The lack of rain, the visible withdrawal of God’s favor, had not caused repentance in Israel’s King Ahab, who “did more evil in the eyes of the LORD” than any kings before him. Everyone suffered from animals to men.
The thick-as-dust air caused prophet Elijah’s tongue to stick to the roof of his mouth. Each journey-step sent a flurry of dirt to the hem of his garment.
Nerves taut. Food supplies short. Leaves of trees and limbs of men longed for cleansing rain. At least twice during this three and one half year drought, the prophet Elijah heard from God.
On two occasions, the Lord used similar language, command language. God told Elijah to live by the Kerith Ravine, “I have commanded the ravens to feed you.”
For quite awhile, Elijah’s needs were met by birds and God’s flight plan. Elijah watched the glossy sheen of black wings fly toward him mornings and evenings—their payload meat and bread. How did ravens bring edible food? Those answers aren’t in 1 Kings 17.
Ravens were birds of prey, unclean, ate carrion, and sometimes neglected to feed their young. While we might have chosen a delivery dove, God commanded ravens to bring food to Elijah, perhaps sending a subtle message that good can come from any source. God has authority over all.
When the brook dried, God gave Elijah another itinerary using familiar words: “Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon . . .. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food.”
How did the command arrive to the widow? Again, that information is not supplied, but it came during her very dire personal circumstances. At the city gates, she gathered sticks to make a fire and cook her last meal for herself and her son. Tired, Elijah arrived and asked for a little water, when she turned to get some, he added, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”
That’s when she outlined her poverty. All she had left was a handful of flour and a little oil in a jug. Elijah’s next words rained God’s favor. He told her not to be afraid, prepare a small piece of bread for Elijah, then herself and her son. “The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD brings rain on the land.”
The widow trusted and obeyed, and because of God’s mercy the threesome made it through the drought.
I like knowing that the world is under God’s “command.” He directed ravens, a widow, a flour bin and oil jug. His multiplication powers are always above human efforts, and his arithmetic is above the calculations of men.
Visit Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
Friday, June 08, 2007
Friday, June 01, 2007
Red-Letter Lives
General Omar N. Bradley, a veteran of World War I and II, said, “Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living. We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount.”
This week, I wrote the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount on a card to carry in my purse. The beatitudes will give me something more worthy to read than billboards.
“Beatitude” means happiness of the highest kind. One day when Jesus’ disciples came to him, a mountainside became his pulpit. Because Jesus had God-resources, he shared truths that could stamp out selfish will — truths that caused self to melt, leaving a hollowed out place for God to live. These are his blessings:
· Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
· Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
· Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
· Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
· Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
· Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
· Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
· Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:1-10).
As a child, I remember seeing red letter words in my parent’s Bibles and asking them why some sentences were written in red ink. They told me the text singled out by red noted words spoken by Jesus, and I later learned the method eliminated the use of so many quotations marks.
Tony Morgan, minister, meditating on the red letter portion of the New Testament, noticed 16 significant action words, words of instruction to followers: believe, turn, follow, thirst, give, forgive, ask, agree, serve, love, pray, worship, obey, seek, trust, and go. These are written on the other side of my index card (in red ink).
The beatitudes and action words of Jesus written in this column are not in red ink, but perhaps you’ll be inclined to meditate on these today and allow God to scoop out a place in your life, a place where he can grow happiness of the highest kind.
Nuclear giants still abound. Ethical infants have clones. However, practiced beatitudes and commanded actions of Jesus can become remedies. They are words to live by.
Visit Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
This week, I wrote the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount on a card to carry in my purse. The beatitudes will give me something more worthy to read than billboards.
“Beatitude” means happiness of the highest kind. One day when Jesus’ disciples came to him, a mountainside became his pulpit. Because Jesus had God-resources, he shared truths that could stamp out selfish will — truths that caused self to melt, leaving a hollowed out place for God to live. These are his blessings:
· Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
· Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
· Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
· Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
· Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
· Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
· Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
· Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:1-10).
As a child, I remember seeing red letter words in my parent’s Bibles and asking them why some sentences were written in red ink. They told me the text singled out by red noted words spoken by Jesus, and I later learned the method eliminated the use of so many quotations marks.
Tony Morgan, minister, meditating on the red letter portion of the New Testament, noticed 16 significant action words, words of instruction to followers: believe, turn, follow, thirst, give, forgive, ask, agree, serve, love, pray, worship, obey, seek, trust, and go. These are written on the other side of my index card (in red ink).
The beatitudes and action words of Jesus written in this column are not in red ink, but perhaps you’ll be inclined to meditate on these today and allow God to scoop out a place in your life, a place where he can grow happiness of the highest kind.
Nuclear giants still abound. Ethical infants have clones. However, practiced beatitudes and commanded actions of Jesus can become remedies. They are words to live by.
Visit Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
Friday, May 25, 2007
Who Would Hide Me?
During danger he will keep me safe in his shelter. He will hide me in his Holy Tent, or he will keep me safe on a high mountain. Psalm 27:5 (New Century Version)
In Joseph Heller’s novel, Good as Gold, two men discuss friendship. One recalls the story of a Jewish man, who lived in Germany during his childhood. He and his family escaped the terror of Hitler because of courageous folks who hid them. During the conversation, one man asks the other longtime coworker, “Would you hide me?”
Ask a friend this question and you cut through shallow skin and into heart muscle. While researching for this article, I dialed my longtime friend Doris Allen and told her the story I just wrote for you. I didn’t phone to ask her the question. I called to thank her. I knew the answer.
Heller’s fiction grew out of real, horrific happenings. The Hebrew word “olah” means “burnt sacrifice.” Later, Greek words “holo” (whole) and “caustos” (burned) combined to form holocaust, a term used to describe the systematic murder of Jews by Nazi Germany.
Survivor David Katz wrote about his family and the Holocaust. After being separated from his parents, David, age 13, walked a five month journey to occupied France, mostly by moonlight. In hiding and disguise for several years, he found his first real bed and good night’s rest in the home of a Catholic priest. When the Gestapo prowled, the priest hid David inside an attic wall.
Other Jews left through underground networks. Some were shielded in outhouses, forests, behind false walls, and haylofts. During this time, plenty of folk turned their neighbors in for harboring Jews. Indoctrinated German children even turned in their own parents.
Julian Bilecki, a skinny teenager in Poland, and his family hid up to 23 refugees for several years in an underground bunker. In the winter, members of the rescue family jumped from tree to tree bringing food to the bunker to avoid leaving a trail of footprints in the snow.
Later from the United States, many of the bunker survivors sent gifts to the Bileckis, who remained poor. Eventually, the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous flew Julian Bilecki and his son to the United States to reunite with some of the people the Belecki family had helped.
Mrs. Grau Schnitzer, who was 9 when sheltered, met him at the airport and spoke to him in Russian and Ukranian, “God should be praised for this moment, and thanks for all your goodness.”
Pettiness and possessions pale, moving into the background, when deep inquiries about life surface. What are your answers to these questions?
Who would I hide?
Who would hide me?
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
PS Thanks to Mike Cope (blog and article in Christian Standard) and Darryl Tippens (book: Pilgrim Heart) where I first read the question: Who would hide me?
In Joseph Heller’s novel, Good as Gold, two men discuss friendship. One recalls the story of a Jewish man, who lived in Germany during his childhood. He and his family escaped the terror of Hitler because of courageous folks who hid them. During the conversation, one man asks the other longtime coworker, “Would you hide me?”
Ask a friend this question and you cut through shallow skin and into heart muscle. While researching for this article, I dialed my longtime friend Doris Allen and told her the story I just wrote for you. I didn’t phone to ask her the question. I called to thank her. I knew the answer.
Heller’s fiction grew out of real, horrific happenings. The Hebrew word “olah” means “burnt sacrifice.” Later, Greek words “holo” (whole) and “caustos” (burned) combined to form holocaust, a term used to describe the systematic murder of Jews by Nazi Germany.
Survivor David Katz wrote about his family and the Holocaust. After being separated from his parents, David, age 13, walked a five month journey to occupied France, mostly by moonlight. In hiding and disguise for several years, he found his first real bed and good night’s rest in the home of a Catholic priest. When the Gestapo prowled, the priest hid David inside an attic wall.
Other Jews left through underground networks. Some were shielded in outhouses, forests, behind false walls, and haylofts. During this time, plenty of folk turned their neighbors in for harboring Jews. Indoctrinated German children even turned in their own parents.
Julian Bilecki, a skinny teenager in Poland, and his family hid up to 23 refugees for several years in an underground bunker. In the winter, members of the rescue family jumped from tree to tree bringing food to the bunker to avoid leaving a trail of footprints in the snow.
Later from the United States, many of the bunker survivors sent gifts to the Bileckis, who remained poor. Eventually, the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous flew Julian Bilecki and his son to the United States to reunite with some of the people the Belecki family had helped.
Mrs. Grau Schnitzer, who was 9 when sheltered, met him at the airport and spoke to him in Russian and Ukranian, “God should be praised for this moment, and thanks for all your goodness.”
Pettiness and possessions pale, moving into the background, when deep inquiries about life surface. What are your answers to these questions?
Who would I hide?
Who would hide me?
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
PS Thanks to Mike Cope (blog and article in Christian Standard) and Darryl Tippens (book: Pilgrim Heart) where I first read the question: Who would hide me?
Friday, May 18, 2007
Chatter Not the Truth
A country preacher complained to one of his members who missed church the previous Sunday. The farmer explained, "I had haying to do. It was over in the back field where no one could see me working on a Sunday.”
"But God saw you," the preacher protested. "I know that, but He's not a gossip like the folks around here."
Gossip has been on my mind. In the laundry room while folding dish towels and sheets, I contemplated gossip. Not behind-the-back talk that I planned to do, but I thought about one more reason not to gossip.
When one says too much about a person or tells information not needed, the listener, especially if they’ve never met the person being talked about, may use the information to make a wrong judgment.
If the person being spoken about is unknown to the hearer, they can be influenced by the verbal portrayal. Praise or slander can sway the listener.
Bible proverbs have quite a bit to “say” about word exchanges, but here is my favorite: “Those who guard their mouths and tongues keep themselves from calamity” (Proverbs 21:23). James says learning to tame the tongue is an aim at perfection.
Some defend tittle-tattle saying, “If it’s true, it’s not gossip.” Pardon me, but I don’t want all the true things about my life bantered about. At times, even if something is true, prudence calls one to “chatter not the truth” (I don’t remember where I read that, but I like it.)
C. S. Lewis in “God in the Dock” said it’s best when we can “[a]bstain from all thinking about others unless your duties as a teacher or parent make it necessary to think about them.”
He suggests that when we’re our thoughts are tempted to stagnate on others’ faults that we “simply shove them away.” Instead of character assassinations, Lewis encourages considering our own bungles: “Of all the awkward people in your house or job there is only one whom you can improve very much.”
Some days I feel just like a Kindergartner, a beginning learner. My husband is fond of saying, “Get out your Big Chief Tablet.” Oh, the truth of it.
Jesus said to remove the timber protruding from my eye before trying to finger-pinch the speck of sawdust out of a friend’s eye.
The farmer was right. God doesn’t like gossip. He likes to cure it.
"But God saw you," the preacher protested. "I know that, but He's not a gossip like the folks around here."
Gossip has been on my mind. In the laundry room while folding dish towels and sheets, I contemplated gossip. Not behind-the-back talk that I planned to do, but I thought about one more reason not to gossip.
When one says too much about a person or tells information not needed, the listener, especially if they’ve never met the person being talked about, may use the information to make a wrong judgment.
If the person being spoken about is unknown to the hearer, they can be influenced by the verbal portrayal. Praise or slander can sway the listener.
Bible proverbs have quite a bit to “say” about word exchanges, but here is my favorite: “Those who guard their mouths and tongues keep themselves from calamity” (Proverbs 21:23). James says learning to tame the tongue is an aim at perfection.
Some defend tittle-tattle saying, “If it’s true, it’s not gossip.” Pardon me, but I don’t want all the true things about my life bantered about. At times, even if something is true, prudence calls one to “chatter not the truth” (I don’t remember where I read that, but I like it.)
C. S. Lewis in “God in the Dock” said it’s best when we can “[a]bstain from all thinking about others unless your duties as a teacher or parent make it necessary to think about them.”
He suggests that when we’re our thoughts are tempted to stagnate on others’ faults that we “simply shove them away.” Instead of character assassinations, Lewis encourages considering our own bungles: “Of all the awkward people in your house or job there is only one whom you can improve very much.”
Some days I feel just like a Kindergartner, a beginning learner. My husband is fond of saying, “Get out your Big Chief Tablet.” Oh, the truth of it.
Jesus said to remove the timber protruding from my eye before trying to finger-pinch the speck of sawdust out of a friend’s eye.
The farmer was right. God doesn’t like gossip. He likes to cure it.
Friday, May 11, 2007
A Mother's Hand-Me-Downs
Mother’s Day contests abound. The Internet, television, radio, newspapers, and magazines call for entrants and offer prizes if contestants can tell why their Mom is a “Super Mom.” Or one contest queries, “What is your favorite memory about your mother?”
Another contest asked mothers to send in photos of their favorite family moments. Perhaps the contest judges received candid shots of families at home or posed with pets.
But, cameras don’t always capture the moments we remember. For many adult children, favorite moments about mothers are stored in our lofts. Moms hand off a lot of stuff that is never captured on film such as values, caresses, cooking lessons, recipes, genes, likes and dislikes.
Stored in my memory bank are three favorite movie-shorts of my mom. When I was about nine, I heard Mother talking in our tiny bathroom. I knew spying was wrong but peeked through the keyhole anyway and saw her kneeling and praying. I received a gift that day, a hand-me-down, a prayer of faith.
I suspect it might have been a prayer of desperation poured out one summer day when we’d spilled enough KOOL-AID to drown the cat and slammed the door the gazillionth time.
The second image is Mother’s antics. I especially remember the times she conned the kitchen broom into a waltz. From those memory flashes, she hands down humor.
The third image is of her bent over the sewing machine, guiding yards of fabric under the pressure foot while the needle click-clacked. Out came Sunday clothes, costumes, and curtains. Corduroys, brocades, piqué, gingham checks — all became clothing rivaling any garment bought off of a retail rack. The hand-me-down was selflessness.
Selflessness may be the most outstanding characteristic of moms. Mothers are sturdy, surviving for years on crusts, the last lick of peanut butter, and cat naps.
Tenneva Jordan said, “A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people promptly announces she never did care for pie.”
God said through the prophet Micah that mothers in pleasant homes were intended blessings for children (2:9). If you are a mother, learn the lesson of hand-me-downs. Pass along some good stuff.
If your mom is alive, tell her about the snapshots stored in your heart -- the ones only you can see.
Care to comment or share a memory about your mom?
Another contest asked mothers to send in photos of their favorite family moments. Perhaps the contest judges received candid shots of families at home or posed with pets.
But, cameras don’t always capture the moments we remember. For many adult children, favorite moments about mothers are stored in our lofts. Moms hand off a lot of stuff that is never captured on film such as values, caresses, cooking lessons, recipes, genes, likes and dislikes.
Stored in my memory bank are three favorite movie-shorts of my mom. When I was about nine, I heard Mother talking in our tiny bathroom. I knew spying was wrong but peeked through the keyhole anyway and saw her kneeling and praying. I received a gift that day, a hand-me-down, a prayer of faith.
I suspect it might have been a prayer of desperation poured out one summer day when we’d spilled enough KOOL-AID to drown the cat and slammed the door the gazillionth time.
The second image is Mother’s antics. I especially remember the times she conned the kitchen broom into a waltz. From those memory flashes, she hands down humor.
The third image is of her bent over the sewing machine, guiding yards of fabric under the pressure foot while the needle click-clacked. Out came Sunday clothes, costumes, and curtains. Corduroys, brocades, piqué, gingham checks — all became clothing rivaling any garment bought off of a retail rack. The hand-me-down was selflessness.
Selflessness may be the most outstanding characteristic of moms. Mothers are sturdy, surviving for years on crusts, the last lick of peanut butter, and cat naps.
Tenneva Jordan said, “A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people promptly announces she never did care for pie.”
God said through the prophet Micah that mothers in pleasant homes were intended blessings for children (2:9). If you are a mother, learn the lesson of hand-me-downs. Pass along some good stuff.
If your mom is alive, tell her about the snapshots stored in your heart -- the ones only you can see.
Care to comment or share a memory about your mom?
Friday, May 04, 2007
Pig Trails and Highways
Recently, a surveyor told us that his field crew often machetes their way onto dense undergrowth properties. Have you ever walked into the woods when you had to push limbs out of the way and step through brush cover? With no path visible did it look as though your feet were the first to tread that section of earth?
Years ago, in pasture lands, the cows might have been the first to make tracks as they walked to watering holes. Cow trails snake all over our farm. In most of those areas, the cows have hoofed the grass and wild rose bushes down to a bare dirt lane.
I prefer a path that’s been walked before.
The book of Esther reminded me how God sees around bends in the road. While I have no foreknowledge of exactly what will happen in the days ahead, God does. Again and again in the Bible, I see God walking two steps, ten years, and centuries ahead to arrange future events to meet his children’s needs.
Esther’s early placement in the palace to intercede for the Jews doomed for annihilation; Daniel the dream interpreter placed in the court of King Darius: the deceiver Jacob allowed to escape Esau’s wrath — all walked down a specific road because God directed their futures.
When teaching his followers how to pray, Jesus told them, “[Y]our Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8). In my own life, I’ve found this to be true. And another Houston family did, too.
Preacher Ron Hill had kidney failure and needed a kidney transplant. The usual testing of family members began, and his 36-year-old son was found to be a perfect match. You might ask, what’s so unusual about that? His son Tony was adopted 36 years earlier. God walked ahead of this godly family and prepared for an advance need.
When you turn the next calendar page, know that God extends his hand, take hold and follow him. Brambles and briars or a smooth cement walkway may wait around the corner of tomorrow.
Give thanks because God lives in today and tomorrow. He knows your needs. He is watching.
You may contact at www.cathymessecar.com
Years ago, in pasture lands, the cows might have been the first to make tracks as they walked to watering holes. Cow trails snake all over our farm. In most of those areas, the cows have hoofed the grass and wild rose bushes down to a bare dirt lane.
I prefer a path that’s been walked before.
The book of Esther reminded me how God sees around bends in the road. While I have no foreknowledge of exactly what will happen in the days ahead, God does. Again and again in the Bible, I see God walking two steps, ten years, and centuries ahead to arrange future events to meet his children’s needs.
Esther’s early placement in the palace to intercede for the Jews doomed for annihilation; Daniel the dream interpreter placed in the court of King Darius: the deceiver Jacob allowed to escape Esau’s wrath — all walked down a specific road because God directed their futures.
When teaching his followers how to pray, Jesus told them, “[Y]our Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8). In my own life, I’ve found this to be true. And another Houston family did, too.
Preacher Ron Hill had kidney failure and needed a kidney transplant. The usual testing of family members began, and his 36-year-old son was found to be a perfect match. You might ask, what’s so unusual about that? His son Tony was adopted 36 years earlier. God walked ahead of this godly family and prepared for an advance need.
When you turn the next calendar page, know that God extends his hand, take hold and follow him. Brambles and briars or a smooth cement walkway may wait around the corner of tomorrow.
Give thanks because God lives in today and tomorrow. He knows your needs. He is watching.
You may contact at www.cathymessecar.com
Friday, April 27, 2007
Storm Community
Three gruff buzzes sounded from the small black radio in the convenience store. My husband and I had stopped for fuel near Abilene, Texas and the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) alert system sounded because of a reported tornado on the ground, 30 miles west of our location.
We’d planned to continue our travel west on I-20, but the interstate lay in the projected path of the storm.
The alert threw us a curve. With its predicted baseball size hail, we parked under an awning to wait for the storm to pass.
We weren’t the only ones who sought shelter in the convenience store. The manager about to go off duty informed the new shift that if hail began, no customers were to remain at fuel pumps. He gave further instructions: get everyone inside, lock the doors and herd all into a small storeroom.
Of the three new clerks on duty, with permission, one left to get her daughter and infant granddaughter at a mobile home park and bring them to the store. Another woman and her senior parents stopped for fuel and after hearing the threat of bad weather, decided to join our growing community of storm watchers.
Also, a neighbor woman joined us because of an alert system on her AT&T landline. The most interesting character of all was a cowboy, of sorts, with a wide brimmed cactus fiber hat, who arrived in a small pinkish car with his cow dog, Blue, a gray speckled blue heeler.
Within half an hour, jet engine winds and neon flashing clouds blew within a few miles of our location, but as the American Indian said about the lectern pounding preacher: “Big wind, loud thunder, not much rain.”
The fierce storm passed to the north without a drop of moisture on our location. Happy to avoid bad weather, we said goodbye to the newly formed community and each of us went our separate ways.
Something about the little group of forced-together, stranded travelers filled me with hope. In the few moments we had together, everyone was kind. No doubt if we’d stayed together much longer, we would have elected a mayor and school board. A familiar saying bears repeating: Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. For a few moments this week, kindness trumped a little group’s past problems or future worries. We were strangers in the night, but friendliness and kindness ruled the tense hour.
You may contact Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com or at www.stainedglasspickup.com
We’d planned to continue our travel west on I-20, but the interstate lay in the projected path of the storm.
The alert threw us a curve. With its predicted baseball size hail, we parked under an awning to wait for the storm to pass.
We weren’t the only ones who sought shelter in the convenience store. The manager about to go off duty informed the new shift that if hail began, no customers were to remain at fuel pumps. He gave further instructions: get everyone inside, lock the doors and herd all into a small storeroom.
Of the three new clerks on duty, with permission, one left to get her daughter and infant granddaughter at a mobile home park and bring them to the store. Another woman and her senior parents stopped for fuel and after hearing the threat of bad weather, decided to join our growing community of storm watchers.
Also, a neighbor woman joined us because of an alert system on her AT&T landline. The most interesting character of all was a cowboy, of sorts, with a wide brimmed cactus fiber hat, who arrived in a small pinkish car with his cow dog, Blue, a gray speckled blue heeler.
Within half an hour, jet engine winds and neon flashing clouds blew within a few miles of our location, but as the American Indian said about the lectern pounding preacher: “Big wind, loud thunder, not much rain.”
The fierce storm passed to the north without a drop of moisture on our location. Happy to avoid bad weather, we said goodbye to the newly formed community and each of us went our separate ways.
Something about the little group of forced-together, stranded travelers filled me with hope. In the few moments we had together, everyone was kind. No doubt if we’d stayed together much longer, we would have elected a mayor and school board. A familiar saying bears repeating: Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. For a few moments this week, kindness trumped a little group’s past problems or future worries. We were strangers in the night, but friendliness and kindness ruled the tense hour.
You may contact Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com or at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
A new book's in town: The Great American Supper Swap by Trish Berg
The Great American Supper Swap
Solving the Busy Woman’s Family Dinnertime Dilemma
By Trish Berg
Many moms struggle with their endless to-do list, and dinner is just one more thing that usually doesn’t get done. Author and speaker Trish Berg has a great way to solve your dinnertime dilemma and shares all her secrets in her new book, The Great American Supper Swap.
Thanks for being here, today, Trish.
Thanks for having me.
I wanted to begin by asking you what IS supper swapping?
Supper swapping is really a simple solution to that ever present “What’s for dinner,” question that hits most moms at 4:30 every afternoon.
Supper swapping is moms helping moms by sharing the cooking responsibility for their families. Moms cook in bulk then swapping meals during the workweek.
To give moms an idea of how supper swapping works, could you share with us what your supper swap group looks like?
Sure. Right now we have 3 families in our group, though I have swapped with 4 families in the past as well.
Our typical week looks like this:
Monday – Nann delivers supper to us at 5:30, hot and ready to eat.
Tuesday – Kelly delivers her meal at noon, prepared but not cooked. At supper time, I throw it in the oven and voila!
Wednesday – Our day off. We eat leftovers from Mon and Tues.
Thursday – My cooking day. I prepare my meal Wednesday evening, and deliver it Thursday around noon, prepared but not cooked.
Friday – Since we have had larger meals already, it’s easy on Fridays to make something simple like spaghetti, sandwiches or grilled burgers.
Each group can decide what constitutes a meal. We only swap one main dish and one side dish, and each family adds salad, bread or vegetables on their own to complete each meal.
We usually plan 3 months at a time and print out meal calendars so everybody knows what meals are coming when. (Moms can print FREE meal calendars at www.trishberg.com)
Why do you think families have given up on dinner?
I think moms are just exhausted. Run down. Stressed out.
According to current research, only 50% of American families have supper together regularly today. Of those meals, 34% are fast food or take out.
Why is the family meal so important to our kids?
Eating dinner together as a family opens communication, helps children to eat healthier, feel more connected to their parents, feel loved and cherished. These benefits have a lifelong impact on our children.
According to research from Columbia University, children who eat dinner with their family on a regular basis are 60% less likely to smoke cigarettes, 50% less likely to use drugs, and 66% less likely to drink alcohol.
The family meal has a lifelong impact on our kids!
In your book, you also mention saving money through supper swapping.
Supper swapping can save families up to $4000 a year or more as they buy groceries more in bulk, shop with a plan wasting less food, and reduce their expenditures on fast food and pizza.
I give several examples of how supper swapping can save families money, but here’s one quick example:
Ordering pizza or take out costs around $25 for a family of 6. If you are now ordering pizza or buying take out 3 times a week:
$25 * 3 = $75 a week
$75 * 4.5 weeks a month = $337.50 per month
$337.50 * 12 months = $4,050 per year
You could save over $4000 a year on that alone, and that’s not even counting the money you’ll save buying in bulk and shopping with a plan!
With so many other dinner options out there, why do you think supper swapping is becoming a hot trend?
Basically because moms need help. Today families run at a fast pace unheard of 30 years ago. Usually, dinner is a fast food, on the go grab bag, or relegated to pizza, take out or frozen quick fix meals. These meals are unhealthy and expensive.
Supper swapping cuts a moms cooking by up to 80% since she only cooks one day a week.
For about 1-2 hours of meal preparation and 15-30 minutes or less of meal delivery one day a week, you get a week’s worth of hot, fresh, homemade dinners.
If a mom wants to start supper swapping, where can she get more information?
There is a ton of how to information, delicious recipes, encouragement and support in my book The Great American Supper Swap, available at bookstores and online at amazon.com, christianbooks.com and barnesandnoble.com. Moms can also contact me through my website to order a signed copy.
What do you hope families gain from The Great American Supper Swap?
Supper swapping can save families $4000 a year or more, reduce cooking by 80%, create a greater sense of community by adding deeper faith and friendships, and help families eat healthier food.
BUT MOST OF ALL – it gathers families around their dinner table together. That’s my mission. A return to the family meal.
Though I’m an avid supper swap mom, each family must find what works for them and re-claim their family dinner however they can. Supper swapping is just one simple tool to help moms make that happen.
For more information on The Great American Supper Swap or Trish Berg, go to www.trishberg.com.
Solving the Busy Woman’s Family Dinnertime Dilemma
By Trish Berg
Many moms struggle with their endless to-do list, and dinner is just one more thing that usually doesn’t get done. Author and speaker Trish Berg has a great way to solve your dinnertime dilemma and shares all her secrets in her new book, The Great American Supper Swap.
Thanks for being here, today, Trish.
Thanks for having me.
I wanted to begin by asking you what IS supper swapping?
Supper swapping is really a simple solution to that ever present “What’s for dinner,” question that hits most moms at 4:30 every afternoon.
Supper swapping is moms helping moms by sharing the cooking responsibility for their families. Moms cook in bulk then swapping meals during the workweek.
To give moms an idea of how supper swapping works, could you share with us what your supper swap group looks like?
Sure. Right now we have 3 families in our group, though I have swapped with 4 families in the past as well.
Our typical week looks like this:
Monday – Nann delivers supper to us at 5:30, hot and ready to eat.
Tuesday – Kelly delivers her meal at noon, prepared but not cooked. At supper time, I throw it in the oven and voila!
Wednesday – Our day off. We eat leftovers from Mon and Tues.
Thursday – My cooking day. I prepare my meal Wednesday evening, and deliver it Thursday around noon, prepared but not cooked.
Friday – Since we have had larger meals already, it’s easy on Fridays to make something simple like spaghetti, sandwiches or grilled burgers.
Each group can decide what constitutes a meal. We only swap one main dish and one side dish, and each family adds salad, bread or vegetables on their own to complete each meal.
We usually plan 3 months at a time and print out meal calendars so everybody knows what meals are coming when. (Moms can print FREE meal calendars at www.trishberg.com)
Why do you think families have given up on dinner?
I think moms are just exhausted. Run down. Stressed out.
According to current research, only 50% of American families have supper together regularly today. Of those meals, 34% are fast food or take out.
Why is the family meal so important to our kids?
Eating dinner together as a family opens communication, helps children to eat healthier, feel more connected to their parents, feel loved and cherished. These benefits have a lifelong impact on our children.
According to research from Columbia University, children who eat dinner with their family on a regular basis are 60% less likely to smoke cigarettes, 50% less likely to use drugs, and 66% less likely to drink alcohol.
The family meal has a lifelong impact on our kids!
In your book, you also mention saving money through supper swapping.
Supper swapping can save families up to $4000 a year or more as they buy groceries more in bulk, shop with a plan wasting less food, and reduce their expenditures on fast food and pizza.
I give several examples of how supper swapping can save families money, but here’s one quick example:
Ordering pizza or take out costs around $25 for a family of 6. If you are now ordering pizza or buying take out 3 times a week:
$25 * 3 = $75 a week
$75 * 4.5 weeks a month = $337.50 per month
$337.50 * 12 months = $4,050 per year
You could save over $4000 a year on that alone, and that’s not even counting the money you’ll save buying in bulk and shopping with a plan!
With so many other dinner options out there, why do you think supper swapping is becoming a hot trend?
Basically because moms need help. Today families run at a fast pace unheard of 30 years ago. Usually, dinner is a fast food, on the go grab bag, or relegated to pizza, take out or frozen quick fix meals. These meals are unhealthy and expensive.
Supper swapping cuts a moms cooking by up to 80% since she only cooks one day a week.
For about 1-2 hours of meal preparation and 15-30 minutes or less of meal delivery one day a week, you get a week’s worth of hot, fresh, homemade dinners.
If a mom wants to start supper swapping, where can she get more information?
There is a ton of how to information, delicious recipes, encouragement and support in my book The Great American Supper Swap, available at bookstores and online at amazon.com, christianbooks.com and barnesandnoble.com. Moms can also contact me through my website to order a signed copy.
What do you hope families gain from The Great American Supper Swap?
Supper swapping can save families $4000 a year or more, reduce cooking by 80%, create a greater sense of community by adding deeper faith and friendships, and help families eat healthier food.
BUT MOST OF ALL – it gathers families around their dinner table together. That’s my mission. A return to the family meal.
Though I’m an avid supper swap mom, each family must find what works for them and re-claim their family dinner however they can. Supper swapping is just one simple tool to help moms make that happen.
For more information on The Great American Supper Swap or Trish Berg, go to www.trishberg.com.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Wing and Shadow Protection
Divine Protection
If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the LORD, who is my refuge—then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. Psalm 91:9-10.
Accidents happen. We’ve all had a few—a fall, a car crash, or a job injury. The average American will be involved in seven car accidents, from major to minor. Personal crises can be tallied, but what about all the misses, the bad things that could have happened but didn’t. I wonder how many mishaps we escaped because the Almighty’s hand shielded us?
When I was an infant, I needed medical help to survive. At my grandmother’s home, I became ill and had a very high fever, and cool baths did nothing to bring the fever within normal range. My frantic parents paced and prayed.
Grandma Turner walked the floor, holding me and whispering again and again, “My sweet baby, my sweet baby.” Mother suspected that my church-going, Lord-loving grandmother was praying, too.
To complicate matters, all the vehicles were gone. Dad walked to my aunt and uncle’s home to borrow their car. My aunt said Dad’s eyes misted as he told them of my condition. Dad drove to the nearest telephone and called the local doctor, who made a house call. Obviously, I lived to write the story that I recently heard.
The family history made me think about all the times we are protected from harm and never even know about them. Psalm 91 is a song of praise to God for just this sort of protection.
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” God also says that those who love him can call out when we see trouble coming, and he will deliver us (14-16).
When Grandmother was in her late 80s I visited her. That evening when I went into her bedroom to say goodnight, she lifted the covers, patted the bed and said, “Hon, climb in here with me.”
I felt like I was four instead of 40. In her tall bed, I snuggled down. In our flannels, we discussed life and God-rescues. Grandma told family stories of hard times and a sawmill accident that could have killed Grandpa, but he was spared to live 30 more years.
I wonder about you, too. How many times has God commanded “his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways”? Or, how often have the angels lifted “you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone” (11-12)?
I wonder?
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the LORD, who is my refuge—then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. Psalm 91:9-10.
Accidents happen. We’ve all had a few—a fall, a car crash, or a job injury. The average American will be involved in seven car accidents, from major to minor. Personal crises can be tallied, but what about all the misses, the bad things that could have happened but didn’t. I wonder how many mishaps we escaped because the Almighty’s hand shielded us?
When I was an infant, I needed medical help to survive. At my grandmother’s home, I became ill and had a very high fever, and cool baths did nothing to bring the fever within normal range. My frantic parents paced and prayed.
Grandma Turner walked the floor, holding me and whispering again and again, “My sweet baby, my sweet baby.” Mother suspected that my church-going, Lord-loving grandmother was praying, too.
To complicate matters, all the vehicles were gone. Dad walked to my aunt and uncle’s home to borrow their car. My aunt said Dad’s eyes misted as he told them of my condition. Dad drove to the nearest telephone and called the local doctor, who made a house call. Obviously, I lived to write the story that I recently heard.
The family history made me think about all the times we are protected from harm and never even know about them. Psalm 91 is a song of praise to God for just this sort of protection.
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” God also says that those who love him can call out when we see trouble coming, and he will deliver us (14-16).
When Grandmother was in her late 80s I visited her. That evening when I went into her bedroom to say goodnight, she lifted the covers, patted the bed and said, “Hon, climb in here with me.”
I felt like I was four instead of 40. In her tall bed, I snuggled down. In our flannels, we discussed life and God-rescues. Grandma told family stories of hard times and a sawmill accident that could have killed Grandpa, but he was spared to live 30 more years.
I wonder about you, too. How many times has God commanded “his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways”? Or, how often have the angels lifted “you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone” (11-12)?
I wonder?
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
Friday, April 06, 2007
Resurrection Cookies
Last year, on Saturday evening before Easter, my grandsons and I made resurrection cookies. As the boys helped mix ingredients, I told them the story of Christ’s crucifixion and afflictions. We placed the cookies into a sealed oven, and on Easter morning they took the cookies out and they heard the good news of Jesus’ resurrection.
To promote the sacredness of this season, make these cookies and retell the old, old story, the always relevant story of Jesus.
(Preheat oven to 300 degrees.)
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup whole pecans, 3 egg whites, 1 cup of sugar
1 tsp. vinegar, 1 pinch of salt
OTHER SUPPLIES:
Mixing bowl, wooden spoon, Bible, zipper baggie, waxed paper, cookie sheet, tape
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them into small pieces with the wooden spoon. Tell about Jesus’ arrest and beatings by Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3. Scripture readings may be paraphrased for younger children.
Let children smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. into mixing bowl, explaining Jesus’ thirst and the offering of vinegar to quench it. Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave his life so we may live eternally. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. The salt represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our sins. Read Luke 23:27.
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar, and explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus gave his life because he loved us. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 11-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed, explaining that the color white represents the purity of those whose sins are cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop cookie dough by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body laid.
Put cookie sheet in the oven. Close the door and TURN OFF OVEN. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Tell how Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
Go to bed. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. The cookies are hollow. On the first Resurrection Day, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
Jesus’ victory at the tomb is the foundation of the Christian faith because “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
Happy Easter! He is risen! Hallelujah!
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
To promote the sacredness of this season, make these cookies and retell the old, old story, the always relevant story of Jesus.
(Preheat oven to 300 degrees.)
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup whole pecans, 3 egg whites, 1 cup of sugar
1 tsp. vinegar, 1 pinch of salt
OTHER SUPPLIES:
Mixing bowl, wooden spoon, Bible, zipper baggie, waxed paper, cookie sheet, tape
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them into small pieces with the wooden spoon. Tell about Jesus’ arrest and beatings by Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3. Scripture readings may be paraphrased for younger children.
Let children smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. into mixing bowl, explaining Jesus’ thirst and the offering of vinegar to quench it. Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave his life so we may live eternally. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. The salt represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our sins. Read Luke 23:27.
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar, and explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus gave his life because he loved us. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 11-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed, explaining that the color white represents the purity of those whose sins are cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop cookie dough by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body laid.
Put cookie sheet in the oven. Close the door and TURN OFF OVEN. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Tell how Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
Go to bed. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. The cookies are hollow. On the first Resurrection Day, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
Jesus’ victory at the tomb is the foundation of the Christian faith because “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
Happy Easter! He is risen! Hallelujah!
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
Friday, March 30, 2007
Touch A Life Ministries-What the Eyes See
What the Eyes See
On a trip to New York in October 2006, Pam Cope saw a full page story in the New York Times showing the face of six-year-old Mark Kwadwo, enslaved to fishermen.
Before five each morning the child was awakened to work a 14 hour day, bailing water from a fishing canoe, paddled by an 11 year old, another indentured child. Each year over one and half million children are sold into slavery and brothels. Some parents are promised their children will be treated well, but the opposite is the norm because ruthless people use child labor to line their pockets.
The photo of Mark's face uploaded into Ms. Cope's heart. When she arrived back in her home state of Missouri, she made many phone calls to find the exact location of Mark Kwadwo. She longed to purchase his freedom.
Several years ago, Randy and Pam Cope's athletic son Jantsen died due to an undetected heart defect. With his memorial fund, they set up a foundation, Touch a Life Ministries. James 1:27 became their guide: Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.
TV empress Oprah saw the same New York Times story and Mark's picture haunted her, too. She ordered a search. By the time her many resources found the fishing village in Ghana, Pam Cope had already rescued Mark and six other children, who by then thrived in The Village of Hope orphanage.
Pam Cope was invited to tell her story on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah and her audience gave Ms. Cope a standing ovation, because a mom with few resources chose not to turn her eyes away from exploited children.
Through Touch A Life Ministries, the Copes were already rescuing children in Vietnam and Cambodia, and had adopted two Vietnamese orphans. Their eyes saw needs.
Jesus set the example of eyes-that-really-see. Every day, his eyes looked beyond his current condition to the despair of others. Because of his example, many people, both rich and poor, had heart changes.
Poor fishermen helped the lame. Rich Joseph of Arimathea buried Jesus after his cruel death. Joanna, Susanna, and other women financially supported the ministry of Christ. They had eyes for service rather than eyes for their riches.
The season of Easter shouts renewal. "Refuse to let the world corrupt you." When we remove our eyes from temporal treasures, they can focus on the real jewels of this earth-little children. Like the Copes, we can hand out passports to a better life.
(As you read this the Copes are now in Ghana rescuing 14 more child slaves. To keep up with their campaign to free these children, visit http://www.touchalifekids.blogspot.com)
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
On a trip to New York in October 2006, Pam Cope saw a full page story in the New York Times showing the face of six-year-old Mark Kwadwo, enslaved to fishermen.
Before five each morning the child was awakened to work a 14 hour day, bailing water from a fishing canoe, paddled by an 11 year old, another indentured child. Each year over one and half million children are sold into slavery and brothels. Some parents are promised their children will be treated well, but the opposite is the norm because ruthless people use child labor to line their pockets.
The photo of Mark's face uploaded into Ms. Cope's heart. When she arrived back in her home state of Missouri, she made many phone calls to find the exact location of Mark Kwadwo. She longed to purchase his freedom.
Several years ago, Randy and Pam Cope's athletic son Jantsen died due to an undetected heart defect. With his memorial fund, they set up a foundation, Touch a Life Ministries. James 1:27 became their guide: Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.
TV empress Oprah saw the same New York Times story and Mark's picture haunted her, too. She ordered a search. By the time her many resources found the fishing village in Ghana, Pam Cope had already rescued Mark and six other children, who by then thrived in The Village of Hope orphanage.
Pam Cope was invited to tell her story on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Oprah and her audience gave Ms. Cope a standing ovation, because a mom with few resources chose not to turn her eyes away from exploited children.
Through Touch A Life Ministries, the Copes were already rescuing children in Vietnam and Cambodia, and had adopted two Vietnamese orphans. Their eyes saw needs.
Jesus set the example of eyes-that-really-see. Every day, his eyes looked beyond his current condition to the despair of others. Because of his example, many people, both rich and poor, had heart changes.
Poor fishermen helped the lame. Rich Joseph of Arimathea buried Jesus after his cruel death. Joanna, Susanna, and other women financially supported the ministry of Christ. They had eyes for service rather than eyes for their riches.
The season of Easter shouts renewal. "Refuse to let the world corrupt you." When we remove our eyes from temporal treasures, they can focus on the real jewels of this earth-little children. Like the Copes, we can hand out passports to a better life.
(As you read this the Copes are now in Ghana rescuing 14 more child slaves. To keep up with their campaign to free these children, visit http://www.touchalifekids.blogspot.com)
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Bare Feet
I wear shoes in public, but at home I go barefoot most of the time. My ancestry roots run back to the red dirt of Arkansas, but probably have nothing to do with my barefoot habit. To me, wearing shoes in my intimate home setting doesn’t feel comfortable.
In a recent women’s Bible class, the subject of bare feet came up. We studied the life of Moses, called at age 80 to lead the Israelites from slavery. At God’s command, Moses took off his shoes near a bush that had internal fire. God eventually caused flames within Moses, igniting a deeper devotion to God and for the oppressed.
The Bible includes other barefoot remembrances. In innocence, the first humans Adam and Eve were barefoot in the Garden of Delight (Eden). Much later, during the tabernacle and temple eras, the High Priests entered the Holy of Holies shoeless, anointed on their right ears, right thumbs, and right big toes, the whole man set apart to serve God.
Outside of Jericho, Joshua removed his shoes, instructed by an angel of the Lord to do so (Joshua 5:13-15). Also, Hebrew mourning traditions included taking off shoes (Ezekiel 24:15-17). Later, on the cross and barefoot, God rescued our High Priest Jesus from life, and Jesus reentered holy heaven to plead our cases.
At age 8, my grandson Jack and I talked about these events. Since our fellowship practices baptism by immersion, Jack said, “And we’re barefoot when we’re baptized.” Why are these moments so significant in the lives of Bible heroes? It’s about more than not having shoes on our feet. Each meeting with God offers an opportunity for a light-catching, for becoming more like his goodness.
Speaker Rick Warren, addressed a group of 20,000 young people and asked them to hold up three fingers to form a “W”. This sign signified “whatever, whenever, wherever” for the cause of Christ. Speakers often use prompts such as Warren's illustration to help audiences remember presentation points, to propel the message beyond an immediate hearing into everyday living.
Your bare feet can be a prompt. Next time you wiggle your toes out of sandals, socks or shoes, think about “holy ground” moments and the humble heroes of the Bible who encountered God and took off their shoes.
Whenever we humble ourselves toward God, we become kindling, lives where just a spark from God can light fires within.
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
In a recent women’s Bible class, the subject of bare feet came up. We studied the life of Moses, called at age 80 to lead the Israelites from slavery. At God’s command, Moses took off his shoes near a bush that had internal fire. God eventually caused flames within Moses, igniting a deeper devotion to God and for the oppressed.
The Bible includes other barefoot remembrances. In innocence, the first humans Adam and Eve were barefoot in the Garden of Delight (Eden). Much later, during the tabernacle and temple eras, the High Priests entered the Holy of Holies shoeless, anointed on their right ears, right thumbs, and right big toes, the whole man set apart to serve God.
Outside of Jericho, Joshua removed his shoes, instructed by an angel of the Lord to do so (Joshua 5:13-15). Also, Hebrew mourning traditions included taking off shoes (Ezekiel 24:15-17). Later, on the cross and barefoot, God rescued our High Priest Jesus from life, and Jesus reentered holy heaven to plead our cases.
At age 8, my grandson Jack and I talked about these events. Since our fellowship practices baptism by immersion, Jack said, “And we’re barefoot when we’re baptized.” Why are these moments so significant in the lives of Bible heroes? It’s about more than not having shoes on our feet. Each meeting with God offers an opportunity for a light-catching, for becoming more like his goodness.
Speaker Rick Warren, addressed a group of 20,000 young people and asked them to hold up three fingers to form a “W”. This sign signified “whatever, whenever, wherever” for the cause of Christ. Speakers often use prompts such as Warren's illustration to help audiences remember presentation points, to propel the message beyond an immediate hearing into everyday living.
Your bare feet can be a prompt. Next time you wiggle your toes out of sandals, socks or shoes, think about “holy ground” moments and the humble heroes of the Bible who encountered God and took off their shoes.
Whenever we humble ourselves toward God, we become kindling, lives where just a spark from God can light fires within.
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Saint Patrick's Shield
Today's post from New Wineskins Daily Lent Reflection:
Shield of Saint Patrick
I bind unto myself today the strong name of the trinity,
by invocation of the same, the Three in One, the One in Three.
I bind this day to me forever by power of faith Christ's incarnation,
His baptism in the Jordan river, his death on the cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spiced tomb, his riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to harken to my need,
The wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward,
The Word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me;
Christ to comfort and restore me;
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three,
Of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word;
Praise to the God of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord!
New Wineskins Online Magazine http://www.wineskins.org/
Shield of Saint Patrick
I bind unto myself today the strong name of the trinity,
by invocation of the same, the Three in One, the One in Three.
I bind this day to me forever by power of faith Christ's incarnation,
His baptism in the Jordan river, his death on the cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spiced tomb, his riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to harken to my need,
The wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward,
The Word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me;
Christ to comfort and restore me;
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the name, the strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three,
Of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word;
Praise to the God of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord!
New Wineskins Online Magazine http://www.wineskins.org/
Friday, March 16, 2007
Right Hand Shade
The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand. Psalm 121:5
This week thoughts about shade and the right hand sleuthed through my mind: shade, as in any shelter from harshness, and right hand, as the one most people on earth use, about 85 per cent.
Several years ago, I longed for shade when my pickup truck quit running. The breakdown happened on a rural, sparsely traveled road, and before I had a cell phone or a network.
I began a ten mile trek to the nearest town. Drawbacks were numerous: August afternoon, 100 plus temps, no hat, a pair of cutesy not-made-for-walking sandals, and only three ounces of Diet Sprite.
After two miles of walking, eight vehicles had zoomed past me. I counted. They avoided eye contact. So did I. Meanwhile, I wrestled with the idea of roasting or getting into a vehicle with a stranger.
Finally, with a parched voice I said aloud, “Lord, I trust you to send someone. So, the first person who offers me a ride, I’ll get into their car.”
Soon after, an eighteen wheeler pulled to the side of the road, and the kind driver gave me a lift to Montgomery. Good enough. I like big trucks. The shade of the cab was as cooling as the biggest floppy hat I’d ever worn. What relief!
The second element of the scripture is about the right hand. This week, I experimented with not using mine. For 15 minutes I put my work hand behind my back and proceeded through my early morning routine.
With my chin and ingenuity, I unscrewed a soy milk cap, and poured the liquid on bran cereal, without spilling. But spooning bran and liquid soy with my leftie caused a few dribbles down the chin.
After breakfast, I gathered clothes hangers to place fresh washed garments over them. My meager successes were accomplished only after frustrating, clumsy attempts that took ten times longer than normal.
In this psalm’s metaphor, God is described as shade over a right hand. When someone offers shade under an umbrella, an awning or a tree, respite arrives. Cruel conditions pause.
Also, the portrayal of someone near your work hand is the depiction of aid. A trusted friend or coworker may even be referred to as a “right hand man.”
How many times do we strike out to work without noticing that God is near our work stations, longing to shade pleasant and strenuous chores.
“The LORD watches over you.” Sun block is available. Help is near because the Tree-of-Life God is shading your right hand.
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
This week thoughts about shade and the right hand sleuthed through my mind: shade, as in any shelter from harshness, and right hand, as the one most people on earth use, about 85 per cent.
Several years ago, I longed for shade when my pickup truck quit running. The breakdown happened on a rural, sparsely traveled road, and before I had a cell phone or a network.
I began a ten mile trek to the nearest town. Drawbacks were numerous: August afternoon, 100 plus temps, no hat, a pair of cutesy not-made-for-walking sandals, and only three ounces of Diet Sprite.
After two miles of walking, eight vehicles had zoomed past me. I counted. They avoided eye contact. So did I. Meanwhile, I wrestled with the idea of roasting or getting into a vehicle with a stranger.
Finally, with a parched voice I said aloud, “Lord, I trust you to send someone. So, the first person who offers me a ride, I’ll get into their car.”
Soon after, an eighteen wheeler pulled to the side of the road, and the kind driver gave me a lift to Montgomery. Good enough. I like big trucks. The shade of the cab was as cooling as the biggest floppy hat I’d ever worn. What relief!
The second element of the scripture is about the right hand. This week, I experimented with not using mine. For 15 minutes I put my work hand behind my back and proceeded through my early morning routine.
With my chin and ingenuity, I unscrewed a soy milk cap, and poured the liquid on bran cereal, without spilling. But spooning bran and liquid soy with my leftie caused a few dribbles down the chin.
After breakfast, I gathered clothes hangers to place fresh washed garments over them. My meager successes were accomplished only after frustrating, clumsy attempts that took ten times longer than normal.
In this psalm’s metaphor, God is described as shade over a right hand. When someone offers shade under an umbrella, an awning or a tree, respite arrives. Cruel conditions pause.
Also, the portrayal of someone near your work hand is the depiction of aid. A trusted friend or coworker may even be referred to as a “right hand man.”
How many times do we strike out to work without noticing that God is near our work stations, longing to shade pleasant and strenuous chores.
“The LORD watches over you.” Sun block is available. Help is near because the Tree-of-Life God is shading your right hand.
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
Friday, March 09, 2007
King Cake
Early this year I bought a king cake. I told my Ohioan friends about it, and they had never heard of one.
Centuries ago, the church took a pagan treat and attached a higher meaning to the sweet. Traditions vary, but in some Eastern churches on Epiphany or Twelfth Night (after Christmas) a feast is held, celebrated on January 6th. The feast is in memory of “the appearance” of God’s son in human form and the visit of the kings from the East, the magi.
These feasts usually include a cake with a bean or trinket baked inside. Whoever gets the slice of cake with the trinket gets to be king of the feast. Early French settlers brought the king cake tradition to Louisiana, mostly a family celebration until after the Civil War. Afterwards, the cake became part of public feasts.
In the Southern United States the king cake is sold by bakeries from January to the beginning of Lent. Since the 1950s, the trinket most often added to the coffee cake like pastries is a small plastic baby. Some attach no significance to the trinket, while others see it as a symbol of the baby Jesus, carried over from Christmas celebrations.
I see the king cake as an opportunity to teach my grandchildren about the life of Christ and doing something for the sole benefit of others. Another tradition associated with the cake involves Southern hospitality: the one who finds the trinket in their piece has to throw a party and supply the next cake. In the south, schools, office workers, and society circles keep this tradition alive.
Of course, most partygoers are eager to get the piece of cake with the trinket. However, during the Great Depression, many southern mothers had limited resources and dreaded their child receiving the coveted trinket. Custom dictated the receiver furnish the cake for the next week’s school party.
I know our family is breaking protocol, but we’ve stretched the tradition. Our timeframe is from Christmas to Easter. When we ate our first King Cake with the grands, it opened an avenue to talk about Jesus, his birth, baptism, forty day fast, ministry, final sacrifice, and resurrection.
Watch for opportunities to engage your little ones in conversations about God. This week, I’ll help a grandchild bake another cake with a trinket inside, one to share with his siblings. We’ll talk about Jesus while stirring cake batter. When we divide up the cake, we’ll discuss what it means to make a place for Jesus in their lives. Each child longs to find the baby Jesus in their slice of cake.
Grandma longs for Jesus to be hidden in four young hearts.
“These commandments . . . are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along on the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
Friday, March 02, 2007
"Ex-aisles"
I’m borrowing a coined phrase from the current issue of New Wineskins Online Magazine. The word is “ex-aisles.” Many Christian periodicals emphasize, with new zeal, the mission of the church outside of our meeting places. After we leave our Sunday pews, what happens Monday through Saturday? How do Christians act like Jesus in their communities?
Jesus set the outside-of-the-synagogue standard. Daily he engaged in conversations, helping the most religious and the outcast. He shunned no one.
Because of past and current language, the term “church” has weakened. We go to church. We wear our church clothes. We ask, “What church do you go to?” or “Where is your church building?”
The “church,” the living body of Christ, resurrected people, is a fellowship of believers assembled by the grace of God. The “church” is not a place. The church doesn’t have a physical address.
The church is built of “living stones.” We walk on two legs out of the aisles after our corporate worships to live like Christ. Much of those days will be engaged in bread-winning and keeping our families nourished and tidy, but beyond those expected tasks, where do our hearts roam?
One way hearts travel is the movin’-on-up path. When you get a raise at work? What are your first thoughts? We can eat less hamburger. We can have steak and shrimp once in a while. I can buy more expensive and deserved clothing. I’m trading up from the old Chevy to a sporty car.
When blessed with more, how do we choose to spend it? Do we have thoughts of others or simply how to better our own lives? Who comes first in our hearts? Me-first is a tough little devil to slay.
And the old lying devil is good at feeding us propaganda. He daily offers up tasty procrastinations: When you have more time, you can help the poor. When you get more money, you’ll redecorate your home, and then invite your neighbors for dinner. You’re not in any position to really help that troubled marriage. Wait. Tomorrow. Maybe. Try later.
Oswald Chambers said you shouldn't worry about being useful where you are, because you certainly can't be useful where you aren't. Start today. Be the church, the body of Christ, Sunday through Saturday. Be “ex-aisles.”
Give the church a new address—General Delivery to the World. On Sundays, when we hug and shake hands goodbye, we’ll know the church has left the building.
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
Jesus set the outside-of-the-synagogue standard. Daily he engaged in conversations, helping the most religious and the outcast. He shunned no one.
Because of past and current language, the term “church” has weakened. We go to church. We wear our church clothes. We ask, “What church do you go to?” or “Where is your church building?”
The “church,” the living body of Christ, resurrected people, is a fellowship of believers assembled by the grace of God. The “church” is not a place. The church doesn’t have a physical address.
The church is built of “living stones.” We walk on two legs out of the aisles after our corporate worships to live like Christ. Much of those days will be engaged in bread-winning and keeping our families nourished and tidy, but beyond those expected tasks, where do our hearts roam?
One way hearts travel is the movin’-on-up path. When you get a raise at work? What are your first thoughts? We can eat less hamburger. We can have steak and shrimp once in a while. I can buy more expensive and deserved clothing. I’m trading up from the old Chevy to a sporty car.
When blessed with more, how do we choose to spend it? Do we have thoughts of others or simply how to better our own lives? Who comes first in our hearts? Me-first is a tough little devil to slay.
And the old lying devil is good at feeding us propaganda. He daily offers up tasty procrastinations: When you have more time, you can help the poor. When you get more money, you’ll redecorate your home, and then invite your neighbors for dinner. You’re not in any position to really help that troubled marriage. Wait. Tomorrow. Maybe. Try later.
Oswald Chambers said you shouldn't worry about being useful where you are, because you certainly can't be useful where you aren't. Start today. Be the church, the body of Christ, Sunday through Saturday. Be “ex-aisles.”
Give the church a new address—General Delivery to the World. On Sundays, when we hug and shake hands goodbye, we’ll know the church has left the building.
You may reach Cathy at www.cathymessecar.com
Friday, February 23, 2007
Opinions
“Knowledge is true opinion.” Plato
I cringed. While listening to a recording of the New Testament, I heard something that made me wince. In a crowd around Jesus, a few sideliners voiced untruth and slandered John the Baptist and Jesus.
When someone shares an “opinion,” they express their view, their judgment, and their estimation. Even though John the Baptist lived an austere life of fasting and tee totaling, the street buzz became, “He has a demon.” He’s crazy.
Jesus ate with the elite and also dined on bread with the common man and outcasts. And the opinionated complained, “He is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and ‘sinners’” (Matthew 11).
After history weighed in, it’s plain to see the truthful character of John and Jesus. And, yet, many voiced false statements about them.
Whatever happened to the adage, “Wait and see?”
Much of media, masquerading as newsworthy, could be silenced if people waited to gather facts.
Jesus made a statement after he confronted the opinionated people around him. “Wisdom is proved right by her actions.” Eugene Peterson in The Message rendered Jesus’ words, “Opinion polls don’t count for much.”
Opinion polls are a nickel a hundred in 2007. Cranky opinionated people are numerous, too. Obviously some poll questions are trite and just for fun, but others seem to stir boiling cauldrons and the contents are splattered on those around the pot. Well, at least that’s my opinion.
When practiced, the sage advice James gives is powerful. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God” (1:19-20).
Listen. Be slow to speak. Be even slower about becoming angry. It’s a proven formula for ushering in the righteousness of God. In that slow processing of information, there’s also time to utter a prayer for help.
Coins have two sides. As William Ralph Inge said, “It’s useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favor of vegetarianism, while the wolf remains of a different opinion.”
Listening, slow answers, controlled anger—good advice for both sides of any coin.
www.stainedglasspickup.com
I cringed. While listening to a recording of the New Testament, I heard something that made me wince. In a crowd around Jesus, a few sideliners voiced untruth and slandered John the Baptist and Jesus.
When someone shares an “opinion,” they express their view, their judgment, and their estimation. Even though John the Baptist lived an austere life of fasting and tee totaling, the street buzz became, “He has a demon.” He’s crazy.
Jesus ate with the elite and also dined on bread with the common man and outcasts. And the opinionated complained, “He is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and ‘sinners’” (Matthew 11).
After history weighed in, it’s plain to see the truthful character of John and Jesus. And, yet, many voiced false statements about them.
Whatever happened to the adage, “Wait and see?”
Much of media, masquerading as newsworthy, could be silenced if people waited to gather facts.
Jesus made a statement after he confronted the opinionated people around him. “Wisdom is proved right by her actions.” Eugene Peterson in The Message rendered Jesus’ words, “Opinion polls don’t count for much.”
Opinion polls are a nickel a hundred in 2007. Cranky opinionated people are numerous, too. Obviously some poll questions are trite and just for fun, but others seem to stir boiling cauldrons and the contents are splattered on those around the pot. Well, at least that’s my opinion.
When practiced, the sage advice James gives is powerful. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God” (1:19-20).
Listen. Be slow to speak. Be even slower about becoming angry. It’s a proven formula for ushering in the righteousness of God. In that slow processing of information, there’s also time to utter a prayer for help.
Coins have two sides. As William Ralph Inge said, “It’s useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favor of vegetarianism, while the wolf remains of a different opinion.”
Listening, slow answers, controlled anger—good advice for both sides of any coin.
www.stainedglasspickup.com
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Sweet Home
A recent close encounter with a skunk reminded me of a pair of skunks on this same property some years back. Then, we lived in a 150-year-old farm house with a crawl space beneath. The frame rested on wooden and cinder blocks.
Night after night, a pair of skunks ventured under the house. Perhaps our home simply lay in the path to the watering hole. Or maybe they liked sneaking up on our cats and the dog Bengie. We usually heard the mêlée of critters before the nose-wrinkling smell assaulted us. They cavorted, bumped water pipes and caused a ruckus under the house.
After the skunk pair awakened the snoozing guard dog, he responded to their capers, and a rancid odor drifted up through the old wood flooring and linoleum rugs. David and I didn’t relish the idea of shooing skunks from under the house, but we planned to defend home turf and devised a plan.
The next time we heard or smelled them, we’d go outside with the old 12-guage shotgun. I’d hold the light, while David shot under the house, close to the dirt, hoping to scare them away permanently.
On a cool fall evening near midnight, the skunks arrived. Bumping, thumping, jumping noises were the alarms that awakened us. In our PJs, we sneaked out the back screen door and around to the side of the house. A brisk wind skittered leaves about our ankles.
After the flashlight beam made a few sweeps beneath the carriage of the house, we spotted the pair and their question-mark black and white tails.
I cowered behind David, dreading a possible dousing from a skunk in close combat. Our children slept soundly while their fearless parents fought to keep our home unsullied by the night marauders.
Ka-boom! Bird shot sprayed beneath the house, kicking up spiffs of dirt.
Fortunately the skunks didn’t retaliate with any smelly ammunition. They scampered out the other side of the house. We never sniffed evidence that they were under the house again.
Our children, lulled to sleep with a sense of security, had slept through the entire night-capades. We asked them the next morning if they’d heard anything. They both answered “No.”
Parents can be the buffer zone between children and harm. And more than just defending the home turf, parents can create an atmosphere of learning the basic tenets of family life. The family IQ Center lists the traditional basic tasks in life as work, play and love.
Defend home, protect homes, of course, but also create a haven where work, play and love is adequately practiced and learned.
“Home, Sweet Home,” the best smell for any culture.
www.stainedglasspickup.com
Night after night, a pair of skunks ventured under the house. Perhaps our home simply lay in the path to the watering hole. Or maybe they liked sneaking up on our cats and the dog Bengie. We usually heard the mêlée of critters before the nose-wrinkling smell assaulted us. They cavorted, bumped water pipes and caused a ruckus under the house.
After the skunk pair awakened the snoozing guard dog, he responded to their capers, and a rancid odor drifted up through the old wood flooring and linoleum rugs. David and I didn’t relish the idea of shooing skunks from under the house, but we planned to defend home turf and devised a plan.
The next time we heard or smelled them, we’d go outside with the old 12-guage shotgun. I’d hold the light, while David shot under the house, close to the dirt, hoping to scare them away permanently.
On a cool fall evening near midnight, the skunks arrived. Bumping, thumping, jumping noises were the alarms that awakened us. In our PJs, we sneaked out the back screen door and around to the side of the house. A brisk wind skittered leaves about our ankles.
After the flashlight beam made a few sweeps beneath the carriage of the house, we spotted the pair and their question-mark black and white tails.
I cowered behind David, dreading a possible dousing from a skunk in close combat. Our children slept soundly while their fearless parents fought to keep our home unsullied by the night marauders.
Ka-boom! Bird shot sprayed beneath the house, kicking up spiffs of dirt.
Fortunately the skunks didn’t retaliate with any smelly ammunition. They scampered out the other side of the house. We never sniffed evidence that they were under the house again.
Our children, lulled to sleep with a sense of security, had slept through the entire night-capades. We asked them the next morning if they’d heard anything. They both answered “No.”
Parents can be the buffer zone between children and harm. And more than just defending the home turf, parents can create an atmosphere of learning the basic tenets of family life. The family IQ Center lists the traditional basic tasks in life as work, play and love.
Defend home, protect homes, of course, but also create a haven where work, play and love is adequately practiced and learned.
“Home, Sweet Home,” the best smell for any culture.
www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, February 09, 2007
The Impossible-February 9
THE IMPOSSIBLE
Alden, barely four years old, said to her granddad. “I love three things.”
Granddad asked, “What three things do you love?”
“I love God . . .” With the naming of the first, Granddad’s heart became happy.
Alden listed her second-love. “I love Jesus . . .” Granddad grew even happier.
Alden finished the list, “. . .and I love money!”
When my friend told me the story about her granddaughter, I chuckled. But, Jesus met adults who still believed they could love God and money with equal devotion.
A rich young ruler thought he wanted to follow Jesus, but when asked to give his inheritance to the poor and follow Jesus, he grew sad. The young man chose the god Money. He followed the scent of wealth, the jingle of coins, preferring slippery riches over an ever-present God.
Jesus told about an impossibility. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Matthew 6:24).
This is a strong statement, a strong contrast, a line drawn in the sand of Israel, a call to make a decision because fence-straddling is soul dangerous.
Much earlier, God warned the Israelites and aliens living among them that heart-idols separate them from God. Jeremiah 14:7 tells how a broken relationship with God is caused by any who “sets up idols in his heart.” Here, the original phrase for idol is “large idol, what is rolled about.” These were gigantic altars where sacrifices were made.
Eugene Peterson in The Message says people with massive heart-idols are those who sacrifice the good things in life and “install the wickedness that will ruin them at the center of their lives.” Godliness wilts when camped in the shadow of an idol.
Deceitful things pay cheap rent and move into hearts. Even good things can become cunning idols—careers, goals, sports, politics, wealth, personal appearance, food, acquaintances, money, possessions or hobbies. It’s the nature of idols to grow and take up more and more floor space in the heart.
God made promises to those who put him first. Just as he feeds robins and fashions shimmering dress for flowers, God will provide his children with daily needs and will be present as a genuine companion.
Thank you, little Alden. You made me think about Who is at the center of life. Now, I’m off to reflect on the three things I really love.
www.stainedglasspickup.com
Alden, barely four years old, said to her granddad. “I love three things.”
Granddad asked, “What three things do you love?”
“I love God . . .” With the naming of the first, Granddad’s heart became happy.
Alden listed her second-love. “I love Jesus . . .” Granddad grew even happier.
Alden finished the list, “. . .and I love money!”
When my friend told me the story about her granddaughter, I chuckled. But, Jesus met adults who still believed they could love God and money with equal devotion.
A rich young ruler thought he wanted to follow Jesus, but when asked to give his inheritance to the poor and follow Jesus, he grew sad. The young man chose the god Money. He followed the scent of wealth, the jingle of coins, preferring slippery riches over an ever-present God.
Jesus told about an impossibility. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Matthew 6:24).
This is a strong statement, a strong contrast, a line drawn in the sand of Israel, a call to make a decision because fence-straddling is soul dangerous.
Much earlier, God warned the Israelites and aliens living among them that heart-idols separate them from God. Jeremiah 14:7 tells how a broken relationship with God is caused by any who “sets up idols in his heart.” Here, the original phrase for idol is “large idol, what is rolled about.” These were gigantic altars where sacrifices were made.
Eugene Peterson in The Message says people with massive heart-idols are those who sacrifice the good things in life and “install the wickedness that will ruin them at the center of their lives.” Godliness wilts when camped in the shadow of an idol.
Deceitful things pay cheap rent and move into hearts. Even good things can become cunning idols—careers, goals, sports, politics, wealth, personal appearance, food, acquaintances, money, possessions or hobbies. It’s the nature of idols to grow and take up more and more floor space in the heart.
God made promises to those who put him first. Just as he feeds robins and fashions shimmering dress for flowers, God will provide his children with daily needs and will be present as a genuine companion.
Thank you, little Alden. You made me think about Who is at the center of life. Now, I’m off to reflect on the three things I really love.
www.stainedglasspickup.com
Saturday, February 03, 2007
"But, first . . ."
In the time of Jesus, many Jewish teachers roamed Galilee and Judea. In outdoor settings and synagogues, they told parables, taught the Law of Moses, and gave extra “rules” on how-to live out that law.
As they traveled, they took note of potential disciples, observing those who wanted to further learn and might later qualify as teachers.
But among the itinerant rabbis, Jesus was supreme because he alone was the Son of God. Jesus watched for sincere followers, who would trust God to take care of them while they engaged in enlightening others about God.
In one setting (Luke 9:57-62), three different people heard the call to follow Christ. If they accepted, they would literally traipse along, follow him around, and experience his training-on-the-go. However, each gave an excuse. They had something back at home that first needed attention.
When called to follow Jesus, the third said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.”
Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (61-62).
Undoubtedly, Jesus valued devotedness to family and he didn’t imply never contacting family again. His response emphasized in farmer-terms that a good start with a plow involved follow-up planting and a harvest. He wanted visionaries who could see the big picture, not those who lived by whims.
Matthew Henry, born in 1662, wrote about this scene where Jesus called disciples, “They that take up a profession in a ‘pang’ will throw it off again in a ‘fret’.
In my own life, I’ve experienced false starts and failures. “But, first” is often thought or spoken. I’ll start eating better tomorrow, but, first let me eat this fudge-striped cookie. I’ll phone my sick neighbor, but, first let me mow my lawn. I’ll ask forgiveness for my cross words, but, first let me pout and nurse this grudge a bit longer.
“Love finds a way, indifference makes excuses.” Ouch. I’m afraid it’s true, at least in my own life, that my excuses are often anchored to that awful cement block of indifference. One can drown in excuses.
Jesus has promised we will not plow alone. He is beside his farmers in the furrows because he is the “author and finisher” of faith.
www.cathymessecar.com
www.stainedglasspickup.com
As they traveled, they took note of potential disciples, observing those who wanted to further learn and might later qualify as teachers.
But among the itinerant rabbis, Jesus was supreme because he alone was the Son of God. Jesus watched for sincere followers, who would trust God to take care of them while they engaged in enlightening others about God.
In one setting (Luke 9:57-62), three different people heard the call to follow Christ. If they accepted, they would literally traipse along, follow him around, and experience his training-on-the-go. However, each gave an excuse. They had something back at home that first needed attention.
When called to follow Jesus, the third said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.”
Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (61-62).
Undoubtedly, Jesus valued devotedness to family and he didn’t imply never contacting family again. His response emphasized in farmer-terms that a good start with a plow involved follow-up planting and a harvest. He wanted visionaries who could see the big picture, not those who lived by whims.
Matthew Henry, born in 1662, wrote about this scene where Jesus called disciples, “They that take up a profession in a ‘pang’ will throw it off again in a ‘fret’.
In my own life, I’ve experienced false starts and failures. “But, first” is often thought or spoken. I’ll start eating better tomorrow, but, first let me eat this fudge-striped cookie. I’ll phone my sick neighbor, but, first let me mow my lawn. I’ll ask forgiveness for my cross words, but, first let me pout and nurse this grudge a bit longer.
“Love finds a way, indifference makes excuses.” Ouch. I’m afraid it’s true, at least in my own life, that my excuses are often anchored to that awful cement block of indifference. One can drown in excuses.
Jesus has promised we will not plow alone. He is beside his farmers in the furrows because he is the “author and finisher” of faith.
www.cathymessecar.com
www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, January 26, 2007
Running Out of Steam
Dave drove and I read. He pointed out fascinating scenery. I shared motivating tidbits from the printed page. After mispronouncing “calliope,” I sounded it out. Then I asked Dave what fueled the calliope instrument. He knew. The first ones ran on steam.
I later read that Joshua Stoddard invented the calliope, patented in 1855. Late in the century, horse-drawn circus wagons traveled to communities, in the beds calliopes and trademark organ pipes.
The calliope evolved from an 1832 “steam trumpet.” You still hear these today—known as train horns. Modernized calliopes and horns are fueled by compressed air, but the old ones ran on steam. It took steam to make music.
At least one time in the Prophet Elijah’s life, he ran out of steam and his song lost its lilt. F. LaGard Smith calls Elijah “God’s man for the hour.” He delivered messages to kingships and common men alike. Powered by God, miracles trailed his wake: he raised a boy from the dead and a widow’s jar of flour and jug of oil didn’t run empty during a drought.
After a nasty run-in with wicked Queen Jezebel, Elijah grew especially weary. Rampant idol worship in Israel, left Elijah feeling alone, abandoned in his faith with no one to fight alongside of him. His tune went flat.
That’s when God appeared with his booster cables. To Elijah hiding in a cave, God sent fireworks. First, he sent a jackhammer-wind that cracked the mountain and split stones (talk about compressed air).
What expression chiseled Elijah’s face when next an earthquake shook the soil he stood upon? When the earth quit wobbling, Elijah watched a bellowing fire devour trees and twigs. After the God-steamed display, Elijah heard a gentle whisper and he was drawn to The Voice that could right his senses.
God drew Elijah from his cave of self pity and gave him a huge helping of courage. He also told him that 7,000 Israelites had refused to bow to the Queen’s preferred idol. He wasn’t alone in his faith. After this God-arranged intimate encounter, Elijah “propheted” again.
Gas to keep driving. Air to keep tires up. Food for energy. Depleted sources still leave one weak and vulnerable to Satan’s tool of discouragement. But God can draw us out of caves of despair. He can profit us again because he is able to re-sculpt doubt into sheet music.
“Send forth you light and truth, let them guide me: let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell” (Psalm 43:3).
www.stainedglasspickup.com
I later read that Joshua Stoddard invented the calliope, patented in 1855. Late in the century, horse-drawn circus wagons traveled to communities, in the beds calliopes and trademark organ pipes.
The calliope evolved from an 1832 “steam trumpet.” You still hear these today—known as train horns. Modernized calliopes and horns are fueled by compressed air, but the old ones ran on steam. It took steam to make music.
At least one time in the Prophet Elijah’s life, he ran out of steam and his song lost its lilt. F. LaGard Smith calls Elijah “God’s man for the hour.” He delivered messages to kingships and common men alike. Powered by God, miracles trailed his wake: he raised a boy from the dead and a widow’s jar of flour and jug of oil didn’t run empty during a drought.
After a nasty run-in with wicked Queen Jezebel, Elijah grew especially weary. Rampant idol worship in Israel, left Elijah feeling alone, abandoned in his faith with no one to fight alongside of him. His tune went flat.
That’s when God appeared with his booster cables. To Elijah hiding in a cave, God sent fireworks. First, he sent a jackhammer-wind that cracked the mountain and split stones (talk about compressed air).
What expression chiseled Elijah’s face when next an earthquake shook the soil he stood upon? When the earth quit wobbling, Elijah watched a bellowing fire devour trees and twigs. After the God-steamed display, Elijah heard a gentle whisper and he was drawn to The Voice that could right his senses.
God drew Elijah from his cave of self pity and gave him a huge helping of courage. He also told him that 7,000 Israelites had refused to bow to the Queen’s preferred idol. He wasn’t alone in his faith. After this God-arranged intimate encounter, Elijah “propheted” again.
Gas to keep driving. Air to keep tires up. Food for energy. Depleted sources still leave one weak and vulnerable to Satan’s tool of discouragement. But God can draw us out of caves of despair. He can profit us again because he is able to re-sculpt doubt into sheet music.
“Send forth you light and truth, let them guide me: let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell” (Psalm 43:3).
www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, January 12, 2007
Dirt Dauber Determination
To feed their families, the mud daubers (dirt daubers) pack their dinners on my back porch. Spiders seem especially tasty to them, so they paralyze the main course and stuff them into their custom designed storage units.
Mud daubers are members of the wasp family and are not hostile “stingers” as are some of their cousins. However, they are aggressive in another area: nursery construction.
In the summer, females can be spotted near the edge of mud puddles, where they roll wet dirt into tiny balls, about the size of a BB. One uniform ball at a time, held in the mandibles (jaws), is flown to a construction site. Pellet by pellet they construct tubes, shaped like organ pipes.
The females around here are partial to the mortar indentations on my bricked back porch. Bit by bit, BB by BB they carry out their mission to ensure the survival of their young.
Upon completion, each bin holds paralyzed spiders and grub-like larvae to feed upon them. Mud dauber moms put their babies in cylinders with spiders, but first, they made sure they could do no harm.
In the Old Testament story about Joseph, his brothers in a moment of very poor judgment sold him to Midianite merchants. Later, in an act of deception, they showed their father Joseph’s blood-soaked coat. Their dad reasoned that Joseph, mauled by a wild beast, was dead. The sons did nothing to correct his assumption.
Meanwhile in Egypt, Joseph grew to a position of power, eventually a tool in God’s plan to save Joseph’s family and thousands upon thousands during a seven year famine. Much later, his guilty brothers acknowledged Joseph in his powerful role and asked for protection.
Joseph recognized God’s providential touch saying, “Don’t be afraid.” What his brothers had intended for harm Joseph knew “God intended it for good.” Joseph “reassured them and spoke kindly to them” (Genesis 50:15-21).
To help protect the next generation, God told the Israelites to keep account of how he watched over them: Stay alert. Keep close watch over yourselves. Don’t forget what you’ve seen. Don’t let your hearts wander off. Stay vigilant as long as you live. Then God said, “Teach what you’ve seen and heard to your children and grandchildren” (The Message, Deut. 4:9).
Throughout life, our little ones will come in contact with harm similar to live spiders, but God can paralyze evil and turn a bad situation into benefits for many.
When summer arrives watch for God’s mysterious teachers, the mud daubers.
Contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Mud daubers are members of the wasp family and are not hostile “stingers” as are some of their cousins. However, they are aggressive in another area: nursery construction.
In the summer, females can be spotted near the edge of mud puddles, where they roll wet dirt into tiny balls, about the size of a BB. One uniform ball at a time, held in the mandibles (jaws), is flown to a construction site. Pellet by pellet they construct tubes, shaped like organ pipes.
The females around here are partial to the mortar indentations on my bricked back porch. Bit by bit, BB by BB they carry out their mission to ensure the survival of their young.
Upon completion, each bin holds paralyzed spiders and grub-like larvae to feed upon them. Mud dauber moms put their babies in cylinders with spiders, but first, they made sure they could do no harm.
In the Old Testament story about Joseph, his brothers in a moment of very poor judgment sold him to Midianite merchants. Later, in an act of deception, they showed their father Joseph’s blood-soaked coat. Their dad reasoned that Joseph, mauled by a wild beast, was dead. The sons did nothing to correct his assumption.
Meanwhile in Egypt, Joseph grew to a position of power, eventually a tool in God’s plan to save Joseph’s family and thousands upon thousands during a seven year famine. Much later, his guilty brothers acknowledged Joseph in his powerful role and asked for protection.
Joseph recognized God’s providential touch saying, “Don’t be afraid.” What his brothers had intended for harm Joseph knew “God intended it for good.” Joseph “reassured them and spoke kindly to them” (Genesis 50:15-21).
To help protect the next generation, God told the Israelites to keep account of how he watched over them: Stay alert. Keep close watch over yourselves. Don’t forget what you’ve seen. Don’t let your hearts wander off. Stay vigilant as long as you live. Then God said, “Teach what you’ve seen and heard to your children and grandchildren” (The Message, Deut. 4:9).
Throughout life, our little ones will come in contact with harm similar to live spiders, but God can paralyze evil and turn a bad situation into benefits for many.
When summer arrives watch for God’s mysterious teachers, the mud daubers.
Contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
A New Name
An out-of-town restaurant we frequent has a walk-up order counter and then patrons wait at their tables while their food is prepared. The clerk asks for a name to place on the meal receipt. For fun one day and on a whim, I falsely identified myself. I don’t remember what new name I gave the clerk, but the antics made my husband smile.
As long as I was giving a name, he didn’t care what name I gave, because he’s not fond of having his first name “yelled” out in a restaurant. Since then, when we order at that restaurant, I try on a new name, sort of like a stage name. The only trouble—when our order takes too long, I tend to forget my current name.
Sometimes I give my middle name “Lee.” On other visits, I’ve been Nadine, Elizabeth, Charlene, and one time I was Lucy. When we walked away from the counter, I whispered to David, now you can say, “I love Lucy.”
The fun may get me into trouble if the IRS ever checks our out-of-town restaurant stubs because my “new” names are on the tickets. Maybe I’ll save this article as substantial proof of my many identities.
Many adults would like to shed nicknames or names they’ve earned, but Thomas C. Haliburton said, “Nicknames stick to people, and the most ridiculous are the most adhesive.”
Renaming is not a novel idea. God renamed people. Usually when he did gift a new name that person was at a crossroad in their life, one where they traveled in a better direction. Jacob’s name meant “deceiver,” but after many heart rending lessons about deception, God renamed him “Israel” which means “ruling with God” (Genesis 32:28). The fresh name suited his new track and was much more desirable than a name suggesting fraud.
Occasionally, God let parents know before a child’s birth that the baby was chosen for a special work. Samson, future judge of the Israelites, was such a child, and his Danite mother chose a name that meant “distinguished, strong” (Judges 13:24). Jesus means “savior,” and long before his birth and naming ceremony, a herald angel announced his name to Mary and then to Joseph.
Here’s something to contemplate: If God named you instead of your parents, what might it be? Or if God renamed you based on your current path, what might your new name be? God is good at naming. The Psalmist said He named trillions of stars (Psalm 147:4), and I like to think he has a special defining name for each of us, one that fits perfectly.
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
As long as I was giving a name, he didn’t care what name I gave, because he’s not fond of having his first name “yelled” out in a restaurant. Since then, when we order at that restaurant, I try on a new name, sort of like a stage name. The only trouble—when our order takes too long, I tend to forget my current name.
Sometimes I give my middle name “Lee.” On other visits, I’ve been Nadine, Elizabeth, Charlene, and one time I was Lucy. When we walked away from the counter, I whispered to David, now you can say, “I love Lucy.”
The fun may get me into trouble if the IRS ever checks our out-of-town restaurant stubs because my “new” names are on the tickets. Maybe I’ll save this article as substantial proof of my many identities.
Many adults would like to shed nicknames or names they’ve earned, but Thomas C. Haliburton said, “Nicknames stick to people, and the most ridiculous are the most adhesive.”
Renaming is not a novel idea. God renamed people. Usually when he did gift a new name that person was at a crossroad in their life, one where they traveled in a better direction. Jacob’s name meant “deceiver,” but after many heart rending lessons about deception, God renamed him “Israel” which means “ruling with God” (Genesis 32:28). The fresh name suited his new track and was much more desirable than a name suggesting fraud.
Occasionally, God let parents know before a child’s birth that the baby was chosen for a special work. Samson, future judge of the Israelites, was such a child, and his Danite mother chose a name that meant “distinguished, strong” (Judges 13:24). Jesus means “savior,” and long before his birth and naming ceremony, a herald angel announced his name to Mary and then to Joseph.
Here’s something to contemplate: If God named you instead of your parents, what might it be? Or if God renamed you based on your current path, what might your new name be? God is good at naming. The Psalmist said He named trillions of stars (Psalm 147:4), and I like to think he has a special defining name for each of us, one that fits perfectly.
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, December 29, 2006
Revisit, Rethink, Revise
During Abraham Lincoln’s terms of office, he and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln held regular receptions at the White House on Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Also on January 1st, the President and Mrs. Lincoln received guests, both old friends and new faces. People were a priority.
This is their typical New Year’s Day schedule: Near 11:00 A.M., officials and diplomats arrived and went through a reception line, greeting the President and Mrs. Lincoln. About 2:00 P. M., the public streamed in, some had prepared short speeches. By the time Lincoln’s gloved hand found theirs, they had time only to shake his hand and utter a few words.
Mr. Lincoln usually wore a black broadcloth suit, called a “clawhammer” suit. He wore white kid gloves in the reception line, and shook so many hands that his own hand swelled afterwards. Eyewitnesses reported his glove “always looked like it had been dragged through the dust-bin.”
Abraham Lincoln, not only invested time at these orchestrated events, but in everyday life he identified with the oppressed and tried to relieve their distresses.
On December 31 at the strike of midnight, the year 2006 will be history. New Year’s Day is a good time to shake hands with the old year, revisit, rethink, and if needed, revise plans.
Carl Sandburg’s book “Abraham Lincoln, The Prairie Years and The War Years” is one of my favorite biographies. In it are many stories of personal encounters between Mr. Lincoln and many races. Although he rose to one of the most powerful positions in the world, he didn’t forget his roots or that his best investments were in the welfare of others.
An old Chinese proverb states: If your vision is for a year, plant wheat. If your vision is for ten years, plant trees. If your vision is for a lifetime, plant people.
God’s clarion call is for people to love Him with all their hearts and then to love each other. The Ten Commandments outlined respect for God and fellowman. When asked what commandments were most important, Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind . . . and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). He also said when we do something for others it’s like doing it for the Son of God.
In 2007 plant wheat to feed your neighbors, plant trees to shade your neighbors, and grimy your gloves from working with people. Because, when you lend a hand to people, you touch the face of God.
You may reach Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
This is their typical New Year’s Day schedule: Near 11:00 A.M., officials and diplomats arrived and went through a reception line, greeting the President and Mrs. Lincoln. About 2:00 P. M., the public streamed in, some had prepared short speeches. By the time Lincoln’s gloved hand found theirs, they had time only to shake his hand and utter a few words.
Mr. Lincoln usually wore a black broadcloth suit, called a “clawhammer” suit. He wore white kid gloves in the reception line, and shook so many hands that his own hand swelled afterwards. Eyewitnesses reported his glove “always looked like it had been dragged through the dust-bin.”
Abraham Lincoln, not only invested time at these orchestrated events, but in everyday life he identified with the oppressed and tried to relieve their distresses.
On December 31 at the strike of midnight, the year 2006 will be history. New Year’s Day is a good time to shake hands with the old year, revisit, rethink, and if needed, revise plans.
Carl Sandburg’s book “Abraham Lincoln, The Prairie Years and The War Years” is one of my favorite biographies. In it are many stories of personal encounters between Mr. Lincoln and many races. Although he rose to one of the most powerful positions in the world, he didn’t forget his roots or that his best investments were in the welfare of others.
An old Chinese proverb states: If your vision is for a year, plant wheat. If your vision is for ten years, plant trees. If your vision is for a lifetime, plant people.
God’s clarion call is for people to love Him with all their hearts and then to love each other. The Ten Commandments outlined respect for God and fellowman. When asked what commandments were most important, Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind . . . and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). He also said when we do something for others it’s like doing it for the Son of God.
In 2007 plant wheat to feed your neighbors, plant trees to shade your neighbors, and grimy your gloves from working with people. Because, when you lend a hand to people, you touch the face of God.
You may reach Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, December 22, 2006
Leftovers or a Feast
Hope is Born
Recently, two grandson-sayings blessed and enriched my understanding about God-instilled hope.
The first grandson-comment occurred on Thanksgiving Day. Our dining table creaked, weighted by luscious food, but it wasn’t a dream feast for six-year-old grandson Adam. Cranberries and cornbread dressing don’t have the same appeal as Ronald McDonalds’ menu.
An hour after our 20 family members feasted on bountiful Pilgrim food, Adam opened the refrigerator door. With a voice steeped in doubt, he asked, “Grandma, do you have anything to eat in here?” He’d bypassed a feast and ended up searching for leftovers.
The second insight came from eight-year-old grandson Jack. My grandchildren know that I’m a soft touch when we’re running errands and they’re hungry. I’ll fly through the fast food lane at Long John Silvers quicker than the down of a thistle.
Jack accompanied me to Wednesday night Bible classes, and afterwards, Jack said, “Grandma, I’m really hungry.”
Teasing I said, “Well, if you’re that desperate, we’ll drive through and get you something on the way home.”
After a thoughtful pause, Jack asked, “Why did you say I’m desperate? Doesn’t desperate mean without hope?” And then we had a nice conversation about expectation of better things, and the One who supplies us with hope.
After these encounters with grandsons, I was reminded of the daily feast of opportunities to over-indulge in God’s hope. A Bible proverb states, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (13:12). Or as Eugene Peterson paraphrased that proverb in “The Message”: “Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.”
Life is often described as mountains and valleys, but I recently read (can’t remember where) that life is more like railway tracks. Parallel of sad things are such good things as the next breath, food, friendships, income- producing-work, and family.
Life consists of dual moments of sunshine and rain. Paul wrote to the Ephesians about the time they were without hope, without God in their lives, and reminded them that hope entered when they embraced Jesus Christ.
Grandsons Jack and Adam often refresh our lives with antics, unusual wisdom, and little boy embraces. This Christmas reflect on another little boy -- the one born in Bethlehem, the Son of God destined to bring personal peace.
Don’t settle for leftovers because Jesus sets a banquet table before the world, laden with individual servings of hope.
Merry Christmas.
You may reach Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Recently, two grandson-sayings blessed and enriched my understanding about God-instilled hope.
The first grandson-comment occurred on Thanksgiving Day. Our dining table creaked, weighted by luscious food, but it wasn’t a dream feast for six-year-old grandson Adam. Cranberries and cornbread dressing don’t have the same appeal as Ronald McDonalds’ menu.
An hour after our 20 family members feasted on bountiful Pilgrim food, Adam opened the refrigerator door. With a voice steeped in doubt, he asked, “Grandma, do you have anything to eat in here?” He’d bypassed a feast and ended up searching for leftovers.
The second insight came from eight-year-old grandson Jack. My grandchildren know that I’m a soft touch when we’re running errands and they’re hungry. I’ll fly through the fast food lane at Long John Silvers quicker than the down of a thistle.
Jack accompanied me to Wednesday night Bible classes, and afterwards, Jack said, “Grandma, I’m really hungry.”
Teasing I said, “Well, if you’re that desperate, we’ll drive through and get you something on the way home.”
After a thoughtful pause, Jack asked, “Why did you say I’m desperate? Doesn’t desperate mean without hope?” And then we had a nice conversation about expectation of better things, and the One who supplies us with hope.
After these encounters with grandsons, I was reminded of the daily feast of opportunities to over-indulge in God’s hope. A Bible proverb states, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (13:12). Or as Eugene Peterson paraphrased that proverb in “The Message”: “Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.”
Life is often described as mountains and valleys, but I recently read (can’t remember where) that life is more like railway tracks. Parallel of sad things are such good things as the next breath, food, friendships, income- producing-work, and family.
Life consists of dual moments of sunshine and rain. Paul wrote to the Ephesians about the time they were without hope, without God in their lives, and reminded them that hope entered when they embraced Jesus Christ.
Grandsons Jack and Adam often refresh our lives with antics, unusual wisdom, and little boy embraces. This Christmas reflect on another little boy -- the one born in Bethlehem, the Son of God destined to bring personal peace.
Don’t settle for leftovers because Jesus sets a banquet table before the world, laden with individual servings of hope.
Merry Christmas.
You may reach Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, December 15, 2006
Cathedrals
The World is a Cathedral
The guys fished all night without success, not for fun. This fishing mattered because it put bread on the table. Their work included casting cumbersome nets and moving their boats by hoisting sails and straining at oars.
Throughout the night, again and again they cast bulky nets over the inky lake. Each cast brought the same disappointing results. Empty. Empty. Empty. Their shift ended without profit. Or, so they thought.
Dawn found them anchored on shore. Weary. They washed their nets, searching for tears and snarls from lake debris. Also at lakeside that morning, Jesus drew the usual crowd to hear his teachings. Finally, Jesus asked the fishermen Simon Peter to launch his boat into the surf as a pulpit.
Peter moved the boat just offshore where Jesus sat down and taught from a watery platform. When Jesus finished he said, “Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
Peter answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” On the lake, Peter felt the familiar drag of a catch, a huge catch. Checking the nets, he saw teeming fish and the weight of them causing tears in the sturdy rope lacings.
He motioned to partners on shore to join them, and James and John oared out and hauled in fish after fish. The weight of the fish soon leveled the boat railings with the water surface. One more fish wiggle and water might spill into the crafts.
But water didn’t flood in, and fishermen, scaly catch, and The Teacher came ashore. That’s when Simon Peter recognized God’s divine hand and fell at Jesus’ feet saying, “Go away from me, Lord, I am a sinful man!” But Jesus didn’t leave.
Instead, Jesus consoled Simon Peter and said, “Don’t be afraid, from now on you will catch men. Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Luke 5).
On this day, the lakeside became a cathedral. Once more, God used the earth, his footstool, as a setting to showcase the Son of God, to show his overflowing compassion for Simon Peter and all men.
Chapels, cathedrals, church buildings are formal places of worship where body and mind can be stilled, but God dwells in everyday happenings, too.
Fish, boats, a starry host, stables, shepherds, sheep -- all are stage props for the Savior. Today, as in times past, a car, a rented room, wooded acreage or a mall can be a cathedral if Jesus is there.
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Need a gift for the holidays? Cathy’s devotional book The Stained Glass Pickup is a thoughtful gift that will continue to encourage throughout the year. Read reviews at www.amazon.com and www.christianbooks.com
Autographed copies available at www.stainedglasspickup.com Cathy will discount purchases of two or more – for details contact Cathy Messecar at writecat@consolidated.net
The guys fished all night without success, not for fun. This fishing mattered because it put bread on the table. Their work included casting cumbersome nets and moving their boats by hoisting sails and straining at oars.
Throughout the night, again and again they cast bulky nets over the inky lake. Each cast brought the same disappointing results. Empty. Empty. Empty. Their shift ended without profit. Or, so they thought.
Dawn found them anchored on shore. Weary. They washed their nets, searching for tears and snarls from lake debris. Also at lakeside that morning, Jesus drew the usual crowd to hear his teachings. Finally, Jesus asked the fishermen Simon Peter to launch his boat into the surf as a pulpit.
Peter moved the boat just offshore where Jesus sat down and taught from a watery platform. When Jesus finished he said, “Put out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
Peter answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” On the lake, Peter felt the familiar drag of a catch, a huge catch. Checking the nets, he saw teeming fish and the weight of them causing tears in the sturdy rope lacings.
He motioned to partners on shore to join them, and James and John oared out and hauled in fish after fish. The weight of the fish soon leveled the boat railings with the water surface. One more fish wiggle and water might spill into the crafts.
But water didn’t flood in, and fishermen, scaly catch, and The Teacher came ashore. That’s when Simon Peter recognized God’s divine hand and fell at Jesus’ feet saying, “Go away from me, Lord, I am a sinful man!” But Jesus didn’t leave.
Instead, Jesus consoled Simon Peter and said, “Don’t be afraid, from now on you will catch men. Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Luke 5).
On this day, the lakeside became a cathedral. Once more, God used the earth, his footstool, as a setting to showcase the Son of God, to show his overflowing compassion for Simon Peter and all men.
Chapels, cathedrals, church buildings are formal places of worship where body and mind can be stilled, but God dwells in everyday happenings, too.
Fish, boats, a starry host, stables, shepherds, sheep -- all are stage props for the Savior. Today, as in times past, a car, a rented room, wooded acreage or a mall can be a cathedral if Jesus is there.
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Need a gift for the holidays? Cathy’s devotional book The Stained Glass Pickup is a thoughtful gift that will continue to encourage throughout the year. Read reviews at www.amazon.com and www.christianbooks.com
Autographed copies available at www.stainedglasspickup.com Cathy will discount purchases of two or more – for details contact Cathy Messecar at writecat@consolidated.net
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Maria's Christmas Eve
Maria's Christmas Eve
With permission, I share Maria Skinner’s reflections of a Christmas Eve:
I watched flurries of white flakes settle on the mountaintop. The small house for our missionary assignment in a high mountain village in Mexico had no heat. Wind stabbed through gaps around the windows and door, chilling the indoor air. It would be necessary for my husband, Dave, and me to keep our children, Shannon and David, fully clothed throughout the night.
“This is our first Christmas on the mission field,” I thought to myself. “No one in this village knows us. No one will visit or call. The children's grandparents live more than a thousand miles away. They will not be dropping by with surprise gifts.”
My daughter Shannon looked out the window, “Look Mommy, the children run so fast, even without shoes. And they aren't even wearing sweaters!” I tried to smile as I wiped tears from my face.
"Tomorrow is Christmas," I offered an explanation for my weeping. Shannon knew we had no money to buy a Christmas meal, not even a single gift. “It doesn't matter to me, Mommy," Shannon said. "We can mother the children."
Her words took residence in my heart. "Mother the children?" I repeated. "What do you mean?"
"Those poor children have no shoes. They need some gifts for Christmas."
"Oh, but how are we going to give them gifts?"
"I want to give them my things! They can have my shoes and dresses." Now she was very excited! "It is better to give than to receive. Remember what Jesus said!"
"Oh, yes, Shannon, He did say that!" I gave her a hug. My daughter ran to the cold, damp room she shared with her brother, and I helped her neatly fold her clothes. We wanted each item to look as much like a gift as possible. That night, we trudged through the snow, going house to house, giving what we could.
At village homes, children peered from behind the doors. They jumped up and down with eagerness. "Let me see, let me see!" At each home the parents reacted in disbelief and shock. Finally, they said, "Gracias, gracias! God bless you!"
That night we slept with smiles on our faces. We received far more than we had given. On Christmas morn, still excited from our Christmas Eve visits in the village, Shannon jumped from bed and ran to the door to look outside. We saw the snowy landscape sprinkled with the darting colors of village children squealing and laughing, wearing their "new" Christmas clothes.
“Thank you, Lord,” I thought. "You sent little angels to dance for us at Christmas!" That Christmas Jesus showed our young daughter how to bring joy to her family and an entire village on a high mountain in Mexico.”
You may contact Maria at www.nbt.org or Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
With permission, I share Maria Skinner’s reflections of a Christmas Eve:
I watched flurries of white flakes settle on the mountaintop. The small house for our missionary assignment in a high mountain village in Mexico had no heat. Wind stabbed through gaps around the windows and door, chilling the indoor air. It would be necessary for my husband, Dave, and me to keep our children, Shannon and David, fully clothed throughout the night.
“This is our first Christmas on the mission field,” I thought to myself. “No one in this village knows us. No one will visit or call. The children's grandparents live more than a thousand miles away. They will not be dropping by with surprise gifts.”
My daughter Shannon looked out the window, “Look Mommy, the children run so fast, even without shoes. And they aren't even wearing sweaters!” I tried to smile as I wiped tears from my face.
"Tomorrow is Christmas," I offered an explanation for my weeping. Shannon knew we had no money to buy a Christmas meal, not even a single gift. “It doesn't matter to me, Mommy," Shannon said. "We can mother the children."
Her words took residence in my heart. "Mother the children?" I repeated. "What do you mean?"
"Those poor children have no shoes. They need some gifts for Christmas."
"Oh, but how are we going to give them gifts?"
"I want to give them my things! They can have my shoes and dresses." Now she was very excited! "It is better to give than to receive. Remember what Jesus said!"
"Oh, yes, Shannon, He did say that!" I gave her a hug. My daughter ran to the cold, damp room she shared with her brother, and I helped her neatly fold her clothes. We wanted each item to look as much like a gift as possible. That night, we trudged through the snow, going house to house, giving what we could.
At village homes, children peered from behind the doors. They jumped up and down with eagerness. "Let me see, let me see!" At each home the parents reacted in disbelief and shock. Finally, they said, "Gracias, gracias! God bless you!"
That night we slept with smiles on our faces. We received far more than we had given. On Christmas morn, still excited from our Christmas Eve visits in the village, Shannon jumped from bed and ran to the door to look outside. We saw the snowy landscape sprinkled with the darting colors of village children squealing and laughing, wearing their "new" Christmas clothes.
“Thank you, Lord,” I thought. "You sent little angels to dance for us at Christmas!" That Christmas Jesus showed our young daughter how to bring joy to her family and an entire village on a high mountain in Mexico.”
You may contact Maria at www.nbt.org or Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, December 01, 2006
Daniel Diet
Need a gift for the holidays? Cathy’s devotional book The Stained Glass Pickup is a thoughtful gift that will continue to encourage throughout the year. Read reviews at www.amazon.com and www.christianbooks.com Autographed copies available at www.stainedglasspickup.com Cathy will discount purchases of two or more – for details contact Cathy Messecar at writecat@consolidated.net
This is a terrible time to tackle the subject of being overweight. First, because I am several pounds over my desired weight, and second, in the USA, Thanksgiving just passed and some of us didn’t pass on second helpings. We’re drowning in gravy guilt.
Recently, The World Health Organization labeled the world’s obesity problem as pandemic. No pun intended, but that means widespread. For the first time ever, statistics show that the number of overweight people outnumber the undernourished.
Approximately 1.6 billion adults age 15 and up are overweight and 600 million are undernourished. By the year 2015 the number of overweight people is expected to rise to 2.3 billion. This preventable pandemic is threatening to overwhelm every medical system in the world as cases of diabetes and heart disease increase.
Affluent countries are no longer the only ones facing this problem. Middle and lower income populations are gaining weight at an alarming rate. In any public setting, it’s plain to see that many struggle with regulating their intake of food.
Many of us avoid exercise or changing eating habits and follow J. Loveland’s idea: “An alternative to losing weight, I use when all else fails; Tho’ I’m unable to stay on a diet, I can stay off the scales.”
Daniel is a Bible hero who instills hope and gives helpful dietary guidelines. Captured in Jerusalem, he and many others marched to foreign Babylon. There, young men of Israel, who showed intelligence in “every branch of wisdom” (Daniel 1:4), were chosen to serve the king. As part of the royal wining and dining, they were given the king’s choice food (literally the fat of flesh) and wine.
However, Daniel and his three friends wanted to follow the dietary laws of the Hebrews. To remain faithful to God and for consciences’ sake, Daniel requested water and vegetables for himself and friends. At the end of ten days their countenances reflected vitality and health, more so than the others who ate the king’s buffet.
Daniel’s faith, wisdom, food choices, and his regular prayers illustrate how one can be under extreme stress and maintain a clear conscience before God. His good choices still inspire today.
Several years ago to get on a better eating regimen, I followed Daniel’s lead and limited my intake to fruits, veggies and water for a couple of months. This December, I’ll do the same, because the weight of the world is bothering me in a personal way, and with God’s help, I’ll do something about it. I’m off to peel an orange for breakfast and scrounge for a celery stick . . . how about you?
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
This is a terrible time to tackle the subject of being overweight. First, because I am several pounds over my desired weight, and second, in the USA, Thanksgiving just passed and some of us didn’t pass on second helpings. We’re drowning in gravy guilt.
Recently, The World Health Organization labeled the world’s obesity problem as pandemic. No pun intended, but that means widespread. For the first time ever, statistics show that the number of overweight people outnumber the undernourished.
Approximately 1.6 billion adults age 15 and up are overweight and 600 million are undernourished. By the year 2015 the number of overweight people is expected to rise to 2.3 billion. This preventable pandemic is threatening to overwhelm every medical system in the world as cases of diabetes and heart disease increase.
Affluent countries are no longer the only ones facing this problem. Middle and lower income populations are gaining weight at an alarming rate. In any public setting, it’s plain to see that many struggle with regulating their intake of food.
Many of us avoid exercise or changing eating habits and follow J. Loveland’s idea: “An alternative to losing weight, I use when all else fails; Tho’ I’m unable to stay on a diet, I can stay off the scales.”
Daniel is a Bible hero who instills hope and gives helpful dietary guidelines. Captured in Jerusalem, he and many others marched to foreign Babylon. There, young men of Israel, who showed intelligence in “every branch of wisdom” (Daniel 1:4), were chosen to serve the king. As part of the royal wining and dining, they were given the king’s choice food (literally the fat of flesh) and wine.
However, Daniel and his three friends wanted to follow the dietary laws of the Hebrews. To remain faithful to God and for consciences’ sake, Daniel requested water and vegetables for himself and friends. At the end of ten days their countenances reflected vitality and health, more so than the others who ate the king’s buffet.
Daniel’s faith, wisdom, food choices, and his regular prayers illustrate how one can be under extreme stress and maintain a clear conscience before God. His good choices still inspire today.
Several years ago to get on a better eating regimen, I followed Daniel’s lead and limited my intake to fruits, veggies and water for a couple of months. This December, I’ll do the same, because the weight of the world is bothering me in a personal way, and with God’s help, I’ll do something about it. I’m off to peel an orange for breakfast and scrounge for a celery stick . . . how about you?
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, November 24, 2006
1000 Gifts
Need a gift for the holidays? Cathy’s devotional book The Stained Glass Pickup is a thoughtful gift that will continue to encourage throughout the year. Read reviews at Amazon and www.christianbooks.com Autographed copies available at www.stainedglasspickup.com Cathy will discount purchases of two or more – for details contact Cathy Messecar at writecat@consolidated.net
Christian Women Online Magazine is encouraging their readers to begin a list of 1000 gifts from God. Ann Voskamp, author of the article, wrote “I am daily jotting down items on my ‘Thousand Gifts List.’"
Ms. Voskamp says the discipline of writing down her gifts is opening her eyes to things unseen before. She is “working, one-by-one, up to a thousand gifts. Not of gifts I want. But of gifts I have.”
I liked her idea and started my list a few days before Thanksgiving. The first 25 are family and friends and in that mix, near the end, is a warm bed and a place to shower — such luxuries. Over the years, my list will grow.
A home-schooling mother (nearly a dozen children) has taken the challenge and appearing on her list are such blessings as “fluffy towels, the cry of a newborn, and gathering warm eggs.” She also lists “old books discovered for pennies at a garage sale and the still small voice of God.”
Gratitude is the warm friendly feeling toward a benefactor, thankfulness because God or a person bestowed kindness. Melodie Beattie said, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.” Also, she said, “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” The first American settlers had the same attitude.
H. U. Westermayer writes, “The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.”
God, the ultimate benefactor, told Moses about himself: “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness and sin” (Exodus 34:7).
Ms. Voskamp says she is writing down her gifts “as they happen, as they arrive, as they are unwrapped . . . the daily graces that He gives in an infinite number of ways that stir me.”
I’m thankful for readers of this column and you’re number 21 on my list of tailored blessings. On Monday, I’ll pack away the Pilgrim and turkey trinkets, but I will not shelve appreciation.
Join me in keeping Thanksgiving alive year round with a Thousand Gifts List. Are you ready? Number one, number two . . .
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Helping out a friend: Joan Anderson, author of New York Times bestseller Where Angels Walk, has lost some of her mailing list. To sign up for her newsletter, contact her at www.joanwanderson.com
Christian Women Online Magazine is encouraging their readers to begin a list of 1000 gifts from God. Ann Voskamp, author of the article, wrote “I am daily jotting down items on my ‘Thousand Gifts List.’"
Ms. Voskamp says the discipline of writing down her gifts is opening her eyes to things unseen before. She is “working, one-by-one, up to a thousand gifts. Not of gifts I want. But of gifts I have.”
I liked her idea and started my list a few days before Thanksgiving. The first 25 are family and friends and in that mix, near the end, is a warm bed and a place to shower — such luxuries. Over the years, my list will grow.
A home-schooling mother (nearly a dozen children) has taken the challenge and appearing on her list are such blessings as “fluffy towels, the cry of a newborn, and gathering warm eggs.” She also lists “old books discovered for pennies at a garage sale and the still small voice of God.”
Gratitude is the warm friendly feeling toward a benefactor, thankfulness because God or a person bestowed kindness. Melodie Beattie said, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.” Also, she said, “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” The first American settlers had the same attitude.
H. U. Westermayer writes, “The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.”
God, the ultimate benefactor, told Moses about himself: “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness and sin” (Exodus 34:7).
Ms. Voskamp says she is writing down her gifts “as they happen, as they arrive, as they are unwrapped . . . the daily graces that He gives in an infinite number of ways that stir me.”
I’m thankful for readers of this column and you’re number 21 on my list of tailored blessings. On Monday, I’ll pack away the Pilgrim and turkey trinkets, but I will not shelve appreciation.
Join me in keeping Thanksgiving alive year round with a Thousand Gifts List. Are you ready? Number one, number two . . .
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Helping out a friend: Joan Anderson, author of New York Times bestseller Where Angels Walk, has lost some of her mailing list. To sign up for her newsletter, contact her at www.joanwanderson.com
Friday, November 17, 2006
Family Table Time
The Kitchen Table
A friend told me about her paratrooper cousin. During practice, all went well and his chute opened, but the next man didn’t have that good fortune. His chute failed to open. Somehow, he managed to grab hold of the cousin’s legs, and they landed in-tact under one parachute.
The kitchen table is a parachute for the family. Do you remember the kitchen or dining table in your childhood home? The evening meal is when my family ate together. The television was off, and after Dad prayed, we ate and shared the happenings in our days.
We often had orphans at the table, someone who had latched onto our family. Not necessarily persons without parents, just those needing a temporary home. We hosted a woman receiving treatments at M D Anderson Hospital and our grandmothers for extended visits.
Often, though, we had neighborhood kids and parentless children at the table. Rare, but two of my best friends were motherless, one killed in an automobile accident and the other taken by cancer. To this day when I see these two women, they mention our kitchen, and specific foods eaten there. One remembers the Russian salad dressing.
Today, home meals are sacrificed on the altar of busyness. Single parents are making a living and rearing children. In some dad-and-mom families, both parents work, besides chauffeuring kiddos to a plethora of activities. Too many family meals are eaten at 55 mph, fast foods eaten in minivan bucket seats.
The National Center on Substance and Drug Abuse lists ten positive results for families who regularly eat together at home. They can be found online. To help recapture family time around the table, follow this advice: One, clear off the table. Make it inviting. Find other places for school projects, junk mail and laptop computer. Shoo the napping cat from the table surface.
Second, on the weekend, plan the week’s menu and dining times. Buy ingredients, and prominently post menu and meal times. Third, during your together-meal, turn off electronics and have light-conversation. Don’t nag. Instead, say “only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs” (Eph. 4:20).
Fourth, in your prayer time, briefly roll-call the names of those gathered, giving thanks for their presence. Fifth, serve a light dessert and keep family and guests at the table a few more moments. Keep dessert simple. Serve fresh fruit or angel food cake with chocolate whipped cream.
In your home, bring back family meal time. Someone could be descending without a parachute and your table-time may rescue a precious child or the gathered “orphans.” Happy Thanksgiving!
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, November 10, 2006
The Face is a Lamp
“Omore taya.” It’s a Luo proverb. Luo is the second-most spoken language in Kenya. Cecil Murphey, co-author of 90 Minutes in Heaven, often heard the phrase while he was a missionary in Africa. Cecil is a smiling, compassionate man, and his love for others naturally shines through his countenance. So, the Kenyans often shouted at him, “Omore taya” meaning “A happy face is a lamp.”
The Online Etymology Dictionary says the word “countenance” means a "facial expression betraying a state of mind." As a very amateur photographer, I’m always delighted when I’ve captured an expression of one of my grandchildren that matches their heart-personalities.
Our family has a face-mood puzzel. The children have jig-sawed it together again and again. It depicts dramatic moods that alter the landscape of a face. The cardboard pieces show faces that are happy, sad, angry, frightened, worried, embarrassed, bored, silly, and tired.
The Bible has a lot to say about faces: “Cain was very angry” with his brother Able—ready to murder him—and he had a “downcast” face (Genesis 4:5). Joseph saw his brothers for the first time in many years, but they didn’t recognize him. Overcome, Joseph left the room, washed his face, and gained control over his emotions (Genesis 43:31). Moses’ face was radiant after being in the presence of God (Exodus 34:29).
The first Christian martyr Stephen looked at his false accusers and they saw that his face was like the “face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). Quite a few times, Jesus’ face is described as “the sun shining in all its brilliance” (Revelation 1:16).
Need a facelift? Spend time with God reading the Bible or kneeling in prayer, and like missionary Cecil Murphey gift your companions with the sight of a face lit from within.
This week as many of you make early preparations for the coming holidays with family, enjoy this blessing: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you: the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).
You may contact Cathy at http://www.stainedglasspickup.com/
The Online Etymology Dictionary says the word “countenance” means a "facial expression betraying a state of mind." As a very amateur photographer, I’m always delighted when I’ve captured an expression of one of my grandchildren that matches their heart-personalities.
Our family has a face-mood puzzel. The children have jig-sawed it together again and again. It depicts dramatic moods that alter the landscape of a face. The cardboard pieces show faces that are happy, sad, angry, frightened, worried, embarrassed, bored, silly, and tired.
The Bible has a lot to say about faces: “Cain was very angry” with his brother Able—ready to murder him—and he had a “downcast” face (Genesis 4:5). Joseph saw his brothers for the first time in many years, but they didn’t recognize him. Overcome, Joseph left the room, washed his face, and gained control over his emotions (Genesis 43:31). Moses’ face was radiant after being in the presence of God (Exodus 34:29).
The first Christian martyr Stephen looked at his false accusers and they saw that his face was like the “face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). Quite a few times, Jesus’ face is described as “the sun shining in all its brilliance” (Revelation 1:16).
Need a facelift? Spend time with God reading the Bible or kneeling in prayer, and like missionary Cecil Murphey gift your companions with the sight of a face lit from within.
This week as many of you make early preparations for the coming holidays with family, enjoy this blessing: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you: the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).
You may contact Cathy at http://www.stainedglasspickup.com/
Thursday, November 02, 2006
People Everywhere
When my children were young, each week for a year, my mom and dad sent them a Bible lesson. The Bible based lessons taught such things as treating neighbors with respect. With the steadily rising world population, families will have more opportunities to guide the next generation to love their neighbors.
The United States populace reached 300 million about mid-year. Statisticians aren’t sure of the exact moment. Finding baby number 300 million would be as difficult as looking for a unique grain of sand. Somewhere, little child, you’re it. But, you’ll probably never know you were the milestone-kid.
In 1915, this country reached 100 million. In 1967, we doubled our family tree. Branches sprouted from Boston to Bakersville. The sheer numbers along with advancements in health care have changed the demographics of this nation.
What do all of the statistics have to do with the local church? A lot. Many churches are experiencing phenomenal growth among their young families. Someone is having all those babies. My congregation’s nursery program doubled in size in the last few years, creating more teachable moments for parents and Sunday school teachers to instill passion for God.
For a person born in 1915, the expected life span was 54.5. However, if you were born in 1967, your life expectancy could reach 70.5. Babies arriving in 2006 are very likely to reach the age of 77.8. What does the aging population have to do with church? Plenty.
Over 12 percent of the American population is over the age of 65, around 37 million senior citizens. Because of longevity, churches have broader experienced-based knowledge than ever before. Paul knew the aged are capable of passing along valuable insights. He wrote to young preacher Titus saying, “teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live. In turn, the mature women were to teach “the younger women to love their husbands and children” (Titus 2:3-5).
This can happen between a mother and daughter or other familial connections, or it can occur in church classrooms. A couple of young women meet around my kitchen table once a week, and we study, pray, and talk about all our struggles and successes. Paul knew the best way to “catch” life-lessons is from someone who has counted a few birthdays. Been there. Done that.
Men are not exempt from Paul’s guidelines for mentors. He wanted older gentlemen to be “temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.” To the young men he urged self-control and that the young Titus would set a good example for them (2:2, 6-7).
The World Population Clock at the United States Census Bureau Website says 6 and a half billion people inhabit Earth. By 2050 that number will rise to 9 billion—more relatives, more neighbors, more mentors, more young ones to teach. Are you ready to “love your neighbor as yourself”? (Matthew 19:19).
Barbara Barr had a Habitat for Humanity project going on next door and she said: “Oh happy day, that is what comes to my mind when I think of Habitat for Humanity. I have envisioned the day when others would care about our neighborhood as much as we do. As I am listening to your hammers and saws and your laughter, I am filled with hope."
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
The United States populace reached 300 million about mid-year. Statisticians aren’t sure of the exact moment. Finding baby number 300 million would be as difficult as looking for a unique grain of sand. Somewhere, little child, you’re it. But, you’ll probably never know you were the milestone-kid.
In 1915, this country reached 100 million. In 1967, we doubled our family tree. Branches sprouted from Boston to Bakersville. The sheer numbers along with advancements in health care have changed the demographics of this nation.
What do all of the statistics have to do with the local church? A lot. Many churches are experiencing phenomenal growth among their young families. Someone is having all those babies. My congregation’s nursery program doubled in size in the last few years, creating more teachable moments for parents and Sunday school teachers to instill passion for God.
For a person born in 1915, the expected life span was 54.5. However, if you were born in 1967, your life expectancy could reach 70.5. Babies arriving in 2006 are very likely to reach the age of 77.8. What does the aging population have to do with church? Plenty.
Over 12 percent of the American population is over the age of 65, around 37 million senior citizens. Because of longevity, churches have broader experienced-based knowledge than ever before. Paul knew the aged are capable of passing along valuable insights. He wrote to young preacher Titus saying, “teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live. In turn, the mature women were to teach “the younger women to love their husbands and children” (Titus 2:3-5).
This can happen between a mother and daughter or other familial connections, or it can occur in church classrooms. A couple of young women meet around my kitchen table once a week, and we study, pray, and talk about all our struggles and successes. Paul knew the best way to “catch” life-lessons is from someone who has counted a few birthdays. Been there. Done that.
Men are not exempt from Paul’s guidelines for mentors. He wanted older gentlemen to be “temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.” To the young men he urged self-control and that the young Titus would set a good example for them (2:2, 6-7).
The World Population Clock at the United States Census Bureau Website says 6 and a half billion people inhabit Earth. By 2050 that number will rise to 9 billion—more relatives, more neighbors, more mentors, more young ones to teach. Are you ready to “love your neighbor as yourself”? (Matthew 19:19).
Barbara Barr had a Habitat for Humanity project going on next door and she said: “Oh happy day, that is what comes to my mind when I think of Habitat for Humanity. I have envisioned the day when others would care about our neighborhood as much as we do. As I am listening to your hammers and saws and your laughter, I am filled with hope."
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, October 27, 2006
Journey to Jesus
The first time my children and grandchildren uttered Jesus’ name gave me an incomparable thrill. There’s just something about that name.
Learning about Jesus can start anywhere in life. Children and grandparents can acknowledge Jesus. Recently in my son’s congregation, a senior citizen made a confession of believing in Christ and was baptized. Some seek God in a time of crisis, and Mark records such a story about a woman ill for 12 years who hunted for Jesus.
On that day, the woman tried to reach Jesus in a desperate effort to be healed. However, he was surrounded by a shoulder-to-shoulder, tight knit throng (Matthew 9, Mark 5, and Luke 8).
Contending with a draining illness for 12 years, this woman joined the press of people. Energy depleted, she had few resources left. Doctors had tried to remedy her illness, but “instead of getting better, she grew worse” (Mark 5: 26). Fragile in body and emotions, she inched her way into the swarm.
A kid in the crowd might have complained “Mama we’re squashed together.” Luke describes the crowd as body-to-body, so close they nearly crushed Jesus. No air space. Somehow, despite the pressing crowd, she pushed forward.
She’d thought earlier, “If I just touch his clothes I will be healed” (Mark vs. 28). Finally, within tagging-distance, she shoved an outstretched arm toward Jesus. Wiggling her fingers a few inches closer she made contact with his clothing. The second her finger tips touched cloak-fibers, good heath returned.
Getting to Jesus is a journey. Throughout a lifetime, heart wounds, soul scars, and mind-boggling dilemmas add up, but Jesus-seekers receive divine attention when they set out on the expedition to find him.
During my teen years, I heard the question, “Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?” I didn’t have a clue what that meant. Although the phrase isn’t found in the Bible, it’s a biblical concept. Christians call God “Father” and Jesus becomes our brother and friend—very personal connections, relationships.
A God-message billboard encourages this journey to Jesus: “C’mon over and bring the kids—God.” Parents, start your children on their journey early. Like the woman who was ill—press on. Press in. And here’s God’s promise to journeyers: “Let us press on to acknowledge him . . . . he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth” (Hosea 6:3).
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Learning about Jesus can start anywhere in life. Children and grandparents can acknowledge Jesus. Recently in my son’s congregation, a senior citizen made a confession of believing in Christ and was baptized. Some seek God in a time of crisis, and Mark records such a story about a woman ill for 12 years who hunted for Jesus.
On that day, the woman tried to reach Jesus in a desperate effort to be healed. However, he was surrounded by a shoulder-to-shoulder, tight knit throng (Matthew 9, Mark 5, and Luke 8).
Contending with a draining illness for 12 years, this woman joined the press of people. Energy depleted, she had few resources left. Doctors had tried to remedy her illness, but “instead of getting better, she grew worse” (Mark 5: 26). Fragile in body and emotions, she inched her way into the swarm.
A kid in the crowd might have complained “Mama we’re squashed together.” Luke describes the crowd as body-to-body, so close they nearly crushed Jesus. No air space. Somehow, despite the pressing crowd, she pushed forward.
She’d thought earlier, “If I just touch his clothes I will be healed” (Mark vs. 28). Finally, within tagging-distance, she shoved an outstretched arm toward Jesus. Wiggling her fingers a few inches closer she made contact with his clothing. The second her finger tips touched cloak-fibers, good heath returned.
Getting to Jesus is a journey. Throughout a lifetime, heart wounds, soul scars, and mind-boggling dilemmas add up, but Jesus-seekers receive divine attention when they set out on the expedition to find him.
During my teen years, I heard the question, “Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?” I didn’t have a clue what that meant. Although the phrase isn’t found in the Bible, it’s a biblical concept. Christians call God “Father” and Jesus becomes our brother and friend—very personal connections, relationships.
A God-message billboard encourages this journey to Jesus: “C’mon over and bring the kids—God.” Parents, start your children on their journey early. Like the woman who was ill—press on. Press in. And here’s God’s promise to journeyers: “Let us press on to acknowledge him . . . . he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth” (Hosea 6:3).
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Saturday, October 21, 2006
RECYCLED FAITH
Cathy’s hardback gift book The Stained Glass Pickup is an inspirational gift for the holidays. Regular price is $10.99 plus S&H. If ordered from her Web site, she will autograph and mail anywhere in the United States. For discounts for two or more writecat@consolidated.net
Check out what folks are saying about The Stained Glass Pickup www.stainedglasspickup.com and at www.Amazon.com
Faith of Our Fathers
An article title stated, “God Has No Grandchildren.” Most of us know that faith isn’t as easily bequeathed to children as a set of silverware. While children may keep inherited silver, they may not embrace their parent’s faith.
In Abilene for the ACU Lectureship, I attended a lecture by Darryl Tippens, who recently authored Pilgrim Heart. The subtitle is “The Way of Jesus in Everyday Life.” It’s about modeling and experiencing the Christian disciplines.
Two statements in his foreword shined a little light in my soul and caused me to give further thought to this faith community’s part in ensuring that there is another generation of devoted Christians. Darryl Tippens mentioned in his book and lecture a probing question Jesus asked, “When the Son of Man comes again, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).
The second challenge came when Tippens told statistics from author Charles Williams. Because generations die off physically, faith is reestablished through new converts and Christians’ children. Here are the staggering facts: In just 30 years of passive living, not reaching out to neighbors and not teaching children, the church could die in a locale.
Love for God is both taught and caught; following are suggestions for parents and grandparents who long for their children to inherit more than earthly estates:
• Be a “taught and caught” adult role model. Model Jesus’ justice and compassionate living. Talk about your devotion to God’s Son.
• Act like God acts. Forgive like God forgives. Repent in your home before spouse and children when you do wrong.
• Kick the world out of your home. Make a safe shelter where children learn godly virtues, not the latest ad campaigns that draw them into the U.S. rampant consumerism.
• Read scriptures to your children. Memorize with them. Where do your kids get most of their Bible learning? Home should be their primary “Sunday school.”
• Talk about your faith and your struggles. Do your children know your salvation story? Share how you came to know the Lord.
The best news is when God gives us a task such as “go and make disciples” he also equips us for the work. Pray, grab hold of God’s promises and his hand because we have plenty of work assignments during the next 30 years. Each day, assist God in founding faith in this community and in the next generation.
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Check out what folks are saying about The Stained Glass Pickup www.stainedglasspickup.com and at www.Amazon.com
Faith of Our Fathers
An article title stated, “God Has No Grandchildren.” Most of us know that faith isn’t as easily bequeathed to children as a set of silverware. While children may keep inherited silver, they may not embrace their parent’s faith.
In Abilene for the ACU Lectureship, I attended a lecture by Darryl Tippens, who recently authored Pilgrim Heart. The subtitle is “The Way of Jesus in Everyday Life.” It’s about modeling and experiencing the Christian disciplines.
Two statements in his foreword shined a little light in my soul and caused me to give further thought to this faith community’s part in ensuring that there is another generation of devoted Christians. Darryl Tippens mentioned in his book and lecture a probing question Jesus asked, “When the Son of Man comes again, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).
The second challenge came when Tippens told statistics from author Charles Williams. Because generations die off physically, faith is reestablished through new converts and Christians’ children. Here are the staggering facts: In just 30 years of passive living, not reaching out to neighbors and not teaching children, the church could die in a locale.
Love for God is both taught and caught; following are suggestions for parents and grandparents who long for their children to inherit more than earthly estates:
• Be a “taught and caught” adult role model. Model Jesus’ justice and compassionate living. Talk about your devotion to God’s Son.
• Act like God acts. Forgive like God forgives. Repent in your home before spouse and children when you do wrong.
• Kick the world out of your home. Make a safe shelter where children learn godly virtues, not the latest ad campaigns that draw them into the U.S. rampant consumerism.
• Read scriptures to your children. Memorize with them. Where do your kids get most of their Bible learning? Home should be their primary “Sunday school.”
• Talk about your faith and your struggles. Do your children know your salvation story? Share how you came to know the Lord.
The best news is when God gives us a task such as “go and make disciples” he also equips us for the work. Pray, grab hold of God’s promises and his hand because we have plenty of work assignments during the next 30 years. Each day, assist God in founding faith in this community and in the next generation.
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Friday, October 13, 2006
Workplace Chaplains
Workplace Chaplains
Local chaplain Carol Hurley, employed by Marketplace Chaplains USA, makes bi-monthly visits to several businesses in Conroe, TX. On visits to Taco Bell, Choate Ceramics, and Cargo Blue Magic, Ms. Hurley gets acquainted with employees. The service she most often provides is “listening.”
Marketplace Chaplains USA Gulf Coast Division Director, Brian Horner, said Marketplace chaplains serves public and privately owned companies. Companies range from 10 to 43,000 employees, in the US, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Because chaplains cover a large geographic area, employees can make requests for out-of-state chaplains to visit hospitalized relatives or family in prison. With immediate attention to needs, Marketplace Chaplains live up to their description as “America’s Employee Care Program.”
Founder Gil Stricklin, for 23 years, has run the chaplaincy on a military model and has a three-fold goal for the company: 1) for the male and female chaplains to visit workplaces and regularly interact and build relationships with employees; 2) for the program to be proactive by effectively dealing with problems in the early stages, not just a “crisis response”; 3) to offer a broad range of services: home, jail, hospital visits, encouragement by phone or mail, and conducting weddings and funeral services, and to provide those services for all employees, immediate family members, customers and suppliers.
Pilgrim’s Pride, with 43,000 employees, is one of the largest companies contracting the services of Marketplace Chaplains. Pilgrim’s Vice President of Human Resources, Jane T. Brookshire, said, "People need to be cared for, and continually the biggest issues people go to our chaplains about are family-related issues, and those things that go on regardless of your faith."
A chaplain’s typical visit to the workplace does not interfere with an individual’s work, and if an employee desires a longer consultation, a time outside of work is scheduled. At job sites, the friendly contact and chats last only a few minutes, but build a trusting relationship based on care. Companies who avail themselves of chaplaincy services have experienced improved “morale and teamwork” and increased “loyalty and commitment” to company goals. Fraud and absenteeism diminish as well.
Marketplace Chaplains USA actively seeks new companies to serve, as well as hiring chaplains for part time work. They have a training program for prospective chaplains, but request that trainees have some type of ministry experience and have commerce experience, such as business savvy about production deadlines and payroll.
Local chaplain Carol Hurley says, “Sometimes we just listen and pray, sometimes we refer them to government or local aid.” Chaplains answer questions about what employees are seeking, and provide help to those who have no church affiliation. “Basically, we are there to provide support in any way we can.”
Brian Horner, Division Director, said in a phone interview that they welcome the participation of local churches because many employees are eager to renew their faith or find a church home. “Over a year’s time, hundreds rededicate their lives or start attending church for the first time.”
Chaplain Carol Hurley summed up the program, “The employee care program is a benefit that we pray helps them get through the bumps in life.”
A hearty thank you to Marketplace Chaplains USA and the help with all those “bumps in life,” the bumps we all have.
Businesses and prospective chaplains may visit http://www.mchapusa.com/
You may contact Cathy Messecar at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Local chaplain Carol Hurley, employed by Marketplace Chaplains USA, makes bi-monthly visits to several businesses in Conroe, TX. On visits to Taco Bell, Choate Ceramics, and Cargo Blue Magic, Ms. Hurley gets acquainted with employees. The service she most often provides is “listening.”
Marketplace Chaplains USA Gulf Coast Division Director, Brian Horner, said Marketplace chaplains serves public and privately owned companies. Companies range from 10 to 43,000 employees, in the US, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Because chaplains cover a large geographic area, employees can make requests for out-of-state chaplains to visit hospitalized relatives or family in prison. With immediate attention to needs, Marketplace Chaplains live up to their description as “America’s Employee Care Program.”
Founder Gil Stricklin, for 23 years, has run the chaplaincy on a military model and has a three-fold goal for the company: 1) for the male and female chaplains to visit workplaces and regularly interact and build relationships with employees; 2) for the program to be proactive by effectively dealing with problems in the early stages, not just a “crisis response”; 3) to offer a broad range of services: home, jail, hospital visits, encouragement by phone or mail, and conducting weddings and funeral services, and to provide those services for all employees, immediate family members, customers and suppliers.
Pilgrim’s Pride, with 43,000 employees, is one of the largest companies contracting the services of Marketplace Chaplains. Pilgrim’s Vice President of Human Resources, Jane T. Brookshire, said, "People need to be cared for, and continually the biggest issues people go to our chaplains about are family-related issues, and those things that go on regardless of your faith."
A chaplain’s typical visit to the workplace does not interfere with an individual’s work, and if an employee desires a longer consultation, a time outside of work is scheduled. At job sites, the friendly contact and chats last only a few minutes, but build a trusting relationship based on care. Companies who avail themselves of chaplaincy services have experienced improved “morale and teamwork” and increased “loyalty and commitment” to company goals. Fraud and absenteeism diminish as well.
Marketplace Chaplains USA actively seeks new companies to serve, as well as hiring chaplains for part time work. They have a training program for prospective chaplains, but request that trainees have some type of ministry experience and have commerce experience, such as business savvy about production deadlines and payroll.
Local chaplain Carol Hurley says, “Sometimes we just listen and pray, sometimes we refer them to government or local aid.” Chaplains answer questions about what employees are seeking, and provide help to those who have no church affiliation. “Basically, we are there to provide support in any way we can.”
Brian Horner, Division Director, said in a phone interview that they welcome the participation of local churches because many employees are eager to renew their faith or find a church home. “Over a year’s time, hundreds rededicate their lives or start attending church for the first time.”
Chaplain Carol Hurley summed up the program, “The employee care program is a benefit that we pray helps them get through the bumps in life.”
A hearty thank you to Marketplace Chaplains USA and the help with all those “bumps in life,” the bumps we all have.
Businesses and prospective chaplains may visit http://www.mchapusa.com/
You may contact Cathy Messecar at www.stainedglasspickup.com
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Fill up God-voids
At home, I rarely have my television on, but Monday I was out of town and turned on FOX news in our motel room. When I heard the breaking-news-words, I experienced trepidation.
As you already know, Monday’s grim news reported a school shooting in an Amish community, the third school in seven days to have violent fatalities on property dedicated to higher learning. Violence in the place of knowledge. Violence near a playground. Violence near the heart of Americans.
Violence, killing, and hatred are woven into the human fabric, but I’m ready to start some unraveling. How about you? In the earliest family in the Garden of Eden, Adam, Eve, Cain and Able were separated when Cain, in a jealous rage, slew his brother Able. Thousands of years later, we’re still puzzled that anyone could assign themselves the role of robbing life from another.
In an interview on Dateline NBC, notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was asked what he felt while committing his crimes? His reply: “I felt that I didn’t have to be accountable to anyone,” he said. “Since man came from slime, I was accountable to no one.” If you followed Jeffrey’s story, you know that in prison he eventually came to a belief in God and had remorse for his horrific crimes.
Recently, I read Dark Journey Deep Grace a book by Roy Ratcliff (with Lindy Adams) about Jeffrey Dahmer’s prison life after his sentencing. Minister Roy Ratcliff was told that Jeffrey Dahmer wanted to be baptized and while arranging for that to take place, he had weekly studies with Jeffrey, before and after his baptism. When God filled voids in Jeffrey’s life, he began to respect life again, his life and the lives of others.
Hate of self or others is complex, and that kind of hate takes supernatural intervention to turn a soul from evil to good purposes. Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself. Easy to write. Easy to say, but it’s impossible to do on our own. But, when God calls us to love a neighbor or a serial killer, he then equips us to carry out the command. How?
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He offers help and rest to nominal Christians, to those who hate, those who suffer depression, guilt, or sorrow so profound their chests feel like 80 pounds of cement. His invitation is for those who have wearied of living, to those who have wearied of taking one more breath.
Jesus’ solution is supernatural. It goes beyond the love a human being can muster for a spouse, child or neighbor. When Jesus pardons an individual’s sins, he moves in, abides with that person for a better future. He sticks closer than a brother, and he brings God’s kind of love with him—a limitless amount of out-of-this world compassion for fellowmen.
Jesus didn’t just preach love messages. He lived them out by embracing lepers. He forgave adulterers. He taught us not to pick at a neighbor’s splinter when we need to take care of a two-by-four problem of our own. And one of his finest lessons came while he was dying at the hands of the wicked. From his death-cross, even in agony, he expressed forgiveness to those who sanctioned his innocent death. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
A God-void produces an empty space that can become a devil’s workshop. But Jesus is ready to move into empty places, relieve disillusionments and instill a healthy respect for life—respect that allows doing good to a neighbor not harm.
You may contact Cathy at www.stainedglasspickup.com
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