Author: pastorevanaolcom

On this the 4th Sunday of Advent we celebrate Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. 
Our Scripture comes from Isaiah 9:6-7

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:     and his name shall be called  Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,  upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.  

We light this candle as a symbol of the Prince of Peace. May the visitation of Your Holy Spirit, O God, make us ready for the coming of Jesus, our hope and joy. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

As I consider the state of our world this day I thought of the poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, written on December 25, 1864 –

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

 

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along

The unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

 

Till, ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime,

A chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

 

Then from each black accursed mouth

The cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound

The carols drowned

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

 

It was as if an earthquake rent

The hearthstone of a continent,

And made forlorn

The households born

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

 

And in despair I bowed my head;

“There is no peace on earth,” I said;

“For hate is strong,

And masks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

 

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men!”

 

Lord, it would be so easy in this time of such division in our nation, to lose hope. But if we keep our eyes on You we can trust that You will bring us through this. I refuse to listen to the bickering back and forth on all sides. I refuse to speak hate and choose to speak with kindness and compassion. I will give others the courtesy of listening to their concerns and their positions. Even when I disagree I will listen and share my own concerns and opinions calmly and without malice.

Lord, we have moved so far from the principals our nation was founded upon. Many have abandoned the faith this nation was built upon. It would be easy to despair and feel alone.   But there are still those who believe and I choose to be one of them.

God is not dead; nor doth He sleep!

The Wrong shall fail – The Right prevail!

And You, O Lord, will bring peace!

We remember the lessons from Elijah when he was running from Jezebel:

I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.  I Kings 19:14

Elijah felt abandoned. He believed that he was the only one left fighting the battle. But God knew otherwise and told Elijah:

Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. I Kings 19:18

God had a message for Elijah – You are not alone in this fight. There are seven thousand others who are faithful to Me. So get up and return to the battle!

Lord, when I feel alone in the midst of all the confusion – the wars – the natural disasters – all the suffering in all its forms that I see around me – let me remember that I am not alone in the battle – You are with me – You and an army of believers.

GOD IS NOT DEAD, NOR DOTH HE SLEEP

He is working out His plan.   Keep the faith!

The sun is coming up over the tree tops

A new day is dawning

I can’t wait to see what God has planned for me this day!

We awoke to a world encased in ice this morning!

It was beautiful but treacherous. It made for slow going when I went out to feed the critters. The puppies are not intimidated one bit. They are romping and running with complete abandon. Hobbie went sliding off the front porch and came back for more!

They experienced their first snow two weeks ago and had a wonderful time.

It looks like they are going to have more this weekend for the ice and sleet have turned to snowflakes. We are staying in today because the roads are really slick.Luckily we filled the woodbox yesterday so we are good to go.

 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait on Him.                                                                                                                                                                             Lamentations 3:22-24

I thought this morning of how my grandchildren were growing up in a world of uncertainty. A world with “Homeland Security,” “TSA,” and an election process designed to make one want to throw up their hands and retire from the entire world. But then God reminded me of my childhood where as elementary school children we were taken into the hallways and sat on the floor with our arms over our heads waiting for the Soviet Union to send nuclear warheads raining down on us. So as the teacher says in Ecclesiastes, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”

Evil exists. Pastor Cheryl reminded us this morning that it is our response to that evil that makes the difference. Will we choose to respond with love or will we allow the evil to overcome us. Make no mistake – We know something that the world does not. God is in control. We may not always understand His plan but we can always trust in His plan.

We proclaim the power of prayer but do we really believe what we proclaim. Are we praying for our nation? Are we praying for our president, our legislators? We may not agree with their political polices but that is all the more reason to pray for them. Are we praying for those who wish us harm? If we claim the name of Christ that is our responsibility – TO PRAY.

So as we contemplate the events on this day – fifteen years ago – and as we acknowledge the problems we are facing in our world, let us stand firm in our faith trusting in the words of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 

 

Trees    by JOYCE KILMER

 

I think that I shall never see 

A poem lovely as a tree. 

 

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest 

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast; 

 

A tree that looks at God all day, 

And lifts her leafy arms to pray; 

 

A tree that may in Summer wear 

A nest of robins in her hair; 

 

Upon whose bosom snow has lain; 

Who intimately lives with rain. 

 

Poems are made by fools like me, 

But only God can make a tree.

I thank God every day for this little piece of paradise we call home. One of the things that I drew me to this place was the trees – especially the towering cottonwood tree in the back yard. No matter how hot it might be, if you sat under this tree and listened to the breeze rattle the leaves, you felt cooler.

We put a bench under it so when I work in the garden I can there and cool off.

We have lost a few limbs since we moved here and Olin was concerned that it might come down on the house someday so yesterday the cottonwood tree got a major haircut.

A small branch here . . .

Another branch there . . .

And before you know it . . .

There is a big pile of branches on the ground . . .

And my majestic cottonwood tree looks like this!

I am hoping that it will sprout new growth,

but if it doesn’t Olin can build me a tree fort!

I thank God for leading me in my devotions each day. It seems as if He knows just what I need and the direction and guidance is always there when I open my Bible or one of the devotional books that I read each morning. This morning was no different.

The 24 hour news cycle can get to you after months of tit-for-tat, back and forth hateful comments, with no one addressing the very real problems that we are facing in our nation and in our world today. I want them to stop talking about each other and start talking about what it is they will do to solve our problems. I would like to see Christians be “salt and light” to our world. God has work for us to do. We need to speak out against the hatefulness and speak love to those who have different opinions. We should not be silent because we are afraid of being accused of hate-speech or intolerance but we should respond respectfully – with a loving spirit.

I have chosen Through The Year With John Wesley as one of the books I read for my morning devotions this year. The reading this morning seemed appropriate:

 

We ought, without this endless jangling about opinions, to provoke one another to love and to good works. Let the points wherein we differ stand aside; here are enough wherein we agree, enough to be the ground of every Christian temper and of every Christian action.  -John Wesley

Though Wesley was writing about different religious beliefs, the same could be said regarding our political beliefs. As Christians we should act out of love and find the points on which we can agree. Both sides say that they deplore the tone of this election cycle but at the same time both sides engage in anger and hateful rhetoric. Someone has to be “the adult in the room” and stand against such actions, share their vision for the nation without denigrating the other side. Speak positive solutions and refuse to speak negatively.

Another little book I have chosen to read this year is Streams In The Desert, copyright 1925, but the writings are timeless. The scripture reading for today was from I Corinthians, chapter 16, verse 13 – Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. KJV

The NIV Study Bible reads: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

 

Do not pray for easy lives! Pray for stronger men.

Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.

 Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle.

-Phillip Brooks

 

I also love the poetry that this little book often contains in the various writings each day. Today’s offering was to the point.

                   Be Strong!

            We are not here to play, to dream, to drift;

            We have hard work to do, and loads to lift.

            Shun not the struggle; face it.

                        ‘Tis God’s gift.

 

                        Be Strong!

            Say not the days are evil-Who’s to blame?

            And fold the hands and acquiesce-O shame!

            Stand up, speak out, and bravely,

                        In God’s name.

 

                        Be Strong!

            It matters not how deep entrenched the wrong,

            How hard the battle goes, the day how long,

            Faint not, fight on!

                        Tomorrow comes the song.

-Maltbie D. Babcock

 

We are living in dangerous times. But it has always been so. Each generation has had to face its own lions. How will history judge this generation? Will we stand for what we believe in – for what we know is right? Will we allow God to use us for His purpose? Or will we throw up our hands in despair, allowing non-believers to chart our way, and then complain about the state of our nation and our world?

Read your Bible. Spend time in prayer. Sit quietly before the Lord and allow Him to speak to you. Then, and only then, “Stand up, speak out, and bravely in God’s name.”

Lord, give us leaders who will work for the good of our nation and our world.

 

Dear Mr. President,

You have continually remarked that the threat posed by ISIS or ISIL or DAESH – whatever acronym you choose – “a rose by any other name is still a rose” – is not that great. You have referred to them as the JV team. You have said they hold no real power.

I wonder if that is not how King George III viewed the colonists who were causing him difficulties over two hundred years ago. They were a rag-tag bunch by his standards, not a real fighting-force. Who would have thought a bunch of shop-keepers and farmers could defeat the British Redcoats?

Motivation makes a difference. Those colonists were motivated by a desire for freedom to choose for themselves what path they would trod. The Islamist terrorists are motivated by their religious belief that their way is the only way and they are willing to kill if you do not share that belief. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. He tells me that the only way to God is through him but he doesn’t ask me to kill anyone who doesn’t believe as I do. Instead he tells me to love them. That is the difference in our faith.

The king in England scoffed at the idea that the colonists were a real threat to his power but here we are in 2016, a nation that calls to the oppressed of the world, offering freedom to “be”, freedom to become whatever you can dream. I believe that is what we have that is different from the rest of the world. We are viewed as the “Land of Opportunity” for a reason.

What we are not, is a land where we are insured against every possible calamity. Such is life. Bad things happen to everyone sometime in their lifetime. It is the difficulties that make us stronger. I fear that in trying to make life easier for our children and grandchildren we have, in fact, made things more difficult. For we have not given them the tools they need to survive in this world, let alone succeed.

Jesus said that we will always have the poor with us, not because we don’t care but because in a free society people have the right to make bad choices. Whether we agree or not we must allow others to fail. Any parent can tell you that it is not easy to watch your child headed for a fall, knowing that the choices they are making are going to cause them grief. But for some that is the only way they will learn. It is the same with our government programs. We cannot insure against bad choices.

If we truly value freedom then we must accept that some people will make poor choices and with those poor choices come poor consequences. But all is not lost. Our country is also the most compassionate country because our people are the most compassionate people. Even when the misfortune is caused by poor choices there are those who will reach out a helping hand. It is usually the hand of a person of faith because Jesus teaches us not to judge but to love.

So on this day when we celebrate the founding of our nation I pray that our people will recognize that it is not the government who will take care of us but it is that “we the people” will care for each other as led by the Holy Spirit. I pray that God will guide you and our legislators as you make the decisions that impact all of our lives and I pray His blessing on us all.

God Bless Amreica!

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother

and be united to his wife

and the two will become one flesh.

So they are no longer two, but one.

Therefore what God has joined together,

let man not separate.

Matthew 19:5-6 NIV

On June 14, 1969 we celebrated our wedding at Cheswold United Methodist Church with friends and family. We have spent the last forty-seven years building our marriage. When I walked down the aisle I committed our marriage to the Lord. I knew that I couldn’t do it on my own. God has brought us through some difficult times and He has blessed us more than we ever imagined. Thank You, Lord, for we can love only because You first loved us.

After a really nice week of sunshine and warm temperatures, we are back to rain showers and cooler weather. The clematis is blooming at the back porch and the peony bushes on the south side of the house are heavy with blooms. Olin’s corn is up – along with a few weeds! Spring has sprung (even if it doesn’t feel like it).

My morning devotional reminded me that my decision to follow Christ is not a “one and done” but it is a journey, an adventure, that continues everyday – even when I don’t “feel” it. The reading from Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest, tells me that I cannot do what God does and God will not do what I can. God offers salvation but I must make the decision to accept His gift. I must make the choice. My faith journey is a journey of choices. I can go my own way or I can follow where the Holy Spirit leads me. I must study His Word to know how to live out my faith. The scripture passage I read this morning from II Peter 1:3-11 gives such instructions.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

            For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

            Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

Goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love. God will not endow me with these qualities but when I choose them God works through me. Each time I choose to obey, that action of obedience draws me closer.

Lord, thank You for the reminder that I have the responsibility to work out my own salvation. Obedience to Your leading in all things is a habit that I am yet cultivating. I don’t want to be a lazy Christian. Keep prodding me­ – poking me – making me uncomfortable. I trust that You will never give up on me for I have Your promise. You are patient but steadfast. You will not allow me to give anything but my best.

           I am willing to be made willing.

On Saturday, November 12, 2012 we left our family and friends in Delaware and headed to our new home in Missouri. It took us three days. Because of bad weather we headed south through Tennessee and then cut across the western edge of Kentucky into Illinois and finally into Missouri. Olin drove The Fox , our thirty-four foot motor home, towing a flatbed trailer with his precious John Deere tractor on it. While I drove our F-150 pickup towing the enclosed motorcycle trailer with the Harley and my antique cabinet. We made quite a picture traveling across seven states!

It was raining as we arrived in Macon County and our country road was very muddy but we arrived “home” at last late on Monday afternoon. Our home was a two story Amish farmhouse with no electricity and no indoor bathroom.

This was my journal entry the first morning on the farm:

Dear Lord, our first night on the home place! Thank You for our safe travel across seven states – so many miles – so many vehicles – and so many people – all in a hurry to get somewhere. Thank You for George who has been so helpful. I pray that he would recover quickly from whatever “bug” he has managed to pick up. Thank You for The Fox, our temporary home. This has been an experience and now we are sheltered here until the alterations to the house can be completed. So thank You that we can stay right here and not have to run back and forth to town for a hotel room. And thank You for this home. Guide us as we hire plumbers, electricians, carpenters and such. Guide the alterations that this home will be what You want – for Your purpose – for this too is a temporary home to fulfill Your plan until we are truly AT HOME with You. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Lord, so many people ask us, “What brought you to Missouri?” and our only response is “God brought us here.” And indeed You did and now we await Your direction. Praise God!

We have been living down a country road for three years now and God has led us to an amazing little country church that welcomed us with open arms and open hearts. He has brought new friends and new experiences. i can’t wait to see what He has in store for us.