A Tribute..... From a Thankful Heart

 

On the 18th November 2020 we said our final goodbye to Sandy, our beautiful daughter-in-law of almost 29 years, after what had probably been, the saddest week of our lives, which was, and continues to be, interspersed with great thankfulness on so many levels. 

Ten days before, Sandy had risen early to bake scones for the people at "The Barn" where she volunteered.  She had introduced this American family to the Aussie treat of scones with jam and cream.  She loved to bless and bring joy to others.  She posted a picture of her scones on Instagram with a few words underneath which ended with a simple 'thanks'.  I knew that her thanks were directed to her God whom she served simply, lovingly and faithfully.  Soon after she arrived at the barn she suffered a brain bleed and never regained consciousness.  Sandy, her medical staff, and prayer warriors battled for 8 days to save her life but it was not to be.

God in his great love and mercy put an amazing support network around Paul, guarding him, feeding him, communicating to our families and prayer warriors, and making hurried arrangements for Daniel and Leah to fly from Australia to Arizona at short notice.  The strength that God gave to Paul as he walked this journey that none of us want to walk, was amazing.  His communication with our and Sandy's family was precious and often, as he video called us from Sandy's bedside.  We got to speak our words and prayers to her, we spoke with her nurses and got to thank them for their wonderful dedication to saving Sandy's life, so that we really felt like we were 'there' with them. Our thankfulness to God for his mercy and love covers so many areas.  Let me share some with you.

• Thankfulness that this didn't happen when she and Paul were tramping in the mountains as they did most weekends, or that she wasn't home alone, or driving the freeway as she had been minutes before, but she was in a place where the ambulance reached her in 6 minutes.
• Thankfulness, that amidst the COVID situation in the USA, Paul's military family surrounded him with support, and Sandy's long time friend from Hawaii flew in to be with the family. That they were able to be in the hospital together with Sandy.
• Thankfulness that Dan and Leah were able to spend time with their Dad at Sandy's bedside 24 hours before she 'moved to heaven'. 
• Thankfulness that Paul's faith was strong for this ordeal, and that he included us all so well in the journey. 
• Thankfulness for the wonderful doctors and nurses who surrounded her with care and prayers.
• Thankfulness for Sandy's gift of life as an organ donor; that 4 women have a new chance of life because of her thought for others. (She had signed up as an organ donor 20 years previously.)
• Thankfulness that we couldn't have asked for a better or more supportive wife for our son.
• Thankfulness that she was a beautiful Mum and a godly example to her children.
• Thankfulness for the loving and kind member of our family that she was.
• Thankfulness that she loved and befriended so many people along the way.
• Thankfulness for the wonderful memories she has left us through her 'photo a day' journey over many years, and her wonderful art that cheers the heart.
• Thankfulness for a life so well-lived that it leaves a challenge to all of us to do likewise.

I am thankful most of all that our families can rest in the comfort of the  "God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.  When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I thank you so much for the life of Sandy Simmons, a woman whose life honoured you in so many ways.  Thank you for the joy we have in our memories of her, and  I pray, that all who need comfort in their troubles may be able to find you, the God of all comfort who waits to comfort all those who come to Him.  Amen

If it Still Hurts.....

 

One of the realities of living in this broken world is pain and heartache.  We just cannot avoid it; sadly it's inevitable.  For some the pain is physical and results from obvious disabilities or wounds.  For the majority the pain is inside, hidden from the world, and we all carry it in some form or another. To recognise and acknowledge our pain takes honesty, but to be willing to deal with it takes great courage. It also takes time and a willingness to be vulnerable which can be very uncomfortable.

When we watch the news today the pain of people is 'in our face' in so many ways.  It's seen in famine and plague, in wars and violence, in domestic violence and murder and suicide.  People are in pain and people in pain often cause pain to others. One author said, "Hurting people hurt (other) people."  It's so true.

As I watched the victims of the March 2019 mosque shootings in Christchurch address the shooter in court, there was one woman who stood out to me.  She was the one who spoke honestly but kindly and obviously understood the pain (or anger) behind the shooter's actions.  She was willing to forgive, and that was a huge mountain to have climbed. She will have found great peace through her willingness to forgive.

Forgiveness is the absolute key to being freed from our pain. Perhaps a parable that Jesus told (Matthew 18:23-35) explains how forgiveness works. Do read this passage for yourself but I'll give you a summary..... A man owed the king a HUGE debt, the king called the debt in, the man begged for more time to pay, instead, the king forgave him the whole debt.  The forgiven man went out and and found another man who owed him a small debt; he took him by the throat and demanded instant payment of the debt.  Not only that he had the man thrown into prison until the whole debt could be paid!  When the servants of the king heard what had happened they were angry and reported back to the king.  The king called the forgiven man in, called him an 'evil servant' and said, "Shouldn't you have had mercy as I had mercy on you?"  The king then sent the man to prison to be 'tortured until he could pay the full debt'.

This story illustrates how freely God is willing to forgive those who come to Him for mercy, but He also expects that we should in turn show mercy to those who are indebted to us - those who have wounded us.  If we don't, or won't, offer the same forgiveness to others, the result will be that we suffer the torture of unresolved pain. Often the answer to our freedom from pain is in our own hands.  Do yourself a favour and forgive.  

Heavenly Father, I thank you that you have forgiven me much.  Help me I pray to forgive those who have hurt me.  Grant me your grace to forgive from my heart.  In Jesus' name. Amen

For an excellent perspective on this topic check this link out at the Desiring God website....

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/forgiveness-is-spiritual-warfare

If only........

How many times have you heard, or said, these words... 'if only'? They are words caused by regret, sadness, or sometimes grief. They are more often the words of a parent with regard to a child.  Did you realise that God, our Father, says them too?

Psalm 81:8...if you would only listen to me....

Isaiah 48:18....Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

If we are honest we all want a peaceful and trouble free life. However, sometimes troubles are in God's plan with a higher purpose in mind.  If that's hard to hear, be encouraged with these words

from Hebrews 13:5...."I will never leave you, nor forsake you." God has promised to be with us, no matter what is happening.

Jesus did not have a trouble-free life at all.  He experienced opposition all through his ministry. He suffered greatly in the end BUT, it was all in God's amazing purpose; to reconcile the world to Himself and free us from the grip and misery of sin. It was to give us a 'blessed hope' of the perfect life in eternity where there will be no more sickness, pain, tears and heartache.

What sparked these thoughts for me today was reading about the Apostle Paul who was a prisoner of Rome, in Israel.  He had been imprisoned for sometime on false charges, and here in Acts 26:24-27 he has been brought before Festus and King Agrippa. They seemed to like hearing from Paul.  Something about him fascinated them and Paul didn't hold back when given the opportunity to speak. Agrippa realised that Paul really had done nothing deserving imprisonment and his words to Festus were, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caeser."  Does that sound like an 'if only' to you?

Paul, as a Roman citizen by birth, had appealed his case to Caesar and it was thoroughly in line with God's will.  Paul had long had a desire to visit the Roman christians to whom he had written  earlier.  They were in his heart and he wanted to encourage them.  God was going to give him that opportunity but it wasn't going to be a trouble-free journey.

Paul had previously made 3 missionary journeys around the Mediterranean through Asia Minor, Macedonia and Greece.  He had covered a lot of ground planting and encouraging churches.  This was to be his longest and most life-threatening journey, and he was making it as a prisoner.  The weather was against them and they ran into trouble which would not have happened 'if only' the ship's captain had listened to Paul's advice not to put to sea (Acts 27:10).  However, they sailed and were shipwrecked but no lives were lost, and they got to stay the winter on the island of Malta where the gospel was preached and people were healed. God's will being done do you think?

When Paul finally arrived in Rome, he was kept under house arrest where he had about 2 years of ministry to believers.  Remember he was still under guard so there would have probably been many Roman soldiers who heard Paul's teaching during that time.

"If only" is sometimes in God's greater plan as it was for Paul.  God used it to bring about his own purposes for the salvation and encouragement of others.  But what about the other 'if onlys' that are a result of us not listening to God's leading??  There is hope.  So long as we walk this earth we have opportunity to repent of our wilful ways and ask God to forgive us and lead us in his way.  If it is our children who have not listened to us and fallen on hard times, we can take our example from the father of the prodigal son (Luke 15) and continue to pray for them and keep the door open for them to return......not to "I told you so" but to celebration, because there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7).

As followers of Jesus Christ we have the wonderful hope of Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose...."

Prayer: Father God, forgive me for the times I have not listened to you and have gone my own way.  Thank you for the times you have picked me up, dusted me off and set me on your path again.  Please help me to listen and obey the promptings of your Spirit so that I can fulfil your purposes in my life.  Amen

Let the Sun Shine In

Today is Day 36 of of Lockdown in New Zealand for the COVID-19 pandemic.  I am grateful that 2 days ago we left level 4 and are now in level 3 for however long.  This has allowed some people to return to work and some children to school, although parents are encouraged to keep children home if possible.  What a strange time it is and we all wonder what the new normal will look like.

Sitting in my 'study' today which is otherwise known as the guest room, I noticed the TV screen in front of me.  Reflected on its blackness are colours as the sun shines through a top window. Now, as the sun has moved there is very little colour.  I remembered a little song we used to hear on the radio years ago...... So let the sun shine in, face it with a grin, smilers never lose and frowners never win....."

Now, more than ever before we need to let the sun shine in; but how do we do that?  I'll tell you what I have found.  Reading the Bible is an amazing way to let light shine into our hearts.  In Psalm 119:30 it says "The entrance of your words give light...".  

How does it do that?  Because God's word is truth it brings enlightenment to our spirit in the best possible way.  You will find many books in the library these days that speak about light and enlightenment that will deceive you into looking for light in the wrong places.  People talk about being 'spiritual' or spirituality but it is rarely based in relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  It is 'me' centred making myself god, i.e. what I think/feel/experience is 'my truth'.  That may be, but it's really Satan's deception.  That way may bring you a certain peace for awhile but it will not be lasting, let alone eternal.  

God's word is truth.  God understands us because he made us.  He understands how we tick, he understands our weaknesses, our needs and our passions.  Reading God's word will bring light into our lives that will instruct, correct and enrich us in a way that nothing else can.  Haven't got a Bible?  You can find one online in any number of free apps.  Don't know where to start?  Start with the gospel of Mark, then John.  Have a look at the Psalms and get an online devotional like The Word For Today that will expand your reading..... https://vision.org.au/the-word-for-today/  

Let God's light come in by tuning into a Sunday service online or on TV.  His Word brings light because it brings hope to a hurting, lost world.  Just remember, this is not a one-time thing.  You need to keep letting the light of God's truth into your life.  Keep your face to the Son - Jesus Christ who says..... “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT

Prayer:  Lord Jesus Christ, thank you that you are the light of the world.  Thank you that no darkness dwells in you. Thank you that you willingly light up our world through your words and your love.  Give us a hunger for the truth and for understanding of your truth.  Amen

Opposition

The story of Samson is famously known for him allowing himself to be seduced by Delilah. She was influenced by her kinfolk to find out, by whining and wearing him down, the secret of his strength and then robbing him of it.  Samson's life is a bit of a puzzle to many of us, and although we don't understand it, there are lessons to be learned and observations to be made to help us learn both from his victories and his mistakes. 

His parents, having been visited by the Angel of the Lord, (Judges 13), knew from before he was conceived, that he was God's man for the job.  It didn't make it any easier for them when he started to make, what seemed to them, strange life decisions.  They didn't understand why he requested a wife from the Philistines and they questioned his decision.  Maybe Samson didn't understand either why he had this desire.  Judges 14:4 gives us the answer.  It was a God-given desire so that He could move against the Philistines.  It was all in God's plan, not Samson's.  When God has a plan and we move to line ourselves up with His plan opposition will usually come.

 As Samson headed down to Timnah for his bride 'a young lion came roaring against him.  At the point of attack the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him and he tore the lion apart' and Samson continued on his way.

Satan always wants to hinder God's plans and wipe out God's people, or at the least discourage them.  Perhaps you had a great plan that was just beginning to take flight and then came this COVID-19 lockdown which has delayed everything and taken you prisoner.  Don't worry, I know these 2 things for sure - God's ways are not our ways and his thoughts are higher than our thoughts.... (Isaiah 55:9), and God is in no hurry to bring about His purposes. If it's his plan, He will bring it to pass.  Job confessed this in his conversation with God (Job 42:2)...'I know that you can do all things, and that no plan of yours can be thwarted.'

Don't be afraid of interruptions and opposition, allow the Spirit of God to come upon you to fight through.  Stay connected, stay faithful, stay hope-filled and peaceful as you wait for His time.  He will do it.  'For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.'  Ecclesiastes 3:1 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help me, like Job, to recognise that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.  Help me to stay faithful to what you have shown me and wait patiently for your timetable.  In Jesus' name. Amen

Time For Reflection

For those of you missing the great outdoors here is a beautiful photo taken somewhere in North America recently. We can't go but we can still enjoy!

How blessed we are during this 'lockdown' to have the time to ponder, enjoy, read, write emails, chat with friends.  No rush.  We have been given the gift of time to be still, be reflective, be creative.  

I was reading Romans 12 where Paul urges believers to "..be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you might prove what is that good and acceptable and  perfect will of God." Vs 2.  Prove means to test, examine or scrutinise.  In other words we really need to examine th scriptures, look into them, give time for what we read to gel in our minds and hearts in order to know what God is saying to us. We do this because our minds need to be continually transformed in the way we think in order to line up with how God thinks.  We all have mindsets that need changing , well I do anyway, and it is the truth of God's word renewing our mind that works the transformation.  

I don't know about you, but I am very inclined to read my Bible and not get to the examining part unless something hits my heart. That's because I am a 'feeling' kind of person; not one who is analytical.  I have to work at really looking into God's word reflectively. Perhaps most of us do.

When I looked further into Romans 12 I found these things.  Maybe you will find more..... 

• Vs 3 - God's grace is seen in each of our lives in different ways.
• Vs 4-5 - Though we are all members of the body of Christ we are each gifted as individuals to be used in the way God has designed for us.
• Vs 6 -8 - We are to recognise and use our gifts for the benefit of the body of Christ, knowing that our part really does matter no matter how small it is.
• Vs 9-13 - We are to be genuine in our love for one another, be kind to each other, give preference to one another, be diligent, pray determinedly, be generous, be hospitable. These we are enabled to do by God's grace and our obedience, even if it doesn't come naturally.
• Vs 14-17 - We are to bless those who persecute us, we are to feel with others whatever emotion they are experiencing - empathise. Lord help me to do this!
• Vs 18-20 - We are to be likeminded in our faith, humble, not repaying evil for evil, leaving God to take vengeance where necessary, living at peace with everyone as much as we can.
• Vs 21 - We are not allow ourselves to be overcome by evil (in any form) but to overcome evil with good.

There is something in there for each of us. If there is more than one thing you feel you need to work on, just choose one and start with that.  It's quite a tall order and could be overwhelming, BUT, it's all possible through pressing into God's and asking for His help. As we allow His word to transform our minds to become obedient to Him we are changed to become more like Him.  We do this because of what Christ did for us on the cross.  Galatians 6:14....But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

May God bless you as you take time to reflect on His word and find treasures there that will change your heart and mind and bring you more and more into his peace-giving presence.

Prayer:  Father God, thank you so much for your life-transforming word, the Bible.  Help me to treasure it, to value it, to allow it to go deep in my heart, to transform my mind.  Thank you that your way is truly the way of Life.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Great Equalizer

As I write we are in day 3 of our official NZ lockdown due to COVID-19.  I'm almost afraid to write that name as we are all probably so tired of hearing about it.  The news is full of it, social media is notifying us of updates, reports from various countries, etc etc etc.  However.....stay with me for a bit and see if what comes out is helpful to you.  This pandemic has turned out to be a huge equaliser. No country is exempt in the end, no person - rich or poor, no ethnicity, no age.  It has brought us all to the realisation that it is no respecter of persons and therefore no-one is excluded from needing to take precautions against infection.

I was messaging with a Christian friend this morning who struggles with fear.  She probably has more reason to fear, (healthwise), than me, but I was reminding her that the battle with fear is always in our mind.  James 1:15 speaks of temptation to sin starting as a thought (in the mind), then as we 'toy' with it, it can lead us to sin. We choose whether we entertain those thoughts or fight them.

As I wrote, I was reminding her that God has given us weapons to fight with against fear and anything else that assails us.  We know them as "the whole armour of God".  When Paul was writing to the church as Ephesus (6:10-18) he wrote this..... "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."

In 2 Corinthians 10:4 Paul explains more about these weapons..... 'We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.'

The great equalising thing I suddenly realised about this that I had never thought of before was, that God has given each of us exactly the same weapons for our battle against Satan, the enemy of our souls.  The Bishop doesn't get any more or different weapons than the minister and the minister gets exactly the same weapons as the newest Christian.  They might be more experienced in using them as would be a General in the army than the new recruit, but we get an equal amount of weaponry. How good is that!

In the same way that COVID-19 is no respecter of persons, the Bible tells us too, that God is no respecter of persons.  In the end we will all stand before the judgement seat of Christ, having all had the opportunity to accept, by faith, his sacrifice on the cross for our sin.  No amount of 'good living' counts towards our entrance to heaven.  We and we alone choose our eternal destiny.  I pray that you will choose Christ.

Prayer:  God in heaven, thank you for this wake up call that affects each one of us.  Thank for for the gift of this time to think, consider, question and decide what we will do with Jesus Christ and His message of salvation by faith alone.  Amen

My Lebanese Cucumber

A couple of months ago I bought a little Lebanese cucumber plant which already had quite a nice little cucumber on it.  (I like instant results!)  The plant was a bit pathetic really but the cucumber grew large enough to justify my picking it which I did....delicious!  

As time went by I noticed that despite daily watering, and being planted in good soil, my plant continued to look pathetic so I decided to experiment with it as I had done with a capsicum plant last season.  I gave it an encouraging talk!  "Come on, you can do it.  Show me what you can do!" Now you really think I've lost it but.....before you commit me, guess what.  Within quite a short time that plant (with more encouraging words) began to GROW, yes it did.  I've since had another cucumber from it with more to come.

So why am I telling you this?  Because encouraging words also make people bloom.  There is so much to discourage in our world today and people are far more ready to criticise than they are to encourage people with a kind word.....which costs us nothing if we are humble, but is a real challenge for those who are insecure or prideful.

I have to admit that giving encouragement is easier for me than for some because God has given me the gift of encouragement and exhortation.  That's why I write this blog, I'm using my gift to encourage you in your Christian walk to be the best you can be. However, just like the three servants in Matthew 25 who were given five, two and one talent respectively, by their master, we should be faithful to multiply what God has given us lest we lose what we were given. By using what God has given us we can be available for God to entrust us with more abilities/gifts.

This year I would encourage you to reconsider the words of Hebrews 10:25......"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works." One of those ways is through giving a word of encouragement.  Proverbs 25:11 refers to speaking good words....."A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings."

Still need convincing?  How about this one, a favourite of mine......Proverbs 11:25b ".... those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed."  This verse is speaking of a person who is generous.  There are many ways to be generous, it's not all about money.  We can be generous with our goods, with our time and with our WORDS.  Let's see if we can make it our aim to motivate one another to acts of love and good works by encouraging them and watching them bloom.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that you give us words of encouragement to build us up.  Help me to purpose in my heart to encourage others with kind and affirming words this year and so do my part in building up the body of Christ, his church.  Amen

A Brand New Year

 A new day, a new year, a new decade. Here we are on January 1, 2020, a time to look forward to what lies ahead, forgetting what lies behind, if we can.  As I reflect on my writing I realise that this past Christmas was the first time in years of my writing this blog that I haven't written at least one with a Christmas theme.  It wasn't that I didn't start one, I did, but it didn't go beyond a couple of paragraphs.  Now it is too late, I've missed the opportunity and I can never get it back!

I can't quite put my finger on it, but something has changed. Christmas was different this year. I didn't get stressed about getting a whole lot of cards ready to mail a month before, in fact I made and sent very few cards this year.  I made only one batch of shortbread, no other cookies, I didn't even have to make a Christmas cake.  I didn't overstock the fridge and I didn't buy many gifts.  (We tend these days to buy charity gifts for family.)  So what did I do?  I relaxed and let it happen.  I took part in some Christmas services and carols and enjoyed time with family and friends. Now, a week later we are into another year.

This year many people are facing change.  They have lost loved ones, in unexpected accidents, in war, to disease, like Samoa with the measles outbreak; they have lost property in the bushfires which are still raging in Australia, in floods and earthquakes around the world.  Some are facing the uncertainty of what this year will bring for them as they face terminal illness or just old age.

Today as I read Genesis 1, I was struck again by the wonder of God's amazing hand in forming our world.   Yesterday as we drove a little way into the country to buy fresh eggs, and some pies from a favourite bakery, we marvelled at the beauty of the countryside and were thankful.  Yes, people deny the hand of the Creator but that's like looking at Westminster Abbey, or any building for that matter, and denying that anyone built it.  Crazy!  The closer we look into our creation and further we look into the heavens, it becomes increasingly obvious that everything couldn't possibly just happen without a guiding hand.

As we walk into this year we do not know what curved ball life will throw at us.  Let's determine that no matter what comes we will choose to find joy, or hope, or choose to grow in love or patience. I could say 'choose Jesus', because all those things can be found in walking in relationship with him, the One through whom all things were created and in him all things hold together.  For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. Romans 11:36

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that I can have confidence that you hold all things together and you have all power in and over the heavens and the earth.  I do not understand many of the things that are happening in our world right now but I pray that those who are suffering in many different situations may find hope and peace in Jesus Christ ,and help me to choose to walk this year guided by your Spirit.  In Jesus' name I pray. Amen