6 Months Without Dad - It Still Hurts, But Life Is Good

Today marks 6 months since Dad passed away. Wow, that's so hard to believe. It seems like it was just yesterday when he was still here with us, sending e-mails, talking on the phone, commenting on my blog posts, liking Facebook posts, and giving lots of love and encouragement whenever he could. Oh, how I miss him (and I know many others who do as well).

When someone we love passes away, we are forced to adjust to a "new normal" without him or her in our lives. The new normal is not easy, and it hurts... a LOT...

For example, my "new normal" without my dad HURTS when: 

• I realize I can no longer pick up the phone and give him a call.
• His encouraging words (written or spoken) are no longer there when needed.
• His wise Biblical advice is no longer audibly heard.
• He is no longer there to share jokes and laughter.
• I desire to feel his warm hugs... but can't.

But, then, as I remember my Dad’s positive outlook on life and how he would often say, “Life is good,” I see how my new normal without him can also bring beneficial changes, if I allow it.

BENEFICIAL:  producing good results or helpful effects 

My "new normal" without my dad can be BENEFICIAL when:

• I recall some of his favorite sayings, such as "Keep short accounts with God and others," "Praise God," and "Life is good."
• I reminisce about him with smiles and laughter.
• I am blessed by specific comments from friends and family whose lives he touched.  
• I focus on the positive impact he had in my life and in the lives of others.
• I strive to follow his examples by loving God with all my heart, and by being an encouragement to others.   

When Dad would say, “Life is good,” he didn’t mean everything in his life was perfect and happy and going just as he had planned. He meant, life is good because our lives are a gift from God that is too often taken for granted. If we open our eyes, we can see just how blessed we are. We can understand what a privilege it is to be alive on this earth, and to be able to serve and worship the Lord with all of our hearts. That is why we are here.

So, yes, even though I miss my dad, I can always accept the fact that life is good. 

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of knowing and loving this precious man who was, and will always be, a part of my life. I look forward to seeing him again someday, when we will be sitting together at Your feet. Until then, help me to be thankful for all You have done for me and to always remember that life is good.

Taste and See That the Lord is Good

The word of the week is:  TASTE or PERCEIVE

When we mention the word "taste," we normally think about recognizing or trying a new flavor with our tongues. But, there is another definition that is our main focus today - the definition that is used in Psalm 34:8.

The Hebrew word for "taste" here is ṭa·‘ă·mū, which means: to taste, or perceive

Merriam Webster Dictionary defines them like this:

TASTE : to become acquainted with by experience : to have perception, experience, or enjoyment

PERCEIVE :  to become aware of through the senses

Psalm 34:8 - Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (ESV)

So, if we look at this verse with those definitions in mind, we notice the writer of this psalm (David) is telling us to become acquainted with the Lord, to become aware of His presence in our lives, and to experience His goodness.

In other words, when we are in fellowship with the Lord (i.e. talking to Him daily about our circumstances, seeking His guidance and direction by reading His Word, and allowing our faith in Him to comfort us and help us through the difficult days), we will begin to recognize His goodness, and we will be blessed when we focus on the abundant love He has for us.

Be blessed today, as you "taste and see that the Lord is good."

CHRISTMAS MEMORY: The Little Silver Tree

The word of the MONTH is MEMORY

: the act or fact of retaining and recalling impressions, facts, events, etc.; remembrance; recollection

For the month of December, I will be sharing some Christmas memories with you - some favorite moments that took place during the Christmas season. Today’s memory is about a little silver Christmas tree my family had back in the 60's and 70's.

We had a variety of different Christmas trees when my sister and brother and I were growing up. For a few years, I know we had a real tree but, most of the time, it was an artificial one. I mostly remember the typical evergreen model, but I also vaguely remember a little 3 ft. aluminum tree we put up once in awhile. My sister, Judy, remembers it better than I do. She says this about the tree:

“If Dan [our brother] was 1 or 2, then I was 4 or 5. We had a little silver tree. There was a color wheel that turned, it faced the tree and made beautiful colors. (You can't put light strings on the silver trees.) Dan and I were mesmerized and would sit close and just stare. As a side note: Mom tried to sell the tree at a garage sale. I'm very thankful it didn't sell because she ended up giving it to me! I still put it up every year. This was my first tree as an infant.”

What Judy didn’t mention is that, back in 1999, she and her husband lost their house and belongings in a devastating house fire. They lost everything. All except that little silver tree.

Judy's decorated tree

Empty Brain

The word of the week is EMPTY

: containing nothing; having none of the usual or appropriate contents

That kinda describes my brain right now, since I can't think of anything to write about. Maybe I'm just in a writing slump, but I'm sorry to say I've got nothing encouraging to share with you right now.  I'm not sure when, or if, the words will come back. I hope they do soon but, like I said, for now I've got nothing.

Reminds me of a quote from a movie my son and my nephew watched over the weekend:

"Nothing. No ideas. Useless, empty brain."

Does anyone know which movie that quote is from?

ANSWER:  Big Hero Six

Regardless of my empty brain, I do know God loves me, and He love you, too! I hope you all have a good week.

Thankful for ALL My Memories

The word of the week is THANKFUL

: feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative

Something I enjoy doing in my spare time (besides writing for my blog) is de-cluttering and organizing things around the house. These past few weeks, with my husband working a lot of hours, I have kept myself busy by taking on the task of cleaning out and organizing all of our family photos - not digital photos, but actual paper ones. We had so many pictures scattered in different boxes, photo albums, and envelopes that I thought it was time to put them all together in order, by years and then by months. I decided to put them into cute photo boxes I found on sale at Walmart. Then, when I am done with this project, I will eventually pick out some of our favorite photos and combine them into a couple different photo albums. The rest will remain in the boxes and will be easy to find when we need them, or when we want to look at them.

I have noticed this project has taken a lot longer than it could have, and that’s because, as I have gone through the photos, I have done a LOT of reminiscing. I have seen pictures of me growing up, David and me before and after we were married, our first homes, our first cars, our babies and how they have grown through the years, fun vacations, special events, and also some events that weren’t so fun to go through (such as a fire, a hailstorm, and several funerals).

As I look at the pictures, I see how my memories (my past circumstances) have helped to shape my life - through the good times and the sad. So, I appreciate all the memories I have been given. Of course, I love all the happy memories best, but I have chosen to be thankful for ALL of my memories, because memories - good and bad - are a part of who I once was, a part of who I am now, and a part of who I am striving to become. Memories are a gift from God that should never be taken for granted.

Consider the memories you have been given, and be thankful (appreciative) for them all, giving thanks to God for everything He has brought you through.

The Command for Agapáo

On Sunday mornings before church, my husband and I enjoy listening to Dr. James Merritt on the TV. His sermons are informative and practical for Christians, and always give us encouragement to try and live out our lives according to God’s Word.

A couple weeks ago, Dr. Merritt spoke about “Crazy Love.” Not the kind of love we have for a family member or a friend, but the kind of love we, as Christians, are supposed to have for ALL people, even if we don’t really like them. As Merritt said, "Jesus doesn’t command us to like everyone, but He does command us to LOVE everyone."

The type of love Jesus is talking about is agapáo (an action verb) which, for a believer, means “actively doing what the Lord prefers.” It’s the kind of love that is patient, kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.  Its about thinking of others first (1 Corinthians 13). It’s not a physical kind of love, but a spiritual one. It’s not a feeling, but an action - a choice we make to treat others the way we want to be treated (Luke 6:31). WE ARE TO LOVE OTHERS THE WAY JESUS LOVES US.

As long as we are living together on this earth, we will not agree with everyone, and we will not LIKE everyone. But, according to God’s Word, when we meet up with someone we don’t really like, that doesn’t give us an excuse to be rude and inconsiderate. If we desire to be like Jesus, and want the world to know we are following Him, then we MUST show them love - agapáo love.

THEY WILL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE

How Are You Spending Your Time?

The word of the week is TIME

: the thing that is measured as seconds, minutes, hours, days, years...

Last Sunday, my dad went to the hospital due to internal and external bleeding. His liver and bladder have been scarred from a past treatment for prostate cancer. Then, last year, a heart stent was inserted and he was put on a blood thinning medication. The blood thinner is what caused the lesions on his liver and bladder to bleed excessively. He was severely anemic, low on blood, and dehydrated. After 4 days in the hospital, 2 units of blood, several units of saline, and some potassium and magnesium, he was finally able to be released.

My dad said this hospital stay gave him a lot of time to reflect on His life, how he has spent his time, and how the Lord has used him on this earth. Here is what he said:

“I found myself reviewing my past life clear back to about 60 years as best as I could. I found that God places us where HE wants us. As Pastor Doug White would say, we are not called to a specific ministry. We are called to serve the Lord. Then, God gives us a place and the people for it. It may not be what we would choose, but we need to be ready for His changes in our lives. I was able to witness to many people while at the hospital, praise the Lord.”

I am thankful my dad is still with us today, and for his willingness to spend his time serving the Lord no matter where he is placed. I am encouraged by his example to always try and spend my time wisely, because our lives are not our own, and only God knows when He will be finished with us here on this earth.

How are you spending your time?

Beyond Discipleship (Illustration by: Dr. James L. McIntosh)

The word of the week is DISCIPLE

Noun:  A person who learns from another, especially one who then teaches others : an active follower of someone

Verb:  To train, educate, teach 

Seven years ago, my dad was a guest blogger here, and he shared an illustration about what it means to be a disciple. I want to share it with you again. After reading it, take a moment to consider where YOU fit in as a follower of Jesus Christ.

While teaching a class in our small Bible Institute, one day a student asked what it means to be a disciple and how that relates to going to heaven. The Lord provided me with a good answer, as we have a fire department across the street.

In response, I told [the students] how one could become a “disciple” of the fire department. (They do like visitors, you know.) Each week, I could go there and learn what they have to do to put out fires. They could teach me about cleaning the equipment, getting it all ready for the next emergency, and what wax to use to polish each item. They could show me what mask to use for each kind of fire and what tank to use to breathe properly in each situation. They could teach me how to put the hoses away. They would call me by name and be glad I came, as we all are friendly. However, when the bell rings and they leave, I would be left behind. You see, I am only a learner, or a disciple. Not a part of them.

Each week, we have in our churches the same situation. Many friendly folk come and are learners. They can tell most of the facts of what Jesus Christ did for mankind. They can tell of His virgin birth, sinless life, death, burial, resurrection, and even ascension. Yet, when it is time to leave this earth and go to heaven, they will be left behind, as they were only learners. They were not a part of Him.

A disciple is a "learner." A true Christian (not in name only) is a "truster." Knowing about what Jesus did for you, and trusting in what He did for you are two different things. Place your TRUST in Him today.

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  Read more here about what it means to TRUST in Christ:

HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN

Serve the Lord with Gladness

 

The word of the week is SERVE

: to be in the service of; work for : to be useful or of service to; help : to render active service to (a sovereign, commander, etc.) : to render obedience or homage to (God, a sovereign, etc.)

It is good to be actively doing something for the Lord, isn’t it? Whether we are teaching a Sunday School class, being a good listener, or washing dishes and changing diapers, shouldn’t we all be using our gifts/talents to benefit others and to help share God’s love? Most definitely! But, as you are busy for the Lord, are you serving Him with gladness? Or, have you become distracted from your purpose and are serving with a grudge?

We can see in Luke 10:38-40 that Martha was serving with a grudge. It might not have started out that way. I'm guessing she was happy to be using her gifts of hospitality, and excited to make her guests feel welcome but, as she took her focus off of what was most important, her attitude changed:

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”(NIV)

If you keep reading, you will see how Jesus answered Martha in a loving way, explaining to her how Mary had chosen what was better - spending time with Him over "busyness" - and it wasn’t going to be taken away from her.

Luke 10:41-42 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Doing things for the Lord is a good thing; Jesus does want us to be busy for Him. But, He would rather we focus our attention on HIM first of all. If we aren’t spending time with Him and keeping our focus on Him, then the things we do will only be an act of “busyness” rather than what they should be: an act of service.

Serve the Lord with gladness.

Fight For You - A New Song by Grayson|Reed About Fighting For Our Marriages

The word of the week is FIGHT

:  to put forth a determined effort

I was recently asked to share a new lyric video with all of you, and I agreed to share it because I believe in its message. It is by Grayson|Reed, a brand new husband and wife Christian music duo, and the song is about fighting for our marriages. Marriage is not always easy, but it is something worth fighting for. The song is not about having a perfect marriage, but it is about doing everything we can to keep our marriages bonded. It's about building each other up, keeping God at the center, and choosing to fight (being determined to work things out) when things get tough. Take a look at the song here and let me know what you think:

Are You Being Honest with God?

The word of the week is CRY or CALL

: to shout or say something loudly

There is so much pain in this world. Just about everyone I know is going through something that is really hard and uncomfortable to deal with. Some of us are even feeling strong emotions, such as anger, disappointment, confusion, and frustration. But, are we being honest with God about these feelings? Do we cry out to Him in our distress?

As Christians, we sometimes think we should just ignore our true feelings and come to God with perfect little prayers, being sweet and calm, because we are afraid we might offend Him. But, God is not offended by our true feelings. He made us and knows us, so it only makes sense for us to be honest with Him. It is when we are  dishonest that He is offended.

If you read the book of Psalms, you will notice it is loaded with distress calls, outbursts of confusion, and agonizing laments. Here are just a few examples:

Psalm 13:1 - How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

Psalm 119:147 - I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.

Psalm 61:2 - From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

There was a time when even Jesus cried out to God in a loud voice. It was when He was dying on the cross. The sins of the world were laid on Him and His Father God had to turn away from Him. The burden on Jesus was so overwhelming to bear that He cried out to His Father in distress.

Matthew 27:46 - About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

If it is acceptable for Jesus to cry out to God with honest thoughts and feelings, then why do we think it is not acceptable for us?

Crying out to God won’t always immediately take away our pain. But, it does help us to acknowledge several things:

1. We need God in our lives.
2. We want His help.
3. We trust Him enough to be honest in our prayers.
4. We trust Him to hear our prayers.
5. We trust Him to give us the answers that are best.
6. We know He is able to strengthen us in our need.

"If God is big enough to be worth yelling at about your situation, He is big enough to take your pain, hear your lament, and somehow use it to comfort you in the confusion. ~ Andrew and Rachel Wilson, The Life We Never Expected, page 54

3 Ways Jesus Dealt With Stress

The word of the week is STRESS

: a state of mental tension caused by problems in your life, work, etc.

This past Summer has been stressful for me and my husband, as we have encountered one stress after another. Nothing really huge, just lots of “little” things that have continued adding up. I don't always share about everything we go through, and its not because I want everyone to think my life is perfect. (Its not. Trust me, its not.) It’s just that I don’t want certain parts of my life to be an open book to the entire world. It's just not necessary, or even beneficial, to share everything - at least not to me. But, you can be sure there are days I have wanted to scream at the top of my lungs due to stress. In fact, I actually did scream like that a few weeks ago when I just couldn't hold it in anymore. It surprised my family, and made the cat run away, because I just don’t do that. But, it was how I dealt with my stress that day.

How do YOU deal with stress? Do you scream into a pillow? Punch a wall? Growl at the dog? Pull your hair out? Blow bubbles in your milk? Take a bubble bath? Listen to uplifting music? Withdraw to be alone? Sing in the shower? Go for a walk? Play an instrument? Write in a journal? Pray?

How do you think Jesus dealt with stress? Yes, even Jesus had stress in His life. The difference is that He ALWAYS handled it in a healthy way.

Here are three ways I found that Jesus dealt with stress:

1.  HE WITHDREW TO SPEND TIME ALONE
Luke 5:16 - But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

2.  HE PRAYED WHILE HE WAS ALONE
Matthew 26:36 - “Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’”

3.  HE ASKED FOR SUPPORT FROM HIS FRIENDS
Matthew 26:37-38 - “He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’”

The next time I am feeling overwhelmed with stress, it is my plan to remember these healthy ways Jesus dealt with stress, and try to follow His example. 

Four Ways to Please the Lord

Colossians 1:9-12 - For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

The word of the week is PLEASE

: to make (someone) happy or satisfied

How can you live a life worthy of the Lord, and PLEASE Him in every way? In other words, how can you make God happy? First of all, the ultimate way to please Him is by accepting Christ as your Savior, trusting in Him to forgive your sins by the work He did on the cross. But, what about after that?

Here are four ways we can please God, found in Colossians 1:9-12:

1.  By bearing fruit through good works. God created each of us to use our gifts and talents for good. Think about what YOU are good at. Are you good at singing, writing, sewing, baking, woodworking, or mechanics? Do you like to encourage others with your words, be a good listener, or just sit and hold someone's hand? Make a decision to use the gifts you have been given to bring a blessing to others. Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

2.  By growing in the knowledge of God. Are you spending time reading or listening to God’s Word, learning what it has to say and how it can be applied to your life? 2 Peter 3:18 - But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

3.  By allowing Him to give us the strength we need to endure the struggles of this world. Do you understand that in this world we WILL have trials; but realize God is there to give you strength and to help you through the difficult times? John 16:33 - “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.”

Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength,  an ever-present help in trouble.

4.  By joyfully giving thanks to God in all things. Are you giving thanks in ALL things? You don’t have to be happy about what you are going through, but you can be joyful when you realize the trials you are facing are being used to develop your character and are helping you grow closer to the Lord. All things work together for good. Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

So, here's some food for thought:  Are you pleasing God by doing these four things? Are you doing good works? Are you studying His Word? Are you allowing Him to give you strength? Are you joyfully giving thanks in all things? If not, why? We all have room for improvement, so take some time today to consider what you might need to do to set these four ways in motion.  

The Enjoyment of Life

The word of the week is ENJOY

:  to take pleasure in (something) : to have or experience (something good or helpful)

I came across an e-mail I sent out to family and friends back in March of 2006. It gave me a chuckle as I reminisced about how our son, JJ, enjoyed life as an energetic 3 year old. I hope it reminds you to also enjoy life, and to especially take time to enjoy your kids and/or grandkids. These past ten years have flown by quickly as JJ went from 3 to 13 in the blink of an eye.

SUBJECT: The Energy of a 3-year-old

Good Morning! This e-mail is intended to let you know what our little JJ has been up to lately, and to hopefully bring a smile to your face as well.

Let's see.... Where do I start? Well, besides the usual jumping off the couch, chasing our poor cat around the house, tormenting his sister, and literally running in circles, I'll just list a few of the things I remember him getting into this past WEEK alone...

1. He hasn't been wanting to go to bed at his usual 8:00 bedtime lately. So, one night, after we put him to bed, he snuck out. David found him lying on the bathroom counter playing with the soap and water in the sink. The water was running in a pencil thin line so that we could not hear it!! (Smart kid, huh?) He loves to play in the water, but didn’t want us to find out where he was.

2. Another night, we found him in his sister’s bed. They were talking and playing and laughing with each other. It was really cute, but it was past 9:00 p.m., when they both should have been asleep. We have learned that we still need to keep the gate across JJ's bedroom door to "lock" him in at night. Hopefully, we will be able to remove the gate before he is 18 years old! 

3. Yesterday, we caught him and EL playing in the bottle of bulk enzymes we give to EL at meal time. These enzymes are a very fine powder and even the slightest breeze can make them fly all over the kitchen. We had quite a time getting all the enzymes off the counter and floor.

4. Also yesterday, I caught JJ just before he started to mark up one of my books with a pen. This is not the first time he has done this. One book that he marked up awhile back was one that belongs to the church library! We try to keep pens out of his reach now, but sometimes he still manages to get hold of one. When he isn’t marking up a book with one, then he and EL will take turns making "zebra stripes" all over their arms and legs instead.

5. I went to the grocery store one day last week when JJ was taking a nap. David was home with the kids (I think it was on Saturday). When JJ got up, he went looking for me, as he always does. Then, David had to go looking for HIM because he couldn't find him. Finally, he found JJ out in the garage, barefooted and with no pants on. It was COLD out there, too!

6. While I was in the shower one morning, the kids found a bottle of hand lotion on my night stand and decided it was time to give their stuffed animals a “bath” as well. They have done this same thing with liquid soap, also. At least they like their toys to be clean, right?

7. One afternoon, the kids were playing in EL's room and I found the sheets off of the bed, and the mattress half-way on the floor. They also had the dresser half emptied with clothes spread all over the floor as they were trying them all on. What a mess! At least they were being creative and were having some innocent fun. 

8. I took JJ to the Hospital to get some blood drawn at the lab (to test him for allergies). While we were getting registered, JJ sat on my lap, looked at the lady across from us and said, "Mommy, her nose is big!" I wanted to hide! Thankfully, the lady understood that kids do not have any sense of discernment and will bluntly talk about what they see. She was very nice about it and agreed with JJ about her nose being big.

Well, I guess that's about it for now. I could probably write an entire book about all the things JJ does to "keep us on our toes."

We are planning on going to the Circus tonight, as there is a small one here in town. Thoughts have briefly crossed my mind about leaving JJ with the clowns, as he would fit in very well with them. But, then, I realize life would be pretty dull around here without JJ to make us laugh, cry, and pull our hair out. He is definitely a very special boy and we are so glad God gave him to us.

Enjoy your day!
Vicky

Our family in 2006

What Are You Thinking About?

I have been reading in Philippians lately was reminded to take notice of the things I am thinking about. What kinds of thoughts am I dwelling on? Some of these thoughts bring peace. Other thoughts bring discontent. I want to try and dwell on the thoughts that only bring peace.

What are you thinking about? 

Here are some questions to ask about it:

Is it TRUE?

unconcealed, true, true in fact, worthy of credit, truthful

Is it HONORABLE?

venerable, honorable, grave, serious, dignified

Is it JUST?

right; righteous; especially, right in the eyes of God

Is it PURE?

chaste; in a condition prepared for worship

Is it LOVELY?

pleasing, acceptable, grateful

Is it COMMENDABLE?

well reported of, spoken in a kindly spirit, laudable, reputable

Is it EXCELLENT?

good, a gracious act, virtuous, upright

 Is it WORTHY OF PRAISE?

commendable, approved of by God

If YES - then keep on thinking about it. Dwell on these good thoughts and be at peace.
If NO - then do not dwell on these thoughts. They will only bring discontent.

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NOTE: The definitions for the words above came from the Text Analysis of Philippians 4:8, found on BIBLE HUB.

The Ultimate Goal for a Christian

The word of the week is GOAL

: something that you are trying to do or achieve

Francis Chan said in one of his sermons, “Everything I do is going to either bring reward or regret.” Then, he gave one of the best illustrations about our existence here on Earth, and how we all spend too much time thinking about our own comfort and enjoyment rather than looking ahead towards the ultimate goal.

What is this goal he is talking about? The goal for a Christian is to live life in a way that will be pleasing to God, to share the Gospel message with others, and to finally reach the prize of eternal life in Heaven. 

Chan also said “We have one chance at our life here on Earth, and then comes eternity.” So, what are you doing with your time? I ask you to ponder that question this week, and consider how you can spend your time wisely. Try to spend it in a way that will bring REWARD, and not REGRET. That is my goal. That is what I want to try and achieve. How about you?

Check out a short portion of Chan’s sermon here. It is less than 6 minutes long, so please take the time to watch it. I truly believe you will be spending your time wisely by watching it: 

THE ROPE ILLUSTRATION

Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

When I was a young child, I was afraid of the dark, just like many children. So, my parents allowed me to turn the hallway light on when I went to bed. One night, my brother did not want the light on, so he got up and turned it off. Then, I got up and turned it back on. This led to us standing at opposite ends of the hallway, taking turns switching the light on and off. At one point, when it was my brother’s turn to switch the light off, he didn’t flip the switch but just loudly said the word, “Click!” and, since I was expecting him to switch the light off, and was into a routine, I am the one who switched the light off instead of him. I quickly switched the light back on and, with an irritated tone, I hollered, “Danny!” My parents, who were watching the whole time, thought it was hilarious and laughed along with my brother. But, then, they told Dan to leave the light on, and for us both to go back to bed.

This is a funny story that I can laugh at now. But, it is also a good example of how children will often imitate the things they see. My brother had seen this light-switch routine on a Looney Tunes cartoon called, “The Windblown Hare.” He saw it, thought it was funny, and then decided to try it out on me. It obviously worked.

This reminds me of how we need to be careful about the things we set before our eyes, and our children’s eyes, because of the kind of impact they can have on us. When we eat healthy foods, our bodies will function better than when we eat junk foods, right? It’s the same with our eyes. When we look at something, our brain makes an image of it, and that image stays with us. We might become comfortable with these images, and may even begin to imitate what we have seen. If the images are worthy of praise, they are pleasing to the Lord. If they are worthless, they may end up having a negative impact on our Spiritual lives. 

WORTHLESS:  having no use, importance, or effect : having no good qualities

That's why it says, in Philippians 4:8 to think on the things that are worthy of praise:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

So, I encourage you to take notice of the things you purposefully set before your eyes (or your children’s eyes) this week - the movies and TV shows you watch, the video games you play, and even the things you read - and see if these things would be worthy of praise (i.e. pleasing to God). Are they being helpful to your Spiritual life, or are they being harmful? 

O Be Careful, Little Eyes
Children's Hymn - Author Unknown

O be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above
Is looking down in love
So, be careful little eyes what you see

Look Out... for the Interests of Others

The word of the week is PURPOSEFUL

:  having a clear intention or aim

A Christian brother mentioned in church last Sunday about how we often don’t realize how much people think or care about us until we are noticeably going through a difficult time. But, what about when our struggles aren’t quite as noticeable? Some of us are more vocal than others about the challenges we are facing, but I believe EVERYONE is going through something that could use the prayers and support of others. So, don’t you think we should be looking out for each other on a regular basis, for ways to lift each other up (encourage each other), even when our struggles aren’t quite as evident?

I would like to challenge you, for at least this week, to be PURPOSEFUL about looking out for those you come in contact with. 

• If you see someone working hard and/or doing a good job at something - whether they are in the spotlight or behind the scenes - make it a point to send them a quick note of thanks, or compliment them personally about their work. 
• If you see someone who isn't smiling - make it a point to let them know you care and give them something to smile about (maybe share an encouraging Bible verse with them). 
• If you see someone who is smiling - make it a point to return the smile, give them a hug, or find some way to compliment or encourage them. Even though they are smiling, you don't always know what kinds of struggles they are facing, and your encouragement could be the blessing they are longing for. 

In other words, make it a goal of yours to notice people around you, and then act on encouraging them in some way, even if there is no outward evidence that they are going through a struggle. Look out... for the interests of others.

If you need to, you can write out the verse above and put it in a place where you will see it every day this week. It will be a reminder to be purposeful about encouragement - because life is hard and we ALL need to know there are people who care.

People Out There

 The word of the week is LIGHT

: something that makes vision possible : a particular illumination : something that enlightens or informs

It was 1:30 in the morning, and I had insomnia. I’m not exactly sure why I couldn't sleep. Maybe it was due to the stresses of college, or to the fact that I had been questioning my existence in this world. It was a common pity party for me during that time. So, as I sat and sulked on the bed in my small Chicago dorm room, I looked out the window and noticed Franklin Square in the distance.

Not a very pretty sight, really, compared to other parts of Chicago; but maybe that was a good thing. It helped me focus my attention on the darker corners of the city, the parts that needed more light; and as I began to think and pray about why I was there in that dark city, my heart was redirected off of myself and onto others. I looked out at the darkness, then saw the small lights shining in the distance. The reason for my existence became more clear as I  realized, as Christians, WE are the light of the world. We need to be shining our lights brightly to help illuminate the darkness.

THAT is why I was there.
In fact, that is why we are ALL here - to shine our lights for the glory of God.

Here is what I wrote about that night...

PEOPLE OUT THERE
By: Victoria (McIntosh) Stankus, April 6, 1989

There are people out there.
Real people.
Lonely people.

It is dark out tonight.
Dark in many ways.
There are a few lights shining brightly in the distance.
The light is so small compared to the darkness.

The American flag flies freely on top of Franklin Square.
It symbolizes the freedom of the people.
But, yet, they are not free.

There are people out there.
Real people.
Lonely people.
People who need Jesus.

Worth More Than the Birds

The word of the week is WORTH

:  to the fullest extent of one's value or ability

As children of God, we are much more worthy (valuable) to Him than the birds are. So, if He provides for the needs of the birds, why would He not provide for us?

Here’s another story from my brother, Daniel, about God’s provision for our family. This one took place in Manito, IL. Dan and Dad were home doing dishes while the ladies were out of the house for awhile. Here is the story in Dan’s words:

Dad was washing, I was drying. The phone rang, and because Dad’s hands were wet he asked me to answer the phone. WDUK (Havana Duck Radio station) was on the line and said they were doing a game and randomly called numbers. They said the money pot grows until someone answers right. The previous contestants answered wrong, so the pot was something like $25.00. They asked a question, and if I got it right, they’d send me a check.

The question was, “In Alice in Wonderland there was a card that ruled the underworld. What was that card?”

I didn’t know, so I answered in a questioning way, “Was it the Queen of Hearts?”

They said I was right and, after I hung up the phone, Dad started laughing because he said someone was pranking me. But a week or two later, I got a check in the mail from WDUK, and I signed it, gave it to mom, and she bought supper for us that night. If I remember right, this was one of those times Dad was in-between checks again, and the groceries got us through until his next check.