Dissolving Commitments

By Chad McComas

I see it all around me...and at times within me. It is the epidemic of disolving commitments.

One wise writer said that our commitments are like “ropes of sand.” They are not very substantive. They are hard to hold onto. They are weak. They are worthless.

It hurts to see society failing to take any commitments seriously. We don’t stick with anything very long. Our interests change and our commitments disolve.

Marriages are falling apart. What happened to the commitments that were made? Are they only valid when everything is going well? I remember a phrase saying something like “in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad.” Yet people are abandoning marriages at a 50% rate. Another case of dissolving commitments. Oh, I’ve heard all the reasoning why one’s marriage wasn’t going to make it, but I’ve so often seen a real lack of stick-to-it commitment needed to make any relationship work. And all marriages need work. The world needs to see that Christian marriages are different from the world. Christians will hang in there when others give up. Christians keep their commitments!

And what about financial dealings with Christians. Of all people Christians need to be knows as people who keep their commitments. Remember when people made verbal agreements with a handshake? That trust and belief in another person keeping his/her commitment needs to continue to be there for believers. Christians need to pay their bills...they need to keep their word...they need to be as trustworthy as the sun rising in the morning.

It amazes me that we have people who make contracts with us for advertising who fail to pay us. They expect us to keep our word on a contract, but they so easily forget to keep theirs. Dissolving commitments.

It hurts me and every other Christian when we hear of another believer who’s reputation is anything but trustworthy. I’ve heard of Christian believers in our valley who are known to break the law and cut corners on their work. They may have built wealth and property holdings, but what does that say about making commitments not only to their God, but to others.

Didn’t Jesus tell us that the greatest two commandments had to do with commitments? Well...He said it had to do with love, but isn’t loving others keeping commitments with them?

If I am committed (love) God then I will keep my word with Him. If I promise to make Him number one in my life...then I keep that promise. If I promise to give a faithful tithe...I do it. If I commit to a church to serve Him at...then I follow through and not allow anything to break that commitment. How many times do we see people stop attending a church or supporting a ministry because of their dissolving commitments? Oh, there are always “good” reasons, but most are easily seen as just excuses made to be able to let go of their commitments.

This feels a bit like a shaming editorial, but I truly want to challenge all of us to take a careful look at our commitments and see if we are keeping them. God forgives us for our past failings, but He expects us and actually empowers us to be able to keep our current commitments. So...there is no reason that as Christians we can’t follow through with what we have committed to God, to our spouse, to our families, to our friends, to our jobs, to our communities, to our kids and to our church. Best of all...God is glorified when we keep our promises. We can do it!

Paul told us: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

Chad McComas writes from Medford, Oregon. info@thechristianjournal.org

We Are Called To Do What We Say

By Linda Callahan

Today commitment is almost a dirty word. I don't see a lot of it in the church or out of it, yet it should be the core of a Christian life. A Christian's word should be all that is needed in any contract. The Bible tells us that your yes should be yes and your no should be no.

Matthew 25:37 says, "Just say a simple 'Yes I will' or 'No I won't!' Your word is enough. To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that something is wrong.

As a girl, I wondered what on earth that little verse was really telling me. Was it saying that we were not to enter contracts? Or were we to be brief and to the point? Maybe it was to tell me to think deeply about what I am going to do. But as I reflect on our culture today, I wonder if part of what that text is telling me is to be a person of total integrity. If I say it, then I need to do it.

I have often been surprised to meet people who almost pride themselves on their lack of commitment! One day someone was telling me how she simply did not show up anymore for her job in her church. Her basic reasoning was that the church would figure out she was not there. I questioned in my mind what happened during the time they were finding out she was not there: she worked with children. Were they learning that they did not have enough value for her to even officially resign so that she could be replaced? And what about another friend, who told me she does not show up sometimes to do her job, so that the church will recognize her importance. These things strike me as cores of selfish thinking.

I cannot say that I am blameless. As I get older I find more reasons to bow out of commitments I have made. I find excuses around many corners in my life. I am too busy. I am too tired. It is someone else's turn. Yet, if I frankly look at my own life, I must admit: all of the above may be true. I need to be honest enough to not commit in the first place, until I know I will honor my commitments.

I am thankful that Jesus was a Man of integrity. When He chose the plan of salvation He did not back out. Though His life was burdened from birth through death, and He is still sacrificing, He did what He said He would do. He still does. He says He will return for us. He made a commitment and He keeps His promises.

As I reflect on my duties as a Christian, I hope I can follow Jesus' example. He balanced His life. Often He went away to pray, and rested. Rest is biblical. But He always did what He said. And I hope I hit the mark more clearly. When I say yes, I will mean it. And when I say no, I will mean that too.

I want people to know me as a person that keeps her commitments, and more importantly, I want people to know Christians do what they say

Linda Callahan writes from Medford, Oregon.

Tree Of Life Adventures

By Jim Yahne

Tree of Life, a new Christian, wilderness counseling program serving individuals, youths, & groups is available in Oregon. Tree of Life offers assessments of individual needs, intervention plans, follow up support services, retreat, and wilderness guide services for one day, weekend or up to 21-day wilderness expeditions, year-round.

Tree of Life Christian Wilderness Expeditions is the brain-child and mission of a team coordinated by Jim Yahne. Tree of Life has been licensed since September 2006 by the Children Services Division Outdoor Youth Program (OYP). It is the only licensed Christian Wilderness program in the state of Oregon. Jim Yahne is a certified alcohol and drug counselor with a master’s degree in health educator with three decades of experience. The staff is made up of a multi-disciplinary team for individual service planning. This team includes a combination of certified alcohol and drug counselors, guides, teachers, and youth pastors who serve full time with TLC.

Tree of Life Christian Wilderness Expeditions “TLC” is a program offering counseling, mentoring, health education and life skills in a positive and challenging guided wilderness environment.

The idea for TLC was born while cutting firewood near Klamath Falls. During prayer Yahne had a vision of delivering more than fuel for personal warmth. He recalls, “The Lord impressed me with a vision of delivering the eternal “fuel” of the tree of life to individuals and families in a setting that combined the outdoors and counseling in a place where they could obtain life-changing benefits.”

Adolescents (13-17) are the target age group for this program. Adults are welcome as well. TLC offers the opportunity of a healthy lifestyle and personal growth in an outdoor setting. Through teamwork, leadership training and personal recreation, the program will benefit anyone struggling with family conflict, school problems, alcohol and/or drug abuse, anger or defiance issues, self-esteem, anxiety and depression. Groups consist of single gender, three to eight participants, with two to three staff.

When Yahne was 16 he was at MacLaren school for boys. He was considered an at risk youth. He went on a Mt. Hood summit climb with Youth for Christ and came to faith in Jesus Christ through that experience. He has continued to serve in outdoor ministries since that time.

The value of TLC is that it gives people an undistracted time apart, and a chance to feel the benefit of being with someone who is caring and offering an objective viewpoint.

Tree of Life’s goal is to serve 35-40 youth in its first year. By taking these youths to rivers, lakes, the ocean, mountains, deserts and winter snow-shoeing expeditions, TLC will teach communication, family dynamics and personal and outdoor skills. In addition to counseling expeditions, TLC will offer trips to church groups, schools, business groups, families or custom individual adventures. TLC’s goal is to deliver a quality experience that provides hope and improved lives.

For future Treks schedules/reservations/ public speaking contact Jim Yahne at 541-281-2956 or email: tlcwilderness@yahoo.com

Jim Yahne writes from Klamath Falls, Oregon.

The Joy Of Not Knowing

By Bob Hansen

Some time ago, an editor e-mailed to say that his publishing house would be taking the final vote on one of my book proposals that next Friday. At first I thought that having this information was a good thing, Later, I wasn’t so sure.
That event reminded me of my favorite childhood dentist appointment. Generally speaking, when I was a kid, I didn’t like going to the dentist. Now that I’m older, my perspective has changed. Now, I don’t like going to the dentist. Oh, I guess my perspective hasn’t changed that much.

Back to my favorite dentist appointment. It’s was my favorite because I didn’t know about it until it was time to leave the house. Innocently, I had awoken that day and prepared myself to go to school. That was when my mother announced that I would be going to the dentist instead. It was that surprise element, that thoughtful timing, that made the experience better than usual. Instead of worrying for days, I had but minutes until I was sitting in that dreaded chair. Much better. No time to worry.

Could this handy principle be applied to other stressful situations? What if, when making dentist and doctor appointments, no specific date was set? The appointment would simply be for “sometime in the future.” A person could go about normal life, forgetting about the appointment. Then, one day, the call would come. “It’s time to get those cavities taken care of. Be here in five minutes.” See the advantage? No time to worry.

This could be adapted for high schools and colleges. Why spend all that time worrying about finals? That date on the calendar needn’t loom large with black storm clouds. With this new system, finals would be announced on the day they were to taken. It could be in the middle of the semester. It could be on the first day. Since the date was unknown, there would be no opportunity to fret. Think how great that would feel. No worrying.

Another event that causes stress is weddings. The buildup to this event is one of the most grueling in the human experience. My new method will relieve even this stress. When you and your Sweetie become engaged, you simply agree to get married “sometime in the future.” Then sit back and relax. One day, when you least expect it, someone will call. They might be from the church or some government agency designed to coordinate such things. Regardless, they will simply inform you that your wedding will take place later that day. Only a few hours will remain for hand wringing. Much less total worrying.

Back to the editor who said they would be voting on my book. In the old system, as the day approached, I grew more and more apprehensive. That Thursday and Friday, I checked my e-mail every few minutes. Nothing came—no email, no snail mail, no phone call either saying I had again been rejected, or that I was about to become a famous novelist. Then weeks passed with no word. I tried to extrapolate a hint from the delay. Was it a good sign or a bad? P.S. In the end I was rejected.

All these mental gymnastics would not be necessary if only the editor had been more vague. If he had said, “We’ll vote on it sometime in the next several months,” I wouldn’t have known when to start worrying. Less worrying is good.
I suppose there’s another possible approach to the events of our lives. We could stick with the old system and replace fretting with something called faith. Of course this would only work if there were someone looking out for us. It would have to be someone with great might, though that would not be enough. Power could be a bad thing if it wasn’t accompanied by irreproachable character. This person would have to be fair and just and compassionate and loving. It would be possible to not fret, if only there were someone like that watching over us.
Oh! Wait! There is.

Bob Hansen writes from Chehalis, Washington. bhansen6@juno.com

The Gift Of Lyndsay

By Sharon Fink

It’s 2:30 a.m. I stagger out of bed and stretch. It’s time to feed Lyndsay again and give her medicine. My husband and I are spending the weekend at Matthew and Cyndy's home, our daughter and son-in-love. We bravely offered to babysit our precious six-year-old granddaughter, so her parents and older sisters could get away for a weekend. Lyndsay with her big blue eyes and soft dark curls spends most of her time in her little crib. She's more comfortable there than in our arms. She has cerebral palsy. She can't sit up or even hold her own head up. She sees us, but not clearly.

On a good day Lyndsay responds to her parents and sisters with raised eyebrows and maybe a giggle or two. When I kiss her open hand she smiles that far-away smile that wilts my heart. Lyndsay's losing weight now. Drastically. It's a miracle she has lived this long. Hope is always on our lips and hearts. Lyndsay has been through so many life and death experiences. She sometimes goes days and nights without sleeping, just writhing, biting herself and arching her back in pain. We've tried everything with little success. Lyndsay has never been able to tell us that her tummy hurts. She can’t tell us she’s hungry, so we feed her regularly through the protruding tube in her tummy.

I carry the mixture to Lyndsay’s dark bedroom. The hall light gives me just enough light to see without disturbing Lyndsay. Slowly I pour the fluids into the tubing leading to her tummy. My husband will take the next shift.

Back in the kitchen I carefully rinse out the tubing and other containers, getting them ready for the next feeding. I open the spiral notebook full of various handwriting, and record the time of feeding and amount I gave her. My note, "Peaceful. Didn't wake up" joins notes from many others who do the
same thing, relieving Mom and Dad. In the dimness of the kitchen light, I read a quiet note on the refrigerator door: "Love takes the sting out of duty."

My daughter sees herself as weak. I see her strong. Strong because she prays about everything and drowns herself in God's Word. I see physical signs that she is under stress, but whenever she has a spare moment—often in the middle of the night—her Bible is open. Her mind is consumed with her precious daughter, who has been sick and in pain most of the six years of her little life.

Matthew holds the family together, providing for them, pitching in at home when Cyndy's in a puddle of nothingness. Lyndsay's Daddy prays, "Lord, we’ve asked you a thousand times for peace and healing for Lyndsay. We come asking you again to give her peace in her body and soul."

The family doctor, the neurologist, the experts at Mayo Clinic, and other specialists and doctors don’t know how to help Lyndsay. They’ve given up on her…given her back to her parents, telling them to do what they think is best.
Cyndy says if we don’t feed Lyndsay, she’s content. She quiets down and goes to sleep. Should she let her daughter starve peacefully or feed her and watch her writhe in pain? The baby monitor has been turned off. Every agonizing cry and groan is too hard to hear, hour after hour. If the cries intensify, their house is small enough so they’ll hear her and come running. One doctor suggested the parents "let her go." The Hospice nurses are standing by ready to offer their services. Are we ready to face that yet? Her weight has dwindles to below 15 pounds now. How much longer can she hang on? How much longer can her parents bear it? What can we do? Lord, you’re the only one we have to turn to. Should I pray that God take her to heaven? I dare not tell anyone.

Cyndy calls Lyndsay a mystery gift. Not a problem, just a mystery that she is determined to solve with God's help. Lyndsay is God’s special gift to us. She has changed our lives. Our struggles with her are so small compared to His gift of suffering and death for our sins for us.

I’ve done my sentry watch and head back to my bed and reach to turn off the bathroom light. Propped on the counter is a card with childish hand-printing and indefinable drawings, created by one of Lyndsay's older sisters. The card reads, “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” Psalm 18:32.

So that’s how they do it. Thank you God for your gift of Lyndsay. Her suffering has stretched our hearts to the max—so You can pour more of Yourself into us.

Sharon Fink writes from Central Point, Oregon.fink@sou.edu

The GIFT You Give Yourselves

By Pam Farrel

We’ve written a new book, The First Five Years, to help newlyweds lay a foundation for a successful, satisfying, intimate, and delight-filled marriage that expresses God’s purposes. These early years are critical. According to a University of Washington study, by relationship experts John Gottman and Robert W. Levenson, it is “the first seven years of marriage, during which half of all divorces are known to occur . . .” Focus on the Family noted that 20 percent of all marriages end in the first five years. In our more than twenty-five years as relationship specialists, we have noticed a very obvious trend: couples who do premarital counseling, then follow up with a weekly study on marriage, have strong marriages that do not break up, no matter the external pressure or circumstances.

So laying a strong foundation is a very wise choice in the early years! It should be common sense that investing in your marriage early will mean blessings and benefits down the road. The first five years of your marriage are the GIFT you give to the rest of your life.

The GIFT Program
We will examine four key areas that create the GIFT you can develop in these first years together:

Get in the Game
Invest in Your Sex Life
Figure It Out
Tough on Me, Tender on You

Get in the Game
Relationships run well if you follow the rules of the game of love. You can’t just make up your own rules and expect that things will work out. Just as an athlete has to compete according to the rules of his or her sport, your love will work best when you follow the guidelines God set in motion. Getting in the Game, involves discerning God’s dream for you as a couple, accepting your differences, coping with female emotions and men’s egos, and capturing and connecting to each other’s heart.

Invest in Your Sex Life
These first five years are the time to invest time, energy, and creativity in your love life so you can create a strong emotional, spiritual, and physical bond. These bonds will serve you well in the years to come as more and more responsibility fills your life. You will have the habits and memories in place to remind you how much you love this person you are working so hard alongside. We discuss how to have soulful sex, what men and women really want from each other in the bedroom, and how to guard this precious thing husbands and wives share.

Figure It Out
Decisions set the emotional atmosphere of your relationship. Every healthy decision you make together will cause you to like one another more and give you confidence that you really can work together to build your unique family. Every unhealthy decision swallows up energy and erodes trust. As a result, decisions on education, career, having children, buying a home, and so forth are more than just logistic moves to stabilize life. They are vital pieces of the puzzle that connect your hearts to one another.

Tough on Me, Tender on You
Couples who have been in love for a lifetime are people who have said to themselves, I will be tough on myself, but I will be tenderhearted toward my spouse. Relationships thrive in an atmosphere of forgiveness, grace, and mercy that is accompanied by a fierce, individual commitment to personal growth. Here we will cover how to make conflict constructive, how to get to your spouse’s heart, and how to fill in for each other’s weaknesses.

Couples get married because they love spending time together and they love the way they fill each other’s lives. In these newlywed years, it is a whole lot of fun to create some memorable sexual experiences you can reflect back on it when tougher times hit. It is like putting money in the bank for a rainy day.

These first Five Years are the GIFT to the rest of your love life together. From our experience and that of many others, this GIFT is worth every ounce of energy and will you can put into it! Pick up The First Five Years (Hachette) and enjoy the GIFT!

Pam Farrel writes from El Cajon, California. farrelcommjunications.com

That’s Commitment

By Patti Iverson

Commitment can be best illustrated by a breakfast of ham and eggs. The chicken was involved, the pig was committed.

In my New American Standard Bible, “commit” stands for entrust, practice, or wrought. Sometimes folks look at commitment as a negative duty: something they look forward to with distaste, do with reluctance, and boast about it forever after. As Mr. Gracion put it: “a pitfall of fools.” Commitment goes from Exodus to Psalms, to Luke ‘n John with Ezekiel ‘n Proverbs thrown in. Wow! It’s a pretty important concept to God. And me.

Thirty-four years ago I committed myself to the cutest guy who came from the best family I’d ever seen. My own family was so dysfunctional that his appeared perfect. And more amazingly, five years later he committed himself to me in front of God ‘n everybody! Wow! We entrusted ourselves to each other, determined to practice marriage with an Agape love, seeking the highest good for each other. And oh, look what it has wrought! Not what has “rot”, but “wrought”, meaning “accomplished”. One must keep one’s definitions straight!

It’s been a wonderful life of supporting each other through our differences, delights, dismays, and degrees through life. We’ve relished sharing diverse times with each other although I’m sure not committed to mountain climbing, bicycling, or being as intellectual as my husband is, but I’m committed to Randy, so share in his adventures and support him. He doesn’t enjoy ballet, poetry, movies, writing, or yak ‘n chats as much as I do, but he’s right there with me when I want or need him to join me with the things I love to do. That’s commitment!

We raised two children with all the serendipities and sorrows attendant with being a fun, functioning, family trying to serve God and shape our chicks into productive citizens so when they flew our coop they’d live independent, loving lives. Many times we disagreed on discipline, or how to handle a particular situation with the kids. For a while we wondered if we were on the right track at all when our teenage son sort of swerved off the beaten path. Yet, nonetheless, we were committed to that goal together, or at times felt like we should be committed -- to the loony bin! 35 years later it’s still proving to please us being parents, loving our adult kids and their kids, being committed to them through their married lives as a good example of how good God can be. Our being a couple is never simply “as good as it gets”. No, it’s growing, changing, and alive.

Then there’s the health issue. Many marriages crash and burn and end in divorce when illness or disease rears its ugly head. Commitment flies right out the window, or walks through the door. We’ve had our share of deaths, accidents, owies, trips to the emergency room and everything in between. The true test came when Randy was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Or maybe was it my diabetes, asthma, and ulcerative colitis? Perhaps it was my surgeries with hormonal changes, tumors, or two ileostomies? Golly! But God strengthened our commitment to each other and our marriage through sickness AND health. Occasionally we didn’t have a clue what God was doing or the direction He intended. But one thing we were sure of, “Though we know not the way He takes, we know He knows the way we take.” Job 23:10. Our big God is really committed! That is good enough for us, so we commit to put ourselves in His capable hands. Our diseases do not define us; we are defined by our love, laughter, and commitment to our Lord and each other. And we must admit, it does get pretty humorous and downright funny in this game called life and living. “Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused!”

Commitment phobias are rooted in fear, be it in relationships, religion, avoidance or too many options. Some folks don’t want to commit to anything. There are usually four different types:
1. Pity Party Person always whining about life and others.
2. Boomerang Baby who starts-leaves-comes back.
3. The Detective, in search of “The Perfect” whatever.
4. The Picky Picker who gets what they want then picks it to pieces.

One man looked the world over for his perfect woman. Thought he’d found her, but discovered, oops! She was looking for the perfect man! So much for those two…

A wife forced hubby into counseling. On and on she listed every problem they’d had for 15 years. Finally the therapist got up, embraced and kissed her passionately. She was dazed. He said to hubby, “That is what your wife needs at least three times a week. Can you do that?” He thought a minute, then replied, “Well, I can get her here Mondays and Wednesdays but Friday I play golf…”

Are you involved as the chicken, or committed like the pig?

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

Teens Carry Cross

By Beverly Hill McKinney

“It was awesome.”

“I was really scared at first, but now I want to do it again.”

“Let’s do it here in our town.”

Another teen agreed with his friend saying, “I want to do it again and soon.”

These were the comments of teens upon their arrival back at their home church after an exciting day in a neighboring community. The teens conducted a Vacation Bible School to help out a small church. In order to advertise that event, they decided to carry a six-foot cross on their backs through the downtown area. In teams of two, each had a turn at carrying the heavy cross a short distance.

There were three preparations needed before the teens were ready to carry the cross for Christ.

1) Be Prepared.
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) states, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

The teens needed to be prepared for the questions and inquiries they would receive from on-lookers as they carried the cross through town. Bible studies were conducted and many prayers accompanied them as they set out to be a witness for the Lord.

2) Take Action.
Luke 9:23 (NIV) states “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” As these young people took up the cross that day, the Lord tells us that we must daily take up our cross and follow him. Are we ready to take the ridicule and scorn of the world to take up our cross?

3) Count the Cost.
Philippians 3:8 (NIV) "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”

Some of the teens were embarrassed or apprehensive, but decided to participate in this event and most felt it was something they needed to do. As their walk began, jeering and taunts were shouted by some passing by. Angry shouts of “Who do you think you are?” “What do you think you’re doing?” or even “You are crazy.” The teens agreed it was embarrassing at first but they soon began to see the effect of the cross on others. Encouraging comments were also received. “God bless” or “Good job” were shouted from passing cars. Car horns honked in support of the group or people would give a high five out of the car window. Some even stopped and thanked them for their courage.

As we look at the youth of our community and hear negative comments, let’s remember there are many that are willing to take up their crosses as a witness. The commitment of the youth is summed up by one youth saying:, “As I was carrying the cross, I thought it was really heavy and this one only represented my own sins. Just think how heavy it was for Jesus with the sins of the world resting on His shoulders.”

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

Rape and Molestation: Overcoming a Victim’s Mentality

By Lacresha Hayes

For the majority of my childhood, I endured gross afflictions in the areas of molestation, then rape and finally domestic violence. From issues with abandonment to issues with love, I suffered much from a very young age.

For most of my life, my entire family was unsaved. My grandmother raised me for the majority of my life. I can’t remember even one incident of my grandmother going to church. She would often send me to church for Easter Sundays while I was small, so I basically grew up knowing there was a God, but had no clue about where exactly HE was or what HE was like. All I really knew was my environment that included perversion, alcoholism, drug addictions and violence. I was left mostly to myself during weekends, causing me to grow up much too fast.

At the age of eleven, my family found out that my great uncle had been molesting me for six years. My mother came and moved me to Little Rock, Arkansas where things only got worse. During my one year there, I was raped three times by grown men. Because we were in-laws and these men were family, I had to shoulder all the blame. I could only take so much. I wanted to die because I didn’t see the value in living. At that time, my thinking was clouded by anguish of heart. All I wanted was love and peace. I wanted to be safe!

For a long time, I wrestled with suicidal tendencies, actually making the attempt seven times. The last time I tried to take my life, I had been saved for nearly three years. I was a minister, a wife and a mother. From the outside looking in, I had it all together, but my life was still falling apart because of the unresolved issues of my past.

Through two divorces, destitution, Graves’ Disease, infertility, homelessness, and sometimes flat rebellion, God continued to tug on my heart, helping me to feel again. He massaged the hardness that had developed over years of abuse. He taught me to cry it out on His shoulders, knowing they were big enough to hold me. Even when most people had given up hope that I would ever be healed or changed, God was still molding me.

In 2006, I not only became a college student once more, but also a business owner. God blessed me to open up Living Waters Publishing Company. I got married again to a pastor and great minister in April this year. Just when I lost all hope, God gave me a breakthrough and I walked into my destiny. My book, The Rape of Innocence: Taking Captivity Captive, chronicles the trials, the turmoil and the tears, but ends with the overwhelming victory I received through God’s love and faithfulness. When it used to hurt me to think of my past, now I tell it with a joyful heart because of the many people I’ve had opportunity to minister to.

It is my goal to help other people who have been victims of abuse. It’s important that they realize how to get free of the pain and the victim’s mentality. Just going to church and praying doesn’t cut it. There must be a close intimacy and trust with God that ushers in wholeness. I had to learn to trust Him, and though it’s not always easy to believe, triumphant victory lies in Jesus Christ and Him alone!

Lacresha N. Hayes writes from West Monroe, Louisiana. For more information about The Rape of Innocence: Taking Captivity Captive visit www.livingwaterspc.com. Phone: (318) 387-3833 or email: lacresha.hayes@livingwaterspc.com

Precious Rubble For His Glory

By Sheri Del Core

For years it was on my heart to volunteer at the Pregnancy Resource Center in town. As my children became more independent and after some personal schedule pruning, the time was finally right, and I began training. I thought my life experiences would be helpful in counseling women in crisis pregnancies and abortion recovery, but I was amazed to discover that God would in fact use everything I’d experienced in life. Events that I may never understand and some that I’d blocked from memory have all come up and proven to be of use in serving clients at the center.

Having been through remarkable healing myself in so many areas, it’s thrilling to have the opportunity to use every speck of it to help others. Because God has brought me through so much, I feel deeply aware of his great love. Being able to extend the overflow of that love in serving others is to continually take part in a miracle, and has strengthened my faith and trust in an enormous way. God has absolutely revealed to me that he can use all things in our lives for his triumph.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Years after I accepted Christ’s Lordship and forgiveness, I covertly challenged him, “I’d like to see how you can use the wreckage in my life for your glory!” I thought this half expectantly, but also with a good measure of unbelief. I was really asking him if he could. Like the man in Mark 9 who held out his son to Jesus for healing and asked, “If you can do anything, Lord…”

One day it was as if God challenged me back, “Will you trust me enough to let me show you how I can use the rubble you left behind?” As soon as I laid down my skepticism, the door of effective ministry seemed to fly open; what had once been a wake of debris suddenly became a quarry of raw materials for serving others.

At the end of a work day at the center I often drive home with a huge grin on my face, marveling at the privilege and opportunity to serve God by helping women with whom I so plainly identify. I treasure the wonderful satisfaction of being poured out and at the same time filled up.

Sheri Del Core writes from Ashland, Oregon.

Let Our Yes Be Yes And Our No Be No

By Barry N. Shaw

A commitment is a pledge to do something; if to the Lord, it is a sacred vow. It is not something to be made and broken without consequences: “When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.” Numbers 30:2 Jesus said, “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your ‘No’, ‘No’...” Matthew 5:37

The Bible describes many ancients who made vows to the Lord. These Biblical accounts are intended to illustrate the importance of keeping a commitment. One whose commitment to the Lord is mentioned along with Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and others is Jephthah the Gileadite. Hebrews 11:32

Jephthah’s childhood was troubled, for his mother was a prostitute and his brothers drove him out of the family home condemning him as “the son of another woman.” Judges 11:1,2. Perhaps it was during these troubled times that the Lord cultivated great faith and courage in him —he became a great warrior. Although driven away from Gilead, the elders of Gilead later sought his help because the Ammonites made war on Israel. They asked, “Come...be our commander, so we can fight the Ammonites.” Judges 11:4 After prayer, he agreed to serve as their commander and leader.

At first, Jephthah tried diplomacy with the Ammonites. He sent a message to the Ammonite king saying, “I have not wronged you, but you are doing me wrong by waging war against me. Let the Lord, the Judge, decide the dispute this day between the Israelites and the Ammonites.” Judges 11:27 In essence, Jephthah was willing to leave the battle in the Lord’s hands. His faith and commitment to the Lord were unshakeable. The Ammonite king ignored his message. The holy battle was joined.

As he advanced against the Ammonites “... the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah." It was then that Jephthah made a vow, an unbreakable commitment, to the Lord: “If you give me the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” Judges 11:30,31

The Lord acknowledged Jephthah’s vow by granting Israel victory over the Ammonites. As Jephthah approached his home after the battle, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, his only child. Judges 11:34 He cried out when he saw her, “Oh! My daughter! You have made me miserable and wretched, because I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break.” Judges 11:35

Jephthah had taught his daughter well for she knew that once made, a vow is not to be broken. She replied to his outcry of anguish, “Do to me just as you have promised now that the Lord has avenged you of your enemies, the Ammonites.” Judges 11:36 Her one request to Jephthah was to “Give me two months to roam the hills and weep with my friends, because I will never marry.” Judges 11:37 “After the two months, she returned to her father and he did to her as he had vowed. And she was a virgin.” Judges 11:39

There is disagreement as to the meaning of the words, “he did to her as he vowed.” Some expositors believe that Jephthah sacrificed his daughter as a burnt offering. Others interpret the reference to her virginity and that she would never marry to mean that Jephthah committed his daughter’s life to the Lord just as Hannah did with Samuel. Whether Jephthah sacrificed his daughter as a burnt offering or committed her to a celibate life of devotion to the Lord isn’t the issue here. The principle taught is that Jephthah kept his commitment, no matter what.

When we make a commitment, we are to keep it whether it causes difficulty, sacrifice or suffering. In marriage, in business, or in life in general, our word must be our bond. “What we have solemnly vowed to God, we must perform, if it be possible and lawful, though it be difficult and grievous to us.” Matthew Henry.

“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few...When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.” Ecclesiastes 5:2, 4-5 After all, our “yes” must mean “yes” and our “no”, “no.”

Barry N Shaw writes from Applegate Valley, Oregon.

Our Need For Commitment

By Willa Johnson

When we think of someone as being “committed” we usually mean they believe in what they are doing so much that they devote every waking minute to achieve their goal. This applies to all terrorists, I believe. They are so committed to their belief that they willingly give their lives to obtain that goal. That almost seems barbaric to those of us in the civilized world. But, is it?

Remember Daniel and his three friends from the Old Testament? As young Hebrews they refused to eat the king’s food and wine even though to do so meant death. They managed to convince the king’s representative to give them ten days to prove their point about proper diet. If they were not better than the others, they’d abide by the king’s ruling. They proved to be right.

Later Daniel’s three friends were threatened with being thrown into the fiery furnace unless they bowed down to the king’s idol. I don’t know about you, but I wonder how strong my faith would be at such a time. Again, the Lord God protected them and convinced the king that they did have a God worth serving.
Would you trust God to protect you if you were thrown into a hungry lions’ den? Daniel did. Once again the king was impressed with the true God.

The book of Daniel is full of miracles about how God protected four young men who refused to bow to a king. They followed their convictions and obeyed the true God. Daniel had the opportunity to advise kings and serve his God for over 70 years.

Today there are people who are so committed to their faith that they are willing to suffer and even die to keep it. After Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, a Christian Jew, was beaten and tortured for 14 years (1948-1956) in a Rumanian prison, he made his way to the United States. Within three weeks of arriving he testified before congress regarding the conditions under communist rule. He later organized The Voice of Martyrs. It is still active today. Within the pages of their newsletter are numerous testimonies from people around the world who are standing up boldly for their belief in Jesus Christ. Often they are beaten, tortured and killed.

There is one huge difference between a terrorist who is willing to die for his cause and a martyr. A terrorist will kill others as well as himself for what he believes; a martyr is willing to die, but never takes another’s life.

Many Americans seem to lack the same sort of commitment. Perhaps that is why we see our country deteriorating. We see Christians allowing just a “little bit” of smut without speaking up. We read articles about the torturing and inhumane treatment of animals, but say nothing about the destruction of human life when it comes to aborting babies. We read about men who have been sentenced to prison for taking the lives of their wife and the baby in her womb, and still we condone abortion. What’s wrong with that kind of logic? We allow pornography in entertainment of every kind because our constitution gives us the “right of free speech.” Don’t we realize that we also have the right to reject it? We don’t have to support the books, magazines, songs, movies, etc. that spew such garbage. But, many obviously do since those who promote it appear to be prospering.

In a little over a year we will be electing new leaders for our country. Are we willing to study each person’s character to make sure the leaders we get are true representatives of the moral fiber we want to see make a comeback? If we aren’t, I dread to think how much longer God is going to put up with America before we, too, fall as ancient Rome did and modern nations today already have. It is way past time for Christians to make commitments that stand for God’s way. What is God’s way? He told the Israelites in II Chronicles 7:14. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Willa Johnson writes from Phoenix, Oregon.

From Behind The Counter: Perspectives on the Landscape of Life

By DJ Note

Our Amazing God…

“What an honor, Lord,” I whispered as I arranged the letters in a small iron bar to engrave a very special Bible. I blinked away the moisture gathering in my eyes and allowed my mind to wander back to that tragic day some twenty years before.

My children played in the front yard of our rural property that bordered a busy and often dangerous highway. I happened to be in the kitchen that afternoon when I heard a succession of squealing tires, the crash of steel, and the shattering of glass.

From my front window I saw smoke from hot rubber, and highway dust rise where a small car and a pickup truck had just collided. I ran to the phone, dialed 911, and cried into the phone details of the accident outside. Then, for reasons I can’t explain, I grabbed a tea towel from a kitchen drawer and ran outside.

“Stay in the yard,” my voice rang out as I ran past my children and climbed the padlocked gate that bordered our driveway. “Do you understand? Stay in the yard.”

Even before I reached the car, I heard the cries of a child coming from inside. A small girl was upside down on the floorboard in the back. Her leg wedged between the door and the seat. On my near side, a little boy was upright, but unconscious, in the seat behind the driver—the door caved into his tiny body—his head was angled limp to one side. Leaning my upper body into the window, I cradled his head, careful not to move it, in the crook of my right arm, then turned my attention to the little girl on the floorboard.

“Honey, listen to me. I’m going to help you.”

Traffic on the highway had come to a halt. A young woman with long brown hair stood outside the passenger door on the opposite side offering to help. Together we righted the little girl onto the seat as I dabbed the tea towel to her injured face. A deep gash to her upper lip quickly saturated the towel. Blood flowed freely from the gaps where teeth were missing causing her to sputter and choke. I spotted a man wearing a bright yellow T-shirt standing just beyond my helper. “Tell that fella we need his shirt.” He quickly pulled it off and I held the yellow material against the little girl’s face in an attempt to slow the bleeding. Her cries grew louder as she called for her mama.

“What’s your name, Sweetie?” I asked. But she continued to wail. “Sweetheart, your mama is in right there.” I pointed to the front seat where her mother lay motionless. “It’ll be ok. Do you know Jesus? I’m going to pray for you right now, Honey. Jesus will help us.” Secretly I prayed the mother knew Jesus as I saw no sign of life in her body.

As I held the boy’s head steady and toweled the face of the precious little girl, I prayed a desperate prayer disguised with calm elementary words in an attempt to reassure my little patient. Still her cries continued.

“Honey, listen to me. You’re going to be all right. Big people are coming right now to help us. Tell me your name.” She told me her name, but it didn’t register with me. Later I would learn God was not only using me in this tragedy, but protecting me as well.

When the paramedics arrived, I stood at the side of the highway numbed by the scene of twisted metal and broken glass before me. As the ambulance whisked away that little family, I walked back through my front gate in deep, sobering thought. Two small children were on their way to the hospital in serious condition—and their mother was gone. I began to tremble at the memory of it all.

“What’s that on your hands, Mama,” my young son was curious about all he had watched from the safety of our yard. His younger sister stood behind in his shadow. I looked down at my blood-covered hands. Shards of glass fell from my hair into them. “Stay outside and play, Sweet pea,” was all I could say. “Mama’s going to clean up.”

I washed my face and hands then turned to the phone to call a friend to pray with. It was during that conversation that God, in His goodness, showed me He had blinded my mind, enabling me to help the victims, then graciously waited until I was emotionally in the arms of another believer to reveal the identity of the woman and two children. She was my friend.

I ‘m still able to recall the memory of that accident with all its awful sights, sounds, and smells. I see the face of my friend. And I’m still amazed that I didn’t recognize her. I believe God wanted me to help her children. Had I realized who she was, I couldn’t have helped for the grief of it all.

Now some twenty years later, Kyla, the little girl now healthy and grown, was joining her life to another in marriage. I could feel the smile of God on my heart as I carefully engraved a new Bible with the names of this young couple about to be wed. “This is a very special honor for me,” I told her tear-struck Grandmother who had purchased the gift. “What an amazing God we serve.”

And I believe, from Heaven’s great doorway, another was watching, and smiled.

DJ writes from Eagle Point, Oregon.

Kite Tails

By Eleanor Cowles

My heart dances
with you, Lord,
my tongue sings
and laughs, strewing
all its ribbons on the wind.
They float in the sky,
colored streamers of song,
wiggling their tails
for fun.

Eleanor Cowles writes from Independence, Oregon.

PrayerPower: Is The Bible the Word of God?

By Petey Prater

My only brother, Roy, was killed when we were both teenagers. A tire exploded in dad’s tire shop, causing Roy brain damage, death quickly followed.

It was a traumatic time for the whole family. Grief and questions overwhelmed me. Where did Roy go? Where would I go when I died? If God were real, how would I find Him? If the Bible was God’s Word, could it answer my questions?
I read the Bible grandma gave me, but I couldn’t understand it. I tried many churches in my tiny Nevada town; still no answers.

Finally, in nursing school, my friend Darlene shared these Scripture verses with me. “… if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” And, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9,13

Darlene said to me, “Petey, seeing an elevator and knowing it goes up isn’t enough to get you to the second floor. If you want to ride that elevator, you must get in.”

Ah, now I understood. Believing on God is not enough, I must believe in God. So I prayed to the Lord, “ Father God, I believe You sent Jesus, Your Son, to be my Savior. Forgive my sins, make me Your child, take me to Heaven when I die. I want to be in Your family. And please help me understand the Bible. Thank You, God. Amen.”

That prayer finally brought peace to my heart. Then as I read my Bible, I began to understand it. I discovered that the Bible is God’s love letter, written to those who have professed faith in Jesus. When we join God’s family through a confession of faith in Him, we begin to understand the language of the Scriptures.

But questions still confused me. How could I be sure the Bible was God’s Word? As I began to study, I discovered these facts:

· The Bible is the most purchased book in the world. It is a small library containing 66 books. These books were written over a period of 1600 years by 40 authors from many different backgrounds. Yet all Scriptures in these many books agree.
· God spoke His Word to holy men, qualifying and enabling them to make an infallible record of divine truth concerning His will for mankind.
· Scripture contains no contradictions and, over a period of hundreds of years, about 3300 verses of prophecy have been fulfilled. (Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible, pg. 241 N T) Not one prophecy has failed, although some end-time prophecies have yet to be fullfilled.
· Scientifically and historically the Bible is accurate. It has been preserved through the ages to meet mankind’s needs – present and eternal. We can trust both its words and its ideas.

The Bible says, “All Scripture is God – breathed (Greek: theopneustos; God – inspired) and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” 2 Timothy 3:16

I discovered God delights in answering my questions. God wants us to ask Him our questions so He can prove to us that the Scriptures really are His holy Word. As I seek the God of the Bible, He continues to convince me His Word is Truth.
Do we believe the Bible is the Word of God? Our belief determines behavior. Our belief and behavior determine our destiny.

Petey Prater writes from Beaverton, Oregon. peteyprater@yahoo.com

Irresistible Parenting

By Rawly Glass

Several years ago I read a story about some men who went fishing for King Crab in the Bering Sea off Alaska. On this particular trip they hit a huge ice storm. The freezing rain hit the cables and masts and instantly froze in place. As the ice built up, the boat became top heavy. The ice storm continued to hammer their ship for several days. Night and day they were kept busy breaking the ice with large hammers just to keep the boat from capsizing. It was extremely difficult work in the freezing, wind-swept rains, and they were at great risk. It was literally a matter of life and death.

This is not unlike the task of parenting. In fact, I could easily argue that parenting is more challenging, more exhausting, and more stressful with higher stakes than just death. It is far more complex, confusing, and daunting than keeping a boat upright in an ice storm. The role of parenting demands considerably greater fortitude, understanding, and wisdom. It has pushed many to the edge of sanity - and some over.

How do we survive? How do we know what to do? Where do we go to solve these parenting dilemmas? Growing up a Christian I learned to look to the Bible for help. So when my children were little and I faced these questions, I began a study that netted a great catch.

I was raised in an environment that promoted control and good behavior. It was not uncommon for a parent to say: "You may hate me, but you will do what I tell you to do." The emphasis was on well-behaved children. While this may at first seem legitimate and appropriate, I want to caution you. This does not seem to be a Biblical model. We know today that a behavior focus can be very damaging to a child.

A bewildering number of home-environmental pitfalls await the unaware parent.
A controlling environment
A perfectionist environment
A religious environment that lacks true spirituality (connection with God)
A rigid and many times harsh, hard-line approach
High expectations
Low or no expectations
Spanking and correcting
Punishment and consequences
Structure and routine
A permissive approach that lacks needed structure and boundaries
Free-play, easy going environments

Many parents justify their parenting by Bible teachings. Many parents have been criticized for using Bible passages to prove their point. Where do we turn and how does the Bible factor in as an authoritative source? What do we do with the apparently random references to discipline and chastening found in the Bible? Even more confusing is what do we do with the various interpretations given to Bible passages and references?

My study began in 1989 when my children were still very small. In following articles, I will share what I have found. I share these not necessarily as absolute truth, but as one man's study and the conclusions reached as a result. I will share the concepts and applicable references that I learned and came to believe. I will explore easy topics like love, kindness, and encouragement. I will share some of the more difficult topics such as a parent's role, discipline, and spanking. I encourage you to study this pivotal subject yourself and let God thrill you as he enlightens your mind.

Part of my agenda comes from a belief that we in the Christian community have missed some important aspects to raising our children. The evidence is mounting in our homes, schools, churches, communities, and the country. In many families parents and children are strangers. Children are isolated and feel abandoned. They, in turn, are abandoning our churches and the Christian faith. (According to research only about 4% of our young people today will remain in the church!)

We are in a parenting crisis. I believe that the Bible can help. I believe that many of the things I learned during my study can help. As you read and reflect on what I've learned, I invite you to write to me and share your perspectives.
Let me give you a brief glimpse.

John 12:32 has become a foundational concept to me regarding parenting. It says, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." (New American Version)

God is describing himself as an irresistible force, a drawing force. When people see the truth about God, who he really is, as referenced in being lifted up, people will be irresistibly drawn to him. They will flock to him. They will come as on a tractor beam but under their own power. If we understand who God really is, we will feel so comfortable with Him and be so drawn to him that no one could prevent us from coming to him.

This is what Irresistible Parenting is all about. As we learn to deal with our children as God deals with us, they will be irresistibly drawn to us. This begs several questions:
· How does God deal with us that is so compelling?
· How does God treat us when we make mistakes, act out, or are otherwise immature?
· What does the word “discipline” mean in the Bible? How is it different or the same as punishment?
· Can we even extrapolate from the Bible to the creation of a “Biblical parenting model?”

The men in the fishing boat survived. The storm's wrath gave birth to a deeper persistence in each of them, and they succeeded in their battle with the relentless ice. We, too, can become successful parents, creating a home environment that fosters deep love and enjoyment as our children grow into productive and happy adults.

Rawly Glass writes from Medford, Oregon. rglass@relationshipsfirst.net

In Search Of The Epic Experience

By Randy Knapp

I’m in search of an epic Christian experience. I want a great story about faith and courage against all odds to tell my grandkids when I’m old and gray.

We know the kind of stories old men tell…“Why, in my day, things were different. We walked to school in bare feet ‘cause we didn’t have money for shoes. It was uphill both ways, and we had to wade through three feet of fresh snow. And when we got to the little white one room school building we had to build a fire in the old pot- bellied stove because we didn’t have no central heat. We had an apple for lunch, and we were grateful. You kids don’t know nothin’ about hard times.”

At church we tell stories that seem much the same. “Yea, those were the days. Daniel, unafraid in the lion’s den. The three Hebrew boys defying the king in the fiery furnace. David and a stone take down a giant.”

Each person in the list of spiritual heroes in Hebrews 11 seems epic indeed.
“They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore.”

These days when men get together, they talk about how their father wasn’t there for them, the last disagreement they had with their wife, the incredible football game they watched last weekend, or how they found a new way to reinvest the money in their 401(k). These stories won’t hold a grandchild spellbound on our knees when we are old and gray.

Stories of great love, painful tragedy, and epic faith seem few and far between these days. It is evident that mere survival keeps us fully occupied.

Out of all the kids in our youth group at church, three still live with both of their biological parents, and my boys are two of them. One by one, the children who I have watched grow up into young adulthood are starting to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. Conversations about virginity are most often jokes. Last week, my niece learned that a long time friend back east whose life appeared to be pretty sweet had committed suicide, and no one knows why.
These are not the elements of a budding epic Christian tale.

In his poem, “If” Rudyard Kipling records a list of indispensable values. Each value seems insignificant in and of itself, but the combined list forms the building blocks of an epic man. Trust, perseverance, humility, restraint, patience, and dreams of a bright future in right relation to each other will form a man who can conquer the world.

“If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
. . .
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
. . .
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!”

The list of virtues found in the epic heroes in Hebrews 11 have the same world-conquering potential and share one commonality, a sure hope in what had not yet happened. Verse 13 reveals that, “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised: they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.”

So how will I find an epic Christian tale to tell my grandkids? The substance that cements a Christian epic seems to be an unshakable faith in God and an unwavering trust that what He says is true. As we hold on to this faith, God builds the epic tale.

So, I can already begin to form the backbone of my epic tale. Some day when I’m old and gray, I’ll wink at the beautiful child sitting in my lap looking up at me in anticipation. I’ll get a far away look in my eye, take a deep breath and say, “I’ve got a story to tell you.” And it will begin with, “So many times in my life, through hard struggles, pain, and loss, my beliefs were sorely challenged, but I never lost my faith in God . . .”

How the story will end, I can’t know. But for now, I can sit back and gaze up at God with the trusting eyes of a little child, and confidently watch as He unfolds the epic tale that will be the record of my life.

Randy writes his epic tales from Medford, Oregon where he can be contacted at knappsnest@msn.com

Grammar Lessons

By Lynn Ludwick

“Diagramming sentences is fun!” I hoped my beaming smile was convincing. A few of my PBC English students appeared enthused at the thought of an hour spent tearing apart sentences. The look on some faces, however, suggested I was offering root canals with no Novocain. They would endure to reap the reward—a passing grade in a required course. But why all the protest about English? After all, for most of us it’s our native tongue. Furthermore, grammar is a necessity in all languages.

Throughout my school days I loved English classes—grammar, literature, poetry, the whole package. Knowing not everyone shared my zeal, I pondered how best to approach the subject. I’d once read that English is a messy language, but fun—I longed for my students to agree.

While preparing for class one morning, my thoughts wandered from the grammar book to God. After all, He invented then diversified language, (Genesis 11), so He must be into sentence structure, verb tenses, parts of speech. My lesson planning turned into a devotional that day.

I pondered various comparisons. Words form the basis of language, the means of human communication with each other and with God. Grammar arranges language so it makes sense. Rules abound, but exceptions to those rules vie for equal space. Thus anyone who attempts a foreign tongue is susceptible to amusing mistakes. A letter or two changed can make a difference. In English, for instance, amidst misfortune I may choose to become bitter or better. A tough trial can make or break me. A writer may pen a happy or a sappy tale. Some words have the same pronunciation, but different spellings and different meanings—to, two, too. The Polish lady across the street might ask to borrow some furniture polish.
Okay, so that’s just playing with words. On a deeper level, the words I speak have impact and reveal my heart and mind’s intent. When I write, I might labor 15 minutes over one paragraph. Not so with speaking, unfortunately. I often blurt, then wish I could edit. (Ah, maybe I can—pray ahead of time and let the Holy Spirit be my editor.)

Then there’s punctuation, a subject that elicits another set of groans from students. However, they need to consider the vast difference between “I’m freezing, Dad” and “I’m freezing Dad.” Punctuation marks are like traffic signals—stop, hesitate, go. I know God would have me put in more commas as I speak—pause and consider the consequences of my words, let my first words sink in before going on. And I’d do well to add a few more periods, as in say no more, quit explaining. Ellipses…let the thought trail off and allow some words to remain unspoken. Though I often feel responsible to educate the world, others can and will figure out things on their own. Question marks allow my listeners to consider their options and supply their own answers.

Ancient Hebrew had a shortage of vowels, and in some cultures millennia ago a sentence was one long scramble of letters. Modern English has the advantage of well-planned grammar. Syntax, the study of rules that govern sentence structure, is parallel to God’s way of running His creation—structured and orderly.

Struggles with language and its usage aren’t new. God commanded Moses to speak with Pharaoh, but Moses replied, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” When reminded that God had created him and would empower him, Moses remained hesitant. God was angry and appointed Moses’ brother Aaron to address the leader of Egypt. (Exodus 2:10-16) Moses lost an incredible opportunity.

It was time that morning to quit musing and resume lesson planning, but I was enthused anew about the subject matter. Looking at English from the perspective that God is in the order and structure of the sentence lent a whole new perspective.

I hope to share that view with my students. Though I do hold the key to their grade, I hope my enthusiasm rubs off and my students will reverse their frowns and smile at the thought of delving deep into the mechanics of the English language. But just in case, I think I’ll take in my famous Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies the night we tackle diagramming sentences.

“May the words of my mouth…be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

Lynn Ludwick writes from Medford, Oregon. lynniegirl45@hotmail.com

God’s Love Sets An Inmate Free

By Steven Owensby

" The Spirit of The Lord God is upon me; because The Lord hath appointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of The Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of The Lord, that He might be glorified." Isaiah 61:1-3

I am 43 years old, and have spent 30 of those years as a ward of the state. I was sexually molested by two girls at a very early age in my life and my mother put me up for adoption at the age of eight. I was never adopted. I was taken out of my home and placed into foster homes and juvenile facilities at an early age. I had become a very angry and bitter person. From there I was abused mentally and physically by social workers and foster parents. I had to fight just about everywhere I went, because I was so small. My attitude soon became one of total disregard for the well-being of others and myself as well. This beginning of life as I knew it had become a whirlwind of turmoil. I literally did not know if I was coming or going, or which way I was headed. All I knew is that I was being bombarded from all sides. I did not want to go the route that I did. But it soon became evident to me that my hands were more or less tied, and that I had better do what I could to survive. And survive I did!

Consumed by rage and having no outlet other than violence, I turned to drugs. I was a speed freak, and used a needle as often as I could to "shoot-up" crystal-meth. I drank, popped pills and smoked weed as well. I had a real hunger for the meth. It was what I sought most of all. Meth is what took me down and made me realize just how low I could get.

I soon became classified as "incorrigible" by the juvenile courts and remained in the custody of the state. Having gone from foster homes to boys’ ranches, youth authority, county jails and eventually prison, I was what they call "the 'oil' to the revolving door.” And "home" for me was inside of an institution, sleeping on a steel bunk, and confined within an 8' by 5' cell. My family consisted of bikers, dope fiends and gang-bangers. Prison guards and blacks had become my "enemies" and I vowed in my heart to hate and despise them with every fiber of my being. And I was not shy about showing my hatred towards them!

What a nightmare. Here I was again, for the umpteenth time, headed to prison. In my heart of hearts I had cried "Oh God, is this never going to end?" For the first time in my life, I had made a conscientious decision to turn away from it all. To straighten out my life, but here I was again. I was sitting in a jail cell, only this time probably for the rest of my life. I was so sick and tired of being sick and tired! I couldn't think straight. I couldn't eat. I was a walking time bomb.

I had burglarized houses, stolen cars and robbed people. My own family was fair game to my scams. Even my mother and grandmother. If you were in my life, you were a "mark" to be played. Nobody was exempt. So it wasn't any surprise that I found myself all alone, with nobody to write or visit whenever I got into trouble and landed in jail. In 1986 I was accused of committing a large number of burglaries, and was taken into custody to await trial. This happened just ten minutes after I had gotten married for the first time!

Because of this attitude, I had been placed in Administrative Segregation, or "The Hole" with the solemn promise of the jail administrator, "...never to leave" until I left to go to the prison or the streets. "Whichever came first!"

God had other plans for me! He has miraculous love for the unlovely. He made His love known to me through a little book that I began to read through the little light that came in through a security window. There was a paragraph that had the words "God loves you" in it that literally leapt off the page and startled me. After reading several pages before and after that paragraph, I realized that God did indeed love ME! I couldn't believe it, but my heart told me that it was true. I was loved. And, I was loved by God, Himself!

It was all over from that point on. I flew to my knees in tears and sobbed out, asking God to forgive me of my sins. I told Him how sorry I was to have wasted my life, and asked Him to take my life and make it what He wanted it to be. I told Him that I was sorry for having abused the Name of His Son, Jesus, and admitted that I knew Jesus was His Son. I begged for Him to forgive me. I cried and prayed for what seemed like hours, and soon became emotionally and physically drained. I went to bed, and as I lay there, waiting for sleep to come over me, I was thanking The Father over and over again. All I could say was "Thank You Father!" And the strange thing was that I didn't even know what I was thanking Him for. I was so new to the spiritual life that I didn't even know about forgiveness of sins and what that meant. That is, being born-again into the family of God. It wasn't long before I fell asleep and woke to a whole new attitude towards life. Which, much to my delight, was just the first of many "firsts" to come for me in the Kingdom of God.

Now, several years later I share with everyone that God loves you. What He did for me, He can do for anyone. Whether it be drug addiction, sexual addiction, violent and bitter lifestyles or simply put, a life of sin and degredation, we are not beyond His desire of love. Given the chance, God will take our lives and give them purpose. He will take our hearts and fill them with love, joy and peace. In short, God will take the ashes of our lives and turn them into beauty.

Five years ago I finally walked away from crime. I have been set free. It has not been easy, but my faith has kept me out. I love God and strive to serve Him. He has a better plan for all of our lives.

Steven Owensby

God’s Commitment Keeps Us Blooming

By Melody Roberts

Did you ever purchase something from a cereal box when you were a child? If you did, do you still have it? Years ago, fifty to be exact, when my mom was a little girl, my grandma purchased a cactus for a quarter from a Coco Wheats cereal box mail order. The cactus was placed in a green Humpty-Dumpty planter and cared for by my grandma for a half century. My mom forgot all about the plant until Grandma moved to a nursing home, and the 50-year old plant became her responsibility and now resides in her kitchen windowsill, a beautiful reminder of her mom’s nurturing spirit. The plant, though showing its age, still lives, and bloomed again this year.

Commitment. Whether it’s remembering to water a plant or staying true to our wedding vows, it eventually boils down to the fundamental law of cause and effect. When we are committed, it shows. As believers, we often struggle with this virtue. We try to pray every day, read the Bible, and go to church regularly; but even our best efforts pale in comparison to our Lord and Savior. Despite our failures, we can rest i