Between a Rock and a Hard Place

By Elaine James –

Have you ever been between a rock and a hard place? You know, when you’re faced with a choice between two unsatisfactory options. Aron Ralston was trapped in Blue John Canyon desert in Utah where he was forced to amputate his own right arm with a dull multi-tool in order to free himself after his arm became trapped by a boulder. His choice was to die or lose his arm. What an unbelievable story.

My rock and hard place is pale compared to what Aron suffered. Yet, I quickly get emotional about decisions. Thoughts monopolize my day. I try to self-talk myself into not thinking about my circumstances. I get stuck. It becomes a challenge I ask “How can I stop thinking of this?” I pray, then pray, then pray.

One day this scripture was my consolation “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD For the display of his splendor” (Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV).

Jesus’ M.O. gives me perspective and it becomes my M.O. Next I read, “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the LORD rises to shine on you” (Isaiah 60:1 NLT) and “At the right time, I, the LORD, will make it happen” (Isaiah 60:22 NLT).

When I read the words “The Lord, will make it happen”, I felt assured that some outcome will happen. I just have to wait. What will I do while I wait? I start by praying and reading scripture then I do whatever comes next…my laundry, cleaning out a closet and so on…

“It’s going to be okay, hang in there!” That’s what I wish someone would say to me, instead of “just wait.” My dilemma is 8 years in the running. Joseph’s was over 20. Abraham’s was over 90. What do you do when you are between a rock and a hard place?

PRAYER: Lord as I wait on You for answers to prayer help guard my heart and mind. You live in me and anointed me. Heal me and send me as the Father has sent You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

What’s in a Name?

By Susan Dollyhigh –  

Words sung by our hearts at times are like the lyrics from a 1980’s song that says we sometimes want to go where everybody knows our name. Those words are especially true when that place is Mount Airy, better known as Mayberry. Mount Airy is Andy Griffith’s hometown, and the setting for The Andy Griffith Show. A few years back another Mount Airy native, Ken Lowe, who is the founder of HGTV, returned home to Mount Airy for a visit. When interviewed, Ken told reporters he was glad to be back where he was called Kenny.

I totally related to Kenny’s feelings. When I moved back home to Mount Airy, after being away for sixteen years, it felt good to be back where everybody knew my name, and my heart warmed to be around people who know me as Susie.

Even though Susan is the name on my birth certificate, social security card, and driver’s license, I soon realized, at the heart of my being – I am Susie. I found that “Susie” cuts through the years, and reminds me of who’s important in my life. I share a special relationship with those who know me as Susie.

Even though the Bible tells us that God created the heavens and the earth, and everything that has life, including man, at the heart of His being – God is Father. I’ve found that “Father” cuts through all that life has brought my way, trying to separate me from Him. Even when I’ve forgotten about Him, or turned my back on Him, my Father has always welcomed me back with open arms. At a time in my life when I lost everything except my Father, I found He is truly all I need. He comforted me through many long, sleepless nights, provided for my every need, and healed my heart when I felt it was shattered and beyond repair. I share a special relationship with my Father.

Do you know God as your Father? He longs to have a special relationship with you. Our Father wants this world to be a place where everybody knows His name.

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father…’” (Matthew 6:9 NIV).

Prayer: Our Father, thank You for being not only our Creator, Sustainer, and Deliverer, but also our Father who loves us, and knows us by our name. In Jesus name, Amen.

The Accuser

By Cheri Cowell –

I don’t know about you, but I carry an invisible person around with me. No one else can see her, but I know she’s there. Most of the time she is silent, but her voice, even when not audible, is loud and clear to me. Sometimes she can go for weeks without speaking, and at times I almost forget she’s there. Then, when I least expect it, she speaks in a cruel, accusing tone, almost in a whisper, but she might as well be shouting for all the world to hear. She is my accuser. Jesus knew her.

On this day as Jesus sat in the place of authority in the Temple, she’d been brought before him. Her sins were great. Everyone knew what she’d done, but no one knew more than she. Although the men who stood ready to stone her for her sins were visible, her accusers—her memories—were always with her. When one by one the accusers left, unable to stand in Jesus’ presence with the stones of judgment in their hands, there was another less visible who was also banished. Jesus’ question, “Where are your accusers?” was meant to show the woman (and us) that in light of His forgiveness, even the accusers we carry with us have no place to hide. Their voices are silenced.

The next time your accuser rears his or her ugly head inside of your mind, remind that voice that you belong to Jesus and see how fast your accuser flees.

“Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” (John 8:10 NIV).

PRAYER: Jesus, I hear you asking, “Where are your accusers?” and when I look around I see both the visible and invisible have no voice. Help me to accept that I have been truly forgiven.

Jesus Walked by My House Today

By Charlotte Riegel –

I was working in my yard, tending the flowers. A young man walked by on the sidewalk out front of my house and I noticed it was Jesus. He did not look my way so I chose not to greet him, though I pondered for some time what I might have said if I had spoken to Jesus.

“Hi Jesus! How are you today?”

He might have replied, “Fine. And you? Your flowers look lovely.”

“Thank you,” my response.

Trivial stuff. He was obviously on a mission and oddly enough, I did not feel particularly communicative.

It’s peculiar living in a theatre arts community with professional actors/actresses as neighbors and friends. The young man is playing the character of Jesus in this summer’s Canadian Badlands Passion Play. He did indeed walk by my house today and we do often chit-chat as friends.

I wonder how Jesus spoke with people when he was out and about in the community. I suspect there was plenty of trivial chit-chat, but I also ponder how He might have gotten past the trivial and down to the heart of where people were. For instance Zacchaeus, or the woman at the well.

Prayer: God, forgive me in my forgetfulness that You really do walk past my house, in ALL the people, not just the character in this play. I desire to be faithful to minister to You through them as You give me opportunity.

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:37-40 NIV).

Rethinking Routine

By Cindy Martin –

Just like the end of the school year brings relief from our often overcrowded schedules, back to school can be a welcome friend, ushering us back into regular routines.

I relished the thought of summer break as all the year-end wind-ups had gotten me a little wound up! I had visions of all the rest I would enjoy as well as all the things I would get accomplished. In my head it made so much sense… but as the summer has played out, I’ve discovered that routine is both my friend and my foe.

Structure is great but so is flexibility. Good habits are foundational but emotional freedom is equally essential. As with most things, any strength carried to an extreme becomes a weakness. It can be an intense struggle to not let the form get in the way of the function. This has been especially true in my quiet time with God. Routine provides the time, structure and habit that serve me well in the spiritual disciplines I believe God has called me to. Yet, as it’s been interrupted, I’ve seen routine become my foe. I’ve experienced what it’s like to value my routine over my relationship with God. At times, it’s caused me to become disgruntled, cranky and sometimes just plain spiritually rebellious. Not exactly the spiritual oasis I had anticipated.

As the inner turmoil in my spirit flashes and flares from time to time, God has lovingly but firmly spoken the truth of His word into me:

“These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote” (Isaiah 29:13 NLT).

“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT).

On my spiritual journey this summer I have encountered what we have often encountered on our family vacations – road construction! I have detoured through self-sufficiency, taken the wrong exit of excuses and argued with my Navigator about the best route to take. Yet, when I have stopped to let my Savior recalculate the direction of my spirit, I have experienced what my head knows but my heart forgot – an intimate relationship with Him stems from the flawlessness of His character, not mine.

Prayer: “Lord, remind me often that all my righteousness is as filthy rags. Create a thirst in my spirit that longs for You more than it longs to fulfill a routine.”

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NIV).

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