Category: Faith

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. Ephesians 2:14-16

I’m sure everyone will agree there is way too much division in our country today! It is Democrats vs Republicans, one race vs another, and disagreements between the younger and older generations.

And there is also division among Christians: Armenian vs Calvinist, acceptance of and talking in tongues are just such examples. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul appeals to the people to agree with one another and that there by no divisions among them, but that they be perfectly united in mind and thought.

The Bible clearly tells us in Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Division does not change that verse of God’s Word. Division does not change the fact that he made us one body through Jesus Christ and the life He gave on the cross. Division does not nullify the Word of God. Division only separates and divides and causes confusion in the body of Christ!

So what difference does it make if I speak in tongues and you do not? What difference does it make if I attend a church who identifies as Armenian or Calvinist if…and I say if we all agree that our salvation comes from Jesus Christ? If I believe I belong to Christ and you believe you belong to Christ, then why do we have differences that divide us?

Time is passing by and the enemy knows his time is short. He is out to persuade you and me that God’s Word does not hold true. Soon he will have many believing there has to be another way – his tactics are clear, to steal, kill and destroy each believer in Christ!

So, my friends, be of good cheer and embrace one another. Our unity is in Christ and if we hold hands and hearts across the divisive lines, even those groups in the world will begin to notice. Maybe just maybe we can begin to bring the unity, love and fellowship God is calling for!

John 8:12. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life”.

Every morning here in Maui, I take a long walk along the beach. The mornings are fresh and beautiful and there is much to see and experience! One thing I have always loved are the Palm Trees. I love their long green fronds at the top swaying in the wind, and their long trunks as well. I find myself taking more pictures of these trees than anything!

I have noticed many Palm Tree trunks are curved and appear to be learning toward the ocean. I thought it was for nourishment from the water, but they are actually reaching for another life source, the light.

This little fact makes me laugh with joy! For where does our life source come from but the Son Himself! I can name many things I may need to survive, but Jesus is the Way, the truth and the life! He will direct us toward anything else we need in life.

Isn’t it funny how I learn so much from a leaning Palm Tree in Maui? The walk, the ocean, and the refreshing breeze here are wonderful and I love them all. But my heart will forever remember this little lesson of the leaning, the curved Palm Tree.

The next time you are near the ocean, enjoy a morning walk with coffee, a prayer and a Palm Tree. For their presence will always bring to mind the life source of your heart, Jesus!

A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples. John 13:34,35

Jesus gives a new commandment here – just one – plain and simple. Love one another as I have loved you. Sounds easy enough when you just have one new commandment to follow.
So, I ask you: how many people are in your life – maybe just in your immediate family? Your co-workers? No, maybe it isn’t just that simple. But I can tell you it is just that important!

Why is it that important? Jesus tells us why – because by this they will know you are My disciples. Everyone will know we belong to Jesus.

No, loving all people is not that easy – but Jesus would never have told us to if He knew we could not do it. None of us are perfect people and I venture to say that loving everyone in our lives will never come easy. But I know this is a commandment from the one who loves me and has given up everything for me. Can I at least try? Can I open my heart a little more today and tomorrow to include that one person who isn’t the easiest to love?

The one and only one I can trust perfectly and completely is Jesus. And if others know we are His disciples – that we belong to Him, then maybe just maybe they can learn to trust the love I share with them. Love – the gift that demands more – the gift that will last and last and the gift that begs to be given away. That’s what He gives and that what He asks us to give.

Today, I will share that love with just one more person and tomorrow I will do the same. I will continue to share His love – His simple perfect love!

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Isaiah 5:20,21

Years ago, slavery was legal and as a nation, we were able to rise up against this evil law and defeat it! Since then, we have had hope for our nation. I never thought we would ever face such an enemy as this again, for our country was founded on Godly principles. But God has been kicked out of most everything here today – our schools, our government and some are even declaring we are no longer a nation under God. I for one, still had hope for us until recently.

Now we are faced with abortion, my friends and this has gone way too far! I was not okay when they decided to abort babies before a heartbeat was detected. Then they came up with abortion up to 20 weeks and took it even further by saying abortion was legal up to the day of delivery. Now this governor of Virginia is advocating for abortion even as a baby is being born!

Slavery yes is not freedom and I am grateful for this turn around! But neither is the murder of babies a road to freedom. God gives life and life abundantly. We take life, call it a woman’s choice. I can only tell you that this will put our nation back in bondage – bondage to the evil it represents. Please, pray with me for a nation that celebrates life and freedom once again. And speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves!

We speak for all people, black, white, young and old! Freedom and life – a life given by God and to be enjoyed by all!

I have come that they may have life and life abundantly. John 10:10

I love Christmas! In fact, I’m sure most everyone loves Christmas. I love everything about Christmas, but I especially love giving special gifts to those in my life. It doesn’t have to be big or expensive or flashy, but just a simple token of my love and appreciation for them.

Lately, however, I am seeing many people straying away from gift giving. They are opting for trips and experiences. I understand and appreciate their Christmas different, but to me there is a simple reason for this gift giving season.

All of us, whether we realize it or not, were given the greatest gift of all, by the greatest giver of all. God gave His son Jesus so that we could receive the most precious gift of all. This gift given was born in a manger, seen by shepherds and visited by great wise men. This gift lived life as a man, a perfect man and was crucified on a cross as the final sacrifice for each one of us so that we could have life and life abundantly.

Christmas is about this gift of life given to us. And because Christmas reminds me of what He has given, I want to give. To me, Christmas is all about love and giving – giving selflessly and giving in love. No, I can never out give what was given to me, but I can let others know of His great gift and how much He means to me.

So Merry Christmas my friends and happy giving! May the One who gave it all bring you and your family blessings upon blessings this Holy Season!

For unto us a child is born. Unto us a son is given and the government will be upon His shoulders. Isaiah 9:6

During one of the darkest times in the history of Israel, a prophecy was given by the prophet Isaiah. He foretells of a coming Messiah. This prophecy was to bring hope and encouragement to the people. It was a hope that said, God is with us – do not be discouraged with what you now see and hear.

This prophecy let them know that the Messiah would be among them as a man – a man who wore flesh and blood, but yet was the Son of God. Yes, He was God – God among them!

This Word was one they could carry with them. They could share it with their children and neighbors. And they would continue to share this prophecy throughout the coming years. For they trusted this word from Isaiah and knew that Israel would continue. Israel would have a champion – God Himself would come and defeat their enemies. Enemies of war, enemies of hunger and poverty and all enemies of defeat!

And the government will be upon His shoulders! That’s all they needed to hear. Many words were spoken by this prophet and others. But this word – a word of encouragement and hope was to bring them victory – yes, victory in all things!

Today, even today for us, we still have this encouragement and hope. For Unto us a child was born. Unto us a son was given – our God, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

He, today, is there for each one of us – if we reach out and receive this word – for as the gospel of John shares, He IS the Word made flesh – for you, for me – for the World!

Hebrews 10:24,25 And let us consider how we may stir one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

I have been using Facebook for several years now.  Most people on Facebook check their accounts several times a day, and this tells me Facebook has done the job they set out to do. Yes, Facebook has done their job which was to get us hook line and sinker!  But it also tells me something else.

 

Facebook shows me that most people are starved for relationships.  They have a story to tell and want others to respond.  And most people need affirmation and encouragement. Above all, most people need to be loved.

 

Is it easier to connect with others on a computer site than in person?  We’ve been led to think so.  While relationships can be hard and take work, I think it has taken and brought many one on one, person to person connections to almost a complete halt!

 

Yes, it is easier to hide those insecurities and things about ourselves we are afraid to share.  And we can be almost anyone we want with the tap of a key and maybe a picture or two.

 

But God has created each one of us unique!  He has given us gifts to share with others and has fashioned us to use these  gifts!  We can minister and share and love when someone is close enough to touch, to hug and laugh with!

 

So, shut that computer and turn off that phone even for just a few hours a day.  Invite someone to coffee, to lunch or just to share a walk around the park. Hug and laugh and create a moment in time that is unforgettable! 

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2:14

 

Lately, I have seen several posts on Facebook and Instagram and even Twitter about stores that advertise “Black Friday Sales”. They were saying how ironic it is that we had just celebrated Thanksgiving and then the very next day people are out shopping for all those things they think they need!

 

While I understand their point, I see another day being celebrated in December, mainly Christmas.  To me, Christmas is a time to celebrate the great things about Jesus.  He is kind, gentle and always giving.

 

During this season, I have witnessed many and most people being more kind and having giving hearts.  I am a Black Friday shopper and, I take my little list with me so I can remember all those I love with special gifts.  I see and hear others out shopping with their lists also.  Actually, I have yet to see greed and thoughtlessness arise during the Christmas season.

 

So, to me, as a wife, mom, grandma, aunt and friend, Christmas only intensifies the spirit of thankfulness and leads me to bless others.

 

Christmas is a time to let others know that Jesus is the reason our hearts can continue to be thankful.  We thank Him for what we have yes, for what He has done for us and for the people He has graced our lives with.

 

So Merry Christmas Season!  Enjoy Jesus and the what he has done for you.  Enjoy the love and joy He gives and the people He has placed in your life.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12,13

The Word of God tells us we are to expect trials in our lives. We should not be surprised at their coming and know that God is still here and has not forsaken us. However, what does seem to surprise us is that we are to rejoice! How can we rejoice in some fiery trial we say? It’s not the fiery trial itself we rejoice in. It’s what the trial itself will accomplice in us.

There is a story I was told years ago about a man who carved and whittled for a living. One day he was carving a small piece of wood when, all of a sudden, the wood started complaining. “You are destroying me with your knife!” The man never said a word and just kept carving away even with that little piece of wood screaming at him. At last he had finished, and put the piece of wood to his mouth and began to play. He had carved a beautiful melodious flute to make music for all to hear! Ahh, how good that felt to that little piece of wood, who then realized how special he had now become!

So the next time we hear music we can remember that little flute. We can thank our Heavenly Father for the trials we have gone through and will go through which will bring beautiful music to our lives!

Through the trials in our lives, God is carving us to make us a blessing. Trials are never fun I know, but how beautiful the outcome. (And I know that God has given us each other to remind us that in His hands we can become instruments for His purpose!).