From My Heart

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19 I love reality TV shows that are about people cleaning out their clutter. Two favorites were always, "Clean House" and "Clean Sweep". These were shows where a team of experts come into the homes of people with hoarding issues and help them clean and organize their space.  Often their attachment to clutter has become so extreme it is holding them back in life ~ in jobs, relationships, health, overall quality of life. They cannot move forward emotionally because they cannot see to take the next step. Their clutter is holding them captive. One thing the experts always make the participants do on every episode is to sort their stuff.  KEEP - SELL - DONATE - TRASH... In Isaiah, the Jews were being held captive in Babylon. The people wanted th...

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 I have a confession.  I have been more than a little 'bah humbug' this year. I don't really know why. We are settled in our new house this year. Grandkids have come and gone and are still coming and going. It's been a beautiful, tropical Florida Christmas season. We did a great program at our church. And, yet, I'm just not feelin' it...  Until tonight. Tonight was our annual Christmas Eve candlelight service at church. It is undeniably one of my favorite services every year and is always packed. Tonight was no different.  During the weeks leading up to the holiday, our pastor has been preaching a series of sermons called "The Light of Christmas" from the first chapter of John. Our Christmas musical was also themed around the light. And tonight, I saw the light. Because I was singing with our Praise...

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us."  2 Corinthians 4:7 Jars of clay... Why not etched crystal? Or for that matter, what about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? This little light of mine could shine through crystal - and just think what  beautiful pattern it would make glowing through the etched sides. Gold is sparkly and attractive. Everybody just loves gold. So why does it have to be a jar of clay? In 2 Kings 4, the widow who only had a bit of oil came to Elisha for help. He told her to go and collect jars. Can you imagine what it must have taken for her to go to her neighbors and ask for their jars? They had to know she was in trouble financially. No doubt there was more than one conversation at dinner tables that night about the widow woman coming to ask for jars. I mean, she had nothing to put in them. Whatever, did she want with jars? But she was obedient and she humbled herse...

Matthew 4:20 "AT ONCE they left their nets and followed Him (Jesus)."  Matthew 4:20 records the response of Peter and Andrew to the call of Jesus to be his disciples. They literally walked off the job and into ministry. We have the advantage of viewing this story with hindsight and the scripture, but Peter and Andrew were in the moment... Jesus was a hometown boy, a carpenter. He hadn't really started his ministry, yet. Surely he had been preaching in the area and the disciples knew what kind of man he was. But still... Fishing was a major industry around the Sea of Galilee and most fisherman belonged to family owned business. Can you imagine old Zebedee's face when somebody walked in his "office" and told him Peter and Andrew had taken off with the new preacher? How do you go home and tell your wife that you walked off the job for a ministry with no pay? How do you feed your kids? Their security was gone. Their income was gone. Possibly a few r...

I have no idea who wrote this. My mother was thumbing through my grandmother's old Bible and found it typed (with an OLD style typewriter) on a little sheet of paper, tucked in between the pages... There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas Day, and that is keeping Christmas. Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you? To ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world? To own that the only good reason for your existence is not what you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give to life? Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children? To remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old? To stop asking how much your friends like you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough? To try to understand what those who live in the same house with you really want, without waiting for them to ...

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ returns." Philippians 1:6 (NLT) Just a short food for thought note tonight... I am reading the passages from 2 Kings on the life of Elisha as part of my new Bible study. From this, I am learning how to have more faith and to believe God for bigger things. Elisha did some wild things! As I was sitting, meditating and praying over what I had read, the scripture above came to me. It occurred to me that God began a good work in Elisha's life many years before Jesus was even born, but it is still not completed. It won't be completed until Jesus returns. Elisha is still living out the purpose for his life through the pages of scripture and the lives of believers that still hear his teaching. Isn't that amazing? What is more amazing to me is that this is what God has planned for each of us . Long after we are gone, Go...

Recently, I wrote a post about living large . I mentioned in that post that every where I turned, I was being confronted with motivation toward something called 'supernatural living'. This is what I want. I don't want a mediocre, run of the mill life. I want a greater life. As our fall Bible study wound down at my church, I began looking around for something to fill the time between now and our spring studies. I came across Melissa Taylor's online Bible study of the book "Greater" by Pastor Steven Furtick. I had never done an online study of this kind before but I decided to give it a try. I believe this study will be the next step for me in learning what supernatural or greater living can be. The book by Pastor Furtick begins with John 14:12. "I tell you for certain that if you have faith in Me, you will do even greater things, now that I am going back to the Father." (CEV) This is Jesus talking. How can we possibly do greater things than ...

Several months ago, as we were moving headlong into the election season, I published a post highlighting Daniel's prayer for the nation of Israel. On this day after the election, my reflection turns to the second half of Daniel 9 - the answer to his prayer. In verse 20, Daniel says, "I was still confessing my sins and those of all Israel to the LORD my God, and I was praying for the good of His holy mountain, when Gabriel suddenly came flying in...". Can you even imagine! If I were in the middle of a prayer and Gabriel decided to drop by, I don't think a vision would be necessary! I would just die right there! What particularly catches my attention here is that Daniel was STILL confessing. He was making sure every last sin was accounted for. Not only for himself, but for the nation of Israel, too. We have much to ask forgiveness for and this nation is not going to change without the continual confession of God's people. No political candidate is our saviour....

There are days when you cannot go any further. You simply cannot fathom taking one more step. Sometimes it happens physically, sometimes emotionally, but there you are...stuck.   This happened to me today in the most literal sense. My daughter and her friend asked me to go for a walk and I agreed. Mind you they are much younger than I am and exercise hasn't been on the top of my activities list for awhile, but what the heck...how far can three miles be?   Far.   To add to the lack of forethought on my part, you have to understand that I have had an artificial hip for the last 11 years. Normally, this is not a hindrance, but now and then it can create a problem.   So today, we start out on our walk. I actually made it over two miles before the pain in my thigh literally stopped my in my tracks. Because of the hip, I experience a condition called iliotibial band syndrome. I'm told it is common in patients with artificial hips. To make a very long ...

Yesterday was a hot tea and movie kind of day for me. Home alone, just me and the TV...   One of the movies I watched was "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel". The very abbreviated story line here is there are a group of British retirees who can't afford to live in England so they end up retiring to this "hotel" for the elderly in India. Of course, when they arrive it was not what they expected. Although, I disagreed with the way most of the adult issues were handled in the  movie, it was very interesting to me to watch how the characters either embraced or rejected the very different culture they found themselves immersed in and how they dealt with their prejudices and stereotypes.   The one line of the movie that leapt out at me was in a scene near the end when the young Indian man who manages the hotel is trying to convince his mother why he should not sell the hotel and give up the love of his life for an arranged marriage and a better job in Delhi. She...

My name is Judie and I am a glutton. Sounds kind of gross doesn't it? It is. In order to write this, I did a quick word study on the word "gluttony". I found some things I did not know, and dispelled one belief that I thought I knew but I was wrong. What do you know about that? I will try to share as quickly as possible... Raise your hand if you believe the "Seven Deadly Sins" are in the Bible....I DID TOO! But guess what? The seven deadly sins were a list compiled by Pope Gregory the Great in the 6th century. (I just love learning this kind of stuff!) His list included: Pride - because all other sins arise from pride. It makes one want to be more important than others. Envy - wanting something someone else has. Gluttony - overindulgence to the point of waste - nuff said. Lust - obsessive or excessive thoughts of a sexual nature. Anger - uncontrolled feelings of hatred. Greed - wanting more earthly possessions to the point of obsession. Sloth -...

Today, we are going to reach way back into Judah's history and take a look at one of her kings, Hezekiah.   Hezekiah seemed to be one of the good kings. His father, Ahaz, was a truly evil king who allowed every kind of idolatry but who actually nailed the doors to the temple shut. (This one sentence probably begs a whole other post about religious "tolerance" and how Christians are treated in America). When Hezekiah came to power, he came as a reformer. He cleaned house politically, tore down the foreign altars, reopened and cleaned the temple, reinstated the Passover celebration. There was a revival in Judah.   Unfortunately, Hezekiah was a short sighted man who only dealt with problems in the short term and he also developed a little problem of pride. After being spared by God from what should have been a terminal illness, Hezekiah entertains visitors from Babylon. (Babylon at this time was an up and coming empire, but students of history will remember that fut...

In the ninth chapter of Daniel, he prays for the nation of Israel. I cannot improve on his words except to say that this would be a great prayer to personalize and pray for our nation. It is a little lengthy, but worth the read. I will put a few brief notes at the end. Daniel 9:3-19 I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. I prayer to the LORD my God and confessed:      "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings (President), our princes (Congress, etc), and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.      Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame - the men of Judah and peo...

I have been reading the book of Daniel in preparation for starting a Bible study on that book this coming Sunday. As I look at the life of this man who endured so much, I am convicted by his life. As a young man, Daniel was taken captive from his home never to return. Although he lived in a foreign land under some crazy rulers, he never wavered in his faith or his dedication to God. He could have given in, gone with the flow, taken the comfortable route. Given his talents and abilities, he still might have exceled and been successful, but he would have missed the blessing of God. Daniel was ridiculed and persecuted for his beliefs, but he perservered and was blessed by God every time. Christians are living in a difficult time. We may not be living in a foreign land, but in many ways our culture is trying to take us captive. The recent Chick-fil-A debacle is a prime example. One man, expressing his opinion supporting his beliefs, started a nationwide firestorm. This week, t...

I have been leading/participating in a Bible Study on the book of Nehemiah for the past seven weeks. Tonight will mark our last session. I have to say, the book doesn't end particularly well. As was typical of Israel's history, they had repented and made an agreement with God. But at the very end of Nehemiah, once again they backslide into sin. The book ends with Nehemiah beating people up and pulling out their hair. Not a stellar "the end". It is difficult to study Nehemiah without taking a look into the book of Ezra as well. These two guys were contemporaries and both were responsible for leading groups from Babylon back to Jerusalem. Just from reading their books, it seems to me that these two were as different as night and day. While Nehemiah was the organizer, the planner, the administrator, Ezra was more the spiritual leader, the priest. Together they were able to accomplish much toward rebuilding Jerusalem. Beautiful view of the body of Christ ~ but th...

It is hard for me to pray. For whatever reason I just don't feel I have ever been very good at it. I'm not really sure what " good at it" is supposed to be or if there really is a formula, but it just doesn't come naturally to me. I have heard the sermons, done the journaling series, read books, and on and on. Over the years, I have come to journal my prayers more than just saying them. Writing is a more natural activity to me than conversing. I know some of you who know me find that difficult to believe, but there it is. I buy a pretty book and really awesome pens (simple things amuse me) and it is so much more enjoyable to sit and write. And now here's the rub (literally): I have a cat. If you have ever owned a cat, you understand the dilemma. As soon as I sit down with my Bible and a pen or my iPad, she is on top of me. She absolutely adores pens. She chases them, bats at them, chews them, and if it is the one I am trying to write with all the better. ...

I do not usually use this blog as a soapbox, but I have been biting my tongue the last couple of days until I think it is bleeding... AND since I have Freedom of Speech under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, I can do what I want with it. Here's the thing. I, too, think the whole Chick fil A thing has gotten out of hand. Before all my conservative, Christian friends fall over in apoplectic fits, let me explain. I think it has gotten out of hand because the issue at the center of the debate has become clouded in all of the anti this or that rhetoric that has resulted. The issue at the center of the controversy is not gay rights. To my knowledge CFA has never had a discrimination issue and, in spite of a post on Facebook that turned out to be a hoax, they will hire homosexual employees. They do support conservative, traditional family organizations. There are lots of businesses that support LGBT organizations. Any of them in the news this we...

In the event that reading about the creation events in Genesis or just looking at the world around you doesn't inspire you to praise, take a little time to read Psalm 104. This poem, by an unknown author, describes in poetic detail what is documented in the first chapters of Genesis. I love the opening of this psalm. I can only imagine the psalmist struggling for words to ascribe the appropriate attributes to God. Before he even starts recounting the creation story, he is beside himself with praise. "O Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty." v1. Again, I think the translation understates the sentiment and I think the sentence should end with an exclamation point! Many earthly kings are great by human standards and clothed majestically, but the psalmist goes on to tell us that God is clothed in light, the heavens are His tent, the clouds are His chariots and He rides on the wings of the wind. That is some serious splendor and majes...

I have always considered myself fairly creative. I am somewhat musically inclined. I love to draw. There have been times when I did crafts and scrapbooking, etc. and there are things I would love to learn to do better ~ like photography. I also like to write...you can be the judge of my talent in that department. Tonight, I was reading the first chapter of Genesis and was awed anew at the creativity of our God. Realizing that when He started creating the world - the universe - none of it existed other than in His mind. I look at the hugeness and complexity of our universe - galaxies, stars, solar systems. Then proceed from there all the way down to the smallest particles - cells, atoms, protons, neutrons. Do you have an idea of the complexity of a single cell in your body? Not to mention all the bodies of all the other animals some with very minute differences in cell structures that make them entirely different creatures? And, of course, everything in between. "Who can fatho...

Romans 3:23 "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." ALL have sinned....oh, yes, they have...WE have. Is there any difference in sin? Well, that depends on who you ask. But if you ask God...the answer is a resounding "NO". In our human minds, there is a difference. I do not view myself as nearly as bad as the murderer on the nightly news or the terrorist that just blew up a bunch of buildings and hundreds or thousands of people with it. In my little pea brain, compared to that - I'm a great person! The key is in the verse above, though. From Billy Graham to Osama bin Ladin and everyone in between, to God, sin is sin because it causes us all to come up short. It separates us from Him. It interferes with our relationship. Romans 6:23a says, "The wages of sin is death.." Ouch. Not the wages for capital murder, or rape, or child abuse. Just sin. In my post from April 6 , I mentioned two things that we have difficulty grasping that pre...

Well, if you live in or are visiting the state of Florida right now, you would have to be seriously challenged in some way not to realize we are in the midst of a Tropical Storm ~ Debby would be her name and she is moving SLOW. It has been interesting to note the differing opinions on Debby being posted on Facebook. Some are posting fears and concerns along with links to news of every tragic situation associated with flooding and tornados. Some are just tired of the dreary weather and ready for the rain to go away. Others are simply thankful for the rain in whatever form it comes. It is also interesting to watch people as they experience the bands of thunderstorms that keep washing across the state. It seems like whenever the clouds part and we see those precious rays of sunshine, folks are almost wanting to rush outside and stand basking in the sun before the next row of clouds comes by. This past weekend I had almost 30 people at my house for lunch ~ 14 were childre...

In July of 1863, near Gettysburg, PA - a fierce battle was fought during the Civil War. Although the battle at Gettysburg has often been recognized as the turning point of the war, it was also one of the most devastating and deadliest. Over the course of three days, there were approximately 60,000 casualties and 8000 deaths ~ all American soldiers. On November 19, 1863, there was another gathering at Gettysburg. This time the fighting was over (though the war would continue two more years) and the battle site was being dedicated as a cemetary and war memorial. An orator by the name of Edward Everett stood to speak that day and delivered a speech of nearly two and a half hours. Virtually no one remembers what he said. Then President Lincoln stood to speak and though his words were few, the thoughts he gave on behalf of the dead are forever engrained in our history and our memories. Even today, there are no better words to commemorate Memorial Day th...