When I was a child, we lived on a quiet street on the outskirts of a Virginia town. One warm summer night, my father motioned for me to come to the backyard. I was already in my pajamas—the kind with the “feet” in them (remember those?). I followed my father onto the grass and sat in his lap. “Look at the stars!” he murmured. I leaned onto his shoulder and looked up. I’d seen the stars before—this was different. The sky looked like crushed black velvet with a ribbon of Milky Way, brightened by so many stars I knew I’d never be able to count them. I was only five, but the memory of that night made an impression on my heart that remained. Later, as a teenager, my friends and I became enamored with different kinds of “stars.” A friend opened her “heartthrob” magazine to the centerfold, blushing at the photo of her latest Hollywood crush. Some of those “stars” gained my attention, too. As teens, we were distracted by worldly enticements. But adults can be distracted by worldly things, too. Maybe it’s not the latest celebrity. Instead, perhaps it's being enticed by the latest technology or swayed by attention-getting online marketing or social media advertisements. Nothing is wrong with “things”—if they don’t become our primary focus. But sometimes the influence of the world draws us away from God and His creation. All this summer, I waited for an opportunity to see the stars in the mountains. Finally, that night arrived—reminiscent of long ago when I sat with my father in the backyard, mesmerized by the expansive starry sky. Not every night presents an opportunity to see stars, but wherever you live, you can take in the wonder of God’s creation. Sometimes, that special place is in your own backyard. Go to that quiet place. Breathe. Calm your mind. Rest your soul. Bask in the beauty surrounding you—for God created you to be part of it. <>><>><>><>> “God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night; the stars also.” - Genesis 1:16 “Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The Lord of hosts is His name.” – Jeremiah 31:35 “The Lord your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are this day like the stars of heaven in number.” – Deuteronomy 1:10 “He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them.” – Psalm 147:4 "But I will give many descendants to my servant David and to the family group of Levi who serve me in the Temple. They will be as many as the stars in the sky that no one can count. They will be as many as the grains of sand on the seashore that no one can measure." - Jeremiah 33:22 Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com
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Driving through town, I saw a bank billboard advertising a gift voucher for its customers. For the customer to receive the free gift, they were given “redemption instructions.” They would need to follow certain steps, such as (1) pulling up a voucher on a mobile app, (2) calling to register, (3) and presenting the voucher. But, the recipient must hurry, as the offer was only good for a specific amount of time. And hopefully, the gift they received would be something of value. In the secular world, redemption refers to items we exchange through goods or money. Religiously speaking—from the standpoint of the Christian faith—redemption for us means deliverance—from sin through Christ’s death and resurrection. “Redemption Instructions” for faith are simply stated, and might best be summed up in the Bible verse from John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – NIV 2011 If you are unfamiliar with God's plan for redemption, it is easy to access. With a sincere heart, profess the words of John 3:16, which is the crux of Christianity. As Christians, we believe that Christ gave his life to atone for the sins of all, including you and me. Jesus, our Savior, has rescued us from sin and assured us of eternal life in Heaven when our time on earth is done. To profess the words of John 3:16 is the easy part, but as many Christians know, living in a secular world is not easy, but God's promises are true. And one thing is certain: the benefits of God's redemption plan is “out of this world!” His gift for us never expires—and its value is everlasting. <><<><<>< “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” - Romans 3:22-24 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” – 1 Eph. 7-8 “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” – 1 Colossians 13-14 Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com Bible verses from NIV 2011 "Surprise Math quiz this week. Be ready!" the instructor warned. I grumbled. Can't he at least tell us which day he'll give the quiz? Soon, the end of the semester closed in, with final exams looming before us. Coffee-imbibed days coupled with studying until the wee hours of the morning, my roommates and I crammed to withstand the inevitable. Exams in school are one thing. They're expected—most of the time! But life tests are different—they're unpredictable. We don't know if we'll get the job we want. Or if we will afford a home or be able to support a family. Then, other unexpected tests often come our way: handling illness, financial woes, the death of loved ones, and other losses. We don't always have a warning when these things will happen. Jesus faced insurmountable testing during his life—including temptation from Satan. The Gospels describe these accounts; Jesus refused each temptation. When Satan confronted Jesus in a high place, he offered him all the kingdoms of the world if he would bow down to worship him. But Jesus replied, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” – Luke 4:3 NIV Sometimes, our faith is tested, too. But if we remain steadfast, prayerful, and trust in the Lord, we can get through some of the most challenging tests or trials. May you remain deeply rooted in God's Word, so that when trials come, you will withstand them with strength, courage, and perseverance. <><<><<><<>< “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” - Ephesians 6:11 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23 Scripture from the NIV Bible, 2011 Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com Happy Labor Day! I hope you are fortunate enough to have the holiday off—or at least have had time off during the weekend. Labor Day conjures up images of BBQs or picnics; however, historically, it was meant to honor those who suffered the effect of unfair labor practices. Only much later did it become a day off for civil or state employees. But many people still had to work—as is the case today. Work is instilled into our minds and vocabulary at an early age, isn't it? You may have received advice from parents or teaching while growing up, such as: “Get a good education and you'll find a good job," or, "Choose a vocation that will enable you to support yourself." We spend years devoting our time, talents, skills, and energy into making a living. We “make a living,” so to speak, but we also need to “make a life." (Says no one on their deathbed: "I wish I'd worked more hours"). So, take time—make time—for rest, for moments of solitude, and enjoy being with your family or friends. And, know divine help is at hand. Seek God and His Word for rest and encouragement. Jesus took time for solitude, rest, and prayer. A few examples: In Luke 6:12-13, Jesus went to a mountainside by himself to pray. In Mark 6:30-32, he tells the disciples to separate themselves from the crowds (and their work) and find a quiet place to rest. My prayer for you today is that you will find time for rest and renewal. <>><>><>><>><>> “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day.” - Exodus 20:11 NIV “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28 NIV “It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.” - Exodus 31:17 NIV Scriptures from the New International Version of the Bible, 2011. Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com You’ve seen the tell-tale initials on headstones, sympathy cards, or comments made when someone dies: “R.I.P.” Have you ever wondered about that phrase? I have, for it brings up a subtle question: is it possible a departed person might not “rest in peace?” For example, what becomes of a troubled soul who never finds peace before death and has no belief in the afterlife? But, we are not to judge and we cannot answer this question. I apologize for writing about this morbid subject. The truth is it's hard to think about death, much less talk about it. Being a writer, I analyze words and phrases, so “R.I.P” lit up like a neon question mark in my head. What is the real meaning behind “rest in peace” and where did the phrase originate? A quick glance at *Wikipedia provides an answer. The phrase comes from Latin, “requiescat in pace,” historically used by certain Christian denominations to wish a departed soul “a decedent eternal rest and peace.” I feel better knowing “R.I.P.” refers to eternal peace or rest. But, considering how often this timeworn phrase is used, how many people realize its true meaning? Eternal peace and rest come from belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and His promise of salvation and eternal life. My prayer is that all would know and believe in the promises given by the One who granted them life. If there is trouble anywhere—as there often is in life—may they know God loves them no matter what they’ve been through, and there is hope, even for the most troubled hearts. # “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 NIV 2011 Photo courtesy of Vecteezy.com *htps://en.wikipedia.org>wiki>Rest_in_peace |
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