Satan Knows Scripture!!!

Tags

Christ, convict, desert, devil, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Satan, temptation, test

Got your attention? The first time that I truly perused Matthew 4:1-11 I knew that I had to start diligently reading and studying my bible. The passage begins with the Holy Spirit leading Christ into the desert to be tempted by the devil. The devil does appear after Christ has fasted for 40 days and nights. He is hungry, and the devil strikes when he believes Christ is in a weakened state. How wrong Satan was on that count! Then the devil quotes scripture, specifically Psalm 91:11-12, urging Christ to use His power to save Himself. Jesus reminds him that it is also written not to put God to the test. Satan tries for a third time and is again rebuked by Christ. Defeated,  Satan leaves Him and Christ is attended by angels. The fact that the devil was able to quote scripture was all I needed to convict me. If Satan knows the Word and can use it to confuse me, I need to know it in order to withstand his attacks. Read this encounter once again and examine yourself honestly. Without scripture to sustain you, how will you ever be able to keep Satan at bay?

Never Stop Learning!

Tags

environment, growth, Instruction, intelligence, knowledge, lazy, learning opportunities, school, vegetate, wisdom

Add to your tree of knowledge!

Summer is drawing to an end. August seems to be a month devoted to preparation for returning to school and the world of reading, writing and ‘rithmetic. We think of preschoolers, elementary grade youngsters, middle school youth, high school students and those entering college. Pictures of young children and youth on their “first” day of school shine on the Facebook posts of proud parents and grandparents. Smiling faces, mostly, looking forward to another year of learning. Although I am a retired teacher, I still look forward to learning opportunities throughout the year. We’re never too old to learn new things and it’s encouraging to accept that fact. Learning experiences are all around us on a daily basis.

Scripture encourages us to continue to grow in wisdom. Proverbs 1:5 counsels to “let the wise listen and add to their learning …” Surely, we can add to our knowledge daily. “Can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” That’s just an excuse to be lazy and vegetate. For Proverbs 1:7 emphasizes that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Look forward to each day and strive to achieve growth.

What can I learn today?

Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom, not wealth, and his prayer was answered abundantly. Maybe we adults need to do the same. Ask the Lord what He would like you to learn in the coming year and to guide you in that learning experience. Our world has so much to offer. Look around and be stimulated by your environment. Let us use the intelligence with which the Lord has blessed us and continue to grow mentally. It’s never too late to learn a new skill or even a new language. THINK BIG AND LEARN!

 

The Work of His Hands

Tags

Blue Ridge Parkway, creation, ecosystems, flora, floral arrangements, Galax plant, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient

The intricacies of God’s creation astound me. I’ve always been intrigued by the beauty of the tiny hummingbird. How can anyone doubt God’s existence when we view the seemingly endless number of plants and animals He created?  Only an omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God could be responsible for this world.

Our North Carolina cabin is located within two miles of the Blue Ridge parkway and about 275 miles from our home in South Carolina, yet they are a world apart in their ecosystems. One is a mountain paradise, cool in the summer due to its high elevation, while the other is located on a rural dirt road on sandy beach-like soil  with summers “hotter than a pepper pudding” as a dear friend used to say. Both bring us joy when we examine the varied flora and fauna they share with us.

Our cabin neighborhood has increased our knowledge of God’s creation and the unique qualities of each “new-to-us” plant. On Thursday we went to the local family restaurant we enjoy in Sparta and were approached by an elderly lady who wanted to know if we would like to purchase some of her leaves. Strange?  No, God was at work! She had gathered them early that morning and had tied bunches together with sewing thread. I wanted to help her and really didn’t think much about the leaves but asked the price ($5.00) and purchased a bunch.

Curiosity got the better of me and we began chatting. The leaves were from the Galax plant. I recognized that name since my husband and I had frequently visited the town of Galax, Virginia (about twenty miles north of us up the Blue Ridge Parkway). I’m always interested in trying my green thumb (a blessing from the Lord above), but I soon learned these leaves  were out of my realm of horticulture. It appears, after some quick research via the web, that they only grow in the forest along a particular stretch of the parkway. They have gained popularity with florists because of their sturdy, attractive, long lasting addition to floral arrangements. Mine will travel back to South Carolina this week and,  I hope, adorn our table there for weeks to come.

Hidden in the depths of the forest, Galax leaves have become prized for their beauty. However, the Lord controls their cultivation. Horticulturists have tried to replicate a growing medium to raise them commercially to no avail. They remain a kind of mystery and are another reason/proof of the existence of God. They are the work of His Hands, and I thank Him for bringing them to us!  How blessed we are to be part of His creation!

 

 

 

A Lesson Learned in the Garden

Tags

fruits of the Spirit, gardening, Mexican hydrangea, patience

Our South Carolina home sits on land that is a challenge to my gardening skills. Much of it is quite sandy and, even with topsoil added, it drains very quickly and is not conducive to plants that I have cultivated elsewhere. When I heard of the Mexican hydrangea and its ability to spread rapidly over an area, I knew I would give it a try. Three summers ago, I planted my new treasure and waited to see if it would be successful. It didn’t do much the first year, but it came back the next summer and three new shoots appeared close by it. Last summer, a few more plants appeared in late spring and I was happy that it was thriving, but I doubted it would ever bloom. Imagine my surprise this year when I noticed three blossoms developing on the plants! As these blossoms get ready to bloom my joy continues to grow also. My Mexican hydrangea is a  keeper!

My patience was rewarded. This caused me to think of that very quality, actually a fruit of the Spirit, which I need to cultivate in myself. Our Heavenly Father is forever patient with us. Help me, dear Lord, to be as patient with others as You are with me. Empower me to hold this scripture from Colossians 3:12-13 in my heart: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another …” May I grow in patience and bloom for others to see Your love through me in Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN

Where is the Love?

Tags

bullying, Facebook, Golden Rule, political campaigning, prayer, social media, unfriending

Social media is a measure of the state of our present society. There’s a concern for the future of Facebook because of the recent posts and “unfriending” attributed to the political campaigning. I don’t doubt that at all. I remember the advice I grew up with that one should never discuss politics or religion at family gatherings. Perhaps we should move that “rule” to include Facebook friends and family.

I thought this morning how happy I am that I am no longer teaching. How in the world do teachers try to instill values in their students when ugliness runs rampant on social media?  I have seen posts that bring tears to my eyes and news reports of political debates that look like classroom bullying. I will never post my political views on Facebook or elsewhere. They are my private thoughts and the candidate I choose to vote for will be decided after much prayer.

Our society needs a reality check. I’d like to pose a few questions that seem so obvious to me. Here goes:

What does perspiration or drinking water have to do with presidential qualifications?  Or the application of make-up?

Why  would a veteran, who has served his country, be removed from a political rally for asking a civil question? Why would he be booed by the crowd?

Why do people post derogatory ethnic slurs just because they don’t like a candidate or the President? How do we teach children not to bully when supposedly intelligent adults are doing that?

How do Christians succumb to such posting?

Is it not our duty as Christians to follow the advice of Paul so eloquently stated in Philippians 2:1-4? “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”

We need to think more about the image we want to reflect to the children of today. How can we stop bullying when we do that very thing in our posts or laugh at the pitifully derogatory comments exchanged in debates? It’s time to remember common decency and the Golden Rule. Maybe we all need to go back to school or Sunday School. Let’s think more about love, about Jesus, about smiles and hugs, and push hate speech out of our minds and vocabulary!

 

 

 

 

 

Fostering Love on Facebook!

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abuse, comments, criticism, encourager, Facebook, grammar, handwriting, love

Well, it’s two days after Valentine’s Day! Are we still all about love? I have complained at times about some of the posts on Facebook to my sweet husband, Jim. He’s always the first and usually the last one to hear my remarks. I try not to be too judgmental but one I saw over the weekend really touched my heart. As a retired teacher, I feel I still have the duty to speak up when I notice abuse, be it verbal or physical, of a child. I can’t stress the importance of guarding what we write in comments on Facebook or anywhere else regarding children, especially when it involves someone else’s child.

The post which bothered me had a page from a fourth grader writer pictured on it. The child had written a review of a musical composition he had listened to that was entitled “Sleep.” Evidently, the child’s teacher had sent the review to the author of the music. The composer made the comment that he would keep this negative review on his wall as a reminder of how his work had been received by a child. What caught  my eye was the caustic comment made by a Facebook user that the child’s work was poorly written and that he should work on his handwriting and grammar rather than critique a musical work. I took offense and reread the child’s work. It appeared to me to be a page torn from a daily journal kept by the child. If so, it was the child’s response to the way he heard the music and was for his eyes only. Children are encouraged to write in journals to express themselves and they do not go back and proofread this work nor does the teacher. Phonetic spellings are acceptable on work of this nature. BUT this child’s work did not need to be criticized by a Facebook viewer. Imagine how that poor child would feel if he saw the negative comment this adult had made regarding his writing!

I can still remember the verbal criticism my early attempts at drawing a house evoked from my dad over 60 years ago. I know he loved me, but he remarked that the house I’d drawn was all wrong! He was a carpenter and also drew plans for houses. My work was out of proportion and truly ill-composed as most attempts by an eight year old would be. I tried harder and my work improved but I still recall that comment and how much it hurt me. It was like a slap across the face that I took to heart. It also helped me develop a dislike for drawing, which I still avoid at all costs.

Honestly, I have seen many posts that were not grammatically correct posted by adults on Facebook, but I would never think to mention it. Why hurt someone’s feelings unnecessarily? Isn’t it wonderful that people are writing more? Be an encourager, a Timothy to others, especially children. There’s a place for correction and it’s not on Facebook. We all make mistakes and sometimes computers do it for us. My kindle likes to change words to what it thinks I mean! There are times I miss the errors and this embarrasses me. We need to think more about one another’s feelings and how we would like to be treated.

James’ words regarding speech and the tongue apply just as much to what we write or to what we post. “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.” (James 3:6)  It only takes a small spark in the form of a hurtful remark to damage a child. Let us remember that children are naturally creative, but a thoughtless comment can stifle that desire to create.

Dear Lord, Guide us in the comments we make on Facebook and other social media. Let us reflect the love You shower on us daily as we share our thoughts with one another. May we encourage others rather than criticize. You are the Ultimate Judge not any one of us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Gift Are You Giving?

Tags

Christmas gifts, frankincense, gold, King Herod, king of the Jews, Magi, Messiah, myrrh, wise men

Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him; and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

 

During the Christmas season,  we spend much of our time trying to discover and then locate the perfect gift for each person on our list. We want to touch that person’s heart and show our love for him or her by selecting that special item.

This year I couldn’t help but think back to that first Christmas so very long ago. The Magi or wise men brought three gifts to the Christ child, but the real story has been corrupted  by artistic license. That is, there were three gifts and so we assume there were three wise men. In actuality we don’t really know the number of wise men who traveled to see this special child. They also didn’t arrive shortly after the baby’s birth in the stable. Rather they came when the Christ child was probably about two or three years old.

We need to focus on the fact that they brought their gifts to honor  “the king of the Jews” or the Messiah of whom they had heard tell. Their search led them to question King Herod. They knew this child was destined for greatness. BUT THEY BROUGHT HIM GIFTS! These were gifts fit for royalty. Now I ask you as I asked myself as I studied this scripture, “What will you bring as a gift for Christ Jesus?” Think of what you can do regarding service or Bible study or less time on social media. I want to find that special gift that will truly please my Lord and Savior. I believe He’s leading me to deeper study of His Word and more sharing via my blog. I know it will become clear as I search with all my heart. May the Lord bless all our efforts to find the special gift we can give Him this year.

 

Watch What You Say!

Tags

blessings, coincidence, divine guidance, fortunate, omnipotence, providence, vocabulary

Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through Him and for Him.

As a believer, I try to be careful in the words I use when speaking or writing. Words like lucky and coincidence have been exiled from my vocabulary. If I receive an unexpected benefit, it’s not because of luck but because the Lord has seen fit to bless me. It may be as simple as the sight of a hummingbird or as mind boggling as the avoidance of an accident. The shooting two weeks ago outside our motel window could have taken Jim’s life or mine. We weren’t lucky because we were spared. No, indeed, the Lord protected us. We were blessed with the gift of life continuing for both of us!

A few years ago, I heard a pastor mention a coincidence that occurred in his life. I was so disappointed to hear that word. My faith in God’s omnipotence assures me that coincidences do not exist. God is in control and things do not just mysteriously come together. Let’s look at Webster’s definition for coincidence first: a situation in which events happen at the same time in a way that is not planned or expected, or the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection. Really? When we needed a plumber to stop our leak and I called asking a friend for the name of a plumber, it was no coincidence that he was visiting with a relative who was a plumber. I saw God’s hand in the occasion. It was providence! That is, it was due to God’s divine guidance or care (again from Webster’s).

Feeling lucky or fortunate today? Not I! As a child of God, I am truly blessed and know that He is in control. I am in His Hands and He will not allow me to be tested beyond my ability to endure.

It’s Not What It Appears To Be!

Tags

assumption, chastise, Christ Jesus, disappointment, Father God, Holy Spirit, immutable, Irish drinking toast, mistake, prayer

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Malachi 3:6 I the Lord do not change.

Our favorite place for good Southern home cooking in Sparta, NC is Brown’s Restaurant. The owners and serving staff aim to please, and they have never failed us in the seven years we have frequented the establishment. Earlier this year, I noticed a plaque hanging behind the register and read the opening line. It appeared to be a prayer. On the way home, I mentioned to Jim that it would be a good opportunity to share the words on my blog.

Our first meal out this trip, I made it a point to bring pencil and paper to copy it. Well, this is what I found (I should know better than to assume something):

May those that love us, love us.

 And those that don’t love us,

May God turn their hearts.

And if he doesn’t turn their hearts,

May he turn their ankles,

So we’ll know them by their limping.

Oh, no! I thought I can’t post this! Obviously it’s not a prayer! I was so disappointed by my error, but decided to go ahead and do a computer search on the words. My discovery? It’s an Irish drinking toast and that explains a lot! I surely couldn’t use it on my blog.

As I continued to chastise myself for making this crazy assumption, I was led to write about my mistake anyway. How many times do we all think something is good, appropriate, or useful and it turns out to be something entirely different. Friends may disappoint us, holiday expectations don’t live up to those in our dreams, or a product is worthless. Our hopes or plans are dashed, but the experience reminded me that there is only one person/entity upon which we can depend. Our Father God is immutable as is Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, always! No one else is or ever will be.

God’s Design

Tags

Allegheny County, architect, creation, Creator, cucumber tree, endangered species, forest, magnolias, mountains, North Carolina, unique

Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth …

John 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing that was made.

Job 12:7-9 But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?

Open my eyes, Lord! You have created all things in this world, and You have shared its beauty with us. How blessed we are, if we but see! These thoughts really became crystal clear during our stay at our North Carolina cabin for the past eleven days. The mountains are a wonderful escape for us from the busy SC beach area in which we spend most of our year. Each has its own unique beauty, but much of it goes unnoticed as we navigate this busy world in which we live.

We have been coming to our NC hideaway for seven years now and appreciate the change from the humidity of the SC coast to the cool temps of the mountains in Allegheny County. In the spring of the year I first noticed an unusual tree with yellow blossoms that produced a green elongated fruit. I asked the locals about it and was told it was a cucumber tree. I assumed that was just their term for the tree and upon meeting a timber man, I asked him the name for the tree. Again I was told “cucumber tree.” Still not satisfied I did a computer search. It is called the cucumber tree but it is from the magnolia family, specifically magnolia acuminata!

Magnolia family? I couldn’t see much similarity and so it puzzled me for a number of years. All was cleared up on this trip. For the first time in seven years, we were blessed by the sight of the ripening fruit, a bright red. In fact, as we came up our mountain, I saw what appeared to be red peppers growing on the trees. Naturally I had to investigate, The “red pepper” turned out to be a pod similar to those that appear on magnolias at home. Now, what was once a puzzle, made sense to me.

I couldn’t stop thinking about this tree, which neither my husband or I had ever heard of before coming to Allegheny County. We also missed seeing its ripe fruit for seven years. Further investigation led me to some interesting facts: its considered common in the Allegheny Mountain forests and extends into Canada, where it is an endangered species; the bark was dried for medicinal purposes, mostly stomach ailments, but also for sinus problems; and its wood is used for building pallets and such.

I share this information for a purpose, of course. Only God in all His infinite wisdom could have created all living things, each a part of his unique puzzle of life. Only He knows each part, and He created the overall design. The supreme architect, our Father/Creator God, has a specific purpose for each creation. We need to be observant of His world, open to His teachings at all stages of our life, and willing to serve Him for the reason we were created. Thank You, dear Lord, for opening my eyes to a new beauty and opening my mind to pondering further reasons for my own existence.