Beyond "Ashes and Indians" (Part 1)... that wasn't the end!

When we left last summer, they said, "Don't forget us!  Come back and visit us!"

I chronicled* our journey to the indigenous people with whom we grew up, and with whom our parents worked for so long...to bury Mom's and Dad's ashes in their tribal cemetery.  (Here, we posed with the pastor and his wife.)
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Remembering their words, my husband and I, along with my sister who is here visiting, are going to do just that.  On Sunday we will be with them at the church for a couple of hours in the afternoon, and then join them for their church service.

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So...what will we do?  The older people remember. They lived our parents' presence, dedication and love. The younger ones know them only from their tribal "history", only what they have heard. We can help them know Bruce and Joyce a little more, sharing pictures, stories, memories... Stories of how the God Who loved them sent someone to their tribe to give them His Word...and live for them His Love...should never disappear from their lore.  I want them to remember how important they were...and still are.

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You see...the gifting was not one-way only.  They also gave to us.  Mom and Dad valued the friendships made with these kind, generous people...together they loved, worked, cried, laughed, prayed...

Years later, Mom told me that there had been times in the tribe when she had little to feed us four kids.  But every time this happened, one of the Tsáchila would stop by with a gift of freshly-caught fish, a haunch of wild game, smoked meat, etc...

In my series last summer, I told of the time when, as a child, I saw what I thought was a turtle near the river and started reaching out to touch it.  Just in time, several little indigenous boys appeared and yelled at me that it was a snake!  Once again, God had used them to help us.

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Psalm 78 speaks beautifully of what I would love to believe will always be true of this special group of people, especially our fellow-believers.

"...we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord...statutes...the law...so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn will tell their children..."

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                             We have not forgotten the Tsáchila...but better yet,
                                      neither has God...and He never will!
                                     Father, may they always remember this.
                                         May they always remember You!
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*to read last summer's posts: Ashes and Indians, Part I

I like MY superman a lot better!

First off, let me make it clear that my ultimate defender and Protector is God.  There's no doubt about it.  He tells me this in one of my favorite passages:

"'Because he loves Me', says the Lord, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my Name.  He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.'"  (Psalm 91:14,15)

However, God often works through others to love us, rescue us, protect us and be with us in trouble.

As most of you know, my health is not very good, and I am limited in many areas.

One of the ways that God defends and protects me is through the care my husband gives me.  Germán knows my limitations, and I think he lives these verses:

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."  (Galatians 6:2)

"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives..."  (I Peter 3:7)

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."  (Hebrews 13:16)

I'm sure that there are times when what Germán does for me IS a sacrifice!  But he keeps right on helping me around the house; driving me to go shopping; bringing me tea and toast when I feel too bad in the morning to get up right away; staying home sometimes when he thinks I might need him,even if he'd planned on going out; defending me; taking me for our weekly walk in the woods even when he doesn't feel very well...etc., etc.  It can't be easy for him to consistently look after my well-being.  But he doesn't complain.
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The psalmist said:

"Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in You."  (5:11)

"May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you."  (20:1)

I want to publicly thank God, my Defender and Protector, for the husband He put into my life, through whom He can spread his protection over me, and through whom He can tend to me in my distress.

                                              And thank you, Germán!  I love you.
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A Silly Poem...laughing as a couple

I can't remember what got into me when I wrote this poem, it was so long ago! I do recall that about that time, one bone of contention cited in couples was that one of them squeezed the toothpaste tube in the middle...which drove the one who squeezed it at the bottom end  crazy! ("Everybody" knows the tube should be squeezed from the bottom end, right?)
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                                          I was asked why so seldom
                                          my husband and I are
                                          seen to fight.
                                          Does it seem such a riddle?
                                          "Our toothpaste's the reason,
                                          I'm sure", I replied.
                                          "See, we both squeeze the tube
                                          in the middle!"                                 
                                                   **************                      -Becky Rhon

I never gave it a title. (Never thought it would need one!) You know, I think I wrote this before I was married, so maybe the poem should be "attributed" to Becky Moore.  (Unless the poem would prefer not to be!)
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My husband and I use separate toothpaste tubes and we both squeeze them at the end. We have had differences relating to many other issues, some laughed-off, some taking their toll, but one thing I learned early on.  Marriage is greatly helped along by laughter!  (Note: laughing with each other, not at each other.) Besides just having fun together, humor can diffuse tense situations.

Germán and I find something to laugh at every day.  Actually, it might be  just as appropriate to say that laughter finds us!  And when it does...we welcome it.  When I think of something funny when my husband isn't around, I'll tuck it away in my mind to bring out when he needs a laugh to lift his spirits.  (Not that I can always find it easily...but eventually it'll show up!)
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"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength."  (Proverbs 17:22)  Since both my husband and I battle health problems, we can testify to the truth of this!

We have  lived through tough times, rewarding times, great occasions, hilarious moments, dramatic "adventures", desert-dry periods...but after 42 1/2 years of marriage,  I think of Psalm 126:2-3:

"Then our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with joyful songs.  Then the nations said, "The LORD has done spectacular things for us.  We are overjoyed."
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Friend, if you are struggling, and laughter is lacking from your life, I pray Job 8:21 for you:

"He {God} will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy."

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                                      Father, You invented laughter.  Thank You!

"Idiots" and Politicians...disagreeing with ancient Greece

I read recently that in ancient Greece,  an "idiot" referred to anyone who was NOT a politician".  These days, I'd say that in  modern English, the definition should be the other way around!  So far, it's been rather disappointing, and even disgusting sometimes, to follow the electoral campaigns.

I really like this cartoon. (Baloocartoons.com).  Not that many people appreciate politicians, and neither of the front runners in this primary are all that popular, according to the polls.  It usually has to do with what they say (or don't say)...and the way they say it (or avoid saying it).  The mother of one of them even said that her son wouldn't make a good president, because he always had to have everything his way!
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I had some fun finding these verses that seem appropriate:

"A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions."  (Proverbs 18:2)

"He who trusts in himself is a fool..."  (Proverbs 28:26)

"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."  (Proverbs 10:19)

"But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless."  (Titus 3:9)
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Although it's almost impossible that this would happen in the U.S., wouldn't it be awesome if it did?

"If my people who are called by my name...will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  (II Chronicles 7:14)
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Fortunately for us who believe in the Word of God and have trusted in Jesus, "our citizenship is in Heaven."  (Philippians 3:20

And when we come to the End Days, there will be One who will show the world what a true, perfect, incomparable leader should be like:

"He will delight in the fear of the Lord.  He will not judge by what He sees with his eyes, or decide by what He hears with his ears,  but with righteousness He will judge the needy, with justice He will give decisions for the poor of the earth."  (Isaiah 11:1-4)
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Until then, I guess we have to live with whoever God allows to become the president and government of America, remembering that one day our Leader will sit on the eternal throne...
                                   
                                King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Getting rid of our enemies...?

A Spanish general, who was on his death-bed, was asked by a priest if he forgave his enemies.  The general answered, "I don't have any enemies.  I've had them all shot."

Well...that's one way to do it!  On the other hand, someone has declared that the best way to get rid of an enemy is to make him your friend.  Much better!  But not always possible, as some enemies have absolutely no desire for our friendship, and there's no way they're going to give up their driving ill-will or even hatred.

So if our sincere attempts to establish a friendly relationship with an "enemy" are rebuffed, remember what Romans 12:18 says:  "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." That way if, in spite of our efforts, the other person refuses to work for a positive outcome, it's not our fault.

 Still, it's not a good idea to think: "Well, I did my part, and he still doesn't want peace...so I can treat him like he treats me!" (Even if we think he deserves it!  If he needs to be "taught a lesson", let God take care of it - He'll do a much better job!)  It may be hard to hold onto our resolve to control our words and actions, but we'll be obeying the Word of our Lord if we do:

"Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice."  (Proverbs 24:17)  (That can really be hard to live by!)

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing so, you will heap burning coals on his head."  (Matthew 12:20)

"But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."  (Matthew 5:44)
 
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Isn't it wonderful to think that in Heaven, there will be no need of these instructions? There won't be any enmity or jealousy or pettiness...or anything that causes strife and pain.  Revelation 21:4 says:

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
                   
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                              Definitely something to look forward to!


                                         
                                                                     

"Broken Joy" - a poem. How to un-break it?

    I have a friend I sometimes call "Smiles".  She and her family have been going through difficult times...times of broken joy.  I'm sharing this poem with her and with every one of you who is also finding that your joy has been broken.


                       Broken Joy

            Our Father plans our happiness,
            as mercy He deploys,
            yet now and then its comfort
            man's imperfect state destroys.

                                       When smiles dissolve in teardrops
                                       and songs become just noise;
                                       when daydreams lose their luster
                                       and confidence its poise,

                                       as a child who trusts his father's skill
                                       to mend his broken toy,
                                       so I may trust my Father's love
                                       to mend my broken joy.
                                                                                          --Becky Rhon

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He promised to do that, you know!  God's compassion and tender love know what each of us needs to be healed, our joy "fixed".  He knows how weary we can become, and Jesus understands - from personal experience!

He was "...a Man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering."  (Isaiah 53:3)

And here are a few of the promises:

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."  (Psalm 147:3)

"A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out."  (Isaiah 42:3)

"I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow."   (Jeremiah 31:13)

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    Our hearts are filled with gratitude for your unsurpassed mending skills, Father,
    and the love and wisdom that are behind every step You take to make us whole!

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Scratching my acnestis...

There's actually a word for it!  "Acnestis" is the place where it seems impossible to reach so that you can scratch the itch (usually between the shoulder blades).  So the next time you're thus afflicted, ask someone to "please scratch my acnestis", and see what he/she says!  You might get a few weird looks, too.
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This made me wonder about Job, who was struck "with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.  Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes."  (Job 2:7-8)  He was hurting all over, so we can assume his back was stricken, too. Do you think maybe he handed the shard to his wife, asking her to please scratch his acnestis?  (Or whatever it was called in whatever language Job spoke...)  It must have been frustrating to not be able to quite reach those one or two places that itched!
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Sometimes we have an emotional/spiritual/mental "acnestis" that we can't figure out how to "scratch". It bothers us, but we don't know what to do.  As with the physical version, the best remedy is to ask someone else to help ease the "itch". 

"Two are better than one...if one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up."  (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)  How about a paraphrase?  "...if one can't reach his itch, his friend can scratch it for him.  But pity the man whose acnestis bugs him and has no one to help scratch it!"
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The very best Friend we can ask to do for us what we can't do for ourselves is named in this cool passage:  "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us...in accordance with God's will."  (Romans 8:26-27)  He knows exactly what and who is needed for our relief.  He can reach the places that are impossible for us to reach! We just have to ask Him to do it, and then allow Him to do it.

Father, help us to remember that...

                  "Since we live by the Spirit,
                    let us keep in step with the Spirit."    (Galatians 5:25)