Category Archives: Grace

Angels Watching Over Me

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I have great respect for the power of lightning. This last week a huge wild cherry tree in our imagebackyard was struck by lightning, breaking off a large branch and peeling off the bark. We had no harm to the house but the invisible fence transmitter for our dogs was destroyed, flying off the wall of the garage at least 10 feet. Thankfully, this did not start a fire in the garage. We were very lucky. The damage could have been much worse.

Several years ago, when we lived in Zionsville, our house was struck by lightning. It hit with a terrible boom just around midnight. I looked all around the house for damage or possible fire but could find nothing so I went to bed. My habit every morning was to shower before waking the kids and going downstairs for breakfast. For some reason, that morning I did not. I went downstairs first. When I entered the kitchen, I heard a noise that was unusual. This was a sound I had heard before in a hospital. It was like oxygen coming out of a cylinder with the valve opened completely. I could tell that It was coming from the basement. As I opened the door, the smell of gas was overwhelming. I knew immediately that we were in great danger. I quickly woke Rozie and Garrett. Anna was not at home that night. We walked down to my sister’s house in our PJ’s. I didn’t dare open the garage door or start the car for fear that I would ignite the gas in the basement. There had to be a huge leak for me to hear it. If I had been thinking more clearly, I would have turned off the power to the house which was just next to the door of the garage. But my first thoughts were just on getting out of the house to safety. I called the gas company from Beth’s  and they came immediately. Thankfully, I was able to dress in some of Beth’s clothes to meet the gas guy in something other than my pajamas. As we walked up the drive to the house, his gas detector began to make clicking noises. He remained calm but I could tell he was quite concerned. “Where is your power shut-off?” he asked. “It is usually with your fuse box.” He quickly flipped the power switch off and turned the gas off at the main line outdoors. We were not to go in the house all day even to open windows until the gas had time to dissipate. When a repairman was able to investigate, he found that the lightning had made hundreds of small holes the size of penny nails in the gas line entering the house. The gas was filling our basement all night as we slept. If even the gas water heater had kicked on, the house would have blown up. We were sleeping on a bomb.

The power of lightning is phenomenal. We had many items damaged by it that night including the computer board in our furnace, TV’s and computers. They were not preserved even with surge protectors. But our lives were preserved. We could have easily all died. Why didn’t I shower first that morning? Why did I go to the kitchen first so I heard the gas leak? I believe the Lord was with us. His angels were watching over us, prompting me to change my normal daily habits. I don’t understand the “why” of it all but Garrett said it best, “Mom, I guess God has more for us to do.” Yes, son, he does.

“Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly but the proud he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand, you save me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Your love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not abandon the works of your hands.”           Psalm 138:6-8

I praise the Lord. By his grace, I live and have my being. May he fulfill his purposes through me and my children, now and forever.

 

 

The Warmth of Spring

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imageIt’s now officially spring but it doesn’t really feel like it. The temperature is only in the 30’s today and I hear that we may get snow mixed with rain this afternoon. Yuck! I’m over it. Winter can go anytime. I’m ready for a warm spring breeze and flowers blooming. Soon, very soon, the warmth will return.

Waiting is tough. Every spring before Easter, I am reminded of one of my favorite stories written by CS Lewis, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”  The kingdom of Narnia was held in eternal winter by the evil witch.  They were waiting for a spring that seemed to never come.  Does this sound familiar?

When it feels like winter will go on forever, Aslan arrives and everything starts to melt.  Even the witch’s sleigh gets caught in the mud created by the warmth of spring.  When Aslan comes, hearts are warmed and there’s nothing the witch can do to stop it.  She tries to destroy him but by doing so she sets in motion the very thing needed to redeem Edmund and all of Narnia.  What a beautiful picture of the Cross of Christ told in child-like terms.

Deep inside each of us, we know that justice must be served for evil.  We demand it for the likes of Hitler and ISIS but we don’t want to admit that we deserve justice as well for our own evil deeds.  We must come to the realization that we are all like Edmund in Narnia.  We have all betrayed the One who loves us unconditionally and we deserve punishment.  So Aslan (Jesus) steps in to take the punishment for us all. I’ve heard it said that Grace is getting the gift we don’t deserve but Mercy is not getting the punishment we do deserve.  Jesus does both.  He takes the punishment that should be given to each of us and instead gives us the gift of life, free of guilt and shame, forever.

The joy of Easter and spring are coming.  I want to let the warmth of that joy invade my soul like the first rays of the spring sun.  Awaken me again to the beauty all around me.  After the long, harsh winter, the colors almost hurt my eyes.  Don’t we all sometimes fall into the deep sleep of winter and need to be awakened again?

After the crucifixion of Jesus, two disciples walked along the road to Emmaus with heavy hearts. Their Lord and Master was gone. They did not yet believe that he could be alive after such a brutal death.  Little did they know that the stranger who came to walk with them on their way was the risen Christ.  It was only when they invited him to join them for dinner at the end of their journey that they recognized him when he broke the bread and blessed it.  They exclaimed to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us as he talked with us on the road?”

During this Easter season, my hope is that as the spring sun physically warms your spirits, that your heart will be warmed by the presence of the risen Christ.  May he awaken you from the deep sleep of winter and refresh your soul anew as he walks beside you every step of life’s journey.

A Reflection of Glory

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imageSo today I start a new journal. It may seem odd but I’m using a notebook given to me some time ago by a pharmaceutical rep. It’s a nice notebook but it has stamped on the front of it the words, “Lunesta.”  Someday no one will even remember that Lunesta was a sleeping pill. The latin word “Luna” means moon so in time people will simply think the name has something to do with the moon or the night sky.

This seems appropriate for my journal.  I’ve heard it said that we Christians should be like the moon in that It doesn’t emit light of its own but reflects the light of the sun.  What light we carry in us is from God: the divine spark.  When we think we are enlightened by our own knowledge, we deceive ourselves. Who created our mind to think but God?  Some would argue this with me but it takes more faith to believe that we come from nothing, just a random occurrence, than to believe in a creator. I choose to believe we were created in the image of God. An image is a reflection-it’s not God.  But the image can become more and more like the human manifestation of God, Jesus.  It doesn’t happen in a moment but is a slow process that doesn’t end until we are given our resurrection bodies that are perfect.

Yes, perfection is a process, not a single event.  It is often painful as we are changed little by little in God’s skillful hands.  We are molded and shaped by the Master Potter.  It’s easy for me in this perfecting process to either think too much of myself or too little. I go back and forth.  God sees me as his daughter, an heir of his kingdom.  Not that I earned this title but it was gifted to me.  So I can’t boast in this accomplishment but reflect the glory of it to others around me.

I am so far from perfect.  It often seems an unobtainable dream to me.  I feel like I take one step forward and then two back. When I’m trying to change myself, it’s often fraught with discouragement. Only God can do it. He is able to transform me through the fire of his love into something beautiful.  He can do this with each one of us if we will only hand  our mess over to him.  He will then change us from one glory to the next so that in the end, we will glow as we reflect the brilliance of his Son.

Lord, make me into the person of beauty you envisioned from the beginning of time so I may reflect your glory.  I give you everything I own and everything I am.  I am yours and you are mine. Do with me as you will.

Becoming Real

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When I was just a young girl, I remember going to visit my great, great grandmother, Anna Peterson.  She had just turned 103 years old and many family members gathered to celebrate at my great Aunt Mena and Uncle Augie’s home in Marion, Indiana. She was very frail. As she sat in her wheel chair, she reached out to touch my face.  Her vision and hearing were both very poor.  She recognized me by touch, not sight and she called me by name.  Her senses were impaired but her mind was still sharp. I’ve often pondered after seeing Grandma Peterson through my child’s eyes, whether I would want to live to be 103 as she had.  But the impression she left on me was great.  She knew who I was without the benefit of her senses.  I was her oldest great, great grandchild and she valued me. I could feel it in her touch, gentle and kind.

When we are valued and we know it, we are changed forever. The late writer, Maya Angelou once said, “I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Oh, how true!  What a difference it makes when a person makes you feel valued. It’s not what the other person said or did but the way in which they did it.  It’s the warm smile, the attentive look, the light touch of their hand that convey that they care deeply. Their authenticity is not contrived but real. Unfortunately in the world we live in, this type of authentic caring is a rare commodity.  In a self-oriented culture, it actually is surprising to see selfless acts any more.  How have we wandered so far from real, genuine caring for each other?

One of my absolute favorite children’s books is, “The Velveteen Rabbit.”  I don’t think I have ever finished reading that book aloud without getting teary eyed. The little stuffed rabbit loved the boy so much that his fur was rubbed off and the shine of his eyes was dulled.  When the boy recovered from his illness, the dear rabbit was thrown in the fire with other items from his room.  As all appeared lost, suddenly the toy rabbit was turned into a living rabbit with soft fur and a wiggly nose.  His deep love, though it made him ragged, also made him “real”.

I believe the Velveteen Rabbit was real long before he became a living rabbit.  We become real when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable. Authenticity forces us to let down our facade and stop worrying about our rights.  “We” becomes more important than “me”. Time is spent connecting with others and in relationship.  We put down our smart phones and really communicate with each other. Success is not measured by power, prestige or possessions but by the depth of our commitment and faithfulness to others.

The greatest example of what it means to be “real” was Jesus.  He valued people over everything else and those he touched knew it.  He had no power, prestige or possessions that would give Him worldly success.  The devil tempted Him with these earthly valuables in the wilderness but He turned him away.  Jesus’ eyes saw true value in people, not things.  He had compassion for the widows. He loved on babies.  He touched people that everyone else shunned.  These were His treasures.

After Jesus’ death, Mary Magdalene and some other women came to the tomb the day after Passover to anoint His body. The stone was rolled away and His body was not there. Jesus appeared to Mary by the tomb but through her tears, she did not recognize Him but thought He was the gardener.  Only when He spoke her name, did she recognize Him.  I can only imagine the loving way Jesus spoke her name. The gentleness of His voice was music to her ears. Her Lord and Master had returned!

We become real by imitating Christ.  As we value people as He valued them, little by little, we come to resemble Him. It can be a long process and sometimes painful. The skin horse explains how it happens to the Velveteen Rabbit.

“What is REAL?” asked the Rabbit one day. “Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?”

“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”

“Does it hurt?”

“Sometimes.”  For he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.:

“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up, or bit by bit?”

“It doesn’t happen all at once. You become.  It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t often happen to people who break easily, or who have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby.”

“But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”

 

“The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams (1880-1944)

 

Grace Is Not Stagnant

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The Jordan river in Israel flows into the Sea of Galilee then moves southward and it ends in the Dead Sea. It enters and leaves the Sea of Galilee, vibrant and full of life.  Fisherman are still seen on the shores of the lake, as in Jesus’ time on earth, harvesting the tilapia that thrive there.   In contrast, when the Jordan River enters the Dead Sea, it never exits. The water becomes stagnant and briny. As the name implies, there is no life in these waters. What enters and does not exit is dead. So it is with grace.  Grace is not stagnant.  If it stays in a person and does not flow out from them, it is not grace at all.  It is dead.

I was reminded of this during my stay at Henderson Settlement in Appalachia this last week with the Sheridan United Methodist Church youth group.  There were a total of 165 other “work campers” there with us completing various projects from painting to construction to sorting donations for the thrift store. We had devotions every morning presented by different groups.  On the last day we were there, the designated group performed a skit depicting the results of grace in action.  One person offered a beggar a prayer while another took it a step further by buying him a meal. Which person truly offered grace?

There is nothing wrong with praying for someone.  Prayer opens possibilities for the Holy Spirit to work though God’s people.  But often the person that should be empowered to act is you!  Grace is a free gift from God which cleanses us and grants us life forever.  We could never do enough to pay for it by what we do and God does not ask us to do that.  Jesus already did that for us.  However, if after accepting this gift, we fail to pass it on, then maybe we never really took ownership of grace in the first place.

James, the brother of Jesus, said that “faith without works is dead.”  If grace flows in but never flows out, it isn’t real grace at all.  It’s stagnant and dead like the Dead Sea.  True grace is vibrant and living like the Sea of Galilee, flowing out to everyone it meets and  touching them with kind acts and gentle words. What this looks like is different and unique for each person.  We all have varied talents and preferences. Spending a week in a dorm with about 80 other women, sharing 4 showers and working on constructing a storage shed, is not for everyone.  I enjoy short-term mission trips but this would be intimidating to many others.  The number of ways to extend grace is as varied as the number of people in the world.  We all have gifts to give. We just have to step out of our comfort zone and give them away.

But what if I’m not sure what I am doing is God’s idea or mine? Is this the work that He wants me to do?  I have often struggled with these questions.  How do I let God guide my actions?  Andy Andrews, the author of “The Travelers Gift”, suggests that God works best on moving objects.  He uses a boat in a river as an analogy of God’s guidance.  The rudder of the boat doesn’t work if the boat is sitting at the dock.  But if the boat is floating down the river, the rudder is able to move it where the boat needs to go.  Let God be the rudder of your life.  He can’t move you where you need to be if you are sitting at the dock.  Move out in faith where you see a need.  God will guide you when you are moving outside of yourself.

Grace is not stagnant.  It is flowing like a river.  Don’t be afraid to launch your boat into its waters.  The wonder of it all is that it never fails to flow back to you in greater measure than what you allowed to flow out.  As you give, you will receive in abundance, gifts that are eternal and never wear out.  The shed that we built while at Henderson Settlement was for a disabled, elderly man and his sister who had moved back to Tennessee from Indiana so she could care for him. Their 2 other sisters lived in the same “holler.”They insisted on feeding us our lunch this last Thursday in gratitude for what we were doing for them. When we had completed our part of the project, the walls were up and the metal roof placed on the 12 x 12 foot building. It was just a simple shed but the expression we saw on their faces told us that it meant much more to them.  The tears and hugs shared before we parted, are the gifts of grace returned that will stay with us forever.

Whenever I have been involved in missions, I always receive much more than I have given.  ALWAYS.  I may come home tired from the hard work and the long hours but I will continually return for more.  That’s the way it is with God’s grace.  Once you’ve seen its power, you long to stay within its flow no matter how near or how far the river of grace may take you.

 

 

Lessons From the Garden

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I spent quite a bit of time earlier this week in the cool of the morning, pruning off all the dead canes in my raspberries bushes. Earlier this spring, I thought maybe the raspberries didn’t make it through the winter.  During “snowmegeddon”  this last January, the bushes were completely covered by a drift that was well over the top of the garden fence.  It didn’t melt completely for almost 2 months.  It was a harsh winter and a few other usually hardy plants didn’t survive through it. But recently, I started noticing new growth coming in under the dead raspberry canes.  I just needed to cut away the dead to get to the new.  It was painful since the bushes have thorns.  I wore gloves but even yet I was pricked by many of them.

By the time I had accomplished my task, I had a huge load of canes in my wheelbarrow to go to the brush pile. I was surprised by how green and lush the new growth appeared after the dead parts were removed.  I couldn’t help but ponder as I was doing this, how many dead areas within myself need to be cut away so new growth can be revealed: envy, greed, pride, anger, and unforgiveness- to name a few.  Each one of these keep new growth in my life choked out.  They take energy away that’s needed to sustain me.  It’s not easy cutting away the dead areas but I must push into it as I did with my raspberry bushes and be willing to experience some pain in the process.  In reality, I cannot do all the needed pruning on my own.  Only with the Master Gardener’s help will the job be done properly.  Being willing to hand Jesus the pruning shears is the most difficult part of the task. With His expertise, the ugly habits and dead weight of old baggage are cut away revealing the beautiful person God created me to be.  It’s a work in progress.

The garden is a good analogy for life and the raspberry bush is a fascinating plant within it. They propagate themselves by sending out new canes that root where they touch the ground. Thus they can literally move out from themselves by planting new bushes.  Most plants reproduce themselves by seeds alone but not so with the raspberry. They do have seeds in the berries that when eaten by birds can be carried far away. However, by sending out canes that root to produce new bushes, these new starts remain attached to the main plant.  So we should be with Christ:  going out but still remaining attached.  Our church family is our attachment site.  No matter how imperfect it is, the church is the bride of Christ.  The community of believers sustains and nourishes us.  It is a place of vulnerability but also a refuge of forgiveness.  Without this community we would never fully learn how to love our neighbor as ourselves.

It is no wonder that Jesus told many parables using imagery from the plant world.  He knew that common folk toiled in the fields, observing the coming and going of the seasons and would understand.  We are separated somewhat from the natural world with our automobiles, our office buildings and technology right at our fingertips.  But if we intentionally take the time to observe the sights and sounds of nature, they will reveal to us the Creator.  If we have ears to hear and eyes to see, all of nature is our teacher.

Receiving Gracefully

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For Memorial Day I took my soldier cupcakes.  Garrett still enjoys a little mothering sometimes and home baked goodies usually hit the spot.  We chatted a bit about Memorial Day and all that it means to the military community.  In the course of our conversation, he commented on how many people offer him meals when he is in uniform.  It often makes him feel uncomfortable to accept these gifts. Recently he was out with 7 of his National Guard buddies at a fast food restaurant and a lady offered to buy all of their meals. He turned her down because he thought it was too much to pay for all  8 of them.  The others were a little upset that Garrett didn’t accept her offer but he didn’t feel right about it.

It’s often difficult to accept a gift when you are generally the giver.  A soldier is by nature a servant. He or she would not volunteer for this duty if they didn’t have a servant heart. Much is said in the Bible about giving. ” Be a cheerful giver!”  “Give and it will be given to you!” We are encouraged to give sacrificially. But what about when you are the receiver? How best is it to respond in a situation like Garrett’s?

Jesus is a great example of what it means to be a gracious receiver.  Let’s be honest. Jesus doesn’t really “need” anything from us but it gives him great joy to receive the gifts we offer Him.  When he was dining at the home of Simon, a teacher of the law, a woman of ill repute crashed the party and began to anoint Jesus’ feet with a jar of expensive perfume.  The others in the room couldn’t believe that He didn’t scold her and send her away. In contrast, He praised her actions as she honored Him with her gift.  Jesus said that she would be remembered for all time for what she did for Him that day.  By accepting her gift, Jesus accepted her.  At that moment, she must have felt truly loved.

Another example of graceful receiving, is the apostle Paul, as he offered appreciation for the gifts given him by the Philippian church while he was in a Roman prison.  He wrote, “…not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.  Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.  They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.  And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”  Paul was not demanding of gifts from the church but he accepted their gifts whole heartedly as their offerings to God.  These sacrifices were credited to their account in Heaven.

These examples show us that it is just as important to be a good receiver as it is to be a generous giver.  When we accept a gift, we are accepting the person giving the gift. We are validating their care and concern for us.  We allow them to experience the joy of giving and the credit given to them in heaven for their gift.  The woman who anointed Jesus’ feet just wanted to thank him, in the only way she knew how, for the greatest gift anyone could ever give her:  Eternal Life.  The woman in the fast food restaurant just wanted to thank Garrett and the other soldiers for the gift of freedom that is ensured by their willingness to serve, in the only way she knew how, by paying for their meals.

So the next time Garrett is offered a meal as thanks for serving in the military, I encouraged him to accept it.  By accepting the gift, he validates the person’s motive for giving and allows them to experience the joy that follows.  He should never take advantage of his position or act as if he is deserving of more, but humbly acknowledge the gift and the giver.  Sometimes being the receiver can be the most difficult thing we ever have to do. Our culture encourages us to see ourselves as independent, in control and not in need.  The greatest gift ever given was paid for on a cross yet most people never accept it for this very reason.  Ultimately, humbly receiving that gift is the most important thing we will ever do.

 

May Peace Prevail

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A sign post stands outside of the chapel in Oakwood Park on Lake Wawasee boldly proclaiming, “May Peace Prevail on the Earth.”  On each of its four sides, it is written in a different language. As a teen, I came to this site and to Epworth Forest just south of here, for church retreats with my youth group.  How often did we voice this sentiment as we sang a familiar tune saying  “let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me”? In our idealism, we really believed that we could make this happen.  Time and age have jaded our youthful faith in humanity.  We see too much in our 24/7 nonstop news of violence everywhere in our world.  We’ve seen a huge increase in murders in the city of Indianapolis since the beginning of this year. Recently over two hundred young girls were kidnapped by terrorist in Nigeria to be sold in the ever increasing human trafficking market.  I have read that there is more slavery now in the world than at the height of the slave trade in the 1800’s.  In 2014, peace is more elusive than it has ever been.

What then can we do given the magnitude of the problem? We could choose to ignore it. The violence hasn’t really touched us individually. Our lives are peaceful. Are they not? The answer to that question depends on how you define peace.  Peace is not just the absence of violence.  Peace is a state of mind.  When anxiety and worry invade our lives, then there is no peace.  When we worry about a burglar robbing our home, then we have been robbed of our peace.  When we are anxious that we might lose our job, then we have lost our peace.  Peace of mind can be as elusive as world peace.

In the letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul encouraged his readers to “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” You might think that given what Paul was saying that everything was great for the Philippians, but it wasn’t. Violence was all around them.  Believers in the early church were being persecuted and killed on a regular basis.  How were they to be thankful in their prayers when their circumstances were so bleak?

Paul went on to tell them, “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.” Paul had learned to see beauty in the small things. He was content with where he was and what he had, no matter what.  His advice was sound.  We cannot ignore the violence all around us but we can choose to not focus on it and to not let it overwhelm us.  We can choose to see the good all around us as we continue to pray to God for deliverance from the bad.  Then and only then, a supernatural peace will envelop our heart and our mind as a gift from God.

If we allow worry and anxiety to hold us captive and we focus only on our troubles, we are worthless to the furtherance of world peace.  Unless we have peace in our own heart and mind, we have nothing to offer anyone else.  Peace, real peace, starts from within.

So Lord, let your peace begin with me.  Everyday I pray to be released from my worries. I know that trouble is with me now and will be with me all the days of my life in one form or another.  I cannot ignore it.  But I also know that each and every day, there will be joy, beauty and something for which I can be thankful.  Help me focus on the latter.   Let your perfect peace invade my heart and mind so that I can pass this peace on to all I meet.  May peace prevail on the earth, one person at a time.

Love Never Fails

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We recently returned from a fun-filled, busy week-end celebration of the marriage of my daughter, Rozie and her husband, Marcus in Las Vegas. The actual ceremony was held in the historic Graceland Chapel in the old section of town and included an appearance by “Elvis.”  Amongst the laughter and fun, I was thankful that the minister officiating the vows discussed the seriousness of making the choice to love day in and day out and included a reading from 1st Corinthians 13: The Love Chapter.  From personal experience, I know that it is difficult to keep love alive over the long haul. But if God is placed at the forefront of a marriage right from the beginning, the marriage will be stronger and have a better chance of survival. King Solomon wrote in the book of Ecclesiastes that a cord of 3 strands is not easily broken.  When God is intertwined in the relationship of 2 people, their love becomes a mighty cord that will stand the test of time. I pray for Rozie and Marcus, as they move forward together in their lives, that they recognize the Holy in their midst and depend on Him to guide them every day. I know my prayers will be joined with those of other family members and friends to lift them up daily to the Lord.

Las Vegas was quite a backdrop for the events of the week-end behind me.  I am struck by the contrasts in this city of glitter.  The sparkling lights can be intoxicating.  Everything in Vegas is “over the top.”  I loved the beauty of the botanical gardens and the fountains at the Belaggio.  The beaming light from the pyramid at the Luxor is claimed to be able to be seen up in space! The grace of the nimble acrobats of Cirque de Soleil was a sight to see.  Wow!

I met so many wonderful people during our stay. People have settled in Vegas from all over the world, serving those that come here to vacation. Our photographer was from Poland.  Her energy and enthusiasm were amazing. The sweet lady at the front desk of our hotel had lived in Kokomo Indiana at one time when her dad was based at Grissom Air Force Base. I was thankful for the sense of welcome they gave to each one of us.

But it’s sad to see the shear number of people trying their luck in the casinos in every hotel. You can’t go anywhere without passing through them. There are even slot machines at the airport. A group of young men on our plane played cards the whole flight to Vegas practicing their skills for the tables. It doesn’t take much insight to realize that the house wins the great majority of the time or Las Vegas would not exist. Hopefully they did not lose more than they could afford but unfortunately many people do.

My heart went out to the middle aged Latino women handing out cards on the street for “escort” services to whomever would take one. I wondered if they even were aware of what the cards said. Were they that desperate for money to promote prostitution in this way or were they forced into this lifestyle by circumstances beyond their control? Interspersed with them on the sidewalks were costumed characters vying for customers to take their pictures for cash. Darth Vader, Wonder Woman and numerous Minions worked the crowds giving the streets a carnival like atmosphere.

On a busy street corner, a man with a megaphone shouted out warnings of judgement to anyone who would listen as people rushed by.  Yes, Jesus did come to save us from our sin but I have yet to see someone respond to this Good News by words of condemnation. Where are the acts of kindness? Where is love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things? This is the love of Jesus that never fails. I have heard it said before that Christians are the best case for and against Christianity. We often are the noisy megaphone that everyone ignores because we don’t live out His unfailing love in our day to day lives. But I admit, I don’t know this man’s life. I hope with all my heart that he witnesses with a life of love, not just his megaphone.

I can speak of love with my newlyweds but If I don’t live it then I too am nothing but worthless noise. The best encouragement I can give to Rozie and Marcus is to be loving to them and to everyone around me. I can’t talk to them about marriage unless I am an example of compassion and forgiveness myself. Respecting my husband and cherishing him as my very best friend and companion, is the best wedding gift I can present to them this day and all the rest of my life. A strong strand of 3 cords in a marriage is an everlasting witness of the Grace and power of Jesus now and forever.

In Las Vegas, all that glitters is not gold. What appears beautiful, can sometimes be ugly inside. What words would I offer to the people of Las Vegas if I was handed a megaphone?  I would tell them that our God is a God of second chances. First and foremost, He loves and forgives us. Yet, there is sin and it touches us all.  But Jesus offers us a life with Him where there is no more sin, no more tears and no more death.  Human love is imperfect and will disappoint us always but Jesus gives us love that never fails.

The Eye of a Needle

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Recently I went with several friends from my Women’s Bible Study Group on a girl’s night out for dinner and a movie.  We went to see “Son of God.”   It was wonderful.  For what appeared to be a very familiar subject, the producers were able to add details not often included in movies dealing with the life and ministry of Jesus. I saw more personal portrayals of the disciple Matthew, Mary Magdalene, and Pontius Pilate than I have seen before.  I was particularly taken by the characterization of one of the pharisees, Nicodemus.  He was only one of two religious authorities along with Joseph of Arimathea, that we know became followers of Jesus.  As the story unfolds, we see that he is in close contact with the High Priest, Caiaphas.  Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court.  This is the same court that met at night to put Jesus on trial for blasphemy and then turned him over to the Romans to be crucified.  Prior to this fateful night, Nicodemus had numerous opportunities to observe the teaching and the miracles of Jesus.  While doing so he perceived that Jesus was no ordinary man. And he sought Him out in the secrecy of night to speak with Him.  It is to Nicodemus that Jesus revealed God’s great plan, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” When Jesus was condemned by the court and was sent to Pontius Pilate, Nicodemus tried to put a stop to it. But  there were too many other voices against Jesus that night for Nicodemus to be heard.  Later we see Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea in the group laying Jesus to rest in the tomb.  The Bible doesn’t really say what happened with Nicodemus after the resurrection but I would surmise that his life was never the same again.

You would think that more of the religious folk of the time would have recognized Jesus but there were very few.  For most, He was a threat, not an answer to their prayers for a deliverer.   He didn’t meet their expectations. He didn’t come to make Himself a political king as they had hoped. But He came to become the King of their hearts.  Unfortunately most of their hearts were too hardened to let Him in.  But not Nicodemus’ heart. His heart was warmed by Jesus and he sought to learn more about Him.  His decision to do so must have cost him dearly.

The great majority of people who thronged to Jesus were ordinary folk. Many were quite poor and few were of any influence. They had little or no material possessions.  They had everything to gain and very little to lose from a worldly viewpoint.  When a rich young ruler came to Jesus to ask what he could do to gain eternal life, Jesus told him there was one thing he lacked. He should sell his wealth, give it to the poor and follow Him.  The young man couldn’t let go of his material wealth in order to gain a treasure that could not be bought.  Maybe this was why Jesus said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. But he also added that anything is possible with God.  Thank goodness for grace because otherwise I would be lost.  I see myself in Nicodemus.  By the world’s standards I am in the top 1% in material wealth, education and status along with many others in the United States.   I don’t believe Jesus begrudges wealth when it is used to bless others. But it can be a stumbling block.  When amassing  material possessions becomes our goal, then that is our idol.  We are told in the Ten Commandments to not worship idols.  When we worship money rather than use it for good, we place it above God.

After Nicodemus chose to follow Jesus, I am sure he lost his position on the High Court and the prestige it brought him.  Most of his friends and acquaintances would have seen him as foolish.  His new friends would have been the motley crew of Jesus’ followers who were from all walks of life and social station.  I wonder if his family believed with him or if Jesus became a divide between them.  Nicodemus had much to give up. It would have been a cataclysmic change for him.  But Jesus told him that he must be born again the night of their meeting.  With the Spirit’s power he was a changed man never to be the same again.

I have not been asked to give up much for Jesus. If situations occurred in which I was asked to give up everything, could I?  Would I be like the rich young ruler and walk away or would I boldly let go of it all as did Nicodemus?  I understand how difficult it is to go through the eye of a needle. I count on Jesus’ words:  “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” So I will depend on God’s Spirit to move through me as it did with Nicodemus, no matter what the future holds.