Not too long ago I went to someone’s surprise 50th birthday party.  Trouble is, not too long ago this someone was in his twenties, or so it seems.  Where did the time go?  It feels like it’s just slipped away. And the older I get, the faster it seems to slip.

I’m at the point in my life where I can laugh at all those jokes regarding creaky joints and “early bird” specials. I can laugh because I can relate.  But it’s also sobering, too, because it makes me realize that my time is limited, and so is yours, and we need to be using it wisely.

How often have we promised ourselves that this is the year we are going to completely read through the Bible, or join a Bible study or maybe even start one, or volunteer for that new outreach at the church or . . . .

Though 2010 has already streaked by its midway point, there’s still time to make this the year when we actually accomplish the thing for God He has been gently nudging us to do, because before we know it we’ll be going to our friend’s 60th or 70th or 80th surprise birthday party, and we don’t want to look back and say, “oh, I wish I had done this or that.”

We need to be about the Father’s business; to use our time doing the job He has assigned us. Only God knows the number of our days, and that number will be different for each of us.  Let’s use them wisely. 

Until next week,

Sylvia

Lately, I’ve been struck how the world is changing at an alarming rate.  What was in yesterday is out today.  Up is the new down, and down the new up. The unthinkable has become the thinkable.  Not that many years ago who would have thought that our public schools would want to teach sex ed to first graders?  Or that our government would be bent on spending us into bankruptcy in spite of our objections? Or that a Libyan mass murderer would be released from prison as part of any oil deal? Or that the teachers we entrusted our children to would molest them?  And the list goes on.  It’s enough to make your head spin. 

There are some who’d like us to believe that we are in the enlightened age, that all this change is just part of progress, that the world has become smaller and we just need to get in step and go along for the greater good.  And that if we do, we’ll be marching into a better world. 

Odd how the Bible differs in this.  It says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  He never changes, and that means neither does His precepts. What He valued yesterday He values today.  What He said was right yesterday, whether concerning finances or morals, is still right today. So why are so many Christians buying into the changes we see? Two words: double mindedness.  Believe me, it’s not an enviable position because the Bible says that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways, that he will be tossed to and fro like a wave by the wind, and that he should not expect to receive anything from God. (James 1: 6-8)

Still, the temptation is great to cleave our minds in two, one half conforming to the world, the other half to the things of God. Even if we don’t want to, we are pressured on every side. And I believe this pressure will only intensify as the world worsens.  And the world is sure to get worse before it gets better.  That means more than ever Christians must remain single minded, and be “not conformed to this world but transformed” if we hope to live lives blessed by God and firmly under His care.

Oh, LORD, that we may be single minded!

Until next week,

Sylvia

This week I had the privilege of watching my grandchildren for a few days.  I wanted to come up with a project to keep them busy so I had them make a puppet theater out of a cardboard box.  My job was the curtains while the kids came up with a script, made paper puppets, props, the crayoned scenery, and 25-cent admissions tickets, as well as the concession stand tickets for 5-cent bowls of popcorn and banana pudding. Of course we did other things too, like play games and swim and watch Disney’s Mary Poppins, but a good deal of time was spent on getting ready for the “big show.”

The kids were excited and busy at their task for the first two days, but by day three they had had enough.  It took some gentle prodding to get them to finish, but they reaped great rewards when their parents came home!  Oh, the excitement then!  The camera snapping, the hugs, the numerous exclamations! And by the look on my grandchildren’s faces, I knew they were glad they had seen the project through.

I came away thinking that in many ways I react the same way when God assigns me a “project” or has me go through something that requires a good deal of effort on my part. At first I’m determined, perhaps even excited that I will encounter God in a new and deeper way.  Then tedium sets in.  I weary of the task.  I yearn to return to that which is easier or more familiar, and all the while there is God prodding me on. And the end is always the same.  If I persevere I reap the rewards—I feel God’s pleasure.

I know at times we all become weary of well doing but the Bible says that we will reap in due season if we faint not (Galatians 6:9).  And that’s worth going the distance.

Until next week,

Sylvia

I love observing my grandchildren’s reactions: sweet wonderment and surprise when learning anything new; so trusting when an adult tells them something; innocent and unaware of the evils of the larger world; and so utterly secure in their belief that they will have a roof over their heads when they lay down at night.

These are the elements of childhood I love best: wonderment, trust, innocence, and faith. But unfortunately life has a way of chipping away at them enroute to adulthood and most of us lose some, if not all, of these elements. 

But the very elements that make childhood so wonderful are also the very things that make for a rich spiritual life.  Jesus himself said we were to “become as little children” if we wished to enter the Kingdom of God. And that means we are to maintain our awe and wonderment about the God who created us; trust in Him; remain “innocent” and do not partake in the corruption of the larger world; and have faith that God can and will do all He promises in His Word.

But as in the physical realm where a child must eventually “grow up”, many Christians think that by replacing their “child-like” faith with a more cynical, sophisticated attitude toward scripture that they have grown up spiritually.  In reality they have only “dried-up.”

Jesus instructed us to remain child-like for a reason.  It was because the things of God are spiritually, not intellectually discerned.  One must approach God humbly, with a heart open to instruction.  One must be willing to lay aside preconceived ideas, pride, and the desire to do things “his” way. But because this is not a popular message in today’s pulpits, and because so much of society worships the intellect, we have a lot of “dried-up” Christians walking around.

One of the most spiritually mature believers I’ve ever read about is Brother Lawrence, a simple man who worked most of his life as a cook and who wrote the practice of the presence OF GOD. I’d dearly love to have even a fraction of his spiritual maturity.  His life illustrated what most believers yearn for, proving it was possible to have. It was a life full and rich, and spent in the company of Jesus.

Oh, Lord, that we might be more child-like!

Until next week,

Sylvia

Yesterday, across America, people celebrated Independence Day.  In essence it was the celebration of freedom.  And oh, what a great thing that is!  And what a great country we live in!  Though in some ways I see our freedoms eroding, I believe we still live in a land where we are free to dream and then make those dreams come true; where we are equal in the eyes of the law regardless of our race or social position; where we are free to practice the religion of our choice. But it all came with a price.  And someone else had to pay it.  It wasn’t free at all.  People died, blood was shed, families were separated, and hardships endured, and on July 4th our nation remembers that.

But there’s another freedom, even more precious, that also was paid by blood and separation and hardship.  It’s the freedom from sin and death that Jesus purchased for us at the cross.  And oh, how costly that freedom was!  But how willingly Jesus paid it!  Those of us who are called by His name know the freedom of which I speak.  It is the freedom that a clear conscience brings after knowing you are forgiven from every wretched thing you’ve ever done; the freedom from fear of the future, for our future is in His hands; the freedom that comes in knowing that our eternal destiny is sealed.

I love my country and value it greatly.  But our life on this planet is so brief—a passing vapor the Bible calls it—so the freedom we should seek, the freedom we should prize about all others is that which is found in Christ, for it is the freedom we will enjoy throughout eternity.

I hope you all had a happy 4th!  God bless America!

Until next week,

Sylvia   

This week I met my hubby for lunch—a nice little Italian place where we each had a bowl of pasta.  While there, two thirty-something women at a nearby table caught my eye. Obviously on a “working lunch” one had her wireless computer open next to her water glass, the other clutched a cell that rarely left her hand even while eating. 

It was hard not noticing them since they constantly jumped up and down from their chairs to go outside and make phone calls.  When they did sit, one texted, the other flailed away at her computer. Interestingly, there was very little interaction between the two of them.

I marveled at this flurry of communication that seemed so void of relationship—this cadre of gadgets that enabled them, and enables us, to communicating more but connect, really connect, less, thus making our relationships anemic.  We have facebook, twitter, emails, and cell texting where we can say more than ever but end up by saying less—less meaningful, less real, less personal. I know.  I’m guilty of this myself.

I think my fear is this: with our culture already addicted to “instant gratification” will this “instant” connecting with others in little snippets, which is so appealing, cause us to find deep, time consuming and demanding efforts at a real relationship a thing of the past? And that includes a relationship with God. I hope not. But I think it’s already trending that way.

Until next week,

Sylvia

Yesterday was Father’s Day.  Those fortunate enough to still have their dads and are close enough geographically, probably celebrated the day with a visit and a meal. Other’s connected via a card, a phone call, or email.  But I wonder if the fathers themselves, the ones being honored, really know how important they are?

Let me tell you.

You are a one-of-a kind Dad.  Indispensible and irreplaceable to your children.  No one in the world will impact or influence your children’s lives like you.   Your daughters will learn about men and marriage and how women should be treated from you.  And your example will define manhood for your sons. It is the most important job you will ever have, and trumps all others. Nothing you could do in the corporate world, sports world, or any other world could be more lasting or meaningful than the impact you will have on your children, children who are the future of our world.  And your example will shape that future world.

That’s pretty heavy stuff.  And if that weren’t enough, here’s one final point, and the most import.  You’re example will color your children’s view of their heavenly Father.   While your love will model the love of God, your cruelty, disinterest, or neglect can leave your children with a distorted picture of the One who promises to never leave them or forsake them, thus possibly impacting their eternal destiny as well.

Are fathers important?  I don’t think their importance can be overstated.  May God bless all the fathers and help them understand their true significance and worth.

Until next week,

Sylvia

This week I had the pleasure of spending a few days with my grandchildren.  It made me realize, again, what a blessing grandchildren are, truly gifts from God to be appreciated and enjoyed.  But as in other areas, I’ve learned that here, too, there are general guidelines that help keep that experience the pleasure it should be.  I’m certain that as I continue in my role as grandparent, I’ll be learning many more, but for now I’ll pass alone these five points to remember.

1) You’re the grandparent not parent.  That means your grandchildren’s parents have the right to make the rules and you should respect them.

2) Young grandchildren, especially, want their grandparents to sit on the floor with them and play.  Do as much of that as possible.  Remember, they’ll get older, and soon enough the time will come when hanging around with their friends will be more important than sitting down and spending time with you.

3) Even so . . . your grandkids have more energy than you do.  They’re younger and that will never change.  Keep up the best you can, but know when to say, “I’m tired, I can’t play anymore.”

4) Though training and providing direction is important, remember your grandchildren get enough of that from their parents (or should).  It’s more important for grandparents to show unconditional love and support and encouragement.  Dispense lots of praise and kisses, and a minimum of criticism.

5) Even so . . . not everything your grandchild does will be “wonderful”.  Dispensing truth in love at important moments can give your grandchild a deeper respect for your opinion and judgment, as well as your insights and wisdom.

Grandparents have a wonderful opportunity to model the unconditional love of God, while having some of the most rewarding times of their lives.  Now that’s a blessing that’s hard to beat!

Until next week,

Sylvia

I used to be an avid gardener, but now that enthusiasm is confined to just keeping a handful of pots.  But even pots can be a lot of work and this weekend I spent considerable time and effort in pruning them, and in some cases, replanting them all together. Unpruned plants become spindly and unproductive, producing only a few flowers or fruit (as in my tomato plants), so branches need to be trimmed often or sometimes cut back to nubs.

This is what the Potter, the One who fashioned us, must do periodically in order to ensure that what grows in and out of us will make for a good harvest.   And He prunes us through challenges, hardships, and even by allowing difficult people into our lives. 

Everywhere I look these days, I see the Potter at work.  I hardly know one person who is not experiencing some difficulty or another.  Make no mistake, pruning is painful and often seems to diminish us.  But take heart, rewards will follow.  A pruned life is sure to yield increase and become stronger while an unpruned life is usually full of weak and immature fruit.

So embrace your pruning!

Until next week,

Sylvia

Memorial Day is a time to remember all the brave men and women who have given so much for us and our country.  Coming from a military family I well understand the sacrifice of which I speak.  I’ve seen it first hand: husbands leaving their wives, fathers leaving their children, friends leaving their buddies, all for parts unknown which is generally alien, often hostile, and where there are few creature comforts.  And these men and women do this because they believe in our way of life and in freedom, and they know these things don’t come cheap.

So this Memorial Day I lift my voice in honor of our troops both here and abroad. They deserve to be remembered and valued and praised.

But I also want to remember another kind of soldier:  all those Christians who down through the corridor of time have fought the good fight of faith, many dying for it, others making incredible sacrifices and enduring unspeakable hardships, well known soldiers like David Livingston who gave up everything to bring the Gospel to Africa, Corrie ten Boom who suffered persecution under the Nazis for hiding Jews, Richard Wurmbrand who spend years imprisoned by the Communists because he wouldn’t renounce his faith, just to mention a few. But there are countless others, unknown Christians who year after year live small, simple lives, enduring the subtle and not-so-subtle persecution of a world that is in enmity with God, nameless Christians who go against the grain and political correctness in order to remain true to their faith. Christians who are buffeted around the world for their faith, slaughtered or burned alive in their homes like Christians in Indonesia have been, or bombed by their own government as the Christians in Sudan have been, or simply denied jobs has many Christians in Muslim countries have been.

So this Memorial Day, as we salute the men and women of our armed forces, let us also remember those other soldiers who fight silently and valiantly the good fight of faith.

Until next week,

Sylvia