One Father by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 19, 2022 by jrcoggins

In Mark 3:20-35, when Jesus’ “mother and brothers” came to see Him, Jesus apparently refused to see them. In speaking to the crowd in Mark 3:34, Jesus said that His mother and brothers are those who do God’s will. In Mark 3:35, Jesus also mentioned “sisters.”

Jesus did not use words carelessly. It is interesting that Jesus mentioned mothers, sisters, and brothers but not fathers. One supposes that this may have been because Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph, had apparently already died and was no longer around. But sisters were not there either, and yet Jesus mentioned them.

Jesus did not mention fathers because fathers have authority. By grace, we may be Jesus’ brothers and sisters, but we cannot be His father. He has authority over us. We do not have authority over Him. Jesus said, “Do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.” (Matthew 23:9)

Jesus seems to have used Capernaum on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee as His home base (Mark 1:21; 2:1). Interestingly, that is where Peter and Andrew lived (Mark 1:29-30). Jesus had just called the fisherman James and John and Peter and Andrew to follow Him, so they may all have been from the same town. John 1:44 suggests that Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town that Peter and Andrew were from. Bethsaida (which means “house of fishing”) was a few miles farther east along the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is possible that Peter and Andrew grew up in Bethsaida and then moved to the larger city of Capernaum (or, less likely, vice versa).  

Of the women who followed Jesus, Mark 15:40 and 16:1 name two Marys and Salome. Matthew 27:56 names two Marys and “the mother of Zebedee’s sons.” John 19:25 names two Marys, Mary the mother of Jesus, and His mother’s sister. If we assume that Salome is the mother of Zebedee’s sons and also Jesus’ mother’s sister, that could make James and John first cousins of Jesus. It might explain why they were so ready to follow Him and why they thought they were entitled to sit at His right and left hands (be second and third in power in Jesus’ Kingdom, Mark 10:35-45). This might explain why Jesus settled in Capernaum, the home of His cousins. This is not impossible. After all, John the Baptist was also a relative. But there were many women who followed Jesus, and the identification mentioned above is not certain.

The bottom line is that bloodlines do not bring anyone into God’s Kingdom, but they do not keep anyone out either.

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Who Do I Work For? by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Nancy J. Farrier
Photo by Xan Griffin on Unsplash

Last week a sweet friend asked me to do a favor for her. Her husband died of cancer and she asked me to play the piano and lead the singing for the hymn during his funeral service. I didn’t hesitate to agree, but after agreeing doubts crept in.

Although I play on the worship team, that’s much different than being the sole person on the stage. When I’m by myself, my hands shake and I lose focus. My voice hasn’t been very reliable lately, and it’s been a while since I’ve led any worship. 

I thought about asking someone to play and sing with me, but I wanted to honor my friend’s wishes. On this most difficult of days, I wanted her to be comforted by the song as she’d requested it done.

As I practiced, I prayed but my voice didn’t always cooperate. By the day of the service, I was more than a little nervous. I asked people to pray for me. When we did the sound check, my voice forgot to show up and quavered pitifully. Of course, that didn’t help the nerves at all. 

I went to the back of the room by the sound booth, and prayed. Prayed hard. I wanted to glorify God. This wasn’t about me, or even about my friend, but about lifting up God for people to see.

“Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 (NKJV)

A few weeks ago, when I read this verse, I remember thinking it applied to my writing and to many areas. But while I waited for that service to start, I realized committing my work of leading this song to the Lord applied right now, as it did in every area of my life. 

And it applies to all of us every day.

Everything we do must be committed to God. We shouldn’t be doing a task for our glory or even just for our pleasure. Whatever we do should be for the glory of God.

That is sometimes a hard concept. We tend to say, “But, what about me?” However, I’ve found that when I do even the smallest things for God, I derive great pleasure from that act. Much greater satisfaction than if I did it for myself alone. 

Serving God every day in all we do is the best way to live. And He blesses us beyond measure when we put Him first.

When I walked up on the stage and prepared to play and sing that song, God stepped up in a big way. I remember playing the first chords and singing the first note, but don’t remember much more. My voice was there. My fingers played the notes. But it was God getting the glory and ministering to my friend and all the people. 

Each day we need to determine to commit our work to God, even if that work seems inconsequential or trivial—something we can handle. Let Him establish our thoughts and our works.

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)

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Who, What and How? by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 13, 2022 by jrcoggins

Who are Frank Epperson and Harry Burt, what did they each invent, and how did it have a direct impact on my life?

In 1905 in Oakland, California, an 11-year-old boy named Frank Epperson was on his front porch stirring a powdered drink. He was called away and left the drink outside. When he returned the next morning, he discovered the drink had frozen solid, with the stir stick still in it. He had inadvertently created a now well-known frozen treat. When Frank grew up, he made the treats for his children. He called them Epp-icicles or Epsicles, after his last name. However, his children preferred to call them after the name by which they knew their father, their “Pop.” In the 1920s, Frank quit his job and set up a company to manufacture and sell his frozen treats.

Around the same time, in Youngstown, Ohio, Harry Burt was trying to make ice cream treats. He discovered that if he dipped ice cream bars in chocolate, they would hold their shape better, they would melt more slowly, and they would be protected from contamination and be less likely to spoil. However, his children complained that they were very messy to eat. Since his background was in candy, Harry inserted a lollipop stick into the ice cream. He began selling his ice cream on a stick. He then invented the ice cream truck, the first food truck. Because people were cautious about eating food from a truck, he painted the trucks white and dressed the drivers in white uniforms. He said that eating these treats would put people in a “Good Humor.” He even painted that on the side of his trucks.

Harry Burt acquired a US patent for the design of his frozen treats. He would sue anyone who tried to copy the technology but then make a deal with them to become franchisees, continuing to make the treats but paying a royalty to him.

Frank Epperson also had a patent for his frozen treat technology, and the two companies sued each other in court. In order to avoid legal costs, Epperson’s partners made a deal with Burt to become Good Humor franchisees, pulling the company out from under Epperson. Epperson sold his patent and went on to invent other things. Eventually, Good Humor gained control of Popsicle.

In the summer of 1968, my sister Mary (in whose steps I often followed) went to work for a company called J.B. Jackson Ltd. In Simcoe, Ontario. The next summer, I joined her there. Under licence, J.B. Jackson manufactured Good Humor ice cream products and popsicles. We worked there for several summers, wearing white uniforms. The money we earned paid for a large part of our university education. Without that education, I would not have been able to do many of the things I have done or written many of the things I have written.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).

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We’re All Just Walking Each Other Home

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Author Mary Alford

Home. The meaning of that word is different for everyone.

For some, home is a place where we feel the safest. Our little sanctuary in a world filled with uncertainty. To others, home is the place where we grew up. A place that no longer exists except in our hearts and in our memories.

But for Christians, home has an entirely different meaning. We are strangers here on planet earth and we struggle to fit in.  

In the old hymn, This World is Not My Home, the first verse says, This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue;

The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,

And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

This world isn’t our home. Our true home that we long for is in Heaven.

Philippians 3:20-21 says, But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.     

As we walk each other through days that are becoming increasingly darker, we know one day we will be at home in Heaven with our father and those who have gone on before us.

What a homecoming our first day in Heaven will be.

Until then, Jesus called us to be His light to a world caught up in sin’s darkness. For it is His desire that none should perish but all to come to repentance.  

So, let’s keep working on reaching those who are lost. and rest in the Bible’s promises that one day God will wipe away every tear that we cry.

Revelation 21:4 says, And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 All the best…

Mary Alford

www.maryalford.net

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We Have a Choice by Bridget A. Thomas

Posted on July 7, 2022 by Bridget

Not too long ago I was at the grocery store and I dealt with a cashier who wasn’t very friendly. While this was just one brief encounter, the situation left me feeling discouraged. Mainly because this is something we are seeing more and more of in our world. Overall, people are becoming more rude and less kind. This was heavy on my heart as I pushed my shopping cart out to my vehicle.

But along that path while I was in the parking lot, God put something on my heart. He helped me to see that no matter how other people act I can still act with kindness.

We have a choice. And ultimately we are only responsible for my own actions.

As Christians we are called to spread the love and light of Jesus to those around us. And one way we can do that is by being kind. Even when others are not kind to us. We have a choice. I admit it’s not always easy, but it is possible. Thankfully we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us, and we can rely on the strength of the Lord to help us in difficult situations.

One of my favorite Bible verses that I remind myself of often is Proverbs 15:1: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (NIV)

With the Lord’s help we can give a gentle answer, even when someone else gives us a harsh word. And perhaps when others see our actions, this will nudge their hearts to be kind as well.

However, I do want to mention one important thing to remember. Sometimes we are tempted to correct those around us, but we have to tread lightly in these situations. First we must remember that we are not perfect and likely have fallen short in this area too. So we are not in a place to judge those around us. Although I admit it can be so easy to do!

The Bible does tell us that as Christians, we should help restore our brothers and sisters in Christ who are living in sin. (See Galatians 6:1, 1 Timothy 5:20, and James 5:19-20.)

And we are called to encourage and edify others.

  • Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
  • Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. – Ephesians 4:29 NIV

But we do have to be careful when it comes to correcting someone’s behavior. Not everyone will accept our guidance. Especially if it is not someone we know. There was one occasion when I was entering the grocery store and I saw a vehicle stop to speak to a lady walking on the sidewalk. I assume something went down earlier that I was not privy to, because the person in the vehicle told the other lady that she was rude…. And I will just say that you don’t want to know what the lady’s reply was.

I don’t know either of those people, and I don’t know if either would call themselves a Christian. But I can tell you that for those of us who are Christians – we have the Holy Spirit to help us in these sticky situations. If we seek His wisdom, He will tell us when we should speak up and what we should say.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:5 NIV

Sadly in our society we will see a lot of cold-hearted attitudes. It can be all too easy to fall into the same behaviors, if we are not careful. But we don’t have to. Day by day, we can cling tightly to the Lord. When we abide in Jesus, the fruit of the Spirit will naturally flow in our lives.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. – John 15:4-5 NKJV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Ultimately, something I am reminding of myself lately, especially as I encounter unkind people in this world, is that we have a choice on how we will act. Even when others are rude to us, we can choose to be kind. We can draw our strength from the Lord as we press forward, and allow the love of Jesus to shine through.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32 ESV

Thank you for reading!

Image by Adam Nemeroff on unsplash.com

© 2022 Bridget A. Thomas

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The Legacy We Leave by Julie Arduini

Posted on July 6, 2022 by juliearduini

How’s summer going for you so far? I released Anchored Hearts, our daughter graduated, my husband just returned from his annual family golf tournament, and this week we visited our son in his new apartment. In less than a month, he will be a married man. A fun but busy time for sure.

During our visit, I noticed he had a menu board where he wrote what each night’s dinner would be. I smiled, because for a month, he’s there basically making meals for himself. But, it’s tradition. At our house, we have a white board where we write out the meal each day, as well as our schedule.

Looking at that menu board made me think of my choices. Silly as a white board is, knowing he followed suit with a menu board showed me he was watching. Both kids were, and are.

Today I received a message from a family member who showed me a quilt my mom made. The member had a room decorated and wanted to show the quilt. It’s the showpiece of the room. Mom spent so much time on those quilts. Each one was unique and every aspect was thought of just for that person. My response was every time I’m in Wisconsin, our oldest daughter has her quilt from my mom on her couch.

My mom shared that as the youngest child by a decade and then some, she grew up basically an orphan. Her mom passed away when she was seven. She didn’t receive instructions or wisdom from adults when she married and had us. She raised us the best she could.

There is a lot I questioned or disagreed with in her parenting, but this I never doubted, her love for us.

Those quilts are tangible evidence of her love.

With everything going on around us, it’s very evident we aren’t promised tomorrow. We never know when our last breath would be. What I do know, is we leave it all behind. What will it be? Tradition and structure like the menu board? Love spoken through heirlooms like quilts?

How about eternal life?

My kids will certainly attest that I haven’t been a perfect parent. But when my husband asked how I was doing emotionally now that our son has moved, I said I know a lot of moms fall apart over it, but not me. I poured everything I had into him and his sister. Those kids know I don’t just believe in God, I believe God. They are literal miracles because I believed Jesus and that He heals. Our house knows prayer changes thing and worship is key. He’s ready to face the world.

When our daughter is faced with worldly choices, she stands firm and explains her answer. It’s always the same.

Jesus.

That’s the true legacy I want to leave. Not how much in an account or a beloved Christmas decoration passed down. Not even the quilts, and I love those. It’s making sure my kids know who Jesus is, and His Word. That He is the way, the truth, and life. That’s legacy.

—Julie Arduini

If you’d like to know more, reach out to any one of us here at Christians Read.

What legacy do you plan to leave?

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Jesus and His Family by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 5, 2022 by jrcoggins

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, His earthly family, His mother and brothers, did not accept Him as the Messiah. At one point, they even thought He was insane and tried to take Him into care (Mark 3:21). But this does not mean that Jesus’ family were enemies of Jesus in the end.

After all, after Jesus’ death, Mary found refuge in the home of John the Apostle (John 19:26-27). Why she did so rather than living with her other sons is not known. After the resurrection, Jesus apparently appeared to His brother James (1 Corinthians 15:7), and James became a leader of the early Christian church (Acts 15:13) and wrote one book of the New Testament. His other brother Jude might also have become a follower (Jude 1:1), and it is said His brothers (Acts 1:14) were part of the early church, although that need not imply that all of the brothers became believers.

Therefore, it is not known when Mary and Jesus’ brothers came to believe in Jesus. Perhaps it was after the resurrection when Jesus appeared to James (but apparently not to Mary). Perhaps it was when Mary heard John’s account of the resurrection. Perhaps it was earlier. We just don’t know.

God has no grandchildren. Being related to Jesus or to other Christians is no guarantee that one will be a follower of Jesus. But it is no barrier to following Jesus either. 

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Celebrate Our Country by Tara Randel

Posted on July 4, 2022 by tararandel

Happy July 4th! Hope you are enjoying the long weekend.

Today I’m grateful to live in a county where I am free. Where I can worship God without fear of reprisal for my beliefs. I believe God has His hand on America, regardless of how each individual looks at their lives. There are many who pray daily for this country, many who speak out for the Lord. We are children of God above all else and I will boldly proclaim my relationship with Jesus each and every day.

I am also an American. I appreciate the sacrifices many before me made in order that I may live in this free country. We have a rich history of men and women who answered the call to service in the military and the government, both local and national. We may not all agree on every topic, but we all live in a great county.

So, as you barbecue or picnic in one of our wonderful national parks, go out on a boat, enjoy the beach or hike trails in the beautiful mountains, from sea to shining sea, we are all of one mind today; thankful that we live in the United States of America.

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Look for her next Harlequin Heartwarming romance, His Small Town Dream, available August 2022 . For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter.

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The Singer and the Song by James R. Coggins

Posted on June 29, 2022 by jrcoggins

What is the connection between singers and the songs they sing? Phrased another way, do singers take responsibility for the songs they sing?

What I have in mind is the singers who sing songs with messages such as these:

• “My girlfriend left me, so I’m going to kill myself.”

• “I am great all by myself.”

• “I’m going to get revenge.”

Of course, the songs are phrased more poetically than that. But when I hear one of these songs, I think, “Really? That’s the message you want to give the world?”

Similar questions could be asked about actors who play serial killers, mobsters, fraud artists, rapists, drug addicts, etc. For singers are really playing roles, a different role for each song they sing—the hopeful suitor, the jilted lover, the person in mourning, the self-centered egotist, the person grateful for undeserved blessings, the searcher for meaning. These songs sell because there are people in those situations who identify with these songs—the songs express what they are feeling but in clearer ways than they could do themselves.

Therefore, it is helpful to recognize that it is not the singer expressing these sentiments but the character the singer is portraying. Or is it? What responsibility does the singer have for the messages in the songs he sings?

This came to mind a while back when I was watching If You Could Read My Mind, a documentary about legendary Canadian singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. Many Americans will not recognize the name, but they have probably heard someone else singing one of his many songs.

Lightfoot did not follow the modern route of pounding away on a guitar in his garage and posting the result on YouTube, hoping to become famous. When, as a young man, he decided he wanted to be a singer, he went off to a highly regarded school in California to study music. He is a consummate professional who has worked hard to perfect his craft, both music and lyrics.

The documentary opens with one of Lightfoot’s early hits: “That’s What You Get for Loving Me.” It’s about a man who is unfaithful: “I ain’t the kind to hang around with any new love that I found…I’ve had a hundred more like you…I’ll have a thousand before I’m through.” In the documentary, after a few lines, Lightfoot tells the producer to turn it off. He is deeply embarrassed by the song now. He wrote it just after he had abandoned his wife and children for another woman. He said he has been divorced three times and each time it almost killed him.

Lightfoot was also an alcoholic, which almost destroyed his career—until he quit cold turkey. His experience with alcohol might have informed some of his songs, such as “the Old Man Came Home from the Forest” (a lament for an old wino) and “Early Morning Rain” (a song about a man who is cold, broke, and drunk, far from his family).

Lightfoot also wrote some beautiful love songs and addressed wider themes. He wrote some memorable songs on historical events: “The Canadian Railroad Trilogy,” “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” and “Black Day in July” (about the 1967 riots in Detroit).

Lightfoot also wrote “Sit Down, Young Stranger,” which he said was about his first failed marriage but which has echoes of the many songs written in the days of the Jesus movement as mainstream artists tried to understand Jesus. Some of Lightfoot’s songs were truly inspiring, such as “Rainy Day People” (“always seem to know when it’s time to come around”), “Rich Man’s Spiritual” (“I’m gonna buy me a poor man’s trouble, yes, Lord, to help me home”), and “The House that You Live in Will Never Fall Down if You Pity the Stranger who Stands at your Gate” (which echoes the social provisions in the Mosaic law).

Lightfoot is a great songwriter whose songs have been an influence for good—and for evil. His many songs inspire much thought.  

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He Hears!

Posted on June 28, 2022 by Author Mary Alford

Have you ever prayed—poured out your hear to God—and waited for an answer but it feels as if no one is listening? I think we all have felt that way at some point in our lives.

No matter what you are praying for, sometimes if feels as if God just isn’t responding to your needs. But He is. . .God will always answer prayers. It just may not be the way we want Him to.

Sometimes God delays answering our prayers to strengthen our faith.

As humans, we want to fix things ourselves. It’s hard to admit we are helpless.  

James 1: 2-6 says, My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Maybe there is some hidden sin in our lives that we are clinging to.

God knows about it and sin separates us from Him.

1 John 1:9 says, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Sometimes God doesn’t answer our prayers because they do not align with His will for our lives.

Just because we feel what we are praying for is right for us, doesn’t mean God does. He might have something far better for us in mind. God sees things that we don’t. He only wants what is best for us.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Maybe the timing isn’t right.

God’s timing is always perfect even when we don’t understand it. Continue to pray and wait on Him. Sometimes it takes days or weeks. And sometimes it may take more than fifty years for Him to answer. But know this. He will answer!  

Psalm 123:2 says, But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Wait on the Lord. Ask him to reveal anything that is keeping you separated from Him. And keep praying!

All the best. . .

Mary Alford

www.MaryAlford.net

Among the Innocent – Available now!

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Nightmare or Adventure? by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on June 27, 2022 by Nancy J. Farrier

Some of you may remember just after the first of the year (2022) when I wrote about picking up the three young people whose car broke down on a remote road in the mountains. We were so blessed to be able to help them. And it turns out this past week was our turn to be rescued and blessed by another person.

Last week, we had our two youngest grandsons visiting and planned to take them camping. We got the truck and camper ready for the four-hour trip to the mountains. On the way north, we pass through a deep canyon and then begin the climb into the high country. Several miles out of the canyon, our truck quit. We had enough power to get off the road but that was it. 

We climbed from the truck into the 99° heat and found there was zero cell reception. No way to call for help. No real shade and even in the little shade around it was still stiflingly hot. We were miles from any city and there were no houses anywhere close.

But I prayed and God provided one blessing after another. First, a man on his way home from work, stopped and gave us a ride. He made room in his small car for the boys’ car seats, my husband and I, and our dog. He took us to the nearest town (over 40 miles) and helped find a place that could tow our camper.

He didn’t stop there. While my husband arranged the tow, I called about a rental car and found a motel for the night. Our rescuer played an I Spy game with the boys while we made these calls. He even invited us to bring the boys over to play with his sons while we were stranded but we didn’t get to do that.

Finally, he took us to the rental car place and saw that we were taken care of and helped us move the car seats and dog to our rental. He was truly an angel sent from God. (Just days earlier we heard about someone breaking down in the desert and they didn’t survive the heat while trying to get help.)

Our trip was sidelined since no one could fix our truck or even look at it for a few days. Still, there was one blessing after another. The car rental place was about to close, but stayed open and had a car on hand that fit us even though it was a small town. Most hotels were booked, but I found one with openings, but all the pet friendly rooms were booked. When I explained the situation, the woman figured a way to get us a room for the night.

The towing company towed our truck to the repair place and then took our camper to their side yard for the night until we could find a place to set up the camper. Most places were full but we found one a few miles out of town that had a spot for us. The tow company took our camper there the next day and didn’t even charge any extra. 

People said our vacation was more of a nightmare, but I replied that it was an adventure. An adventure with God. I had so many opportunities to point out to our grandsons how God was working on our behalf. He kept us safe. He provided in extraordinary ways. We had fun—not the fun we had planned—but still a lot of fun.

This trip will be as memorable as picking up those stranded young people on that freezing mountain pass. It’s amazing to see how God works in our lives. We can keep watch, even in times that appear to be headed toward disaster, and see His hand at work. I am so thankful. 

I pray that you see the way God works for you even in tough times.

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Number Our Days by Bridget A. Thomas

Posted on June 23, 2022 by Bridget

Many of us tend to live life on autopilot. We stumble along, from one day to the next. Not fully living, but existing. We react to things that come our way, instead of being proactive when possible. It’s like going through a car wash. We put the car in neutral and allow ourselves to be pushed and pulled along the path. Then one day we might wonder, “Is this all there is to life?”

And these days, with our devices, social media, and the like, we have an array of “opportunities” to sit idle and waste precious time. Too often we look around and see people with their noses in their phones, as they scroll with their thumb. And I wonder, what is the purpose? In our world, so much of people’s time and energy gets sucked into meaningless tasks. And then they wonder where their day went. Days turn into weeks and weeks into months. I think many will look back and regret that their lives were not spent wisely.

I love the words of Moses found in Psalm 90:12 NKJV, “So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

What a beautiful and gentle reminder to approach each day differently. When we wake up each morning, we can make a conscious decision to appreciate the 86,400 seconds we have been given that day. First thing in the morning when we wake up, we can thank God and remind ourselves, “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 NKJV).

If we point our minds in the right direction first thing in the morning, that helps us to keep our hearts in the right place throughout the day.

And then as the day rolls on, we can intentionally focus our minds and hearts on the Lord and on the things we want to accomplish. Having goals and living each moment to the fullest can help us to have a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Then, in turn, we are better able to:

  • Tackle the things that God put in our paths for that day
  • Be diligent with pursuing our goals
  • Spread the light of Jesus
  • And ultimately live a life for the Lord

However, I will say that we should find balance as well. God does want us to enjoy life and seek rest. But I just feel in our current culture, there is a lot of lost time on senseless things.

Young people think they have so much time before them. But if the young people sit down and talk to a seasoned adult, the elder can tell them how quickly life goes by.

Every single moment we have a chance to start anew. We can live a meaningful and intentional life. We can lean into the Lord with every situation we face. We can spread His love to the world around us.

And then when we get to heaven, hopefully we will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:14-30)

Thank you for reading!

Image by Debby Hudson on unsplash.com

© 2022 Bridget A. Thomas

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Why I’m Smiling by Julie Arduini

Posted on June 22, 2022 by juliearduini
Our son trying out a new bed as my husband observes.

It’s our busy season with the book release and graduation down, but a wedding to go. At the grad party friends asked us how we felt about our son moving out and starting a life of his own.

I didn’t know it, but apparently before the question finished, I started smiling. Our friend called me out on it. I laughed and confessed that with our son moving out, I get my basement back. It’s where he spends most of his time. It’s like a little apartment and I remember doing the same with my room in our childhood home. It was a sanctuary against the anxiety and rejection I often faced.

Having the basement back means I can exercise and have a place to go when I can’t take the literal heat anymore. With the price of gas, my husband is working from home again. Our daughter is home and will be going to college full time, but online. This introvert needs the basement.

As we shared those kids moving out stories, I admitted I can smile because of what I know to be true:

If I’ve done my job right, it’s time for them to go, and I don’t have to feel bad about it.

Our son and I have had a great relationship. As a family we’ve mastered the Rock Band experience through so many snow storms throughout the years. We’ve watched movies. He joked that for years he fell asleep hearing the timer from the show, “24” because Tom and I ran to watch it as soon as the kids were in bed. I’ve watched his videos and listened to him expertly play drums.

Will I miss those times? Of course.

But those are memories. He’s a college graduate with a career. He’s getting married. It’s time for him to make memories with his about-to-be-wife.

Was I a perfect parent? Not even close. I still fight the enemy’s whispers at night that I failed him when I had to focus on keeping his sister healthy. I can tell you this, I’ve been a praying parent and I poured all the wisdom I’ve learned about Kingdom living into both kids. When they turned 18, I let them know great times come from 18-23, but they are also the years most have the biggest regrets. I challenged them to be prayerful and seek God’s wisdom and discernment. With each year in young adult range, I let them know the safety net decreases. And for our son now that he’s a college grad, it’s time.

I’m smiling. It’s not just the basement, although all of us at the party with kids this age agreed it is a perk. I’m smiling because God is good. He gave us an amazing kid to steward and now he’s a man that is after God’s heart.

With a new address!

Have you had a child leave home? Were you emotional?

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Jesus and Mary by James R. Coggins

Posted on June 21, 2022 by jrcoggins

There is a famous statue (called Pieta) by Michelangelo of Jesus’ mother Mary cradling the body of Jesus after the crucifixion. It is one of a number of medieval and Renaissance pieces of art reflecting the same theme.

However, it is all a sham. As far as we know, it didn’t happen.

After the crucifixion, Jesus’ body was taken by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus and placed in a tomb (Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 15:42-46, Luke 23:50-54, John 19:38-42). Some “women who had come with Jesus from Galilee” (Luke 23:55) saw where the men had placed Jesus. After the Sabbath, they returned to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body. They are identified as “Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons” (Matthew 17:56), “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary” (Matthew 28:1), “Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome” (Mark 16:1), “Mary Magdalene, Joanna the wife of Cuza the manager of Herod’s household, Susanna, and many others” (Luke 8:2-3), and “Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others” (Luke 24:10). The Gospel of John mentions several women (19:25) at the crucifixion, including Jesus’ mother, but does not identify them as those who followed Jesus, and John only mentions Mary Magdalene as going to the tomb (John 20:1).

Now it is possible that “Mary the mother of James (and Joses)” is Mary the mother of Jesus (since James was later a church leader and it might make sense to identify her by her human son rather than by her divine Son), but it seems strange for the Gospel writers not to make this clear, especially when Luke later identified Mary as Jesus’ mother in Acts (1:14). If Jesus’ mother Mary had been present for the burial, surely she would have been mentioned. Moreover, since she is never mentioned as one of Jesus’ followers, it is unlikely that she “had come with Jesus from Galilee.”

However, Mary was undoubtedly in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover like other devout Jews. And Mary did show up at the crucifixion, when Jesus told the apostle John to take her into his home and take care of her (John 19:26-27). If it is true that she had not talked with Jesus throughout most of His ministry, a couple of years, perhaps she came to see Him only because she had heard He was dying. The death would have been the terrible end she had feared when she had become convinced Jesus was insane and needed to be prevented from doing something foolish (Mark 3:21).

But even though she was present at the crucifixion, there is no evidence Mary stayed till the end. Perhaps she had to hurry back to prepare for the Passover. Perhaps she left at the point when Jesus gave responsibility for her to John, and she did not stay until Jesus had died. She was with the other women at this point but was not described as being one of the women who followed Jesus in His life and cared for Him after His death.

Mary’s absence may have been deliberately arranged by God so that people would not worship her. While she gave birth to Jesus, she was not His parent, one in authority over Him. This is where the Pieta is misleading. It shows a larger-than-life Mary caring for a powerless Jesus. This is theologically wrong. It is the all-powerful Jesus who ministers to weak and sinful human beings.

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Recycling by James R. Coggins

Posted on June 15, 2022 by jrcoggins

Municipalities have strange rules.

Many municipalities have banned grocery stores from giving out free one-use plastic bags for customers to carry groceries home in.

Municipalities have not banned one-use plastic bags containing produce or prepackaged foods from the same stores.

Instead of giving their customers free one-use plastic bags, the stores now sell their customers thicker, multi-use plastic bags.

Customers, not realizing the banned bags were one-use plastic bags, often used them more than once, such as for garbage bags.

Municipalities have also not banned thicker, one-use garbage bags from being sold in the same stores, garbage bags that must now be purchased since the formerly free plastic bags can no longer be used for this purpose.

Our municipality insists that garbage must be wrapped in plastic garbage bags to protect garbage collectors from getting COVID.

The same municipality insists that recyclables cannot be placed in even recyclable blue bags because recyclable collectors cannot get COVID. They must be placed loose in the recyclable bin.

The municipality says that compost cannot be put into plastic bags, even compostable plastic bags, because compost collectors are also immune to COVID.

This creates unending dilemmas for householders. Is that Macdonald’s hamburger wrapper clean paper? If so, it goes in the recyclable bin, where it cannot be in a plastic bag. Is it dirty? Then it must go in the compost bin, where it also cannot be in a plastic bag. But what if the wrapper is waxed? Then it should go in the garbage, where it must be in a plastic bag.

The municipality says that cardboard and paper can be placed in the blue recyclable bin only if it is clean and dry.

If it rains, the clean, dry cardboard in the blue recyclable bin gets wet because it can’t be put in a blue recyclable bag and the lids of the blue recyclable bins have all blown away. (None seem to ever blow on to other people who have lost their own lids and could reuse them. Maybe they go to the same place as lost socks.) But, as long as the paper and cardboard were dry when they went into the bin, it does not matter how sodden they get after they were put in.

Our municipality now says that milk containers, like pop cans and plastic drinking bottles (but not other plastic bottles), can be returned to recycling depots for a refund of ten cents. However, cream containers cannot be returned to recycling depots and must be put in the regular recycling bin. (Now I am wondering: Should half and half containers be cut in two, with one part returned to the recycling depot for a deposit refund of five cents and the other part put in the recycling bin?)

And they wonder why people become cynical about government rules and saving the environment.

And I wonder why people think they are wiser than God.

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