Chasing the Wind

Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. (Ecclesiastes 4:6 NIV)

I had lost something and it bothered me. In a time of a recessed economy, I’d treated myself to a new decorative Christmas flag. My heart smiled each time I saw it as I looked out the window or as I pulled into the garage.

But at our house on the little hill the flag must battle its archenemy, the wind. No matter how creative I’ve gotten in my attempts to secure my flag, the wind has won most of the battles. So I was not surprised to drive up to an empty flag pole last week, but I was disappointed all the same. As the days passed without finding the flag, my mind’s eye pictured a twenty dollar bill flapping in the breeze where the flag used to be, and I chastised myself for spending money on such a frivolous thing. But as I fussed at myself I also prayed, and I launched a search party; my husband and daughter joined me in the search around our property for my lost treasure.

I walked in the freezing cold temperatures, stepped around mud, searching as I went for any signs of the blue flag to no avail, but I refused to call off the search. I prayed God would forgive me for throwing money (that He provided) to the wind on such a thing, and I prayed He would help me find it.

As I had searched the last spots and headed back to the house discouraged I looked under our deck, almost as an afterthought, and to what did my wandering eyes appear but a blue Christmas flag that my heart held so dear!

Like my flag, I was blown away; blown away by the realization that God cares about me so much that He would answer my prayers for little things like lost flags. And if I can trust Him and see Him in these little things, why is it sometimes so hard to believe Him for the big things? I believe that God understands how we feel about the little things because Jesus became flesh and felt the little things with a heart like ours.

God loves me even when my life is wrinkled and muddy like my lost flag. Perpetual grace (John 1:16) is poured out over my life and your life from a Heavenly Father who knows us and loves us and wants to bless us. Thank you, Lord, for perpetual grace!

Heavenly Father, thank you for answered prayer, big and small. Thank You for allowing us the privilege of trusting all things in our life to your care. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Seasons Praise Him

Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise him from the skies! Praise him skies above! Praise him vapors high above the clouds! Praise the Lord from the earth, mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars. Let them all praise the name of the Lord. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven! (Psalm 148:1 ,3, 4, 7, 9, 13 NLT)

How great must God’s love be for us that He would create nature in all its beauty for our pleasure and enjoyment! Autumn’s colors seem to be an offering of nature’s praise and worship at the end of the seasons of planting and harvesting! Many times words cannot adequately express the joy and worship in my heart for all of the blessings God has given, yet when I see the splendor of creation during the seasons, their sheer beauty exclaims that which I cannot put to words.

Is it what we see that brings us to an understanding of an existence of God? Is it what we cannot see or touch but what stirs inside us that tells us there is a God? Nature stands to witness the character of God, the master artist, and to His perfect design and timing. The birth of a newborn child or animal gives testimony to the existence of God. The timing of the seasons, the sun’s rising and setting, and the moon’s movement of the tides point the way. The tides and the very boundary of the oceans are His design.

May we recognize His hand in creation in all seasons and may we daily take time to give thanks for his gifts.

Heavenly Father, we join all of nature in offering You our praise and worship today and each day. Thank You for loving us so much that You would create this world for our pleasure. In Jesus’ name. Amen

All Saints Day

The memory of the just is blessed. Proverbs 10:7


As our pastor reminded us that today is All Saints’ Day, my mind immediately turned to my paternal grandmother, who went home to be with the Lord on April 13, 2007. Mother, Daughter, Sister, Wife, Grandmother, Employee, Sunday School Teacher, Friend …. Mary Jones was something special to each person who knew her.

One of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t recognize her legacy while she was still with us. I know it would have tickled her pink if I’d shared with her all that she’d done for me and meant to me. I can honestly say I never stopped to think about a life without her. Although I know that no one lives forever, Grandma was so full of life and had so much “go” in her that the thought had not yet occurred to me.

I have discovered in the months since her death that she is so much a part of me; that my life and all of my memories are molded and shaped by her place in my life. She’d have been proud to know this. One reason I know she would love it is that I have since found taped inside the cover of her Bible a copy of an article in the Calvary Baptist newsletter dedicated to her for all of her years as a Sunday School teacher. I can imagine her turning to it and reading it again when she found herself wondering if she’d ever made any difference in someone else’s life. It read:

This week’s note of appreciation is dedicated to Mrs. Mary Jones, and I ask you to forgive me for making this one more personal. Mrs. Jones has been a faithful dedicated teacher for a least 36 years – because I can remember that many. Mrs. Jones has taught practically every age group and has done a good job in any class she leads. She has influenced many people in a positive way through her example more than through the words she teaches. Mary Jones is loved and respected by all who know her, and her work here at Calvary has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. Thank you, Mary Jones, from all of us you have touched! (November 29, 1992)

Material things never meant much to her, but being needed did mean something.

In her absence I’ve discovered she impacted my life in so many positive ways. I realize now that she has left a tremendous legacy to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. We all knew and can proudly tell you today that she loved us unconditionally. She was proud of us all and she was there for us. She loved us to the moon and back with her cooking. I believe our lives are a reflection of her prayers for us. I believe our lives are a reflection of her life.

May we continue to do justice to her memory and may the generations call her blessed until the end of time.

Season of Gathering

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18 KJV

Of all the colors clothing the autumn trees, it is not gold or orange that dresses the fall dogwood tree. Symbolic of the blood shed for us on the cross, the leaves of the dogwood are crimson, their branches reaching gently heavenward, as did the arms of Jesus as He drew His last breath and bore the sins of every man.

Autumn is often referred to as a season of gathering. The crimson blood of Jesus has made possible the ultimate Season of Gathering, when the dead in Christ shall rise and be called up with the living children of God at the Rapture: the gathering by the Crystal Sea; the gathering to worship and fall at the feet of our Heavenly Father; the gathering to lift our voices with songs of praise and worship with new harmonies like the angels’ choir.

I am thankful for the beauty and promises of autumn and for their gentle reminders of the Season of Gathering.


Thank You, Lord, for all seasons. Thank You for gathering us to You – sheep unto our Good Shepherd, gathered into the waiting arms of our Savior, made possible by Your crimson blood. Isaiah 40:11

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There Really is No Debate

As the morning news flashes on the muted television during my devotional time today, many are gathering on the campus of Belmont University, the site of tonight's presidential debate. Some hold signs indicating their political choices, campaign slogans, and well wishes. Many are pinning their hopes and dreams on the outcome of this election. Sadly, many have little knowledge of the true hope and eternal salvation.

Godly enough, a scripture in my daily Bible reading had already captivated my thoughts: And whatever you say or do, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father (Col 3:17 NLT). As Christians, what signs are we waving in our daily lives? The i.d. badges on our shirts and around our necks say "Christ's Ambassador" yet the signs we carry may show no true reflection of His presence and manifestation of His Spirit. Instead of love, grace, mercy and forgiveness our signs sometimes proclaim anger, bitterness, bigotry, impatience, unloving and unforgiving.

Our last Sunday school lesson was a study in the New Testament Day of Pentecost and the birth of the church. The coming of the Holy Spirit placed within each and every believer the ability to receive God's plan of salvation; to pray, having the Spirit as our intercessor; to fellowship with one another; and to tell the world the Good News. The Spirit came to join us together, making our spiritual lives the joint, tissue and marrow that operates in the secular world--woven together, not divided. The Spirit did not come upon us with denominations and labels (Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Church of Christ, Evangelical, Fundamentalist, Conservative), but united as one body in Christ.

Surely, then, our choices of and participation in the election of our officials, from the county courthouse to the White House, should not be without the influence of our spiritual consciousness. The responsibility to make informed choices that best reflect our beliefs is tasked to each of us. I have failed in times past to take this responsibility seriously enough. I encourage you to watch prayerfully tonight's debate, obtain as much accurate information as possible about the positions of each candidate, then vote according to your convictions. While at one time I might have elected not to vote at all, that is no longer the right choice for me. It is time that we take responsibility for voting our convictions as Christians, just as many other others who have beliefs contrary to ours have so vigorously pursued having their voices heard in our governments.

God of the Wind

Read Psalm 135:5-7

I sat one September morning, window raised, with the wind blowing strongly in the early morning darkness, the remnants of a front caused by Hurricane Frances. Immediately I began to reflect on how God moves through my life like the wind. At times His movement is like a gentle breeze, refreshing and relaxing, a reminder that He is always at work in my life, though recognizing it often requires me to be still, watch, and wait for His presence. At other times, He seems more visible and His presence is felt strongly, as if He is trying to get my attention.

Like the wind, I cannot literally see His face, but I can often see the effects of His moving or see where He has been as I look back on my life. Hurricane wind, though the hurricane has passed, leaves its handprint in the destruction it has wrought. I love and respect my God and know that He will bring the hard winds necessary to strengthen my faith and draw me to Him, and I fear His winds of judgment. I am thankful for the death of Jesus and for the Holy Spirit sent to dwell in us allowing me to hear God in my heart and see Him in the winds.

Thank you, Lord, for gentle breezes and for winds of change.

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Life Changing Heat

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5 NLT)

Microwave popcorn is one of my favorite snacks. I like the movie butter flavor, the more buttery the better. Can you imagine for a second eating it straight from the bag? No, I don’t mean instead of from a bowl, I mean before heating it in the microwave. Nasty, isn’t it? It made a wonderful children’s sermon to illustrate the change in our lives that Jesus makes, but the illustration stuck with me for another reason- the reference to the change after it was heated.

Transformation in the Christian heart brought on by the heat of life’s trials is life changing. David knew that the children of God would always face trials. “The righteous face many troubles, but the Lord rescues them from each and everyone one.” (Ps 34:19 NLT) And in Psalm 40:11-12, David was drowning in them: “Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. My only hope is in your unfailing love and faithfulness. For troubles surround me – too many to count! They pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They are more numerous than the hairs on my head. I have lost all my courage.” (NLT) Have you been there? Me, too; and I expect I will go there again and again.

New Christians sometimes mistakenly believe their lives will be without trouble. The blinded unbeliever is no challenge to Satan (2 Cor 4:3-4 NLT), but the effective witness and testimony of the child of God, in Satan’s opinion, must be diminished, if not stopped altogether. But he who began the good work in us will see it through to the end (Philippians 1:6), and the heat will be turned up at times in our lives. We’ll never look forward to the heat, but, thank God, we are assured we will not be consumed by it. (Isaiah 43:2-3)

Perhaps I’m crazy to see popcorn as a symbol of a Christian life surviving the fiery trials, but I see God in just about everything at some point or another – even dryer lint. But that’s a post for another day.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise to see Your children through every trial. Help us endure them as a testimony to Your faithfulness. Amen.

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