A Tribute to my Mother and Father in law

Husbands, Love Your Wives

December 9

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Colossians 3:19

“Let’s you and me have a dance, Momma,” T.J. said as he took Irene’s hand. She smiled up at her husband as their grandson quietly played his guitar. T.J. moved his feet to the rhythm of the guitar, holding tightly to his sweetheart’s hand. In turn, Irene allowed him to move as far as she could reach.   

Peering through a crack in the door so as not to interrupt, a daughter, granddaughter, and an ICU nurse witnessed this precious event. “Ohhh… That’s so sweet!” the nurse whispered, moved to tears by the love and tenderness with which the ninety-four-year-old husband treated his ailing wife. They were mute observers, watching an intimate moment.   

In spite of the fact that Irene lay in a hospital bed, tubes protruding from her head following brain surgery, they acted like teenagers, with eyes only for each other. Just two lovers declaring their affection, silently stating there was no power that could dampen their spirits. They were serving notice to the Universe that through it all their love remained as strong as that day sixty-six years ago, when they’d said, “I do…”

†

What a wonderful example of love in action. T.J. was letting Irene know she was still, and would always be, his ‘dance partner’.   

God created men to be strong, so when adversity comes they are equal to the challenge. But husbands must also be gentle, not allowing harshness a place in their marriage. So, God instructs husbands to be gentle, loving their wives with a tenderness that bears witness to a sacrificial love.       

Fellas, God realized we’d need reminding. So He had Paul address this specific issue in two of his letters. Why? Because men are not naturally-gentle creatures! We tend to meet life head on, with our sleeves rolled up, reserving tenderness for special occasions. And by saying it twice God ensured His directive would carry the significance intended.  

T.J.’s deep enduring love wasn’t forced. It had become natural for him to show Irene affection. Any man can learn to express such tenderness if they so desire. God wouldn’t have told us to do it if it wasn’t possible.        

Prayer

“Help me love the way You love, Lord. Help me be gentle when needed. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”  

From More Snapshots: continuing the spiritual journey

By: Craig Clouston

c.clouston creations, LLC ©2011

Arch the Angel

November 25

And do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Luke 18:16

They’d been practicing for the school’s Christmas play for a week, and Mrs. Doty still hadn’t made a decision regarding the lead character. “Lord, I know whoever I choose will do a wonderful job, but I feel like Arch is supposed to be someone specific. Help me choose the right child.”

Putting it out of her mind long enough to read this morning’s entries in her students’ daily journals, she smiled, marveling at nine-year-olds’ perspec­tives on what was important. She could hear each little voice as she read their entry. How precious each child was to her. She spent her life nurturing little hearts and minds because of her love for children and teaching.

Finally, she came to Pete’s journal. “I love God. He is my Lord,” this morn­ing’s entry read. A preordained moment—she had asked, and here was the answer!

Three weeks later, Mrs. Doty’s third-grade class took the stage in what was to be one of the most memorable performances of her tenure. Arch stole the show. The smallest boy in the class, Pete was wonderfully animated as he glided across the stage singing, “I can zoom, and I can hover when I’m workin’ under cover, and folks never seem to see the likes of me.”

†

Children are approximately forty percent of our population—and one hundred percent of our future. The generation we are raising up for tomorrow should be the focus of today.

A child’s heart is a rough gem in need of polishing. Many of us have been blessed by the strong hand of a father, the attentive love of a mother, and the extra polishing by the Mrs. Dotys in life.

Sadly, others have never known the dedication of someone devoted to cultivating their spirit. Instead, they heard they were no good and would never amount to anything.

Innocence yields to direction. It learns to treat in keeping with how it is treated.

“Do not hinder them” is a directive.

Prayer

“Help me polish my kids correctly, Lord. Give me the wisdom and patience to bring a precious gemstone from these rough-cut stones You have entrusted to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Upside-down

November 21

You turn things upside down, as if the potter were…the clay!

Isaiah 29:16

Driving home from a business trip, Kathy noticed that some of the billboards and bumper-stickers she saw shared a common theme. As the theme sank in its message disturbed her: “Save Our Planet-Stop Off-Shore Drilling!” and “Save A Tree-Kill A Lumberjack!” One proudly proclaimed “Animals Have Rights-Spay Or Neuter Your Vet!” They were all geared toward elevating the earth and its creatures to the top of the World’s to-do list. These special-interest groups were out to save everything but humans.

Kathy decided to document as many of these “Counter-Humanity Messages” as she could during the remainder of her trip. In all she compiled over one hundred and fifty pro-planet billboard and bumper sticker slogans.

Upon returning home she decided to do an internet search. Typing in the words “Save the Earth” she was astonished to find over sixty-two million listings!

Investigating further, she found that many groups received some form of government funding while their websites listed numerous ways one could contribute to their efforts. Millions, if not billions of taxpayer dollars were being used to fund the efforts of their “Planet above People!” campaigns.

With startling clarity Kathy realized Creation had been turned upside-down in light of God’s commission to Adam: “Fill the earth and subdue it…rule over every living creature.”

†

While I believe raping our planet and cruel disregard for animal welfare is not what God intended, He left no doubt as to which has dominion and is meant to survive.

Since the fall in the Garden of Eden, Satan has done his best to deceive us. Special–interest groups are one form of deceit that is gaining popularity in today’s world-view market. They are more concerned with our use of resources and animal rights than with genocide, tyranny, or starvation. They elevate the earth and its creatures above God, and the needs of humanity. This is exactly opposite the commission given in the Garden. 

In a world where many no longer consider God our Creator, it is reprehensible, yet no surprise, to find creation being elevated above the Creator.

Prayer

“Creator of all things, forgive our ignorant pride that causes us to disregard Your commands. Cause us to repent and once again worship the Creator instead of creation. Amen.”

The Vigil

Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.

Psalm 127:3

Every room in the house was full. Family and friends smiled and laughed while keenly aware of the common bond that brought them here. They were holding vigil, awaiting the passing of the patriarch of the family who held a special place in each of their hearts. They had come to share in the final hours of his life. Looking at each face you just knew they were remembering the good times past…offsetting the sadness of today.      

Throughout the house, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren laughed and told jokes as they shared an informal lunch; and all of this his wife of sixty-six years absorbed from the couch by his bed.

These were his descendants, the linage that would carry on; his heritage and reward from the Lord. His love for each compelled them to come and be close at this time.   

Had you walked into the house without knowledge of the circumstances you might have thought it was a party, for they understood that this transition was to be celebrated more than mourned. Yes, they would miss him. But the knowledge of his destination outweighed the sorrow, at least for today, for he was headed Home to see Jesus!

†

There could be no greater epitaph than to be surrounded by our children and offspring as we go home to be with Jesus, listening to them celebrate our transition from this life into the fullness of joy that awaits every believer and follower of Jesus Christ. Such an image is testament to a life well-lived and a family well-loved, through good times and bad.

This comes from loving with abandon those who we have been charged by the Lord to care for in the short time we are here on Earth. James 4:14 says we are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. This phase of life is short. Eternity awaits us.

If you’re not sure that this would be the scene around your death bed, make every effort to set things right so that your passing from here into eternity will bring celebration and not a veil of sorrow and regret.      

Prayer

“Thank You, Father God, for my children. They truly are my heritage and reward. Thank You for always watching over them. Amen.”

He Records Each Tear

Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?

Psalm 56:8 NKJV

Going through Helen’s belongings was proving to be as difficult as Ken figured it would be. Having experienced the pain of loss before, he’d put it off for the first six months following his wife’s death. Today he hoped that sorting through things might bring some comfort and chase away his melancholy.    

As Ken opened the ornate jewelry box, his eyes fell on the small vial with the purple ribbon tied around the neck. His tears began anew. “I forgot about this, Lenny…” he silently whispered. Holding the little glass container at eye level, he read the small tag he himself had attached to the vial, “He knows your pain and has recorded every tear. He misses nothing and comforts your soul.” His crying intensified until he was sobbing.

Twenty years ago, they’d lost their oldest daughter, Laura, to cancer. At a time when he and Helen needed comfort and the assurance that God was aware of their pain, a friend had given them a plaque with Psalm 56:8 written over the picture of a scroll with God’s hand holding a quill.     

This was a special vial. For in it was their daughter’s tears, tears Ken had wiped from Laura’s eyes and placed in this vial during her battle. He’d given the vial to Helen as a reminder that God was keeping track of her heartache, one tear at a time.

Reminded of how they’d weathered that storm, Ken found renewed hope for the future.     

†

In the midst of our deepest pain we have more questions than answers. And sometimes God feels far away, distant and aloof. But through each trial we face He offers comfort, sometimes through a verse of scripture, sometimes through a kind word from a friend, always in a way He hopes we’ll recognize as personal.

Does it end the pain? Not entirely. But He offers us healing, and promises to make it bearable if we’ll give Him our burden.

Thanks to David, we can take comfort in the knowledge that God not only knows about our heartache, but catches and records every tear…because that’s what a loving Father does.

Prayer

“In this dark night of my soul, Lord, catch and record each tear I cry. Give me hope for the future. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

'Politically Correct' Coverage at 'See You at the Pole' in Mt. Vernon

I find it a sad commentary that the only article today in the Mount Vernon News written to cover the gathering of Christian Students in 'See You At The Pole, a time where like-minded kids come and share their faith within the Mt. Vernon School District, would contain merely a statement from Mt. Vernon High School Principal, Kathy Kasler, instead of including what the students might wish to share about the event. 
In her statement, Kasler makes it evident that she is speaking 'politically correct' by providing the information that the school is showing no favoritism in allowing the FCA the opportunity to assemble. We wouldn't want to get in trouble again! Would we...?
This is yet one more attempt at making sure God, or should I say Jesus Christ, is kept in his box, away from those who don't like That Name.
I am curious...did George Breithaupt,  Mount Vernon News, ask any of the students what they thought or felt about their time of prayer?

A Language of Faith

September 9

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois.

2Timothy 1:5

Grandma Doris never liked hearing the words shut up. She said they hurt her ears and her heart. So when Grandma Doris was around, you said, “hush” or “be quiet.” If she heard anything else, you were in for a major scolding!

Grandma Doris emigrated from England in 1904 at the tender age of seven. She brought with her all her worldly possessions and an already deep faith in Jesus Christ. She married Grandpa Earnest, a preacher, and together they passed on the inherent traits of a pioneer: press ahead in kindness and never look back in regret.

The legacy passed on by Grandma Doris was given to her by her father and his father before him. In the lineage of both Grandma Doris and Grandpa Earnest there is a history of profound faith in Jesus Christ.

For at least six generations before and the two since, there have been preachers and lay leaders serving God, great men and women of faith. Grandma Doris’s death left a hole in people’s hearts but not their faith.

That heritage lives on and is testament to what was important to Grandma Doris: loving Jesus and using words to edify and not impair the lives of those we meet.

†

It seems like such a simple thing, teaching children the value of using kinder language rather than harmful words. But it’s in the simple things that we discover our true character. How we treat others, such as which words we use, speaks volumes of who we are and what we believe. Harsh language says we are not concerned about how we gain the results we are seeking.

Paul wrote to Timothy in regard to testifying with power. He said to testify in love and self-discipline, letting God do the convicting. Too many times our society uses words with shock value to make a point. Paul tells us that kind words, full of grace, will accomplish the task. We are to testify of Jesus’ love and do it in a language of faith passed on from generation to generation.

Prayer

“Lead me to speak kindly in faith, Lord. May I always testify to Your love with words of grace. In Jesus’ Name, amen”