O Covenant Child

Today, this International Forgiveness Week, you are 18. Jonathan Edwin Bird, I named you after the Jonathan of the Old Testament, John the Baptist of the New Testament and after my father. Your name means God is a merciful Father and Friend. You were born a Prodigal .... you will know failure and repentance .... and because of this you will know and experience the love of your Heavenly Father deeply. Like Jonathan and John the Baptist you are a forerunner going out in the Spirit of Moses and Elijah preparing the way for the Christ with the gospel in your heart and mouth like a double edged sword. Whether it is parting a sea or bringing fire from heaven you will be heard by God when your desire is for his glory. Some day every knee will bow and every tongue confess the Christ and you will have contributed to that day. And you will stand with the 24 elders and sing; "Worthy is the Lamb .... for the bride and the kingdom belong to Him."

Access Denied

Somebody gave me a thumbs up ..... I'm not sure for what but immediately the words came into my mind addressed to that somebody, "So what have you done lately?" I didn't agree with the words but there they were like a whirlpool sucking at my feet. My mind played a little Jesus cartoon .... I could see the sturdy little donkey carrying the Christ through the gates of Jerusalem to shouts of "Hosanna" and children waving palm branches. The people lining his path with their coats. Suddenly, on the side line a spectator gives the little donkey a thumbs up. The little fellow blinks a bit then the ass raises to his hind legs tumbling the Christ to the ground and continues the procession with a Cheshire Cat smile and many bows, "Why thank you very much." Then giving a side long glance to the person with the thumb and asking, "So what have you done lately?" By this time the crowd has hushed, palm branches droop and somewhat embarrassed the spectator answers, "encouraged you maybe?"

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I didn't want to be that ass. I refused to own the words that had come into my head .... temptation is not sin. We Christians often speak of God bringing something to mind .... well this was clearly not a God thought. One might call it a security breach .... Old Lucifer trying to stir the pot and create a little distress which could lead to so much more.

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But, as I mentioned before, this negative thought weighed on my mind and all this right in the middle of my devotions. Sometimes my devotions are short ..... it seems when I am enjoying them the most God lets me know it is time to put actions to my words .... sometimes the devotions last much longer .... today was one of those days. It put me in mind of when the people wanted to take Jesus and make him their king. This was after the miracle of The Feeding of the Multitudes. Folks were impressed and his disciples were apart of it all. Jesus' response was to quickly pack up his disciples and take them to a quiet place. Somewhere they could go away from all the voices. Somewhere they could go to hear God's voice. And I needed that ... Tell me the old old story of unseen things above, of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love ... Tell me the story simply, as to a little child, for I am weak and weary and helpless and defiled.... Tell me the story slowly that I may take it in that wonderful redemption, God's remedy for sin.... Tell me the same old story when you have cause to fear that this world's empty glory is costing me too dear. Tell me the story always, If you would really be, In any time of trouble a comforter to me.~ Catherine Hankey

Whether You Eat or Drink

Lunch boxes. I remember the cool metal embossed containers with matching thermos that we carried to school. I remember picking out my favorite design at the grocery or drug store .... perhaps barbie or snoopy this year. I remember checking out the other kids lunch boxes ..... what was outside and what was inside. I remember lunchtime being the best hour of the day. Sometimes it gave us energy to finish the day strong .... sometimes it made us sleepy through the long afternoon. But no child ever went without a lunch. If you forgot yours the teacher would instruct the other kids to share with you. Now a days lunchtime seems to catapult buzzed kids into a frantic and unfocused rampage until the blessed relief of the final bell. It reminds me of the more recent Jurassic Park Lunch Box with the charging Tyrannosaurus."Under the lotus he lies" Job. Bless the moms & dads that pack their child a wholesome lunch.

As a teenager I gave up my childish lunchboxes for the brown paper bag and since my mom worked at the school it was my job to pack my own lunch. We didn't keep a lot of sweets in the house so generally my lunch was a P&J with a carrot .... sometimes I was running late and it was just the carrot. I remember the kids laughing at me. Apparently they had moms who made their lunches ..... beautiful stacked ham & cheese sandwiches w/ pickles .... tasty cakes .... homemade soups and crackers. I was thin and into sports. Now that my youngest is a teenager he sometimes opts for just the carrot ..... all though I am there to pack his lunch I've actually seen him unpack everything and just take the carrot. He also tries to eat to support his sports performance. Protein Shakes and the like ..... we were Sparta!

Perhaps I live in another country now .... healthy food, a good nights sleep, the roof over my head ..... heat and air conditioning, water, vitamins, health and exercise ..... the slightest physical lack challenges my spiritual condition (as does luxury). Last night I did not get enough sleep. I dragged out of bed praying desperately against a headache and feelings of discontent. My body wanted more sleep and if not sleep some serious comfort food. This was a problem since I'm trying to maintain a diet. I didn't feel so friendly either. I sometimes knit to restore my sense of well being ... nothing wrong with that is there? I'm thankful to be working out of my home .... it's peaceful. And doesn't the bible commend a woman busy at home? But then what if I am called to leave these things? Where will my peace come from? Your turn to think, Dear Reader .... What a tight rope we walk being in the world and not of it. Battling the world the flesh and the devil. Using the creation with proper respect and proportion or is it more of a free fall into the arms of grace .... Lord Jesus help me to perform even the simplest duties.

Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word making it unfruitful. Mark 4:18-19

Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.