Author: dianafmurphy@gmail.com

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel—which means, ‘God with us’(Matthew 1:23).

I think I’m losing my mind or maybe I’ve already lost it. Maybe I’m not even aware it’s gone.   This is how the morning went a few days ago. I had breakfast and was starting my Bible reading and prayer time when I remembered I had begun to put in a load of laundry. I hadn’t finished because I remembered I wanted to include the place mats from the dining table.  So before I took the place mats to be washed I went to the closet for another set of place mats for the table.  That’s when I sat down with my Bible and started reading. My mind drifted back to the unfinished loading of the washer so I went back to add the place mats, put in detergent and turned on the washer.

If you’re confused by that paragraph it’s alright because it’s another clue that my mind is going. I finally went back to complete my Bible reading and prayer time.  I wondered if God understood my mindless state. Does He understand how easily I am distracted?  I’m pretty sure He does.

This time of year is hard for me. Christmas always brings to mind so many memories from years past. For me, the memories are painful because the one with whom I made those memories is missing.  I guess that’s part of the reason for my distracted state of mind.

I don’t want you, my reader, to have completely wasted your time so these next sentences come from something I wrote a few years ago. I pray they will encourage you as you work through your busyness this time of year.

God came down to show us love.

God came down and walked to the cross.

God came down providing a way for us to escape this world.

God will come one again. Are you ready?

Making preparations for the celebration of the Birth of Jesus has made me think about the preparations we must be making for His coming again. My life is very busy, but I wonder how much of my ‘busyness’ is important for eternity. Making sweets for family and friends is good, but showing a ‘sweet’ attitude and ‘sweet’ deeds toward others is eternal. Decorating the house is good, but decorating my life with the fruit of the Spirit is eternal. Wrapping gifts for others is good, but unwrapping my life and presenting it fully to the Lord is eternal. I want to make my life full of preparations for His second coming!

 

I got a dog bite a couple of weeks ago-trip to urgent care and two stitches.  I got involved in a dog fight with my gloved hand instead of the big mop located nearby-big mistake.  Isn’t it easy to react without thinking things through? There wasn’t time to think. My daughter had two dogs with one’s teeth clamped onto the other’s ear-not good so I tried to grab one collar while she had the other. Anyway, the hand is healing, but I’ve been thinking about how I sometimes react when I shouldn’t or react in the wrong way or with wrong motives.

Do we ever let our opinions separate us from our brothers and sisters in Christ?  Some opinions just aren’t that important, except to us, so why get “in a fight” over unimportant matters? The Bible teaches us to live in peace.  We  read in Romans 12:17-19, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

I’ve found there are times when I am just not going to agree with someone because our ideas or life styles are just so different, but that doesn’t mean I should “dog-fight” them.  I can still live in peace with that person.  It isn’t my job to change them (if change is needed) or vice versa–that’s God’s job.

I’m not happy when someone is disrespectful of me or wrongs me, but it isn’t my job to return that kind of behavior toward them. Forgiveness is necessary on my part whether the offender asks for it or not.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians concerning many problems in the church, but he closes his first letter with a reminder of Christ’s resurrection and our hope of resurrection at Christ’s return. Then Paul says, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Apparently, Paul thought that whatever differences we may have, Christ was most important.   I will do well to not get involved in “dog fights” but rather be involved in God’s work.

Dear God, help me to faithfully serve You by serving others.  Help me fully give myself to Your work without selfish ambitions. Remind me of the grace You offer to all who will receive it. Help me reflect that grace to others. Amen

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

Sometimes it’s hard to give thanks in every circumstance. I find it a bit easier to do so when I look for the blessing in the not-so-pleasant circumstance. I hope these suggestions will help you, also.

 *  * *

When your to-do list is way too long give thanks for your mental capabilities to make the list. Then think about how to shorten it, either by delegating some tasks to others or deleting it if not absolutely necessary at this point in time. Be thankful you can figure that out.

When you’re busy with meal preparation give thanks for the family and friends who will share it with you.

When the car breaks down give thanks that you have a car.

When you pay the mortgage give thanks for the shelter provided by that house.

When your loved one is in the hospital give thanks for doctors and nurses who care for the sick.

When you’re feeling miserable with a cold give thanks for meds and a comfortable bed in which to rest.

When you are unable to be with family give thanks for phones or internet to stay in touch.

When your favorite recipe doesn’t turn out just right give thanks you had the strength to prepare it in the first place and the means to buy the ingredients.

When you’re so tired from working your job you don’t feel like putting one foot in front of the other give thanks for the job that provides an income.

When you’re up half the night with a sick child give thanks you have that child to love and care for. That child may need to care for you some day.

When your faith is weak and you doubt God, give thanks for His Word and other Christians. His Word can strengthen your faith and other Christians can encourage you on your way.

“I thank my God every time I remember you” (Philippians 1:3).

I am thankful for you, my readers.  I pray you will find a blessing in every circumstance.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE SITS HERE

I recently saw these words on the side of a tractor-trailer parked on a lot near the road.  I have no idea what was in the trailer that was most valuable, but it got me thinking.  What is our most valuable resource? Is it the land, water, the sun, minerals, people, animals?  I suppose I could make quite a long list of valuable things.

Jesus told a parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field” (Matthew 13:44).  Jesus followed that parable by one about the pearl of great value. The merchant sold everything he had in order to buy it.   The kingdom of God is valuable.

In Luke 15 Jesus tells about the lost coin and the lost sheep. He said there was much rejoicing over finding the lost coin and the lost sheep.  The coin and the sheep were valuable but Jesus then said, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:7).  People are valuable.

The Apostle Paul speaks of treasure in jars of clay. (See 2 Corinthians 4:7)  This treasure was the gospel entrusted to humans (jars of clay). Frail clay pots shine the light of the gospel by God’s abundant power. The gospel is valuable.

Think about what Jesus did on the cross. He bridged the gap between us and God. He made it possible for us to be part of God’s kingdom. He shines His light into our hearts so we can shine the light of the gospel to others.  Jesus is certainly valuable and He makes us valuable. With God’s Spirit living in us we can post a sign, “OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE SITS HERE.” Are we sharing the treasure?

 

“For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life” (Psalm 56:13).

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12)

I am fascinated by the many times that light and life are referenced together in the Bible. (One of these days I want to do a study on the subject. ) Light is essential to life.   Plants need the sun in order to grow and we need the plants for food. Looking at Genesis 1 we notice that God said, “Let there be light” before the sun was created.  In 1 John 1:5 we read “God is light” and “in him there is no darkness at all.” My physical body needs the light and my spiritual life needs light.  God has provided the light!  God is the light!

The Bible refers to evil as darkness and good as light. John reminds us “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Later in that same chapter John says “Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness” (verses 10-11). Our relationship with God determines our relationship with others.  Living by the truth means we come into the light. The light reveals the truth. (See John 3:20-21)

I just now looked out my window and saw the sun break through the clouds brightening my yard! I can see very little blue sky but there is just enough of a break in those heavy clouds to allow the sun to shine through. A beautiful sight!  Oh, how I need to allow God’s light to brighten my soul. My soul longs for the light of His Son as my body longs for the light of the sun.

My Christmas cactus plants are starting to bud because the daylight hours are getting shorter. They work their beauty according to the light/dark patterns. I haven’t seen any hummingbirds since early October. They flew south because of the shorter days and consequently colder days which will come. Even my dog, Molly, wants to go to bed earlier because it gets dark earlier. I suppose I should follow her example. The sun controls so many things in our world. Now, if we could just allow the Son of God to control our lives, what a difference that would make!

Dear God, shine your beautiful light into my life. Let my relationships today be illuminated by that light.  Amen

(Speaking of light: Remember Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, Nov. 5.)

 

 

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (Romans 8:22).

You probably heard about the recent rock slides in Yosemite National Park. Twice in two days part of El Capitan fell to the valley below. Apparently, there are many rock slides or rock falls, as they call them. Once source stated there have been more than 1,000 falls in the last 150 years in Yosemite. That’s a lot of falling rock!

I was reminded of a trip Wayne and I made to New Hampshire a few years ago. It was our last vacation trip together.  One of our stops was the mountain where the “Old Man of the Mountain” used to be. This particular mountain had a rock overhang that resembled the profile of a man’s head. It fell in 2003. There is a small park where you can stand in a certain spot, depending on your height, and look at the mountain through a cut-out in the shape of the “Old Man of the Mountain.” The idea is to let you see how it looked before it fell.

One might think that God’s creation is falling apart. It is. All of creation, including, people, suffer because of sin. Our bodies get old, wear out, and die. Some say we have more natural disasters now than in the past. I don’t know if that’s true but I do know that Jesus said “nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:7-8). The earth, as we know it, is wearing out.  The Apostle Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3 that the present heavens and earth will be destroyed, but look at the good news! “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13).

Praise God, we don’t have to worry about the earth or our bodies wearing out. New ones are coming! “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation” (2 Peter 3:14-15a).

 

 

“But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear”  (Matthew 13:16).

The Boy came to visit this week.  His mom and dad came, too.  The Boy (aka. Youngest grandson) is full of energy, imagination, and love. We helped him celebrate his 7^th birthday with a huge decorated cookie, gifts, and lunch at Cracker Barrel.  He likes chicken and dumplings and ate them all.  He spent a good chunk of time playing with his new Lego set Sunday afternoon. Mostly, he doesn’t spend a good chunk of time doing anything.  He’s usually going from one thing to another. So Mom was happy with the Lego choice.

Molly likes The Boy, too, to a point.  Even Molly has her limitations!  She runs and jumps after The Boy around the yard and in the house. She lets him know when she’s had enough. It isn’t long until Molly’s curiosity gets the better of her and she’s back nipping at The Boy’s heels or looking for him when he hides. We’ve had a lot of tail wagging, giggling, and yelling and some barking around here this week.  It’s definitely a change of pace for Molly and me and a welcome change, too!

^{Molly sharing her blanket with The Boy under Grandma’s desk while Grandma was at the computer.}

 

As The Boy, Molly, and I were walking to the mailbox one evening the temptation to climb the bank on the side of the driveway was too much for The Boy. He started to climb the steep, dirt bank. I reminded him he’d just had his bath. Of course, that meant little to this rambunctious boy.  I was reminded of the Bible verse I’d read that morning. “Blessed are your ears because they hear.”  So I asked if he would like to have blessed ears. If so, he needed to learn to listen to Mom, Dad, and Grandma.

It’s a struggle to listen and to obey as children and I think as adults, too. Jesus said, “Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear” when He was teaching with parables. The people often missed the message. I wonder if I miss the message.  I wonder if my eyes are always open, watching to see what God is doing. Or, if my ears are really listening to what God may be telling me. I suspect I have missed some blessings because I was too busy to  see God at work or to hear his voice.

Dear God, you have given us your creation, our families and friends, the Church, and most of all your  Son, Jesus.  Thank you for your mercy and love. May we allow the Holy Spirit to show us how you are working in our lives and in the Church.  Help us to listen for how you want to include us in that work.  Amen

 

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

The summer of 1988 was the last year our oldest daughter, Marianne, would be free to be home all summer.  She would leave for college in August and college students often find other things to do in the summer besides spend time with family—like jobs or summer classes. We decided to take a trip which we hoped to be a memorable one for all of us. I was having a hard time with the prospect of my firstborn leaving home and so was Wayne, though, he didn’t admit it. We wanted this trip to be special.

We decided to visit Niagara Falls. We planned it for the week before Marianne was to leave for college.  We couldn’t leave the day we’d planned and at this point in time I don’t remember why.  Two days later we headed to Niagara Falls, arrived safely and began to explore the beautiful sights.  That part was great! We had a motel room for one of our two nights there, but for whatever reason that I don’t remember we didn’t have a room for the other night.  We looked on the Canadian and U.S. sides and found one room with one king-size bed.  There were four of us!

I considered using the van – only briefly. Not a good option.  We unloaded our luggage and decided one daughter would join Wayne and me in the bed and the other daughter would sleep on the floor on the extra blankets in the room. But to make matters worse the sheets on the bed had not been changed so we had to wait for them to clean the room. The bathroom needed some attention as well. We finally got some sleep that night though not as comfortable as we’d hoped. The trip we wanted to be memorable was—but in the wrong way.  We can laugh about it now, but not then.

I tell this story because it illustrates disappointment. We have a lot of those in life, don’t we? Some disappointments are rather minor, such as our delayed trip, but other disappointments are traumatic. I’m thinking of those who suffer through floods, shootings, death of loved ones, ill-health, miscarriages, and broken families. In the past three years my disappointments included the death of my mom and my husband. My mom didn’t get to celebrate hers and Daddy’s 70^th wedding anniversary and Wayne and I didn’t get to celebrate our 50^th. We had talked about and planned for those milestones.

I think about those in Bible times who were disappointed such as Naomi and Ruth who lost husbands to death. Joseph, who was sold as a slave and unjustly put in prison. The early Christians were persecuted for their faith just as many are today. The thing is, in spite of our suffering and disappointments God is still God. The sun still rises and sets. The beauty of Niagara Falls didn’t change. God doesn’t change!

We who are Christ followers have hope. We hurt and weep through our suffering. We pray. We still hurt and weep, but we know this isn’t all there is. Peter says it this way:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).

Thank you, Lord, for shielding us by your power as we endure sufferings and disappointments on this earth. Thank you for giving us living hope through the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

 

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10)

This year I’ve been reading Philip Yancey’s book, Grace Notes. It’s a book of daily meditations  I usually read at night. It gives me something to think about as I fall asleep. I recently read what he had to say about Psalm 46:10. He said, “The Latin imperative for “be still” is vacate. I never thought of it that way before. Yancey quotes Simon Tugwell: “God invites us to take a holiday (vacation), to stop being God for a while, and let him be God.”  Wow! That hit home for me.

This Psalm begins, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (verse 1). The next verses speak of the earth giving way, mountains falling and quaking. Even though nations may fall or the earth may end, God is God and He will be exalted.  God’s dwelling place will not fall!  In other words, God is powerful and eternal and He can be trusted.

I try to take matters into my own hands sometimes and think I can figure it out, which usually doesn’t work anyway.  It seems God is saying, “I will be exalted among the nations and in the earth no matter what you do.” God is God and I can never be God. Why do I try? Since the Garden of Eden people have tried to become like God.

Could it be when I pray I’m not allowing God to be God? Prayer is more than asking God for help.  It is recognizing who He is and knowing that without Him I am nothing. (In typing that last sentence I mistakenly typed “mothering” for the word “nothing”. Ouch!)  It is allowing Him to be God and to work things out in His time.  Prayer is humbly allowing God to be in control. I must vacate that place of control, take a break from trying to do it all myself. Take a vacation.

Dear God, I am so thankful You are my refuge and strength. I can do nothing without You. Your ways are not my ways and your thoughts are not my thoughts.  I want You to take control.  Amen

“They exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull, which eats grass. They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt, miracles in the land of Ham and awesome deeds by the Red Sea” (Psalm 106:20-22).

I read these verses recently and that first sentence sort of jumped off the page. I have read many times about the Israelites and their wayward ways in turning to idol worship, but the word “exchanged” got my attention. The people had exchanged their glorious God for a golden calf! I thought how absurd! That doesn’t come close to an even exchange.  Even after experiencing the many miracles they’d witnessed in their escape from Egypt they chose a statue of a bull! How ridiculous!

I have to ask myself if I have done the same. Oh, no, I don’t have any statues I’ve chosen in place of my glorious God, but I do make exchanges sometimes.  I exchange prayer time for social media or Bible reading for the newspaper.  I exchange the promises of God for worry. I choose myself over God. Sometimes I’m just downright selfish.

It’s a constant battle, isn’t it? The idol of self wants to rule. Selfishness leads to sin. The Apostle Paul fought this battle. He says in Romans 7:21 “When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” He goes on to exclaim “what a wretched man I am!” We would all be wretched if we didn’t have Jesus. Paul writes extensively about our struggle with sin and our spiritual life in the Spirit. I need to read it often and heed the warnings. The Apostle also reminds us that these Old Testament events were written as warning for us as well.

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come” (1 Corinthians 10:11).

So, when I read about God’s people bowing down to a golden calf I must look inward and ask , “Is self more important than God?”

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4).