Month: August 2020

They will rebuild the old ruins, raise a new city out of the wreckage. They will start over on the ruined cities, take the ashes left behind and make it new. Isaiah 61:4

This summer during our family vacation, we ended up staying at a condominium by the name of Phoenix. Even though I was reminded that the symbol of Atlanta is the Phoenix, which symbolizes the city’s rise from the ashes after the civil war, and I had heard the expression, Phoenix, rise from the ashes, I had never really explored the history behind the name.

The story of the Phoenix is popular in Greek mythology because the majestic bird dies and according to legend is reborn across cultures and throughout time. The Phoenix represents transformation, rebirth and death in its fire. It is the ultimate symbol of renewal and strength. It is said in mythology that the creature never truly dies but rather continually rises from the ashes.

The bird is symbolic for Christians as well because it represents renewal in general such as in the resurrection, life in heaven, Mary and Christ. The Greek myth continues to say that in death, the huge creature builds it own fire with a single clap of its huge wings, but during the fire, it rises from the ashes.

In this time of uncertainty, my prayer is that Christianity, the church, our democracy, and our country can be likened to the Phoenix. Throughout history, one can see so many times when, like the Phoenix, these things have risen from the ashes. We as Christians, a church, a democracy, and a country have risen from the ashes of depression, war, illnesses, social injustice, prejudice, natural disasters, poverty, religious persecution, and terrorism. We have risen from the ashes in each of the challenges that we have endured so far.

Now, as we go into our sixth month of seeking answers for the virus, added to the ever present issues of social injustice, natural disasters, spiritual issues, and threats from not only our foreign neighbors but also from internal sources as well, many are asking, “Where is God in all this?”

Sometimes the present events are so overpowering, so terrible, so intense, that we tend to forget the years that we have passed through until this time. If one remembers events in the Old Testament, it becomes obvious that there were differing political kingdoms, nations became just a shell of their former selves, Civil unrest was prevalent, religious observance was perverted by self serving priests and kings, and war was raging over territories. Where was God then? The answer is He was in the midst of it all just as He is today. Although we may not always see it, feel it, or understand it, we can know without a doubt that He is always here.

As we wait for God’s plan to become clear, what do we do? I have a feeling that we have a couple of options: we can either whine and cry “woe is me”, or we can bring a positive outlook to those around us and take bold steps to make things better. Even though we are all struggling to understand it all, I know as do you, that God is working and that we are not going at this alone.

God has not changed. Just as He brought the slaves out of bondage, just as He restored nations of old, just as He sent His son to us to raise humanity from the ashes; so God is still at work and will raise us from the ashes of national tragedy and turmoil to new life.

Just like the Phoenix rises from the ashes, so will our country, our democracy, our churches, our faith, and our hope.

Sometimes I take for granted the simple things; I can be His biggest critic when it starts to rain, but there’s always a bigger picture I can’t explain. When God paints, I pray I will always see the beauty inside the frame. When God Paints by Alan Jackson

Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20

Everything is possible for one who believes. Mark 9:23

My mother was quite the musically talented lady, and since she had such a wonderful soprano voice, she thought it was possible for her oldest daughter to be gifted with that same voice. I’m afraid that although I can carry a tune, it was impossible for me to ever attain her God given gift. She did, however, gift me with her love of music and her desire to listen to and sing certain songs over and over.

In the year 1957, Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote the musical version of the fairy tale, Cinderella. Julie Andrews played the title role, and I can still hear her singing the song, Impossible, It’s Possible from the show. The song talks about everything that’s impossible, then ends with, Impossible things happen every day. The idea is turning the impossible into the possible i. e. “one yellow pumpkin into a golden carriage and four white mice into four white horses”, or maybe just turning impossible situations into possible ones.

In this era of hearing how many things are impossible for us, I thought it would be encouraging to list some of the things that are still possible. It is possible to call or text someone who might be sheltering in place and catch up, it is possible to get medical attention when you need it, it is possible to see your new teacher whether virtually or in person, it is possible to worship, it is possible to see your colleagues via zoom or personally, it is possible to gather with masks and social distancing, it is possible to read a good book, it is possible to binge watch a good Netflix series, it is possible to get groceries, it is possible to hug your loved ones, it is possible to give someone a word of encouragement, it is possible to develop a cure for this virus, and the list goes on. Impossible things are happening every day.

There are also many divine possibilities for us each day!

It is possible for believers who are completely willing to trust the power of the Lord for their safekeeping and victory to lead a life of readily taking his promises exactly as they are and trust them to be true.

It is possible to daily cast all your anxiety on Him and to experience His peace.

It is possible to see God’s will in every circumstance and accept it with no complaining but rather with confidence.

It is possible to become stronger through and through every day by trusting in the power of God and realizing that our greatest weaknesses provide an opportunity to grow in faith.

It is possible that there is no situation that God can’t turn around including COVID 19.

It is possible, with God’s help to forgive others for wrongs done unto you.

It is possible, with God’s help, to love your enemies.

It is possible to have as much of God as we want. God places a key to His treasure chest in our hands and all we have to do is open it and take what we need.

There are so many times in the Bible when God did the impossible – the virgin birth, the resurrection – just to name a couple. Our God is the God of the possible.

During this time of impossibilities, it is good to remember the Divine Possibilities that God offers us. Once we take them, we will never be satisfied with anything less than turning the words, it is impossible into the words, it is possible.

The words of Saint Patrick seem to fit the thoughts, it is possible. He said: Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is of Christ. May your salvation, Lord, be with us.

When Hathach told Mordecai what Ester had said, Mordecai sent her this message: “Don’t think that just because you live in the king’s house, you are the one Jew that will get out of this alive. If you persist in staying silent in such a time as this, help and deliverance will arrive for the Jews from somewhere else; but you and your family will be wiped out. Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14

During these past months, when someone asks, “How is your day going?”, I’ve begun to compare my day to the movie, Groundhog Day, in which Bill Murray was trapped reliving the same day over and over again. I decided to watch the movie again (since there is abundant time), and I realized something that had never occurred to me before! Instead of reliving each day the same way, Bill Murray’s character, Phil, began to make changes and include in each day a time for compassion, friendliness, learning, and respect. He began to listen to those around him, speak to those whom he really didn’t know, learn how to master a new skill, and offer help to those who were in need. It seems as though Phil decided that maybe he was there for such a time as this.

God has created each of us for a divine appointment – a unique role to fulfill in our lives just like Esther. He has placed us wherever we are right now, and there is something we were created to do for God that no one else can do the way He intends.

The circumstances are different for each of us, but no matter what, God has given us an assignment. Maybe we are in the midst of a family situation, maybe we are lonely, maybe we need help with finances, or maybe things are good, but we feel a need to do more for others. No matter what, we are all created for such a time as this.

As we contemplate our calling knowing that this world is in the midst of a fight between good and evil, consider these things. There are people around us that need rescuing, people who need to see compassion in action, people who need to feel respected, people who need to see a friendly nod or action, and people who need a hand learning new things. Nobody else has the specialties to reach out to these people except us as Christians. There lies before each of us both an opportunity and a challenge.

First, people need to see compassion in this world. They need us, as Christians, to respond to the need and get our hands dirty trying to help one person after another. No one person can do it all – it takes all of us for such a time as this.

People also need to see friendliness in each of us. Just as a good host would welcome guests, take their coat, and introduce them to others so that they feel included, people in this world need to feel that way. We can all step up and offer friendliness for such a time as this.

Respect is necessary for life. Every person that was created by God deserves respect, and what a perfect time for us to exemplify the qualities of respect to this world. God expects it of us for such a time as this.

Finally, we all have the ability to learn new ways to help others. I know many ladies who set out to learn how to make masks for those who need them, and they used that skill to help others. I know many others who take their talent with building materials and donate their time unselfishly to others who need it. These and so many others are working for such a time as this.

If we set our mind on for such a time as this, then we allow God to step in and mold us for His work. The words of a hymn come to mind: Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way; Thou art the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after thy will; while I am waiting yielded and still. Adelaide Al Pollard

As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand…Jeremiah 18:6

And no wonder, even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. II Corinthians 11:14

A good friend and I were talking the other night, and she was telling me about a broadcast made by Paul Harvey years ago. I googled it, and I must say it is right on target for today’s world! The name of it is, If I Were The Devil, and it’s well worth a listen.

When I was young, pictures of the devil were always floating around, and well meaning people sometimes used those pictures to frighten and scare others into fearing the evil represented. The picture was normally of a red guy with a goatee and horns, a pitchfork, a long tail, and a scowl on his face.

In later years, Flip Wilson made light of this image when he referenced the devil in his television show of the 70″s where his character, Geraldine, often remarked that “the devil made me do it”. There was also the legendary The Devil Went Down to Georgia by Charlie Daniels where the “devil was looking for a soul to steal”.

It is my personal opinion that the devil is best portrayed in the movie, Devil’s Advocate, where a seemingly normal looking guy disguises his true identity (the devil or Satan) in order to control people’s lives. Satan uses many disguises to sway us from the will of God.

Satan is the ultimate enemy, the ultimate evil, standing in the background and orchestrating opposition to God through his highly trained servants. Satan’s motive is always the same, he seeks to exalt himself above God by opposing God and men of God.

Satan is using so many forms in this world today, and I must admit, that If I Were the Devil, I would look over this world, and I would smile. We have people afraid to say anything that’s not politically correct because they might be threatened or held up to ridicule. We have races in this country fighting each other when we should all be pulling together. We have political parties using this terrible virus to advance their political prowess and power. We have churches which are closed and thus can’t keep people focused on the will of God. We have families split by death and illness, and we have people who are isolated with no contact with those who can lift their spirits.

I can picture the devil whispering into the ears of Americans that it’s OK to break the laws and do all the things that will eventually defeat them. He never misses a chance to advance evil and test God’s omnipotence.

This is a trite example of how people can fall into traps of believing what that want to hear and forgetting the laws, but it can happen. Our family takes a “family trip” every year, and this year we ventured out to Orange Beach, Alabama. Knowing these trips, our son in law, Lee, always says, “Let the adventure begin” as soon as we all arrive. There’s always something adventuresome that happens which only adds to the memories. This year was no exception. Evidently, this particular beach has a Sundown Law which basically says, “don’t leave anything on the beach after sunset”. That seemed a little over the top to us, as it is quite a job to haul everything back and forth every day, and I don’t believe Georgia or Florida has such a law!

Knowing we could be easily swayed on this law, Satan placed into our midst an Auburn fan who happened to have his tent placed beside us on the beach our first day there. As we talked with him and lamented having to carry everything inside every day, the treacherous Auburn guy said these words, “If you just lower your tent, and leave all your stuff here, they won’t bother anything.” He must have figured out we were Georgia and Ole Miss graduates because he had our attention at “If”. (Even the lone Auburn sympathizer in our midst did not pick up on the deceit.) Bottom line, we ignored the law, lowered our tent, and left all our chairs, games, etc. under it on the beach after sunset.

Flash forward to the next morning when we walked out on our balcony to greet the day, looked down the beach, and realized everything we owned and left there was gone! We later learned that around 2 am, the beach patrol comes by and scoops up everything left there, but we have our suspicions that the Auburn guy has everything!! Funny, he said he was staying a week, but we never saw him again!! I think Satan works in much the same way.

Satan is just not teachable, and he will not change his mind about things. The sad thing is that Satan holds men and women captive to do his will, and most times they are not even aware of it. He often opposes Christians while disguising himself as a true believer and teacher of the truth. Fortunately, for all of us, Satan has never won a battle with God.

Satan is out there. Sometimes we recognize him, and sometimes we don’t. However, behind him stands the God Almighty of the universe who is in complete control and will use His powers to achieve His plan for all of us.

Meanwhile, Be alert and of a sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. I Peter 5:8

Heartfelt apologies to all my Auburn friends! It happens to all of us!!

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Proverbs 11:3

“I is what I is and not what I ain’t...copied

Integrity is defined as being honest and having strong moral principles.  At our house, we like to say integrity is being honest even when no one is looking.  

If I say that the first six months of 2020 have been strange, it would be an understatement.  The world as we know it has morphed into one that I hardly recognize – from masks, to social distancing, to closures, illnesses and even deaths of friends, race riots, unethical business practices, constant bickering from members of Congress, murders, and police disrespect. I find myself starting conversations with, “Please tell me something good that is happening in your life.  Tell me there are still people out there with integrity.”

Bishop Will Willimon tells the story of an interview he had with a law firm after his graduation from law school.  They liked him, and he liked them, and as the conversation progressed, he realized he had the job.  Then, the conversation turned to a questionable partnership the company had made.  Although, the company insisted that although the partnership might be unethical, it wasn’t illegal.  When Willimon expressed his objection, he didn’t get the job.   He says he’s not sorry because it gave him a chance to review his feelings, his ethics, and his integrity.

This might be a great time for all of us to review our responsibility to show integrity in this crazy new world.

In the midst of my prayer that there are still people of integrity, we had a good thing happen this past week, and I still marvel at how it all came together.  We had a refund check from insurance issued in the amount of $62.10.  Randy went to the bank to cash it, put it in the teller’s drawer with his license, and sent it to her.  When the teller opened the drawer, the license was there but no check.  A thorough search still provided no check.  Five days later (after we had abandoned any hope of ever seeing that money again) a letter arrived in the mail with the return address from Atlanta Braves club.  I opened the letter and found these words, “I found this check while jogging on Johnson Ferry Road.”  The check, though a bit worse for the wear, was there.  The person left no signature, but I can imagine he/she is a person of huge integrity.  

Integrity is a habit. It is comprised of people who just want to always do the right thing.  Telling part of the truth to get a job is unethical, finding a check and getting it back to its owner is integrity, honesty, and kindness. 

Habits are of our own making. The habit of telling part of the truth is unethical and spins a web of deceit. We need to all get in the habit of using the powerful word “NO” in unethical situations. NO, I won’t compromise who I am; NO, I won’t take part in something that is below me; NO, I won’t change my beliefs because they are unpopular; NO, I won’t go there or do that because I know it’s wrong; NO, I will not stand by and watch people break the laws of the land; NO, I won’t watch my constitutional rights being taken away; NO, I will not tolerate the adage, “What can one person do?” The truth is, the initiative of deeply caring people provide the firmament of our democracy.

If we look back over history, we will discover that almost all movements that really matter started with one or two people. One voice becomes two, then ten, and then thousands. Far too many of us underestimate the power of our voice and the strength of our ideals. When we put aside the pessimistic attitude, our true strength and voice emerges.

Once we do that, we break the habit or the prison and we are free to claim the power of integrity that God offers. We are made in the image of God, and if we remember that, it helps us speak with power, authority, and integrity when we are challenged.

God can take the chaos in this world and restore order. He can make sense of all the senseless things that are happening. He just needs the people of integrity to help get the Word out to the world who desperately needs to know.

Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success in life – all areas of life. The really good news is that anyone can develop them. Zig Ziglar

The truth is rarely pure and never simple. Oscar Wilde