In The Shade of the Family Tree

By Cindy Martin –

Like many of you, my summer vacation included attending a family reunion. In fact, this seemed to be the year for reunions so I attended a few. Amidst the individuality of each of them, two recurring themes emerged – family legacy and the value of belonging.

I am always amazed that even though we as family members may not have seen each other for months or even years, there is a bond of love and acceptance that exists just because we’re part of that particular family. We’re members. We go to the reunion because we belong there. We belong, not because of anything we have done or will do, but by virtue of our last name (or our mother’s maiden name). There is something very anchoring about belonging. It creates a sense of security and stability as well as helps to clarify our identity.

Notable at each of the reunions was that fact that there were folks that had been unofficially “adopted” into each of the families. Their name may not occupy a branch on the family tree yet they belonged – not by virtue of their last name but by the place they had found in the family’s collective heart.

This is such a poignant example to me of our place in God’s family as believers. We belong because God calls us His (we have His last name as it were) and we have a place in His heart.
My husband and I are blessed to be part of families where unconditional love, acceptance and a desire to have fun together are part of our heritage. Without question, that legacy has been handed down by those who not only loved us, but loved God as well. Historically, we have not only shared the same last name but also the same faith. As the family continues to grow, I feel challenged to steward our spiritual legacy well. I am mindful that our faith is the foundation on which our expressions of love and connection are built. Without it, there is little of lasting value to pass along to the current and future “buds” on the family tree.

“Let me rejoice in the joy of your people; let me praise you with those who are your heritage” (Psalm 106:5 NLT).

“Lord, thank You that You created families and a sense of belonging as a reflection of Your heart for us as Your people. May all who come behind us find us faithful.”

Sheila’s Faith

By Judy Davis –

“Our attitude as a saint to sorrow and difficulty is not to ask that they may be prevented, but to ask that I may preserve the self God created me to be through every fire of sorrow.” Oswald Chambers

Sheila had been a nurse when diagnosed with aggressive hepatitis. Through the years of suffering, she continued to shine with the love of Jesus Christ. And on the morning she went home to be with her Lord, it was as if a light had burned out. She had gone to her heavenly home-no more tears, no more pain. Sheila was finally set free from the suffering that had been such a part of her life. Her sister softly stated, “Everyone grieves when they lose a loved one but we feel like we lost an angel.”

Her neighbor said, “Sheila was one-of-a-kind. She had a certain flair. Her walk, her talk, even the way she batted her eyes were in her own inimitable style. She was unlike any other person; completely charming and one-of-a-kind; fun loving and playful. A wisp of a girl, Sheila was beautiful, with big expressive eyes that lit up her entire face. But more than the beauty of her face was the sweetness of her heart.”

During the holidays Sheila’s church was involved in sending “shoeboxes” full of needy supplies to Bosnia. Even though she was barely able to carry her own weight, it did not stop her from getting her sister to drive her all over town so she could fill her “shoeboxes.”

There were times in her last few years when her pain was unbearable. She would lay in bed listening to Christian music while holding her hands up toward Heaven. This would ease some of the pain. The love the sisters had for one another had shown throughout their lives. Sheila’s sister mentioned, “One of the symptoms of liver failure is forgetfulness. I’ll never forget her calling, waking me up in the early morning crying, ‘I can’t remember the Lord’s Prayer.’ I assured her that God remembers her and I said a prayer for her. The next day, she wanted to get out of the house, so we went to the grocery store. As we were riding, we recited the Lord’s Prayer together. Sheila passed away soon after.”

Her pastor shared a part of the eulogy: “Sheila fought the fight of faith as a valiant soldier. She was always smiling and refused to give in to adversity. The peace of God that passes all understanding was upon her countenance, even though her condition was desperate she never complained and if someone had a problem, she was more concerned for them than herself. She was always doing something to make others feel better. If asked how she was feeling, she would say, ‘I’m fine,’ even though her condition was serious.”

Heavenly Father,
We praise you from whom all blessings flow. We know heaven is rejoicing for a warrior has gone home.

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 NIV).

Your Spiritual Checkup

By Cheri Cowell –

I often went with my mother-in-law to her doctor appointments. Every doctor’s office staff does the same things: checks blood pressure, weight, prescriptions list, and inquires of the reason for the visit.

For those who are older, such as my mother-in-law, a few other things are added to the list of checkup questions: “How are you sleeping? Are you depressed? Are your feet swelling? Do you have any questions?”

It made me think, “I wish God had a list of questions for my spiritual check-up.”

The Corinthian church was acting like a wayward child, and in his second letter Paul was writing to let them know they had better straighten out before he got there or else… In chapter 13 verse 5 he tells them how to begin the process. He instructs them to look inward. To test themselves to see if what is inside is that which is showing outside. To take this test and if they find themselves lacking, do something about it! Verse 7 not only tells the Corinthians what do, Paul demonstrates it. He prays for them.

Verses 7-10 are referred to as Paul’s prayer. He prays that if anything is lacking in them that it not be counted against them but against him. Paul took his concerns to God, the Great Physician, who can do more to heal our infirmities than any prescription ever could.

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down” (2 Corinthians 13:5-10 NIV).

Who is the Boss?

By Gillis Killam –

Where we live now we have the privilege of seeing our two little granddaughters, ages 3 and 5, every day. They are such a delight to us. One day we were chatting together and I asked them who they thought was the boss in their family. One confidently said, “Daddy is boss!” the other said, triumphantly, pointing to the sky, “No, God is the boss!”

It made me wonder “Who is really the boss in my life?” Many of us would say that God is the authority in our lives but really we act like we are the boss ourselves. I need to ask myself: Is He Lord of my finances? Is He Lord of my business? Is He Lord of my marriage? Is He Lord of all? Do I daily ask God for direction in all my decisions, or do I go ahead and do just what I think?

The truth is we who are followers of Jesus should have given up being the boss of our lives because they are not our own. We were bought by the blood of Christ and therefore should glorify and honor God in our bodies.

Paul said, “I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central… Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that” (Galatians 2:20 MSG).

Another way to say God is boss is to say, “He is LORD of our lives.” When we become Christians we confess that he is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Romans 10:9-10). When we are baptised we do so to show others that we have buried the old life and we have risen to walk in this new life where Jesus is Lord. (Romans. 6:4).

My granddaughter was quick to let me know that God is boss in our lives. It is best that He is boss because He knows the future as well as the past and present. It is much better to trust our lives, our futures, our finances, our families, and our marriages to the one who loves us and gave Himself for us.

Prayer: Forgive me Lord for acting like I am boss of my life. Take my life and let it be Yours. AMEN

Gloomaway

By Elaine James –

“And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty” (Isaiah 6:3-5 NIV).

The realization. The admission. Recognition. What a time in Isaiah’s life. Reading this verse brought to me the memory of when I dealt with how unclean I was. It was a somewhat gloomy time when I came to grips with my sin, but learned to rejoice.

You’re probably wondering how. Think about it! Awareness is the beginning stage of healing. In Isaiah 6:10, the Lord expounds, “They might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed” (NIV). I found physical and mental healing.

At one point I just became determined to rid myself of my whole history of sin and confess it to God. I asked God to reveal to me my sins of the past and present. Be careful, if you choose to ask. Be sure you mean it because God is faithful to do it. Not because He is a mean God. Quite the contrary! He loves the intimacy!

God began to reveal even the smallest of sins. An example was when I was driving and merged into another lane. The driver in the car behind me made a nasty gesture. I stopped and thought “I am guilty of that same sin.” Remorse touched my soul, and instead of raging back at the person, I saw my own sin.

The revelation of my sin continued for weeks. My journal was getting full. I cried. I felt as if I was in the accelerated program called “Advanced Admission of Sins.” Well thank goodness there was absolution. It is called forgiveness, and I graciously accepted it. Ahhh- Grace! The thing I did not deserve. I was getting to know God, there was more room in my heart for Him. He does not spare grace. No! He pours it out. It overflows from my head to my toes.

What does all this mean? I rejoice now, knowing forgiveness! I try to extend that same forgiveness to others. I pray now for those who wrong me or even when I see someone do something wrong. I pray that they will discover the same truth about grace. I learned to hate the sin not the sinner.

There is a body lotion called “Gloomaway.” The product name is cute. I like to use it. It is refreshing. God’s my true “Gloomaway.” After I spend time with Him, I always feel as if He soothed my soul.

Prayer: Father thank You for Your forgiveness. Your love is amazing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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