Playing it Safe, Sharing our Faith

By Hally Franz –

Michael Buble over The Biebs, tennis shoes over 7-inch heels, and book-club evenings over a night at the “clubs”—these preferences surely brand me a 40-something mom. I own it and am proud of it.

The thing I enjoy most about book-club gatherings is discovering differences present in our cohesive little group. While often we agree on a selection, I love times when we see things differently. When two or three of us find a main character whiny and self-absorbed, and others admire her process of self-discovery, it makes for lively conversation. If a few see the plot twist as being known by the book’s hero, but the rest feel he was as equally in the dark as we, that’s fun debate.

It’s a joy to get to know people who don’t always think like we do. I appreciate friends with interests, outlooks and personalities unlike mine. I can learn from them. But, how often do we really step out of our comfort zone?

While I enjoy the perspectives presented in book club, we are all very alike at the core. If we weren’t, we’d never have come together as a body. We all have groups in our lives. There are work-related groups, extended family groups, school-related groups, parent groups, faith groups and others. Perhaps of all those group types as a whole, I most closely align in thought and attitude with my church family. There is great safety among my brothers and sisters in Christ.

So, what expectations does God have for us to connect with those different from us? People of other cultures, near and in faraway places? Folks with opposing political views and faiths?

This is a confusing issue for me. I’d love to have a cut-and-dried rule on this, but, as with many questions we face, I think it boils down to observing an imaginary line.

Christians should take some risks to bring God’s word to people in other places and of other minds. We should be courageous enough to interact with those we might not normally, in the hopes of showing and sharing our faith with them. For me, the line may be the point at which interaction or association would further a sinful activity, or foster an ungodly belief.

More importantly, what would He do? Would Jesus observe any type of line? It’s a difficult question. How do you answer it?

PRAYER: Almighty God, when I’m faced with tough questions of faith, guide me to Your word and the example of Christ Jesus for answers, so that I may further Your kingdom and fulfill my role in it.

“I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know” (Psalm 40:9 NKJV).

Buffalo Flies and Bunnies

By Hally Franz –

Summer 2013 has generally been a cool, wet season in the mid-west. While my husband and I do not farm, we are smack-dab in the middle of farm country. And, I empathize with those who supply America’s food. One year is insanely dry; the next is damp. One year hay is in short supply, and the next it is plentiful, but cannot be harvested because the ground is too wet. That pretty much covers my knowledge of farming. Except this—due to this year’s climate, buffalo gnats have been horrible.

I’ve heard tales of ruthless buffalo gnats. They’re from the Simuliidae family and also called black flies. They can suck blood, cut human skin, cause allergic reactions, itch, cause swelling, and kill livestock and poultry. It has been a real challenge for those with animals to adequately protect them. Some 4-H youth even lost animals they planned to show at the county fair. The internet describes a variety of commercial and homemade solutions that may help attract (and trap) or repel these annoying creatures.

Closer to town, my son has a small garden in our yard, and he tells me he can’t keep rabbits out of his vegetables. I regularly ask if his harvest will actually yield something to eat, but he assures me the cotton-tailed rodents are terrorizing his plants. My mother supports her grandson’s claim. He has used marigolds in years past to repel rabbits from his garden. Though, he contends they become accustomed to the smell, and the flowers are no longer effective.

Wouldn’t it be comforting to have a fool-proof formula or technique for keeping bad influences, evil people, sin and hate away? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a wall of protection around us, so we could not fall victim to the world? If we could buy or make that in a spray, who would not choose to?

Unfortunately, that magic mix or method does not exist. We must rely on our self-discipline, wisdom, discernment, prayer and God’s protection when faced with everyday conflicts of conscience. We must continue along doing our best to fight the enemy knowing that it won’t always work and there will be losses.

Take heart, though, struggling farmers and the faithful. When we fight battles against those who oppose us, we learn. We learn how to fend off bothersome buffalo flies and hungry rabbits. And, we grow stronger in faith.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, provide me wisdom, so I will recognize and run from evil influences in the world and in my life. Through Your word, help me to teach my children to do the same.

“Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice wicked works With men who work iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies” (Psalm 141:4 NKJV).

Grandma’s Little Helper

By Cheri Cowell –

I expected it every time I visited my grandmother, she was either preparing a meal to take to someone in need, or she was putting “one away” for when she would hear of an illness or death in a friend’s family. I loved being grandma’s little helper in the kitchen as she prepared these meals. I learned a lot of lessons, some about cooking, but most were about life. As we cooked together she would talk about the needs of the person we were cooking for and how she always received more than she gave. Sometimes I would have the privilege of riding along with her to deliver her homemade “stoup” (soup that was so thick it almost qualified as stew), or her yummy chicken broccoli casserole. It was in the doorways as we delivered these dishes that I witnessed what it really looked like to practice hospitality.

Paul is explaining in this passage in his letter to the Roman church how to function as a body. He precedes this lesson on practical love by explaining that each of us is gifted in a unique way so that together we might serve others in God’s love. He ends this section by explaining that in order to practice true hospitality, we must first understand what true love means. Hospitality is, therefore, an outgrowth of mature love. My grandmother knew this and practiced what Paul preached.

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:9-13 ESV).

PRAYER: Thank You, God, for the gifts I have been given. Help me to share them. Give me new opportunities to practice hospitality, to practice love.

Cliff Jumping and Water Walking

By Makenzie Allen –

Heart in my mouth, I look at the hills covered with shaggy pine trees then down at the swimmers who’d already jumped into water below the cliff. I’d just had a conversation with my cousin. “Without muscles we’d die, even our heart is a muscle,” he said. Instead of muscle, my heart feels like a mini roller coaster at a tacky carnival. I suck air through my clenched teeth and sentimentally gaze at the landscape before me, and then force my eyes downward. Just as I’m coercing my heart to vacate my throat and return to its rightful place in the circulatory system, I think of faith. Could I have enough faith to hear the Lord and jump because I know it’s a cliff I must overcome? My commanding muscle, the brain, finally takes control and forces my legs into action. Fear leaves the pit of my stomach as my feet leave the rocky ledge.

For a brief moment, I feel like I’m never going to land. The air tugs at my hair and leaves my body feeling oddly suspended. Then, in an instant, I am embraced by the cool water and let my body float in its depths. Excitement shivers through me as I relive the feeling of falling. Then I swim towards the glassy surface and breathe in the fresh smell of the woods surrounding.

Before I jumped, my cousin had been trying to decide whether to jump. Something he said made me smile with its conciseness. “There are just too many worries.” There were worries when I stood on the cliff, and there are worries now, as I sit and write. But there don’t have to be.

I know this is a time of the Lord growing my faith. I believe in Him with my entire heart, but I’m still trying to learn to place my whole life in His hands. Like Peter, he knew Jesus was waiting for him as he walked on the water, but Peter was too afraid of the howling winds he had to cross through to get to Jesus. I am afraid of the things that block my path to Him, and I don’t want that fear to cause me to sink. I’m so thankful the Lord doesn’t give up on me in my weakness, but rather teaches me how to overcome these stormy trials.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” John 14:27 (KJV).

I can picture it in my mind, Jesus speaking those words, holding out His arms, and waiting for me across the expanse of raging waters. That’s where I’m at, walking on water towards my Lord. All that’s left to do is accept the peace He brings and dwell under the shadow of His wings.

Settle for Good-Miss the Best

By Kathi Woodall –

Three p.m. I turned into the parking lot of my daughter’s home school group and drove to my spot at the end of the pick-up line. As I waited, more vehicles lined up behind mine while other parents walked out of the building having already retrieved their children. One particular mom exited with her two small children. As she walked toward her car, I realized I would block her in.

Moments ticked by as I alternated my attention between watching her buckle her two little ones into car seats and watching for the assistant director to come out of the building with her walkie-talkie and start the car line moving. Would the line move in time for me to pull my car forward before the mom was ready to make her exit? She buckled in one child. No sign of the assistant director. As she strapped in the second child, the assistant director appeared and started speaking children’s names into her walkie-talkie. The line slowly crept into action; I should be able to move out of the way soon.

The timing was perfect as the mom opened her own door and sat down while I gently let off the brake to allow my car to pull forward. I watched in my rear-view mirror to see if the lady behind me would wait for the mom to back out of her parking spot. I shook my head as I watched her pull forward without a moment’s hesitation. Busily texting on her cell phone, she was oblivious to the plight of the mom with the two small children waiting to exit her parking spot.

I immediately thought of myself. I often focus so intently on one activity that I am insensible to the needs of those around me or to God calling me in a new direction.

The mom behind me did nothing wrong; she may have had a good reason to text. Likewise, several times I find myself doing good things–lunch with a friend, teach a Bible study, write a new book. I’m comfortable with these things; they are an easy place to stay focused. However, God sometimes calls me to something else for a moment–visit a sick relative, start a new study group, help a friend at work. The original object of my attention may have been valid, but it wasn’t the best that God had for me at that time.

I don’t want to focus so much on the good that I miss out on the best. I don’t want to be so used to the ordinary that I am oblivious to the extraordinary. I don’t want to be satisfied with anthills of ministry when God is calling me to move mountains.

“O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them. You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. I finally understand — you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Then I said, ‘Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart’” Psalm 40:5-8.

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