prince

The average cell phone user would likely now claim that life without one would be more than inconvenient. Upon its  invention, we in a sense became untethered. We no longer get tangled up in phone cords while trying to make dinner,  set the table, and finish a conversation with Uncle Joe. Nor do we need to dash home from work in order to make  that important phone call; we make it on the way, while sitting in traffic, driving to the next appointment, making a stop at the grocery store, or all three. It is with great appreciation that I am no longer bound to a phone cord and operating with a five foot radius. Yet, this is not to say that I don't feel a tethering of a different sort, and I imagine  I'm not alone. Owning a cell phone can foster the attitude that its owner is always available, always working, always obtainable. While there is no cord to which we are confined, the phone itself can be ironically confining. 

But these kinds of shifting dilemmas are not all that uncommon. Just as the pendulum swings in one direction offering some kind of correction, so we often find that the other side introduces a new set of problems. The major movements of history possess a similar, corrective rhythm, swinging from one extreme to another and finding trouble with both. The pendulum swings from one direction, often to an opposite error, and at best, to a new set of challenges. 

Within and without its walls, the church too is continually responding to what we perceive needs correction. When the need to get away from dead, religious worship first initiated a shift within the church, it was of course an observation wisely discerned. But what this meant for many churches was unfortunately a shifting away from history, liturgy, and its own past--in some cases contributing to a different set of problems. While breaking away from the "religiosity" of history, perhaps we now find ourselves tethered in a sense to all things contemporary, unable to draw on the riches of the history from which we have isolated ourselves. While the intent was good, and the move did indeed separate us from certain problems within church history, it also seems to have separated us from all of history. 

So many churches now seem more divorced from history than ever, having swung so far in one direction that we can no longer see from whence we have come. Coupled with our culture's general devaluing of anything that is "outdated," the risk of seeing  the church's identity more in terms of today's form than its enduring essence seems both high and hazardous. 

There is something in the image of the ever-oscillating pendulum that reminds me of the importance of the unchanging creeds and practices that root us in an identity beyond the one that might exist at any given time before us. In the ever-moving world around us, where technological improvements and ideological corrections come more quickly than we often have time to process, Christians need not live in fear of the future or disdain of the past. Yet we do well to ask:

"What does it mean that we pray--'on earth as it is in heaven'? (Matthew 6:10). What does it mean that we are a community 'upon whom the end of the ages have come'"? (1 Corinthians 10:11). 

In the midst of a culture consumed with the contemporary, what does it mean that we are a people whose very identity is rooted in a man who lived 2000 years ago, one who proclaimed the reign of God on earth here and now, but whose future return we also look to expectantly? 

In this season of Advent as we prepare for Christ's coming, perhaps we might also consider something he left behind as a means to understanding our place and identity today. Before going to the Cross, Jesus imparted that the disciples were to continue breaking bread together as they had done so often before but that now these common meals would also hold new meaning. They could not go where Jesus was going, but they were to be partners in what was about to be done. 

The bread that is broken was to be his body which is given for them; the cup they share was to be his blood that is shed for them--and their repeated sharing in this common meal was to continually move them to participation in his dying, rising, and victorious life. They were to be united with Christ in an event that would inform all past, present, and future. 

Lesslie Newbigin explains, "At the point of separation, when [the disciples] are still far from beginning to understand what 'the reign of God' means, Jesus does a deed and gives a command that will bind them to him in a continually renewed and deepened participation in the mystery of his own being....The disciples will thus themselves become part of the revealed secret of the presence of the kingdom."(1) So, too, it is for us. 

We have a natural gift in this communion, a sacrament given for our good, in which we can discover again and again our identity and mission today. Though the pendulum swings, we live both here and now, and also with an understanding of all that is impending and at hand. We live as those who mysteriously participate in the death and life of Christ. We live as those who proclaim the reign of God presently. And we also live expectantly, preparing for the fullness of the coming kingdom. The Lord's Supper unites us with Jesus in history, roots us into a tradition beyond the swing of any pendulum, and sends us out into the world within a culture ever-restless for the change that will finally make a difference, and here we offer the Prince of Peace. 

-jill carattini 

desert

The Desert Place

Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. (Hosea 2:14)

An ancient Arabian fable tells of three merchants who crossed the desert. In the daytime, they would pitch tents for shelter from the desert sun. When the stars came out, they would ride their camels in the cool of the night. At one point, the merchants crossed a dry riverbed under the stars.

“Halt!” said a voice from the darkness.

All three men jumped down from their camels and huddled in fear.

“Who’s there?” one of them said

“Don’t be afraid,” said the voice in the dark. “I won’t harm you if you do as I say. See those pebbles at your feet?”

By the dim starlight, the merchants saw thousands of pebbles in the riverbed.

“Each of you – pick up a pebble and put it in your pocket.”

The three merchants obeyed. Each took a pebble from the riverbed.

“Now leave this place,” the voice said, “and don’t stop until daybreak.”

The merchants mounted up. One said, “What’s this all about?”

“I will only say this,” the voice replied. “In the morning, you will be happy – and sad. Now, go!”

Baffled, the three merchants proceeded on their way. As they traveled, they wondered what the voice meant by saying that they would be both happy and sad.

When morning came, the merchants Stopped. Each man pulled the single pebble from his own  pocket and saw that it sparked in the morning sunlight. The “pebbles” were precious gems.

One man had a ruby, another and emerald, and the third a sapphire.

“Jewels!” one merchant said, his face shining with joy.

“Oh no!” wailed the second. “There were thousands of jewels all over the riverbed! Each of us took only one! Why didn’t we grab handfuls?”

“Look!” shouted the third, pointing behind them. “A desert wind had whipped up, erasing their tracks. “We can never find our way back!”

The voice in the desert had spoken truly. The merchants were happy and sad. They had found wealth in the desert – but they could have taken more!

The parable reminds us of the desert places that we will all go through on our way to finding God’s will for our lives. God leads us out into the wilderness and invites us to fill our pockets with the riches of His wisdom and grace. Tragically, we pick up only a pebble or two. A day will come when we look back and feel happy for the riches we have found and sad that we didn’t gather more.

-nikki gebhardt

...lie

A Preacher was walking down the street when he came upon a group of a few boys about 10 years of age, surrounding a dog. Concerned that the boys were hurting the animal, he went over and asked them what they were doing. 

One of the boys replied, "This dog is an old neighborhood stray. We take him home with us sometimes, but since only one of us can take him home we're having a contest: whichever one of us tells the  biggest lie can take him home today." 

Of course, the Preacher was shocked. "You boys shouldn't be having a contest telling lies!" he   exclaimed. He then launched into a 10-minute sermon against lying, beginning, "Don't you boys know it's a sin to lie?" and ending with, "Why, when I was your age, I never told a lie." 

There was complete silence for about a minute while the boys all looked at each other and lowered

their heads. Just as the preacher began to think he had gotten through to them, the smallest boy gave a deep sigh and handed him the leash.

"Alright, Preacher ," he said, "You win. Now you can take him home.."

  Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.

...life

In 2007 Betty King a native of the U.S, elaborately wrote on the subject of thanks giving from an American context, the thinking is applicable to all of us even those who have difficulties appreciating what or when winter will set in. When all is said and done are we ready to Thank God for all that has been?

This time of year, when leaves are changing from green to gold and red, drying and falling upon damp lawns, our thoughts and activities tend to also change. Even old memories that have lain dormant through summer and warm weather, surface again to warm us from the inside out.

When I feel the first chill in the air even my appetite longs for change. My taste buds desire large bowls of home made vegetable soup and simmering pots of chili. Beans and cornbread also call out for placement on my stovetop and oven. The oven does more than bake; it spreads warmth that makes kitchens cozy and memories linger.

Recollections of hayrides and blankets, snuggles and kisses travel through the passage ways of my mind. I can almost smell the scent of hay and hear the sound of horse's hoofs as I recall days of my youth.

Hot fires, and weenie roast, flaming marshmallows left charcoal crisp, and scary stories rush through my memory sweeping aside the humdrum of boredom and old age. Bobbing for apples, taffy pulls and fall festivals of the past all come to mind as summer's sun fades behind clouds for another year, taking with it part of our lives.

Fall comes with colors, scents and damp coolness, and coats and jackets make their appearance. I pause for a moment as I realize fall, too, will pass quickly, like the last couple of decades and I foresee winter peeping around the last falling leaves.

Thanksgiving Day brings with it the bounty of all that makes for family togetherness  – good food, thankfulness and love. I think back over this past year and see it as one of our families hardest and I wonder what the next year will bring.

I am sandwiched between my children and my parents and I see life ebbing its way along with the tide. I want to hold back the currant, stop the flow, put brakes on the years, and turn back the pages of time.

I look at my husband and realize we are standing in the middle of the winter of our lives. Where did the spring, summer and fall go? When did the years run past us? Where have all the flowers gone? When did the children grow up and move on with their lives, leaving us stranded knee deep in old age?

I no longer discourage my children from taking over my duties. Capabilities speak louder than desires. I welcome their offers to host annual events, yet I remember the work involved and I appreciate their efforts. No one knows better than I how time changes things and how it is sometimes impossible to hold on to anything but memories.

The grandchildren are tomorrows hope for a bright and colorful spring. The older grand-children are starting to plan their own lives, the last of the youngest starting school. I wonder what the future holds and know that someday they will speak of me as a memory. I want to tell them how short life will be when someday they stand where I stand and look back on where they have been.

I want to tell everyone to enjoy each season as it comes to you, savor it, and indulge yourself in its blessings, and remember to be thankful for all it brings to you. Absorb yourself in its colors, bask in its warmth, and be transformed by the wisdom it brings you.

When winter falls upon you unexpectedly, be prepared for a rude awakening. It will sneak upon you like a thief in the night and remind you of all that you have failed to  do. It will sing off key all the songs of your youth, and taunt you with memories of  spring.

Winter will point out the best and worst in life. Death that is eminent is always a thought that pesters you with its taunting in the daily obituaries. You will try to brush aside its malicious spitefulness but its whispers linger and the longing for summer, even fall, is dangled in front of you like yarn in front of a sleepy worn out cat.

All the resisting finally gives way as you rest in the arms of experience and acceptance leaving the future in the hands of those who will follow after you, allowing them to move on as you come to realize life will go on without you.

You then thank God that your plowing days of spring are over, and the weary days of summer are behind you, but you feel a tinge of regret when you realize there will be no more beautiful fall seasons; that's when you accept what winter will bring and thank God for all the season's of your life.

-betty king

...affirmation

Each of us has a fantasy that our family will be like the Waltons, an expectation that our dearest friends will be our next of kin. Jesus didn’t have that expectation. Look how he defined his family: “My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what God wants” (Mark 3:35).

When Jesus’ brothers didn’t share his convictions, he didn’t try to force them. He recognized that his spiritual family could provide what his physical family didn’t. If Jesus himself couldn’t force his family to share his convictions, what makes you think you can force yours?

We can’t control the way our family responds to us. When it comes to the behavior of others toward us, our hands are tied. We have to move beyond the naive expectation that if we do good, people will treat us right. The fact is they may and they may not—we cannot control how people respond to us.

I can’t assure you that your family will ever give you the blessing you seek, but I know God will. Let God give you what your family doesn’t. If your earthly father doesn’t affirm you, then let your heavenly Father take his place.

God has proven himself as a faithful father. Now it falls to us to be trusting children. Let God give you what your family doesn’t. Let him fill the void others have left. Rely upon him for your affirmation and encouragement. Look at Paul’s words: “You are God’s child, and God will give you the blessing he promised, because you are his child”   (Gal. 4:7). 

-max lucado

...us

A Cause for All of Us            

in August 2005, it started out as an unimpressive ripple in the weather off the coast of Africa. By the time it was over, it had become Hurricane Katrina, pummeling Florida as a category one storm, and then surprising most observers by becoming a category five monster over the Gulf of Mexico. Katrina's last minute shift to the east nearly destroyed the city of New Orleans. Yes, we saw some of the darkest side of human nature as people looted beyond things they might have really needed, and some even tried to shoot some of the very people who were coming to help. But on a much greater scale, the aftermath to Hurricane Katrina was a massive outpouring of heroism in many flavors. 

As Americans learned of the desperation of the victims of the storm, thousands mobilized to give them a chance to live. We won't soon forget the military helicopters, launching and re-launching every fifteen minutes to look for more people stranded in the toxic floodwaters that buried parts of the city. There were those memorable scenes of the rescuers coming down the rope from those choppers to save people trapped on their roofs. Doctors and nurses came from all over the country. So many came and did what they knew how to do - from cooking, to counseling, to contributing, to caring enough to take in whole families - because lives were at stake. 

Thousands of lives were saved, many of whom would have died otherwise because of a massive   rescue operation where everyone did what they knew how to do; each one realizing that a   rescue effort means all hands on deck. 

It's a picture of the largest scale rescue operation on the planet. It is the rescue mission for which Jesus Christ gave His life, to as His personal mission statement in Luke 19:10 says, "to seek and to save what was lost." His final command: "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15). Because it really is a life-or- death situation, where the eternal destiny of millions of people depends on the rescue efforts of God's people - all of God's people. 

The orders are summarized in Proverbs 24:11-12, our word for today from the Word of God.  "Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter." Those stark words describe every person we know, every person on this planet who has not grabbed the only one God provided to rescue us from the eternal punishment that our sin deserves. That Rescuer in Jesus! The next verse says, "If you say, 'But we knew nothing about this, does not He who weighs the heart perceive it?'" God will not excuse us for  being AWOL in His all out mobilization to rescue the dying, whatever it takes. 

He's expecting you to do what His Son did - to do all you can to rescue the lost. If you cook, cook to rescue the dying. If you're musical, if you're mechanical, if you're a techie, if you're in the media, if you're a prayer warrior, if you contribute to God's work, do what you do to help people go to heaven instead of hell. And if you have influence in anyone's life - and we all do - don't just use that influence to be a nice person for them. Use the relationship you have to tell them about the Rescuer from heaven who rescued you - and who is their only eternal hope. 

In the wake of a hurricane, we saw thousands of people on the verge of dying without hope - and an army of us who said, "We can't just let them die." If you'll ask Jesus to help you see the world through His eyes, you will see millions on the verge of dying with no hope of heaven, headed for an awful eternity. And some of them are right there within your reach. Can you see them? Will you do something about it? Will you do more than you've ever done before? We're losing so many because no rescuer came. 

-ron hutchcraft 

...path

 What a perfect day for a fall hike.  We were excited to get outdoors in crisp air and bright

 sunshine.

The dirt trail, into the groves of trees, was just wide enough to have been well-traveled by   horses.  I squeezed my fists, trying to capture a little of the cool, dry atmosphere.

Barely over the rickety wooden bridge, the path began to change, from a little bit rocky and dusty, to slightly muddy.  By the time we were up farther, the path was dark, squishy mud. Shade and shadows, from the skinny-trunked buttery yellow aspen trees, cast dark coolness  onto the path.

Returning, I glimpsed the brook to the left, humming happily.  From there, the path went from muddy, back to dusty, solid and easy to walk on. I thought, "Just some sunshine makes such a difference." The muddy part of the path was not  in sunlight, and the other was.

Sometimes my life begins to resemble a muddy path. It would be good for me to remember that

a little Son light on it could make all the difference.

When my path gets muddy, Lord, from cares and concerns and

stuff in my life, I pray   that You will shine on them all, and restore my path. 

Thank you, Lord! 

pancakes

If there is one word that the wicked one has gotten hold of and employed it to ruin what it actually was intended to mean, is Love!

Look at what is around you that is borne of selfishness and being called love? Life has many situations that would have been so exciting had it not been for the abuse to the word Lord.

The story below gives us another look at what real love is all about, May we all reciprocate for a change! 

God bless you as you plan to do that:

Six -year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor.

He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten.

Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad. He didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove and he didn't know how the stove worked. Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pyjamas white and sticky.

And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but he'd made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him.

Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pyjamas white and sticky in the process.

That's how God deals with us... We try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend, or we can't stand our job, or our health goes sour.

Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can't think of anything else to do. That's when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess  gets all over Him.

But just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying to "make pancakes" for God or for  others. Sooner or later we'll get it right, and then they'll be glad we tried...

I was thinking and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that need rekindling or three words needing to be said, sometimes, "I love you" can heal and  bless! Remind every one of your friends that you love them. Even if you think they don't love back, you would be amazed at what those three little words, a smile, and a reminder like this can do.

Just in case I haven't told you lately... I LOVE YA!!!

Please pass some of this love on to others... suppose one morning you were called to sleep; do all your friends know you love them?

-skip wigmore

He

                                        He Is God!

                                He is the First and Last,
                                The Beginning and the End!

                    He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
              He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
                    He always was, He always is, and He always will be ...
                      unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!

                            He was bruised and brought healing!
                                He was pierced and eased pain!
                            He was persecuted and brought freedom!
                                He was dead and brought life!
                                He is risen and brings power!
                                He reigns and brings Peace!
                              The world can't understand him,
                                The armies can't defeat Him,
              The schools can't explain Him, and The leaders can't ignore Him.
  Herod couldn't kill Him, The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and The
people couldn't hold Him!
                  Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him,
            The New Age can't replace Him, and "Oprah" can't explain Him away!

                          He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
                        He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
                      He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.

                                  His ways are right,
                                  His word is eternal,
                      His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
                                    He is my Savior,
                          He is my guide, and He is my peace!
                                      He is my Joy,
                                    He is my comfort,
                          He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

                          I serve Him because His bond is love,
                  His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.

                    I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
                                the power of the powerful,
  the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders,
the overseer of the overcomers,
            and is to come. And if that seems impressive to you, try
this for size.

                            His goal is a relationship with ME!
                                  He will never leave me,
                                    never forsake me,
                                    never mislead me,
                                    never forget me,
                                never overlook me and
                    never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!



                              When I fall, He lifts me up!
                                When I fail, He forgives!
                              When I am weak, He is strong!
                              When I am lost, He is the way!
                            When I am afraid, He is my courage!
                              When I stumble, He steadies me!
                              When I am hurt, He heals me!
                              When I am broken, He mends me!
                              When I am blind, He leads me!
                              When I am hungry, He feeds me!
                            When I face trials, He is with me!
                          When I face persecution, He shields me!
                          When I face problems, He comforts me!
                          When I face loss, He provides for me!
                          When I face Death, He carries me Home!

              He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time,
and every way.

                      He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!

                    My Father in heaven can defeat the father of this world.
                So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure,
understand this...

                              He said it and that settles it.
                            God is in control, I am on His side,
                          and that means all is well with my soul.

                            Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!
                              -phyllis page

...name

"Then they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves'" (Genesis 11:4) 

These were the words of men who planned to build the Tower of Babel.  There was every reason why their plans should succeed.  They had the know-how.  They were all of one mind and they had a common purpose - to accomplish something lasting in life, something that would outlive them.

There was a strange old man named Noah.  He built an enormous ark while people laughed at him for years.  But he didn't care.  He was working under orders - and he was not concerned that he might have looked ridiculous.

The Tower of Babel was a failure.

The Ark became an instrument of success and salvation

Perhaps the difference in accomplishment stemmed from the difference in incentive - "Whose name was at stake?"

"I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images" Isaiah 42:8.

...rock

"...The LORD is just!  He is my rock!  There is nothing but goodness in him!"  Psalm 92:15

I often refer to my husband as "my rock." I place him under this classification because he has been a steady source of strength throughout our nineteen year marriage. During times I was upset from disturbing phone calls, he was there to remind me that joy is within, and there is no sense in letting someone else's opinions disrupt the peace which God has already given me. 

He was also there to comfort me when dealing with two teens was becoming a bit too stressful. "Take a break," he'd say. "Go for a nice long walk, and get some fresh air, and you will feel better." You know what? He was right!

My husband has been there through thick and thin, and every step along the way, and for this, I am deeply appreciative. However, he is still only an earthly man, and no human being is perfect, or free from sin.

There is another "Rock" in my life, and His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the midst of the deepest sin and despair, the Lord did not abandon me, but held out His hand and said, "Come. Let me help you." 

Like a loving Father, He took me in to His tender embrace, showering me with the love I so desperately needed. His love radiated truth and wisdom, and I knew this is exactly what I required. 

Today, God continues to be my "Rock;" my strong foundation. I now know that no matter what I shall encounter in my life, He will be there right by my side.

Today, if you are feeling overwhelmed with a difficult life situation, won't you hand it all over to God, and let Him take control? With God at your side, you are never alone!

-melanie schurr

...see?

"I want to know Christ - to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." Philippians 3:10

A small boy once approached his slightly older sister with a question about God. "Susie, can anybody ever really see God?" he asked.

Busy with other things, Susie curtly replied: "No, of course not silly. God is so far up in heaven that nobody can see him." Time passed, but his question still lingered so he approached his mom: "Mom, can anybody ever really see God?" "No, not really," she gently said. "God is a spirit and he dwells in our hearts, but we can never really see Him."

Somewhat satisfied but still wondering, the youngster went on his way. Not long afterwards, his saintly old grandfather took the little boy on a fishing trip. They were having a great time together - it had been an ideal day. The sun was beginning to set with unusual splendor as the day ended. The old man stopped fishing and turned his full attention to the exquisite beauty unfolding before him.

On seeing the face of his grandfather reflecting such deep peace and contentment as he gazed into the magnificent ever-changing sunset, the little boy thought for a moment and finally spoke hesitatingly: "Granddad, I - I - wasn't going to ask anybody else, but I wonder if you can tell me the answer to something I've been wondering about a long time - can anybody - can anybody ever really see God?".

The old man did not even turn his head. A long moment slipped by before he finally answered. "Son," he quietly said. "It's getting so I can't see anything else."

...perfect

Every life has difficulties. It may be a difficult marriage, chronic pain, depression, painful childhood memories, past mistakes, or emotional pain. Maybe you have begged God to take it away, but it's still there.

One thing is true: God has the power to change your circumstances - so it is acceptable to ask Him to do just that. Paul asked the Lord three times to take away his thorn in the flesh. Christ prayed the night before He was crucified, My Father, if it is possible let this cup pass from me. Even in their willingness to do God's will there was an expressed desire that God take the hard thing away.  In both cases God chose not to grant their requests because there was a more important good to come.

When Bad Things Happen...

1. See things from God's perspective.

A "no" from God allows you to step back and look at the larger picture, perhaps even to understand His reasons.

2. Depend on God.

Pain and weakness keep you in touch with your vulnerability - and in touch with your need for God and others. Turn your attention and your trust to Him.

3. Let difficulties provide character.

Just as physical muscles are developed in the hard work of pulling or pushing against weight or gravity, so, too, your spiritual muscles are developed in the hard work of living in less-than-perfect circumstances. There is no other way for some character traits to be developed.   "we also exult in our tribulations; knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope."  (Rom. 5:3-4).

4. Allow difficulties to bond you with others.

When we open up our pain to others, it can level the ground between us as human beings and allow us to see each other more clearly. You have the choice about whether to experience it in isolation - or to open it up and find the bond it can create with others.  When you share your pain, the beauty and strength you see in each other is nothing less than inspiring.

5. Expect God to use it.

He will use areas of weakness and vulnerability in your life for His purposes. It's more natural to hide those things rather than risk misunderstanding, embarrassment, or disrespect from those who don't know how to respond to the reality of human limitations - theirs or yours. But Paul said that God wants us to boast about our weaknesses - putting them right out there in plain view - so that God's power can come shining through.

-steve blair

mountain

When Abraham was over eighty years old, God made him a wonderful promise: "A son coming from your own body will be your heir. Look up at the heavens and count the stars - so shall your offspring be" (Genesis 15:4-5).

Many years went by without any indication that God would fulfill this promise.  Finally, when Abraham was one hundred years old (and his wife, Sarah, was ninety) God fulfilled His promise through the birth of Isaac. But when Isaac was a young boy, God told Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son.

Genesis 22:2  "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

We can't even imagine receiving this type of command from God.  Abraham loved Isaac; and Isaac also represented the fulfillment of God's promise.  But Abraham didn't even question the apparent conflict between God's promise and His command...he simply believed and obeyed.  Abraham took Isaac and climbed the mountain, placed him on top of a pile of wood, and "took the knife to slay his son" (Genesis 22:10).

Many people speculate about the turmoil in Abraham's mind during this time, but Scripture gives no indication that Abraham ever seemed anxious or concerned.  He believed in God, believed His promises, and his faith never seemed to waver.  As Abraham was about to kill his son, God stopped him and provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice (Genesis 22:13).

God put Abraham through an unimaginable test of faith... but why?  The test wasn't for God - surely God already knew of Abraham's faith!  It's possible the test was given in order to strengthen Abraham's faith.  God often tests us as a way of refining and drawing us closer to Himself.  But I believe the main reason for Abraham being asked to climb the mountain was so we would have a clear picture of what it means to believe and trust God.

Belief is central to the gospel message.  It is so important that God gave a picture through Abraham which allows us to truly understand what Jesus meant when He said; "whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

God is calling us to believe.  He is calling us to a life of faith where we have such a strong assurance of His presence that He is all we need...all we value and hold dear.  Let's give ourselves completely to Him, without ANY reservation - let's truly believe!  Let's give Him ALL our heart and be willing to sacrifice ALL for His glory and honor.  Let's once and for all climb the mountain of faith.

-steve troxel