Twinkle, Twinkle

     Twinkle, twinkle, little star,

     How I wonder what you are.

     Up above the world so high,

     Like a diamond in the sky.

     When the blazing sun is gone,

     When He nothing shines upon,

     Then you show your little light,

     Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

     Then the traveller in the dark,

     Thanks you for your tiny spark,

     He could not see which way to go,

     If you did not twinkle so.

     In the dark blue sky you keep,

     And often through my curtains peep,

     For you never shut your eye,

     'Till the sun is in the sky.

     As your bright and tiny spark,

     Lights the traveller in the dark.

     Though I know not what you are,

     Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

     Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

     How I wonder what you are.

     Up above the world so high,

     Like a diamond in the sky.

     Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

     How I wonder what you are.

     How I wonder what you are.

How many of you know more than the one little verse? I never even realized that there were other verses. It is a wonderful tribute that someone long ago pondered upon and then wrote the words.

      

Did you know that you can buy a star and give it a name? And you can do it all for as little as $14.95.

But you can't really own a star. They belong to The Lord. He created them, he counts them and HE gives names to them all.

He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them. (Psalms 147:4 NASB)

They really are wondrous little things. There is nothing more amazing than a wide open, clear sky full of tiny twinkling lights. It is easy to see why so many of us can be fascinated by them. But they are not ours to own or to name. God has done that already. But I think He enjoys when we take joy in them.

God gave the stars to light the night. Each little light makes a difference in the darkness. Some stars point the way. 

No, you can't own a star, but you can shine like one.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, (Philippians 2:14, 15 GNB)

Photo by Rhonda Ryan

On a Pedestal

There is nothing funny about the cartoon that I have put on today. 

Are the people around you feeling loved and happy to be with you? Or are they anxious to get out of your shadow and away from your condescending attitude?

How will we ever win souls when we start out by making them feel less than what they are, beloved souls for which Christ died?

I know an evangelist that each and every time I listen to him speak I come away feeling like he is superior and arrogant. I am never encouraged by him. If anything, within the first few minutes I raise a guard and get defensive and then a rebellious spirit takes hold inside of me,. And all of that is pure sin. 

I cannot blame my sin on him, it is me. And what he is saying is true and accurate. It is just his tone, and delivery that makes it tough to swallow. 

2 Timothy 2:24-26 - In meekness correct those who oppose themselves so they can recover themselves from the snare of the Devil. People are simply mistaken if they think a meek person will never tell others they are wrong. Meeknessleads us to tell others they are wrong - the same verses that say to be meek, also command us to correct others!

I don't want to be on a pedestal. I am not any better than anyone else. I am only a forgiven sinner. 

Friends

I am so excited today that I about can't stand it. I get to see people today, people I love. 

I have been so lonely, so hungry for friendship. And what makes this visit today even better is, these are my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. I am so excited.

C.S. Lewis says, “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival."

I believe those words are so true. Friends are like the jelly on the toast. They bring a sweetness to your life.

I have been really feeling lonely lately. I see and have contact with people everyday, but not friends. I miss my friendships. Friends are so good for us.

For example,

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times,   

Those (friends) who are good are the ones who seek to please God. . (Proverbs 4:14)

1John 4:7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

Please value and cherish your friendships. Don't let them wither. Your friends need you as much as you need them. Have a friend, be a friend.

Psalm 119:63

I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.

Holier than thou

Holier than thou.

It is said that in the church 10% of the people do 90% of the work. And I believe there may be some truth to that statement. Some folks really seem to catch fire and want to serve in every capacity. But where does that leave everyone else?

Others are not self-starters and need encouraged. Some may not have had much acceptance in their lives before Christ, so they are reluctant to join in now. Then there are still others that are afraid that they won't do it right.

There is nothing worse than trying to work alongside someone in the church and then being criticized.

Service, as a church member is a necessary thing. When we become a Christian it then becomes our purpose to build up the Kingdom. We are to be doing something. Romans chapter 3 explains to us that as new creations, we are not to be like the world anymore. We will be changed and our thoughts and behaviors will be transformed. But just because of that we are not to think that we are better than someone else.

The verses then go on to explain how each of us as members need to work efficiently together, with each of us having a specific purpose and order.

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3 NASB)

How well do you work with others? Are you a criticizer or an encourager?

I Can't Do it Anymore.

"I just don't know how I'm going to do this." Words that are usually uttered by someone who is overwhelmed with a problem or problems that seem way too big or too much at once. Have you ever felt that way? I have. 

Sometimes it does seem that EVERYTHING is being stacked upon you. One by one you might be able to handle these things but all at once, Wow! You feel that you are going to break under the weight.

When I begin to feel this way, I have to sit myself down and get myself together. First, I ask God to calm me and slow me down enough to THINK about what needs done. Second, I get a pen and paper and write down each issue separately. Third, draw a line through any problems that aren't real, the ones that are, what-ifs. (Don't borrow trouble.) Fourth, choose the problems that are beyond your control, the ones that worry you, but that you have no control over. Put them into their own section. Now you are left with the ones that you can tackle.

Stop again. You should now have 3 groups.

The What-ifs:

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB) the word of God tells us to destroy What-ifs and take them captive. These speculations have a bondage over your mind if you do not destroy them and capture them. Worry is NOT TRUSTING GOD! Period.

Beyond Control Problems:

Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 NASB) share these problems with a trusted friend. Share your worries and fears with them and then ask them to pray with you. It will ease your mind and lighten your load knowing that someone else cares too. Pray the prayer that will never fail you, "God, Your will be done in this matter."

Now you are left with the issues that you can try to solve:

Again, stop and pray and ask God to give you wisdom, guidance and strength. Next, prioritize this list in order of which troubles you the least to what troubles you the most. 

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 NASB) you know that God can and will give you strength to battle problems. He gives this strength in a way that you not be expecting. In quietness and trust is your strength." (Isaiah 30:15 NASB) yes, that's right, your strength comes from quietness and trust. In other words, God says, let me handle this. 

Obediently allow Him to lead you to solutions. Use the guidance and wisdom that He offers you. By believing and trusting that God will guide you, you can have peace in your heart and mind that you need not be overwhelmed.

Knowing this will not only give you peace but will bring you joy.   Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10 NASB)

I am praying for you. 

Bury the Hatchet

When I was a kid we had an old neighbor that heated his small home with a pot bellied stove. Do you remember those?

Out back of his house he had a woodpile and that is where he split wood. When he was finished with his hatchet, he would stick it into a nearby tree.

As the man aged and his health deteriorated someone got him a different kind of heat and the hatchet was not used.

When the man died, his family came to clean out his house and prepared to sell it. Someone tried to pull the hatchet from the tree, but over the years the tree had grown and healed around it making it impossible to pull out.

The Iroquois Indians are noted for the term, "bury the hatchet." They convinced the Five Nations (the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca) to stop fighting amongst themselves and form a confederacy. To seal this agreement they buried their weapons.

This was to signify that there was now peace and there would be no more fighting.

I often hear the phrase bury the hatchet. It is often used today when two people or parties stop fighting. But I don't think the significance is the same. 

I sometimes wonder if anyone really understands forgiveness. 

People may stop quarreling, may stop talking, may even make an effort to get along, but if any little thing comes between them, then it is right back to square one. They again pick up the old junk and everything escalates.

Maybe we should learn a lesson about burying the hatchet, whether it's in a tree or underground. Let's get rid of it so that we can never pick it up again.

What if God did not forgive forever? But don't worry He does. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:12 NASB)

Think of those with which you squabble, think of those that hurt you again and again, bury the hatchet. Get rid of it once and for all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. (Romans 12:18 NASB)

Lord's Army

I ran this lesson about a month ago and I think I need to re run it. You see ever since the popular vampire/ werewolf movies have come out, people are choosing sides, Team Edward or Team Jacob. 

You pick your allegiance.

I sometimes feel like people try to get me involved with their earthly conflicts and want me to jump onto their "team."

I may listen to your hearts, I may offer words of comfort or advice or I may choose to not get involved. If I choose to not get involved, please respect that. 

I'm in the Lord's Army.

Bill and I made a pickup today at a Military base. We really enjoy this type of load. 

At first, we were a little intimidated when we would go there because it is "The Military." But we have learned that for the most part, these people are just regular people. They are just like everyone else. The joke and pick on each other and tease each other about sports teams. They talk about their families. And they treat us with respect too. 

However, because it is military, there are stricter rules and policies regarding these loads and no one jokes around about that. It is taken very seriously. We must be serious and obedient when carrying loads for the government.

Likewise, we, that are part of The Lord's Army must take the charge with serious obedience. Below is a short list of rules for those who are in this army.

No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. 

God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:4, 23-26 ESV)

I may never march in the Infantry,

Ride in the Cavalry,

Shoot the Artillery.

I may never Fly O'er the enemy.

But I'm in the Lord's Army.