A Lesson in Love

She paid no attention to the children playing around her, but wandered instead to a quiet corner of the playroom where a box of dolls was kept. She knelt down on her knees and one by one, pulled doll after doll from the pile. They were dolls with cheerful smiles, bright colored dresses, the prettiest any little girl could hope to play with. Still she dug further into the pile until she reached the bottom.

The only thing left in the box was a pitiful looking baby doll. She was worn with age (1956 to be exact!) and her painted hair and face were fading. Her glass eyes a bit dusty, and her rubber fingers, toes, and nose looked as though they had long ago been chewed off by a dog. She had no clothing to speak of. She was very obviously the least desirable of the dolls, most likely an unwanted old toy given to the Church School by a member years before. The little girl picked up that worn out, faded, chewed up doll and held her close in her arms, the other toys forgotten.

"I will love you." She whispered. The little girl dug through a box of doll clothes until she found a dress that would fit, and slipped it over her. She found a blanket and wrapped the doll snugly in it, and sat down in a child sized rocking chair and began to softly hum the hymns she had learned in church. 

From that day forward, whenever she entered the playroom she ignored everything else and went to the box of dolls and found that same worn out baby. One day she realized her "baby" needed a name. She gave much consideration to this matter. Names were important. Finally, she decided on just the perfect name, and whispered to the tiny baby, "I'll call you Elisabeth."

As the days and months passed the little girl's world became more and more uncertain. Yet one thing remained constant to her in the midst of all her circumstances: Elisabeth. She didn't fully understand what love was at the age of four, but she thought it might have something to do with what she heard at church; about a Man named Jesus who would forgive and save anyone who came to Him. He was a God who loved children too, just like the song she learned in Sunday School, "Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the children of the world." If that was love, didn't that mean she should love like that? Even the unlovely? Even the unlovable? The broken, cast aside ones? The less than perfect ones? Didn't that mean as broken and unwanted as Elisabeth had been, that she should love her? And so she tried, in the very best way a four year old could, to love Elisabeth.

One day she received news that caused silent tears to pour down her face. Her parents were separating. She was going to live with her grandparents. On top of it all, she had to leave behind Elisabeth because the school year was coming to a close. Having just passed her fifth birthday there was much about life she didn't understand, but of one thing she was certain. It often wasn't fair.

On the last day of school, just like all the days before, she found her quiet place in the playroom, wrapped Elisabeth in a blanket and hummed the hymns from church; the quiet, calming words, "Rescue the perishing, care for the dying. Jesus is merciful. Jesus will save." It was one of her very favorites. As the close of the school day neared she whispered in Elisabeth's ear, "I have to leave you. I can't come back anymore. But I'll always love you."

She placed Elisabeth in the box with the other dolls and went with the other children to wait for her grandmother to pick her up. She tried hard not to cry. She wasn't succeeding very well! She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see her teacher smiling at her.

"I have something for you." she told the little girl with excitement. She pulled her hands from behind her back to reveal...Elisabeth!

"We decided that she needed to go with you." the teacher explained upon seeing the confused little girl's expression.

 The little girl eagerly reached out for her baby and held her close. "I never have to leave you! I'll love you forever!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Years passed and that little girl became a Christian at the age of eleven. It had taken her a long time to realize that the same love Jesus had for everyone truly did include her. After becoming a Christian she understood what true love was for the first time; to be truly forgiven, accepted, and to belong. The years continued to pass and that little girl became a woman.

She learned what it was to love and be loved by her Saviour, and she remembered the lesson taught to her so long ago by a pitiful, chewed up, faded baby doll: to love the unlovable and unlovely. Sometimes she heard people joke that love was blind. Yet, wasn't that how love was supposed to be? The Bible did say, "...but love covereth all sins." (Proverbs 10:12b)

After all, isn't that how Jesus had loved her? She had been unlovely, scarred by sin, at the bottom of a miry pit. Yet Jesus had picked her up, cleaned her up, changed her life, and He had loved her. Unconditionally. He had done more than cover her sins; He had washed them all away, never to remember them again.

In fact, when she really stopped to think about it, she'd been a lot like Elisabeth. At the very bottom, faded and chewed up by sin. Yet Jesus had reached all the way down for her, picked her up, clothed her in righteousness, wrapped her in His arms promising to love her. 

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. ~Psalm 40:2,3

God loves this world and He's willing to reach down for anyone who will come to Him in repentance and faith. He loves and He calls on His children to love others as well. He calls us to a work of reconciliation by bringing the lost of this world to Him. He calls us to love our enemies. He calls us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, even when that is difficult.

Sometimes a person finds themselves called to show love to an unloving spouse, or perhaps a parent is called to love a wayward child living in rebellion. Sometimes a person is called to love a hurtful, bitter parent. Sometimes we are called to love brothers and sisters in Christ even when they may not show kindness to us. Often we may find ourselves called to love those lost in sin, those who oppose Christianity, who may even oppose us on a personal level. But always, we are called to love.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. ~I John 4:7,8

God calls us to "rescue the perishing, care for the dying." Why? Because He is merciful and He will save. He loved sinful man so much that He died for each and every person that has ever or will ever live. 

By the way, in case you were wondering whatever happened to Elisabeth...she sits in a prominent place on my dresser to this day, still wearing that little blue dress. She's still chewed up with faded paint, but I happen to think she's beautiful. And though many of us have been scarred by sin and shame and have brokenness in our pasts, when God sees us, He sees the righteousness of Christ. He sees us as trophies of grace. 

 

 

All the Days of Her Life

All the Days of Her Life

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. –Proverbs 31:10-12

During the month of February, one can hardly go out in public without the constant reminders of Valentine’s Day. There are sales on candy and flowers, and pink and red hearts nearly everywhere. It’s enough to give some young men hives and cause some young ladies to wear black in honor of “Single People Awareness Day.”

I say all of that jokingly, but some young people do seem to have a more difficult time as that day nears. I wanted to write this for the single young ladies who find themselves praying for “the one” and still find themselves waiting, perhaps all through college and beyond.

I am very thankful for my King James Bible. Every word in it is important. When I read those verses in Proverbs 31, I notice a word in verse twelve. “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” That little three letter word stands out to me like a neon sign. I’ve heard it said that a good definition for that word is, “all is all, and that’s all that all means.”

That verse doesn’t say she’ll do him good and not evil when she meets him. It doesn’t say she’ll do him good and not evil during their courtship. It doesn’t say she’ll do him good and not evil after they are married. It plainly says she will do him good and not evil ALL the days of her life. Ladies, that means while you are waiting for him, and you wonder if he even exists, you will live your life in such a way that you can do him good and not evil ALL of your days. It means that you will wait for him and not settle for less than God’s best for you. It means that you will have a Godly testimony that honors the Lord as well as him. It means that you will keep yourself in purity for him, and you will live in such a way that he will have “no need of spoil” and that his heart can safely trust in you. If that sounds like a lot of work that is because it can be, but I do believe if a young lady will spend her single years as a time of preparation and service to the Lord, that God will honor that, whether she ever marries or not.

One specific way you can “do him good” all your days is to pray for him. “But I don’t know who he is yet,” you may be thinking. That’s perfectly alright. You don’t have to know him specifically in order to pray for him in specific ways.

Pray for his perspective. By that I mean, pray that he has a right relationship with the Lord. Pray for his salvation and pray that he will follow after righteousness rather than worldliness. Pray that he will be established in God’s Word and willing to stand for the truths it contains. Remember, he will one day be the spiritual head of your home.

Pray for his purity. We live in a world that is no friend to purity. Pray for the Lord to keep him strong in this area of his life. Pray a wall of protection around his eyes, mind, and heart. Pray God would give him victory to stand against the fiery darts of the devil. Pray that he is a man of integrity and character, as well as a man who is led by the Holy Spirit. Pray the armor of God found in Ephesians chapter six, as well as the fruit of the Spirit to be manifested in his life. A man walking in the Spirit will be pure.

Pray for his protection. He needs protection physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally; just as you do. The devil is walking about seeking whom he may devour. The man you are praying for and waiting for is no exception, and he needs your prayers for protection in every aspect of his life.

Pray for his prosperity. Pray that the Lord will bless his work, whether it be his daily job, a ministry he is involved in, or his spiritual walk. Again, the devil will seek to discourage him and tell him that it’s all in vain. Pray the Lord would prosper whatever he puts his hands to. Pray that when discouragement comes that he will remain strong in the Lord.

These are just a few examples of how you can pray specifically for him, even if you don’t know specifically who he is. There are so many ways a young lady can seek to “do him good” all the days of her life. This time of waiting can be a special time of prayer and preparation that you spend with the Lord. Your Heavenly Father is working on you and that unknown man, so have patience, pray, and prepare. Never lose sight of doing him good all your days.

Tears in a Bottle

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? --Psalms 56:8

Have you ever realized nothing removes makeup quite so effectively as tears? Even mascara, as hard as it is to remove, our tears break down even the waterproof kind! It's kind of funny to me in a way. If I could think of a way to bottle tears and market them as makeup remover, I'd be one rich lady! But you know something? Our tears are precious to the Lord. So much so that He saves our tears in bottles (Psalm 56:8) (My grandfather used to say I had enough tears for 3 women, so if there's a water tower in Heaven, it has my name on it, because mine overflowed the bottle a long time ago!). One day He will wipe away our tears. Can you imagine the King of Glory, our Saviour, literally wiping away our tears? What compassion and what comfort that will be! I wrote a book of poems some years ago and one of them is about tears. I thought I'd share it here,

Tears Speak When Words Can Not

Lord, sometimes I come to You
burdened in prayer.
Yet I can't find the words,
only tears are there.

I can not articulate,
formulate or think.
But tears keep on flowing;
the right words I can't speak.

I know I shouldn't worry.
The Holy Spirit has it covered.
After all, He makes intercession
with groanings which can not be uttered.

When I feel foolish for crying
and I'm tempted to stop
I remember that my tears speak
when my words can not.

That book was published five years ago, but I wrote those words years before. I still feel that way. Sometimes we come before the Lord, not really sure what to say. Sometimes all we can get out might be "Oh Father!" or "Please help!" (and by "help" we really aren't sure what we mean, just that we know we need Him to do something!) I say "we" because I'm sure I'm not the only one who's found myself in such a state. Isn't it wonderful to know, no matter the circumstance, no matter if you can find the words to pray or not, we have a Mediator? One hymn says, "before the throne of God above, I have a strong and perfect plea; a Great High Priest whose name is love, Who ever lives and pleads for me!" We have a Comforter in the Holy Spirit, a Mediator in Christ, and a loving Father Who always hears the cries of His child. Just some things on my heart this morning that I thought I'd share. And now...I better go reapply what my "make up remover" took off! :v ;) :D

Fear's Snare

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Proverbs 29:25

I read that this morning in my Bible reading. It's one of my favorite verses and has often been an encouragement to me.

The first part, "The fear of man," makes me think of two different things. First there is the fear literally, of man. We fear what others think, say, or might do to us. So we hold back doing things we know to do, like witness, or take a stand for what is right. We fear the opinions of others, the criticism of people, and the ridicule of scoffers.

This is what nearly sent me to hell. I was a lost church member and I was afraid to admit it. I was afraid people would be angry I had lied or think badly of me for living that lie for several years. What finally got my attention the night I got saved was the Holy Spirit's conviction of, "What do you fear more? What others think, or dying and going to hell?" In that perspective the answer was obvious. My fear of hell was greater.

The second thing I think of when I think of "the fear of man," is just that: all the fears that man has; whether it be people, or circumstances, or events. It's anything a person has a fear of.

People fear a lot of things; some of them we view as serious and others we view as humorous. For those who fear financial ruin, they may laugh at a child afraid of the dark--but both of those fears are very real (in the mind) of the person who is afraid.

George Mueller said the opposite of faith is fear. If anyone had a right to make that statement, it was he, for he actively lived a life of faith, when many in his position would have felt fear. He was responsible for so many lives; to feed and clothe them, and yet we read he thanked God at breakfast for food that was not in the kitchen, and before the morning was out, somehow, there was always enough food for everyone.

I have heard it said regarding the Baptists of colonial New England, that the reason they were so heavily persecuted is that the congregationalists feared what they did not understand (Baptist doctrine).

Whatever the fear, whether it is a fear of man and his opinion or whether it's the collective fears of man, any fear, being the opposite of faith, is sin. If it's not of faith it can not please God. Sin does NOT please God.

It brings a snare. When I think of a snare I think of fishing or hunting. That hook is meant to catch or snare the fish, and usually, the harder the fish pulls, the more entangled it becomes. The trap is meant to snare the hunted animal, and the harder the animal fights, the weaker he gets, the more pain he is in, and the deeper the wound inflicted from the trap.

So it is with fear. When caught by it's snare, it drains us physically and emotionally and makes us spiritually weak. It causes pain that is needless, had we just avoided the snare to begin with. The longer we stay there, the deeper the wound we gain.

Fear steals faith and robs joy. Fear brings a snare that stops us in our tracks.

I remember two years after I was saved, I attended a revival meeting in a church that was local to me at the time. The evangelist talked about giving everything to God. There could be no hidden room of our heart for which God did not hold the key. We could not hand God the keys to everything and hold on to one saying, "Here Lord, I give you everything, except this one tiny area. That's mine. But you can have everything else!"

He mentioned it could be a sin we refused to give up or it could be an area of service we refused to do, it could be any area of our life where, maybe not verbally, but certainly by our actions we told the Lord to keep His hands off.

Oh how conviction broke me that night! I was saved, I had given up a lot of old things in my life and allowed God to replace them. God had been gracious to give me victory over a lot of things at that point. Yet there was this one area of my life, where I actually would say out loud and to anyone who asked, "I'll do anything BUT ______." (What it was is not important.)

I can literally remember having told the Lord, "I'll do anything you want, go anywhere you want, be whatever you want, just please don't ask of me this one thing, because I can not and will not do it."

That night the Lord put His finger right there. I tried to resist, but I realized something: until I was fully surrendered and willing to do ANYTHING God required of me, I could never go forward in my Christian life. He could not use an unwilling vessel.

What held me back? Fear. I was afraid that if I gave God that area of my life He'd make me do it. And I was afraid if I had to do it I would be faced with the failure I'd seen in the lives of others regarding that particular thing. And so I held on for dear life, thinking I knew better than God.

I still remember His dealing with me. I could trust God for eternal salvation, but not something dealing with this present, mortal life? I knew better than an omnipotent, omniscient God? Most importantly, what if that WAS God's will for my life, and until I surrendered it I could never be all God intended for me to be?

When I finally went to the altar and brokenly (and oh, I was broken alright! Fighting God makes you tired!) gave Him that part I was holding back, it was with His sweet peace that He gave in return, and a promise that He could give me better than my fear.

That was many years ago, and only one example of the times God has had to conquer my fears. Sometimes He deals with me in tender mercy and is so compassionate when I feel that I probably deserve His whopping. And sometimes, because I insist in holding on to whatever the given fear may be, He has to break me, and pry my fingers off one by one until I am once again resting in His peace.

You'd think by now I would have learned...fear brings a snare. Any fear does. It stops you in your tracks and until it's dealt with you can't go forward to what God has for you.

You ask, then how can you say that verse encourages you? What's encouraging about being caught in a snare?

It's the last part of the verse that encourages me. "...but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." When I'm caught in that snare and my physical and emotional strength has been extinguished and when I'm stuck, unable to go forward, if I will but put my trust in the Lord, I'm safe. He releases me from the snare. He sets me free from the bondage I had put myself under.

When I think of the word "safe," I think of a small child fearing a thunderstorm who runs to their mother or father. That parent lovingly takes the child in his or her arms and holds the child. They may speak soft words of comfort, or they may silently rock the child to sleep, but that child knows whether words are spoken or not, no matter how bad the storm rages outside, they are safe in the arms of someone who loves them, and that's good enough.

How much more so it is with us running from a storm to our Heavenly Father? He never turns us away! He lovingly takes us up in His arms, and He may speak words of comfort or He may simply hold us securely until it passes, but in His arms is peace, and the faith that no matter how loud the storm rages, there is safety in His embrace.

I may often struggle with fears, but it's when I run to my Father that He assures me, all is well. I can trust Him. He is still in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He holds all my tomorrows. He is God, and He is good. In those moments, I am at peace. I am safe. And when you cast yourself on His mercies, so are you. Put your trust in Him...it's there you will truly be safe.

Proper Perspective?

Today I read a quote that I liked, so I shared it on my facebook page. "Beauty has a lot to do with character." A friend commented that it was a truth many young girls needed to know. I say amen to that! It's something everyone should know. It caused me to think, and as I thought more on it, I decided to share my scattered thoughts here.

"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." Proverbs 31:30

For many, many years this has been one of my "life verses." I love the truth contained in that verse. As God lists the qualities of a virtuous, Godly woman, He closes the chapter with that truth. I believe we can see God's mind on the issue! He made it clear here that outward beauty was not nearly so important as the inward (her fear of the Lord). 

I once listened to a man use part of I Samuel 16:7, (for man looketh on the outward appearance) to justify placing strong emphasis on choosing a mate based on how she looked. For once in my life, I did not open my mouth, I smiled, kept walking and laughed to myself. He'd forgotten the entire verse which says, "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 

God was instructing Samuel NOT to use the world's ideas in choosing the man who would be Israel's king. He was telling him to see them as God saw them. We all could benefit from the instruction given to Samuel, in viewing ourselves and others. The world emphasizes the outter-man. God emphasizes the inner-man. We can not use the excuse, "Well I'm human and it's just natural to judge the outward appearance." The Bible tells us to die to the natural man and have the mind of Christ. We are to strive to value what He values, reject what He rejects, love as He loves. I believe that principle applies here.

Yes, this world says a person's worth is based heavily in the "packaging." Young children are sometimes more impressed with the box a gift comes in rather than the gift the box contains. Why? Their maturity has not allowed them to yet understand that the packaging might be nice, but it really doesn't mean much; it's the gift inside that's important. Some people carry this into adulthood. 

We need to view ourselves and others properly. I have listened to beautiful Christian teen girls, nearly in tears tell me, "I'm just not pretty enough." I have listened to women well aged sigh sadly and tell me, "I used to be so beautiful but that's gone now." I have listened to women in their middle-aged years fret that they are losing their beauty. They all list various reasons for why they feel this way. And my heart hurts a little every time. 

I don't judge them, because I have struggled, and still do in some areas concerning this. It is a battle, sometimes a daily one, that I have to fight. I have stood in front of my bathroom mirror crying in one hand while holding handfulls of my hair in the other. You see, my entire life I never thought I was very pretty but the one thing I did like about my outward appearance was my hair. To loose that as well was, and sometimes still is a challenge at times. That's just plain honest. But it is what it is, so you just wipe your tears, reapply your makeup, smile, and go on with your day. My point is, I understand those feelings of insecurity and not measuring up to a standard. 

But who set those standards women feel they must hold themselves to? Society? And did they set it based on Hollywood, popular trends, or culture? If so, those standards are wrong. And I'm not saying there's anything wrong with being "beautiful" on the outside. My point is, the women I've listened to list their inadequacies were in fact beautiful on the outside (and the inside!) and that is part of the problem. 

We all have things we don't like about ourselves. We forget godliness with contentment really is great gain. Yes, we, as in myself included. God made us, not we ourselves. We want to be smaller, we want to be bigger (well, not me!), we want curly hair instead of straight, blue eyes instead of brown; you name it, we're never really satisfied, and there could be many reasons why, but the fact remains, God made us. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. I've jokingly said, "I was made and it's fearful and I sure wonder!" However, really and truly, God made me (and everyone else) as He saw fit. There are some things we can, and sometimes should change (when my weight impeded my ability to serve God and even my life, that needed changing. But I don't need colored contacts or plastic surgery to alter who God made me to be, for example).

I heard a preacher once say as he stood looking at a cage of baboons in a zoo, that he laughed and wondered to himself why God had made something so funny looking. Then God reminded him that as Creator, He had looked upon ALL of His creation and called it good. He made the baboon as He wanted it to look and He was pleased. 

We need to view ourselves properly, and we certainly ought to view others properly as well. Who on earth do we think we are to look at another one of God's creations (especially one of God's children, if they are a brother or sister in Christ) and deem them somehow "less" or unworthy, or lacking based on their appearance? God has not resigned His throne to anyone, so no one has the right to view someone the King of the Universe created and critique a physical appearance.

As with most things, our ideas and God's sometimes contradict. His thoughts are higher than ours. When that happens, we must yield to Him. I love a good joke, even if it is on me, and I'm sometimes the first to tell one on myself. I like laughing and I don't mind laughing at myself. However we must not lose sight of the fact that our worth is not in how this world views us, how our brothers and sisters in Christ view us, or even in how we view ourselves. Our worth is in Christ. The fact of the matter is, we were worthless, rotten, no good sinners; every last one of us. YET, He loved us so much that He was willing to lay aside the glory of Heaven, and take on flesh, live and suffer and die (without sin!) for every last one of us. Our true worth is not in ourselves, but in Him. In Him is all sufficiency. 

I have laughingly said, "I'm more than just a number." By that I mean, I am more than the number on my scale. I am more than the number of hairs on my head (or in my hand!). I am more than the number that is my age. I am more than my outward appearance. And so is everyone else. We have a character, convictions, principles, thoughts, personalities, and most importantly, eternal souls. Making sure those things are properly kept in order is far more important. Yes, take care of the outward, it IS the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we ought to be good stewards of what we are given. Make it look as good as you can (within reason and with moderation) and keep it as healthy as you can, but know that your inner-man, that part of you that makes you YOU, that is more important to work on than anything else. Not even that can be done without the power of the Holy Spirit, by the way!

Letting Him shape our character, mold our lives, change our actions, work in our hearts, and work through us, THAT and that alone, is true beauty. We were created in His image, and yes, I do realize that because of the Fall, that image was marred when sin entered, but the Second Adam came, died, and rose again. He is all-together lovely, and we as His children are IN HIM.

I've heard it often said, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." True. When we ask God to help us "behold" ourselves and others as He sees, that will make a world of difference. I'm glad when I was lost He saw what I could be. I'm glad when He views me now, He sees the Righteousness of Christ. It's how He views you as well.

I'm glad God made a world of beauty...and in that world he allowed people to be made in His image (what an honor!) and yet have unique appearances. He's just good like that!

Go Forward in Faith, Don't Flee in Fear!

Have you ever been in a storm while at sea? I have...twice. In one occurrence I could barely walk I was so disoriented. I wanted OFF of that ship! However, had I jumped in desperation, I would have been lost to the storm, destroyed because of my fear. Instead, I took some nausea medication, prayed, and covered my head with a pillow! Eventually we passed through the storm and came to the shore.

Fear...it brings a snare and is not given to us by God, according to His Word.

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. --Proverbs 29:25

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind --II Timothy 1:7

Yet the sin of fearing and doubting and worrying...is one I often find myself confessing! Anyone that knows me can testify that I am very much a work in progress! I'm just thankful the One doing the work is well able to perform it! It doesn't depend on me, but Him! He began a work in me, and He WILL perform it until He is ready to call me Home and I stand before Him, complete, perfect, finished. 

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: --Philippians 1:6

Recently I heard about another storm some people were in, and they too were afraid. My pastor preached about it, and since then I've not been able to get away from it. The Lord has been helping me with this passage of Scripture, so I thought I would take a moment and share some thoughts--some from His message, and some the Lord has given me since. I don't know what storm you're facing, but if you're like most Christians then you; just came out of a storm, are in the midst of one, or you're just about ripe for a big one! Maybe this will help someone, but if nothing else, I need the reminder! 

And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

Mark 6:45-53

First of all, I notice Jesus sent them into the storm. He constrained them to get in the ship and go to the other side. He, being omniscient, knew exactly what He was sending them into, though they had no idea. It was His perfect will that they be where they were. Just because we are in a storm, does NOT mean we are in disobedience or out of God's will. (It can mean that, and if that's the case the Lord will make that known, but not every storm is for chastening.) He constrained them...in other words, He made it VERY clear they were to get in that boat--and not just get in the boat, but get to the other side. He didn't say, "Get to the other side if it's convenient, if the seas are fair, or if you feel like it." He just told them to do it. He also gave them a promise, in a sense. If He told them to go to the other side, it meant they would be able to get there. Just because something is difficult or looks impossible, DOES NOT mean that God is not able to bring it to pass.

Next I see what Jesus did. He went to pray. Often in His earthly ministry He took time to pray, and now He sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. Even in Scripture we see Him praying for His disciples, and even praying for those of us who would eventually believe upon Him. Could it be, though I'm not certain, but is it possible he was praying for them? He prayed for Peter when the devil desired to sift him as wheat. Peter had to face that trial and he even messed up, but the devil did NOT destroy him. Peter's greatest ministry followed his biggest test. Just because we are Christians does not mean we are exempt from storms or trials, but we can take courage in knowing our Saviour is praying for us! 

Then I see when they were in the very middle of the sea, it was dark. Further down it mentions the fourth watch, one of the darkest times of night. I know there are times I face storms and it seems so very dark. I can't see, and neither could they. Though they couldn't see Jesus, He could see them. There are times when we can't always see God working. That does not mean that He isn't. It reminds me, He sees me even when I can't always see Him. We I can't track Him, I can trust Him!

I also see they were toiling in rowing and the wind was contrary to them. Amazing that the perfect will of God would put them in a situation were the circumstances seemed stacked against them--impossible even! That's so opposite of what many would have us believe! A handful of men, in a vessel with no outboard motor, no modern technology, rowing against a strong and contrary wind. I imagine the waves hitting them, tossing them, impairing their vision even more, and perhaps making them disorientated and uncertain if they were even going in the right direction. 

This is were we often fail worse than the disciples. It's true, they were fearful, but they never turned back and they didn't jump ship. They could have said, "Let's turn around! The wind will blow us back to the original shore." Or perhaps they simply could have grown weary and just stopped rowing and allowed the wind to blow them back. Or worse yet, they could have given up and said, "I'm just going to jump ship and give it all up." They didn't do any of those things, but we often do! We'll be confronted with our biggest fears and fiercest storms, and instead of rowing on even though we're afraid, we'll turn our boat around and run as fast we can for shore. Or maybe we don't outright flee, but instead we just stop trying and find ourselves carried backward by our circumstances. The worst is when some jump ship all together and give up on God's will. That's when THEY become the shipwreck. 

No, the only thing to do in the midst of a storm is to simply keep pressing on, even though it's hard, even though we can't see the end. We just have to go forward in faith, clinging to the promise that we'll make it through the storm safely to shore. There was no sin in their being in the storm. There was no sin in the circumstances being contrary. There was no sin in them having to fight nearly impossible odd to accomplish what God told them. There WAS sin in their fear. God gave them His Word they'd make it, and that should have been enough, regardless of what circumstances seemed like. That is where I often fail. Time and time again, God gives me His Word (the Bible, that light for my path) and regardless of what the circumstances say, that should be enough for me! Even when I can't see God working, I can still cling to the Word He gave me, and that's what the disciples should have done as well. 

Yet despite their fear, they toiled and pressed on...and even though they had feared, Jesus was still about to reveal His glory to them. He's good like that! You see, though they doubted Him, He still passed by their way. He still spoke peace to them. He still calmed their storm. He still got them to the other side. He is faithful, even when we at times are not. They saw Jesus walk to them on the sea, they saw Him calm impossible circumstances, and soon after, they received the promise; they made it safe to the other side.

He does that for us still, even when we doubt, He'll still show up, right on time and let us see His glory...but not if we run, and not if we give up, and not if we jump ship. Had they done any of those things, they would have missed Him walking on the water. He would have passed by as it was! How often do we allow our fears to get the better of us and turn us around, causing us to miss Jesus passing by? How many times do we miss a miracle or miss Him walking on the water and calming our storms because we're afraid? How often do we get out of His perfect will because we flee in fear? Oh my, how it convicts me to consider that! 

The end of the passage above tells me something about human nature even today. Their hearts were hard and they forgot all God had done in the past. Sometimes that's me, and if you're honest, sometimes that's you as well. We forget those storms He already brought us through. We forget the miracles He already performed. Those landmarks of the past, those stones of Ebeneezer, that sure Word of God He's given us; THAT is what we should be thinking of when we're fearful. We can have confidence God will get us through and still be faithful, because He has always been faithful! He's been faithful to us and others, and all of it should remind us He's still faithful in the midst of a storm!

I don't know what you're facing, but please don't quit. Don't flee in fear! Go forward in faith! You may not be able to see and you may be tired from fighting your circumstances, but if you turn around now, you may miss the shore that you're so close to, and not even realize it. You might miss Jesus revealing His glory and speaking to you. You might just miss a miracle! Keep going! Keep toiling in the darkness, keep rowing in the storm, because right on time, right when you need it most, He'll come walking on your sea speaking peace and take you to the other side.

The waves may be over your head, but they're always under His feet. He won't bring you through your storms to drop you in the puddle either! Just cling to His Word...it is faithful and sure even when everything around us seems hopeless. Go forward...but do it in faith! Don't flee in fear! I say this to you and myself...because God so often says it to me from His Word. 

And if you do find yourself in circumstances and you ARE afraid (because, being human, you probably will again, eventually!) keep going forward anyway. He's still faithful, and He'll still pass by your way. He'll still speak peace from His Word. I have heard and found it true; "God doesn't bless us because we are good. He blesses us because He is good." And so He is! 

 

Christmas in Heaven

Many years have passed since that Christmas week that forever changed me. I think of him often, but never more so than during the week of Christmas, and especially on December 23rd--the day he died. I go to his grave every year on that day; not to be near him, because only his earthly shell remains. I go to talk with the Lord and thank him again for the wonderful man that loved and raised me as his own, never gave up praying for my salvation, and who led me to Christ. I go to thank Him for His grace and His blessings. And I go because a small part of me hopes that just maybe the rapture might take place and he and I can make the trip together in glorified bodies. Time does not heal wounds. But God's grace does.

It's at this time of year I think of others I know who have lost their loved ones in recent years. If you've never lost anyone you dearly loved, you might not realize that as wonderful as Christmas and all those special times throughout the year are, those moments are bitter-sweet for some of us. Have patience with us, if at times we smile, holding back unshed tears. We are thinking of a different Country and a different gathering for just a moment.

For some of us, family reunions and holidays are never quite the same. (And if you live long enough, chances are you'll find yourself in a similar position.) Though we enjoy those moments and are thankful, we know our family circle or gathering of friends will not be complete until that great Reunion Day in a wonderful place called Heaven.

To those of you who understand what I am speaking of, especially if you have lost someone in recent years or perhaps even this year, may God's grace comfort your hearts. Though you rejoice in knowing their suffering is over, you miss them. You wish for one more hug, one more kiss, one last conversation, or to hear "I love you" just once more. But you know that once will never be enough. You sometimes long for the trump of God, and you're listening just a little more closely than before to hear, "Come up hither!"

I pray for God's grace to be present for you in a special way in the next few days as you remember your loved one spending Christmas in Heaven, and I remind you, keep looking up because there is a glad reunion day coming, and it won't be much longer!

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory^? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." I Corinthians 15:51-58

God's Precious Things

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 55:8

 Awhile back, a dear sister in the Lord and I were talking about the need for revival. I said something to the effect of, "I'm not complaining about God's blessings to us, but it seems we've allowed ourselves to become so busy. Too busy for God and the moving of His Spirit. I'd hate for Him to have to remove our blessings as a nation and a church, but I sometimes wonder if that is what it will take to drive us to our knees seeking His presence." (And I was talking to myself as well, by the way.)

Her response? "Sometimes I think the things we see as blessings are really hindrances. I'd hate for my children and family and all of us to know the reality of what Christians in other countries experience, but could it be they are really the blessed ones?"

I thought for a moment, and knew she was on to something. Even if you barely know me, you probably know that I love Baptist history. One thing that has always blessed my heart about my dear Baptist brethren (and sisters!) is that whether in New Testament time, under Nero, in the Middles Ages under the Catholics and Protestants, In early Colonial America under the Standing Order, or in the Soviet Union under Communist rule; one thing I see constant: many of them stood boldly in the power of Christ. I admire them so much for that. I know it was God's grace they stood and still do. 

They saw God revive them and spread their movement. When others saw they had something worth suffering for, even dying for, they wanted to know what it was! Thus the Gospel was spread and revival fires burned.

I still say I hope that never comes to America (though I've long thought it would unless the rapture takes place first) but that's not my point in writing this. My conversation with my dear sister caused me to remember the verse I started with, and others like it. 

I am mortal being with a finite mind right now. That won't change for me until I pass from death unto life eternal and put off my corruptible flesh. Until I am in my glorified body, I look through a glass darkly. I don't always see things with eternity in view, but God does. I can't see the end from the beginning in any situation, but God does. I don't always understand, but I don't have to. God does. 

The Bible makes it clear: our ways and our thoughts can't compare to those of God. 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

These are wonderful verses. They are verses that bring hope and comfort. Do you know when I find myself turning to these verses the most? When I'm in the midst of a trial. When I'm in the storm and can't see that end from the beginning; when I'm in a fiery furnace; when I don't know what God is doing; when His ways don't make sense to me, THAT is when I cling to those verses and others like them.

Those verses sound so cheery, so peaceful, so hopeful. Yet often we must face a fiery trial or raging storm before "all things work together" for an "expected end." To my limited understanding that doesn't make sense at first. 

But God's ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts. 

There are many things the Scriptures say are precious to God. The shed blood of Christ (I Peter 1:18,19), The Word of God (I Samuel 3:1), the redemption of a soul (Psalm 49:8b), His thoughts of us (Psalm 139:17), and I could on. However, there are a few things that are precious to God that don't readily make sense, at least not on the surface.

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: I Peter 1:7

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:6

 The first verse I mentioned says our trials are precious. The second says our death is precious, and the third says in bearing precious seed we must weep before we can rejoice. It doesn't seem logical at first, but as I read that first one, that talks about how gold that will perish is tried with fire, it makes more sense. 

Silver and gold are precious commodities today. Our money used to be based on them, our jewelry is made from them, monuments have sometimes been made with them. To us, gold and silver are precious things. The gold must be purified in the fire and silver must have it's dross purged. Even diamonds and rubies and rare stones that to us are precious, are made under pressure and must be cut and chiseled before they can be a thing of beauty. And yet, they perish. One day God will melt the earth with heat so fervent that all of it will be burnt up. 

Well, if He said our soul's redemption was precious (Psalm 49:8b) enough that Christ would shed His precious blood (I Peter 1:18,19), then are we not of more value to God than corruptible things? And if corruptible things must go through pressure, fire, cutting, and molding, then how much more so must we? 

I admit, I have a hard time wrapping my mind around that when I'm in the midst of a trial. That process isn't very pleasant to me at the time; and my human response is to run from it, or at the very least, squirm under it. 

It's true that God has some precious things that I can't always readily understand, but that's alright. His ways and thoughts are superior to mine. I'm glad for that. I'm not interested in a god I can understand and figure out. If I, in my limited intelligence--I who so often fail and sin--could figure out God, then I'd be in a world of trouble! I need a God who sees beyond what I can see. I need a God who thinks higher than me. I need a God who has ways I can't figure out. I don't have to understand...BECAUSE HE DOES and He holds me in the palm of His hand. And if you are saved, he holds you as well, and WE are PRECIOUS to Him!

  

Letting God Write My Story

I never imagined that I would one day be the author of anything (well, except maybe disaster!) but God, in His goodness, has allowed me to write and publish four books to date. One is a work of poetry, but the other three are works of historical fiction, mainly dealing with some aspect of Baptist history. There's one thing I've learned about fiction: as the author, I have the final say. In events I deal with concrete facts that can not be altered, but in characters I have the license to decide personality, background, and the outcome of their "lives."

Recently I was looking through a notebook I'd written my notes in it for my last book. I, ever the obsessive organizer, had written pages and pages of research, historical information, and character details. I can be forgetful and writing down everything is helpful as I work on a book so that I can keep everything straight in my mind.

It can be difficult keeping everything together in my mind even with detailed notes. That's when it occurred to me: the Lord does this but on a much larger scale! Think of it; He deals with every single person ever born! He knows their names, their lives, even the number of hairs on their head! He knows if they are saved or lost, and He has a perfect plan for each and every person who yields to Him. According to the book of Revelation, He keeps good records! Unlike me, He never forgets anything in His omniscience, yet He still keeps a written record. I find that in itself interesting.

I find God referred to as an author at least three times in the Scripture:

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." I Corinthians 14:3 

"And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" Hebrews 5:9

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 

He's the author of peace, the author of eternal salvation, and the author of our faith. Another passage refers to Christians as His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). I once heard my pastor say that word ,"workmanship" has to do with the word "poem."  As one who enjoys writing poetry, that presents a beautiful picture to me. I believe in one sense, poetry is the art of words. One doesn't just put any word or phrase down, but rather thinks it through and gives attention to detail. 

So our Saviour does with us! Right down to the simplest things, the most minute details: the number of our hairs and the tears that we cry, He knows! Different personalities, different abilities, even different fingerprints! Every single part of us is the result of His handiwork.

It reminds me of the Hidden Treasure Principle. Hidden Treasure is a wonderful place; a Christian School that works with special needs children to help them reach their full potential. It was started when the founder's daughter was badly injured and required a different kind of education that other schools could not provide. Her father wanted her and others to have every chance to be everything God intended them to be.

I knew this. I live in the same town as the school and knew the story behind it. What I did not know was what they refer to as the "Hidden Treasure Principle." One day I was complaining about my inability to perform a certain task. The person I was speaking to shared with me a simple truth I've tried to remember ever since: God has given you everything you need in order to do His will for your life. 

Everything? My weaknesses? My flaws? Even those? Everything. 

Even a weakness can be given to God and turned around for His glory. For example, stuborness. That's more than a weakness, it's a sin, and in the flesh can cause problems. Yet given to God, and He can use that in a person to make them stand firm for truth. 

"What about my sinful past?" one might ask. Can even that be used of God? Oh yes! God is an expert at taking lives stained and scarred by sin and turning them into vessels of honor, and trophies of grace. 

Everything! God is the author, therefore He has a will for us. Psalm 37:23 says that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Not suggested, but ordered. 

Do you know that in all the times I sat down to work on a book, never once did a character complain about what I had written? Never once did I hear, "Wait a minute! I wanted blond hair. I don't want to live there! Why did you make me part of this family? No, you can't do that. I'd rather live in another country. Why did you have to allow that to happen to me? Are you picking on me, or something?" Etc, etc, etc...

No, they never complained. I was the author and I had the final say. Guess what? Complain or not, bitter or accepting, mad or glad, GOD not I, has the final say in my life. He is the Author.  He never said I couldn't question (if any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God) but He also never promised an answer. He answered Job, but He didn't have to. At times He has answered me, but He's not obligated. 

I mentioned stubbornness earlier...because I know a little something about that! I look back over my life and how at times I've thought I knew best. "Why can't I have this strength, why this weakness? Why did you make me deal with this situation? Why do I have to bare this burden? It would be better if..." 

Oh my! Sometimes I laugh, sometimes cry, and often regret all those moments. I serve a patient God. Even His chastening was never to crush me, but draw me back in love. 

He hasn't always given answers to my questions, but He has at times allowed me to see that if He had allowed me to have my way, my life might be very different (and not in good ways!). Sometimes I looked at broken pieces with a question in my heart, only to later realize He allowed it so I might one day help or at least empathize with someone else. And sometimes it was so I could be helped by someone else. 

For all the hard things there have also been the blessings. He has blessed me in ways I never could have planned or dreamed on my own! He has done marvelous things and I must stand back in amazement. 

He's also not finished with me. How many days or years are left to my life? Only He knows. I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know the One that holds it. Trial or blessing, my steps are ordered by the Author who makes no mistakes. 

Slowly, oh so slowly, I am learning that He really does a better job than I! In my flesh, I might still complain or worry, but I can rest knowing the end result of a circumstance is in His hands and He knows what He's doing. 

I encourage you to let God write the story of your life. He makes no mistakes. What He does is done well. He can restore, He can bless, He can comfort, He can do anything. If you are a Christian then you are His workmanship, and He gives attention to every detail of your life. Truly, He knows what He is doing. And one day, when we stand before Him, if we have allowed Him to have His way with us, we will be glad we did.

 

 

Green Leaves in the Drought

I am constantly reading something. Often, I am reading multiple books on multiple things at the same time.  Right now I am in the midst of a book by Elisabeth Elliot on grief, a book about Hillary Clinton's rise to power (which serves to raise my blood pressure!), a cook book (yes, I'm a strange one, but I love finding older cookbooks at Goodwill and reading through them.), and yesterday I started one by Isobel Kuhn about her family's struggle to escape China's Communism (they were missionaries with China Inland Mission).

I am only a short way into this book, but she talks of the joy they all felt when the very last of their board's missionaries were safely out of the country. Some of them had been held prisoner for a time before their release, and she recounts that during a prayer meeting for them, one of the missionary's wives prayed that God would keep their leaves green in the drought time.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3

In the Scripture I read that the Godly man's leaf shall not whither. Why? Because he is like a tree planted by the rivers of water! He has a constant spring to draw strength from! That dear woman knew this, and prayed they would be sustained by the One who is able to minister to our hearts even in times of drought. The Godly man is able to be this way because he meditates in God's Word day and night. It is nourishment to a thirsty or hungry soul!

To me that is a beautiful thought. Though we are not held captive in a communist and war torn land (that may not always be the case for us!) we are in a daily spiritual battle. There are times when we go through a dry spell. There are times we are not only in a drought, but possibly even in a desert place.

I don't know about you, but there are days when I am absolutely overwhelmed! The cares of this life press in, the burdens I'm under get to be so heavy, and some days I just don't want to even try to smile and say, "I'm fine," when really I feel like I'm going to break into a million pieces!

I know, I know! I'd like to tell you I never feel that way. I'd like to tell you life is always sunshine and flowers...but you wouldn't believe me, and rightfully so! Because if you're honest with yourself, you have to admit occasionally you feel that way too.

If we're honest, if we're REAL with one another, we must admit we all fight similar battles. The Bible tells us we will, and warns us to get our armor on and stand ready to fight and endure hardness.

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (II Timothy 2:3)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;  (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Yes, we're in a battle; a daily, sometimes grueling battle. My trouble is I often forget that I am, in fact, in a battle. Sometimes the battle is hot, and we know without a doubt we're fighting, but there are times when the devil's darts are a little less obvious to our eyes. They are darts of discouragement or complacency. If we don't have our armor on and if we aren't prayerfully watching with eyes of discernment, we are apt to be wounded along the way.

The answer for the drought and the answer for the battle are found in these verses. First of all, I must meditate daily in God's Word. That is my main source of strength. If I soak in the Scriptures then the drought won't affect me. My leaves will be green when everything around me is dried up and dead.

Secondly, I need to get my armor on...daily! No good soldier goes to battle without his equipment! It would be foolish for him to show up without his weapons, ammunition, body armor, and methods of communication. (not to mention provisions and first aide!) His Commanding Officer would have something to say about that! So it is with us! We can not show up for the battle without our armor and hope to be successful!

The year that I spent researching the Soviet Union and Communism allowed me to see some truly exemplary Christians. They had endured the absolute worst. Yet they still praised and glorified God! Some of them even testified that after being in solitary confinement for months or years, that they were willing to go back because God was more real to them there than in freedom. Can you imagine?!

But you see, they knew a secret the Communists refused to see! They knew their source of strength was in seeking and communing with God!

Isobel Kuhn mentioned that the letters of Christians in captivity compared with POW's who did not know God were like night and day! Whereas those who were without Christ cursed their captors, those who knew the Lord were full of praise to God!

I remember reading in several places the account of Baptist historian Isaac Backus's mother being put in jail during the colonial times because she refused to submit to the standing order church (which was the government then). She wrote a letter to her son, and in it she was cheerful, even calling her pathetic prison conditions a palace.

Natasha Vins, daughter of the Baptist pastor Georgi Vins, stood on top of her chair right after her father was sentenced to ten years in prison and yelled above the KGB officers mocking her father, "With Christ you are free in prison!"

The difference between people like this, and those without God in captivity is simple: they knew the truth of God's Word and the joy of His presence.

Isaac Backus's mother and Natasha Vins' father knew how to have green leaves in the drought. There is much we could learn from people like that. There is much we can learn from the Blessed Book that will be our sustenance, even in the drought, even in the desert, even in the battle, and even in prison.