Hand-in-hand...a sweet and timeless analogy

                                                                                                                                               Noe stood quietly beside her Abuelito,  her small hand trustingly holding his big hand...his big grandfather-hand lovingly engulfing her small hand.

.  She was about 16 months old then, and this is one of our favorite pictures.  They are on the top of a mountain from where one can look down and see the city of Quito spread out far below.  Beautiful scenery.  And for me, this photo gleams with a beautiful analogy.

How often do we stand quietly beside our Father...our small hands trustingly in His, His large hand lovingly engulfing ours?

What better place to put ourselves?  I Chronicles 29:12 says, "In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all."  Noe sensed that she was safe with Abuelito, so she went with him willingly.

Germán and Noe were on a mountain, but the psalmist wrote that wherever we might be, even in the very depths of the sea (even the sea of despair), "Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." (Psalm 139:10)

And the awesome promise in John 10:28 assures us that we will always be able to find strength, power, refuge, love, trust, safety...in His hand! Jesus Himself said, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, so no one can snatch them out of my hand."
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If you are His child, then when you see His hand reaching out to you, just before it closes warmly over your hand, look at His palm...and remember that you're engraved there.  (Isaiah 49:16)

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"If you're not allowed to laugh in Heaven, I don't want to go there."

Martin Luther said that, and he had a point.  Believers should let their joy express itself in smiles, in laughter, in cheerfulness.  I bet Jesus had some real belly-laughs when He was here!  I bet He told jokes and laughed at others' jokes (clean ones, of course).  God has a sense of humor, and He's the One who invented laughter!

St. Teresa of Avila prayed, "From somber, serious, sullen saints, save us, oh Lord."  And I've read that in some part of Nigeria, God's name is "Father of Laughter".  Augustine said, "The Christian should be an alleluia from head to foot."

Joy and laughter are mentioned numerous times in the Bible.  Like it says in Proverbs, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine...", and Jesus promised us "that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be full".  (John 15:11)  (And He said this when He was about to be tortured and crucified!) It's true that there are times of tears and pain, but they are things that come and go.  True joy stays and adds a special dimension to Life. True joy doesn't allow things (trivial or serious) to paralyze it.   

I just read this amusing hypothetical conversation of Jesus and His disciples. It's light-hearted, yet holds up a mirror in which we might see ourselves.**

             Then Jesus took his disciples up the mountain...he taught them, saying:
                  "Blessed are the poor.
                  "Blessed are the hungry.
                  "Blessed are those who mourn.
                  "Blessed are the oppressed..."
           Then Simon Peter said, "Do we have to write this down?"
           And Andrew said, "Are we supposed to know this?"
           And James said, "I don't have papyrus with me."
           And Philip said, "Will we have a test on this?"
           And Bartholomew said, "Do we have to turn this in?"
           And John said, "The other disciples didn't have to learn this."
           And Matthew said, "Can I be excused?"
           And Judas said, "What does this have to do with the real world?"
      Then one of the Pharisees who was present asked to see Jesus' lesson plan and inquired, "Where is your anticipatory set?  Where are your objectives in the cognitive domain?"
                             And Jesus wept.
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Sometimes we get distracted by little details that seem so important, and we miss the point Jesus wants to get across to us.  In some versions, He says, "Happy are the poor...happy are the hungry...happy are those who mourn..."  And the disciples in this story seemed to be anything but happy!  Too worried about things that, in the long run, weren't that important. Too preoccupied to hear the beauty and joy in what He was saying.

We tend to explain (or justify) ourselves by saying, "Well, under the circumstances..." But true joy doesn't depend on the state of our circumstances.  One of my favorite sayings is:  "You don't have to live 'under the circumstances'. They may never change...but you can  'live above the circumstances.'"  And that's what true joy and faith should help us do. One of their fruits is healthy laughter, a gift from God, which should never be absent from our lives.

I like what St. Francis of Assisi said, "The devil is most happy when he can snatch from a servant of God true joy of the spirit...But if the joy of the spirit fills the heart, the serpent shoots his deadly venom in vain."

Thomas More, in the 1400's, wrote: "Give me, Lord, a soul that knows nothing of boredom, groans and sighs...Lord, give me a sense of humor so that I may take some happiness from this life and share it with others."
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Let's trust Him and know that...

"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." (Job 8:21)

            ...so we don't end up being "somber, serious, sullen saints"...
           too preoccupied to hear the beauty and joy in what He says to us!
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**Taken from Holy Humor , edited by Cal and Rose Samra.

Don't be an "M&M Christian"!

This memory pops into my mind now and then, and makes me smile.  When we were preparing to speak in a church in Denver, I racked my brain for a simple object lesson.  At the last moment, I thought of M&Ms, and their famous slogan, "...melts in your mouth, not in your hands!" We stopped by a store on the way to the church and bought a package of these colorful, popular chocolate candies.

Missionary deputation can be wearying, with all the traveling and strange beds and trying to figure out how to develop our presentations. But in this case, it was actually quite fun!  I had the kids come up to the front, which thrilled them when they saw what I held:  the bag of M&Ms. I gave each child some from the package. Then I had them all hold the candies for a while...then eat them (yum!)...then show us their hands.  Indeed, we couldn't see any chocolate on any hand or face.  The slogan proved true!  And the following application was understood by all.

The lesson...what, exactly, is an "M&M Christian"?  Well,  M&Ms are supposed to not melt in one's hands, getting chocolate all over the fingers and, in the case of little kids, all over their clothes. One of the outcomes of this special property is this:  no outward evidence is left of the person having eaten them!  (Little kids surely appreciate this. They can raid the candy jar and leave no tell-tale evidence on their hands and faces!)

As Christian believers, are we guilty of being like M&Ms?  As we go through each day, are our faith, actions and attitudes such that "no outward evidence is left" that lets others see that we've been enjoying the Bread of Life? Or do they "melt" on our hands, our face, our whole being?  Can those around us tell that we love God...that we love them?  Does it show?
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Let's be sure to let our faith in our Lord show.  Let's not be "M&M Christians"! 
                                                Have a great week!
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P.S.  I researched M&Ms briefly, and found out some interesting facts.  They originated in 1941 in the U.S., inspired by a method that had been developed for allowing soldiers (in the Spanish Civil War, I believe) to carry chocolate without it melting.  In the U.S., during World War II, M&Ms were sold exclusively to the military!  (Maybe chocolate was rationed.)

It's notable that, according to its web site, the company that makes them is committed to avoid targeting children under 12 years of age with its advertising, especially snack foods and candies.  It (MARS) remains a family-owned corporation.  Its "Five Principles" are quality, responsibility, mutuality (mutual benefits), efficiency and freedom.  Very commendable!
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When it hurts so much...He loves so much!

My blog posts tend to be up-beat and encouraging, don't they?  But that doesn't mean I don't have times in which I struggle.  This afternoon, right now, trying to think of what to write is almost impossible,, because I hurt SOOO much that I'm on the verge of tears. (My husband asked me where it hurt, and I said, "From the waist on down!") There are different ways for trying to cheer oneself up, and  keep one's mind from the pain.  I'm sure you have yours.  Watch a favorite movie, or listen to favorite music, or eat some favorite food..."these are a few of my favorite things"...

Maybe think about friends?  I have a new one!  I've never met her,  but I'd love to.  I've known she existed for years, but never knew much about her.  I've come to "know" her a little through her daughter-in-law recently, and it hasn't been long since we became "friends" on Facebook.  She is elderly, pretty much house-bound, but "gets out" through cyber-space! 

Her daughter-in-law loves her and has painted me a sweet portrait of her, as it were.

Lena's daughter-in-law is my sister Carol...and we all share an incomparable Friend!

The words to this song talk of that Friend, One whose compassion for us when we hurt is overwhelming.  Are you hurting?  Join me...and let's let His love wash over us.


                                                   Compelled

                                Can I waken to melodious notes of love,
                                and not feel compelled to watch the Singer's face?
                                Can I tell my joy beats faster as I listen to the Master,
                                and not feel compelled to answer Him in praise?

                                       Lord, I am thrilled with your Love,
                                       I am filled with desire to grow.
                                       I hunger for your holiness.
                                       Jesus, let me live in your Love,
                                       let me live with desire to know
                                       your smile and your touch of gentleness.

                                Can I hear his words of courage in a storm,
                                and not feel compelled to harbor in his Peace?
                                Can I see Him reaching toward me from the blanket of his Glory,
                                and not feel compelled to plead, "Lord, cover me!"?

                                       Lord, cover me with your Love,
                                       cover me with your holy Hand.
                                       I need your strength surrounding my soul.
                                       Jesus, lift me up in your Love,
                                       lift me up so once more I stand,
                                       and wrap me in Yourself forevermore.
                                                                                                        --Becky Rhon
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Yeah, I'm starting to  feel better...are you?  (I think I'll watch my favorite movie anyway!  I've seen it more times than I can count, but it always makes me laugh!)

May you feel His smile and His gentleness and His strength lifting you up!  Have a great week!

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The "popcorn bowl" of Life. (Miriam's analogy)

What do you do when your popcorn bowl is getting empty?  Miriam, at 18 months, knew exactly what to do.  Just reach into Abuelita's bowl! She was too little to get up and pop herself some more, and she knew Abuelita loved her and would be happy to share...So...no problem!

Here's a comforting analogy.  At times we come to realize we're running out of strength...or any other need we have as we walk with Jesus.  What do we do when our "bowl" is getting empty?  Follow Miriam's example.  Reach into the Father's supply!  There are things that we are simply too finite and little to replenish.  Our Father loves us, and He will be more than happy to share!  (In fact, He longs to do just that.)
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Miriam was born only 16 1/2 months after Liliana, and God was again so very good: He moved our friend to offer to pay for me to go up to California and help out Debbie and Steve, like he had when Liliana was born.
 Lots of my time was spent with Lili, to let her parents rest, which was a treat.  She felt like such a big girl, and was thrilled to "help" me carry Miriam out to Mommy.

  
Now 5 years old, Miriam continues to show initiative and resourcefulness.  Last year, when she had just turned 4, and I was in Indiana for a visit (around the time my mother passed away), I was intrigued by how both girls were developing their intelligence, their skills and character.  I was surprised when Debbie told me that Miriam had come to her and told her "2 times 6 is 12"...and then explained how she came to that answer.  She hadn't memorized it; she had reasoned it out on her own.

Another time, also at 4, she needed to know how to write something on a card. For this, she usually asked one of the adults how to spell it.  But this time she came over with the words already written, and told us she'd looked for the phrases she needed on another card and then copied them.  Resourceful.

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When we were all together in January, cousin Eli, here with Miriam, was again so happy to have someone the same age around!  Eli had only recently turned 4, and Miriam was less than 2 months away from turning 5, but still...they were both 4!

I think Miriam is also the grandchild who has had the most injuries!  For instance, she broke her arm when she was only a couple of years old.  And last year she had to go to the doctor and have a staple put into her head to close a scalp wound.
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One day Miriam told her mom, "When you don't know what to say to God, you can just say 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious'!"

We thank God for all of our grandchildren, and for the lessons we learn as we watch them grow and develop.  It's amazing how much one can learn from little kids!  (Even what to say when you don't know what to say!)
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During this next week, remember that our Father's supply of absolutely everything we could ever possibly need is infinite, and accessible to His children.  We don't even need to wait until our own supply runs out.  In fact, the best strategy is to start out with HIS strength  (and love...and peace..and wisdom...etc.) and not try to tough things out with only our own inferior strength. 

Have a wonderful week!

Face-to-face? Yes!!

We just celebrated the most amazing, incredible Event: The resurrection of our Lord! Why did He go through all that unimaginable pain - physical, emotional and spiritual - when WE were the ones who deserved it?  Simply because His love for us is so immense that He wants every single person to have the chance to meet Him face-to-face...and there was no way that could happen.  Unless...the entry fee to His Holy Place was paid.  Impossible!  Unless...you happen to be without sin.  Only one Person ever qualified.                    He was perfect.                         

    So...                  

                                    Who Can Ever See You?   

                           Who can ever see You face-to-face?
                           Who can ever enter your Holy Place?
                           Drawn into the whirlpool of futile lies,
                           from his dizzy, desperate dream the sinner cries,

     "Who can ever see You face-to-face?
      Who can ever enter your Holy Place?
      Can I ever step beyond the Veil that hides?
      All my efforts leave me lost.  How hard I've tried!

                "I hear:  Do this; no, don't do that.
                 Stand over there. Recite this prayer.
                 Read this; learn that. Obey the rules to save your soul.
                 Don't touch; don't eat. Wash hands; wash feet.
                 Sit here; go there.  (Bring what? Look where?)
                 I can't keep up with all that I've been told.

                            "God Almighty,
                           will I ever see You face-to-face?
                           Will I ever enter your Holy Place?"

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"How I long to meet you face-to-face
 and have you come with freedom 
               to  my Holy Place!
 I have sent my Son to tear the Veil in two.
 He will be the living Bridge between Me and you.

 But take your heart and look inside.
 For all your pious, pointless pride
 My Son, the Sacrificial Lamb, is crucified.
 He'll take your guilt upon His head,
 His blood an offering in your stead.
 Come, choose to live my gift of Life!

         "Then you'll come to see Me face-to-face!
          Then you'll come to meet my Son, and share His grace.
          Then you'll come to see Me face-to-to-face!
          Then we'll meet inside your heart - my Holy Place."

**************************************************** (lyrics of song by Becky Rhon)*****

"Therefore, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith..." (Hebrews 10:19-21)

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf."  (Hebrews 9:19-29)

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This Hope is a GIFT.  He opened the Door for us.  All we have to do is open the door of our life for Him:

"Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will go in and eat with him, and he with Me."  (Revelation 3:19-20)

Heart-to-heart.  Friend-to-friend.  FACE-TO-FACE!!

TWELVE YEARS OF HAIR... ON THE FLOOR!

It's been around 12 years since I had my hair cut.  The last several years the reason has been simple: I didn't trust anyone to leave it the way I wanted...or rather, needed.  Due to health problems, it has become difficult to hold my arms over my head for very long.  So I needed a  cut that would make my hair behave itself and not go wandering around on its own...which was going to be a challenge (I thought) because the only way I knew to have that happen was to use rollers, a blow-dryer or a curling iron to help straighten it enough to be able to do anything with it...all of which would require me to hold my arms up over my head!

This may seem trivial, but my hair is naturally curly...very curly, and also frizzy...very frizzy.  Growing up, my mother always had them cut my hair really short...about the only way to tame the wayward curls and avoid the broom-like havoc added by its frizziness.  But I always wanted long hair!

After high school I let it grow, and didn't cut it again for quite a few years.  Even then, though, I always wore it at least shoulder-length. When putting it in curlers became too much, I decided to just forget it.  In order to control it, I had to tie it back off my face, into a pony-tail that hung farther and farther down my back.  Rather "school-marm"-ish, but once it was done, I could forget about it for the rest of the day!  (To have an idea, just scroll back three posts to a picture of me there.)

I knew exactly what I needed: a master hair-stylist who would give me a cut that required virtually no extra work (I don't even dye my hair), and would settle into place with just a brush-through.  I didn't know who I could trust...so I kept putting it off.

My sister, here for some medical and dental work, treated me to a manicure-pedicure-hair-cut for my 61st birthday present.  We went to check out a salon, and were hopeful when, after I explained what I needed, the guy said, "I'd have to look at your hair."  Assess what to do, before giving a verdict.  That sounded promising. Maybe he could do it!  Maybe I could trust him.

We went to our appointment a few days later.  And he did it.  He actually did it!  The photo above shows what I look like now.  He must have cut it differently than anyone else ever had, because it's the first time I've been able to care so easily for shoulder-length hair.  I would have done this long ago if I'd known I'd get this result.  But I had been reluctant to trust.  (I mean, what if the person who cut it assured me it would be just like I wanted...and then it turned out not to be?  I'd be stuck...no way to glue the hair back on!)
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I wonder...don't we do this with God sometimes?  We need to ask Him for something, but we're not sure the results will be what we want...or need...or think we need.  It's hard to trust.  At least, with things as they are now, I can have some kind of control over the situation. If He steps in...what if I can't handle it?  What if He plunges me in over my head?  What if I'm not prepared to face what He brings?

"The Father knows {w}hat you have need of..." (Matthew 6:32)

"Ask and it shall be given you, seek and you shall find..." (Matthew 7:7)

"Trust in the Lord...delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."  (Psalm 37:3-4)

Do we really think that He'd give us something we couldn't handle...with His help...if it's the very best thing we could possibly have?  He knows exactly what we need (even if we don't), and the most efficient way to make it happen.   

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  (James 1:17)

(Then we get what He sends and see how awesome it is and think, "I would have done this long ago if I had known I'd get this result." How ironic!)
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Let's let this week be one of growing trust in the Father who loves us more than we could ever comprehend!