HAPPY NEW YEAR

Just blogging today!  I didn't realize an entire week had passed since I wrote the last blog.  I know some of you are concerned when you don't hear from me for a while, so thought I'd better stay in touch.

We spent a lovely Christmas with friends who have a beautiful home near the top of a nearby mountain.  There were 34 in our group this year!  The sun was shining and we could see across the ocean to Puget Sound.

Today, however, we've had snow and hail.  In fact, right now, the hail is a couple inches deep!  And it's cold enough that it's not melting!  Since living here, my husband has seen more winters without snow than winters with the white stuff.  But not last year.  And they say we're in for a rough winter this year, too!  So far it looks as though that prediction is correct!

What with catching up from the year-end activities and preparing for another session of our Bible Study to begin, I'm going to take a little vacation from blogging -- but I'll be back before too long, so don't forget me.  That will also give me time to work on my computer which is "acting up" right now.  In fact, I can't even get on my blog site on my own computer.  So I'm using my husband's PC to write this!

In the meantime, have a happy and prosperous New Year.

Preacher's Kid

IF YOU LOOK FOR ME AT CHRISTMAS

I received the following poem just this morning via email from a friend.  It's too good not to pass on.  As I was checking for the author (who, by the way, is unknown), I came across the following devotional site that seems to be filled with scads of poems and short stories.  In case you'd like to check it out, it's http://www.devotions.co.uk/healyou.shtml.

    IF YOU LOOK FOR ME AT CHRISTMAS

          If you look for Me at Christmas,
               you won't need a special star--
          I'm no longer just in Bethlehem,
               I'm right there where you are.
          You may not be aware of Me
               Amid the celebrations--
          You'll have to look beyond the stores
               and all the decorations.
          But if you take a moment
               from your list of things to do
          And listen to your heart, you'll find
               I'm waiting there for you.
          You're the one I want to be with,
               you're the reason that I came,
          And you'll find Me in the stillness
               as I'm whispering your name.
                            Love,
                                Jesus

Preacher's Kid

THE SPIRITUAL STANDBY

One of the first times I saw a news report about an airport being closed due to inclement weather was on a New Year's Day when travelers were stranded in airports for an entire weekend.  One fellow the news reporter interviewed said he was hoping for a standby flight home so he could get to work on Monday.  These days airport closures and unhappy stranded passengers almost seem to be the norm!  Maybe you've even been the victim of such a situation. 

Friends of mine were once on a standby flight but not because of bad weather.  They deliberately gave up their seat to someone who was in need of an emergency flight.  The airlines announced that if anyone would be willing to give up their seats, they would be given a free flight to anywhere in the United States they wanted to go.  They quickly determined that a standby flight was worth the offer!

Did you know that in the spiritual realm we, as Christians, have a Standby?  No -- I'm not talking about a standby trip to Heaven!  That's one trip that will be not be cancelled when our time comes!  In fact, I'm not even talking about a trip.  I'm talking about a person.

Listen to John 14:26, Amplified Version.  But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things.

Isn't it wonderful to know we have a heavenly Standby in the Holy Spirit?  And to think He will teach us all things.  If you're like me, you have a lot to learn and need a trustworthy teacher you can rely on.  Just the other morning as I was getting ready to go to one of our local nursing homes and give the devotions, while I was brushing my teeth and preparing to rush out the door, I asked the Lord to show me if He wanted me to change my talk.  And you know what?  Immediately the Holy Spirit whispered to me and told me to read a poem about a Christian's first day in Heaven!  I wondered if that might be somewhat depressing to people in their final years, living in a nursing home, and confined to wheelchairs.  But I listened to the still, small Voice.  And guess what?  I got an unusally good response from my audience.  One person even told a family member about it and how much he enjoyed it!

So, remember -- you have a spiritual Standby.  Just be sure to listen for His voice.

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL PATCH-UP JOBS

Patch-up jobs are sometimes necessary, but they can be ugly looking things!

I remember when the Savings and Loan where I once worked moved into a brand new building which included a lovely, new snack room with table, cupboards, and kitchen sink with running water.  One fateful day I was getting a ceramic mug out of the cupboard above the sink and accidentally dropped it.  It chipped the white enamel on the edge of the sink and left a big black spot.  The boss repaired it, but the outline of the hole was always there to remind me of my awkwardness!  Somehow it spoiled the newness of the otherwise spotless kitchen!

I won't bother giving you the details of the time I tried to patch up the spots on my dark green Maverick where the thinning paint began to show through.  Let's just say it looked as though my car had a bad case of the measles!

Too many times we are content with patch-up jobs in the natural.  And if we're not careful, we let ourselves be satisfied with patch-up jobs in spiritual matters, too!  It's so easy, especially during the Christmas season, to get so caught up in plans, shopping, festivities, etc., that we ease up on our devotional times.  We satisfy ourselves with a promise snatched out of a "Promise" box instead of really reading the Word of God.  We let our prayer life, slip, too, and just say a quick prayer now and then while on the run!  Spiritual patch-up jobs!  We may even miss a church service, or a Bible Study in order to catch up on our various activities.  Or maybe we choose to sleep in on a Sunday morning to get some badly needed rest!  More spiritual patch-up jobs!

I know you're exceptionally busy these last few days before Christmas, but take time to make a spiritual inventory of your life.  Are you settling for spiritual patch-up jobs?  I hope not!

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL LIMPETS

Ever heard of a limpet?  The limpet is a relative of a snail and has a one-piece shell like a pointy hat. It has one big foot and a strong suction cup but no eyes.  Limpets are rock dwellers and always go back to the same rock after eating. Sometimes they use the same spot for their whole life. 

If you were walking along a beach and came upon a limpet unawares, you could knock him off his rock with your walking stick.  But if the limpet sensed that you were approaching, there's no way in God's wide world that you could knock him from his perch.  His suction cup is so strong and powerful that nothing, but nothing could move him.  That limpet wouldn't understand what was happening.  It wouldn't understand what you wanted.  It wouldn't understand how intricately it was made.  But it would do the one thing it knew how to do -- it would cling!

How we need spiritual limpets today -- people who know how to cling to the Rock Christ Jesus.  People who know how to cling to God's promises in the face of any and all difficulties.  Even though they do not understand what's happening, or why some things are happening, they do what they know to do best -- they cling to the solid Rock!

In the face of life's raging storms, in the face of untold difficulties, in the face of perplexing problems, get hold of a promise from God and cling to it for all you're worth!  God watches over His Word to perform it, and you will not be disappointed.

Are you a spiritual limpet?  If not, start working toward becoming one today.

Preacher's Kid

BE OF GOOD CHEER

Remember the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 as told in Mark 6?  While He sent the multitudes away, He had the disciples get into a ship and go to the other side of the lake, and then He went up into the mountain by Himself to pray.  Read the story for yourself starting with verse 45 through verse 51.  It's too long to quote here.

Notice that when the disciples got their ship in the middle of the sea, the wind sprang up and they had to really work to keep the boat from capsizing as it continued its journey through the rough waters.  Verse 48 tells us that Christ saw how hard His men were toiling in the rough waters and went to them walking on the water.  Little did those poor, frustrated disciples know that their Master had His eyes on them all the time, observing their sad plight and their heroic efforts in the midst of the storm.  The assumed He was off by Himself somewhere not paying the least bit of attention to them.

But right in the midst of the storm their Master came walking on the water to them.  What did Christ have to say to them in verse 50? Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.  And we know the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say, how the wind ceased and the waters became calm.

Hebrews 13:8 assures us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Just as His eye was on His disciples toiling in the storm in the middle of the sea, so His eye is upon you and me today as we, too, are toiling in the midst of the storms and hard places of life.  And if we'll let Him, He'll come to us with the same message He gave His disciples:  Be of good cheer:  it is I; be not afraid.

What a marvelous and powerful God we serve.  How great are His mercies:  how tender His compassion.  The next time you're in the midst of a storm, stop your useless toil.  Quiet yourself in His presence as you let Him whisper ever so gently, Be of good cheer:  it is I; be not afraid.

Preacher's Kid

CHRISTMAS PEACE

Christmas is a time of peace.  At least it should be.  Isn't that the message the angels brought to shepherds keeping watch o'er their flocks by night when the Christ Child was born?

Philippians 4:7 speaks about the peace that passes understanding.  I like the Living Bible paraphrase, but we'll have to start with verse 6 as verse 7 is dependent upon the preceding verse.  Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank him for his answers.  If you do this you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.

How we need such a message during the Christmas season.  We sometimes wonder how we can find peace during this busy time.  We have to do the decorating, get the Christmas cards mailed, buy and wrap presents to say nothing of extra cooking and baking in preparation for parties and celebrations with friends and family.  Then there are the extra church activities to work in somehow.  Peace?  What peace?  We don't have time for peace.

Instead of experiencing the peace that passes understanding, we find that often our peace simply passes!  It just passes away with circumstances!  How sad that so many Christians have the peace that passes!

Hey, how about you?  What kind of peace do YOU have?  The peace far more wonderful than the human mind can understand or the peace that simply passes?  The peace that keeps your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Jesus or the peace that simply passes?

Don't let the hustle and bustle of Christmas rob you of God's peace.

Preacher's Kid

WHICH WAY ARE YOU LOOKING?

Due to an avalanche of unfavorable publicity concerning various televangelists I once had confidence in, I found myself in a sad, sad state of depression recently!  I was so upset that I threw out more than 15 videos of their teaching and ministries.  I snapped out of the depression, however, when I decided that I would keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, and Jesus only as admonished in Hebrews 12:2:  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

Do you remember the story of the Children of Israel when they left Egypt headed for the Promised Land after the ten plagues when the last plague caused the oldest child in each family to die?  They came up to the Red Sea and wondered how they ever could cross it and then discovered that the Egyptians were pursuing them from behind.  Now, I ask you, which direction would you have looked had you been in that group?  Forwards of backwards?  The Red Sea's in front of you, and the enemy is behind you!  What a dilemma!  Thank God, He told Moses -- in so many words, that is -- "Go forth.  I will take care of the enemy!

So it is today.  We can put our troubles, our problems, our worries, yes, even our depression behind us and let the Lord take care of each situation no matter what is involved!

Which direction are you looking -- forwards or backwards?  Your only safety is to keep your eyes upon Jesus.  He's the only One Who will never fail you!

Preacher's Kid

TRIPLE A FORMULA

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  John 15:7

When I was single, I couldn't live with out it -- Triple A, that is.  I lost track of the number of flat tires they changed for me, and the times they jumped my dead battery.  (I have a husband to handle those taks, now, thank the good Lord!)   Then there was the time my brakes failed.  And the time I rode into town with the front end of my car dangling precariously (or so I thought) from the rear of the tow truck.  Yep, as a single gal, AAA was my security blanket when it came to travel!

But you know, as a Christian I have a fantastic Triple A formula to carry me through the rough roads of life.   It doesn't cost any $36 per year, either.  (I'm sure Triple A is much more than $36 a year nowadays!)  While I don't have to dip into my billfold to activate this formula, there is a triple process for which I am responsible.

According to the above Scripture, those three things are:

                    (1)  abide in Christ,
                    (2)  let His words abide in me,
                                        and then I can
                    (3) ask in confidence and assurance knowing that God will
                               do His part in answering.

No, I couldn't get along without Triple A -- earthly or spiritual.

How about you?  Why not spend some extra time this busy season of the year in abiding in Christ through prayer?  Then let His words abide in you through reading and meditating upon the Word of God.

Preacher's Kid

HIGHWAY ROBBERY

Did you get that list of your heavenly inheritance made?  How I would like to see it!

I was surprised to hear on the news recently that there is a gang problem here in our quiet little burg, tucked away among majestic mountains, and not too far from from the boundless ocean! Seems there have even been some drive-by shootings recently which I hadn't heard about. Makes me wonder how safe even our little gated community of motor homes is. Gang activities -- there're the stuff big cities are built of. At least that's what I always thought. Guess I'm more naive than I realized!

But what about our heavenly inheritance we blogged about yesterday.  Is there any danger of highway robbery as we continue our journey through life?  You betcha!   John 10:10a says:  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. 

We have a thief on the loose -- a thief in wolf's clothing!  His name is "Lack of Time," and when it comes to spiritual issues, he's extremely sly and crafty, and slips up on us unawares.  "Lack of Time" robs us of our spiritual inheritance.  He'll find all kinds of crafty ways to rob us of our daily quiet times with the Lord.  He'll come up with all kinds of excuses to steal our prayer life and our Bible reading time.  Then as we give in to him on these seemingly small things, he'll get bolder and steal our opportunity to enjoy public worship and fellowship with all kinds of reasons for not attending the Lord's house on Sundays.

So be forewarned.  Don't give in for a minute to the highway robbery this thief perpetrates.  Hold on to your heavenly inheritance for all you're worth.  Take no chances of losing it.

Don't let yourself become a victim of Satan's highway robbery!

Preacher's Kid

OUR INHERITANCE

Romans 8:16, 17 says:  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.  Now that's a pretty big statement.  What's an "heir", anyway?  I'd say it's someone who inherits that which belongs to another. 

So the next question is, If we're God's children and God's heirs, just what is it that we inherit?  The answer's obvious, I'd say -- we inherit everything that He has!  In other words, EVERYTHING that God has belongs to us!  Can't get much better than that, can you? 

And right on the heels of that thought comes still another question.  What does God have that we can inherit?  That's a loaded question if I ever heard one!  You mean I'm the one who actually asked such a stupid question?  Why, God has everything!!!  And more besides!!!  Here again it's time to get out your trusty paper and pencil and start making a written list!  I'll start it for you.  God's got peace, joy, love, strength, wisdom, understanding, kindness, patience, longsuffering. 

So if God has all this "stuff", and if we're His heirs, as well as joint heirs with Christ, why don't WE have peace, joy, love, strength, wisdom, understanding, kindness, patience and longsuffering?  Huh?

That's a question to meditate on not only throughout the day, but also as you go to bed tonight!  Hope you come up with an answer!  Let me know if you do.

We'll continue our discussion tomorrow!

Preacher's Kid

ONE-TRACK MIND

Can't believe I haven't blogged since day before Thanksgiving.  That's cuz I've got a one-track mind -- but what else can you expect when I'll be 82 tomorrow!!!  Whoo-eee!

Thanksgiving Day we woke up to icy roads and an inch or so of snow -- all in a country where my husband claims he has seen more winters without snow than with the stuff!  Of course the news was showing pictures of cars sliding uncontrollably down the hills and streets of Seattle.  This only served to remind me of a number of years ago when I lived in the snow belt in New York.  And on a back road alone, after dark, I found myself hanging upside down in my car which had turned turtle!  I had gone into a skid and hit a dry spot in the road in the middle of that skid.  That's when I learned that if you hit a dry spot in the middle of a skid, you'll flip your vehicle every time!  So on Thanksgiving Day I refused to leave the house even though someone offered to come get my husband and me.  (We were to go to a friend's house and they live way up on the mountain!)

Instead, I stayed home and wrote three humorous monologues and gathered the "fodder" for six more.  And when I get my mind on something like that, forget about doing anything else, even blogging!  I gave one skit at our Senior Citizen's monthly meeting today, and they really enjoyed it.

Suddenly it's a new week and I see it's my turn to have devotions at our local nursing home Wed. morning.  And we have another session in our Bible Study coming up Wed. afternoon.  (We skipped both those activities last week.)  Choir rehearses Wed. night and I need to practice my accompaniment!  So now that I'm getting back into the swing of things once again, I hope I'll get back to the blogging!  Oh, yes, my husband is taking me out to dinner tomorrow night!

Just wanted to touch base with everyone so you know I'm OK!  Talk to you later.

Preacher's Kid

WHO IS GOD, ANYWAY?

Yesterday I said I loved Rex for who he is -- MY HUSBAND.  But when I transferred that concept to God, I failed to explain Who GOD is!

Now, let me ask you, who is God, anyway?  Should someone ask you right now who God is, how would you explain Him?  Could you?

I was trying to explain to my sleep doctor yesterday why it takes me so long to get to sleep when I go to bed at night, but I failed miserably in convincing him!  You see, it's dark then.  It's quiet.  There are no distractions.  I don't have to worry about the phone ringing.  I cuddle up against my dear, sweet hubby who goes to sleep about the moment his head hits the pillow, so I know he's not going to want to carry on a conversation.  I'm cozy; I'm comfortable.  I don't have to be concerned about doing the laundry, or cooking, or dishes, or cleaning, or anything else for that matter.  I don't have an ache or a pain when I'm lying down.  And I dearly enjoy thinking, praying and meditating when everything else is blocked out of my mind.  The Lord takes advantage of these quiet moments and shows me so many insights into His Word.  Now explain that to any doctor, if you will!

Be that as it may, I got to thinking last night about Who God is, and the thoughts came so thick and fast I just lay in bed and marvelled and smiled to myself in delight with the realization of Who God is.  I would challenge you to get out a sheet of paper and your pen and make your own list.  I'll give you a few suggestions for a starter.

God is love.  God is my peace.  God is joy.  God is my Guide.  God is my Comforter.  God is my Leader.  God is my Redeemer.  God is my Healer.  God is my sunshine.  God is my Strength.  I think you get the idea.  In other words, God is my Everything.  He's my All-in-All.

OK.  Ready to start your list?  You may need more than one sheet of paper before you're finished.  And if that doesn't make your Thanksgiving Day one grand day of thanksgiving, I'm afraid nothing will!

Happy gobbling!

Preacher's Kid

SIMPLE LOVE

Over and over recently I've been awakened in the mornings with the strains of an old hymn going through my mind:  There's A Wideness in God's Mercy Like the Wideness in His Sea.  The hymn was not particularly a favorite of mine and I was surprised the first morning it came back to me.  Then several mornings later the same thing happened, and again, then again.  I figured the Lord must want me to learn something, so I looked it up in a hymnal and read through it but nothing struck my fancy until I came to the last verse:  If our love were but more simple, we would take Him at His Word.

Aha -- that word SIMPLE jumped right out at me.  My husband and I have been discussing lately that perhaps we make it more difficult than it really is to receive the fulfillment of God's promises.  I began pondering what SIMPLE love really is.  How, I wondered, can I make my love more simple?  Isn't love something you'd want to grow greater and bigger and stronger?

My mind went back to a little over six years ago when Rex and I were married -- it was a first marriage for me at the age of 75.  Friends told me marriage would never work for me.  They claimed I had been single too long.  I had been my own boss and made my own decisions, and was boss at the office, etc., etc.  But I knew, as did Rex, that marriage was destined for the two of us.  Acquaintances gave me six months max!  Now we're heading into a seventh year of marital bliss that grows stronger with each passing day.  It's such a relief not to have to make my own deicions any more about when to buy gas for the car, or when to buy another car, or keep my checkbook balanced and pay the bills or make sure I don't overdraw my bank account, or get the car serviced.  The endless list goes on and on.

As I reflected upon our love, I asked myself, Why do I love the man?  Do I love him for the things he does for me?  Suddenly it hit me, although I appreciate all the responsiblity he takes and all the things he does for me such as driving me around to all my doctor appointments or wherever else I want to go, that's not why I love him.  I'd love him whether he did those things or not.  So why do I love him?  I'll tell you why.  I love him FOR WHO HE IS!!  HE'S MY HUSBAND!!  It's just that plain and simple!  And if he says he is going to take me out to dinner, I know I can trust him to keep his word and I make plans accordingly.  If he says we're going on vacation, I don't question him.  I know to start getting ready!  (That doesn't mean we don't discuss and decide things together, for we often do!)

Now, why can't I transfer that kind of love to God?  God's blessings are abundant and above measure, but is that why I love Him?  And suddenly it hit me -- I love God FOR WHO HE IS!  He's the Creator of the universe; but He's also the Savior of my soul!  And if my love for God is as simple as my love for my husband, can I not trust Him to keep His Word as much as I trust my husband?

When Jesus says in John 16:23 Whatever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you, is my love simple enough to trust Him to confirm His Word to me?  When He promises in Exodus 15:26 I am the Lord that healeth thee is my love simple enough to put my healing in His hands knowing He will fulfill His Word to me in His way, in His time?

How simple is your love?  Simple enough to trust God to keep ALL His promises to YOU?

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL ANEMIA (Part 3)

We've blogged about causes and results of Spiritual Anemia.  Let's wrap up this mini series by looking at some remedies for those afflicted with this insiduous affliction.

First of all, an individual with Spiritual Anemia needs sunshine.  An individual who has symptoms of Spiritual Anemia may possibly be walking behind light.  That is, he/she may not be in obedience to God's will in some area of life.  It may be that God has asked them to do something, or perhaps give up some harmful practice, but so far they are not being obedient to what God is asking.  In other words, they are walking behind God's light.  Such a person needs to step out in obedience to a holy God thereby living in the sunshine of His love.  It will be amazing how quickly his Spiritual Anemia will begin to disappear.

Then, too, an individual afflicted with Spiritual Anemia needs to follow a prescribed diet -- a spiritual diet, that is.  As the Apostle Paul admonished Timothy in I Timothy 4:13, the afflicted person needs to "give attendance to reading" -- reading and feasting on the Word of God for his spiritual food.  He needs to listen to good sermons and other supplementary reading.

And in more advanced cases of Spiritual Anemia, it may be necessary to have a blood transfusion.  Of course, care must be taken that the individual receive the right kind of blood.  For the anemic Christian, only one individual in the entire universe has the type of blood that is needed, and I'm sure you know what that is.  We are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ.  If a blood transfusion is used successfully, a change for the better will be noticed immediately.

Yes, there is a remedy for Spiritual Anemia.

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL ANEMIA (Part 2)

Yesterday we blogged about some of the the causes of Spiritual Anemia.  I hope you didn't discover this treacherous malady lurking in your life!

Today let's look at some of the results of Spiritual Anemia.

With Spiritual Anemia, it's possible for spiritual vision to become impaired due to hemorrhaging in the retina.  Our churches today are full of people who lack spiritual vision.

And did you know that indigestion is another result of Spiritual Anemia?  Although a preacher may give the most nourishing sermons from the Bread of Life, if his congregation is suffering from Spiritual Anemia, they will not benefit from the proferred sustenance.

Then, the victim of this unfortunate disease, this Spiritual Anemia, often finds it difficult to keep warm.  He cools off so easily because he finds it hard to be "fervent in spirit".  He has difficulty in praying fervently.  He has difficulty in having fervent love for his brothers and sisters in Christ.

And should a sufferer of Spiritual Anemia happen to be afflicted with a wound of some kind, even a slight wound, he/she finds that it takes a long time for the wound to heal.  Such people are easily offended and carry around grudges and a grieving and bitter spirit for a long time.  Only forgivenness will heal the wound.  A cut or wound will heal quickly and easily in the physical life if one enjoys good health and strength.  And the same thing is true in the spiritual life.

In the physical realm, a mother with anemia may not be able to bring a child to birth.  Sad to say, the same thing is true in the spiritual realm.  Isaiah spoke about this in Isaiah 37:3.  (F)or the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.

The saddest of all results to me, though, is the fact that people with Spiritual Anemia may linger in this condition for years upon end often unaware they have been afflicted.

We'll conclude this mini series on Spiritual Anemia in tomorrow's blog and find, thankfully, that there IS a remedy!

Until then, Adios!

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL ANEMIA (Part 1)

What is anemia, anyhow?  As I understand it, anemia is a disease caused by a lack, or deficiency in the quality or quantity of red corpuscles.  It causes the blood to lose some of its red coloring.  The symptoms of anemia resemble the symptoms of many weak Christians.

What causes anemia, anyway?  One cause is improper nourishment.   Did you know that about all the nourishment some Christians receive during the week comes from the daily newspaper and the TV newscasts?  Oh, ouch!

Anemia can also result from other conditions or diseases which destroy the red blood corpuscles in the blood.  In Christians, such a condition could very well indicate a hindrance such as an unforgiving spirit, bitterness or hidden sin their lives.

One symptom of anemia is a pale and unhealthy skin color which appears gradually.  In the spiritual realm, we speak of such a condition as "lukewarmness," or "falling away" or even the "love of many growing cold."  This often creeps up on those who have been Christians for many years.  Suddenly they don't manifest good spiritual health, and they get "off color" in their church activities.

Anemia incapacitates its victims for any strenuous exertion.  People so afflicted get tired of spiritual activities very easily.  Oh, they can engage in vigorous activities for themselves, but have no energy left for the Lord's work.

Do any of these descriptions fit you?  Are you, by any chance, afflicted with spiritual anemia?  I sincerely hope not; but, if so, look for tomorrow's blog when we'll discuss some results of this ailment.

Preacher's Kid

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY

I know some of you get concerned when you don't find a blog every few days in your e-mail, so am blogging just to say I'm OK. 

We had a terrific wind and rain storm Monday night and lost our internet connection for a couple of days, but Rex got it working again today.  Wednesdays, however, are our busy days -- devotions at the nursing home in the AM; Bible Study at church in the PM; family night at church in the evening followed by choir practice!

Tomorrow a group from church will attend an annual Thanksgiving dinner at the senior center in a nearby village -- a tradition!  After that I hope to go back to church to catch up on cataloging the books for our library.  Someone else was doing that but turned it over to me when they left for another church!  I do have help, however, once I learn the system!

So at least you can see I'm keeping out of trouble!  I'll get back to blogging one of these days.

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!

Preacher's Kid

HIGH VS LOW

Remember the ballad we used to sing years ago, something about "You take the high road, and I'll take the low road, and I'll get to Scotland afore ye."  Wasn't it a love song about "me and my fair love" on the "bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond."  I'm surprised I can remember that much of it!

You know, there's also a high road and a low road in the realm of Christianity, the realm of the spiritual.  Each individual must make the choice as to which road he/she will travel.  I'm afraid too many Christians today are inadvertently taking the low road resulting from a multitude of factors.  Lack of prayer and Bible reading keep one on the low road.  Loss of appetite for spiritual things contributes to the problem.  Trying to handle our own affairs instead of looking to the Lord for guidance keeps us on this low road.  So does the hustle and bustle of the daily cares of life, to say nothing of the stress of daily living.

Do you remember reading the words of Jesus in John 14:12?  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and GREATER WORKS THAN THESE SHALL HE DO; because I go unto my Father.  (Capital letters mine)

Do we, as Christians, believe on Christ?  Of course, we do!  But are we doing the same works that Jesus did?  Of course not.  It shakes our very being crazy and almost seems sacrilegious to even think of the possibility of such a thing!  But I didn't say it -- Christ did!  We're to do not only the same works He did, He says we're to do even GREATER works!  Wow!  My mind really can't grasp that thought!

And do you see other Christians doing the same works as Christ did?  Why don't we see miracles today as the early church experienced?  I'll tell you why.  We're living beneath our privileges in Christ Jesus.  If we could only grasp who we are in Christ, Who He is in us, the power He has given us and what our privileges are in Him, I believe we'd begin experiencing spiritual results akin to those the early Christians experienced.

And so I ask, are you on the high road spiritually or the low road?

Preacher's Kid

BAKING POWDER VS YEAST

Both baking powder and yeast are leavens.  Yeast takes longer to work while baking powder works quickly.  If you've ever made bread, you know that after you put yeast in the dough, you must set it aside and wait for it to work.  Patience isn't my strong point.  When I want something, I want it right now.  In fact, yesterday would be even better!!!  So I prefer to use recipes that call for baking powder rather than yeast.  I like to put baking powder in my dough, then pop it into the oven immediately for quick results.  I will admit, though, that both baking powder and yeast are valid methods for preparing dough.

I suppose you're wondering, by now, what I'm driving at!  Well, I'll tell you.  Too many times we want to see "baking powder" results from our Christian witness when in reality our witness is more like "yeast".  The same thing is true in our prayer, life, too.  I'd much rather see "baking powder" results from my prayer requests than wait around for the "yeast" to bring about an answer!  I want my answers NOW, if you please.

We must remember that our Heavenly Father sees the big picture and knows whether to produce "baking powder" or "yeast" results be it in our witness or our prayer life.  There are times we must wait for our witness to work.  Sometimes it will take warmth -- the warmth of our love and concern.  We must continue to "knead the dough" several times and be willing to wait when our leaven is more like yeast than baking powder.  The same thing holds true in our prayer life.

So the next time it seems a long, long journey in our witnessing or in getting our prayers answered, let's remember that it's yeast that's working, not baking powder.

Preacher's Kid

SIN CONSCIOUS VS SON CONSCIOUS

If you watch the cureent newscasts at all, you're very much aware of the sin and evil surrounding us on every side.  I sometimes wonder why I even waste my time watching the news.  Then I remind myself that it just gives me all the more reason to know how to pray for this country of ours.

We don't want to minimize the awfulness of sin.  But the world already knows about sin.  In fact, most of them are sick of it but know no other way of life.  As Christians, we, too, are aware of the terrible condition of the world and the blackness of sin.  But we also see the other side of the coin and know that God, through His only begotten Son, has provided forgiveness and peace in the midst of the ongoing wickedness.  That is the message we need to get to others.

We can all quote John 3:16 from memory.  But what about the wonderful truth of John 3:17?  Jesus said, For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.  God's purpose in sending His Son into this world was to make people "Son conscious" rather than "Sin conscious".  Our message, our emphasis should be on deliverance from sin through God's Son.

Too many Christians have their eyes on sin instead of on the Son.

Where are YOUR eyes?  Are you sin conscious or Son conscious?

Preacher's Kid

ENDURING VS OVERCOMING

How do you react to trials?  Do you endure them, or do you overcome them?

Have you ever wondered why the Apostle James challenged us in James 1:2 to count it all joy when we fall into trials?  Why would anyone be crazy enough to consider a trial a thing of joy?  I think the joy lies in overcoming our trials rather than buckling down and enduring them.  We can triumph over our trials through faith and patience.  Faith and patience -- I call them the "power twins".

Jesus wants us to be overcomers even as He was.  He says in John 16:33, "I have overcome the world."  Christ overcame sin, death, hell and the grave.  And when you and I realize that He has already defeated Satan (for us, I might add), we, too, will be overcomers over everything Satan sends our way.

Trouble WILL come our way.  I Peter 4:12 says, "Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you . . ."  He doesn't suggest that trials MIGHT come our way.  He takes it for granted that trials are GOING to come -- and we know they will!  But when they do come, God will cause us to triumph over them if we trust in Him.

We don't have to let go of our peace just because trials and tribulations come our way.  Read what Paul says in Romans 5:1-4, how he overcame and what he learned from the trials that came his way.  Then let us follow his example and learn to be overcomers when faced with the difficulties and problems of life.  Don't be content just to "endure" your trials any longer.

Preacher's Kid

BELIEVING VS SEEING

Mark 11:24 is the promise I have been claiming for healing.  "Whatever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."  These are words that Jesus said.  As the song writer said, "How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.  What more can He say than to you He hath said?"  And I ask, what more can God say than He has said in the above Scripture????

Believing means we have already received something although in an unseen state.  It is in the spiritual realm.  Once we do this, He says we will have it.  God is not asking us to believe that we have something in its manifested state; for if we did, that is seeing, not believing!

There is no way we can change the fact that believing comes first -- THEN it will be followed by seeing!  In our humanity, we want to reverse the order and say, "If I can only see, I'll believe."  But that is not God's way.  He says, "Believe first, then you will see!"

The believing occurs in the spiritual, or the unseen realm.  Seeing occurs in the natural, or the seen realm.  Our part is to take care of the receiving.  God's part is to take care of the having or the manifestation.  If we make sure that we receive, God will make sure that we have.  We can't do His part for Him, and He will not do our part for us.  Manifestations are not our business; believing is.  We must remember it is real even though we don't see it.

Preacher's Kid

PROBLEM-CENTERED VS GOD-CENTERED

Luke 12:31 (Living Bible Paraphrase) says:  "He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern."  You probably know the verse better as "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you."

Another Scripture I want to include in this blog is Matthew 6:25, also the Living Bible paraphrase, which sets the pattern for our attitude concerning material things.  The writer says, "So my counsel is:  Don't worry about things -- food, drink, and clothes.  For you already have life and a body -- and they are far more important than what to eat and wear."

Putting these two Scriptures together we see that we need to give God and His Word first place in our lives.  We need to have an attitude of faith and trust.  And we can always depend on God's Word.  It will never fail us nor forsake us.

But-t-t-t -- oh, that dreadful little word "but"!  We cannot have faith and trust if all we see is our problems!  And whichever looms larger in our sight will determine what we are mostly conscious of:  our problems or God!  Often we cannot figure out how God is going to meet our needs.  Hey, that's none of our business.  Our business is to trust Him and realize that He is bigger than our problems.

In my working days, I had a poster on my wall at the office that said (somewhat ungrammatically, I will admit):  "Help me to remember, Lord, that nothing's gonna happen today that You and me can't handle together."

Which is bigger in your eyes -- your problems or God's Word?  Just asking!

Preacher's Kid

FORGETFULNESS

Forgetfulness -- I suppose that's something that none of you even know about!!!  How I wish I didn't -- or do I?  On second thought, I guess it's good to forget some things such as a hateful word someone has spoken to us in a moment of anger, or the unintended slight given us.

On the other hand, though, we don't want to forget the love and kindness of others, or the friendship of friends.  Above all, let's not forget the blessings and benefits that God bestows upon us daily.  The Psalmist David admonishes us in Psalms 103:4,5, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, Who healeth all thy diseases, Who crowneth thy life with loving kindness."

And what inspired this blog about forgetfulness?  Well, it happened like this.  Before I went on our recent vacation, I had five or six folders here at my computer desk just loaded with ideas for devotionals of all kinds.  But now that I'm home and ready to use them, I can't find them anywhere!  Where, oh, where did I put them?

Yep, there are some things you just don't want to forget!

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL SPECTATORS

Why is it that many Christians sit back and relax and allow the pastor to do most of the ministry? Or are you thinking, "Isn't that what he's paid for? After all, he's gotta earn his money somehow!

But I wonder if that's God's plan. God has given each of us gifts, talents, and abilities of one kind or another. We're each a part of the body of Christ. So shouldn't we be using those gifts and abilities to bless the other members of the body of Christ?

Ephesians 4:11, 12 reminds us of some of the gifts we've been given and challenges us to use them to bless others. I Corinthians 12, starting with verse 12, enlarges on the subject. It's too long a passage to repeat here, but you can read it for yourself.

If we don't exercise, or use our physical bodies, they become weak and useless. The same principle applies, I believe, to our spiritual lives. We don't have to be great speakers, teachers, preachers, etc. But we all have talents of some kind we can use to further the work of the Lord. It may be nothing more than helping out where needed -- baby sitting, running errands, working in the church kitchen, helping an elderly person with house cleaning, phoning someone who is house bound and lonely, etc., etc.

What is it that you enjoy doing that would bless someone else? How about baking a pie, or cake, some cookies, or even making a meal for a shutin? Start thinking -- it might surprise you what you can come up with. And in blessing others, you'll be strengthened and blessed yourself. Just don't allow yourself to become a spiritual spectator!

Preacher's Kid

HERE I AM AGAIN

We're home at last! Had a wonderful, wonderful vacation with two of our sons and their families. The weather really co-operated and we had beautiful sunshine every day until the last day. Even then, the rain wasn't that bad. We even enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner last Sunday including turkey with all the trimmings! Tippy was exceptionally good on the trip. Never once did he go hide behind the couch whenever we'd take off. He just made himself at home on one of the easy chairs or the davenport. When we got home, he walked out of the motor home by himself, crossed the carport, went up the front porch steps and walked right into the house as though he did it every day!

It took us two "cripples" two days to unload everything from the motor home, but we've finally got most of it put away where it belongs and the motor home is now parked in its usual place behind the house. We'll have to be sure and finish putting away the rest of it tomorrow as our cleaning lady comes bright and early Monday morning! We can do the laundry after that!

We've been more than busy since being home. Started our Bible study class day before yesterday with one class in the afternoon for those who don't drive after dark and a second session at night. Yesterday was the regularly scheduled time for our senior citizens' monthly dinner at the smorsgasbord. Then today I decided to go shopping -- something I seldom do any more. Of course, my idea of a shopping trip is a visit to the Salvation Army Thrift store! I'm happy as a lark when I get inside a thrift store of any kind -- and we have several around town. Today was even more special as all clothing was 50% off! I'm not telling you how much I spent! And I really didn't need a bit of it!

One of these days I'll get back in the swing of blogging again. Just thought I'd blog this little note so you'd know I'm home again and I'm OK. See you all later!

Preacher's Kid

HAVIN' FUN

Hi, Everyone! It's another gorgeous day in Idaho and we're enjoying vacation to the hilt! In fact, it'so good to sit around, relax, visit, play games and read, that you may not get any more blogs for another week, even though I am able to get online! But so long as I'm here, let me share a verse of Scripture and a quote from Noah Webster that just came in the email this morning from John Hagee Ministries regarding our nation and the upcomiung election. Maybe you got it, too, if you signed up for his 40 days of prayer for our nation. But it's good enough to repeat.

Preacher's Kid

Proverbs 24:21-22 My son, fear the LORD and the king; do not associate with those given to change; for their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin those two can bring?

Founding Father Quote:"When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, "just men who will rule in the fear of God." The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws."
--Noah Webster

VACATION TIME AGAIN

Blogs will be intermittent for a while (what else is new???) as Rex and I are leaving for Idaho for almost two weeks to visit two of our sons. As usual, I will have my laptop with me so may be able to get some blogs written. However, it seems that whenever I'm away from my PC here at home, I have trouble getting on the internet! Since last time, however, I have learned one trick that will hopefully keep me connected!

Today and tomorrow we have our hands full with cleaning and loading the motor home, grocery shopping, making arrangements for someone to water my house plants and get our newspapers and mail! Tomorrow is also my turn to have devotions at the nursing home near by. (Each week the Pastor and I take turns.)

Remember us in your prayers.

God bless.

Preacher's Kid

WILL I EVER LEARN?

Sometimes it seems I'm the slowest person on earth to learn spiritual lessons! I don't suppose you can identify with that, now, can you!

Anyhow, day before yesterday I had a routine appointment scheduled with my doctor for 1:40 in the afternoon. Early that morning, before I even had time for breakfast, I got a phone call from the doctor's office asking if I could come in at 1:00 pm instead of 1:40. Fine -- I had no problem with that.

If only the secretary would have stopped with the change in time, I would have been OK and thought nothing about it. But instead, she added, "That way the doctor can spend more time with you! More time??? Of course, I immediately thought the worst and figured the doctor had found something dreadfully, dreadfully wrong from my recent blood tests! I panicked!

I asked the Lord to help me face whatever was going to happen and right away came the Scripture "What time I am afraid, I will trust in you." I can't even give you the reference without looking it up. But do you think I let that verse calm my troubled spirit? Not a bit! I hung on to my panic for dear life! My husband prayed for me; later, when I saw the pastor, she, too, prayed with me. But I was still a basket case!

When 1:00 o'clock finally rolled around and I told the doctor how upset I had been all day, she replied, "I didn't know anything about the phone call!" What a relief to know nothing was wrong!

I'd like to think I've learned my lesson, and that the next time something like that happens, I'll be able to put the situation in the Lord's hands and trust Him to see me through! But, knowing me -- well, as I said, I'm so slow in learning spiritual lessons!

Hope you can do better, even if it does put me to shame!

Preacher's Kid

JOINT-HEIRS

In Galations 4:7, Paul says, "Wherefore, thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." In Romans 8:17, he expands on the statement and says we're "joint-heirs with Christ."

I got a new insight on that verse, too, when I read an explanation yesterday of what a "joint-heir" is. Oh, I had a good idea of what a "joint-heir" was, but it means a little more, quite a bit more, in fact, than what I figured.

For example, I assumed that if you and I were named as joint-heirs of $1,000 in someone's will, we'd each get a check of $500. Huh-uh! If we're "joint-heirs", we'd get ONE check made out in both of our names for $1,000! In other words, you and I own that $1,000 together!

What a difference that makes. Now we see that we own everything TOGETHER with Christ!

Maybe you're wondering what I'm getting at. Well, I'll tell you. I'm leading up to John 14:12, the words of Jesus Himself, where He tells us "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."

Did you ever think you could do the same things Jesus did? And doesn't it blow your mind to think that you can do even GREATER works than Jesus did????? Wow!!!! He said it -- I didn't!

Of course we can't do these wonderful things by ourselves. We'd fail every time if we tried that! But we don't have to do these marvelous works alone. Because we're "joint-heirs" with Christ, we have equal power WITH Christ according to John 14:12 and can work together WITH Him. That's why Ephesians 2:10 tells us we're "His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works."

Seems to me the modern-day church is lacking in good works. Why? Because they don't realize they're "joint-heirs" with Christ, and don't understand what a "joint-heir" is!

What a responsibility this places on us as children of the living God. Let's be courageous, arise, take our God-given place and exercise our God-given rights and responsibilities in Him!

Preacher's Kid

GOD'S YOKE

The other day I had some new insights into Matthew 11:29, 30 -- a portion of Scripture well known to all of us. Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart . . . For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Did you know that the Jewish rabbis had a saying that when you put yourself under a teacher -- when you become a student of a particular teacher or willingly learn from a teacher -- then you have taken upon yourself the yoke of the teacher? That thought fascinated me. I'm a pupil of Christ, a student of Jesus. And my textbook, of course, is the Bible, the Word of God. I don't have to go to college or seminary to study with Him -- I'm homeschooled!

Then I got to thinking about what a yoke is. When it comes to animals, we think of a yoke as a harness that connects animals to a plow or farm tool of some kind. The animals work side by side, each bearing their share of the work, or the burden. I thought Wow! I'm harnessed to Jesus. I'm working side by side with Him, each bearing our share of the work, or the burden. I don't have to do the work or carry the burden all by my lonesome -- He's right there with me helping me. Sometimes it's God's work that we're sharing. Other times it's my burdens that we're sharing. They're heavy, too! And what I really like is the thought that when the burden is more than I can handle, He not only does HIS share of helping me bear that burden, He carries the heaviest part of the burden as His strength compensates for my lack! Isn't that neat?

So remember -- you're yoked to Christ, homeschooled by the Master Himself! You don't have to go it alone.

Preacher's Kid

OUR PASSOVER LAMB

Another Old Testament example of healing for everybody is found in the story of the Passover Lamb in Exodus 12:5-13. You know the story well, how the Lord sent plagues on the land of Egypt when Pharoah refused to release the Children of Israel from their slavery. The last plague was when the death angel was going to pass through the land one night and kill the oldest child in each family. To escape this tragedy, the Israelites were instructed to kill the Passover Lamb and sprinkle its blood on their doorposts. The death angel would then pass over every house where he saw the blood and the oldest child would not die. Then they were to roast the flesh of the lamb and eat it.

What was this all about? The blood was for protection from the death angel, and the meat that was eaten provided strength and health for the long journey ahead.

Approximately three million people left Egypt that fateful night. Did you ever stop to think how many sick people there would be among three million people? The crippled, the ones bent over with age, those with arthritis, etc. Some may have had broken bones -- who knows? Where could you ever find three million people where absolutely no one had a broken bone or illness of one kind and another? How would such people ever be able to travel so far on foot when they were sick? Know what? Not one person among them was sick!

Can we prove that by Scripture? You bet! Read Psalm 105:34-38. Part of verse 37 says, "there was NOT ONE feeble person among their tribes." Can you imagine that? Not one sick or even feeble person among nearly three million people. Why? They had eaten of that Passover Lamb; and as a result received physical strength, or healing!

Now let's look at the counterpart in the New Testament in I Cor. 5:12 where it tells us that "Christ, our passover, is sacrificed for us." Read John 4:48-58 where it tells us to eat of His body. There you have it: (1) Christ is our Passover Lamb, and (2) we are to eat of His body. And isn't that what we do every time we take communion? The bread and the wine. The blood and the broken body.

Just as under the old covenant the Passover Lamb was for protection and healing, under the new and BETTER covenant we talked about yesterday, our Passover Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, was sacrificed not only for our spiritual protection (saving us from spiritual death, in other words) but He was also crucified for our physical strength, or healing.

So we see that both salvation and healing are part of the Atonement and are for all who avail themselves of Christ, the Passover Lamb!

Wish we had time and space to go into this in a lot more detail! But perhaps these Biblical illustrations will give you something new to meditate on regarding Divine healing for us today.

Preacher's Kid

THE BRAZEN SERPENT

Everything in the Old Testament has its fulfillment in the New. And everything in the New Testament has its forerunner in the Old.

So let's look at the Brazen Serpent today. Remember the story in Numbers 21:4-9 where the Children of Israel complained to Moses and blamed him for bringing them out to the wilderness to die? The Lord punished them by sending fiery snakes to bite them. The Lord had Moses erect a brazen serpent so everyone could see it. And whenever someone was bitten by a snake, he/she could look at that serpent and be forgiven AND healed. Everyone! No one was excluded.

And is healing not found in the brazen serpent of the New Testament today? In John 3:14, 15, Jesus said, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." Did you catch that "whosoever"? Again, no one was excluded.

The book of Hebrews tells us that the New Covenant, or the New Testament, is a BETTER covenant than the Old. If everyone who looked on the brazen serpent in the Old Testament was healed, doesn't it make sense that under the BETTER covenant, we, too, can be both forgiven and healed by looking at Jesus, our present-day brazen serpent?

The benefits of the Old Testament brazen serpent are the same benefits of Christ, the New Testament brazen serpent.

I Peter 2:24 says that "by whose stripes" --- that's the stripes that Jesus bore --- "we WERE healed!" If we WERE healed, we ARE healed!

Don't believe it because I said it. Believe it because the Word of God says it!

Preacher's Kid

HEBREWS 11:1 FAITH

You can probably recite Hebrews 11:1 without looking it up in your Bible "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

When I told our Sunday School class Sunday about the group discussion my husband and I hope to start the last of next month, I made it very clear that the study of healing would NOT be based on theology. Nor would it be based on denominational teaching. Above all, it would NOT be based on tradition, nor on another person's experiences or thoughts. We were going to base it on one thing, and one thing only: The Word of God.

Do you know why many people are not healed? The minute they are prayed for, they begin to examine themselves and see if they FEEL healed. Whoa! Let's stop right there. Faith has nothing to do with feeling. Feeling has nothing to do with faith. You can't find one Scripture that promises if you have faith, you'll have feeling. Nor can you find one Scripture that assures you that if you have feeling, you have faith.

In the natural realm we say, "When I see it, I'll believe it." And too many people carry that erroneous idea over into the spiritual realm. But true faith says, "If I believe it, I'll see it."

Are you wondering where I got that idea? Does the Bible really say that? It sure does. Try Mark 11:24, which says, "Whatever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Can't get any plainer than that.

So I can honestly say that based on the Word of God, I BEIEVE I have my healing. I didn't say I AM healed -- I said I BELIEVE I'm healed.

What is belief, anyway? Belief is faith. And what is faith? Faith is the EVIDENCE of things not seen. So the evidence of my healing is in my faith, or my belief. Belief, or faith must come first. And that prepares the way for the manifestation of the healing.

You know, there's a time period between our believing and our receiving the manifestation of whatever it is we have prayed for. Some people receive instantaneous healing; but, remember, we are not basing our faith on others' experiences. If we received instantaneous healing, we wouldn't need faith. Why? Because we already have what we prayed for! We no longer need faith. We have the real thing. But in Mark 11:24, there is a time for faith to work, for believing to come into play.

So, remember that faith accepts the Word of God regardless of pain, symptoms or feelings! Rest assured, true faith disregards everything but the Word of God. If you stand by the Word of God in every situation, God will stand by you.

Don't just read what I've written. Think about it. Meditate on it. Go over it again and again and see if God doesn't make these truths real to your heart as never before.

Preacher's Kid

HI Y'ALL

I fully intended to send a blog last evening -- even had something in mind! But when I finished cleaning the supper dishes, I decided to sit in my La-Z-Boy and rest just for a couple of minutes. The next thing I knew, I got awake and it was 10:00 PM! I was still sleepy so decided to go to bed. That's when I discovered I had accidentally taken my sleeping pill along with my evening meal meds!!!! Oh, the joys of being a Senior Citizen!

My husband and I have been studying Divine Healing during our daily devotions for nearly two years. And beginning in late October, we are starting a discussion group on the subject in our Wed. night church family night gatherings. So I'm sure that for a while, my blogs will consist of all kinds of information I've discovered along that line. Much of the info, of course, can pertain to other areas of our spiritual lives, too.

You're probably asking yourself why I'm getting involved in such a discussion when I have my own physical problems. I'll let you in on a secret, one you can mull over until the next blog!

According to the Word of God, I believe I'm healed. Notice I didn't say I AM healed. I said I BELIEVE I'm healed. There's a difference. BELIEF is FAITH, is it not? And doesn't Heb. 11:1 tell us that Faith is the evidence of things not seen? So my belief is the evidence of my healing! And I say "Praise the Lord" for that! My faith is based on Mark 11:24: "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." I desire healing, and I believe I receive healing. Now it's God's Word that's at stake -- not mine!

Did you ever stop to think that if a person has his/her healing, he/she doesn't need faith any longer. Why? Because they have the manifestation of their healing. Often we expect instantaneous healing the moment we pray just like we've seen happen in big crusades where the person ministering has a gift of healing. And we forget that usually there is a lapse of time between faith and its results when we're praying on our own. Scripture tells us to stand fast in the faith.

So that's what I'm doing. How about you?

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL SUNSCREEN

Are you by any chance one of those unfortunate people who are allergic to the sun? If so, you know all about the itchy red rash that appears on the "V" of the neck, the arms and the legs when exposed to too much sun. You've learned to wear long sleeves and big, floppy hats to keep your face shaded. And even in hot weather you wear tight-fitting clothing around the neck. When outdoors, you stay in the shade as much as you can. And, of course, you use the strongest possible sunscreen you can get your hands on for maximum protection.

Did you know that Christians need spiritual protection? I call it "Spiritual Sunscreen." Satan, the ruler of this world, bombards us continually with temptations of all kinds. John 10:10(a) warns us that Satan, or "The thief cometh not but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." When that happens, we'd better have our trusty, spiritual sunscreen handy, and plenty of it, too.

Maybe you're wondering what spiritual sunscreen is? Where do we get it? The Christian's sunscreen, or protection, is the Lord. We must apply that spiritual sunscreen, that spiritual protection, as diligently as we apply the natural sunscreen to our physical bodies.

Our most important spiritual sunscreen, of course, is the Blood of Jesus. I never tire of talking about the Blood and its benefits. Bible reading and prayer also serve as spiritual sunscreen. How about faith? Meditation? The Holy Spirit? Even spiritual fellowship!

We're surrounded with all kinds of spiritual sunscreen. Let's be sure to avail ourselves of God's marvelous protection in every area of our lives. And the best part is, spiritual sunscreen doesn't cost us a cent! It's free for the taking!

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL STARVATION

Most, if not all of us, have food in abundance (superabundance, for that matter), and are so well-fed that we're not familiar with the symptoms of starvation. At the outset of starvation, victims have an insatiable craving for nourishment. As time passes, however, the body weakens, the mind is dulled, and the desire for something to eat wanes. They tell me that starving people actually reach a point where they don't even want food that is placed before them.

Spiritual starvation follows much the same course. If we have been feeding daily on God's Word, it's only natural to feel "hungry" when we skip our quiet time. And if we continue to neglect it, we can lose all desire to study the Scriptures. What happens? We starve ourselves spiritually.

How much time do you spend reading the Bible and meditating on its truths? Do you miss the Word when you neglect it?

Psalm 119:103 says, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth."

Thomas Guthrie, a Scottish preacher in the 1800's wrote: "If you find yourself loving any pleasure better than your prayers, any book better than the Bible, any persons better than Christ, or any indulgence better than the hope of heaven -- take alarm!

How do you rate according to that statement?

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL POWER FAILURE

We've all experienced power failures at one time or another. And when they occur at night, it is nearly impossible to do anything! Can't see to read. No TV to watch. No computer to play around with (unless you have a battery operated laptop). Can't get your evening meal if you have an electric stove, as we do. Can't use the microwave. You need a lamp, a candle, or maybe a match to get fixin's out of the fridge for a cold sandwich! My husband recently bought two nice lanterns for such emergencies -- one for the house and one for the motor home. Fortunately we haven't had opportunity to try them out yet.

In our spiritual walk we sometimes suffer from spiritual power failure when plagued with fears, doubts, and problems. Our faith is weak and flickers like the wavering light of a candle. We may feel numb and even depressed.

That's when we need to pour our hearts out to God in prayer, telling Him how we feel. He knows, anyway. We need to call upon Him for strength and courage and rest in the assurance of His love, His care and His watchfulness over us. When the power of your faith goes, you're left to grope in confusion, fear and uncertainty.

But once you make contact with your Heavenly Father, His love will flow into you and cause the sputtering candle-flame of your faith to flicker stronger and stronger until it lights your way completely and returns the full power of faith to your soul.

So don't let yourself be caught without a strong and active faith. Don't live in the uncertainty of a fluttering, candlelight faith. Shine each day with a full and illuminating brilliance!

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL PACK RATS

Would I be amiss to suggest that most people are pack rats? They save this; they save that; they save anything and everything. After all, they might find use for it some day. Or they might even need it some day!

My husband is in charge of the Prime Timers at our church. (That's what we call our senior citizens.) We never have to plan for our monthly meetings, for they're all the same. The one thing, and the only thing, for that matter, that our group turns out in full force for is our monthly buffet luncheon. Last month we had 28 people show up. Not bad for a church of around 100 in attendance! We used to have programs with special speakers, games, etc. At those times we were lucky if 9 people showed up! But they really look forward to eating and fellowshipping each month at the buffet!

As seniors, we're all on limited incomes -- some more than others. So for those seniors who are unable to attend our monthly buffets because of limited finances, we give them gift certificates to cover their meals. At approximately $10 per meal, it doesn't take long for our bank balance to look pretty pathetic.

So - - - last Saturday we sponsored a rummage sale. Talk about donations for the sale! I think every member of the church must be pack rats and decided to clean house! We thank the Lord that we were able to increase our budget by over $600!

Then I got to thinking about "Spiritual Pack Rats." Maybe you'll be surprised at what my thoughts conjured up this time. The "Spiritual Pack Rats" I'm thinking about don't stash junk -- no, they stash away their God-given gifts and talents! One has a gift of music; another a gift of teaching; still another a gift of hospitality. Some have a special ability to help others, whether with transportation, or baby sitting, or taking food in times of sickness and sorrow, etc., etc. There's just no limit to the type of gifts people are not using. Kinda like stashing their talents away, hoarding them, if you please, instead of using them for the glory of God. You get the idea, I'm sure. So, now . . .

. . .what God-given abilities are YOU hoarding?

Are you a spiritual pack rat? Just wondering!

Preacher's Kid

WHO DOES THE GIVING?

Yesterday we blogged about who does the taking. Let's reverse it and talk about who does the giving. Yesterday it was Job - today it's Paul and his controversial thorn in the flesh!

In II Corinthians 12:7, Paul writes, "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure."

Nowhere in that Scripture does Paul say that the Lord is the One Who gave him his thorn in the flesh. To the contrary, he plainly states is was a "messenger of Satan." God is not in the business of sending Satan's messengers to do His work! So whenever anyone claims that God gave Paul his thorn in the flesh, they are not reading the Scripture correctly!

As long as we're on the subject, I might add that Paul's thorn in the flesh was not an illness. Space prohibits me from giving you many Scriptures to substantiate this in detail. Just let me point out two things. The New Testament was written in Greek, and the Greek word for "messenger" (which is what Paul says it was) is "angelos." "Angelos" is used 188 times in the New Testament; 181 of those times it means "messenger," and the other 7 times it means "angel." NOWHERE does it mean sickness!

Paul also says that his thorn was to "buffet" him. Do you know what the word "buffet" means? It means over and over and over again, like buffeting someone with your fist, or hitting that person repeatedly. If Paul's thorn was a sickness or disease, then that sickness struck him time after time after time. And how could a man that sick write the majority of the New Testament in addition to establishing numerous churches and making arduous missionary journeys?

If space permitted, I could give you many more reasons to believe that Paul's thorn was not a sickness or disease. But this is enough information to chew on for now!

Preacher's Kid

WHO DOES THE TAKING?

In offering comfort to those who've lost a loved one, I'm sure you've heard people quote Job 1:21(b): "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Maybe you've quoted it, too. Or maybe even the bereaved person has tried to cling to that verse for comfort. Worse yet, preachers will use that verse at funerals!

But did you ever stop to realize that that is not a correct statement? Yes, it's a statement found in the Word of God. "Isn't everything in the Word true?" you're wondering? Of course it is; but that doesn't mean every statement is applicable to us or is quoted under the proper circumstances.

(Facetiously speaking, you've no doubt heard how someone once quoted the Scripture that says, "Judas went out and hanged himself" and combined it with "Go thou and do likewise!")

Let's go back to Job 1:21. Were the words "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away" spoken by the Lord? Were they God's words? No, they were Job's words after his misfortune of losing his servants, his flocks and herds, and even his children. He assumed the Lord had taken away and destroyed all his possessions.

But was God to blame? No, He wasn't. God didn't take anything away from Job. SATAN was the responsible party! God knew what was going on, of course; and God had also put Job in Satan's hands for testing his loyalty to Him, but with the condition, of course, that he touch not his life.

Based on that explanation, God was NOT the one who took away! As I read my Bible, what God takes away is our sins!

If you recall the rest of the story, it was only after Job repented for his "know-it-all" attitude, that God blessed him and restored him twice as much as he had before!

Isn't this a neat insight into something you probably hadn't realized before? Let's not be guilty of making the Bible say something it really doesn't say!

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL GIGO

Remember the term from years gone by of "Gigo?" Garbage in, garbage out!" I haven't heard that for years. That's just another way of stating Galatians 6:7b: "(W)hatever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

Let's stretch our imaginations a bit. Suppose we plant some tomato seeds. We pray over those seeds and even anoint them; then expect them to produce beautiful roses. No one believes us when we tell them what we expect those seeds to produce, because everyone knows it is impossible to grow roses from tomato seed!

Now let's turn to the spiritual realm. Do you know anyone who sits for endless hours on end in front of the TV and watches every "soap" that comes along? (I'm sure YOU don't!!!) And the trash that television produces is getting raunchier by the day! Some people watch the TV trash all week long and then are frustrated and puzzled when they go to church on Sunday and don't experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in their midst.

Don't turn me off, now. I'm not saying it's a sin to watch television. I watch it, too. What I'm concerned about is this. Do you spend more time in front of the TV than you do with the Lord? Where do you turn for your pleasure -- the TV or the Word of God? Which is more important to you -- the TV or God's Word? Television can be addictive, and can rob us of time we should be spending with the Lord and His Word, in both communication and meditation.

What are you putting into your heart, mind and spirit -- trash or the Word? Only you can answer that question.

Remember: Gigo -- garbage in, garbage out!

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL GALL BLADDER ATTACKS

Have you ever had a gall bladder attack? No? Lucky You!

Years ago I used to have what I thought was heartburn. Until the day I got a taste of bile! Boy, was it ever bitter! No one had to tell me my heartburn, in reality, was a gall bladder attack! After surgery, I was told the gallstone the doctor removed was the largest ever removed at either of the two hospitals in our city. Somewhere I have a photo of that gallstone and a large hen egg, side by side. To this day I can't tell you which is which!!!

In Acts 8:23, Peter and John speak about "the gall of bitterness" -- and from my experience, the word "bitter" is a most appropriate description of "gall!" The only other time "gall" is used in the New Testament is when Christ, on the cross, was offered a drink of vinegar mixed with gall. It was a stupefying drink, and Matthew 27:34 tells us that when He had tasted it, He refused to drink it.

But speaking of gall, did you know that gall still exists in many churches today? I'm speaking now of spiritual gall, or bitterness. And the church of God will never operate effectively if plagued with bitterness. It's so easy to look around and notice how bitter this person is against so-and-so. And how bitter that person is against another person. What's the problem? They're having spiritual gall bladder attacks, and bitterness is running rampant.

But instead of looking at others, I challenge you to look in your own heart. Are you bitter at all toward anyone else? If we're not careful, bitterness can be hidden in the innermost recesses of our hearts. We may think we have it hidden so well that no one knows it is there. But, as I Samuel 16:7 says, "(M)an looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

Do you have spiritual gall bladder attacks? I sincerely hope not.

Preacher's Kid

P.S. If you do, surgery by the Chief surgeon, God Himself, is the only cure!

SPIRITUAL FREEBIES

I love getting something for free, don't you? I even enjoy the free food samples the super markets hand out now and then -- especially in the bakery department! I also enjoy "couponing" whether it results in a free product or cents off on various items.

I recall my mother telling how she played store as a child and offered one of her products "Free for 5 cents!"

As adults, we sometimes make promises to do this, that or the other -- all free, of course. And then we inadvertently (at least I hope it's inadvertently) break those promises by not keeping them. How betrayed we feel when someone we trusted doesn't follow through on a promise we assumed was made to us in good faith. Of course, when we're the ones who forget to keep a promise we made to another, we can always blame it on a "senior moment." Old age does have its perks, you know!

When it comes to "Spiritual Freebies," there's no end to the delights God offers us free: free salvation, free love, free mercy, free grace, free guidance, etc., etc. And the best part of spiritual freebies, of course, is that we never need worry about those promises being broken. We never need to be concerned that God will forget His Word.

One of my favorite spiritual freebies is, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Another says, ""I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely" (Rev. 21:6b).

And remember, not only are we the recipients of spiritual freebies, but we can also be the givers of spiritual freebies. Matthew 10:8 clearly points out, "(F)reely ye have received, freely give."

So when we count our blessings -- and I hope you do that often -- don't forget to count your spiritual freebies.

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL FAST FOOD

Fast Food stores and snack bars are found on almost every corner in town these days. They are convenient when one is in a hurry, I'll admit. But oh, the calories available at such places--the kind that pack on the fat, I must add!

Someone once said, "To be a healthy Christian, don't treat the Bible as snack food."

To some people, reading the Bible regularly is taking a promise out of a "promise box" kept in the middle of the table -- grabbing a verse of Scripture on the run, so to speak, and expecting to get your spiritual nourishment for the day from that one verse. Now, there's nothing wrong with having a promise box sitting around so long as you don't rely on that promise box for your daily sustenance of spiritual food.

Proper spiritual nourishment takes time. It's like a cow chewing her cud. They say that a dairy cow spends about 8 hours a day chewing its cud. That's around 3,000 chews daily! A contented cow is one that is seen chewing her cud. It aids in her digestion which, in turn, helps her produce more and richer milk.

The same thing can be said of meditation for the child of God. The Psalmist David learned this lesson early in life. Read Psalm 119 (I know that's the longest chapter in the Bible!!!) and see how often the Psalmist refers to meditating upon God and His laws. Start with verse 97, which says, "Oh, how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day." Keep on reading and note in the following verses the result of meditation.

You'll never feel spiritually satisfied or have a well-rounded spiritual meal eating spiritual fast food all the time. Try David's method of meditation and see how your soul will thrive!

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL ECHOES

Which is the most important -- a voice (sound, if you please) or an echo? A voice, of course, for you can't have an echo until you first have a sound! Then, too, echoes fade away while sounds keep producing.

In the spiritual realm, we often confuse echoes and voices. There are many of both, of course; but only one Voice we need to learn to recognize -- that of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Remember the teaching that Jesus gave in John, chapter 5, where He says He is the Shepherd? He tells how the sheep hear and know HIS voice; they come when HE calls, for they are familiar with HIS voice. But they pay no attention to a strange voice.

We need to be well acquainted not only with the Voice of our heavenly Shepherd, but also make sure we are not hearing echoes of other voices. "So-and-so says this," or "So-and-so believes that," etc. But the important thing is, what does THE VOICE say?

We dare not base our religious beliefs upon theology, denominational teachings, tradition, what other people think, or the experience of others. The only safe thing to base our faith upon is God's Word! What does HE say?

I challenge you to carefully examine your beliefs and make sure they rest on God's Word and God's Word alone.

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL DOWNS SYNDROME

Have you ever been plagued by the "downs" -- down in the dumps, that is! Or have you ever felt so discouraged (That's just another term for "down") you didn't feel like reading your Bible? Or praying? Or even going to church? Or have you ever felt so "down and out" that life didn't seem worth the living?

If so, you have a case of what I call "Spiritual Downs Syndrome!"

Have you ever asked someone how they were only to have them reply, "Under the circumstances, I'm fine." Or maybe you've been guilty of making that reply to someone who asked how things were going with you.

If so, let me ask you this: What are you doing UNDER the circumstances, anyway? As a Christian you should be on TOP of your circumstances! Doesn't God's Word assure you that you can do all things through Christ Who strengthens you? Of course, you can!

Billy Sunday once said, "You may be down, but you're never out!"

Don't let yourself be engulfed by Spiritual Downs Syndrome!

Preacher's Kid

14 FATEFUL STAIR STEPS

I'm "off course" today. I finally started my Memoirs, something I've wanted to do for ages. It's a little longer than my usual blogs, but thought you might get a kick out of the first one! Here it is!

I’ve always had a "thing" for numbers. In the hospital, I’ll count the number of ceiling tiles! Ditto for the dentist’s office. At the chiropractor’s office it’s the number of glass panes in each window. At church, I’ll count the number of rows in the S. S. Room, the number of chairs in each row, the number of people in attendance. You get the picture. And we had 14 stair steps between the first and second floors of my childhood home! I know, because I counted them! The first time I counted those fateful stair steps is my earliest memory!

Due to a bout with polio when I was less than a year old, I didn’t learn to walk until I was almost three years old. Of course I was too young to remember the polio itself. But Mother told me many times how the doctors at first said I’d be a cripple all my life if I even survived. But Mother believed in the power of prayer. As she prayed about the situation, she felt the Lord assuring her that some day I’d take care of her.

Then for three long months, Mother learned how to do all her work with one arm while she carried me continuously in the other arm. If she put me in my crib, I was all right, she said, so long as I lay on my side. But I was not content to stay in that position for long. The trouble began when I would flop over onto my back. My hips and legs, paralyzed at right angles to my torso, would then stick straight up into the air. It must have caused me extreme pain, Mother explained, as I would scream uncontrollably at those times. The Lord intervened, however, and eventually the polio left and I learned to walk at three years of age.

One day my sister, five years my senior, wanted to take me upstairs with her. I have a vague recollection of her conversation with Mother who was reluctant to let me take that many stairs. But Ruth convinced Mother that she would watch me carefully, and nothing would happen. I was delighted with this unexpected freedom to try out my nearly acquired skill of walking and remember of thinking how I would prove to them that I was, indeed, a big girl now, ready to go up and down stairs!

As Ruth looked for something in one of those old-fashioned roll-top desks just inside the upstairs bedroom door, I cautiously slipped to the stair landing just to take a peek down those mystical stairs I had successfully conquered at last. But there was a step down from the room to the landing, and you guessed it – I stumbled! That precipitated a downward spiral from the top to the bottom of that stairway. I hit every single step on the way down.

The fall really didn’t hurt all that much. I can recall, as young as I was, telling myself I wasn’t going to cry. I was afraid that if I made a fuss, I wouldn’t be allowed to go upstairs again. But the tears came, anyway, more from fright than anything else, I think. I heard Mother running and can still see her standing at the bottom of those steps with arms outstretched to catch me!

That’s how I first learned there were 14 steps from one floor to the next! But I survived, none the worse for wear!

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL DOUGHNUTS

Oops! Day before yesterday I blogged about "Spiritual Crabs" for the second time. Seems I have my notes in two different places and repeated myself without realizing it. But then, I bet you didn't catch it, either! So we're even!

How would you describe a doughnut? Somewhere I read that a doughnut is a zero, a nothing, with a rim around the edge! Like a hole with a fence surrounding it. Reminds me of what Paul said in I Cor. 4:4: "I know nothing by myself." Sorta like us, huh?

You know, before we became Christians, we were like that doughnut. We were a "nothing." And even now that we do belong to Christ, Satan likes to make us feel that we are still a "nothing." That's not so. Don't listen to his lies.

In John 15:5 Jesus said, "Without me ye can do nothing." If we're His children, we have His power and His ability. Don't freak out on me because I said we have Christ's ability. After all, that's what power means -- ability! When we gave our hearts and lives to Jesus, He put His loving arms around us and gave us His power. No longer are we a "nothing!"

Now we can say with Paul, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

Don't be a spiritual doughnut. Let Christ surround your life today and every day.

Preacher's Kid
P.S. Hey, a Crispy Cream doughnut would taste mighty good about now!!!!

SPIRITUAL CRIPPLES

A well-known TV evangelist claims that statistics show that only 8% of Christians, according to a survey, know what their place of service is in the church.

"Oh, I'm not called to service in the Lord's house," someone might say. "That's for preachers. I simply attend church when I have nothing else to do."

Now, wait a minute. Where did you get the idea you need a special calling to volunteer in promoting the service of the Lord? Give me the Scripture reference for that, if you please, book, chapter and verse.

What if everyone had the attitude that being a "bench warmer" is all that is necessary? Who would greet people when they enter the church? Who would do the ushering? Who would be teaching classes? Who would lead the singing, play the piano or organ? Who would sing in the choir? Who would look after the needs of the unfortunate and needy? Etc., etc., etc. Some of the mega churches may be able to pay their song leaders, pianists and organists; but the majority of those positions are volunteer.

The church has a crying need for volunteers of all kinds. What is your talent? "I have none," you excuse yourself. OK, although I disagree. Let's phrase that question in a different way. What do you excel in? Can you bake cookies, or a pie? Make a cake or casserole for a potluck. Help clean up after a social gathering? Offer someone a ride who wouldn't otherwise be able to attend church or any of its social functions? Can you make a phone call to an absentee? Send a birthday or get well card to someone in the church family? The list of possibilities is endless.

No wonder the church is filled with spiritual cripples when many people have the attitude of "I'm not qualified to do anything." They're too crippled spiritually and too blind to see the myriad of opportunities available.

I call such people "spiritual cripples." I sure hope you aren't one of them!

Preacher's Kid

SPIRITUAL CRABS

Once during my working years, I found a little plastic sign to put on my desk. It read, "Lord, help me not to be so crabby, and help me put up with the crabs around me." I thought the sign was hilarious, especially as I was boss and was asking the Lord to help me not to be crabby! But my co-workers didn't appreciate it one bit! For their sakes, I soon got rid of the offensive sign!

They tell me that if you put a lot of crabs in a bucket, they will not get out. Why? What keeps them from climbing up the side of the bucket and falling out? There's a simple answer. When one crab gets to the top and nearly out of the bucket, another crab reaches up and pulls him back down in his own endeavor to get out!

Perhaps you're wondering what that has to do with spiritual crabs! Many times when we try to draw closer to the Lord, others will try to discourage us in our endeavors. "Don't go overboard," they'll urge. "It's not necessary to spend so much time in prayer," they'll claim. Or "Why spend so much time reading the Bible?" The other "crabs" will come up with all kinds of excuses to drag us back down in our spiritual life. Perhaps we should say they'll try to drag us back down to THEIR spiritual level. Because they don't enjoy spiritual freedom, they don't want us to get ahead of them and make spiritual progress, either

And of course there are those "crabs" who find fault with the preacher, with the services, with their Christian friends and everything else. There are "crabs" of all kinds in every part of the church.

Let's determine we are not going to give in to the pressures and demands of others. Don't let them drag us back into the bucket. Instead, let's climb out of the realm of the "crabs" and into the full sunlight of God's love.

Preacher's Kid

AMEN! SO BE IT!

I'm still meditating on and getting excited about some of the phrases in the Amplified Bible!

You're all familiar with the word "Selah" which appears after many of the Psalms. I always figured "Selah" was saying "Amen! So be it!"

Whenever "Selah" is used in the Amplified, it is followed by clarifying words in brackets [ ] which say, "Pause, and calmly think of that!" And so I ask you to pause and think about that!

In fact I think it would be most appropriate to "pause and think about that" no matter what Scripture we are reading. In other words, MEDITATE on what we've read.

So my challenge to you today is: SELAH! SELAH! SELAH! every time you read God's Word!

Preacher's Kid