“Why, God? Why?”

By Gillis Killam –

In meeting with some of my not-yet Believer friends, the conversation inevitably turns to some horrible crime that was committed, or some accident that claimed the lives of young people who still had their lives ahead of them.

Theirs are questions we all have; but it is interesting how people blame God in difficult times when they have never before acknowledged Him. In their anxiety, they look for other answers only to find that no one can answer the questions to their satisfaction.

If one doesn’t believe the Bible, then there is no answer. However, the Bible gives many answers and, of course, there are things known only to God. The scripture says, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV).

So we don’t know all the answers to why tragedies happen. In His wisdom He has kept some things from us; but we do know that God has a design for every life and it is our responsibility to discover what He wants us to be and do. It is not for us to question the Creator, for He is from eternity and we are in time where everything in this life comes to an end. He sees time and its ultimate outcome from His view, not from our limited reality. We can’t understand why a godly person dies and a wicked person lives out his life span. Isaiah gives one answer that I think applies to all.

“The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death” (Isaiah 57:1-2 NIV).

The wise man in Ecclesiastes said this after surveying the things we can’t fathom, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NIV).

Prayer: O God, I don’t know why there are tragedies in life, but I do know that You know best.

Living a Life that Counts

By Gillis Killam –

Recently my sister passed away. Rhoda was the youngest of my three sisters. My wife and I traveled to Atlantic Canada for her memorial. I knew I would be giving a tribute to her, but found out later that I was also to lead the service and bring the sermon. I had been away from where she lived for many years, and although we visited from time to time, there wasn’t the connection I would like to have had.

She was not a well-known person outside of her family, friends and neighbors. By the world’s estimation she had no great accomplishments, nor was she considered a famous person; but she lived for what really counted in life. She lived for her family and they were there at her death-bed before she went home to be with her Lord. She had poured her life into those that God had given her; but I didn’t realize the profound impact she had on her neighbors and friends down through the years. One after another, people came to me and told me of her gentle care and love of helping others.

The life that counts is one that lives and cares in practical ways for others. This is what people will remember. It’s what our family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, friends and neighbors remember. The things she learned from Mom and Dad she passed on to the next generation.

Solomon wrote to his son: “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck” (Proverbs 1:8-9 NIV).

As I listened to the tributes to my sister given by her son and a granddaughter, I thought of these words, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (Proverbs 31:28 NIV).

QUOTE: “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:21).

Prayer: O God, Help me to be a good and faithful servant honoring You and helping others. AMEN

What Takes Your Breath Away?

By Peter Lundell –

What takes your breath away? For some of us that’s what defines the best of life.

Recently the snow was great in the mountains north of LA. I had to go. When I downhill ski, I gravitate toward two things. One is to go to the steepest, most ungroomed, most obstacle-covered slope and make my way down. The other is to crouch on a gradual descent toward a steep drop- off, where I can’t see anything beyond the ledge, and then fly over it in an OMG! instant as the slope appears beneath me.

Some people may suggest counseling, but enthusiasts know it’s stuff like that that keeps us from needing counseling.

When we have to give 100 percent focus to something—otherwise we court disaster—it has a liberating effect. We’re momentarily freed, as if suspended, from every other care in the world. And after the adrenaline rush, we can return to the world and its cares with renewed freshness.

Similarly, a stunning view can take our breath away. It encompasses us and demands 100 percent of our focus just because of its magnificence. And we are momentarily freed, suspended from cares. Renewed.

The same can happen when we fall in love. Or encounter God. Or even listen to the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

We live so much of our lives doing routine things, and we’d probably die of overload if we didn’t. Though “normal” and “routine” keep us sane day by day, they need to be invaded once in a while, lest we grow comatose.

So, what takes your breath away? What makes you stop and say, “Wow!”?

In 1 Timothy 6:17, Paul says that God “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (NIV) Are you enjoying what God gives you? I hope you say, “Wow!”

Prayer: “Father of my life and all good things, show me Your glory in this life I live. Open my eyes, my ears, and all my senses to be always alert to the ways You may amaze me. Lead me to live above the mundane, with eternity in my heart, and in tune with the glory of creation all around me.”

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world…” (Psalm 19:1–4 NIV).

Feed My Sheep

By Susan Dollyhigh –

The gravel crunched under my tires as I drove into the parking lot of the old, white-frame cottage. I parked my car and entered the homeless shelter where a motley crew of men, women, and children were waiting for me to lead them in Bible study. This group had been at the shelter for a couple of months, and I had gotten to know them well.

We spent time in God’s Word, and right after we closed in prayer, a local church dropped off a donation of four large pizzas. And pizza is a treat at the homeless shelter.

“Please stay and eat with us!” Lisa said.

I’d already distributed goody bags to everyone, packed my bag, and was ready to go out the door. And honestly, I couldn’t stand the thought of taking even one slice of their pizza.

“Thank- you, but I’d better go home,” I said.

“Oh, come on. We have plenty!” Lisa said.

Another resident chimed in, “Yes, please stay!”

I knew they appreciated the small goody bags I brought each week, and could sense they were excited to be able to offer something to me in return.

“Oh…okay,” I said.

Lisa grabbed the pizza boxes and hurried out to the back porch where she placed them on a rickety, old table. An eclectic mix of chairs was gathered, and Lisa pulled out the one at the head of the table, “You sit here, Ms. Susie.”

I soon realized I was the guest of honor as the residents scurried around…taking care of me. One of the children proudly set a Coke before me, and Lisa placed pizza on a paper plate, insisting I be served first. Everyone soon settled down and began eating, but their joy over sharing a meal with me was apparent as we talked, and laughed, and ate pizza together on the back porch. My heart soon felt full to the point of overflowing by the love lavished on me by my homeless friends.

Three times Jesus asked Peter, who had claimed to love Jesus more than the other disciples, if he truly loved Him. Each time Peter answered yes and Jesus response was, “feed my lambs”, “ take care of my sheep”, and “feed my sheep.”

I’d come to care for those living at the shelter, but what a blessing I would have denied both the residents and myself, had I not allowed them the opportunity to care for me.

Prayer: Father, thank- you for the opportunities You give us to “take care of Your sheep.” Thank-you for blessing our hearts in such wonderful ways. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Bible Verse: “The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep’ ” (John 21:17 NIV).

A Child’s Perspective

By Michelle Lim –

Some days it is difficult to accept the changes in our lives. We look around for someone to blame, or complain that the world is different. But really, change can also be a sign of growing. What used to feel right is suddenly not.

My son Micah is the most amazing child. I know, I’m mom, but he is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! He takes on life with tenacity, always living on the boundaries. No matter what happens, he embraces each moment.

One day when Micah was four years old, he taught me something so important about Godly perspective in life.

Micah is all arms and legs. I call him forty pounds of wonderful, because he is still so thin at age eight. Despite how thin he is, he grows at an amazing rate. Shoes are a six month change at best. One moment his shoes fit perfectly. The next, his toes are pushing through the leather.

On this sunny summer day we were headed to the park. My kids all had their shoes on except for Micah.

Micah crammed his feet into those shoes like a pro, but they were pinched tight. He looked up at me as seriously as possible and said, “Mom, my shoes have outgrown me.”

He still says that today when it is time for him to change shoes, or clothes because of another growth spurt. It could be a devastating ‘I’m getting too big for all of the things I love.’

Not for Micah.

For him it is all about those shoes not being ready to be part of the journey he is going on. He chooses to view life with a joyful perspective. All is well with him. It is the shoes that are having trouble.

Do we look at life with a Godly perspective? Or do we focus on the negative side of the things around us?

In 2 Corinthians Paul talks about keeping a Godly perspective when things may not be going our way. We aren’t to lose heart, because eternal glory outweighs it all.

Has your life outgrown you?

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV).

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