental check-ups. We see our doctor to make sure our bodies are functioning properly, we mow are yards to keep them looking nice and keep the neighbors happy. So honestly…how are you doing… when it comes to feeding yourself spiritually?

We know what happens if we neglect our housework; laundry starts to pile up, floors get dirty, furniture needs dusting, and windows need washing.

If we neglect our cars; well…you won’t get far on fumes. Fail to put oil or transmission fluid in, you will be replacing an engine or a transmission. A radiator without water or Antifreeze is not a good thing either; or an air conditioner without Freon. Bad brakes….bald tires…No…No…No!!!

Same thing with your teeth, are you going to ignore that toothache, let all your teeth rot out of your mouth. If you break a bone…are you going to visit the doctor or just live with the pain and hope everything is going to be all right? Again…No…No…No!!!

I know if I quit eating, at some point I will die. It might take a while as I am “well padded.” :-) I always tell Larry if we get stranded on a desert island, I will last the longest because I have “reserves.”  Or if I only eat one tablespoon of food each day, I will start deteriorating because I won’t be properly nourished. The same thing applies to feeding myself spiritually. If I neglect feeding on the Word, I will not mature, I’ll remain a baby. If I neglect it long enough I will perish.

Where are you with your spiritual maintenance plan? Are you “walking the walk” or just “talking the talk”? Do you read your bible daily? Are you just reading it or are you searching it, desiring to truly find God’s will for you?

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matt 5:6

It took me years of discipline to begin reading my bible everyday. I’m thankful I persevered, as now I truly love being in the word and I love my “light bulb” moments. You know…you read something you’ve read a thousand times and you finally grasp it. Those are precious and exciting times for me. If I don’t know what God expects from me, how he expects me to live, then I will likely be doing many things I shouldn’t. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Ps 119:11

By neglecting our spiritual life we lose out on many blessings and promises. To be well ‘maintained’ we must remain faithful. When we fail to pray, to assemble together, or to encourage each other, we miss out on growth. We lose our way, because our priorities are out of order.

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Cor 4:2-3

I shall bring my rambling to an end and leave you with another nugget of truth.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:18-20

Are you worried over the uncertainties of life? Is there a battle between the spirit and the flesh consuming your time and energies? Is your life divided between spiritual and material concerns?

Most of us can quote the following scripture and we have heard it so much its beauty may have faded. Please, read it slowly, believe it, and take joy and comfort from it. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Matt 6:25-27

Seemingly we are living in unstable times; politically, economically, and religiously. Most of what we hear from the media is “doom and gloom.” Jobs are lost, foreclosed homes are added to the Real Estate Market daily and there are even “wars and rumors of wars.”

Worldly riches give us false confidence and they are corruptible It’s easy to lose our focus during times like these. We must not think we are helpless or that things are hopeless.

Go to the one who comforts us in all our troubles.

 Paul writes…I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Rom 8:18-19 and Peter writes…for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire —may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.1 Peter 1:6-7

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12:25-26