basics

A girl, who was not quite four years old, was alone in the house when the phone rang. She answered it and was told that Mr. Brown was calling. "I'm sorry, no one is here. Can I take a message?"

After a pause, Mr. Brown heard, "O.K., I'm ready. Who is this did you say?"

"Mr. Brown."

"How do you spell Brown?"

"B-r-o-w-n."

A long pause, and then, "How do you make a B?"

It's impossible to accomplish some things in life until we have mastered the fundamentals. Any sports coach will tell you that a great team has to first be grounded in the fundamentals. Teachers will tell you the same thing about successful students. And the same thing is true of Christians. The fundamentals, the "first principles" are not always the most enjoyable parts, but they are the most essential parts of what we need to learn.

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you

have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes

only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a

babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is,

those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:12-14)

May you be grounded in the fundamentals, so that you can grow to enjoy the "solid food" found in God's Word.

understand

“Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” Job 42:3b

If there was any one man on earth who had reason to question God’s love, it was Job. He lost his family, his health, and his wealth – all at the same time. His friends came to his side only to question his spirituality. God had already answered the question of his integrity. Job was described in the opening verses of the book as “blameless and upright” (see Job 1:1). His calamities were not born from sin. 

Job acknowledged God’s right to do anything in his life until one day he could take it no longer. He questioned God’s motives.

God answered Job, but not in the way he wanted to hear. God answered him with a series of questions that represents the most incredible discourse of correction by God to any human being. Three chapters later, Job realized that he had questioned the motives of the Author of the universe, the Author of love. 

He fell flat before his Creator and realized his total depravity. “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.”

Have you ever questioned God’s activity in your life? Have you questioned His love for you based on circumstances that came your way? The cross at Calvary answers the love question. He sent His own Son in replacement for your sin. If you were the only person on earth, He would have done the same. 

His ways cannot always be understood or reconciled in our finite minds. That must be left for a future time when all will be understood. 

For now, entrust your life to Him completely. Embrace Him in the hard times and the good.

-june kiwia

real

I heard of a young student, attending a preaching school, who went home for Christmas break. A horrible snowstorm stranded the regular minister in another town where he had been visiting a member in the hospital. The leaders of the congregation asked the young man to substitute for the regular minister.

The young preacher started his sermon by explaining the meaning of a substitute. "If you break a window," he said, "and then place a piece of plywood over the hole -- that's a substitute."

After the sermon, a well-intentioned woman wished to compliment the young man. As she enthusiastically shook his hand, she said: "You were no substitute. You were a real pane!"

Ever gotten a compliment like that, where you went away scratching your head wondering how to take it?

It's easy to assume the worst. We live in a world where people are more often inclined to put you down than to lift you up, where they would rather ridicule you than encourage you.

Make it a point to say something encouraging to someone today, and do it in such a way that there will be no doubt as to your intention.

"Exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today'..." (Hebrews

3:13a)

best

Someone has composed the following list of "Cards You'll Never See at Hallmark":

"Looking back over the years that we've been together, I can't help but wonder....

What was I thinking?!"

"I've always wanted to have someone to hold, someone to love....

After having met you, I've changed my mind."

"As the days go by, I think of how lucky I am....

that you're not here to ruin it for me."

"As you grow older, Mom, I think of all the gifts you've given me.....

Like the need for therapy."

"You look great for your age....

Almost life-like!"

"When we were together, you always said you'd die for me....

Now that we've broken up, I think it's time you kept your promise."

"We have been friends for a very long time....

What do you say we call it quits?"

"I'm so miserable without you....

It's almost like you're here."

"You are such a good friend that if we were on a sinking ship and there was only one life jacket....

I'd miss you heaps and think of you often."

Somehow those cards truly don't seem very appropriate for a card company that advertises with the slogan, "When you care enough to send the very best." Greeting card companies certainly have made it easy for us to let our friends and relatives know that we care about them.

The apostle Paul didn't have the benefit of going into a card store, but many of the words he wrote to congregations and individuals are filled with sentiment and worded in such a way that perhaps they should be used in greeting cards. Listen to these words written to the Christians in Philippi:

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always with every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy....it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart....For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:3-4,7,8).

Warren Wiersbe outlines this section with these phrases: "I have you in my mind", "I have you in my heart" and "I have you in my prayers." That sums up well the affection that Paul had for those brethren.

Is there someone that you care greatly about? Send them a card. Better yet, drop them a line of your own creation and let them know that they are on your mind, in your heart and in your prayers today. Only do it, though, if you care enough to send the "very best."

tight

I heard about a preacher/farmer who bought a brand new pair of boots. However, the boots turned out to be a tad too tight. The bootmaker offered to stretch them so they would fit.

"You'll not stretch these boots an inch!", insisted the man. "You see, I start every morning before sunrise checking on some ornery cows that have knocked down a fence or caused some other trouble. Then I go to the office and listen to all of the members complain about this and that. Then I come home to hear my wife tell me what chores I haven't gotten done around the house. When I get ready for bed and I take off those tight boots....Well, some days that's the only pleasure I have!"

What is it that gives you pleasure at the end of the day? Perhaps it's going home to a warm and cozy house. A lazy-boy recliner and TV remote? A comfortable bed? Perhaps it's going home to a loving family, a spouse and children who love you unconditionally. There's nothing like the little arms of your children around your neck to know the meaning of pleasure.

David offers one more suggestion:

"I said to the LORD, 'You are my Lord. Every good thing I have comes from you.'...The LORD is all I need. He takes care of me.....I praise the LORD because he advises me. Even at night, I feel his leading. I keep the LORD before me always. Because he is close by my side, I will not be hurt....You will teach me how to live a holy life. Being with you will fill me with joy; at your right hand I will find pleasure forever." (Psalm 16:2,5,7-8,11, NCV)

May you know the pleasure today of being with God (it's even better than taking off tight boots at the end of the day!).

duck

In his book, "Will Daylight Come?" Robert Heffler pens this moving illustration:

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with, out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting discouraged, he headed back to dinner.

As he was walking back, he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch that day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes." But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today, didn't you Johnny?" And then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes.

Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, and Grandma said, "I'm sorry, but I need Sally to help me make supper."

But Sally smiled and said, "Well, that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help." And she whispered again, "Remember the duck?" Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he killed the duck. She knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing. But because I love you, I forgave you. But, I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."

********

You would think that once we receive forgiveness from God, Satan would leave us alone, but he doesn't. He continues to accuse us and tries to make us feel guilty. That's what he does best -- he's an accuser. Sometimes we make the mistake of listening to him and thus remain a slave. Forgiveness offers freedom -- freedom from guilt as well as freedom from sin.

"Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 'Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.' " (Rev. 12:10)

May you seek to know God's forgiveness, and the freedom that goes with it.

teach

At one point during a game, the coach said to one of his young players, "Do you understand what cooperation is and what teamwork is all about?"

The little boy nodded in the affirmative.

"Do you understand that what really matters is not whether we win or lose, but that we play together as a team?"

The little boy nodded yes.

"Good," the coach continued. "And, when a strike is called, or you're thrown out at first, you don't argue, curse, attack the umpire with a bat, or throw dirt in the opposing team members' faces. Do you understand all that?"

Again the little boy nodded, "Well, sure, coach. That's what you taught us."

"Good," said the coach. "Now, please go over there and explain all that to your mother."

I've been to a few Little League games when the above conversation needed to take place! It's sad to see parents who act in an irresponsible manner because you know that they are teaching their children (and others' children) to behave in a similar manner.

God has given those of us who are parents an awesome responsibility -- not only to teach our children what is right, but to live in such a way that they can see that we are willing to practice what we've been teaching them to do.

Moses told the parents of Israel to take the laws which God had given them and "teach them diligently to your children...." (Deut. 6:7). But before telling parents to do that, he warned them: "Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it...." (Deut. 6:3).

Before we can teach a love of God and others to our children, it must be in our own hearts. May God bless those of you who are parents as you strive to do just that. May your life be so filled with a desire to follow God that your children will be open to hear all that you have to say to them.

search

The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers. He dialed the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child whispering, "Hello?"

Feeling put out at the inconvenience of having to talk to a youngster, the boss asked, "Is your Daddy home?" "Yes", whispered the small voice.

"May I talk with him?", the man asked. To the surprise of the boss, the small voice whispered, "No."

Wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, "Is your Mommy there?" "Yes", came the answer. "May I talk with her?" Again the small voice whispered, "No."

Knowing that it was not likely that a young child would be left home alone, the boss decided he would just leave a message with the person who should be there watching over the child.

"Is there anyone there besides you?", the boss asked the child. "Yes", whispered the child, "A policeman."

Wondering what an officer would be doing at his employee's home, the boss asked, "May I speak with the policeman?" "No, he's busy", whispered the child. "Busy doing what?", asked the boss. "Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the fireman", came the whispered answer.

Growing concerned and even worried as he heard a loud noise through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, "What is that noise?"

"A hello-copper", answered the whispering voice. "What is going on there?", asked the boss, now alarmed.

In an awed voice the child answered, "The search team just landed the hello-copper!"

Alarmed, concerned and more than just a little frustrated the boss asked, "Why are they there?"

Still whispering, the young voice replied along with a muffled giggle, "They're looking for me!"

It reminds me of how we act toward God at times. When we have done something that we know is wrong, we sometimes, like Adam and Eve in the garden, try to hide from God. Not physically, of course. But we try to distance ourselves from God by neglecting worship with God's people, Bible study, prayer. We try to avoid God, hoping He won't notice.

But like the little boy in the story, we know that God is searching for us, doing everything in His power to bring us back. And even at times when I've done something I'm ashamed of, I appreciate that so much.

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?....Or what woman, having ten coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?" (Luke 15:4,8)

Is Somebody looking for you today?

.....death

"Mommy, my turtle is dead," the little boy, Freddie, sorrowfully told his mother, holding the turtle out to her.

The mother kissed him on the head, then said, "That's all right. We'll wrap him in tissue paper, put him in a little box, then have a nice burial ceremony in the back yard. After that, we'll go out for an ice cream soda, and then get you a new pet. I don't want you...." Her voice trailed off as she noticed the turtle move. "Freddie, your turtle is not dead after all."

"Oh," the disappointed boy said. "Can I kill it?"

Using the mind of a child, it's easy to see why Freddie felt that way. In his immature mind, the "blessing" of an ice cream soda more than made up for any loss suffered through the death of a pet.

There is a sense, though, in which the benefits of death far outweigh any sadness we might feel. The apostle Paul frequently wrote of the need to "put to death" the sinful behavior that once characterized our lives. We're well aware of what he's talking about because we constantly struggle with temptation. Just when we think we've given our sins the death blow, they resurface with new life. Putting them to death is not an easy thing to do. It helps to be reminded of the benefits of doing so:

"For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." (Rom. 8:13)

The thought of "living" with God far outweighs any sadness I might experience from putting to death those "deeds of the body."

Father, as I look at my sinful behavior which resurfaces from time to time only to hurt and disappoint you so much -- that behavior which you hate even more than I do, enough to sacrifice your only Son -- I have only one question: Can I kill it?

...........baton

As of Wednesday night, the United States has accumulated 32 medals in the 2016 Rio Olympics. In the 1988 Olympics, the world assumed that the United States would be victorious in the 400-meter relay. They simply were the best.

The gun sounded and they were off and running. After the last curve, the unthinkable happened. The United States was ahead by 10 meters with no real competition in sight. And then, with victory in their grasp, it happened. They dropped the baton.

The thousands in the stands gasped in disbelief. The United States team - sleek, muscular, and fast as leopards, lost the race. Why?  Someone dropped the baton.

Spiritually speaking, many people are not careful and take their eye off the baton.  They let it slip from their grasp. They fail to hold on to that which is important in the game of life.  The Bible offers many such warnings and admonitions to Christians.

“Hold fast to the word which I preached to you... (1 Corinthians 15:2).  In other words, “Don’t drop the baton!”

”Test all things; hold fast to what is good... (1 Thessalonians 5:21).  In other words, "Don’t drop the baton!"

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” (Hebrews 10:23).  In other words, "Don’t drop the baton!".

These exhortations are saying...
    Hold on tight to your faith.
    Stay focused on your hope.
    Sustain your confidence in Christ.
    Uphold your values.
    Defend your beliefs.
    Maintain your integrity.
    Affirm your self-worth,
    Cling to your Christian virtues.

In other words, "Don’t drop the baton!"

Keep to Jesus

! prop

Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old fellow who always prayed, "Lord, prop us up on our leaning side."  After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently.

He answered, "Well sir, you see, it’s like this...   I got an old barn out back. It’s been there a long time. It’s withstood a lot of weather, it’s gone through a lot of storms, and it’s stood for many years. It’s still standing. But one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit. So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn’t fall.

Then I got to thinking about how much I was like that old barn. I’ve been around a long time. I’ve withstood a lot of life’s storms, and I’ve withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I’ve withstood a lot of hard times, and I’m still standing, too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to prop me up on my leaning side.

I figure a lot of us get to leaning at times. Sometimes we get to leaning toward anger, leaning toward bitterness, leaning toward hatred, leaning toward cursing, leaning toward a lot of things that we shouldn’t. So we need to pray, "Lord, prop us up on our leaning side, so we will stand straight and tall again to glorify You.”

We need You, Lord, to give us the strength to stand whenever we get out of balance.  In those times, “Lord, prop us up on our leaning side.”

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."  (Isaiah 41:10)

? worthy

When Alexander the Great ruled all the known world, he made it his policy to hear any appeal made to him.  One day a young soldier was brought before Alexander for trial.  The young man wore the tunic of Alexander's Army. 

 

"With what is he charged?" asked Alexander - who held absolute authority in all matters. There would be no appeal of his verdict.

 

"He is charged with cowardice in battle," answered the prosecutor.

 

A great hush fell over the crowd gathered in the judgment hall. They knew Alexander as a general who expected his men to be valiant since he, himself, did not push his soldiers, but led them into the thick of battle.  Alexander looked at the young soldier who was a mere youth, fair haired and still too young to shave.  The angry scowl on his face slowly changed into an understanding smile, "What is you name, soldier?"

"Worthy King," responded the youth. "my name is the same as yours - Alexander."

Anger came back into Alexander's face, and he leaped to his feet.  Alexander grabbed the soldier's tunic.  "Young soldier." he said with great control, "either change your name, or change your behavior."

We are called "Christians".  The question before us is, "Are we worthy of the name?  

 

riddle

In the book "The Hobbit" by JRR Tolkein, Bilbo Baggins meets Gollum for the first time. Bilbo is lost and needs to find his way out of Gollum's cave. Gollum will show him the way out if he can answer a riddle.  The riddle is this:

            This thing all things devours,
            Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
            Gnaws iron, bites steel;
            Grinds hard stone to meal;
            Slays king, ruins town,
            And beats high mountain down.

Bilbo is stumped.  Do you know the answer?  Take a moment to try to figure it out before looking at the answer below.





































































































































The answer to the riddle is "time".  It's so true.  Time will devour all living things, as well as everything else.  If you live long enough, you can see the effects of time.  Drive through a rural area sometime and take a look at the barns, sheds and possibly even houses that are deteriorated with time.  What you see there is taking place all around you.  Some things perish quickly (maybe even were designed to do so).  Other things, like the great Egyptian pyramids, seem to stand the test of time.  But, given enough time, everything will crumble.  And when Jesus returns, we'll be made aware of just how temporary the the things of this life are.

     "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.  The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the LORD endure forever." (I Peter 1:24-25).

It can often be depressing to see the effects of time on everything all around us (and even on our own bodies), but we take comfort knowing that there is something that lasts forever, and God has promised it to His children.

     "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2 Corinthians 5:1)

In view of that, let us keep our eyes on those things which are not seen, "for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16)

cast

Very early in life (almost from birth) we are trained to be successful according to the world's definition of success. We are driven by goals and accomplishments from the day we take our first steps and ride our first bike. As we grow older, we are pressured to accumulate knowledge and "things" in order to prove our success.

In our Christian walk, Jesus calls us to a new definition of success - one determined not by what we accomplish, but by our obedience. The disciples walked and talked with Jesus, but they still faced many challenges with faith and obedience. One morning after fishing all night without a catch, Jesus called from the shore. John 21:6 "He said, 'Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some {fish}.' When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish."

The disciples were successful that morning. But we must understand that the large number of fish did not define their success. They would have been successful even if the nets remained empty. They were successful the moment they were obedient and threw out the net. One thousand years earlier, King Saul was told to "attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them," (1 Samuel 15:3). But Saul allowed the Amalekite king and the best livestock to survive. He tried to cover His disobedience by saying the calves and lambs were for a sacrifice to God. "But Samuel replied: 'Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22).

In any task we undertake for God, it's easy to become discouraged by our apparent lack of success. We often feel inadequate - and those feelings increase when our goals seem to be elusive. But we must remember, the outcome of the task is secondary to our obedience. God doesn't need our "fish" - He wants our devotion and trust. He desires that we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let's take our eyes off the accomplishment of the "catch" and what we can produce. Rather, let's focus on walking each step according to His leading. Let's concentrate all our effort on obeying His call to cast out the net. Amen!

-author unknown

expectations

After being with his blind date all evening, the man couldn't take another minute with her.  Earlier, he had secretly arranged to have a friend call him to the phone so he would have an excuse to leave if something like this happened.

When he returned to the table, he lowered his eyes, put on a grim expression and said, "I have some bad news.  My grandfather just died."

     "Thank goodness," his date replied. "If yours hadn't, mine would have had to!"

I am so glad that I don't have to deal with the "dating scene" -- worrying about making a good first impression so that I can meet her expectations and trying to deal with the awkwardness of the situation if she's doesn't meet my expectations.  That's especially the problem with "blind dates", something I managed to avoid altogether in my dating years.  You get an image in your mind of what your date is going to be like (or what you hope she's going to be like), and it often doesn't take much to shatter that misconception.  Granted, your date could possibly turn out to be better than you expected, but it seldom seems to work out that way.

That was a problem that Jesus faced when he came to this earth.  He should have been greeted with open arms -- after all, he was the long-awaited Messiah.  The problem is that the Jews had expectations of what the Messiah would be like.  For most of the Jews, that preconception involved an earthly king who would boot the Romans out of the land and assume control.  In fact, they were quite prepared to make Jesus that king (John 6:15).

Even without that misconception, though, none of the Jews could imagine a Messiah hanging on a cross.  So the cross became a "stumbling block" to the Jews and "foolishness" to the Greeks (I Cor. 1:23).  Jesus didn't meet their expectations and they hurried to find a way to end the relationship.

Philip Yancey deals with this topic in his book "The Jesus I Never Knew". He speaks of his own misconceptions of Jesus at an early age:  "I recalled the Sunday school image of Jesus that I grew up with:  someone kind and reassuring, with no sharp edges at all -- a Mister Rogers before the age of children's television."  Certainly Jesus was kind and reassuring, but he was so much more than that -- he was a man who was strong (physically and emotionally) and passionate.

What's important is that we allow the Gospels to define who Jesus was, and not expect him to measure up to our preconceived ideas.  I challenge you to read the Gospels in a fresh light.  Remove all expectations and allow the Word of God to define and shape who Jesus was.  I guarantee the Messiah will turn out to be better than you expected!

 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

-alan smith

....wait

"Those who wait upon the Lord, will renew their strength,

they will soar on wings like the eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint."  (Isaiah 40:31)

"...for twelve years she had suffered a great deal under the

care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead

of getting better she grew worse."  (Mark 5:25)

"While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the

house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead,"

they said, "Why bother the teacher any more?"  (Mark 5:35)

Parents waiting for children out past curfew know it. Couples having trouble conceiving a child know it. A family separated by overseas military service knows it. A person needing an organ transplant knows it. A candidate for law or medical school knows it. A pregnant mom 10 days past due knows it. A person struggling to be hired for a job knows it. In fact, at one time or another, most of us come to know this brooding beast. It's the long wait -- that drawn out time of fretful anticipation and extended longing.

"Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength..."

Often, this is easier said than done. Before we get to "mount up on wings like eagles," we often have to obediently grind away through the brutal passage of agonizing time. Before we can "run and not grow weary," we have to trudge on as anticipation dims and hope's flickering flame fights against the winds of despair. Many times, we just have to keep walking and trust that some hidden grace will help us "not faint."

That's what makes this story of Jairus' daughter so compelling to me. Like you, I don't like to wait. In my mind, if there is any privilege for those with power and position, one should not have to wait! "They" surely don't have to wait like I do. "They" get to move to the head of line. "They" get to throw around their weight and get what they want when they want it.

In this case, however, "they" (or more accurately, "he") didn't. (see Mark 5:21-43) Instead, Jairus' humbling approach to Jesus, an approach that could cost him everything in sacred society, was interrupted by a desperate woman who had faced "the long wait" herself as she had hopelessly gone to every healer available to her, and no doubt prayed incessantly for her own cure. This woman, who could not go into the synagogue because of her uncleanness, derailed the hope parade of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue.

I find two things amazing about both of them. First, neither complains about his or her wait. Not the woman, who has spent her fortune on false medical hopes, nor Jairus, who has spent his respect capital to associate himself with a suspicious teacher. Both wait for their Lord to act.

Impatiently waiting? Probably! But, they waited and received their grace. Second, they both received the personal attention of the Lord -- the man of power who could expect that attention and the woman on the fringes who, in her day, could not expect it.

Jesus refused to let the woman have an anonymous miracle!  He personally and specifically blessed her. Jairus' daughter would not be healed for the crowd, but only in the closed intimacy of Jesus' chosen few and Jairus' family. Both waited faithfully. Both received the personal attention of the Master! Each received his or her heart's greatest desire.

This is not a story about long ago and far away. It is a reminder that Jesus is there for those who wait. It is a renewal of the ancient hope that God will act for those who don't give up during the long wait. You see, the issue isn't the wait. Instead, it is all about refusing to give up hope when the journey seems so long (12 years for the woman) and the problems so insurmountable (a dead 12-year old daughter for Jairus).

Maybe you face the long wait right now. Maybe your heartbreak or shame or disappointment or loss seems insurmountable. If so, I want to encourage you to come back to this story of the powerless woman and the powerful man and remember the place their broken hearts met, the place their broken dreams were mended, and the place their long wait ended. Know that place is really a person, and His name is Jesus.

-phil ware

....wait

"Those who wait upon the Lord, will renew their strength,

they will soar on wings like the eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint."  (Isaiah 40:31)

"...for twelve years she had suffered a great deal under the

care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead

of getting better she grew worse."  (Mark 5:25)

"While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the

house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead,"

they said, "Why bother the teacher any more?"  (Mark 5:35)

Parents waiting for children out past curfew know it. Couples having trouble conceiving a child know it. A family separated by overseas military service knows it. A person needing an organ transplant knows it. A candidate for law or medical school knows it. A pregnant mom 10 days past due knows it. A person struggling to be hired for a job knows it. In fact, at one time or another, most of us come to know this brooding beast. It's the long wait -- that drawn out time of fretful anticipation and extended longing.

"Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength..."

Often, this is easier said than done. Before we get to "mount up on wings like eagles," we often have to obediently grind away through the brutal passage of agonizing time. Before we can "run and not grow weary," we have to trudge on as anticipation dims and hope's flickering flame fights against the winds of despair. Many times, we just have to keep walking and trust that some hidden grace will help us "not faint."

That's what makes this story of Jairus' daughter so compelling to me. Like you, I don't like to wait. In my mind, if there is any privilege for those with power and position, one should not have to wait! "They" surely don't have to wait like I do. "They" get to move to the head of line. "They" get to throw around their weight and get what they want when they want it.

In this case, however, "they" (or more accurately, "he") didn't. (see Mark 5:21-43) Instead, Jairus' humbling approach to Jesus, an approach that could cost him everything in sacred society, was interrupted by a desperate woman who had faced "the long wait" herself as she had hopelessly gone to every healer available to her, and no doubt prayed incessantly for her own cure. This woman, who could not go into the synagogue because of her uncleanness, derailed the hope parade of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue.

I find two things amazing about both of them. First, neither complains about his or her wait. Not the woman, who has spent her fortune on false medical hopes, nor Jairus, who has spent his respect capital to associate himself with a suspicious teacher. Both wait for their Lord to act.

Impatiently waiting? Probably! But, they waited and received their grace. Second, they both received the personal attention of the Lord -- the man of power who could expect that attention and the woman on the fringes who, in her day, could not expect it.

Jesus refused to let the woman have an anonymous miracle!  He personally and specifically blessed her. Jairus' daughter would not be healed for the crowd, but only in the closed intimacy of Jesus' chosen few and Jairus' family. Both waited faithfully. Both received the personal attention of the Master! Each received his or her heart's greatest desire.

This is not a story about long ago and far away. It is a reminder that Jesus is there for those who wait. It is a renewal of the ancient hope that God will act for those who don't give up during the long wait. You see, the issue isn't the wait. Instead, it is all about refusing to give up hope when the journey seems so long (12 years for the woman) and the problems so insurmountable (a dead 12-year old daughter for Jairus).

Maybe you face the long wait right now. Maybe your heartbreak or shame or disappointment or loss seems insurmountable. If so, I want to encourage you to come back to this story of the powerless woman and the powerful man and remember the place their broken hearts met, the place their broken dreams were mended, and the place their long wait ended. Know that place is really a person, and His name is Jesus.

-phil ware

waiting

My nephew's 10 year old son came for a visit one hot, July weekend. I was enticing him to stay inside by joining him in a Nintendo game. After being mercilessly defeated by a more experienced player, I suggested that we relax awhile. I collapsed into my favorite recliner to let my neck muscles relax and my ego recover from such a beating. He had slipped out of the room and I was catching a few relished moments of peace and quiet.

"Look, Alice," he said enthusiastically as he ran over to the chair where I was recovering.

"I found a kite. Could we go outside and fly it?" Glancing out a nearby window, I noticed there was not a breeze stirring. "I'm sorry, Tripper," I said, sad to see his disappointed eyes, but thankful for the respite from more activity. "The wind is not blowing today. The kite won't fly." The determined 10 year old replied. "I think it's windy enough. I can get it to fly," he answered, as he hurried out the back door.

I peeked through the slats in the Venetian blinds to watch determination in action. Up and down the yard he ran, pulling the kite attached to a small length of string. The plastic kite, proudly displaying a picture of Batman, remained about shoulder level. He ran back and forth, as hard as his ten year old legs would carry him, looking back hopefully at the kite trailing behind.

After about ten minutes of unsuccessful determination, he came back in. I asked, "How did it go?" "Fine," he said, not wanting to admit defeat. "I got it to fly some."

As he walked past me to return the kite to the closet shelf, I heard him say under his breath, "I guess I'll have to wait for the wind." At that moment I heard another Voice speak to my heart. "Alice, sometimes you are just like that. You want to do it your way instead of waiting for the "Wind" - the "Wind" of God."

And the voice was right. How easy it is to use our own efforts to accomplish what we want to do. We wait for the "Wind" only after we have done all we can and have exhausted our own strength. We must learn how to rely on Him in the first place!

 

"I can do all things through God who strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

-author unknown

anybody....

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."