The Bucket List

By Hally Franz –

 

I suppose it was the 2007 movie, The Bucket List, starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman that encouraged people to begin making lists of all the must-do activities they hope to accomplish before passing from this world. It is a neat idea. I haven’t spent a lot of time on mine, but I did add one particular goal to it just the other day.

It’s something that seems unachievable for me, but I know this CAN be done. I have tried several times without even one success, and I am now more determined than ever.

Here it is… I commit myself to at least once successfully executing and completing a purchase at the self-checkout line in the grocery store. I think I am a moderately intelligent person, but this process eludes me thus far.

Each time I attempt a transaction, which, admittedly, I’ve been cautiously reluctant to do, I fail to get it done without having to recruit help from a nearby cashier. My errors include: placing items in the wrong spot during scanning, bagging in an incorrect manner, failing to scan properly, and messing up the payment process. Basically, there have been issues at every step along the way.

Perhaps it is my fear that makes me fumble at the self-checkout. Or, maybe it is my hurried state when I get there. So, going forward I will boldly and calmly approach the do-it-yourself lane. And, I WILL do this undoable thing!

I’m so happy we don’t have to achieve self-service salvation. Thankfully, we have church leaders who counsel us along the way, Christian brothers and sisters who offer their support, the ultimate instruction guide in His holy word, and His listening ear when our challenges overwhelm us. There is no shame in seeking help; in fact, it is encouraged. Combine these with a fearless attitude and a patient heart, and success and salvation are there for those who seek Him.

What a blessing for those who may find this eternally important task half as challenging as self-checkout lines.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to be an ally for those who seek the truth in Your word, and help me to regain my confidence when my Christian walk falters.

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4 KJV).

The Power in the Promise

By Hally Franz –

 

As a veteran 4-H parent and leader, I am a member of our county’s 4-H council, which meets about six times each year. We discuss the activities of the dozen or so 4-H clubs around the rural county in which I live, the annual county fair, the distribution of available 4-H funds, and other local 4-H matters.

At our last meeting, an issue came up for a vote. When the council president asked for those in favor to say “aye,” everyone in the group did just that – everyone, except me. The issue in question was of a financial nature, and I suppose I lean in favor of prudence and fairness. I considered the proposed expenditure to be something that would be a slippery slope for future spending, and, at the same time, one that we would be unable to honor in coming years.

So, when our leader asked if there were any “nays,” I made no sound but sheepishly raised my hand in opposition. Of course, I knew I was outvoted, but the almost-unfailingly honest side of me was compelled to express my solo vote.

There were at most fifty people in attendance at this meeting. I am acquainted with or friends with about one third of them, and there were less than five complete strangers in the group. I knew I wouldn’t be lynched, tarred and feathered, or kicked out. And yet, I was a little nervous about being the only one with a dissenting point of view.

So, I have to wonder… How would I handle a question about my faith in a group of atheists? Further, would I have the strength to stand up for my Lord and Savior even when doing so could be dangerous? And, would I have the courage to express my loyalty to Jesus Christ when it might mean my life? It’s a question many of us have pondered.

I pray that my honesty would be greater and my “vote” in favor of my Heavenly Father bolder than what I demonstrated at the recent council meeting. And, I find comfort in the words Jesus gave His disciples in Matthew.  Though my confidence in myself may be shaky, my confidence in His promises is not!

PRAYER: Most Righteous Heavenly Father, help me to always stand up for You, whether I am surrounded by Christian brothers and sisters, or alone in a crowd.

“When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour” (Matthew 10:19 ESV).

 

Start Spreading the News!

By Hally Franz –

The 8th Annual Walk for Missions was introduced yesterday at my daughter’s school. The kick-off assembly included a student drama depicting how to properly solicit sponsors, a rousing song with dance moves led by students, the reveal of prizes for most laps and most money, and, most importantly, an explanation of the six mission projects the children will walk for.

Among them were an individual and one family serving in mission fields around the world, an inner-city center serving impoverished families while sharing the gospel, a Christian camp for deaf youth, a team of youth bettering communities each summer, and a large disaster relief effort. What a wonderful list of serving endeavors! What wonderful ways to glorify Him!

Last night, when I attended my home church’s Wednesday evening Bible class, we began a new study on how to share the gospel with others. Many won’t ever serve as missionaries in remote parts of the world, but we can certainly work to win souls in our own backyard. However, that is easier said than done.

Our leader spoke about the challenges of introducing the topic of salvation to others. She discussed the fears we have about conversations like this. She pointed out the importance of timing and having a relationship with the other person first. And, she reminded us we should be prepared when we broach a topic that may well have eternal ramifications. We are to plant a seed that will hopefully grow into a life-long faith, and we are to do it in the best possible way.

We are a culture hungry for information. We take dance lessons and exercise classes. People sit through full-day courses on how to use self-defense and hunting weapons safely. We attend lectures and author talks. We seek information about nutrition, self-sufficiency, crafts, and an infinite list of other subjects. But, how often do we sit and learn how to share with others the most important information that exists?

In our Bible class, we’re going to be taught where to go to find answers for specific questions a new believer may have. We’re going to learn to field questions that may distract from the immediate issue of salvation. And, we’re going to be given the tools to be effective witnesses.

I am happy my daughter will learn about missionaries serving abroad; I’m grateful for instruction on how I can be one here at home.

PRAYER: Almighty God, give me courage and wisdom to be an effective missionary for You. Help me to recognize and seize opportunities to tell others, and help me to do so as prescribed in Your word.

“The one who plants and the one who waters have the same purpose. And each one will be rewarded for his own work” (1 Corinthians 3:8 ERV).

Lions and Lambs

By Hally Franz –

By all accounts this winter has been a rough one, so it’s nice to finally make it to March. Though spring has not arrived yet, if the old saying holds true, this month will go out like a lamb after coming in like a lion.

Those two creatures, lions and lambs, provide perfect pictures to represent fierce, ferociously cold winter days and the gentle, sweet warmth of spring. With regard to weather and animals, both visuals signal with utter clarity an attitude or mood, and very real behavior and actions that accompany it. Both are appreciated and necessary at times, together providing balance and complementing one another.

In our faith, we typically strive to exhibit the softer spirit of the lamb. We want to be Christ-like in our interactions with others, because we hope our behavior will honor Him and draw others to Him. It seems unnatural to take on the lion’s personality. However, there are times for lion behavior as well.

When defending our Christian beliefs, standing up for Biblical truths, fighting forces of evil – none are better than the lion to be the champion of faith. Jesus behaved like the lion when he drove the merchants and money-changers from the temple. He knew what was needed in that moment, just as He did in all His lamb moments as well.

Both the lamb and the lion demonstrate love, but they do so in different ways. Whether we are talking about faith, parenting or weather, there is a place for both. They may seem like polar opposites, but neither is as special without the other.

PRAYER: Gracious and Giving Father, help me to identify those times when the spirit of the lamb will serve You best, and help me to recognize when only the strength of the lion will do.
“And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise” (John 2:15-16 KJV).

School Supplies and Snowstorms

By Hally Franz –

Second semester of school is underway, and my sixteen-year-old sophomore has begun looking for a part-time job. He feels comfortable with driving now, so we’ve decided a job would be a good thing for him as the weather warms into spring. Hence, there is a new teaching opportunity. I am explaining how to approach a potential employer, fill out an application, and exhibit the skills and traits employers desire in their employees.

While many applications are online, there is still some of the paper-pencil variety. Thank goodness for Wite-Out supplies. I prefer correction fluid over tape, so as my son muddles through the tedious application forms, he has occasional errors that need to be “erased” or painted over. These tools do a good job of concealing the sloppy writing or wrong information so the correction can be in its place. However, a random shadow sometimes bleeds through, and the new writing may betray the error underneath. It’s as good as we can get.

Here in my hometown, we have been pummeled with ten inches of snow today, which ranks as quite a big snow for this area. Though it is an inconvenience, people always comment on the beauty of snows like this. Brown, dead grass and floral remnants are covered over. Ruts made in sloppy yards by new drivers are unseen. Dog toys and clutter is buried. An unsoiled glistening carpet resurfaces dreary yards with a brilliant white. When the snow melts or is sullied by tracks and machines, though, that perfect white layer is spoiled.

When Jesus washes our sins away, along with the mistakes, sloppiness, dirt and grime of our lives, we are made clean—white as snow. The old is eradicated leaving no trace of what existed before. We are made new in Him. More life-changing than a handy tool, more beautiful than a fleeting landscape, is the transformation He provides through salvation.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of salvation, for forgiveness of sins, for the promise of eternity, and for the joy found in being one of Your children.

“That is why we never give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day” (2 Corinthians 4:16 ERV).

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