Gone, but not forgotten

(My thoughts this morning are borrowed from a blog I wrote a few days after my Dad died 7 years ago. Today marks 4 months since Bev left earth for one of those rooms in our Father’s house. Bear with me as I muse. My prayer is that the Spirit will teach us how to live with Eternity in view.)

I awakened from a dream where she was there next to me in our bed like she had been virtually every night for 40 years! It was so real I turned to find her only to come into full consciousness and realize anew, “She’s gone, not coming back.”  The sadness is like a presence stalking me. I laugh, enjoy a child’s smile, love the sunshine, pray, sing – then it takes me, almost physically holding onto me, paralyzing me for a minute, tears wetting my eyes. I hold books she read and feel a little piece of her with me. I hear others speak of her – friend, teacher, prayer partner, counselor – and know that while she was not perfect, she was wonderful. 

Of course, I am not the first person to know the pain of grief, but it is my unique journey. I know the process, but this is not rational. It is raw emotion. So, how I am living through it?

HOPE! It is the one thing that pushes the presence of grief back. I have worn a path to this place of truth in my mind - "we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope." (1 Thessalonians 4:13, NLT) From the Word I gain many reasons for hope. Primary among them is that there will be a Resurrection that will reunite body and soul and all those who await the coming the Lord! And, too, I believe that God is near, His Presence, a refuge. "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!" (Psalm 46:1-3, NLT)

LOVE! It makes this season of my life endurable. I am a blessed man. A wide circle of people have sent notes of love in the weeks since Bev died. Children at our school and church hug me affectionately. Even people don’t know personally stop me in the store or on the street to tell me that they care- and it helps. My kids call and listen to me ramble on. We weep and I feel their love. This loss has reminded me how important it is to have a web of love woven as that proverbial ‘safety net!’

Then, there is LEGACY!  Bev spent her life loving others.  Laura (her best friend) sent me a note today that recalled her love of teaching and her neatly organized first grade classroom. Christian, a young man in college sent me this note this week – “Mrs. Scott was the most caring teacher of which I ever had the pleasure of being a student. Many fond memories from her 1st grade class; it was obvious to everyone that she truly cared for her students as if they were her own children!”  Jay, Sean, Maribel, and Christine remember her gifts, her encouragement, her training, her care – with joy and they call her blessed. Though it’s been almost a year since she stood on our platform at our church singing, people still tell me that they miss her example of worship, her heart open to God as she sang His praises. And, I remember often that it was her steadfast love that held me, anchored me, and helped me to become whatever I am today.

Here’s the thing, friend. It may be a grim thought to you but never the less, it’s true.  We are all mortal. We will all eventually leave this time and place. My prayer is that we will know the hope of eternal life, that our lives will be lived so that we will hear our Lord welcome us into His home with the commendation – “Well done!” 

But, meanwhile, there is a whole lot of living to do. Tim McGraw sings that we need to “live like you were dyin'!” May those who are left to weep have the comfort of the Resurrection hope because we have walked with Christ and in His grace.

Here is a word from the Word. The Hope of the Resurrection- And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.  (1 Thess. 4:13-18 NLT)

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Let Abba Love You to Life

Do you allow yourself to compare yourself with another, fantasizing about what it would be like to have their life instead of yours?  Wishing we were taller or thinner or more intelligent or more gregarious – and the list goes on – leads to misery.  Even worse, if we think we can construct an image that others will like better than our true self, we will turn into an actor, a slave to the opinions of others, our happiness subject to the whims and fashions of an ever changing world. Our lives will be marred by a terrible insecurity which is fertile soil where all kinds of wrong choices can take root and grow into destructive behaviors. A person without healthy self-esteem finds it all but impossible to accept real love, believing himself unworthy of it.

We are not all that we could be and our desire to be loved is created in us. Sin is real. Guilt is not just imagined. That is why we need the Gospel! The Gospel of Christ, is about the worth that He gives to us, a message of God’s love for all of us. Broken by life, scarred by our sinful choices, we often feel regret and remorse. We wish we could be different. And, we can! "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. . .  For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (Romans 5:8,10, NKJV)  God meets us at our need and invites us to transformation through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

My favorite parable is about a young man who was a terrible person- selfish, rebellious, without respect, who wasted his life and fortune. He broke his father’s heart by demanding his inheritance before his Dad was dead, took off for the big city, where he ‘squandered his wealth in wild living.’  When he hit bottom, he remembered his father’s house. Thinking he was beyond being loved, he hatched a plan to go home and just ask for employment, forget being a son! "He got right up and went home to his father. “When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son ever again.’ “But the father wasn’t listening. He was calling to the servants, ‘Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We’re going to feast! We’re going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!’ And they began to have a wonderful time." (Luke 15:20-24, The Message)

Every time I read that story, strong emotion wells up inside of me. Why? Because it is my story. I was that young man, ignoring my Father’s love, wasting the inheritance He gave to me. I was once convinced that His love was not for me, but then – at my worst His grace found me and I was invited to be a son, not a hired hand. I heard His whisper, “I love you, son, not because you’re good enough, but because I am perfect and good and kind.”  And, my insecurities were healed, by sins forgiven, my regrets eclipsed by the bright promise of a future He has written for me.

And, it can be your story, too. Great or small, rich or poor, beautiful or not, loved or not, full of regret over some ‘big’ sin or nagged by guilt over hundreds of hidden ones – we all need to be loved back to whole lives by our Father. Jesus’ story about that wayward son concludes with another part, not nearly so hopeful.  The older brother saw all the singing and dancing and grew resentful. “Why does my father love that ingrate who stole so much from him? I am the good son, I am the one who has been here every day, doing my duty.” And he sulked!  The sad fact was that the ‘good son’ really did not understand the Father’s love any more than his brother did.  Maybe your life is respectable to all appearance. Perhaps you have done all the right things and enjoy the esteem of others, but inside you still hunger for real intimacy.  God knows our deepest secrets and says that if we ‘hunger and thirst for righteousness we will be filled.’

Let God love you to life today!  Reject the fear, the insecurity, the need to do more.  Invite Jesus to heal your heart and restore your self-esteem. And, become a person of beauty, in Him.

Here is a word from the Word. "So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” (Abba = Daddy, an intimate relationship) For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children." (Romans 8:15-16, NLT)

"And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir." (Galatians 4:6-7, NLT)

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How Deep The Father's Love For Us

How deep the Father's love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything

No gifts no pow’r no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

Stuart Townend

© 1995 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

Playing with snakes

One of the most common phobias, stretching across all cultures, is ophidiophobia- fear of snakes!  While working in the vegetation around my koi pond, a little harmless snake suddenly came into my field of vision. Yes, I jumped back, even though my rational mind knew there was no threat to my safety. The fear goes deep, almost like it is hard-wired into my brain. When we lived in Wyoming, before we let our toddler out to play in the yard, we did a rattlesnake check. We took no chances with the safety of our child. If a venomous snake crawled into my home there would be only one response for me – kill it!

Sin is like a venomous snake, full of poison, prepared to strike and harm. Why is it that we fail to see that the only response is to kill it? So often we try to tame it, keep it like a pet, until it grows too big and strong to control and we are destroyed by it. We cannot just ‘sin a little’ and escape without harm. In a shocking metaphor Jesus told us about the necessary ruthless response to sin: "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet." (Mark 9:43-45, NLT) He was not actually counseling self-mutilation! The point was that radical action is required to defeat sin’s control.

Inspired by the Spirit, Paul says "Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God." (Romans 6:13, NLT) Our sin kills us – often physically- always spiritually! "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23, NLT)

Some of you are sophisticated and find this talk of ‘sin’ somewhat amusing. “Aren’t you a little over the top on this subject, Jerry? You sound like a fanatic.” What I am is a shepherd of the people. In many years of ministry, I have seen the results of yielding to temptation in the lives of people every day, homes torn apart, children’s lives scarred forever, families weighted down by debt, regrets piled high, tears flowing freely. How many times have I heard?  ‘We thought it was no big deal.’ Some ‘small thing’ was tolerated, like a poisonous snake in the living room, until it struck and destroyed. "And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death." (James 1:13-15, NLT)

Christians need not be sin-obsessed. Indeed, an obsession with ‘sin’ is likely to lead to a fall. Our focus in on the love of the Father, on worshiping Him in a way that leads us to life. If we try to defeat temptation and sin by emptying our lives of them, we only create a large vacuum that needs to be filled. The Word teaches us that we defeat sin by driving it out, by replacing it with holiness. John speaks of ‘light overcoming the darkness.’ A person cannot make darkness leave unless he introduces a source of light, can he? In Colossians, Paul wisely reminds us that we cannot become holy by writing stronger rules for ourselves. "Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires. Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth." (Colossians 2:22-3:2, NLT)

Got a sin problem? You’re not alone. "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." (Romans 3:23, NLT) But, common is not normal, nor is it acceptable. Christ came to set us free, to give us the ability to kill the snake!

Here is a word from the Word. May the promise compel us to a new way of life, where sin’s power is broken and the beauty of a whole and holy life shines through us. "By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next." (Romans 5:1-4, The Message)

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Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?

Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?

The King of Glory, the King above all kings!

Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder?

Who leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?

The King of Glory, the King above all kings!

 This is amazing grace,

This is unfailing love,

That You would take my place,

That You would bear my cross.

You laid down Your life,

That I would be set free,

Oh Jesus, I sing for all that You've done for me.

Who brings our chaos back into order?

Who makes the orphan a son and daughter?

The King of Glory, the King of Glory!

Who rules the nations with truth and justice,

Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance?

The King of Glory, the King above all kings!

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.

Worthy is the King who conquered the grave.

This Is Amazing Grace

Jeremy Riddle | Josh Farro | Phil Wickham

© 2012 Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

Seems Like Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055

Peace in the middle of the night

Sometimes I awaken around 2 am only to slip into worry - awake, alert, and anxious. In those small hours of the morning the “what if” scenarios play out vividly. Concerns about work, health, kids, marriage, spiritual issues, the future make even a mature adult realize that it is not just little boys who see ‘monsters in the dark! So why the anxiety at 2 am?  Thoughts that I put out of bounds during waking hours are able to find their way into my consciousness when I am not working or distracted. Emotions that are blocked by the daytime activities of my busy life find a doorway into my mind at that hour. How about you?

Our brains are full of thoughts, emotions, impulses, and ideas – many that exist just beyond the edge of our awareness. Those thoughts can be a real blessing, a source of tremendous creativity. It is a great thing, after wrestling with a problem for days, to suddenly have a bright idea that is just the right solution. Why does that happen? In part, we know that much of the work of the brain is done outside of our consciousness.  That is why I know it is incredibly important to ‘condition’ my brain with wisdom and truth.

Want to change your actions?  Need to change your thought patterns, even those of which you are unaware?   Begin by feeding yourself with the Scripture. Spend time in meditation. Pray regularly and actively. Live in truth, not fantasy.  "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2, NIV)  When we focus the conscious part of our mind on the Lord we gain a positive result. "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (Isaiah 26:3, NLT)

When anxiety shows up during the day, the best choice is to present those fears to the Lord. When I drag those thoughts that show up in the darkness into the light, when I talk about them in prayer and/or with a friend, they find a proper context. Just like the monsters ‘seen’ by that little boy I referenced a moment ago go away when Mom comes in and turns on the light, so too the ‘monsters’ largely disappear when we live in the Light.

Are you struggling with fear today?  Do the headlines find a way into your head and resurface to make you anxious?  Here is a word from the Word.  Receive it with faith.
“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. 
But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.  

But this is not true of the wicked. They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction."  (Psalm 1, NLT)

“What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows." (Luke 12:4-7, NLT)

Oh, and by the way, there are a couple of practical things that help us not to wake up at 2 am.  Reduce caffeine after midday. Avoid watching violent or exciting TV programs for an hour or so before going to bed. Develop regular habits including the same bed-time, going to bed to sleep instead of falling asleep on the couch, and closing the day with time in prayer.

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Now Walk With God

 On God's holy Word,
I challenge you,To give to the Lord your life anew.
My friend, make your choice,
He waits for you
For this is the moment of truth.

 Now walk with GodAnd He will be your dearest Friend.Where'er you go, 
In everything you do; 
And may your life 
Reflect His love to ev'ryone. 
Now walk with God 
And He will walk with you.

Otis Skillings © 1969 Lillenas Publishing Company (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055

Today is an Adventure!

We headed out for a hike in the woodlands yesterday; a beautiful day that compelled us to get out of the house. The children leading the way set off at a jog for a few hundred yards, then settled into a brisk pace while we climbed the long slope of the hill. About 10 minutes into the walk, my out of shape body was reminding me that I was pushing my capacity. If it had not been for the chatter of excited young voices, I would have turned around. But, I pushed ahead. The next hour turned into a woodland adventure; ‘discovering’ old fallen trees and speculating on what wind blew them over, an abandoned piece of heavy equipment that the kids climbed all over, a stream that they stuck their hands into – “Wow, that’s really cold!” – and the beauty of God’s Springtime work!  But, what if I had quit?

The Lord invites you to an adventure this week. There will be some uphill climbs through discouragement, moments when you will sense His powerful Presence, some rocky stretches when things will slow you down, some distractions that the Evil One presents, and many opportunities to find the amazing grace of His goodness. Will you invite Him to lead the way and stick with Him, through ups and downs? Starting today, and each morning, I urge you to pray something like this: “Father, help me to find You, to follow You, and to show Your goodness in my life. Give me wisdom to say Yes to the Best! Keep me on faithfulness.”

Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi, urging them to follow in his footsteps in an adventure with God, the Holy Spirit. His letter overflows with joy.  He inspires saying “I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us.”  The Message, Philippians 3:12-15   “I press on!”

John Bunyan, a devout free Christian in 17^th century England, gave us a classic- Pilgrim’s Progress. This man, barely educated beyond the ability to read and write, wrote of Christian’s journey to the Celestial City. In vivid metaphor, Bunyan writes of the journey through the Slough of Despond, along the Wall of Salvation, in the Valley of Humiliation, into the town of Vanity, including a visit to Doubting Castle, and through the Delectable Mountains.  In the quaint language of the time he reminds us of the necessity of pressing on!

“This hill, though high, I covet to ascend;

The difficulty will not me offend.

For I perceive the way to life lies here.

Come, pluck up, heart; let's neither faint nor fear.

Better, though difficult, the right way to go,

Than wrong, though easy, where the end is woe.”

Let’s journey on! Remember to ‘keep step with the Spirit, since we live by the Spirit.’  This adventure is not a solo hike.  Travel with those who share your love of the Savior. Together, we will discover the delights of His purpose, the grace for each day.  And, press on, keeping this word from the Word in mind.  “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." (Matthew 7:13-14, NLT)   

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Mighty To Save

Ev’ryone needs compassion

Love that's never failing

Let mercy fall on me

Ev’ryone needs forgiveness

The kindness of a Savior

The hope of nations

Savior He can move the mountains

My God is mighty to save

He is mighty to save

Forever Author of salvation

He rose and conquered the grave

Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me

All my fears and failures

Fill my life again

I give my life to follow

Ev’rything I believe in

Now I surrender

Shine your light and let the whole world see

We're singing

For the glory of the risen King

Jesus

Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan © 2006 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

Jerry D. Scott, Pastor

Faith Discovery Church

Washington, NJ  07882

http://www.FaithDiscovery.com