A Heart of Praise

By Rachel Indihar –

Many of us have heard extraordinary stories of Christians. These are not the stories about Mr. and Mrs. Smith, who have two children (a boy and a girl), work successful 9-to-5 jobs, and attend church on Sunday mornings. Those stories are not inspiring because they remind us of our own lives!

The stories that truly encourage us are the real-life stories about Christians who risk their lives for their beliefs, live in the power of the Holy Spirit, and share the Gospel with hundreds (if not thousands) of people.

The problem is that many of us have believed that these stories are rare. They happen every 50 to 100 years to one person in one particular country. When we have this perception, we lose our passion for Christ and conform to the “Mr. and Mrs. Smiths” that the secular world requires us to be. How do we gain the passion and enthusiasm for Jesus Christ that people like Corrie Ten Boom, Billy Graham, and Hudson Taylor have possessed?

The secret may surprise you: It all has to do with praise. Not the typical “praise and worship” pop songs we hear on the radio that we like to sing along to, but praise as in I’m-consumed-with-the-Holy-Spirit, I-will-die-for-Christ, Christ-is-my-everything type of praise!

When we are filled with the spirit of praise, a miraculous thing happens: we stop focusing on ourselves! I’m convinced that the biggest hindrance in our Christian growth is an obsessive focus on ourselves. OUR needs, OUR time, OUR talents and interests. We want to praise God WHILE getting what we want in this life. Our selfish interests and ambitions have to die in order to fully gain Christ. When we stop focusing on ourselves, OUR desires become GOD’S desires!

The next time you are consumed by negative emotions, such as anger, envy, depression, or anxiety, instead of trying to “talk yourself out of” that emotion, try switching your thoughts entirely to God and praise Him for all of His blessings in your life. If you are struggling to create a list of blessings, you are forgetting that the greatest blessing is Jesus Christ Himself, who is all we need in this life and in the life to come.

“I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strength you…so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me…I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things” (Isaiah 45:5-7 NIV).

Bunny Trails Worth Following

By Hally Franz –

The garnet and the carnation are the gemstone and flower, respectively, which are typically associated with the month of January. Born in the ‘60’s, I remember, too, that most folks born in January fall under the zodiac sign of Capricorn, but about one third are born under Aquarius. I did my sixth-grade term paper on the subject.

I wondered this morning how long the poinsettias that I purchased during the holiday season will last into the new year. I bought three, one each of the pink, white and red varieties. Then, I wondered what flower might represent January. A quick search gave me the information I sought, but revealed that the poinsettia is not, in fact, the standard December flower. A few sites identify the narcissus plant as such. That doesn’t seem right, given the fact that narcissus relatives daffodil and jonquil are recognized in March. Besides, who likes that name?

Any question we have can be asked online, and probably most have been at one time or another. It’s amazing how much time can be absorbed (wasted) in the pursuit of information that is largely pointless. Unless I happen to become a jeweler or horticulturist, my morning revelations probably won’t do much for me.

I have a love-hate relationship with social media and technology. The vast amounts of information available, the opportunities for sharing and connecting, the business opportunities—all are amazing benefits of all these “time-saving” tools that we now have at our disposal. However, how much time is saved, and how much is lost when we get caught up in online searches, discussions and mere musings?

And, how often do we dig into our paper and virtual Bibles with the same reckless abandon of time to hunt down answers and connect? As we begin a new year, most of us trying to do and be better, let’s consider our use of time. There are no better connections to make than the one we make with our Lord, no information more precious than what we learn from His word.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to wisely use the time I am granted. Lead me to, and help me maintain focus on, endeavors that serve others and glorify You in this new year.

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV).

Dead or Alive

By Charlotte Riegel –

You’ve met them, people who are more alive than most. Almost too much energy sometimes. Cheerful, chatty, eyes sparkling, and seemingly dancing even when standing or sitting still.

My friend’s father, George, was like that, even at 80. He had been in a nursing home but very restless and unhappy; finding the facility stifling and confining. After communicating with the various staff at the home about ways to make George’s life more pleasant for him, yet not seeing him relax and settle in, Esther decided to take her father to her home for a while.

This was not an ideal setting. She and her teenaged daughter lived in a very small basement suite with two little bedrooms and another room that served as kitchen, dining, and living room. There was hardly room for the two residents to occupy the same space and now there were three.

George was a tall man but not heavily built. He loved his new digs even though he slept on the sofa in the living room. Esther delighted to see him dancing with his granddaughter around their living quarters, both laughing hysterically. They went everywhere together and he loved the freedom of this new living arrangements.

Esther was a devout Christian and although her father acknowledged there was a God, paid Him little heed. Now he chose to attend church with her. When he died somewhat suddenly just weeks after committing his life to following the ways of his daughter’s God, Esther grieved, and yet rejoiced at these last few months they had together, knowing they would meet again in Heaven.

At the funeral, I couldn’t help but think of George’s life as having been lived like river water caught in a cup. When running free it gurgles and sings, tumbling happily between the banks, but in a cup it looks lifeless, even while giving life to others. And now, George was free from the confines of his earthly body, free to dance and sing, and fly.

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18 NIV).

Quote: “Thou art not dead! Thou art the whole of life that quickens in the sod.” Charles Hanson

The Holiday Letter

By Judy Davis –

I enjoy sending Christmas cards each year to family and friends. In each card I place a carefully written letter of love. This newsletter lets them know what all we did in the year.

Starting out I wish everyone a Merry Christmas. This year I mentioned how my husband and I both turned 70 on our birthdays and how we seemed to have celebrated all year.
My daughter and I went to New York City for a few days and had a great time shopping at Macys, eating delicious food, riding the subway, and seeing the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and the Memorial at ground zero.

My husband and I went to Disney World in November with our son and his family (our three youngest grandsons). What a wonderful time to visit as the weather was beautiful and all the bright Christmas decorations were in every park. We also celebrated our 47th wedding anniversary during the year.

Before I finished the letter the doctor had found a spot on my husband’s lung and he had to have a needle biopsy. He had a set back as his lung collapsed and he had to stay in the hospital for a week. A few days after the biopsy, the doctor walked into his room grinning and said “Looks like you have a guardian angel sitting on your shoulder. Your biopsy came back and shows no cancer.” We both were so happy to hear this good news. It was an infection and being treated with antibiotics. I added this good report to my letter.

It’s always nice to hear from our family and friends especially during the holidays. As I closed I shared that we were praying the New Year is a year of even greater things! At the bottom of my stationery I noticed the following words were written in bold “Good news of great joy for all people” with a tiny picture of a manger with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.

PRAYER: Father, we humble ourselves under your mighty hand for we have seen a miracle not only in my husband’s life, but the greatest miracle is Jesus Christ, the Son of God who lives in our hearts.

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people’” (Luke 2:10 NIV).

2014 Resolutions

By Carin LeRoy –

I’m not good at New Year’s resolutions. Taking off those extra pounds, exercising five times each week, or getting up at 5:30 a.m. each day are resolutions that will get lost in my own excuses. Instead, I’ve learned that self-discipline and moderation are spiritual goals that need adjustments in my own life.

When we consider resolutions, let’s think about some spiritual goals for 2014. I’m sure God is not as worried about the few extra pounds we might carry as He is about our desire for more self-discipline in our lives. Where does our heart lie in our relationship with Him? It is easy to let our heart drift from the goals and desires that God may have for us. The world and its pleasures can creep in and take precedence unless we are diligent to examine ourselves spiritually.

What do we cling to in life, or what has a hold on us? Is it comfort, financial stability or prestige? Do we long for pleasure and entertainment? Do we focus on having the latest gadget or clothing style? What desires do we have that are without worth in view of eternity? Many goals seem good, but can still carry us away from God’s priorities.

The prophet Jonah reminds us that it is easy to lose sight of God’s goals and go our own way. The transparency of his heart is evident as we read his story. His obstinance in running from God and his fear to obey God’s command and go to Nineveh is apparent. We see Jonah’s selfishness and resentment against a people God wanted to reach. His walking away from God’s direct command is shocking. With a change of heart he declared, “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them” (Jonah 2:8 NIV).
Anything that takes precedence over God is an idol, and we all have them. As David did, let us pray to God, “Examine me, and probe my thoughts! Test me, and know my concerns! See if there is any idolatrous tendency in me, and lead me in the reliable ancient path” (Psalm 139: 23-24 NET). Let’s ponder our New Year’s resolutions in view of a God who passionately loves us and desires our love and obedience in return.
PRAYER: Thank you for your love and faithfulness and for another year to serve You. Help me, Lord, to see where You desire change in my life. Show me what eternal values to invest in this year, and help me to evaluate where I should place my priorities.

“But carefully obey the commands and instructions Moses the Lord’s servant gave you. Love the Lord your God, follow all his instructions, obey his commands, be loyal to him, and serve him with all your heart and being” (Joshua 22:5 NET).

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