Month: January 2019

If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you have that name.  I Peter 4:16

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I have not a single bit of talent left and can say, “I used everything you gave me.”  copied

Talent is defined as a natural ability or skill.  I’ve always heard it said that everyone has a talent, no matter how large or how small; the important thing is that you use it in a positive way.  I’ve known people who have enormous talent, but they put it on a shelf and don’t or won’t use it.  Others, share so unselfishly of everything with which God has blessed them .

In anticipation of the Super Bowl where athletic talent seems to abound, I wanted to name some folks I know personally who in the course of their lives, have exhibited and still exhibit talents of a different kind.  Their talents may not gain acclaim or notoriety in the media, but they surely do speak of their courage, faith, peace, love, joy and service.   These are just some of the folks who recognized the source of their talents and set about using them according to His good purpose.

First, I think of Tom.  I’ve never known Tom outside of his wheelchair where polio placed him as a child, but I’ve never known him to be without a smile on his face or an encouraging word. He is so good at never complaining that I don’t even see his wheelchair when I see him.   He uses his engraving business as a mission, and he volunteers for almost everything from teaching Sunday School to serving on committees.  He is such a disciple for Christ in everything he does.  A loving man who  uses his talents while dealing with disabilities.  I can’t think of anyone he doesn’t touch in a positive way.

Secondly, I think of Will.  Imagine being a sighted teenager, having surgery, and waking up in complete darkness! At that moment, his life changed, and he had to reinvent himself to cope.  Yet, he has a ministry through jewelry, massage therapy, humor, singing, and just uplifting every person with whom he comes into contact.  You won’t leave him without a God Bless You from him.  He uses his talents for the good of others and in doing so passes on the joy of life.

Next, there was Robert, a gentle giant of a man who spewed talent from every pore in his body. His huge smile, laugh, compassion, concern, empathy, and love, bonded people to him in an unbelievable way.  Imagine a voice like his being used unselfishly to bless people and to offer praises to his God.  Whether he sang classical or a spiritual, when he began, it was as though God himself stood with him.  A man who was just at home preaching, teaching, singing, or just socializing, he was always using his talents to bless others.

Finally but never least,  there was Grace.  Tell me how a fourteen year old girl can manage to amass such courage, bravery, fortitude, faith, hope, and love without totally employing each talent she had been given and inventing others she didn’t even know she had?  So many lives were touched and God’s love exemplified through this one solitary life.  If you know of her, then there is an area of your life that will never be the same because she touched you.  A young girl who used her talents in amazing ways.

We can’t all be as remarkable as these, but all of us have something to offer to make this world a better place.  God bless us everyone.

(Love Drew Brees even though he didn’t make the Super Bowl!)

When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them.  John 10:4

Years ago, we were fortunate to have a family with a young son, Coop, who lived directly across the street.  Coop, would put on his Davy Crockett cap, dress himself in western gear, grab a stick, and ring our doorbell periodically.  When we opened the door, he would say, “Morning, I’m scouting for wild animals and strangers. Can I hunt them in your back yard?”  Of course,” we would say, “but do you need any help?”  “Nope,” he would reply, “It’s my job!”  We would run to the back window to watch him “hunting” while his Dad could be seen hiding behind a tree to keep watch on him.

During forty six years of marriage, I have been fortunate to learn so many interesting facts about Westerns.  It appears, according to my resident expert, that the basis for many stories and movies about the Old West used cattle drives to set the scene.  You always have the good guys, the bad guys, and the notorious rustlers and outlaws.

One of the most honored positions on the cattle drive was the point rider.  This guy determined the direction of the drive, controlled the speed of the drive, and basically gave the herd someone to follow.  I am told that in serious situations, he also rode ahead to scout out danger, i.e., Indian attacks.  John Wayne was the best trail boss I’ve heard.

On many occasions the point man left the herd to ride ahead or scout out the area ahead of the drive.  He would come back and report danger, water sources, terrain, and paths he thought best.  The rest of the drive waited for him to return while confident that he would be able to give them all they needed to know about what lay ahead.

In Biblical days, the shepherd always walked ahead of his sheep much like the point man.  He was always in front of the sheep to protect them from danger.  Whatever danger came, it had to take on the shepherd first.

I like to think of God as the point man in our lives.  He can help us determine the direction of our lives, determine the pace with which we attack problems and dilemmas that enter our lives, and He gives us someone to follow.

The blessed life would be one which sees us not anxious to see far down the road of life but rather trusting the point man to take care of it.  It would be a life not overly concerned about the next step or path, not weighed down with the future, but quietly following the shepherd or point man.

God is out in front always walking ahead of us into our tomorrows.  It seems the tomorrows of our lives fill us with fear, but God is already there.  Everything that is ahead of us has to pass through Him before it can get to us.  It’s His job.

In all things you yourself must be an example of good behavior.  Be sincere and serious in your teaching.      Titus 2:7

The recent passing of Aretha Franklin brought back so many memories of years gone by.  We always loved her super hit R-E-S-P-E-C-T.  The words were memorable, the beat was catchy, and you could sing along, plus a spelling lesson was included.

Respect is defined as a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something; worthy of high regard.  People tend to respect many different things, but I have some things for which respect is absolutely essential.  These include ultimate respect for God, The Bible, His church, our country, our flag, our laws, our families, our elders, our fellow man, our teachers, our veterans, our active armed forces, our medical professionals, and many more could be added to the list.

In our household, respect  was taught on a daily basis because you can never take for granted that it will be learned by osmosis.  Children were taught the rules, and that failure to follow these rules had consequences.  We had no problem with corporal punishment and resorted to weapons such as fly swatters, switches, wooden spoons, even the infamous flip flop when all other weapons were not available.  Rules were followed and negotiation when they were broken was usually unsuccessful.

Laws are worthy of respect.  We learned that laws are there for your protection.  You break the law – you endure the punishment.  The importance of laws were brought home to me in the 1970’s when the Alday murders occurred in my small hometown.  The brutal murder of members of this sweet family inspired a new respect in our hometown and community for the laws which bring criminals to justice.

Our country, its flag, and those who have served and are serving are worthy of respect.  We were taught to honor all, and to never take the freedoms we are afforded for granted.

The Bible is worthy of respect.  It lays out God’s law, His story, and His commandments, not His suggestions.  When we try to change it to fit our own thoughts, respect is ignored.

God and His church are worthy of our utmost respect, devotion, love and obedience.  In our growing up years and in all our years since, everyone dressed for church every Sunday.  It wasn’t because we especially liked it, but we felt that God and His house of worship were worthy of our best.  There’s a reason people refer to nice clothes as your “Sunday Best.”

In this age of uncertainty in our denomination, our churches, our economy, our country, and our world, it would be wise of us to begin to use respect in every area of our lives.  The Bible makes it very clear that respect is one of the values which is necessary for life. We can learn so many things from the folks who have come before us and the ways they grew generations who know how to show honor and respect.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T, this is what it means to me.

Respect is what we owe, what we give, and what we love.  Philip James Bailey

In my Father’s house are many rooms, if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  John 14:2

Home is defined as the place where one lives permanently.   For most of us these days, physical homes aren’t what they used to be.  For a girl who lived her whole growing up life in one home, the Methodist system provided me with a new perspective on the word, home, as each new parsonage provided an opportunity to create a new home.

Randy and I had the opportunity to spend time with our Purcell grandchildren in Buford for a few days last month.  We are not totally familiar with the area there, so sometimes we rely on the boys to direct us.  On the first morning as I was taking Reese to school, I said, “OK, Reese, tell me the best way to get to your school this morning.”  Reese replied, “Oh, I can’t help you there, I don’t know the way to school, but I do know the way home.”

Home can mean so many different things in our lives – hometown, homegrown, home away from home, home plate, home cookin’,  present home, future home, past home, eternal home, and dozens of other things.

Two years ago as we sold my family home, I discovered something that has changed my perspective.  I did fine with the closing until the final signature which would deliver my growing up home into someone else’s hands.  As I teared up, the buyer reached his hand across the table, patted my hand, and said,  “Don’t you worry, we will take good care of your Mama’s house.”

That’s when I realized that a house is just a building with walls and a roof.  Our Mama isn’t the occupant of that home anymore. The memories, the security, the peace, the love, and the joy within those walls are what makes it a home.  We will always have that.  Just like Reese, I can always find my way back to that place in my heart and my mind.

This year we have sent several friends and family members home.  The good news here is that they are now in their permanent, eternal home.  There is no more moving, readjusting, or stress.  They are in the home that Jesus prepared for them.

It’s so comforting to know that Jesus provides a way for us to always find our way home.  C.S. Lewis says there are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.