Category Archives: Fellowship with God

Gradually, Beautiful

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I got up early one morning to watch the sun rise in the mountains. Ray and I often escaped to the Great Smoky Mountains a couple of times a year. We would find a mountain-top cabin, put aside the busyness of life, and simply vegetate, rest, hike, and enjoy God’s creation. Some of our favorite moments were spent watching the night sky for comets and meteor showers or quietly observing the wildlife that occasionally wandered into view. Bears, deer, moose, and even an occasional skink provided unexpected entertainment! But the sunrises were something special.

That particular morning, the first signs of daylight appeared as a haze settled over the mountains. I could just make out the closest trees. The sound of crickets and tree frogs provided a gentle background for what was to come. Gradually, the sky began to lighten. Cardinals, crows, blue jays, eagles, and other birds joined in a chorus of praise that seemed to grow louder with each passing moment. It was as if the trees became greener as the sky grew bluer. Dogs began barking in the distance, setting off a chain reaction with their neighbors. Perhaps they had spotted a deer, rabbit, or even a bear! Whatever the reason, their voices added another layer to this incredible symphony of creation. Then, as the sun began to rise, its rays reached across the valley and touched a distant mountain. Slowly, the mountains emerged from the shadows, highlighted in the warm light of a brand-new day.

Nothing happened all at once. The darkness didn’t suddenly disappear. The sky didn’t instantly become brilliant blue. The sounds of the morning didn’t begin together. Everything unfolded gradually, each moment revealing a little more of the beauty that had been there all along.

Those precious moments remind me to slow down, watch, wait, and savor the beauty surrounding me. I wonder how often I miss what God is doing because I look for the finished picture rather than appreciating what is unfolding before me.

There is something reassuring about the gradual. We often want immediate answers, instant change, and visible results. Yet, so much of God’s creation reminds us that beauty takes time to unfold. The morning light slowly pushes back the darkness. And sometimes, our own understanding and spiritual growth develop in much the same way. God is at work even when we cannot see the whole picture.

Heavenly Father,

I give You all praise, honor, and glory. You have created beauty all around me. You alone are the Creator of the heavens and the earth and everything in them. What an awesome and mighty God You are!

Help me to slow down and recognize Your handiwork. Teach me to wait patiently, to appreciate the gradual unfolding of Your work, and to trust You even when I cannot yet see the finished picture. May I never become so distracted by the demands of the day that I miss the wonder of Your presence.

Let my life, like the heavens above, declare Your glory.

I am joining a great group of Christian writers at 5-Minute Friday. We write for 5 minutes each Friday (sometimes longer). You can read the other writers’ posts and share your own here: https://fiveminutefriday.com

That Darn Snake

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Adam and Eve were enjoying the garden (Genesis 3) when a “talking” snake approached them. Have you known a couple of these? I’ll bet you have.

How about the ‘friend’ who talks you into doing something you know you shouldn’t be doing? Like, run the red light or stop sign. Or, no one will ever know if you cheat on … How about, I know it’s late, but just one more … Gossip, put-downs, bullying…

Rationalizing can get us into all kinds of trouble. And yes, both Adam and Eve started the whole ‘passing the buck’ thing: it’s not my fault; the other person made me do it. Some no’s are meant to be no.

Have you ever thought about the fact that Adam and Eve had everything? By God’s design, they had each other, the perfect home, great health, plentiful food and water, God’s presence… It wasn’t enough. It never is. There’s always something more, isn’t there?

That’s what that darn snake wanted them to think: that it wasn’t enough. That they could have more. That God doesn’t always know everything. In fact, the snake wanted to replace God in their thoughts and lives.

Now, here’s the thing. Any time we consider replacing God with anything, good or bad, there’s going to be a consequence. That’s what they didn’t take into account. The fruit looked good, smelled good, probably even tasted good.  But God had said no!

Can you imagine the scene when they heard God walking in the garden that evening? He was looking for them. He wanted to talk to them. So, here’s the rub. It’s impossible to hide from God. He knows where you are, always. He knew where Adam and Eve were, but He wanted them to come to Him.

And they did, dressed in leaves. “What have you done?” God asked. Adam said, “She made me do it.” Eve said, “The snake made me do it.” The snake snickered at the whole thing.

You know the rest of the story, right? Adam would have to work for all the things that had been, and would be, his. Eve would have painful births. Both were banished from the garden.

But God knew the rest of the story. He knew about the cross, the nails, the horror that His Beloved Son would face. He knew, and He loved us more.

Have you ever stopped to think about God’s approach to us when we fail Him? We hide behind our excuses, our shame, and sometimes even our pride. We know we’ve fallen short, and we wonder how we can stand before Him.

He approaches us with His love that never wavers. He relentlessly searches in the shadows even when we want to remain hidden.

The words of a song I once sang often come back into my mind: “Do you still feel the nails, every time I fail.” I know that Jesus’ sacrifice was complete – given once for all, never to be repeated. I need to be reminded by the cross of just how far God was willing to go to bring us back to Himself.

God draws near to us not because our failures don’t matter, but because we matter deeply to Him. What a difference that makes—and what comfort there is in knowing we’re loved even in our hardest moments.

I am joining a great group of Christian writers at 5-Minute Friday. We write for 5 minutes each Friday (sometimes longer). You can read the other writers’ posts and share your own here: https://fiveminutefriday.com

The Smell of Sheep

I don’t know about you, but smell is one of my strongest senses.

I love the smell of coffee shops, carnations, freshly mowed grass, good perfume (no musk, please—I’m allergic), freshly baked cinnamon rolls, Christmas cookies, vanilla, and Ray’s cologne.

What I don’t enjoy are farm animal smells, skunks, cigars, waste, spoilage, sickness, or death. Yes, death has a smell.

Over the years, God has gently reminded me that relationships are often more important than comfort. Sometimes He places us in situations where we have to look beyond what we find unpleasant and focus instead on the people He loves.

That brings me to sheep.

Like it or not, sheep smell.

Our Great Shepherd knows that. Yet He still chooses to walk among us and call us His own.

John 21:15-17 tells us that after His resurrection, Jesus gave Peter a simple but profound command: “Feed My lambs. Tend My sheep. Feed My Sheep.”

First, he was to feed the lambs.

Lambs are young and dependent. They cannot survive without care and nourishment. In the same way, new believers need loving Christians who will come alongside them, teach them God’s Word and how to apply it in their lives, answer their questions, and encourage them to become more like Jesus.

Next, Jesus told Peter to tend His sheep.

Adult sheep require a different kind of care. Sheep are known for wandering, and so are we. Left to ourselves, we can easily drift from God’s best for our lives. Throughout my journey, God has placed faithful shepherds around me—friends, family members, pastors, teachers, and mentors. They have lovingly corrected me, challenged me, and occasionally used their shepherd’s staff to pull this stubborn sheep back from the edge.

Then Jesus said, “Feed My sheep.”

Adult sheep no longer need milk, but they still require steady nourishment to remain healthy and strong. The same is true spiritually. We need a regular diet of prayer, Scripture, worship, fellowship, and encouragement from other believers. These are the things God uses to sustain us and help us grow.

As I think about sheep, I’m reminded of something important. The shepherd knows His sheep. He knows where we’ve wandered. He knows our weaknesses. He knows our stubbornness. And yes, He knows we smell like sheep.

Yet, He still calls us His own. The Gentle Shepherd does not turn away from us because of our flaws. He is always near, He cares for us, and through it all He faithfully leads us home.

All we need to do is follow.

Gentle Shepherd, come and feed us. Give us the wisdom to learn from those You have placed in our lives and the humility to accept their guidance. Lead us in the paths You have prepared for us. May our lives bring honor and glory to You in all we say and do. In the precious name of Jesus, our Shepherd, make it so.

I first wrote this post on October 26, 2011. Today I’ve revisited it and made a few updates.

NINEVAH OR BUST

Jonah  1:1-3  Where or what is your Ninevah?  Where or to what has God called you?  Are you deliberately saying no to God?  Is your allegiance or agenda focused on something or someone else?

Jonah was a true believer.  Until the point of being told to go to Ninevah he had followed God in his life, career, and actions.  But this was just too much.  Jonah was loyally attached to his country and was more than willing to do and say whatever God wanted as long as it related to his own thoughts.   God was saying, look, Jonah, Amos and Hosea are already doing a really good job of getting the job done in Jerusalem, I need you to go to Ninevah and get the job done there.  Of course the rest of the story is really well-known.  But…

What is our story?  What is God calling/telling us to do that we are saying, look God, am I the only one who can do this particular thing right now, find someone else?  Not to sound defeatist, but He does get what He wants.  Will we be one of those who misses the blessings of obedience because the call is more than we can handle?

Look at Proverbs 3:5-6.  When we take the time to honor God and His Word, He directs us in the way we should go.  He does not give us directions to do things He can’t handle, but He wants us to know Him and follow through on what He wants of us. 

Proverbs 35-6

Father in Heaven, Creator of all that was is and is to come, give me an all-consuming desire to know Your Word so well that in any life situation I know the path to take.  I lift this prayer in the precious name of Jesus – make it so.

Go To Church!

What is your primary focus during worship? Are you thinking about God, or yourself, or all the other things that tumble around our minds?

Some of my most precious Sunday memories are meaty discussions in Sunday School, singing in the choir, playing the piano during worship, and having lunch with friends afterward.

The early Christians devoted themselves to the concepts and practices of these verses. That means they planned, scheduled, and looked forward to going to church and fellowshipping with other Believers afterward.  Friends not only had lunch with one another, but they also broke bread. The word used here for breaking bread can be translated as “Eucharist”. That word tells us they followed Jesus’ command in Luke 22:19. They took communion. They didn’t have restaurants and fast food like we do, they went to one another’s homes. I imagine this was like a carry-in dinner every day. How do I know it was every day. Because the scripture says, And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved. 

They were joyful. Joyfulness is a deep-rooted, inspired happiness.  It comes from deep inner contentment and satisfaction. Only God and knowing God can produce real joy. When we receive the Holy Spirit all the fruit of God is produced in us. Ephesians 5:22-23 gives us the list. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  

They also had humble attitudes. It’s really important that we understand what humility and being humble really means. The Oxford English Dictionary says it is having a low estimate of one’s importance, worthiness, or merits. OK. Then Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary adds – not assertive, ranking low in a hierarchy, and insignificant. That is not at all what Luke was talking about. That’s definitely a worldly view of the humble person but, the Biblical view is quite different. In the Word, humbleness is about putting others first. Not just people but God, too. They absolutely loved to worship God.

Since many think worship only occurs one day a week and for many that means Sunday I want to ask how often you worship and if worship is a joyful time for you?

Ray and I used to travel to the Smokey Mountains every year during Spring Break. For many years we were often traveling on Easter Week. Since we choose not to drive the whole distance in one day we usually stop in Richmond, Kentucky on Saturday night and attend church on Sunday morning. Yes, worship is that important to us. We want to be with other Christians on Sunday. So for us, and for many of you, worship is as necessary as getting fresh milk and bread each week.

God’s plan also was to use the Sabbath to turn our hearts and minds toward Him. In other words, He wants us to set aside one day of the week as a special time of rest,worship, and reflection on His Word. After all, if we ignore God on that day when else are we likely to turn to Him? We get busy and preoccupied with daily living — and end up leaving God out of the picture. God’s plan is clear: “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Deuteronomy 5:12).

We are not to neglect fellowshipping with the Body of Christ. That’s the church, my friends. Does that mean you won’t go to heaven if you don’t go to church? No, but it does mean that we’ll miss the blessings of obedience to His Word and serving alongside other Believers.

Why are fewer people committed to going to church? I know you all know this, but we live in an ‘all-about-me’ society.  Personal preferences are outweighing obedience to God’s Word. Theology has become Me-ology. Many worship services are more like a Broadway Show than a sincere focus on God.  Comments like I don’t like the music… To many old hymns… Guitars and drums don’t make it… I don’t like the pastor’s preaching… It’s too long…  I’m not comfortable… It makes me wonder if a sanctuary of recliners would bring more people in?  No matter the issue – when things like this come between whether or not we’re going to church on Sunday we’ve definitely become “all about me” worshippers.

So what can we do about it? First of all, don’t just say it’s all about God – make it all about God.

Make worship a priority. Write it in your planner. No excuses. Commit to it!

Pray. Before attending, whether that is the night before or the morning of, pray that you will put God first. Ask Him to speak to you. Pray for others who will be attending. Just pray.  Upon entering the church, perhaps while walking through the church parking lot, pray for those who are worshipping with you, pray for the unbelievers who will be attending. Pray that all distractions are removed so it can be totally about God. Pray that God will give your pastor the words you need to hear and that your heart and mind will be open to hearing them.

Go to church Sunday! If you have never attended a church, find one. If you’re saying I can’t go to church or I’m not a Believer or I don’t even know if they’d want me. Oh, yes, we want you! Join us!