City Lights

I

 will never forget flying back to Fort Worth in January of 1998.  I had been home for my first Christmas since coming to seminary.  My vacation lasted almost five weeks and the flight back gave me time to reflect on my family and the wonderful time we had spent together.  It's funny, but it seems the farther you are away from family and friends, the more time you find to spend with them.  When I lived in North Carolina, I saw my parents every week but only for a few minutes each time.  But now, during my visits home, we spend days or even weeks together and I so enjoy it.

           

In January of 1998, I boarded an airplane to return to Fort Worth.  I made the reservations for late in the afternoon, wanting to spend as much time at home as possible.  My dad took me to the airport and it was already dusk when the plane took off from Charlotte.  Not long after takeoff, the plane climbed through a large weather system bearing down on the southeastern United States.  Above the clouds, the moon was shining, the stars were out, and the air was calm.  The clouds stretched out like a milky, white carpet below the plane and gave the illusion that we were only several hundred feet above the ground instead of several thousand.

For the majority of the flight, there was no sign of civilization on the ground below us.  All I could see was the clouds below and the moon overhead.  About 90 minutes into the flight, the captain announced we would be approaching the Dallas/Fort Worth area in the next 30 minutes.  The plane began its long descent and not long afterwards, the clouds began to take on an eerie glow.  They changed colors from white to an amber color.  There were several areas of intense glow and others where just a tint of amber colored the clouds.  The captain announced we were over the Metroplex and would be penetrating the clouds in the next few moments. 

When we punched through the clouds, there was nothing but light below us.  It was my first glimpse of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex from the air at night and the sight was spectacular.  Everywhere were indications of movement, from the other planes in the air, to the cars on main highways and small roads below.  No one could doubt the city was below us and people strained and craned their necks for a look at the beautiful sight below.  Just a few minutes before, it had been completely dark; now everything was bathed in warm, glowing light.

This was the idea Jesus conveyed to his disciples.  He taught them that their lives indicated what they believed; that the condition of their hearts would be reflected in their faces and in their daily living.  In Matthew 5:14, the New Living Translation of the Bible records his words, "You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see."  There are three great truths in Jesus' statement: 1) we are light, 2) the world is dark, and 3) everyone sees us.  The idea of light is a very important one in scripture.  The very first thing God created was light and he separated it from the darkness (Genesis 1:3-4).  Jesus also referred to himself as "the light of the world" (John 8:12), promising that those who followed him would have the light of life.

Truths 2 and 3 go hand in hand.  The world is in darkness.  A quick look at the daily newspaper or newscast demonstrates the thick darkness that shrouds our world.  These are not the claims of a doomsayer but a spiritual fact.  The world is without Christ and is therefore in darkness, looking for the light of truth.  We are that light, not because of who we are but because we have accepted Jesus Christ as savior and lord.  God gives us the important task of shining forth, of dispelling the darkness, and of showing others the way to Christ.  Notice that Jesus said that we shine in order "for all to see."  We have a great responsibility to show others the way to Christ, to be the beacons of hope in a dark world. 

Even before we penetrated the clouds, there was evidence of the vast city below us.  The clouds could not shut out the millions of watts of power flowing through the wires and lights in the city beneath the plane.  Could this be said about us today?  Are we allowing the power of God's love, the blinding truth of his word, the glowing warmth of his grace to flow through our lives?  Is their evidence of Christ in our lives even when there is darkness all around us?  Does our light shine forth in such a way that the evidence of Christ's presence can be seen even in the thick, black storm clouds of life?  When it is darkest, we should shine the brightest!  Shine on!!

Camping With God

O

ne of the things I loved most about our house was its backyard.  We had several trees, a row of bushes that separated our property from one set of neighbors, a neat ditch that separated us from the neighbors behind us, and a common driveway creating the property line with the neighbors on the other side of our home.  There was enough mischief in the backyard for an inquisitive, growing boy like me.  Needless to say, I took full advantage of the opportunity and got into more than my share of trouble.

The kids in our neighborhood also liked our backyard.  We would gather there for games of hide-and-seek, or to play basketball on our goal, or to play baseball, or just to swing on the swings.  One time, my dad erected a huge tent for us and all of the neighborhood boys came over and we camped out. 

Being in that tent was a big adventure. Here we were out in the big outdoors, sleeping on the ground in sleeping bags, eating chips, watching television, and going into the house anytime we wanted to raid the pantry.  So much for braving the great outdoors!  We were really roughing it, weren’t we?  Indiana Jones had nothing on us!

I have often thought of that night long ago when six boys got to spend the night in that tent.  Although we were camped in the backyard, we knew that anything we needed was just a few steps away.  Mom and Dad left the backdoor unlocked so that we could have direct access to the house.

Camping was not a foreign concept to the peoples of the Old Testament.  In fact, several of the patriarchs lived in tents and moved from place to place, following God’s leading and direction.  But their needs were always met and God provided for them and for their families.  This is nowhere more evident than in the story of Abraham, especially when God promised to give him all the land he could see.

In Genesis 13, we find the account of Abraham and his nephew Lot.  They were travelling and living together in the land God promised to Abraham.  Their families and possessions soon grew too large and they were in conflict with each other.  So, Abraham gave Lot his choice of the land and told him to settle where he wanted.  After making his choice, Lot and Abraham separated.  It was at this time that God came to Abraham and promised to provide for him and his family.

Genesis 13:17 is a small verse; but packed inside is one of the most wonderful promises in all the Scriptures.  God makes the following promise to Abraham: “Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”  Wow! What a promise and what a command!

Did you notice the first word of the verse?  Abraham was not to sit idly by, looking at the land.  Instead, he was to “arise” and “walk” in the land, to explore its length and width, to live in it, and to enjoy it.  As long as Abraham remained in the land, he remained in the center of God’s provision for his life.  Wherever he went, he was in God’s provision.  Whatever he saw, it was in God’s provision.  Everything he touched, smelled, ate, and did was in God’s provision.

Abraham’s life was full because he lived it completely upon the land that God provided.  God’s own words were for him to walk its “length and width.”  A few verses before, God told Abraham to look as far as he could see in all four directions and all the visible land would belong to him and to his descendants.

This story has wonderful implications and applications for us today.  God’s promise of provision remains. God never calls any of us to a place of service unless He first provides all that we need for the task at hand.  God never leaves us holding the bag and He never fails to meet every need we have. As long as we remain in the land, that is, in His provision, then everything we do, think, and touch comes directly from our Heavenly Father.  The secret is to remain in His provision, wherever that may lead.  Abraham lived in several places after arriving in the Promised Land.  However, wherever he pitched his tent, he was always living in God’s provision and so was his family.  God provided for them all.

That evening in the backyard of our home was a wonderful experience.  We stayed in the tent but we also had full access to the pantry!  Whatever my dad had in the house he gave to us to enjoy.  Our Heavenly Father is the same way.  As long as we seek to live in the center of His will and as long as we are content to live in His provision, we will always be satisfied and will always have all that we need.  So, when was the last time you slept in a tent?  Don’t you want to go camping with God?  I highly recommend it!

The Cake Plate

T

he metal container sitting on the counter told me all I needed to know about the up-coming Thanksgiving meal my mother was preparing.  I had seen the shiny metal object many times during my childhood.  Whenever the plate was sitting out, on the counter or on the table, it meant that mom was going to bake a cake.  It didn’t matter what type of cake it was, pound or German chocolate, the results would be the same, happy faces and full bellies!

On this particular occasion, the components for a Dream Sickle Cake (orange cake with coconut cream icing—three layers of it!) were awaiting assembly.  The metal cake plate sat on the counter, just a few feet from the assembly line where the cake would be made.  Once finished, mom would transfer he cake to the protective plate and place the whole thing in the refrigerator.  The cake had to remain covered and cool so it would not dry out before our Thanksgiving meal.

I took a few moments and looked that cake plate over.  It’s amazing what you notice when you take the time to really inspect something.   The cake plate was constructed of aluminum with a flat base and a domed top.  The top was held securely in place by a series of clips that were opened and closed by a lever in the base.  Once the cake was placed inside and the clips closed, it was safe.  The whole container could be moved without causing damage to the precious cargo inside.   At some point in the past, the cake plate had been hit and damaged.  A large dent near the top pointed to this fact. The interior, however, was intact and remained unaffected by the blow.  A cake was still safe and secure inside the cover.

A few days later as I was removing a piece of the cake from the cake plate, I thought of something I had never really considered before.  Our walk with Jesus directly parallels the relationship between the cake plate and the cake it contains.  As long as the cake remains inside its container, it is safe from exposure, it holds its shape, it does not dry out, and it safely goes wherever the plate is taken.  Any thing striking against the plate does not damage the cake inside.  The protective cover absorbs the blow and protects the cake from being marred or damaged.

This is exactly what the Apostle Paul was describing in Romans 8:1. In this passage Paul writes, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  Please notice the last three words of this verse. Paul wants us to understand that when we are in Christ, we are no longer found guilty of our sins.  The condition for being found not guilty, however, is that we must belong to Christ and be placed in him.  This means we accept his sacrifice on Calvary as the only way to salvation.

The words, “in Christ,” appear 92 times in the NIV version of the Epistles. Paul uses this image over and over again in his writings to underline our position as believers.  When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God places us in Christ.  We are not separate from him but we are placed in him.  His love, his grace, his mercy, his sacrifice, and his peace are all around us.  They protect us and shield us from the dangers of sin.  Christ does not take us out of the world but he protects us while we are in it.

Without Christ, our lives resemble an uncovered cake.  The elements dry us out, we fall apart, we have no sweetness in our lives, and we offer no enjoyment to those around us.  Moreover, we are exposed and vulnerable to all the bumps, and knocks that life throws at us.  At any moment we can be crushed, cut, flattened, or tossed aside.  I don’t know about you, but I have gained a deeper respect and appreciation for that metal cake plate.  Just think how much more precious we are to God and how much more He shields us and protects us because we have accepted the gift of salvation through His son, Jesus Christ.

Do You Have My Card?

O

ne afternoon I was thumbing through a scrapbook I made during one of two summers I spent working as a chaplain at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.  The pictures and post cards brought back fond memories of people, places, events, and conversations that took place during those summers.  As with most past events, it seems it was only yesterday when I stood and looked over the mountains and valleys of Philmont.  Yet, somehow it also feels as if that were an eternity ago. 

As I continued flipping through the pictures, I came across a section I forgot about making.  Toward the back of the album are several pages of nothing but business cards.  Some of them have notes written on them wishing me luck or informing me of a place to stay should I ever be in the neighborhood.  What strikes me as most odd is that I remember the faces of the people and the circumstances surrounding my receipt of each card.  In addition, the information on the cards allows me to contact these individuals whenever I wish.  The cards contain phone numbers, fax numbers, cell phone numbers, email addresses, and some of them have home addresses as well.  In order to re-establish contact, all I have to do is read the cards and use the information they contain. 

Moses had this very experience with God.  I guess you might say that Moses received one of God's business cards first-hand.  Exodus 3 records the very familiar story of Moses and the burning bush.  While tending to his father-in-law's flock, Moses saw a bush on fire but the bush was not consumed.  Amazed, he went over to investigate and that's when he had what turned out to be a most interesting and unique conversation. 

When the introductions were over, God told Moses to return to Egypt in order to lead the children of Israel out of bondage.  Moses, wanting to make sure he heard correctly, began questioning God about this plan.  He wasn’t quite sure God had the chosen the right man for the job.  One of his excuses was that the people would want to know who sent Moses to free them. What could he show them as proof that he had spent time with God.  Who should he say had sent him? 

Exodus 3:14 records God's answer, "And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” In essence, God said to Moses, "Here, have one of my cards.  This is who I am and this is how you can reach me."  What wonderful picture this is.  That conversation forever changed Moses.  He always remembered when it happened, where it happened, what was said, and who said it.  This experience became indelibly etched on his mind and heart and I am sure he revisited it many times. 

Somewhere in your home or perhaps in your car or office you have a copy of God's business card.  It's not in a Rolodex or in your wallet.  Instead, it is probably on a table, in a drawer, or on a bookshelf.  It tells you who God is, how to reach Him, and what His office hours are.  If you read it carefully, you'll find He can be reached day or night, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  His office is always open, His telephone line is never busy, and you never have to leave a message.  His is always available. Won't you make an appointment with Him today?  Do you have His card? 

Underneath It All

A

s I approached my sixteenth birthday, the desire to have a car of my own became the driving (no pun intended) force of my life.  Those of you who have teenagers understand exactly what I’m talking about.  I ate, drank, and slept cars, dreaming about being my own person, going where I wanted, when I wanted, and with whom I wanted.  The only thing stopping me from owning my first car was money and that meant getting a job.  My dad agreed to my working, provided it occurred only on the weekends and my grades didn’t slip.

One of the local hospitals needed someone to work the second shift on Saturday and Sunday evenings.  This met my dad's requirements for a job and it also provided me the opportunity to work in a hospital.  This was very important to me because I was seriously considering pursuing a career in medicine.  Once the initial training was over, I settled in as a clerk and orderly for the x-ray department.  I learned how to use the computer, how to file, how take inventory of the supplies, how to help with patients, and how to develop x-ray film.  It was a very interesting job for a sixteen-year-old boy and I loved it.

Because the x-ray department was adjacent to the emergency room, we stayed busy, especially on the weekends.  There were always fender-benders, or sports injuries, and the occasional scuffle that got out of hand.  However, there were also very serious injuries and other cases that were life-threatening.  But I will always remember the case of a small boy who came to the emergency room with a very tender ankle. 

This young man had been playing football with his neighborhood friends.  The game was going well and his team was winning.  As he ran down the field to score a point, he hit a small hole in the ground and twisted his ankle.  He found it very difficult to walk and his parents decided to bring him to the hospital just to make sure everything was all right.  His ankle was not swollen but it did hurt him to walk on it.  We all thought it was a severe sprain but the doctor decided to x-ray it anyway. 

When the film was developed, the ankle looked normal.  All the bones were in the right places and there was no evidence of torn ligaments or cartilage, and there didn’t seem to be any underlying reason for his pain.  However, when the radiologist looked at the film, he discovered a small hair-line fracture in one of the smaller bones of the ankle.  This fracture would have gone unnoticed and untreated had it not been for the x-ray and the skilled eyes of the radiologist.

Our lives often resemble this young man with a hurt ankle.  Life has away of tripping us up, of causing us to stumble; and in the process, we can suffer damage.  The real danger is that sometimes the damage is more severe than we first believe.  What we need is a good, thorough examination, someone who knows what to look for, where to look, and what to do once any damage is found.  What we need is for God to examine us thoroughly from the inside out.

Hebrews 4:13 is one of the most revealing scriptures in the New Testament.  The writer of this passage understood that when God examines us, He discovers anything and everything that hinders us from living the victorious life in Christ He so desperately wants us to have.  This verse states, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”  There are two basic truths in this wonderful passage.  First, nothing is hidden from God.  Everything we do, say, believe, feel, and think is open before Him.  While this may be bothersome to us at times, it is also a source of encouragement.  It means that God sees deep inside our hearts and He knows everything there is to know about us.  Nothing about us escapes His watchful eye, and His examination is thorough, discovering all the little quirks and hang-ups that life sometimes sends our way.

Second, the scripture teaches that we are accountable to God for our actions and our lives.  We show our accountability to God when we come to Him with an open and an honest heart, asking Him to examine us and to repair anything that is broken or damaged in our relationship with Him.  The outward appearance doesn’t always indicate the true status of our relationship with God.  What lies underneath in our hearts, in the hidden and secret places of our beings is the true barometer of our walk with God. 

That evening in the hospital, the doctors were able to repair that boy’s ankle and to begin the healing process.   The x-ray machine made it possible for them to see through his body and to isolate, diagnose, and repair the cause of his suffering.  God wants to do the same in your life today.  Won’t you let Him give you a thorough examination?  Won’t you open your heart and share it with Him today?  Only He is qualified to determine the areas of pain and difficulty in your life and only your Heavenly Father can heal and restore you to a right relationship with Him.  Remember, it’s what’s underneath that counts!  Have a wonderful day.

On The Cutting Edge

T

he country of South Africa, for a gemologist, is synonymous with the world's most precious stone, diamonds.  Some of the world's purest and most valuable diamonds come from the diamond mines scattered throughout the country.  Dealers and wholesalers in diamonds come to South Africa from all over the world, looking for that perfect stone which will ultimately become a beautiful necklace, brooch, bracelet, or, more likely, the center piece for a woman's most prized possession, an engagement ring.

But diamonds don't start out all sparkle and fire.  Instead, they are to be found in mines deep in the belly of the earth.  In order to find one diamond, tons of earth must be drilled, scooped, loaded, excavated, sifted, washed, and broken.  The expert eye searches for lumps of coal concealing diamonds inside.  These rocks have been formed by intense pressure over centuries or millennia, waiting for someone to discover their value. 

Once discovered, however, the diamond must undergo several steps before it takes the form of the precious and costly jewels everyone searches so ardently desires.  The work of preparing the diamond for its transformation lies in the skilled hands of a lapidary, someone who studies and produces valuable gems from their rough state.  The experienced lapidary takes the diamond, which is scarred, dirty, and oddly shaped, and begins to study it, to understand its structure and form.  He will spend time with that diamond, learning its flaws, its weak points, its cracks, and its scuffs.  All this information is necessary as the gemologist slowly and methodically works toward producing a precious stone of great value.

After polishing, smoothing, and shining the diamond, it is now ready for the most important step in its transformation.  The lapidary places it into a holder and tightens the clamps.  He examines the stone repeatedly, making diagrams and sketches from different angles so that no part of the stone is left unstudied.  Then with a steady and confident hand, he takes a hammer and a chisel, places them on the exact spot on the surface of the diamond, and with one clean strike, he cuts the stone.  He continues this process until he has removed all parts of the diamond hiding and obscuring the valuable stone inside.  The entire diamond is not as valuable as the stone the lapidary sees inside at its heart.  He knows that the value of the diamond lies in the cut, in removing the unnecessary so that the essential can shine through.  From a chunk of rock, he brings forth that which did not exist prior to his cutting, a valuable and precious gem.

In Romans 4:17, Paul writes, "God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did."  Do you realize that God sees you as a diamond having infinitely great value?  Too often we, as Christians, forget or just don't realize how valuable we are to God.  Like diamonds in the rough, God sees the inherent value locked inside the human heart.  He knows that to unlock value, we must be shaped, polished, buffed, shined, and yes, cut.  Sometimes the cuts are deep, but God knows that the true value lies in the cuts.  He is only interested in the heart, our deepest and most precious part. 

God studies our hearts. He knows their flaws, their weaknesses, and their cracks.  He understands us from every angle, from every thought we have to every word we speak.  He has drawn diagrams of our hearts from every conceivable vantage point and he sees the value inside each one of us.  That is why he puts us on His table, tightens down the clamps, takes His hammer and His chisel, and cuts away everything that keeps us from shining forth and reflecting the value we have as His children.  So precious are we to Him, that God will not entrust this process to any hand other than His! 

When you feel the deep cutting of the chisel in your life, know that the hand behind the hammer and chisel is none other than God's.  He will only strike necessary blows and will only remove those parts of our lives that are keeping us from being all He wants us to be.  Don't be afraid of the chisel's blows for they are the evidence that you are being perfected and conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Can you hear the sound of metal on metal today?  Yield to it and become the diamond God knows you can be!

Here He Comes

W

here was he?  He couldn't be too far away!  It had been more than an hour since he called and the drive from work took only thirty minutes!  Wait, was that his car?  No, false alarm!  His car had a blue roof, not a black one.  What was taking him so long?  After all, I had been waiting all week for him to come get me, why was he making me wait?  One last look, just in case. Was it?  Could it be? Yes, it was his car and he was coming to get me! 

You may be asking yourself to whom I am referring in the above paragraph.  Well, it was my grandfather who had promised to pick me up one Friday afternoon on his way home from work so I could spend the night with him and my grandmother.  Nothing is more exciting to a young boy than a stay at grandma and grandpa's house.  Grandma always cooked my favorite foods and grandpa always shared roasted peanuts or Snickers candy bars with me as we watched the ball game or some TV show he liked to watch.  It was a wonderful time, but waiting for him to pick me up was torture.

We lived on Main Street and from our front yard there was a clear view of the road leading out of town.  You could see for at least a mile to where the road curved out of sight.  On this particular day, I stood at the corner of our front yard eagerly watching that curve.  Every time a white car came around the bend, I got excited.  Grandpa drove a white Buick Regal with a blue top and I was anxiously watching for him. Every white car that came into view elevated my hopes but none of them was his car.  Finally, a white car with a blue top came around the curve and I knew, even from that distance, that it was my granddad and I knew he was coming to get me.

Luke's gospel records a similar story of one family member anxiously waiting for the arrival of another.  However, this story had little to do with a grandson waiting for his grandfather.  Instead, Luke records the well-known story of the Prodigal Son who demanded his inheritance and then squandered it.  When he finally realized what he had done, he determined to return home and work as his father's slave.  Yet, his father desperately searched the horizon each day for his son's return.  He spent hours staring at the distant curve in the road, looking for him.  Daily he would position himself to see that curve in the distance.  At every possible moment, he would stop and search for his son.  Sometimes he believed he saw him, only to have his hopes shattered. At other times, he imagined his son coming up the road toward him, but then he realized it was someone else who resembled his son in appearance only.

But finally, one day, he lifted his eyes and there, on the horizon, he saw a familiar figure coming toward him.  Was it?  Could it be?  Yes, it was!  He ran all the way to meet his son.  The father's reaction is captured by Luke in the following way, "And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him." (Luke 15:20) This father was so happy to have his son home that all his previous actions and wrongdoing were forgotten.  The father received his son again, he loved him, and welcomed him home.

This is the kind of God we serve today.  We have all been in a distant land, squandering the lives God gave us.  We have misused his resources and lived selfishly. Yet, like this father, God stands watch, searching for us.  He scans the horizon; he longingly observes the bend in the road, anxiously anticipating our return.  He never gives up on us, he never loses heart, and he never tires of waiting.  Moreover, when we make that turn in the bend, he sees us from far away.  He runs to us, embraces us, and welcomes us home!  He forgives and forgets our sin, delighted to have us back with him where we belong.  Can you see him searching the horizon today?  Can you hear him say as you round the bend, "Here he comes!"?

An Open Book

W

henever I visit a shopping mall, I just naturally gravitate to certain stores.  I don't even realize I'm headed that way and the next thing I know, there I stand in the middle of the store, wondering how I got there.   Have you ever had this happen to you?  I mean, you just can't help it.  Some people go to the shoe store, some visit a particular clothes shop, some go for the food court, a personal favorite of mine, and still others head for the nearest store selling all kinds of nifty gadgets. However, for me, the store I frequent the most is the bookstore.  I simply cannot visit a mall without going into a store and browsing through the available stacks of books.  Books are one of my greatest loves and I love being surrounded by them.

Before coming to seminary, my brother and I owned our own home.  My room had a great feature that was unique.  I installed a study loft, complete with bookshelves, in my bedroom. An iron ladder led to the loft and I would go up there to escape, to read, to nap, and to think.  I placed all my books there and cataloged them on my computer.  I knew which books I had and on what shelf they resided.  If someone borrowed a book, I knew who had it and my room was incomplete until it was returned.  I can still see those books and their arrangement on the shelves. I took great pride in them and would frequently go to the loft just to be near them.  To ensure the books always remained in my possession, I bought an embosser, personalized with my initials, and embossed all my books, marking each of them as my own, belonging to no one else.

Do you realize that we are to Christ just like those books are to me?  James 1:18 says, "In his goodness he chose to make us his own children by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his choice possession."  Each book on my shelf was there because I wanted it to be and it had its own unique place on the shelf that I had selected for it.  In the same way, we belong to Christ because he wants us.  He knows all there is to know about us and he loves us anyway.  As James says, we are his precious possessions.  Out of all the things he created, Jesus chose to give his life for us, to save us from our sins and to restore us to a proper relationship with God. To make us his own, he shed his blood on Calvary's cross.  When we accept him as our Lord and Savior, he places his mark on us and we become his.  We belong to no one else.  He is aware of us at all times and he has chosen the place of our service, the exact place where we will bring glory to God.

The books that lined the shelves of my study loft had several things in common.  They all had an outside cover, some soft, some hard, some big, some small, some colorful, some bland.  Likewise, they were all composed of pages on which ink had impressed the words of a story.  Each book was different from all the others, yet each book was an integral part of my personal library because it was marked with my personal seal.  This is a perfect picture of the body of Christ.  We are unique, with our own stories to tell.  Some of us are hard, some soft, some colorful, some bland, some big, some small. However, if we have accepted Christ, we carry his seal.  We are his precious possession and we make up his body.

If the pages of your life were opened today and your story read, would there be any indication of Christ's stamp upon your life?  Is your life unmistakably marked with blood of Jesus?  Do the people reading your life know to whom you belong? 

Consider The Lowly Beanstalk

J

ack Putnam was my second grade teacher.  When I came home and informed my grandfather who my teacher would be, he laughed and said he didn’t know who would talk more, me or Jack.  I soon found out that he was right because we both liked to talk.  Problem was, she was the teacher and could talk, and I was the student and had to listen.  On more than one occasion, Mrs. Putnam had to remind me to talk less and listen more. It was a lesson I eventually learned, but long after I left her classroom.

However, there were several lessons I learned from Mrs. Putnam, especially about life.  She loved to have us do projects and they were always meaningful, fun, and interesting.  I distinctly remember one such lesson.  I found myself thinking about it just yesterday and the more I considered it, the more convinced I became that it contained an enlightening perspective on the Christian life.

Mrs. Putnam wanted us to learn about the life process of plants.  We were studying a unit on how plants grow from seeds and she wanted us to experience the process first-hand.  Each student was required to bring one empty baby food jar to class.  We took construction paper and lined the inside of the jars.  A single lima bean was placed between the paper and the glass and the jars received a small amount of water.  The construction paper acted as a blotter to absorb the liquid and give the bean a constant supply of moisture.  We capped the jars, wrote our names on the lids, and placed them on the bookshelf where they received direct sunlight for most of the day.

She promised us that we would see the beans grow a root and sprout a stalk. Now, you can imagine how excited a bunch of second-grade students became over this idea.  We ran to the jars at least four or five times per day to check on the progress of our beans.   However, each observation only served to disappoint us because from our perspective nothing, and I mean nothing, was happening.  But in a few short weeks, the bean sprouts began putting forth a root and not long after they began to sprout a stem.  We were so excited to see this process for ourselves and to learn that growth takes both time and patience.

I have thought long and hard about that class project.  Mrs. Putnam’s goal went far beyond the conventional lesson that seeds produce plants.  Her real lesson was one about life and that it takes time for us to grow and mature into the people we are today.  The same is true for the Christian life as well.  Sometimes during our walk with God, it appears that nothing is happening, that He has forgotten us, or that He is occupied with some other project.  We feel as if we’ve been put in a jar, crammed between the paper and the glass, had water dumped on us, the lid slammed twisted shut, and put on the shelf where we feel neglected and alone.   However, this is far from the truth.

Jesus told a famous story about a mustard seed.  He said, in Matthew 13:31, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants…”  What was Jesus saying here?  What does the Christian walk have in common with a mustard seed?  I think they have several things in common.  First, the mustard seed has great faith.  Although it is small (have you ever seen a mustard seed?  I mean, they are tiny!) it has great potential.  Second, the mustard seed can only mature and become a large tree when it is placed in the ground, covered over with dirt, and seemingly forgotten.  However, throughout its transformation from seed to tree, God is always working.  When it is buried deep in the ground, God is working; making sure the soil has the proper nutrients to nourish the seed.  When the mustard seed is out of sight and seemingly forgotten, God is working; sending the rain on the earth to provide water so the seed will grow.  When the seed is struggling to push through the soil that weighs it down, God is working; providing the sunshine necessary for the plant to grow strong and healthy.

Yes, my dear friend, God is working, always working.  He is working on your behalf today, even though it may seem He is not.  He knows how lonely the road can be sometimes; but He is working; sending people across your path to remind you that you are not forgotten.  God is working, even when you don’t feel His presence, He is working to increase your faith in Him and His ability to take care of you.  God is working!  He is always working, always aware of your circumstances, always concerned about your trials and heartaches, always loving you no matter what your circumstances.  Like the grain of mustard seed, we can’t always see or feel God’s presence, but we know that in due time, we shall emerge from those times of testing much stronger and much greater than we were before them. 

As you walk with God today, thank Him for the work He is doing on you.  No farmer plants a seed without the faith that it will produce a crop more abundant than the seed that he planted.  God has great faith in you today.  He is working so that you will be a greater witness for Him than you could ever have been without the times of testing.

Here Comes The Bride

S

eptember 15, 1990 is a date that I will long remember.  It was the day that my best friend, David, married his long-time sweetheart, Lisa.  Before the wedding, there was a constant bevy of activity as all the preparations were made, checked, rechecked, and confirmed.  Everything had to be perfect.   Lisa's dress was altered and finished, David made sure all the guys had their tuxedos, the wedding invitations were mailed, the music was selected, the cake was ordered, the church was decorated, and all the small details that accompany this important day were attended to. 

Finally, it was time for the rehearsal.  The entire wedding party arrived at the church on time and took their places.  Instructions were given several times until everyone knew exactly what to do, how to do it, and when to do it.  One last walk through confirmed that everyone and everything was correct.  Then entire party then sat down to a meal and shared in the fun, fellowship, and love that always surrounds two people about to be wed.

After the meal, David and I went back to the sanctuary and sat for a while.  Lisa went home to get some much-needed rest and to prepare herself for the following day.  David and I drove around our hometown for a while and talked with each other.  We relived childhood memories, told some jokes, listened to the radio, and then parted company, looking forward to the events the following day would bring.

After all the guests arrived, and after the wedding party was in place, it was time for David to see his bride.  I will never forget the joy on his face and the happiness that filled the sanctuary as these two joined their lives together.  As Lisa made her way down the aisle, David's eyes never left her. His face glowed with happiness and, I think, a great deal of satisfaction and pride.   It is a wonderful experience to watch your best friend take such an important step, especially when you know it is the right one. 

The prophet Isaiah has much to say concerning marriages.  In fact, he compares the relationship God has with his children to the relationship between a groom and his bride.  In verse five of chapter sixty-two, Isaiah writes, "And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,  So shall your God rejoice over you."  Here, Isaiah says straightforwardly that God rejoices over us in the same way that the bridegroom rejoices over his bride.  The bridegroom takes great care in selecting his bride.  He selects her from among all others and promises to forsake everyone else and to be committed solely to her.  He loves no other, thinks of no other, and wants no other.  She is everything to him and he gives himself willingly to her and for her.

What a wonderful image of God's love for us this is.  God has selected us in Jesus to present us to himself as his bride.  He loves no others, he cares for no others, he wants no others, and he is committed to no others besides those who follow him.  We are everything to him, the apple of his eye (Zechariah 2:8).  Instead of nailing a marriage license to the wall, God nailed Jesus to a tree.  Instead of placing a seal on the license, he sealed the marriage contract with the blood of Christ.  He did all this so that we could enjoy perfect union and fellowship with him.  He did all this not because of who we are or what we did but because of who he is and his great love for us.  As the scripture says, "This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins" (John 4:10). Listen very carefully!  From Genesis to Revelation, you can hear the ringing of the wedding bells as God daily declares his love for you!  Won't you say "I do" to him today!!

Martha

B

efore we begin today's tidbit, you need to read the following verse of scripture: "She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he had to say." (Luke 10:39)

 

Martha was a real go-getter. Everyone loved to come to Martha's home because she always served the best food, invited the most interesting people, and always kept an immaculate home. She was one of those people who always made sure everything, every detail, was done to perfection. She and her sister Mary were very close and shared everything together. Martha never entertained without Mary's help and advice on what to serve and what dishes and accouterments should be used.

But today was different! Not only were there several guests who had come for dinner, but Jesus was here. Why of all days, when everything needed to be perfect, would Mary abandon her? The table needed setting, the napkins needed folding, the bread needed to be taken from the oven, and the list went on and on. All the while, where was Mary? She was sitting in the living room talking. Of all the nerve! Just when Martha needed her most, she decided to take the day off!!

Sound familiar? It would be comical if only it weren't so true of every-day life. Let's face it; we all have more than our fair share of Martha in us. We worry constantly about the little details of life for fear of what others will say or think about us. Constantly working, constantly busy, constantly frustrated, but rarely at peace. And just when we can't take any more we lash out at those who are closest to us.

Jesus' reaction to Martha, done in love, was a stinging reproach nonetheless. While Martha was worried about so many things, Mary had chosen the one thing she needed and Jesus said it would not be taken from her. It is my prayer for you today that you will choose the things God has for you. Remember to take time, sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to him. What you learn from him will not be taken from you. Remember what the psalmist wrote: Be STILL and KNOW that I am God! 

Only One Wish

T

he wisdom of older adults never ceases to amaze me.  They can take any situation, any set of circumstances, any of life's challenges and find wonderful and profound life applications.  As I grow older myself, the things my parents and my grandparents told me and the life lessons they tried to teach me at a young age continually affect the way I perceive and understand this thing called life.

A story I heard as a young teacher illustrates this point very well.  A young man and his grandfather went fishing in order to spend some quality time together.  As they continued to cast their lines and reel them in, the young man took the opportunity to ask his grandfather several questions about life.  Inevitably, the young man wanted to know how he could get ahead in life and what it would take to be successful.

The older gentleman dropped his rod and reel and invited his grandson into the water with him.  The young man didn't hesitate but was understandably curious as he entered the water.  What could the old man possibly teach him in the middle of the pond?  As he came near to his grandfather, the older gentleman grabbed his grandson and plunged him under the water.  He held him there, not allowing him to rise to the surface.  The young man didn't struggle at first but as his need for air grew, he began to fight.  Finally, with no regard for his grandfather's safety, the young man wrestled his way to the surface for air.  When he had regained his composure he asked his grandfather why he had held him under the water and refused to let him breathe.  The old man simply smiled at his grandson and asked him what his only thought was while he was under the water.  The young man said that all he could think of and all he wanted was air.  His grandfather told him he would succeed in life when the desire for excellence was as important to him as the desire for air had been while he was under the water.

This is a wonderful lesson and very true.  Focus is the most important thing in any goal.  Without it, failure is assured.  The same is true for us in the Christian life. Our focus must be on Jesus Christ.  He must be our ultimate goal, our ultimate reason for living, and the ultimate desire of our hearts.  In all ways and at all times we must seek to be like him, to follow his example, and to obey his command. 

In John 12:21, a group of Greek men came to Jesus' disciples with a simple, focused request.  John records their words for us, “Sir, we would see Jesus."  In this small statement lies the secret of success for the Christian.  These men had only one wish, only one desire, only one purpose, and only one thought.  With all their hearts and minds they wanted to see Jesus.

Is that the desire of your heart today?  Do you long to see Jesus?  Are you willing to wait patiently and to search diligently until you find him?  Today we will become hungry and we will search for food.  We will grow thirsty and we will search for something to drink.  We will grow tired and we will search for rest.  At our jobs we will seek approval from our bosses, we will seek acceptance from our co-workers, and we will focus on our jobs.  But what about Jesus?  Will we focus on him today?  Can we say with all our hearts that we would see him?  When we desire him as badly as we desire food, water, and air we will find that our walk with God will become more intimate and more meaningful.  When Jesus becomes the sole purpose of our being then, and only then, will we succeed in being what God wants us to be.  What is your one wish today?

What Are You Talking About?

H

e hadn’t meant to say those words.  They had just slipped out in a moment of anger, a brief instant when he had lost his cool and said something he didn’t mean to someone he cared very deeply for.  If he could only take back those sharp, stinging barbs his tongue had launched just seconds before; but it was too late.  They had found their mark, bull’s eye, dead center, right in the heart.  The look on Greg’s face said it all. It was a mixture of disbelief coupled with unbearable agony and betrayal. 

Although he had apologized and Greg had forgiven him, Chuck could still see Greg’s painful expression.  Despite all his efforts he couldn’t get it out of his mind and on more than one occasion in the past 10 years he had replayed that conversation over and over in his mind.  True, he and Greg had been able to get their relationship back on track, but it never seemed to be quite the same from Chuck’s perspective.  Now he was making his way back home to visit Greg; to express his sympathy for the loss of Greg’s father.

“How am I going to face him?” was the only thing Chuck could say to himself.  The entire journey was dominated by this one thought.  The radio was no solace and at night sleep escaped him.  He knew it would be difficult but before he could really express heartfelt sympathy, Chuck had to have Greg’s forgiveness.  There was simply no way around it.

So, when he arrived at Greg’s house, they exchanged pleasantries.  Although Greg had lost his father, he seemed to be his old self, welcoming his friend into his home and was so thankful for his presence during this time.  When Chuck mustered enough courage, he asked to speak with Greg alone for just a few moments.  Greg gladly accommodated him and the two took a stroll in the backyard.  Chuck cut straight to the chase and told Greg how sorry he was about that day so long ago when he blurted out something he shouldn’t have.  Once again, Greg’s face displayed deep emotion.  But instead of pain, this was a look of bewilderment.

Chuck just stared at his friend.  He was totally unprepared for Greg’s response, “What are you talking about?”  Chuck thought this was some kind of cruel joke on Greg’s part.  Surely he remembered that day.  Surely he still felt the pain and the sting Chuck’s words had delivered.  But honestly, Greg didn’t remember.  For the past 10 years Chuck had carried a burden he didn’t need to shoulder and that burden had placed a great distance between him and his best friend.  So, there in the backyard, Greg and Chuck started all over again, renewing their friendship and this time it was better than it had ever been.

Have you ever been in Chuck’s shoes?  Sure, we all have.  In fact, this is the way most of us approach our relationship to God.  We carry around our former sins, mistakes, blunders, and failures.  Although God has forgiven us, we keep dragging them up, reminding him of all the wrongs we have committed.  We can’t get beyond our dirty laundry and we feel obligated to air it every time we come to God in prayer.

But God isn’t interested in our past.  In fact, he has forgotten all about it.  Psalm 103:12 gives us this assurance, “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”  No wonder God has forgotten.  Do you see how far he has removed our sins?  East and west will never meet—not now, not ever.  When we bring up our past God simply says to us, “What are you talking about?”  His forgiveness erases our sins and puts us back in right standing with him.  We can start our relationship with him on sure footing, knowing that he holds nothing against us but opens his arms wide to embrace us.  God wants to move on, to further our relationship with him and to grow closer to us. Let’s not keep him at arm’s length by concentrating on something he has taken off our shoulders.  Honestly, as far as our sins are concerned, God hasn’t a clue as to what we’re talking about!  If he doesn’t care about it, why should we?

Sow What?

F

rom September of 1983 through June of 1984, I lived and studied in the city of Montpellier, located in southern France about three hours east of the Spanish border.  My college strongly encouraged its language majors to study abroad in order to master the language and to understand better the culture and the customs of the people in other countries.  My time abroad provided many opportunities to see things I might not other wise have seen and to experience life in a completely different way.  I also learned many lessons from the people I encountered on a day-to-day basis in Montpellier.  I became well acquainted with several pastry shop owners as well as with the man who delivered the mail and the proprietors of several small cafes in the neighborhood.  All of these people play an integral role in my understanding of French culture and daily living.

However, one of the best experiences I had throughout the year was my weekly visit to the open air market.  Although France is a modern country, some customs still linger.  Visiting the market on a daily basis is one of them.  Due to my study schedule, I could only visit the market on Saturday mornings.  In order to have the best selection of items, I had to arrive early, just as the market opened.  The same vendors faithfully opened their booths and sold everything from fresh flowers to fresh spices.  Everywhere, you could hear merchants calling out prices and advertisements for their goods.  The marketplace filled with people shopping for the perfect ingredients to prepare a scrumptious meal.

In the middle of the market place, occupying a strategic corner, was a lady dressed completely in black.  Every day she came to market, and every day she stood in the same place.  Instead of a variety of items, this woman sold only one thing, garlic!  Each morning, she opened her stand and instantly began calling out to the crowd to come buy her garlic.  "My garlic is fresh and beautiful," she would cry out.  Her voice would carry over the entire place and could be heard by everyone.  It would not have been market without her.  Who knows how many people were touched by this woman's garlic?  How many meals was she part of?  Just how far did her influence go?  All she did was sell garlic, not very important by the world's standards but very important if you are preparing a French meal.

The book of Mark records a similar story.  In one of his most famous parables, Jesus talks about the importance of being faithful to our calling.  In Mark 4:3, Jesus says, “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow."  Most of us will recognize this as the opening line of the parable of the soils.  In this parable Jesus describes the different kinds of soil on which seed falls.  According to the kind of soil, the seed either survives, is carried away, starts to grow but withers, or never takes root.  Indeed, the thrust of the parable addresses the responsibility of the individual believer to prepare his or her heart to receive the seed of God's word.

But there is also something else in this parable, I believe, which merits attention.  Notice how Jesus begins his parable.  The sower went out to sow!  That is all he did.  His job was to sow the seed, to make sure it had every opportunity to take root and produce a crop.  This farmer would have broadcast the seed, throwing it by the handful in every direction to ensure a crop. He would sow a large amount of seed, knowing that some of it would never produce.  However, because he believed that a crop would be produced, he sowed his seed.

This farmer didn't have the latest technological marvel to ensure all his seed would yield a harvest.  He just sowed his seed.  He had no guarantee that any of the seed would mature.  But he sowed his seed.  He did not count the number of seeds he had and calculate an exact amount of return for his labor.  He just sowed his seed.  This farmer had no assurance of financial gain from this crop.  He just sowed his seed.  Lastly, he could not know how many people, if any, would benefit from his actions that day.  Still, he sowed his seed.

Is there a better picture of faithfulness than this farmer?  Without exact figures, without an economic forecast, without any soil analysis, without any guarantee of success, this farmer just did what he knew to do, sow seed.  When Jesus calls us to work along side him, he calls us to sow seed.  Like this farmer, we are to sow the seed of God's word in every direction.  We are to use all our strength and industry to plant his word in the fields around us, trusting and believing it will produce a harvest, even though we may never see it. 

As Jesus told this parable, I believe he observed a farmer in the distance.  He used that example to teach a simple but all important truth to those listening to him.  The farmer is not responsible for making the seed grow, that is God's responsibility.  When the farmer does his job of sowing, there is every possibility the seed will take root and grow.  However, if the farmer shirks his responsibility, the chances of a successful crop are zero.  The only action required of the farmer in this process is to sow his seed, trusting God to produce the harvest.  Are you sowing your seed today?  Are you trusting God to produce a harvest? Are you being faithful in the place where God has called you?  Have a wonderful day!

I Appreciate You

W

hen I was a small boy, my father impressed upon me the importance of affirming and valuing people.  He taught me always to shake people's hands and to introduce myself to them.  Furthermore, at the end of any conversation, he taught me to shake their hands again and to tell them I appreciated them.  Now, as a little tike, the word "appreciate" posed a bit of a problem.  The word was clearly bigger than I was and I had no idea what it meant.  I only knew that it was important to my dad and that meant it was important to me.

Only later did I fully understand the great lesson he was impressing upon me at such a young age.   I was in college when it finally dawned on me exactly what my dad had taught me.  College, you know, is the time when parents suddenly become extremely intelligent and their IQ levels increase astronomically overnight. 

Appreciate means to "increase in value."  Wow!  What an incredible lesson he had given me so many years earlier.  Essentially, what my dad was telling me was that people increase in value as you tell them and show them you value them.  That means I actually play a role in increasing the value of another person.  Things, like cars, tend to depreciate, or lose their value, over time.  However, people increase in value over the course of a lifetime.

This lesson has a solid biblical foundation.  Today's scripture is short but it demonstrates in a very real way this idea of appreciating people.  2 Samuel 9:11b reads, "And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly with David, as though he were one of his own sons."  So, what does this have to do with valuing a person, you ask?  Well let's take a quick look at this man, named Mphibosheth.

Mephibosheth's father was Jonathan, the best friend of King David.  Before his death, Jonathan made a pact with David, asking David to care for his family.  When David became king, he asked if there were any of Jonathan's descendants still living.  He learned of Mephibosheth, who lived in Lo-debar, a town meaning "not a pasture."  David sent for Mephibosheth.  Mephibosheth was reluctant to see the king because he probably feared David would kill him and because had been dropped at a young age and was crippled in both feet.  Instead, David provided for Mephibosheth, bringing him to the palace to live, restoring all his lands, and having him dine at the king's table.

Here, we have a small snapshot of the plan of salvation.  Before Christ's death, we were the enemies of God.  We were imperfect, crippled, and ashamed to approach God's throne. Just as Mephibosheth was marred because of his relation to King Saul, we were marred because of our relationship to sin. Because of his relationship to Jonathan, King David looked favorably upon Mephibosheth and raised him from a lowly position to one of prominence.  He took a man who had no hope, who lived in a barren land, who was lame and ashamed, and raised him to a place equal with his own sons.  What a great representation of what God did for us.  Because of Christ, we sit in heavenly places now.  We have all of God's promises and resources at our disposal because we are joint heirs with Christ. What a wonderful, glorious truth this is!

So, today, as you go about your busy schedule, remember to tell someone you appreciate him or her.  Raise his or her value today and as you do, recall that God appreciates you.  Your value to him is beyond measure!!

There When You Need It

D

uring the American Revolutionary War of 1776, a certain group of soldiers earned the title "Minute Men" because of their ability and willingness to be ready at a minute's notice to protect and defend their communities against enemy attacks.  No matter their location, these men could be equipped and ready for battle as soon as the word was given.

The town of Kings Mountain, in North Carolina, is the sight of a battle fought during the Revolutionary War.  The town is located just a few miles from my hometown of Cherryville and it provides the subject of today's tidbit.  In 1976, the United States celebrated two hundred years of independence.  Towns and communities all over the country planned celebrations in order to commemorate the bicentennial.  Kings Mountain was no exception, especially since it was the sight of a Revolutionary War battle.  Nothing was ignored during the town's preparations; even the fire hydrants received special attention.  They were painted to resemble little soldiers dressed in either British or American war uniforms.

As I rode through Kings Mountain one afternoon with my dad, I remember being captivated by the fire hydrants.  These little sentinels stood guard over street corners, intersections, and alley ways, protecting homes, businesses, and churches.  In the event of a fire, these little guys had to be ready at a moment's notice to douse the flames threatening not only buildings, but people’s lives as well.  Although mostly overlooked on a daily basis, whenever they were needed, they were always ready, providing protection and assistance any time of the day or night.

In Psalm 46:1 we are given a vivid picture of God's readiness to help us in our times of need.  Unlike the Minute Men soldiers, though, God is always present when we need help.  We don't have to send for him, we don't have to dispatch a letter to headquarters requesting his assistance, and we don't have to wait for his arrival.  Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” The psalmist recognizes three great truths in this passage of scripture.  The first is that there will be trouble in life.  So often, I encounter people who believe that once they become a Christian, life's problems are over.  Nothing could be farther from the truth!  Jesus promised us that we would have trials in this world.  Serving God does not mean the absence of difficulties but it means we have the strength to go through them.

The second truth is that our strength and protection is in God.  A person calls for help because he/she doesn't have the capacity to avoid danger.  Help always comes from someone else, from outside ourselves and the Christian's ONLY source of strength is God.  God also protects us by providing a safe haven for us to run to in times of difficulty.  We hide in his strength and depend on him to supply all our needs.  The very fact we can't supply things for ourselves underlines our NEED for God.

The third and last truth is that God is ever present.  We do not serve a God who is light years away.  We don't have to send a letter, and we never have to leave a message on his answering machine.  On the contrary, God is as close to us as the beating of our hearts.  He is always present, always near, always beside us no matter how difficult or how joyous the circumstances surrounding us.  His promise was never to leave us nor forsake us.  For this promise to be true, God must be always present with us, just like the psalmist stated thousands of years ago.

The next time you drive down a city street, notice the number of fire hydrants you pass.  They are placed at set intervals to provide protection when danger rears its head.  They are always present, ever ready to fight the danger of fire and to prevent it from getting out of control.  Their sole purpose is to provide enough water to destroy a fire before it has the opportunity itself to be destructive.

This is what the psalmist was trying to communicate to us.  All along the road of life, God has placed his protection at our disposal.  It is always there; ready to put out the flames of temptation, the flames of trials, the flames of emotional and spiritual despair, and the flames of suffering. His supply of strength and protection for his children is never depleted and he can be called upon at a moment's notice to help us in the most difficult and challenging of circumstances.  So, the next time you pass a lowly fire hydrant, remember God's promise to be a constant and ever present source of strength and help for us.  He is there when you need him, and you need him every moment of the day!