The "Right" Way

Proverbs 14:12
Before every man there lies a wide and pleasant road that seems right but ends in death.

I have to admit it.  I have my quirks.  Some of them are corrective impulses such as having to close bureau or kitchen drawers, and cabinet doors if they are left ajar.  Another pet peeve involves dishtowels.  It better be exactly where I left it when I go to dry another pot or pan.

Other oddities are even more deliberate and pronounced.  Especially, when it comes to how I hang up towels and sheets to dry in the fresh, breezy air.  No electric dryer for these babies!  My husband, Danny, and I aren't into the modern day affinity for silky sheets and fluffy-cloud towels.  Give us the sensations our grandparents loved!

Add to this the order in which I arrange each of these items on the line, and the photo above could appear beside the definition of "quirky" in the dictionary.

I always hang the towels first as they, obviously, take the longest to dry, and pin them on the line so their tags won't show.  Really?  Afraid so!  Next, are the pillow cases, unopened ends over the line.  Then comes the fitted sheet followed by the flat sheet.  Why?  Because when I remove the dry bedding from the clothesline, the fitted sheet, which has to go on top of the mattress, is on top.

Oh, and let's not leave out my weird clothespin ritual!  I have two sizes of wooden pins.  God forbid I should use the little ones until I've pressed all the large pins into service.  Sacrosanct!

So, there you have it.  My "right" way to hang up the laundry.

But I must confess here that my way isn't the highway, the wide and pleasant road on which everyone else has to travel.  For what is suitable to one person's needs or preferences surely isn't one-size-fits-all.  If I had Danny hang up the sheets and towels, I'm sure he'd have an entirely different system of deployment.

We all have our little, or large, idiosyncrasies, don't we?  As long as we acknowledge that they belong to us alone, and not attempt to foist our habits onto someone else, we can confidently go upon our merry way, minding our own business.

Yet, this also reminds us that as Christians, who would love nothing better than for those who don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior, to choose to turn to Him, there is nothing we can do forcibly to convince them that His Way is the road to life.  Yes, we can love them, pray for them, invite them to attend church with us, but like leading the proverbial horse to water, we can't make them drink.

We know the wide and pleasant road they are on leads to death.  May God open their eyes to His Truth before it's too late.

And we keep praying that the lost will be found.

Amen!

Puzzle It Out!

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

I am, most definitely, a book lover!  This long period of isolation has afforded me more time than ever for reading; in fact, my list of completed books for 2020 is almost as long as my entire list was in 2019.  And this is only June!

But as much as I enjoy reading, I can't do it 24/7.  I need a distraction of a different sort.  So, early in the quarantine, I order the Jumble Anniversary pictured above.  Tackling the word puzzles has been both fun and frustrating.

Some words, I'll unscramble right off the bat.  Others, not so quickly.  Sometimes, I'll get the answer to the puzzle even when I can't successfully decode the words in which the answer letters are couched.

I try not to peek at the key in the back of the book when a word eludes me.  Instead, I go back to it the next day, and possibly, even the next, until something clicks in my brain, and voila!  Problem solved!  And it makes me wonder why figuring out that particular word was a struggle in the first place.

The same type of circumstances can arise when we are reading our Bibles.  Perhaps, we don't see in the verses the message God is trying to give us.  We scratch our heads in bewilderment, or we simply can't relate meaningfully to what is being said.

Miraculously, though, the next time we encounter that same passage, it speaks volumes to us.  How did we miss the now obvious lesson before, we wonder?

God's word is alive and active, ever ready to speak to our hearts and minds.  But whether or not we allow it to do so depends on us.  We may be in a place of uncertainty and doubt.  We might have recently experienced a life-changing crisis.  Or maybe, we are momentarily distracted and unfocused, something we should never be in the presence of God's message.

My advice to you?  Check the state of your heart and thoughts before you sit down to read your Bible.  Pray that the Lord would open your eyes to His truth and wisdom.  Wait expectantly for God's Word to penetrate your soul and spirit.

Because assuredly, He will help you puzzle it out!

Amen!

The Room

Luke 5:16
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

We have a spare bedroom in our home that for months now, since granddaughter, Virginia, and her family moved away, has been empty and unloved.  It makes me feel both sad and nostalgic every time I walk by it.

But just a few days ago, God whispers a revelation:  Why don't you use this room as a place to commune with Me?  I am floored!  Why hadn't that dawned on me before?  Maybe, the Lord knew I needed time to grieve the room's loss before I could properly re-purpose it.

When I tell Virginia in our latest Face Time how I plan to use her room, she is truly delighted, glad to know it's getting the much-needed attention she always gave it.  And she lets me know, on no uncertain terms, that she can't wait to visit with us later in the summer.

Shortly after this inspirational nudge from God, I write the following poem.  I hope you enjoy it, and I pray you have a special place where you can retreat and be immersed in the Father's love.

It was a room for son

Who grew and flew the nest

Became a place for mother

Until her final rest

Refuge for the Grand

A room she called her own

Empty now, so lonely

And yet, it's not alone

Seeking solitude

Entering this space

Time well spent with God

Blessed by Love and Grace

Amen!

More Prayer, Not Less

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.

"Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential," [President] Trump said.  "But have left out churches and other houses of worship.  It's not right.  So, I'm correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship essential . . . in America, we need more prayer, not less."  Source: Fox News 

I am listening to talk radio on my phone while tending to chores around the house.  The station's news reporter breaks in to alert listeners that President Trump is going to issue a statement shortly, and that they will broadcast that in lieu of scheduled programming.  Curious, I stay tuned in.

And wow!  Am I glad I do!

I don't at all expect what I'm hearing from the president, and I'm so overwhelmed with surprise and joy that before I can stop them, tears well up in my eyes and spill forth unabashedly.  Place of worship can open!!!  President Trump has once again stood up for the American people and their rights, stressing that our freedom to worship is guaranteed in our Constitution.

Now, realistically, I know not every church is adequately prepared to open its doors to corporate worship at this juncture, especially those located in heavily populated urban areas.  But certainly, there are hundreds of thousands of churches scattered throughout the country where either no or very few cases of Covid-19 exist.  Why not get together?

As for our church, Kennesaw United Methodist, the opening date of June 22 has been set by our bishop.  I don't think our pastors will buck the system.  But there have been ongoing discussions and plans put in place so that we can reopen safely at that time.  That's fantastic news!

So, for now, we will continue the online worship routine, but I will engage even more wholeheartedly in it, knowing that our rights are being defended by a caring and competent Commander-in-Chief.

President Trump is spot on, too, when he declares that our country needs more prayer, not less.  In light of the recent Memorial Day weekend, and in the weeks to come, let us vow to pray daily for our nation, and give thanks for the freedoms we have because of those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect them.

Amen!

The Perfect Bread

Leviticus 2:4-5
If you bring a grain offering baked in an oven, it is to consist of the finest flour; either thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in or thin loaves without yeast brushed with olive oil.

Luke 12:1
Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying:  "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."

For years now, my husband, Danny has been on the quest for the perfect homemade bread.  A basic white bread with just the right amounts of softness and fluffiness on the inside, and the firmness of golden crust on the outside.

We both experiment with different recipes, but the manifestation of a flawless bread eludes us.

Until . . . 

Danny makes pizza dough the other day.  It's not that he hasn't made it before, but he recently discovers through his internet research that rising yeast should never come directly in contact with salt.  Does this make the difference in how the dough rises?  I believe this photo speaks for itself!

We can't believe our eyes!  Right then and there, Danny decides to use half of the dough for the pizza crust, and the other half as a bread baking experiment.  I'm all for it!

Can you see the delightful air bubbles in this pizza crust?

This truly bolsters our expectations for the bread.  And we are not disappointed.

Here's another photo of the finished loaf, all round, puffy, fluffy and proud.

So, it's no surprise to read in the Old Testament, that the grain offerings presented to God in the temple contain no yeast; flat, simple, not showy, so as not to distract the worshiper from the One to whom the sacrifice is offered.

When Jesus admonishes His followers to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, it isn't difficult to see why.  As yeast infiltrates dough and inflates it, so the Pharisees and teachers of the Law are filled with pride, self-importance, and superiority.  In their world, there isn't room for humility.

There isn't room for God . . .

As we enjoy and nourished by our beautifully risen and delectable bread, Danny and I can't help but be thankful to the Lord, the Bread of Life, Christ Jesus.  His love and grace never fail to nourish our souls.

He is our Perfect Bread!

Amen!

Come Near

James 4:8
Come near to God and He will come near to you.

I post about our neighborhood turkeys this past October.  Mother, with a not-so-little and growing one, visits our squirrel "table," relishing the bounteous supply of seed found there.  As my husband, Danny, and I observe, the two are inseparable.  The youth is often seen struggling to realize he can use his wings to mount the same fence rail his mother has just accomplished so he can follow her back into deeper woods.

He is, even as he matures, her shadow.

During their intermittent visits, both turkeys seem wary and skittish when they hear unexpected noises or see a human encroaching upon their space.  Their instincts warn them of the inherent dangers in a suburban neighborhood, no matter how many sheltering trees it has.

The arrival of spring heralds a noticeable absence of both birds.  Danny and I assume the female is nesting.  Then one day, here comes Major Tom, as we've nicknamed him, strutting through our yard all on his lonesome.

We even spot him roaming in different neighborhood yards during our walks.

He is no longer disturbed by human proximity; in fact, he seems unfazed.  Just look at him relaxing in our yard!

When Danny goes out to feed the birds the other day, Major Tom is feasting underneath the feeders.  As Danny gets closer, the turkey only takes a few steps away, and watches intently as the seeds are generously spread before him.  As soon as Danny turns his back, Major Tom is on it!  I really think that if we offered him food in a gloved hand, he would take it.

But would he really come that close up?  Trusting without a doubt that we wouldn't harm him?

In the verse above, James states that God is right there, waiting for us to come to Him, for us to make the first move.  By doing so, we can rest assured that our Lord will come close to us.  He simply wishes to be invited.

I'm reminded of these lyrics from a song our children's choir performed ages ago:

Jesus is a gentleman

Who never forces His way in.

He'll stand knocking at your door

Until you let Him in.

Jesus is a gentleman

Who waits so patiently and then

He prays you will ask Him in

To make your heart His home.*

Have you come near to Jesus?  If you haven't, will you draw near to Him today?

Amen!

*Lyrics from the musical, We Like Sheep, composed by Kathie Hill

Face to Face

1 Corinthians 13:12
For now, we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully as I am fully known.

The photo above is one we snapped during a Face Time session with my daughter, Sarah, and the grand girls, although Virginia is the only one seen here.  The little ones are more likely to come and go at rambunctious intervals, always waving or tussling with one another to get attention.  We've chosen Sunday afternoons for our video chats, and believe me, I look forward to them all week long!

Sarah also sends us photos of the girls on a regular basis.  Here are some recent shots of them enjoying the beach.  So glad they can get out and enjoy the sunshine and the sand!

While Face Time and photos provide great comfort, they also reignite the longing we feel to be with them in person.  Nothing can compare to the wrapping of little arms around you, squeezing tightly, and hearing, "I love you, Gammie" or "I love you, Papa."  If I close my eyes, and allow my thoughts to drift, I can almost feel the last hugs we share before the family departs to begin a fresh adventure in a new state.

The day will come when we can all be reunited, but for now, it's like looking at a mirrored reflection - not the real thing, but the closest we can come at the moment.

And that's how it is on the earthly side of life.  We can sense God's presence.  We see Him revealed in the little miracles all around us.  We know Him through His Word, which never fails.  Yet, we won't fully know Him, as He already knows us, until we one day stand face to face with Christ Jesus, our Lord.

His hug of welcome will be like no other . . .

Amen!