Keep Your Eye on the Goal

 
I don't know what kind of tree these two are, but every spring I love to see the leaves! The green is bright and shining, and leaves a lasting impression in my mind of God's creation. These lovely trees were found on Roseville/Sigel Road.

In the office of the pastor at my home church in Maryland was a large sign that he referred to often: "Keep Your Eye on the Goal." 

So many things happen during the course of a day that it's very easy for me to lose sight of what's important. Ups and downs and challenges; defeat and victories, laughter and fear, we can all relate to the avenue of emotions we go through in the course of a day.

What is the goal? Maybe each of us have different goals in life, but there should be one goal that's universal in every Christian's life: live for Christ.

If we live for Christ, everything we go through in a day will take us back to our purpose: live for Christ. Our emotions and mental thinking can be changed in an instant if we call upon and remember who we live for.

I think of the hymn: "Living for Jesus." The first line says: "Living for Jesus a life that is true." That means through every day, every hour, every minutes being aware of who you live for, "striving to please Him in all that [you] do."

Pastor Crowley passed a number of years ago, but I still remember the training and knowledge I received from him as a new Christian. God placed me in an environment where I could grow and learn. One of the things Pastor Crowley did was teach a nine month class on the "Sermon on the Mount." He did it especially for new Christians.

I had all the tapes of those classes and listened to them through the years. Somewhere during those years the tapes were lost. As a mature Christian I would still listen to those tapes if I had them.

Philippians 314 says: "I [Paul] press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Matthew Henry wrote: "He who runs a race, must never stop short of the end, but press forward as fast as he can; so those who have heaven in their view, must still press forward to it, in holy desires and hopes, and constant endeavors. Eternal life is the gift of God, but it is in Christ Jesus; through His Hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by Him."

"Keep Your Eye on the Goal." Don't let all the distractions in this world mess you up. It's worth the effort.

By His Grace . . .

Who Are You Considering?

 
The other day on my walk I saw the resident horses on the property on the far side of the pond. When they saw me they started heading my way . . .

“Who are you considering today?” That’s the title of a devotion by Rick Renner in “Sparkling Gems From the Greek.” It caught my eye quickly.

The Scripture text he wrote about is Hebrews 10:24: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

Renner wrote: We must remember that although the local church is to be a place where we can come to worship and hear the Word of God preached and taught, it is also a place where believers should 'consider one another' as this verse commands. the writer of Hebrews uses this word to convey the picture of a loving community where people are vitally concerned about each other's welfare. In fact, they are constantly observing and contemplating each other to know how to encourage and provoke each other to love and to good works."

I enjoyed watching the horses slowly trot over to me . . .

What are you doing in answer to this Scripture verse? For those folks you know best in your fellowship, are you considering the things that are going on in their lives? Sometimes the entire fellowship is aware of a concern. Other times, only those closest to the person or family are aware of concerns.

It's easy to tell ourselves that someone else will handle the concern -- someone closer to the person, has ore time, more money, more anything. But it doesn't always happen like that. Sometimes all it takes is a word from an acquaintance to bring a smile. To forget a pain. To give hope.

They slowly walked along the fence line to say hello . . .

It is easy to give a smile, a word, a note, a call, a moment of interaction with another. Let’s remember these words from Renner: “The local church should be a place of victory where faith is built up, the soul is encouraged, and wisdom and strength are imparted. It’s a community where faith lives and triumphs through a family of believer’s love and concern for another.”

I enjoyed talking with them. Don't they look great in the field of buttercups!

Who are you considering today?

By His Grace . . .

Be True to Your Word

I have always been touched by Jesus' words in John 17, beginning at verse 20: "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message." Jesus prayed specifically for you and me. In verse 26 He continues: "That the love you have for Me may be in them and that I Myself may be in them." What joy to know Jesus prayed for us and loves us!

It's so comforting when someone tells me they prayed for me! and to know that Jesus prayed for me, too. Well that's encouraging!

Telling someone "I'll pray for you" is a very serious statement. I've found in writing encouraging notes that making that statement puts a "burden upon my heart." If I write it, I better do it.

I've always felt strongly about doing what I say I'll do, whether it's 'I'll call you," "I'll have you over," or "I'll send you" it weighs heavy on my heart until I have fulfilled my promise.

When someone says they will call you and they don't, it hurts. Making idle commitments for conversation's sake has the potential to hurt someone who is already in need.

It's important to me that my word is true. Not only for the person to whom I give it, but it's important as a mature Christian. I'm reminded of Psalm 34, verses 12;-13: "Whoever of you love life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies."

Knowing Jesus prayed for me is awesome! I want to have that reputation.

Verse Four of "I Am Praying for You."

“When He has found you, tell others the story,
That my loving Savior is your Savior, too;
Then pray that your Savior may bring them to glory,
And prayer will be answered- ’twas answered for you!”

By His Grace . . .

Let's Take Your Picture

 

I love magnolia trees. One day on our way to Lancaster I saw this beautiful tree. I had Jerry pull over and I ran across four lanes of heavy traffic so I could take some pictures of it. Let's say that was definitely a few years ago. Maryland had the right season for the magnolia tree to blossom in full glory. We planted three magnolia trees when we moved to PA, but the buds open too soon and were always affected by the lingering frosts. I'm glad I had the opportunity to take many pictures of this beautiful tree. I'll share two more pictures below.

In a book I was reading recently by Valerie M. Bodden, it told of a pastor giving a sermon about a picture that was recently taken of him. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a message quite like this before. I found it to be interesting and hopeful.

“We had a great photographer, but I can tell you that there’s one thing about the picture I’m not going to like. Wouldn’t like no matter who took it.

“The pastor patted his somewhat rounded middle and said: ‘The picture is going to show this.’

“I’m hoping maybe she can do some magic with Photoshop to make me look better Maybe give me a body-builder body.

“What about you? What do you see when you look at a picture of yourself? Do you see your wrinkles, maybe your thinning hair? Your scars?

“And those are just the physical imperfections. We can go deeper too. What about mental imperfections? Are you bad at math? A terrible speller? Not so great at geography?

“And let’s go deeper still. How about the spiritual imperfections? Is all you see when you look at yourself your sins? All the times you’ve done what you know is wrong? The times you’ve failed to do what was right?

“Makes a pretty ugly picture, doesn’t it?

"You ever wonder why God chose you? I mean, surely there are people out there who are prettier, smarter, kinder, better than you, right?

“I mean, He’s God. He could have anyone He wants. So why would He pursue you? Why would He want me, with all my faults and failures, my flabby abs and bald head and terrible spelling and filthy sins?

“Oh beloved. Don’t you see? God doesn’t love you in spite of all of those things. He loves you because He has erased all of those things. He didn’t just go in with Photoshop and touch you up a little here and a little there. No, he changed your whole picture with the blood of Jesus. He has erased every last trace of sin, every last imperfection, and he has made you perfect in Him.

“The next time you look at a picture of yourself, do me a favor and see it as God does—an image of His masterpiece, redeemed from sin, created to love and serve Him. Like clay in the hand of the potter, so you are in God’s hands.”

Pictures. Sometimes we look good and sometimes we look bad. But when God looks at us, we are lovely in His eyes.

By His Grace . . .

Baby Leaves

 

This day I share my annual "Baby Leaves" post. I wrote this article in the late 1990s, and it was published in the early 2000's in Woman's Touch magazine. It always encourages me! 

"The blistering wind hit my face as I opened the door. Winter was here. 'Come on, Sparkie,' I said. 'You have to go for a walk.'

"Sparkie, our 11-year-old dog, slowly walked through the door. 'Do we have to go out in this weather?' his eyes pleaded. That's how I felt too.

"The wind slapped my face and tears dropped from my eyes. 'Its been a difficult year, Lord,' I thought. Winter has harbored in my heart leaving me cold and dead, just like the trees. My eyes traveled around the yard taking in the bleak appearance. Problems had multiplied and left me drained of all my strength. 

"Again, I noticed the trees. Once full of foliage, they now stood bare before me. And the remains of our productive garden now showed hard, cracked earth. 'Even the geese took a detour on their way home,' I told the wind.

"Yes, the year had left stains, and the ache in my heart hurt. 'I know I should be thankful, Lord,' I whispered. 

"'Hurry Sparkie,' I yelled. 'I want to get back inside.'

"My eyes fixed on the maple tree behind our house. Stripped of all its colorful clothing, it looked dead. 'Just like my heart,' I thought. And then, I remembered the baby leaves.

"Last February, I began watching the buds develop on the maple tree. I couldn't remember ever taking the time to watch leaves grow, and decided I'd see firsthand how God gave them birth.

"Sparkie and I would stop every evening on our walk to look for any development. It was a slow beginning, but finally--one day in April-- the buds opened.

"Long tentacles reached out, as many as 10 or 15 from each bud, as I remember. At the end of the tentacles were blossoms and at their base were leaves. The leaves were bound together, just like the cold buds had been. As the weather warmed, they began to unfold.

"My heart tingled with excitement when the leaves began to open. My husband, Jerry, was at the garden, and I remember yelling excitedly to him, 'Come quick! the leaves are opening.'

"Half-inch baby leaves, perfectly shaped, stretched their little frames for all the earth to see.

"In one week, some leaves had grown to 3 inches in length. My eyes couldn't believe the transformation. As the leaves grew, the blossoms were blown to the ground. I walked on yellow drops of sun splattered all over the place. I had witnessed the birth of one of God's creations.

"The cry of a lone bird brought me back to the present. Chilled, I headed back to the house, shivering But my heart was no longer cold.

"You see, it's February now--just the time I began watching the frozen buds last year. When everything looked dead, and no life was visible, God was working. And now I knew God was working in me.

"Its been a long year, but I know my heart will feel the warmth of God's love again. Why, in just a couple of months, He'll bring me baby leaves.

"Come on, Sparkie,' I said. 'Let's go tend the fire.'"

Here we are in April once again, and baby leaves are beginning to open on the trees. It will always be a special time of year for me, for you see, God gave me baby leaves, His HOPE to me.

By His Grace . . . 

Serendipity Corner

 This is a serendipity moment: seeing my first baby fawn in the wild 

while driving to work one morning.

"As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness, just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm.

The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.

I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."

Laura Ingalls Wilder

This doe and her fawn resting in a field on my drive home from work.

You can see the back of horses at the top of the picture.

I've been learning this ever since I retired in 2011, and probably way before that. It will be 14 years this October that I've been retired. I'm thankful that God has provided what we've needed along the way. It is the simple things that really add up to big things.

Another serendipity moment while driving to work one morning.

I'm a homebody. Even though there is no family to keep me busy here, the comforts of everyday life and the ability to appreciate what you have and what you're doing are big things. There's no longer a rush to get out the door to a job. There's no longer a rush to get a meal on the table. There's no longer a rush to study God's Word and use the gifts God gave to me. I have time to get everything done in an orderly way.

"Serendipity Corner" is a Facebook page. Serendipity: the occurrence and development of events of by chance in a happy or beneficial way. I've had a few serendipity moments through my life. It's always a thrill when something good unexpectedly happens while you're doing something else.

All these snaps were serendipity moments while driving to or from work.

I'm excited! My early morning fawn spotting drives will be starting soon! I love being out in the early morning when all is quiet and there are no vehicles on the road. Coming around a bend or just down the road I find a baby fawn. 

By His Grace . . .

All for me . . . All for you

We share a gift. A wonderful gift. An undeserved gift. A gift like no other gift we've ever received.

A gift full of love and compassion, joy and favor. A gift that is hard to fathom. A gift from someone we didn't know until we found the Person giving it to us.

Have you ever had a gift like that before? People just don't give other people gifts unless they know them. We sometimes give gifts for a person in need. If a tragedy happens or an illness or accident occurs, we want to help. But to just give a gift to someone we don't know. To receive a gift from someone we don't know.

Thankfully, the Person who has given you and me this gift does know us. He knows everything about us, and He still gives us this gift.

That's what love looks like and there's only one Person who is capable of doing this. Jesus. The Son of God. The Redeemer of the world. The Creator of all things.

One gift. And that's what we celebrate this Sunday. Easter. His life for us. Now, His glory in us. 

This week we remember the sacrifice He gave for us and the resurrection He obtained for us. God's gift to us.

All for me . . . All for you. Celebrate Him in your heart this week and all through the year. A perfect gift. 

Chorus of "Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners"

"Hallelujah! what a Savior! Hallelujah! what a Friend!

Saving, helping, keeping, loving, He is with me to the end."

By His Grace . . .