Tag: Bible

  • Draw near to God

    “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8

    What a great promise — that when I draw near to God, he will automatically in turn embrace me with his everlasting love. The responsibility is mine to freely give myself to him. No one forces me to get close to God or learn more about his character in the Bible and through godly teachers. But I know for a fact that relief and comfort reside    when I do act on what I know to be true, honest, just, pure and lovely! “The moments I truly live are the moments when I act with my entire will” – Oswald Chambers.  

    The opposite is true when I chose to go my own way and do my own selfish thing … turmoil, chaos, fear, doubt permeate my being and cause all manner of physical and mental distress. This place is not a pretty place to linger. “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” — James 3:7

    I have options … choosing to follow the devil = pleasure for a short time, followed by unrest and death; or chose to follow and cling to God = liberation, freedom and life eternal.

    Why not be dominated by God and allow the supernatural power of the life of God invade you?

     ***

  • Prescription for Discouragement (part 1)

    Characters of the Bible, good and well-meaning characters, still fled from God. Some for good reason…like Elijah (prophet of God)  in 1 Kings 19. He took off for Mount Horeb

    Elijah on Mount Horeb
    Elijah on Mount Horeb (Orthodox icon)

    to save his own life. I can’t say I blame him for running from Jezebel, Phoenician princess married to wicked King Ahab. Jezebel spread idolatry (worship of the pagan fertility god Baal) and actively opposed God. Elijah was just doing his job by telling others about the one and only true God: Yahweh.

    We all have highs and lows in our lives – we feel great when things are going well, but sure enough, it isn’t long and our life starts unraveling. God knew Elijah was tired, hungry and thirsty. That’s how he is—a God of the intimate, seemingly tiny details of our life.  More next time on Elijah and his resignation speech.

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  • Erratic like a hummingbird?

    Green Violetear (Wikipedia)

    Sitting on our deck after dinner, my husband says, “Don’t move—the hummingbird’s back!” I glance at the reflection in our glass slider and see the feeder and colorful hanging flower. Then I see him hovering, deciding whether to stay or go. He flitters past my right ear and then moves behind my husband’s head, and momentarily back again to the hummingbird feeder and beyond. He makes a tiny rustle in my ear while flexing his wings erratically, and then he’s gone as quickly as he first appeared. Intentional at sipping the sweet nectar, but disrupted by our human presence.

    How often do I set out with good intentions to pray, read a chapter or verse in the Bible, then get distracted? More often that I care to admit. I start out strong by reading one or two verses, then quit before I allow God to speak and his words to sink in deep. The disruption may come in the form of a family member or friend needing my attention, household duties, or a work deadline. It could be just plain tiredness or hunger that takes that place of necessary solitude time with God.

    Whatever the reason for my lack of follow through, I suffer for being negligent. Knowing the sweetness and peace received from God’s love letter when I do take the time, you’d think I would return on a more consistent, enthusiastic basis. But I falter and fail again and again. All I need is enclosed within the pages of this truth-filled handbook with instructions for living a joyful and successful life. I won’t find undue flattery, but instead unconditional love, mercy, and forgiveness.

    Hummingbirds, one of God’s beautiful creatures, are still fascinating to me, but I don’t want to model their erratic behavior. My desire is to spend more time in the Word allowing the message to sink in and change my thinking. When my thinking changes, my actions follow more in line with my Father’s will. This all takes time, energy and commitment to be still and consciously decide to rest and allow God to feed my thirsting soul.

    “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”

    (Philippians 3:13–14).

    ***

  • The longest 4 hours

    The last words I heard from my husband via cell phone: “We’re just trying to survive!” Time: 1:01 a.m. on Monday. After that, I waited. And waited. It would be the longest four hours of my life before I’d hear his voice again. Would I hear his voice again? Only the omniscient God knew the answer.

    My husband and eight other crew members left Chicago Harbor Saturday afternoon for the 103rd Chicago-Mac Race (289 nautical miles on Lake Michigan) and raced to Mackinac Island. The boat, Swiftsure, is a 50-foot Nelson Merek sailing vessel. The crew had numerous sailing and racing hours logged. But never in all their sailing history had they experienced such horrific conditions. 

    First, I contacted Mary, wife of another crew member. We were already bedded down for the night after watching the radar and reading Chicago Yacht Club Facebook posts warning of an impending storm. “Mary, are you awake?”

    “Yeah, did you hear from Steve?”

    I swallowed. “Yes, and the storm hit their boat full on, but all the guys are fine…”

    “Oh no!”

    “Steve says everybody on their boat is okay, but he wanted to tell us first before we started hearing or reading about capsized boats and bodies missing.”

    “Where are they now?”

    “Somewhere by the Manitou Islands. He couldn’t talk long—only to say the wind blew out the mainsail and the boat’s retired. They’re trying to make their way southward toward Petoskey-Harbor Springs to dock.”

    “So they quit the race?”

    “Yes, the last thing I heard him say was…we’re just trying to survive!”

    My head rested on a soft pillow, my weary body on dry sheets as I tried to imagine what their morning experience must have felt like. Thoughts of them tangling with angry wind, turbulent waves, lightening, hail, and pelting rain made my insides sick.

    Prayer chain: that’s what we needed, so I set up a conference call between Mary and I, two dear sailor-friends, and my son and wife.  Together we lifted our pleas heavenward asking for protection over the sailors. Encouragement also came in the form of many Facebook prayer posts.

    My Bible lay on the nightstand next to me. I opened it to Psalm 55. Hungrily, I read the first verses, “Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught…my heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me…As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.”

    My eyes read further to Psalm 57. “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” I repeated over and over again: “Have mercy on me, God. Have mercy on my husband and the crew and all the sailors. Please, have mercy, God!”

    With the words, “God, have mercy,” on my lips, I slipped into a semi-sleep until Steve called about four hours later to tell me the joyous news: the crew landed safely on shore at Petoskey Municipal Marina. Counting my blessings, I sobbed, and cried out: “Thank you, God, for saving them, for having mercy on them and on me. Thank you for allowing them to live another day.”

    Note: Such was not the fate of two sailors who perished in the water before they could be rescued from their capsized boat on that harrowing morning of July 18, 2011. My heart and soul goes out to the families and friends of Mark Morley, 51, skipper of WingNuts, and Suzanne Bickel, 41. May God’s peace, comfort and love rest on each of their burdened shoulders. 

    Teresa Kay Lasher©2011

  • Watching tomatoes grow

    The growing process takes time. It takes energy and patience for a seedling to grow into lettuce leaves to eat or be able to bite into a tomato. Question is: am I willing to wait for germination? Willing to invest what it takes to get to the coveted harvest stage? I can’t forget to water, weed, fertilize, and prune. Otherwise, the crop tends to get out of hand and the fruit ends up less than desirable.

    Some days I’m not sure. There is sweat and sacrifice of time. Yet, when I do take the necessary precautions and commit to whatever it takes—the rewards are sweet!

    The growing process of vegetables and fruit can be likened to my growth as a Christian—a follower of Jesus Christ. Maturing and growing to be more like God is a process and does not happen overnight. I need to make a conscious effort to read the Bible, pray, and spend time with believers of like faith. Then, and only then, will I grow and become more pleasing to God.  

    Prayer:  Forgive me, God, for allowing other stuff (and people) to interfere in getting to know you better. Help me spend more time pleasing you rather than seeking the affection and attention of others.

    Ask: Is there something you can do to fertilize your life? Have you not been as faithful as you’d like in praying or reading God’s love letter?

    “So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience…”(Colossians 1:10-11).

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  • Why we celebrate Easter

    Take a few minutes to listen and read through this powerful, all-inclusive video detailing just why we celebrate Easter.

  • “Here Burns My Candle”

    Book Review of: Here Burns My Candle, by Liz Curtis Higgs

    I wanted to slap Lord Donald’s face for his wandering eye, and console Lady Elisabeth in the midst of sorrowful times and false accusations. That’s how close I felt to the characters as the respectable Kerr family life is portrayed in 18th century Scotland.

    In Lady Elisabeth’s shoes, I’m not sure I would have been so kind under dowager Lady Marjory’s (her mother-in-law) scrutinizing, negative demeanor. Lady Marjory was known for her “sharp gaze and sharper words.” Yet Lady Elisabeth remained humble, faithful and forgiving. I felt personally involved as she gradually progresses from her worship of the moon and the Nameless One to reading the Buik (Bible) and relying on the Almighty One. “If the Almighty directs our steps, we’ve no need to look back over our shoulders,” responds Lady Elisabeth to her mother-in-law. Lady Marjory realizes her daughter-in-law became wise when she started “reading the Buik and taking it to heart.”

    I especially looked forward to the epigraphs that opened each chapter…pondering each as I read along to discern what action was about to unfold and how Ms. Higgs arrived at that particular quote.

    Opposite nationalities and religious faiths weave their ways within the family—often causing divisions, and sometimes unity. It’s a stirring story about brutal and bloody wars between bonny Prince Charlie and his rebel army intent on capturing the crown in 1745.

    Many years ago, I was first introduced to Liz Curtis Higgs and her whimsical, Bible-based children’s books. I’d never read any of her adult writings until this novel. In the past, I’ve not been a reader of historical fiction, but Here Burns My Candle kept me anticipating each new chapter. I am eager to read her next novel and follow the Kerrs to their journey’s end in, Mine is the Night.

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Waterhouse Multnomah book review bloggers program, “Blogging for Books.”

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  • Asaph, choir leader

    This week in our Bible study we learned more about Asaph, a leader of one of the temple choirs. I barely knew his name and he wrote a collection of the Psalms. Just as Susan mentioned during our lecture time, now I feel he can be my friend as scripture shows us his transparency. He experienced doubts and also had flaws; yet in the end, still remembered that God’s every word is true and faithful. Asaph leaves no doubt that he chose to worship and trust in the one true God for strength and a future mansion in heaven.

    I am so like him when I look around and see others in seemingly happy bliss with not a care or worry. Reminds me of the old proverb about walking a mile in another’s moccasin before judging them and determining their life is golden.

    “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:23–25).

    Thank you, God, for ALWAYS being with me and holding me with your almighty right hand. You are available when I need advice. You are also there when I falter and try to do things my way. I learned this week that there’s really nothing else or no one else more worthy of my affection, energy, and devotion. Thank you for being patient with me.

     *** 

  • Oh Holy Night!

     

    I heard “Oh Holy Night” on the radio on the way to church this morning. I thought to myself how cool that would be to have that song sung at my funeral or “home to glory” service. Not a song you would normally think to weave into a eulogy, but I like it anyway. Home for Christmas—now wouldn’t this be a glorious time of year celebration? What better place to be in December— the month we celebrate Jesus’ birth? I can think of no finer place…home with those loved ones who’ve gone before me…my own dear Mother, Steve’s Dad, Grandfather Guy and Grandmother Ethel…just to name a few.

    “The stars are brightly shining…,” the star marked and guided curious shepherds that Holy Night ‘till they arrived at their appointed destination. Today, we have God’s words in the Bible as we read about Jesus’ birth in a humble Bethlehem stable. 

    In the meantime, my mission is to proclaim that birth until God’s second coming to earth. Philippians 2 reminds us, “that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe, as you hold out the word of life.”

    “This is the night of our dear Saviors’ birth…” Yes, this is the day—what a day of rejoicing! I, too, can sing with the angels, “Oh Holy Night.!”

    Prayer:  Oh, God, even though I wasn’t personally there the night the angels sang glorifying your Son’s holy birth, I can read about this miracle and gain godly wisdom within the pages of my Bible. Thank you for sharing your Son and giving us the precious gift of life eternally with you.

    Ask:  Is there someone in your life who needs to know about Jesus’ birth over 2,000 years ago? How can you “shine like stars in the universe” in your corner of the world?

    “Fall on your knees – Oh hear the angel voices – Oh night divine – Oh night when Christ was born – Oh night divine!” 

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  • ‘Twas the night before Jesus came

     ‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
    Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
    Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
    In hopes that Jesus would not come there.  

    The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
    Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
    And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
    Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

    When out of the East there arose such a clatter.
    I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
    Away to the window I flew like a flash,
    Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

    When what to my wondering eyes should appear
    But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
    With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
    I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

    The light of His face made me cover my head
    It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
    And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
    I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

    In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
    Was written the name of every saved man.
    He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
    When He said “it’s not here” my head hung in shame.

    The people whose names had been written with love
    He gathered to take to His Father above.
    With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
    While all the rest were left standing around.

    I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
    I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
    I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
    Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

    In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
    The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
    There’s only one life and when comes the last call
    We’ll find that the Bible was true after all!

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