Tranformers

By Chad McComas

There is a battle over the earth. Evil forces want to destroy the world and the people in it. Good forces want to protect the world and the people in it…to the point of being willing to give up its own life. People have a choice to partner up with the good forces or choose to not believe that the good forces are exactly that…good. Some fight the good while ignoring that there truly is a bad force.

No…this isn’t the Bible story, but the story line from the recently released film Transformers. Interesting name. A transformer is something that can take on another form from what it truly is. It can imitate something else. Much like a chameleon it blends in to not be seen, but can come to life when it needs to.

Transformers entertains with scene after scene of incredible stunts and imagery, but perhaps the best gift this film gives is to remind us of another story of good and evil that truly is “transforming.”

God gave earth the “power” to choose. Each person has the same choice. Each can choose to follow a good God that intents to rescue us from evil or each person can choose to ignore the good God and believe that there isn’t any evil. Believing there is not evil doesn’t make it true. Rather to believe there is no god just allows evil to have its way with us. In the end when evil wins, we lose.

The best thing we can do is be linked up with a good God who is determined to not hurt humans, but rescue them from the destructive plans of evil. As we link up and fight evil together we are all transformed. We become confident. We become passionate. We become a strong force that evil struggles to contain.

God tells us that we are “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” (See Romans 12:1,2) The word for transformed comes from the same word that is used for metamorphous. It’s the word we use for the process of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. It is “transformed.”

We are “transformed” from a sinful, weak, evil, conniving, race of people into a strong, loving, godly people of God. He has the “power source” called the Holy Spirit that He gives to each of His followers who chooses Him. That “power source” changes us from the inside out…from the heart.

Paul, one of Jesus’ followers said that we become a “new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:20). The old has gone, the new has come. We are transformed.

How do we join the “transformed” team?

Jesus told us that His Father God wants us to be on His team. He tells us that “God loved us so much that He sent His Son to earth to save us.” (John 3:16,17) He went on to say that anyone who believes in Him will never perish. Rather each believer will be given eternal life. Each believer will be given the “power source” to become a different person. Each believer is transformed.
The movie ends when evil is destroyed.

The earth will be renewed (transformed) when evil is destroyed.
And we are told that God will live with us forever because He is determined to protect us from any evil coming here again.

Chad McComas writes from Medford, Oregon. He is the editor of The Christian Journal.

Life's Top-Ten List

By Randy Knapp

Have you ever participated in the exercise where you are asked to list the ten most important things in your life? It’s kind of fun and a little bit instructional, so here goes. Feel free to make your own list if you wish.

Here’s mine: 1. My faith and trust in God and how that belief shapes the rest of my life. 2. My relationship of love and respect with my wife. 3. My two boys. 4. My church family. 5. Good health. 6. A safe place to live. 7. Financial stability. 8. Decent transportation. 9. Work that I enjoy. 10. Enough food and water to live comfortably.

Your list may differ from mine, but the significance of the exercise is found in the following process.

Now cut the list in half. That’s right. Lose half of the items on the list. Decide which items you could live without, or at least reduce significantly, then cross them off.

Okay, I could stand to lose a few pounds, so I’ll cut the food and water first. Don’t worry, I’m not going to starve, I’ll just have to reduce my comfort level. Next I’ll go for the transportation. Any car will do. It doesn’t really have to be dependable. Third item to go is financial stability. I’m supposed to learn to trust in God to cover my needs, so it makes sense to cross that one off. Fourth, if I had to, I could handle a different job. I could make it work even if the job wasn’t much fun. Okay, last, I could probably make it without my church family. I love to spend time with them, but the list has to be cut, so sacrifices have to be made.

Next…cut two more items off the list.

Now I’m homeless and in ill health. Numbers five and six of my top ten list have been crossed off.

I still have faith in God, my wife, and my two boys.

Hey, did you notice that “I” didn’t even place myself on the top ten list? It seems that I’m not important enough to make my own list. What does that say about me? I’m curious if you made your own top ten. It may be something to consider later.

Finally, we have to cut two more items off the list. Only one item can remain from the original ten.

If I have to lose my wife and boys, my trust and faith in God tells me that when this age ends, either with my death or the end of the world, I’ll get to see my wife and two boys again and spend eternity with them. So, my faith in God has to stay.

By the way, if I had made it on the first list, and survived through the cuts, I’d have to choose between myself and my relationship with God. I’d lose the selection, because without my relationship with God, all I’d be is an atheist just waiting for nothing to happen when I die.

I’ve contemplated my life and made some hard choices. I’ve come to the conclusion that my faith in God is the most important thing.

The exercise is over, and we have come to the all-too-obvious conclusion. Our relationship with God has to come first in order for the rest of the important things to have the most value. With that lesson learned, now I can get back to my busy life. But, nagging in the back of my mind is the question, “Have I really learned the lesson?”

Let’s take a look at some illuminating facts.

More than half of us men will lose our wives and families through divorce. Oh, they are still alive, but any divorced man will tell you that there is true “death” involved. Many of us have nice houses, cars, plenty to eat, and so on, but we have to work 50 to 60 hour weeks to afford it. And to put it bluntly, we don’t own those things, the bank does. We are mortgaged to the hilt to afford our lifestyles. If the bankers decide to pull the plug, we’ll be hungry, homeless, and hoofing it around town. We are one big mistake away from losing our good jobs. Many people are one insult away from losing their church family. We are one heart attack, stroke or tragic car accident away from losing our good health. And what unfortunate circumstances don’t take away, old age will. In the end, we even lose our bodies.

All of this comes down to one thing of importance – our spiritual relationship with God. This is the only thing that survives through to the next realm. It will behoove us to focus a significant part of our every-day effort on making it the best it can be? Jesus says: “Don’t worry and ask yourselves, ‘Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?’ Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” Matthew 6:31-33

Our true priorities in life are not revealed by our good intentions. They are revealed in results, by our actions. What are we doing in a day-to-day systematic fashion to become more acquainted with God and how He is working in our world? When we recognize what is truly important in our lives and then pursue it with due diligence, then what Jesus says is true: “The kingdom of heaven is near.”

Randy tries to organize his priorities from Medford, Oregon knappsnest@msn.com






Life’s Top-Ten List
By Randy Knapp

Have you ever participated in the exercise where you are asked to list the ten most important things in your life? It’s kind of fun and a little bit instructional, so here goes. Feel free to make your own list if you wish.
Here’s mine: 1. My faith and trust in God and how that belief shapes the rest of my life. 2. My relationship of love and respect with my wife. 3. My two boys. 4. My church family. 5. Good health. 6. A safe place to live. 7. Financial stability. 8. Decent transportation. 9. Work that I enjoy. 10. Enough food and water to live comfortably.
Your list may differ from mine, but the significance of the exercise is found in the following process.
Now cut the list in half. That’s right. Lose half of the items on the list. Decide which items you could live without, or at least reduce significantly, then cross them off.
Okay, I could stand to lose a few pounds, so I’ll cut the food and water first. Don’t worry, I’m not going to starve, I’ll just have to reduce my comfort level. Next I’ll go for the transportation. Any car will do. It doesn’t really have to be dependable. Third item to go is financial stability. I’m supposed to learn to trust in God to cover my needs, so it makes sense to cross that one off. Fourth, if I had to, I could handle a different job. I could make it work even if the job wasn’t much fun. Okay, last, I could probably make it without my church family. I love to spend time with them, but the list has to be cut, so sacrifices have to be made.
Next…cut two more items off the list.
Now I’m homeless and in ill health. Numbers five and six of my top ten list have been crossed off.
I still have faith in God, my wife, and my two boys.
Hey, did you notice that “I” didn’t even place myself on the top ten list? It seems that I’m not important enough to make my own list. What does that say about me? I’m curious if you made your own top ten. It may be something to consider later.
Finally, we have to cut two more items off the list. Only one item can remain from the original ten.
If I have to lose my wife and boys, my trust and faith in God tells me that when this age ends, either with my death or the end of the world, I’ll get to see my wife and two boys again and spend eternity with them. So, my faith in God has to stay.
By the way, if I had made it on the first list, and survived through the cuts, I’d have to choose between myself and my relationship with God. I’d lose the selection, because without my relationship with God, all I’d be is an atheist just waiting for nothing to happen when I die.
I’ve contemplated my life and made some hard choices. I’ve come to the conclusion that my faith in God is the most important thing.
The exercise is over, and we have come to the all-too-obvious conclusion. Our relationship with God has to come first in order for the rest of the important things to have the most value. With that lesson learned, now I can get back to my busy life. But, nagging in the back of my mind is the question, “Have I really learned the lesson?”
Let’s take a look at some illuminating facts.
More than half of us men will lose our wives and families through divorce. Oh, they are still alive, but any divorced man will tell you that there is true “death” involved. Many of us have nice houses, cars, plenty to eat, and so on, but we have to work 50 to 60 hour weeks to afford it. And to put it bluntly, we don’t own those things, the bank does. We are mortgaged to the hilt to afford our lifestyles. If the bankers decide to pull the plug, we’ll be hungry, homeless, and hoofing it around town. We are one big mistake away from losing our good jobs. Many people are one insult away from losing their church family. We are one heart attack, stroke or tragic car accident away from losing our good health. And what unfortunate circumstances don’t take away, old age will. In the end, we even lose our bodies.
All of this comes down to one thing of importance – our spiritual relationship with God. This is the only thing that survives through to the next realm. It will behoove us to focus a significant part of our every-day effort on making it the best it can be? Jesus says: “Don’t worry and ask yourselves, ‘Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?’ Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” Matthew 6:31-33
Our true priorities in life are not revealed by our good intentions. They are revealed in results, by our actions. What are we doing in a day-to-day systematic fashion to become more acquainted with God and how He is working in our world? When we recognize what is truly important in our lives and then pursue it with due diligence, then what Jesus says is true: “The kingdom of heaven is near.”

Randy tries to organize his priorities from Medford, Oregon knappsnest@msn.com

The Power Of A Smile

By Troy Pomeroy

I believe we can change the world with a smile. This is something I have learned from my wife, who is great at it.

A smile is a small act of kindness, yet it can make a huge impact in the lives of people. It takes a conscious effort to give the gift of a smile, but it really doesn’t cost much.

Notice I said it didn’t cost us much. We live in a world that is fast-paced. More and more I notice we are preoccupied, zombie-like creatures fully wrapped up in ourselves. We can see it in the faces of people we pass by in a crowd, in a store, or in traffic. We are becoming highly efficient multi-taskers in an increasingly technological age. We communicate with people by high speed email and can text message with lightning speed. Ironically, this increased efficiency in communication makes us more detached from people in many ways.

That’s why a smile is so important and powerful. To give the gift of a real smile (as opposed to “get this over with” portrait smiles), we have to stop thinking about ourselves and focus on someone else. It causes us to look at someone, often someone we don’t know, and find value in them.

To give someone a smile, we have to get past any judgments and prejudices that might cause us to dislike them. It helps us begin to see people as God sees them. God sees His completed work when He looks upon His children. By smiling at someone, we are participating in God’s perfect love.

Numerous times I have noticed a store clerk, for example, frazzled from hours of dealing with cranky customers. I wait until we have made eye contact, smile and hold it for just an extra half-second. I find that it lifts the burden of his or her hectic day. Sometimes that’s enough. Or sometimes a simple “God bless you,” “thank you,” or “blessings on your day” added to the smile are all it takes to lift one’s spirit.

When someone sees us taking the time to smile at them, they see that someone values them enough to stop and see a bit of who they are. They understand that someone else cares about them. Most importantly, at some level they sense God’s love working through His people.

There are numerous benefits for the giver of smiles as well as for the receiver of them. No one will dispute the advantage for our health, joy, and attitude. But, it also helps us enjoy people more. Good feelings or emotions towards a person generally follow a choice to love them. It creates a reciprocal atmosphere that promotes fellowship. What’s more, it helps us become more like Christ, as we take our thoughts off ourselves and focus on bringing joy to someone else. And growing in Christ, we can change the world.

Troy Pomeroy writes from Eagle Point, Oregon. pastortroy@epacenter.com

God's Challenge To Seniors

By Marlene K. Yundt

My youngest son just entered the nuclear Navy and as he was about to board the plane, he turned and said, “Six years!” I stood watching the plane take flight. The tears streamed down my cheeks. That evening my college son called. “Mom, your baby just left.” I kept crying. “Did you ever consider that now you have the time to do everything you have been waiting for?” The tears stopped as I realized that the next quarter of my life had begun.

We seniors are not complacent or apathetic. We are learners. We are a renewable resource. We have finally come into our own. We are a generation who desires to be fit, to be learned, to travel.

“O God, thou has taught me from my youth; and hitherto have I declared by wondrous works. Now also when I am old and redheaded, O God forsake me not. Until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation and thy power to every one that is to come!” Psalm 71:17, 18. We seniors have years of experiences to share that enables us to be good mentors to youth.

I desired to go to college for 18 years so I entered a local college. Upon its completion, I entered seminary, completing that and an internship. I was sitting in one of my last classes after nearly five years of study, realizing that I would be turning 60 in just a few days. Graduation was just a few months away. It was a trememdous feeling of accomplishment. More than that, it was the completion of a goal put off for a quarter of my lifetime while I fulfilled the role of career and homemaker. Those roles are rewarding and irreplaceable. Now, there needed to be something for me.

So many doors have opened. I began traveling and speaking for an international organization. I also served as the first female Chaplain for the Boy scouts of America at two Oregon camps.

Retirement? That is for people who have stopped the fast pace of having to earn a living and traded for the opportunities of what they really want to do. It is not retirements. It is postponement. Recently, I began to fulfill another life-long goal – to join a writer’s group.

The world needs us. We have so much to pass on to younger generations. My three sons loved it when I resumed my education. I graduated the same year as my eldest son. Grandchildren can glean from our years of experience. Younger generations no longer see us as old and uninvolved. They relate to us and we to them.

My challenge is that as seniors that we search out what God has in mind for us. Let’s begin our search…step out in faith. The two vital aspects of every life – significance and security – are especially important for us in these latter years.

Marlene K. Yundt writes from Portland, Oregon. marlene.yundt@comcast.net

The Heavy Grocery List

Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food.

John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store at once.

Visualizing the family needs, she said: "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can."

John told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store.

Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family.

The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?"

Louise replied, "Yes sir."

"O.K" he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries."

Louise, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.

The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down.

The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it."

The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance, so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more.

The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement.

It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said: "Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands."

The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence.

Louise thanked him and left the store.

The other customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said, "It was worth every penny of it. Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs."

Stress Test - Part 2

By Bob Hansen

In a previous issue I recounted the exciting details of my cardiac stress test—part one. Part two took place a few days later—the always-thrilling treadmill.

For those of us men who are particularly manly, there is a down side to this test. Before beginning the actual procedure, a hundred electrodes (only a slight exaggeration) must be affixed to the chest. Unfortunately, the little buggers will not attach unless they contact bare skin.

In my particular case, patches of manly chest hair had to be sacrificed. I found this both humbling and uncomfortable. I think of chest hairs in the same way I think of the silver (not gray) hairs on my head—as badges of courage and endurance. I earned each one by overcoming the rigors of life. To have them removed, unceremoniously, with a few strokes of a razor, just doesn’t seem right.

The discomfort comes in the following days with the inevitable stubble. This causes general irritation as fabric catches on the newly emerged hairs. I believe that’s enough said about this sensitive subject.

As the technician prepared me for the treadmill, the subject came up of how long I had previously lasted. I told her what I recalled and she seemed impressed. She checked my charts. “Wow!” she said. “Very few make it fifteen minutes!” It’s possible she says this to every patient, I suppose. No, I’m sure her comments were genuine.

“Well,” I said, “I suppose I could go even longer if I really trained for the event.”
Soon, I was on the treadmill, relaxed and confident. I noted the wall before me, which was adorned with items intended to comfort anyone who might be distressed by the stress test.

A large photograph displayed a relaxing pastoral scene. Several cartoons were pinned around the lower edge of the photograph, depicting (somewhat questionable) medical humor related to the heart.

Then it struck me. I would prefer to see a chart of the records. It would be inspiring to view the best performances by others in my age group. With this information, I would know when I had achieved the highest score ever.

Perhaps the clinic should have interchangeable wall hangings. In my wife’s case, pages of department store advertising would capture her attention, easing the tension of the situation.

A fun feature of the treadmill is that it starts slow and easy. Then, every three minutes, the speed increases and the platform tilts to a steeper angle. This cruel treatment causes some to breathe hard and even sweat. I guess that’s the point, though, since it’s called a stress test.

One of the technicians asked me to inform him when I had a minute’s worth of energy left. At that point of maximum physical output he injects the radioactive chemical. This can be difficult to calculate, but knowing my previous time was helpful.

I’m happy to report that, despite not knowing the overall world record, I did achieve a personal best of fifteen minutes and ten seconds (besting my former record my four seconds.)

The doctor said I did well and the EKG looked good. I marveled at his ability to understate my athletic achievement.

A half-hour later, I again bravely endured the twenty-minute tunnel torture experience (mentioned in my last column) without movement of any kind. All that now remains is the doctor’s consultation. In the past this has been routine, but this time there might be a surprise. Since I mentioned the issue of records to the cardiologist, I suspect he has subsequently searched all past files. Is it too much to expect that my upcoming visit will involve great fanfare as I am presented with an award for establishing a new world treadmill record?

In the midst of joking about the experiences relating to my heart attack, I can’t help but be reminded of my mortality. My cardiologist once told me, “You have heart disease. That’s what you’ll die from.” Subtle.

The Bible says: “It is appointed unto a man once to die….” How glad I am that the verse doesn’t stop there. It goes on to say the most astounding thing. “Then comes the resurrection.” Without this second part of the verse, hope would slip away with the years. With this great promise, life is redeemed. Sorrow and pain and sickness and disease are bought back. Now, I can say with confidence, “I will die, but I will live again!”

Bob Hansen writes from Chehalis, Washington.

Sweep Me Off My Feet - Renewing Our First Love

By Beverly Hill McKinney

The first time I saw my husband, his smile seemed to light up the room. My heart speeded up and my hands grew sweaty. Will he really ask me out? I wondered. When we finally did go out, it was enough to just be together, whether we talked or not.

Do I feel this way about my true love, the Lord? Am I excited to be with him and sit in his presence? Does my heart speed up and I look forward to being with him. Do I want to pour out my heart to him? Am I anxious to be with him forever? Can I hardly wait to see him again?

Let’s look at a few of those in the Bible who were swept off their feet.

1) In the gospel of John, Mary of Bethany anointed the feet of Jesus to show her deep love for him. She just wanted to be near him. His love for her swept her off her feet. Later when she came to the tomb on that first Easter morning, she merely had to hear her name spoken to know who the Lord was. He was so familiar to her, his voice was enough for her to feel his love overwhelm her life.
2) The woman caught in the act of adultery (many Bible scholars think this was Mary as well) was brought before Jesus. No one had treated her as a lover. She had been used and mistreated. But, when she came before the Lord, he treated her with respect and love and forgave her of her many sins. She immediately told others and became an instant witness of her new life’s love.

3) Elijah looked for the Lord in the whirlwind and the fire, but found him in a still small voice. He was anxious to hear from his God. His life was changed from that moment.

4) Paul, on the road to Damascus was struck blind by the Lord. He was immediately in awe of the great miracle of redemption. After this encounter, his life changed and he became a mighty witness for his life’s love.

Let’s look at a few ways we can be swept off our feet today.

1. We can take time to be alone with our Lord
We just need to sit in His presence and adore Him for who He is. Like with our own true love, no words are needed at these times. Being together is enough.

2. We can pour out our hearts
There are times when we need to pour out our hearts to someone. Life is overwhelming and we think we can’t handle anything else. We sit before the Lord and pour out our troubles knowing that He will listen to our every need and cry of our hearts. Sometimes we feel like nothing we do will correct the situation, but He gives us a peace and assurance that He cares and understands.

3. We can wait eagerly to see Him
Are we excited about seeing Him again? I remember attending a women’s retreat and at the end as we were packing to go home we all realized how much we missed our husbands and children. We became excited and anxious to get home and be with them again. Are we that anxious for Heaven and our eternal home?

4. We can talk about Him
When we have a new love, the first thing we want to do is share the news with others. We call our friends and family and tell them all about our new relationship. Do we do the same with the Lord? As he reveals Himself to us, do we want to share His love with others? Or do we want to keep Him all to ourselves? If we are truly in love, we want the world to know. Do we want the world to know Christ?

In Isaiah 62:5(NKJV): “And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” Think of that. God rejoices over us like a bridegroom.

Do we look at Him as a bride to her bridegroom?

Let’s recall our first love and renew our commitment to the Lord so He can once again sweep us off our feet.

Beverly Hill McKinney writes from Rogue River, Oregon. bmckinnehill@yahoo.com

Red Hot Romance

By Bill & Pam Farrel

Romance, like summer days, really can be red hot. In our book, Red Hot Monogamy, we give a list of over 200 red hot romance ideas sure to make your intimate life sizzle. So if you want to make the temperature rise on your love life as the thermometer climbs this August, try one of these red hot romance ideas:

· If you hear “your song” on the radio, simply call his/her cell and hold your phone up to the speaker and let the song do the romancing.

· Create a photo postcard of the two of you and on the backside, write a thank you for that special memory and an invitation out to another romantic activity

· Recreate your first date. If you can still fit into it, wear the same clothes, if not, at least go to the same places.

· Check a book out of the library or buy a book of love poems. Sit in front of the fire pit or at the beach in each other’s arms and take turns reading poems to each other.

· Create a mail box for love notes: place it in your bathroom, on the kitchen table, etc and exchange love mail. A traditional mailbox I nice because it has a red flag you can put up to signal “You’ve go mail!”

· Use everyday items to send a unique set of messages, The title of a candy bar with a note that says, “You are a “Big Hunk” of Burning Love , or I’ “Red Hot: for your love. See if you can work in all kinds of items: shaving cream, deodorant, perfume, cereal (You are my “Life, etc.)

· Use a magazine cover like Time’s Person of the Year and scan in your spouse’s picture. Or use Glamour or GQ or other magazine with catchy headlines but replace the model with a picture of your mate.

· “Kidnap” your spouse from work or other responsibility—like in the middle of mowing the lawn—and blind fold them and take him/her to a romantic rendezvous. (You might clear this with the boss or show up at the end of the work day—just don’t get your spouse fired—that would definitely ruin the mood).

· Have dinner someplace different in your home: in front of the fireplace, on the rooftop, on the patio or balcony out back, in the attic, under the tree in the back yard, etc.

· Leave love notes between pages of a book or magazine your mate is reading.

· Make a public statement of your love. Rent a billboard, hand a sheet or banner over the freeway overpass, make a banner for the garage door, write in chalk on the driveway, paint it on a wall that you are going to be repainting anyway.

· Look at your wedding album and talk about what first attracted you to your mate.

· Kiss every time you see something specific (at green lights, when you spot a fire hydrant, anytime you see your favorite flower, or hear your favorite song.) Dave and Claudia Arp, marriage specialists kiss when they see a body of water. We kiss on every elevator we find ourselves alone in and we kiss and dance after we push the elevator button and are waiting for it to arrive.

· How do I love thee, let me count the ways: Write on a set of index cards all the reasons you love your spouse; make a paper chain of her or his best qualities; bring one flower for each positive trait you want to recount and bring them in one at a time to her as your verbally list off what makes your heart sing.

· Opposites attract: For one day, flip roles. If he usually drives, then let her. If she usually cooks, the let him.

· Learn to do something your mate loves (the riles of football; how to golf; fly fishing; how to find a great antique or quilt, etc)

· Place romantic cards through the house, or use the house for some play on words. On Christmas Bill woke up to signs that read things like, “You are my CUP of tea”; “I love to STAIR at you!” “You’ve opened the DOOR to my heart.”
All you need to do to make romance red hot is to take time to notice your mate and thank him or her creatively for being in your life. Nothing makes the sex life sizzle like knowing you are valued and appreciated.

Bill and Pam Farrel are the authors of Red Hot Monogamy, and are featured guests on Focus on the Family radio this month. To hear the interview, www.Fotf.com. For marriage conferences where the Farrels are speaking, or to order Red Hot Monogamy, see www.farrelcommunications.com

Party Time

By Lynn Ludwick

“It’s almost like we’re the caterers,” Jack observed.

“We are.” My sister Charlotte worked alongside her husband as they arranged deli meat and cheese platters. The occasion was my daughter’s wedding.

“Oh.” My brother-in-law shrugged, then responded to a request to help set up chairs. Willing hands soon transformed an outdoor picnic pavilion into an outdoor wedding chapel.

I later sent a note to my sister and brother-in-law thanking them for their labors of love. I also affirmed their ever-gracious hospitality, for we were not the only recipients. Jack and Charlotte function as the family glue for their children and grandchildren back east. They’re big on family gatherings and parties, those happenings that elevate life above its dailiness and sometime drudgery. One of their granddaughters told them being together was the best part of making brownies, even better than licking the bowl.

My sister also creates traditions for just the two of them - certain foods in certain dishes for occasions less momentous than birthdays or holidays. They enjoy an after-church breakfast each week, same restaurant. The first garden ripe tomato is worthy of celebration.

When they venture to Oregon to visit our 93-year old mother, the west coast kin enjoy a mini-reunion. Amid the chaos of strong personalities and overtired toddlers the family grows closer. We snap dozens of photos to supplement our memories. And we collect family stories. Last Christmas two-and-a-half year old Hazel marched into my brother’s home, searched the room then demanded, “Where’s my Tutu?” (That’s what my kids and the grandkids call my mother.) She later pointed to a picture - “There’s Unko Jacket.” Yup, the name stuck.

I feel sorry for individuals and families who dismiss holidays or fail to create special moments. Nor are such events to be merely endured, and then checked off the list. 1) Marry off the daughter. 2) Shop for Fourth of July BBQ. 3) Gear up to get through Christmas. Such folks may save some time and a few dollars, but in the end, they lose much more. Life needs the extra oomph that celebrations provide.

After all, this whole party idea was originally God’s. He frequently instructed His nomadic children to cement a memory with a pile of stones and a story. He instigated feasts and dictated the menu. They celebrated. They sang. “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music.” Psalm 98:4 I can imagine those occasions with a few million displayed Egyptian Jews in attendance: the reunions, the catching up, the pure joy. I think I experienced a bit of that joy in late June as I watched the bride and groom’s families (gathered from Washington, New York, Arizona and many points in between) meet, reconnect and interact. Like most families, we’re a motley crew, as varied in personalities as we are in backgrounds, occupations, and philosophies.

While I ended up tired for a couple of weeks and the budget will be tight for a couple of months, every moment and every dollar was worth it: a small price tag to put on forever-memories.

But, who set a limit on the number of party celebrants? A party for one sounds good to me. I read of a lady who celebrates each First of the Month. Oh, the possibilities. For me that might include a latté and a book of poetry; or a trip down memory lane via a photo album; or call a friend I haven’t seen in a while and “do lunch;” or start a long-dreamed of quilt. Or… be creative and kind to myself. Life is full of grim, so I’d do well to add some zest.

I’m glad God doesn’t require His people to only sit in solemn silence. While there are those times, He knows we need a whoop and a holler now and again, a time to be exuberant. Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding feast where He dealt with the refreshments, not an ailing guest.

Just as I was winding up this month’s column, my new son-in-law called. “What are you doing?”

“Uh…why?” I mentally scraped together a list of excuses why I couldn’t do whatever he might suggest. After all…

“Want to go swimming with us?”

I hesitated a moment longer, then laughed. “Sure, count me in.” I hung up, grabbed my beach bag and headed out the door. Sounded like a party to me - a time to celebrate today and a chance to chalk up more memories.

“Sing to the Lord a new song;” Psalm 96:1; 98:1

“The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.” Psalm 97:1

Lynn Ludwick writes from Medford, Oregon. Lynniegirl45@hotmail.com

Out Of The Fire

Personal Testimony
By David Hobbs

Desperately, on hands and knees, like a wild animal I clawed my way through the brush, trying to get past the end of the rolling log before it came through. I could hear it coming down the mountain toward me, flattening the brush with a snapping, cracking, wicked "swooshing" sound that curdled my blood!

That was one of many times God saved me from death in my eight years fighting fires in Northern California and Oregon with the Forest Service. Yet, when He finally saved me to Life (eternal life) it wasn’t because of a “foxhole conversion.” It was because of a young former hell-raising fire fighter named Mike Harris who had just been saved a few months before. Mike radiated the joy of the Lord! When the rest of the crew would be desperately hung over after a heavy night of partying, Mike would be his friendly, cheerful self. He never condemned the other fire fighters, but his whole life was like a banner headline, “I’ve found a better way; His name is Jesus!”

I’d been known in high school in Ohio as “The School Atheist.” It wasn’t enough for me not to believe in God myself; it was my duty to convince everyone else there was no God too. I used to write letters to the editor of our local newspaper ridiculing faith in God. In return I got anonymous letters in the mail from Christians telling me I was going to hell and seemingly hoping it would happen soon! But nobody ever reached out to me with the love of Jesus.

In college at Humboldt State, I fell right into the hippie drug scene of the late 1960’s. In fact, I was in the first group of college students ever busted for drugs at Humboldt—a scandal! The funny thing was that God actually used my drug experiences for good in my life (not that I would recommend it to anyone else). He used my first LSD trip to cure me of a severe stuttering problem, but more than that, he used the whole drug experience to introduce me to the spiritual realm, convincing me that material atheism was completely wrong.

But it’s still a long way from belief in an unseen, spiritual realm to putting your trust in Christ as Savior. “You believe in one God? You do well! The devils also believe, and tremble!” James 2:19

I had to fail at all my own devices—at love, at a career, at life itself, before, in my desperation, I began to tentatively cry out to the God whose existence I had at one time denied.

All this time I was fighting fires in the summertime (four seasons on a helicopter crew, two on a tanker, and two on the Rogue River Hotshot crew out of Prospect, Ore.), making good money, living out my dream, but coming up empty at life. At 27 years old, I had finished college (with two degrees), failed as a writer, failed at female relationships, was still smoking marijuana and drinking to excess, and had no future except as a seasonal fire fighter.

As scary as some of my fire fighting experiences were, it was my failed relationships with women and writing my first book that came the closest to destroying me. Fires only posed a physical danger, the others looming spiritual disaster. Even so, when Mike Harris first came into my life and started witnessing to me, I brushed him off, “I don’t need that Jesus stuff. I’m totally happy!” (What a lie!)

But the more I saw his life and how radically different it was from the rest of the crew and my own, the more I found myself desiring what he had. I began listening to his tapes from his church, and even got my own Bible to follow along. Still, it wasn’t until that critical fire in Idaho in Aug., 1974, when I saw the power of God stop the wind and the fire right in front of my eyes in response to Mike’s prayer, that I knew this Christianity thing was more then just a good idea—it involved the Creator, Almighty God of the Universe! A God who was willing to get involved in our lives!

It was not long afterward that I met this God of Power, and committed myself to Him forever.

The whole story is in my book, Out of the Fire, which is available at The Book Store on Miner’s St. in Yreka, and at my website, outofthefirebook.com. (If that’s too hard, send a check for $20.00 to me at PO Box 5975, Marysville, CA 95901 [that way I’ll even sign it for you]).

I especially wrote the book for Christians to share with non-Christians, as it presents the Gospel in a very low-key way, just like God shared it with me.

David Hobbs writes from Marysville, California. dh4lpress@sbcglobal.net

Our Daily Spiritual Guidelines

1. Wake Up
Let’s decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up
The best way for us to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve our looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up
Let’s say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up
For what we believe in. We need to stand for something or we will fall for anything. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up
To the Lord. "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up
For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up
Our Prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING." Philippians 4:6

Quilt Of Holes

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles. An angel sat before each of us, sewing our quilt squares together into a life tapestry.

As my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult with the challenges and temptations I faced in everyday life. The hardships I endured, were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around and noticed that nobody else had squares as mine. The other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune with just a tiny hole here and there. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

Finally the time came when each life was displayed. It was held up to the light and scrutiny of truth. People rose each in turn holding their tapestries. Each life was so filled with God’s love and mercy. When it was my turn my angel looked at me and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes as others did. I did have love in my life, and there was laughter. But, there had also been so many trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to
ridicule, which I endured painfully, offering it up each time to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who judged me.

Now I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. A gasp of awe filled the air from those around me. They were looking at my tapestry with wide eyes. The light flooded the many holes, creating an image of the face of Christ.

The next thing I realized was my Lord standing before me with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine
through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."

Loving My Neighbor As MYSELF

By Mary Skoglie

Two of the most basic commandments Jesus gave us were to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Some people are better at loving themselves than loving others! Others are better at loving others, but not themselves. Anyone who knows me well enough knows I have a bad habit of cutting myself down too much, even in humor. It's something that I'm trying to do better about, but I'm not there yet.

Imagine telling someone who's had a nervous breakdown that he needs to "get with it" or "pull herself together!” Wouldn't that be cruel?

Yet sometimes the things we say in the company of only our mirror and God, we wouldn't dream of saying to another.

In April, I had a mild, but terrifying nervous breakdown. I'm still not sure just why it happened, but I've learned a couple of things since I've been recovering. One is that I need to be good to myself, and take care of myself. Not to the point of being selfish, of course, but putting my own needs somewhere on the scale of importance! If I don't take care of myself, I'm only setting myself up for another breakdown, perhaps worse than the previous one!

When I was at my sickest point, I was feeling, to be honest, like a failure. I told myself things such as "Christians don't break down" and "Christians should be above this!"--things that really didn't help me get better any faster! Shaming myself did nothing to make it better. I wouldn't dream of scolding another person for having a breakdown, yet how often I looked in the mirror and scolded myself!

If we don't love ourselves enough to take care of ourselves, how can we expect to be able to love others around us? When we have the flu, do we run around making and delivering chicken soup to others? No, we take care of ourselves, and get well!

It should be the same with other things in our lives. If we don't take care of ourselves, how can we expect to take care of anyone else? If we don't love ourselves enough to give our bodies and minds the rest and the nourishment they need, we are neglecting what God gave us--our bodies and minds.

Another thing I learned through my experience was that ministry to others isn't about me being capable. It's about GOD BEING CAPABLE--and me being willing to be used by Him. God did this, and surprised me by giving me opportunities and an increased desire to help others battling brain and emotional problems. Not because I feel capable, but because the God I love is fully capable of using me just as I am, if I am willing.

My nervous breakdown has had some surprisingly positive impacts, such as meeting a good friend I never might have met. I am surprised and thankful to God that He was able to minister to me when I couldn't even feel His Presence. I want God to use my life more to minister to other people, and also to learn to take care of myself better, emotionally and physically.

In short, my desire is to learn how to love my neighbor...as MYSELF!

Mary Skoglie writes from Medford, Oregon.

Kindness Quotes

Help to make earth happy
Like the heaven above.
Julia Fletcher Carney (1823-1908) American Teacher

We cannot always return an act of kindness to the person who bestowed it, but we can pay back the debt by helping other. (anonymous)

Wise words often fall on barren ground; but a kind word is never thrown away. -
Arthur Helps (English historian)

Kindness whis is bestowed on the good is never lost. - (Plato) (Greek philosopher)

The heart benevolent and kind, The most resembles God. - Robert Burns (Scottish poet)

The best portion of a good man's life, His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kiness and love. -William Wordsworth (English poet)

Getting money is not alla man's business: to cultivate kindness is a valuable part of the business of life. -Samual Johnson (English lexicographer, critic and writer. )

One kind word can warm three winter months. -Japanese saying

Kindness Is Love In Action

By Fred Wikoff

When I was a Boy Scout and one of my buddies gave a rare complement to one of our group, invariably someone would add jokingly, “and he’s also kind, courteous and brave.” These virtues were accepted as qualities denoting a good all around person. Although we joked about it, and tried to mask our feelings with toughness or indifference, kindness was admired.

Kindness has always been a virtue people look up to. Maybe it’s because we have all been recipients of kind acts. We even grow to expect them as the kindness a mother shows to her children. But it’s unexpected kindness from total strangers that we remember the most.

I will never forget the day, Norm VanBrocklin, the University of Oregon’s famed quarterback invited me into his apartment. I was a wide-eyed, eleven-year-old paperboy collecting the fee for the month. As he took time from his busy schedule to visit with me was totally unexpected. It revealed a concern and kindness for others that made him even more of a hero in my eyes.

VanBrocklin became one of the great pro Hall of Fame quarterbacks of all time; playing for the Los Angles Ram’s for nine years and the Philadelphia Eagles for three, before ending his career coaching in the NFL. He set many passing records and received a host of other honors. But, I will never forget that single act of kindness he bestowed on me.

Kindness is love in action. We can talk about loving our neighbor as our self, loving our enemies, or loving Christ, but it is only lip service unless we act on that love. Kindness is an easy way to put love into action.

I have heard it argued that a person can be kind to someone without loving them. I disagree. If a person is concerned enough to do something kind for someone else without having a selfish motive behind it, than love is the driving force, even if it is not recognized as such.

Indeed, the Apostle Paul listed kindness as an attribute of love. (See 1Corinthians 13:4) John says: “God is love.” I John 4:8 And Christ links love with kindness in the story of the Good Samaritan. (See Luke 10:29-37) The story define who is one’s neighbor, but it also labels an act of kindness as love.

Christ’s entire ministry was one of love given through countless acts of kindness. His changing of water into wine, the numerous healings, washing the disciple’s feet, feeding the multitudes, and yes his crucifixion, are all acts of love put into action by kindness.

The Jewish Talmud states: “Deeds of kindness are equal in weight to all the commandments.”

Christ puts it differently, emphasizing the love behind the deeds of kindness: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. And You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37:40

Kindness by us/through us is one of Christ’s main tools for furthering His kingdom on earth. It opens doors so others may see the light of Christ shining in us. The great British hymn writer and theologian, Frederick W. Faber says: “Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence or learning.” “It is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” (Mark Twain on kindness)

Kindness is truly a universal language that all understand. The beauty of it is how simple and easy it is to impart. “Kind works can be short and easy but their echoes are truly endless.” (Mother Teresa)

After sixty years the kindness bestowed on me by Norm VanBrocklin still echoes fondly in my ears. Who can say what influence that single act of kindness has wrought through the years? I do know that with each passing day kindness plays a growing part in my life. And I’ve learned that “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40

Fred Wikoff writes from Eugene, Oregon. EugeneSpud@msn.com

Be Ye Kind, One To Another

By Willa Johnson

When upsetting events happen in our lives because of what someone has done to us, it’s mighty hard to “turn the other cheek” or to obey what Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:32: “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Most human beings are not naturally adept at forgiving. There have been times when I’ve wanted to fight back. Even if I don’t strike back at unjust assaults, it’s nigh to impossible to forgive sometimes.

If I consider how the only Perfect One who ever lived was horribly mistreated through no fault of His own, it causes me to reflect on a problem and compare it to what Christ endured. Every time I do I come up short because there is no comparison. No matter how badly I’m treated, I will never suffer as Christ did. I choose to focus on those who are kind and thoughtful, who go out of their way to do for others, what they oftentimes cannot do for themselves.

There’s a song that says, “Little things mean a lot.” In the park where I live, more than once when I’ve taken my garbage to the dumpster, one of the men of the before-feminism-took-over-generation will come up and say, “Here, let me take that for you.” Yes, even the “little things mean a lot.”

I was reading through a book of quotations and one on “kindness” stated: Kindness consists of loving people more than they deserve by Joseph Joubert. It reminded me of a story I read years ago about a lady in a mental hospital who was most difficult to handle. She was not just unattractive; she was ugly. Her disposition matched her looks and no one wanted to tend to her. One day an attendant decided she would make the effort to love the patient. She began befriending her in little ways at first and gradually the patient began to respond. The story had a happy ending because the loving care drew the patient out of her morbid and hateful attitude.

I heard Dr. Tim LaHaye speak at a Christian Women’s luncheon. A young wife asked him, “What can I do to get my husband to be nicer to me and to help me?” Dr. LaHaye answered, “Treat him like a king and eventually he will respond to you as you show love to him.” Many of us went home and applied the advice.
An acquaintance related how she spent two nights a week teaching inmates for two hours at the county jail in her area. When asked if they really learned or were simply attending to get credit, she said, “Yes. Some did respond to the caring effort. One even earned his GED while there.”

“It is a man’s kindly acts that are remembered of him in the years after his life” (Ptah-hotep)

Our Lord admonished us to be kind to one another. The old saying is so true: You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar!

Willa Johnson writes from Phoenix, Oregon.

Kill 'Em With Kindness

By Patti Iverson

A wealthy man in his limousine saw two guys eating grass. He had his driver pull over.

“Why are you eating grass?” he asked the first man.

“We have no money for food.”

“Well, come with me then”, instructed the rich man.

“But sir, I have a wife and two children.”

“Bring them along!” “And what about you?” he asked the second man.

“I have a wife and six kids!”

“Bring them all,” ordered the man.

The two families climbed into the limo. The first man said, “Sir, your kindness knows no bounds. Thanks for taking all of us with you.”

“No problem!” the rich man said. “The grass at my house is almost a foot tall…”
Yowch! How kind is that? He could kill ‘em with his kindness…

Poor Blanche DuBois, in “A Streetcar Named Desire”, always had to depend upon the kindness of strangers, but they at least were kinder than that nasty man.

One fruit of the Holy Spirit is kindness, according to Galatians 5:22. So does this mean it’s just a gift, one of the fruits? Perhaps that rich man just didn’t have that particular gift so he thought he was being smart using those families. No! And those who say, “Kindness is a heart attitude, not really an action” are nuts.

The Bible is full of kindness scriptures and even commands. My little three year old, Maggie, was fighting with her six year old brother, Peter, when she hollered out loud ‘n clear, “BE YE KIND! Jesus said so!” Well alrighty then. She learned her Sunday School Bible verse and it sure wasn’t just a suggestion from that little bitty half pint, or the Lord.

Waaay back in Deuteronomy 15:11 Moses was trying to instill some ethical sense into the Israelites and told them: "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be kind and openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.” I don’t think he just meant a warm, fuzzy attitude. If we see someone in need and we can meet it, we are to do so, be it a coat, a meal, or salvation. Widows, orphans, the sick, naked, and imprisoned all fall into a special category of folks the Blesser Himself wants us to bless.

Where it gets rather hairy-scary is in Luke 6:27 with the command to be kind to our enemies. Now, just a cotton pickin’ minute! That seems rather stupid. Especially in today’s world of terrorists and folks out of their minds in cults, drugs, and addictions of every kind. Never mind the creep who kept tailgating me and then cut me off at the light. Am I to be kind to them? Heap burning coals upon their head? Now, that does sound rather good, heh heh. Nah, I believe the verse means that our kindness will heap the coals of conviction upon them, a difference between their evil, and God’s kindness to us. Acts 14:17 says: “…God has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons, He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Mr. Faber told us, “Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, or learning.”

This is not just American thought. Dali Llama: “My religion is simple, my religion is kindness.” Miquel Cervantes: “Great persons are able to do great kindnesses.” In the Pakistani Forum I read: “I try to do one kindness a day in hopes that it will eradicate a sin I may have unconsciously committed in the Book of Life. One kindness a day keeps the devil away.” We here in our country have The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. No kidding! It deals with peace, idealistic youth, and philanthropy. Well, hey! It won’t hurt!

Religion has not always been about kindness. It even kills. Think The Crusades, the pogroms, the Inquisition and even now, the Sunni/Shites. Some people say, “If not for God there’d be no war. There’d be no kindness, either. Kindness is more important than being right, or your own opinion being the only one that counts, be you a person or a nation.

Used to be we turned to Ann Landers for etiquette and how to behave. She’d tell us it’s the small kindnesses that can make our day and change our lives. Now there is a whole new school of thought regarding “Alternative Manners”, because new times need new manners. It is a different world yet still the same truths hold. The best being the Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” You be kind to me and I’ll be kind to you? No. God said we are to be kind, period.

What if our whole community were as kind and friendly to others all year long as we are at Christmas or at a parade on the Fourth of July? We can be full of kindness, and not “kill ‘em with kindness”. Sometimes kindness might cost us a lot, and not just money. But we should not offer that to the Lord which costs us nothing. I don’t want to have my heart full of “coulda, woulda, and shouldas”. I don’t want to be like that rich man in his limousine. I must feed those families! Won’t you join me?

Patti Iverson writes from Medford, Oregon. randpi@charter.net

God's Request Of Me

By DJ Note

The morning couldn’t have been more normal as I drove to work. I listened to the radio, watched the country landscape pass by, chatted with the Lord in the secret places of my mind, and wondered what my workday might bring. Then my thumb caught briefly on the lapel pin I was wearing as I adjusted the shoulder of my seat belt. As my fingers ran over the pin’s cool surface I recalled the day it was given to me some years before during an especially difficult time of my life. The golden jewel-studded crown encircling a cross was to be a reminder to whom I belonged—the One who would never leave me. My eyes clouded momentarily and a lump easily rose in my throat as I remembered the sweet generosity of that dear sister.

“Today,” a whispered voice inside my head snapped my attention back to my driving, “you will give away your crown.”

What? Had I imagined this suggestion? Or was it more of a command?

“I’ll send someone to you today,” the voice commanded, “who needs to be reminded she belongs to me. She, alone, will show you her appreciation for the beauty of the pin. Give it to my daughter.”

There it was again. There was no mistaking it. I knew that voice. “Oh Lord,” I sputtered out loud. “Not my pin! I love it. It reminds me I belong to you! Why would I give it away?” Only the echo of silence stirred in my mind as the backdrop of the program on the radio played. I found myself fretting about my pin even after I got to work. My co-worker suggested we pray about it. Then I let it go, or so I thought. Throughout the day I pouted off and on about my impending loss, but as the day wore on and nothing happened, I decided I must have imagined the earlier command.

It was late in the day when a sweet face smiled back at me from across the counter. She needed help choosing a Bible. We chatted as we searched the shelf for a prospective possibility when suddenly, she stepped back, eyes glued on my cross and crown lapel pin. “Wow, that’s a beautiful pin.” She pointed at the golden crown. “I love it!”

There it was—my signal—my cue to give away the treasured pin.

Seconds passed as my mind whirled in a flurry of emotion. But on its heels peace came in all its grandeur secretly filling my heart, so that, just then, nothing was more important than obedience to my Father. Without saying a word, I unfastened the pin from my lapel. Somehow, it wasn’t as difficult as I had imagined it would be. As my fingers threaded the pin through her clothing and fastened the clasp in place, she scrunched her brow in silent question as to what I was doing.

A smile crept across my face as I lowered my hands. “Our Father wants you to be reminded that you belong to Him. You are His girl, His daughter, most precious in His sight. And He hasn’t forgotten your trials, your suffering.” Now moisture pooled at the bottom of my eyes. “He loves you, dear one.”

Tears chiseled a path to her chin then fell from sight. “You’re giving me your pin?”

“The Lord told me this morning, on my way to work, He would send someone into the store who would admire my pin. I was to give it to them and tell them how much they are loved. And here you are.”

Through muffled tear-swept whispers she nodded then reached out to offer a grateful embrace. “I needed to hear His encouragement. Today has been especially hard. God is so good.”

I filed away a memory as I watched her leave the store that day. Her step was a bit lighter than before, her smile—bright, assured. And you might say I was riding on cloud nine having had the privilege of delivering God’s love letter. It’s wonderful to receive a gift, but oh! The satisfaction of knowing you’ve been entrusted as a messenger for the King of Kings just takes the cake.

Truly, to give is more blessed than to receive. Makes one wonder what tomorrow will bring, doesn’t it?

DJ Note writes from Eagle Point, Oregon.

Facing The Giants In Life

By Stewart Whittemore

"The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!" 1 Samuel 17:37

Recently my family and I watched a movie called "Facing the Giants.” It’s a very good story about a football coach facing insurmountable difficulties in his job and personal life. He turns to God for help and through His word finds the guidance and strength he needs to overcome his "Giants.”

Many are familiar with the story of David and Goliath in the Bible (1 Samuel 17). This movie represents a contemporary version of that epic. David’s story is one of the passages that motivates the coach's turnaround in his life.

In reading the verse above, after seeing the movie, I was struck with the realization why David was so confident he’d be victorious over the giant, Goliath. God had previously delivered David "from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear.” David was confident of God's power because He had protected him before and would surely protect him again. In other words, because of David's close relationship with God, and previous experiences in times of peril, David knew God would not let him down, ever.

It made me think of my own experiences since I entered into my own relationship with God through Jesus Christ. When life itself seemed like an overwhelming giant, and thinking I was close to death, God took me from the pit of despair and into His marvelous light. I have learned that God will be with me (and He has) no matter what the difficulty might be (even if I didn't understand it), because God is faithful and true to His promises in His Word.

Jesus said: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

We read in the Gospels what "tribulations" Jesus went through for us. Any difficulty we have pales in comparison. Jesus' focus was not on those painful experiences, but on the glory beyond the cross and how His sacrifice would set us free from sin and death. Our focus needs to be on Jesus.

What impossible situations are we facing right now in our lives? No matter how big it seems when we turn it over to our Lord Jesus and ask Him to set us free we will conquer the giants! "With God all things are possible" Mark 10:27

Stewart Whittemore writes from Grants Pass, Oregon.

Breakdown

By D. M. Flynn

Liz lifted her face to the sky as she left the university library. The sun felt warm despite the chilly air. As a copywriter who provided services for many of the small businesses in the area, Liz was a familiar sight around town. This morning she had met with a new client, then stayed at the library to complete her research for her monthly newsletter.

The early spring flowers were waving to her in the breeze as she sped along the road in her power wheelchair. Liz knew that it would take time to get used to this model after so many years with her old faithful. Nevertheless, at this moment, she began to feel in harmony with her new machine.

A few minutes later, however, she sensed the chair losing speed. A quick check of the remote controller confirmed that something was wrong. She was approaching an intersection and although she had the right of way, she stopped. The driver of a minivan waved her on.

Liz started across the road, but the chair was crawling. As she passed the vehicle, she recognized the van and its driver. The woman was a nurse who lived on her street. Liz gestured to her to pull over. The woman waved.

When Liz finally reached the other side of the road, she turned back to the van. Again, she motioned to the driver to pull over. The nurse looked at Liz for a long moment. Then, she pointed to her watch, waved, and continued on her way.

Liz sighed. She was three miles from home. The flashing lights on the remote controller warned her that the chair would never make it that far. So she drove onto the shoulder of the road and turned off the power. She decided her best option was to wait for one of the campus police cars that patrolled the lightly traveled access road. Liz glanced at her watch; it was 12:55 pm.

“Are you all right?” Startled, Liz looked over to see a stranger in a red SUV stopped next to her. “I — I am not sure,” she stammered. The driver eased his vehicle onto the shoulder behind her.

Liz turned around just as the man got out on the passenger side. As he walked toward her, he offered his hand. “Hello!” he said. “I’m Tony Marcello. What seems to be the trouble?” Liz explained the problem.

“Sounds like an electrical failure,” he said. He made several calls on his cell phone in an attempt to track down her wheelchair mechanic. When he finally made contact, the mechanic said it would be three hours before he could get to Liz. “Then I’ll take her and her chair home,” Tony told the mechanic. Next, he called his office. “I am helping a woman whose vehicle broke down; I don’t know when I will be back,” he said. “If anyone needs me, I can be reached at my cell phone number.” Turning to Liz, Tony said, “Can we take this apart?”

“Yes, but I’m not sure how. The chair was delivered yesterday,” Liz said.
“Well,” Tony said, “we’ll figure it out together. Can you get into my vehicle?” Liz shook her head.

“How can I help you?” Tony said.

Liz felt a sudden pang of fear. Tony seemed so kind. But, what if he didn’t drive her home; what if —. “Thanks,” Liz said, “but I think I’ll wait for the mechanic.”

“I understand your reluctance,” Tony said. “But I can’t leave you here alone. Besides, if I wanted to hurt you, I would have dragged you off 20 minutes ago,” he said, gesturing toward the wooded area just beyond the road. “It’s your call: we can hang out here or I can take you home.”

Liz pondered in silence. Tony was right; her small frame was no match for his muscular build. Lord, help me, she prayed silently.

“Well,” she said at last, “if the chair will fit, I think I remember how to take i