Blank Pages ... in anticipation of being married for 50 years

Fifty years yielding

to our precious Savior,

we savor His flavor,

forever in view.

                Setting the stage

                for more years to unfold,

                love more treasured than gold

                and His mercies anew.

Books filled with pages,

each book overflowing,

each paragraph showing

great things He has done.

                Yet blank pages linger

                and thus will remain

                unwritten and plain

                ‘til new days are begun.

Blank pages bursting     

with intrigue and mystery

of all that makes history

yet to be penned.

                Bare pages anxious

                for thrilling occurrence

                with joyful assurance

                fresh ink will commend.

Fresh pages aching

to tell of His glory

in every new story

that steps into shoes.

                Clear pages flowing

                in ceaseless unveiling

                of days never failing

                to bear the Good News.

~ae

"Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ,

if there is any consolation of love,

if there is any fellowship of the Spirit,

if any affection and compassion,

make my joy complete by being of the same mind,

maintaining the same love,

united in spirit,

intent on one purpose."

~ Philippians 2:1,2

All's well that ends well.

All’s well that ends well.

Grammy Morgan loved to read.

One day, I watched as she pulled a book off of the shelf,

flipped to the last chapter, and began reading.

“Grammy, that’s cheating!” I cried in disbelief.

“Why, that’s not cheating,” she replied.  “I always check the ending so I’ll know whether or not it’ll be worth reading.”

“…Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia,

they came to Thessalonica…” 

~Acts 15:36-41, 17:1

Thessalonica, a sizeable metropolis with a population of about 200,000, was the capital and main seaport of the entire Roman Macedonian Province.  Strategically located for communication and commerce by land and by sea, this vast city hosted its fair share of multicultural influences including an array of aggressively pagan religions.

In A.D. 51, Paul remembered with compassion his recent brief stay with this new body of followers of Christ.  He thought of the believers, newly converted from paganism, living in Thessalonica with hardly any external support, enduring persecution.  Paul longed to be with them again, to encourage their hearts and instruct them in God’s truth. 

In A.D. 51, Paul wrote to the baby church in Thessalonica, encouraging them in their trials (3:3-5), instructing them how to live in godliness (4:1-8), advising them to continue in their work (4:11,12).

What could be said in a letter

that would offer encouragement
which would be felt deeply
and known confidently?

Paul’s letters did more than instruct… each correspondence was permeated with hope…  infused with, wrapped in, saturated by assurance of the future!

“…to wait for His Son from heaven,

whom He raised from the dead,

that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.” 

~1 Thessalonians 1:10

“…so that you would walk in a manner

worthy of the God who calls you

into His own kingdom and glory.”

~1 Thessalonians 2:12

“For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? 

Is it not even you,

in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?”

~1 Thessalonians 2:19

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;

and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete,

without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

~1 Thessalonians 5:23

All’s well that ends well.

Take Grammy’s advice:  Check the ending so you’ll know.
...and remind others of the ending, too.
*Hint:  God's ending is... there isn't one!

Don’t worry; it’s not cheating.

Compassion...

Ships were not built

to float safely in the harbor.

Step out of my comfort zone?

Offer compassion… 
...receive *gulp* compassion?

It’s not as easy as it looks,

and it doesn’t always turn out like I think it should.

com·pas·sion

   [kuhm-pash-uhn]  noun

a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

   The nurse’s aide assisted the elderly woman to the commode, giving support as needed.  When she was able to manage on her own, the helper turned her back for a few moments until her services were needed once again.  After being tucked into her bed, the frail woman looked tenderly into her helper’s eyes.  “You’re the only one who has ever turned away… Thank you.” 

    Living in an elderly care facility, receiving a medical exam, or being hospitalized; these unfortunately initiate a variety of awkward situations and invasions of personal space.  The nurse’s assistant imagined herself in a similar circumstance, receiving respectful and courteous care.  Her simple act of compassion toward preserving the dignity of another carried significance for both of them. 

   Elements of shame in the face of compassion invited response, but could not insist upon a happy ending.  Yet in the wake of obedience, they both can trust the Author of compassion to bring honor and joy to their shared interaction.

   The man was not caught off guard by attitudes of apathy or expressions of anger.  Instead, he saw unique abilities and potential for a bright future hidden behind the dull, despondent eyes of the boy who was soon to be a man.  Their tutoring sessions provided more than academic assistance.  The man had walked in shoes of the same color not too many years before, paving the way for empathy to connect their hearts.  

   Elements of regret in the face of compassion invited response, but could not insist upon a happy ending.  Yet in the wake of obedience, they both can trust the Author of compassion to bring inspiration and trust to their relationship.

   She did not desire to create hurt feelings, yet her friend’s persistent questions could no longer allow her to evade sharing what she knew to be true.  After seeking godly counsel and spending time in prayer, she relayed to her friend some reservations she had in regard to their relationship which she knew would not be easy for her friend to receive.  The risk of rejection loomed nearby in the shadow of their awkward encounter.  She knew potential existed for formation of a deeper relationship, for she understood how difficult it was to receive correction herself. 

   Elements of risk in the face of compassion prompted response, but could not insist upon a happy ending.  Yet in the wake of obedience, they both can trust the Author of compassion to bring healing and newness to their friendship.

   The waitress made her rounds warming cups of freshly brewed coffee, tossing bits of conversation here, teasing and laughter there.  “You look like you could use a nap, darlin’.  Why don’t y’all stretch out on that booth there and catch a few winks”, and to another; “You ain’t up to drivin’ home, sweet pea’.  I’ll be getting’ off work here pretty soon; I can take ya’ home.  You want cream and sugar, hun’?”

   The young college student took a seat a few tables over from where the homeless man sat with hands cradling a steaming cup.  Pulling paper and pen from his jacket pocket, he sketched the man’s likeness.  Then striking up a conversation about the weather, it wasn’t long before stories began to flow; tales of the good old days, a career gone awry, memories of Vietnam.  “What’s that y’ got there, son?”

   Unfolding the sketch, he handed it to the man.  A broad grin set eyes to twinkling, “Well now, would ya’ lookie there.  That’s me, ain’t it!  Hey Emma, c’mon over here a minute!” 

   Self-respect, confidence, feelings of value, an optimistic future; each one is apt to be illusive on any given day.  The burdens of some weigh more heavily, stealing joy and clouding hope.  We all are needy, and we all need to be needed.  Simple touches of compassion can trigger reminders of worth, of hope for a new day, and expose a cloud’s silver lining.

   Elements of the unknown in the face of compassion invited response, but could not insist upon a happy ending.  Yet in the wake of obedience, they can trust the Author of compassion to bring courage and perspective to their newfound acquaintance.

pas·sion

   [pash-uhn]  noun

compelling desire; intense fervor; powerful emotion or feeling

com-

     [kom]  prefix

with; together

   Galadriel, also bearing a ring of power, experienced tremendous struggle but did not yield to its enticement.  “You are the bearer of the ring.  This task was appointed to you.  And if you do not find a way, no one will.”¹  

   Her words of encouragement to Frodo were spoken from her heart of compassion, for they shared a common compelling desire, a mutual passion….

Compassion

¹(Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien)

“The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

for His compassions never fail. 

They are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness.” 

~Lamentations 3:22

Saying it louder...

Saying it louder doesn't make it right.


When you attempt to talk to someone who speaks in a foreign language,

do you say the same words over and over again, only louder?

C’mon, admit it…. You know you do!

Many people do.

We instinctively know that

increased vocal volume, along with reduced tongue velocity,

must somehow stimulate clarity and enhance comprehension...

…but in reality, it doesn’t help at all;

our words continue to be received as gibberish.

Speaking louder,

acting more spiritual,

being more dominating,

seeming more self-assured,

manipulating with psychology,

triggering emotional hot spots,

using skillfully persuasive oratory…

Is truth defined by winning?

“O Lord, who may abide in Your tent?  

Who may dwell on Your holy hill? 

He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,

and speaks truth in his heart. 

He does not slander with his tongue…” 

~Psalm 15:1-3

Is effective conveyance of the Gospel dependent upon the brilliance

of my communication?

“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel,

not in cleverness of speech,

so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.”

~1 Corinthians 1:17

“For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles. 

But even if I am unskilled in speech,

yet I am not so in knowledge;

in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things….

…As the truth of Christ is in me,

this boasting of mine will not be stopped…”

~2 Corinthians 11:5,6,10

Is it always right to be right?

“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,

but do not have love,

I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

~1 Corinthians 13:1

Better late than never

Better late than never.

Upon reading this old adage,

the first person that came to mind was the thief on the cross.

His life displayed a series of poor choices

which led to destructive behavior… and then he got caught.

He did not deny his wrong doing or avoid blame;

he acknowledged his hopeless estate and that he was receiving what he deserved.

“One of the criminals who were hanged there 

was hurling abuse at Him,

saying, 'Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!'

But the other answered, and rebuking him said,

'Do you not even fear God,

since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 

And we indeed are suffering justly,

for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds;

but this man has done nothing wrong...'” 

~Luke 23:39-41

The thief not only recognized Jesus’ innocence,

he also identified that Jesus was completely without sin,

that Jesus’ authority was equivalent to that of God,

and that God’s kingdom belonged to Jesus.

“…And he was saying,

'Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!'

And He said to him,

'Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.'”

~Luke 23:42,43

God’s grace and gift of life were extended to the thief right then and there.

*      *       *

Better late than never

…may also allude to another manner

in which Jesus drove home an important life lesson to those He loved.

“Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus

of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha… 

…So the sisters sent word to Him, saying,

'Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.'
But when Jesus heard this, He said,

'This sickness is not to end in death,

but for the glory of God,

so that the Son of God may be glorified by it...'"

It’s hard to imagine a more difficult tragedy or agonizing sorrow

than the one which was about to occur.

“…Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 

So when He heard that he was sick,

He then stayed two days longer 

in the place where He was...”

If Jesus loved Lazarus, then

why wait two days longer?

“...Jesus then said to [His disciples] plainly, 'Lazarus is dead,

and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there,

so that you may believe;

but let us go to him…'” 

Plainly, there were two options presented;

take Jesus at His word … or don’t believe Him.

Here are several of the people’s reactions;

unfortunately each is very common to this day…

The Martyr Reaction

“Let us also go, so that we may die with Him.”

The Informed Reaction

“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

The Reasoning Reaction

“Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man,

have kept this man also from dying?”

The Write-It-Off-As-Done

and Let’s-Move-On Reaction

“Lord, by this time there will be a stench,

for he has been dead four days.”

This next phrase is going to sound familiar because Jesus purposefully repeated it,

reinforcing, highlighting, underlining, emphasizing,

…stressing over and over and over again…

“Did I not say to you that if you believe,

you will see the glory of God?” 

“So they removed the stone.

Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said,

‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 

“I knew that You always hear Me;

but because of the people standing around I said it,

so that they may believe that You sent Me.’

When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice,

‘Lazarus, come forth.’ The man who had died came forth…

“Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary,

and saw what He had done, believed in Him.”

~John 11:1-43

Jesus was late… on purpose.

   Lazarus was totally and completely dead… beyond a shadow of a doubt.

      All possibilities of hope for Lazarus were eliminated.

         Only God could conquer death and create life.

            God was glorified as a result of Jesus being late… on purpose.

               God knows what He’s doing.

                  We don’t.

                     We can trust Jesus… completely.

Did I stutter or...

Did I stutter or are your ears flappin’?

Listening is not just a valuable relational skill

or best business practices.

Listening is an essential part of prayer,

and the key to access the ability to hear
and to be heard

is God Himself.

Selective Hearing

“And they said to Moses,

‘You speak to us, and we will listen;

but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.’”

~Exodus 20:19

Too Self-Absorbed to Listen

“If one gives an answer before he hears,

it is his folly and shame.”

~Proverbs 18:13

Drawing Near to Hear

“Whoever is of God

hears the words of God.

The reason why you do not hear them

is that you are not of God.” 

~John 8:47

Listening with Respect

“Know this, my beloved brothers:

let every person be quick to hear,

slow to speak, slow to anger.”

~ James 1:19

Prayerful Listening

“He who has an ear,

let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…”

~Revelation 2:7

Able and Attentive Listener

“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Mark 4:23

Completely Dependent Listener

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them, and they follow Me.

I give them eternal life,

and they will never perish,

and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”

~John 10:27-28

Invaluable Listening Skills

“My son, if you receive my words

and treasure up my commandments with you,

making your ear attentive to wisdom

and inclining your heart to understanding;

yes, if you call out for insight

and raise your voice for understanding,

if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,

then you will understand the fear of the Lord 

and find the knowledge of God.”

~Proverbs 2:1-5

Costs and Benefits of Listening

“Take care then how you hear,

for to the one who has, more will be given,

and from the one who has not,

even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”

~Luke 8:18

Listening Pleasure

 “Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak,

and let the earth hear the words of my mouth.

May my teaching drop as the rain,

my speech distill as the dew,

like gentle rain upon the tender grass,

and like showers upon the herb.

I will proclaim the name of the Lord.

Oh, praise the greatness of our God!”

~Deuteronomy 32:1-3

God Listens

“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him,

that if we ask anything according to His will

He hears us.”

~1 John 5:14

God Always Hears

“So they removed the stone [from Lazerus’ tomb]. 

Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said,

“Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

“I knew that You always hear Me;

but because of the people standing around

I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.”

~John 11:41,42

Words of Life Received

“But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word

that comes from the mouth of God.’”

~Matthew 4:4

It's not the size of the dog..

It’s not the size of the dog in the fight;

it’s the size of the fight in the dog.

When you think of ‘the fight’ as applied to Biblical personalities,

do you think of David slaying Goliath?

or of Gideon with his 300 men conquering thousands?

or of Moses leading millions through the parted Red Sea?

How about others in ‘the fight’, the ones less famous,

who also acted with courageous valor in obedience to God.

The fight of plotting and wits

“And the king of Jericho sent word to Rahab, saying, ‘Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.’  But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them, and she said, ‘Yes the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.  It came about when it was time to shut the gate at dark, that the men went out; I do not know where the men went.  Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them…  Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, and said to the men, ‘I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before… When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath…’”  ~Joshua 2:1-11

The resourceful fight

“After him came Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad; and he also saved Israel.”  ~Judges 3:31

The passionate fight

of brute strength

“When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him.  And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily so that the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds dropped from his hands.  He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he reached out and took it and killed a thousand 
men with it." ~Judges 15:14,15

The fight of tremendous risk

“And David was unwilling to move the ark of the Lord into the city of David with him; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.  Thus the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household.” ~2 Samuel 6:11

The fight to value godliness

over expectations

“Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  But Judas Iscariot… said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?’  …Jesus said, 
‘Let her alone…’” ~John 12:3

The vigilant prayerful fight

for hope beyond death

"Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.  And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died… So Peter arose and went with them… all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.  But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’  And she 
opened her eyes…”  ~Acts 9:36-40

Each of these fights were won

not because of any super-human strength,

amazing skills, or remarkable intellect.

Each fight displayed God’s miraculous power

through acts of submission, obedience, trust,

and an intensely focused passion for God.