TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER

I find that it is easier to pray if I have an organized way of doing it.  I found an article in POWER (a monthly paper published by Southaven Church of Christ) by John Tracy who suggests using the days of the week to pray for specific issues:  

Sunday - pray for the Saints; fellow Christians, church leaders, your local congregation, and the church universal. 

Monday - Missionaries; pray for missionaries, evangelism, and the lost (by name). 

Tuesday - Pray for Teachers; Bible class teachers, the department heads, and the education department in general. 

Wednesday - Washington; pray for the civil government at all levels.  Pray for  world-wide peace so that the gospel might be spread. 

Thursday - Thanksgiving; make this a day to thank God for all of your material and spiritual blessings.  

Friday - Family; pray for your family, friends, and relatives. 

Saturday - Shut-ins and sick; pray for the shut-ins, elderly, and chronically ill; also remember the poor, the afflicted, and those that mourn.  He also suggests having a prayer list that lists people (by name); church programs, etc. for which you want to pray because it is easy to forget if you don't have something to jog your memory. 

The system I have used for years--since high school actually--is very similar except that I use my hand for a guide:  

Your thumb is the closest to your body, so pray for those close to you -- friends, relatives, etc. (James 5:16).  

Your first finger, also known as "pointer" serves to remind you to pray for the Bible teachers, preachers, and elders (Matthew 9:38). 

Your second finger is the tallest so pray for those in high places -- president, governor, etc. (I Timothy 2:2). 

Now, your third finger, as anyone who took typing (guess that should read 'keyboarding'...showing my age. LOL) will know, is your weakest, so pray for  those who are weak -- whether it be physically or spiritually (James 5:13-15). 

Your  pinky is your last finger, so it can serve to remind you to pray for yourself and your own individual needs (Philippians 4:6). 

And of course, your hand as a whole can remind you to pray for all men (I Timothy 2:1).  

Now there are other ways of praying, obviously; the idea is to find one that suits you, set aside regular times to pray, and just do it.  If we, as Christians, ask in faith (Hebrews 11:6), with reverence and humility (Matthew 6:15), God will hear and answer our prayers.  Prayer is our privilege, and we should always be ready to commune with God (II Thessalonians 5:17).  What other friend or relative do we have that will always be there ready to listen and able to help?

                                     --Beckye Mosher

A HELPFUL PRAYER

If any little word of mine

may make a life the brighter,

If any little song of mine

may make a heart be lighter,

God help me speak the little word, 

and take my little bit of singing.

And drop it in some lovely vale

to set the echoes ringing,

If any little love of mine

may make a life the sweeter,

If any little care of mine

may make other lives completer,

If any life of mine

may ease the burden of another,

God give me love and care and strength

 to help my toiling brother.

Author Unknown

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Prayer is the one weapon the enemy cannot duplicate or counterfeit.

A SAD FUNERAL

     This is an article I wrote in the '90's. Since then we have lost many dear friends and loved ones, some who were Christians and unfortunately, some who were not.

     A SAD FUNERAL

     All funerals are sad; no one wants to lose someone you love or to see others lose someone they care about.  Mark and I have lost several friends, but so far not too many relatives.   I guess the closest ones I've lost were my grandmother last May and my nephew, James, in August 1989.   And although both funerals were sad occasions, my grandmother's was definitely the saddest.  My nephew was only five months old when he died--he had been in intensive critical care hooked up to machines since birth.   There is no doubt that as much as he was wanted here, he went on to a much better place.   He is now safe and free of pain.  

   My grandmother, however, was not a Christian.   Her funeral was hard because there really was not a lot you could say for comfort.   Funerals are for the living and that is who the preacher speaks to.   The speaker (a minister of the church) at my grandmother's funeral said that he did not know her and therefore, could not judge her, but her fate was sealed and she has gone on to the next realm--it is too late to change her destiny, but what about those she left behind?   It is not too late for us to change our way of living if need be.

            We have probably all lost friends and loved ones, both Christians and non-Christians and it is too late for them--but it is not too late for us or for our friends and family that we still have with us.   We were not expecting my grandmother to die when she did--especially that suddenly, but it just goes to show that none of us know how much time we have left, and we need to make the most of it.   I don't want to attend any more funerals devoid of hope--and I don't want to be responsible for letting my friends and family die lost.   How about you?   We may not be able to save everyone, but we can sure teach them.  It is something for which we will be held accountable (I Timothy 4:16).

--Beckye Mosher

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THREE THINGS THAT DO NOT

 COME BACK

Remember, three things come not back:

The arrow sent upon its track--

It will not swerve, it will not stay

Its speed, it flies to wound or slay;

The spoken word, so soon forgot

By thee, but it has perished not;

In other hearts 'tis living still,

And doing work for good or ill;

And the lost opportunity

That cometh back no more to thee--

In vain thou weepest, in vain doest yearn.

These three will nevermore return.

--Author Unknown

FALLING by LOGAN SWEITZER

I did not write the article below. It was written by a Facebook friend, Logan Sweitzer (http://brokenhallelujahsblog.wordpress.com/). I first read this post back in February and because it resonated so strongly with me, I have not been able to forget it, so I asked her permission to post it here.

FALLING

In case you don’t know, there are a few things in life that are extremely important to me.  God is my editor in chief. He is the reason that I am here, and the reason I tick. Then family and friends are tied for a close second. Without them, I would be most lonely and lost…but what do you do when you’ve scorned a friend? I know that I have the best friends and that they would forgive anything I’ve done to them, but that is not to excuse the fact that I’ve hurt them.

If you don’t know, in order to write a blog, I have to listen to its namesake “Hallelujah.” I prefer Kate Voegele’s version. Tonight in particular one of the lines brought me to tears and it made my breathing shallow.  “But all I’ve ever learned from love was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you. It’s not a cry you can hear at night. It’s not somebody who has seen the light. It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah.”

Why?

I’ve transgressed against my sister in Christ and a friend. I blame Satan, and my temper. In the words of Josh Turner “There’s an engineer on that long black train, makin’ you wonder if the ride is worth the pain. He’s just a-waitin’ on your heart to say: “Let me ride on that long black train.”  He makes everything look so grand and I find myself falling for it in spite of myself. Even though I know there will be heartache. I let my tongue get the best of me.  Guess I haven’t completely learned how to train my dragon –yet.  I am working on it. I don’t like knowing that I have hurt those who I love.  I guess I let my personal pain get the best of me…

It’s very easy for us to get so wrapped up in our own pain that we forget other’s pain, and that is what I did. I know that I am not the only one who is dealing with stuff, and if you are reading this and you have stuff that you can’t cope with… turn to a friend and talk about it. Don’t let yourself burn a bridge. If you don’t have friends who you can turn to, I am willing to help if I can or point you to someone who can.  Be kind to people because you never know what God has asked them to walk through. Don’t judge someone because they sin differently than you do, and don’t ever forget to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I don’t care if you are not Christian, but that is the law of the universe and if every human would abide by it then the world would be a much safer place.

I am sending up my own cold and broken hallelujahs tonight, y’all. I know that I need to lean on God for solace and comfort, but for now, I will weep. Crying cleanses the soul like the way rain brings new flowers.  I pray that my temper never burns the bridges that mean the most to me. I pray that I never get too far from God’s light.  I know that if I work on it and lean on those who mean the most to me that I will be okay –eventually. I am not looking for an easy fix, but rather a holy heart. We are all works in progress and just because things you want don’t come ASAP does not mean they won’t. I need to learn to be content in God’s timing.

If you are reading this and you’re the one I’ve hurt… (you know who you are)…I want you to know that I love you and that I am truly sorry. We’ve been through too much to let this go, and I am working harder at being a better friend. Now can we please move on? ((:

If you need to, send up a broken hallelujah and resume your life. Fall down and pray if you must. Cry if it helps, but remember that the world keeps turning, and another day that you’re alive is another second chance.

Peace and Love.

--Logan Sweitzer

IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

I originally wrote this article not long after Fred Rogers passed away. Cassie used to love him so much (I'm glad she doesn't read my blogs...all the girls are always saying, "MOOOOM! Why did you say that???).

IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

     I have always been a fan of Mr. Rogers.   He just always seemed like such a nice guy.   I have never read anything bad about him anywhere.   All accounts have always been that he was as kind as he appeared on television.   On the occasion of Mr. Rogers’ retirement, Tim Goodman, writer for the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, had this to say about Mr. Rogers:

     “It's not difficult to fully appreciate Rogers. If you have a decent bone in your body-- even the most cynical among you -- then in your heart you know he's quite possibly the nicest man who ever lived.

     In television, we are given daily doses of little lies. We come to love our characters and our actors, and then our reverence is poked rudely in the eye once we get to know them better.

     But Rogers was the real deal. That wasn't an act he gave the kids of this country for 33 years. When someone yelled, "Cut!" he didn't angrily peel the sweater off, rush out to his Mercedes and lean on his horn all the way home, cursing life. If you ever met Fred Rogers face to face, you were changed forever.”

     You may be aware of the fact that Mr. Rogers passed away on February 27, 2003.   Since    then many articles have appeared about him.   The one following came from foxnews.com:

     “Through the years, Rogers dealt with topics ranging from anger and anxiety to death and divorce. He taught children how to share and even why they shouldn't fear taking a bath by assuring them they would never go down the drain.

  "Mister Rogers was the father who was available. He was the unhurried guy who always had time for the kids," said Alan Hilfer, a child psychologist at Maimonides Medical Center in New York.

  Bob Keeshan, who appeared on television as "Captain Kangaroo," said he and Rogers often spoke of how children's programming had become increasingly violent.

  "I don't think it's any secret that Fred and I were not very happy with the way children's television had gone," Keeshan said.

  Bill Kelly, a professor who specializes in popular culture and television at Penn State University, said, "Some of the shows today are simply the vehicle to market goods, which is really sinister. Fred never did that. He had a clear interest in kids, he was concerned about them and there was no ulterior motive."

  Rogers never stopped trying to make a difference.”

     Wouldn’t that be a nice way to be remembered?   As someone who really cared about others and who never stopped trying to make a difference?

     Mr. Rogers’ theme song was “IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.”   We should always feel that it’s a beautiful day in our neighborhood because we, as Christians, have access to so much that the world—even kindly Mr. Rogers—does not.

     It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood because of divine providence.   We know that God loves us; He loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to be our Saviour (John 3:16).   He loves us, and if we love one another, His love will be perfected in us (I John 4:12).   We are important to God.   He did not need us; He wanted us.   God cares so much for us, He knows so much about us, that the very hairs of our head are numbered (Luke 12:6,7).    God listens to our prayers (John 15:7).   He Is always there and He will take care of us.   We read in Psalm 121:

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.  He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.  Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.  The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.  The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”

     With this kind of assurance of how God keeps us in His care continually, how could it not be a beautiful day?

     It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood because of designated people.    Not only will God care for us, He has also provided us with Christian companionship. As the song “A COMMON LOVE” says, we have “A common love for each other, A common gift to the Savior, A common bond holding us to the Lord; A common strength when we're weary, A common hope for tomorrow, A common joy in the truth of God's Word. “ 

     The church in Acts 2 “continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”   Christian fellowship is a very important part of our Christian lives.   Not only does it afford us opportunities to lean on each other and hence become stronger Christians who are able to withstand the “wiles of the devil,” but if we do not spend time together, how will we know the needs of our brothers and sisters?   We have a Christian family who loves us and will help us.   A family to whom we are important; one who will listen to us and encourage us.  

        Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:1-5: “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:1-5).

     And in Philippians 1:3-6 Paul speaks of his happiness in the fellowship he feels with the church at Philippi:

     “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,  For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: …”

     Truly, it is a beautiful neighborhood with such beautiful neighbors!

     It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood because of decisive participation.   Likewise, we must love our fellowman (I John 4:7,8; I Peter 2:17) and help him in any way that we can, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ (Galatians 6:2,10).   We cannot expect to live in a beautiful neighborhood without helping to make it that way.   Our neighborhood will not keep itself beautiful without our participation.   Without making a conscious decision to help, chances are we will neglect our neighborhood.   It is up to us to make our neighborhood the most wonderful place as possible.   We learn in the story of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) that anyone is our neighbor if we have the opportunity to help.   And we learn in Matthew 28:19 of the greatest way we can help anyone.   If we were to decide to actively participate in evangelizing the world, think what a beautiful neighborhood we would indeed all live in.   We can make a difference one soul at a time.   Every day would be a beautiful day and we would have but an early glimpse of heaven here on earth were all our neighbors Christians.

--Beckye Mosher

I STILL WANT TO GO TO MY HOME :)

The girls and I have been gone pretty much since the end of May. We/they went to two leadership camps, a Bible camp, to see Caiti, Tank, and Kynslee, to see my parents, to see Mark's parents, to see some friends. Overall we had a great time, but we were ready to get home. Cassidy especially. She started saying a few weeks ago, "I just want to go home and sleep in my bed." It reminded me of a bulletin article I wrote when she was only two so I thought I would reprint it here.

“I WANT TO GO TO MY HOME”

     Recently the girls and I were gone for a little over four weeks (which in kid years has to be at least 6 months).   The first week went okay; they were happy to see their grandparents, great-grandparents, and great-great aunts.   But one night nearing the end of the week, Cassidy looked up at me as I was putting her to bed and said, "I want to go to my home."   She wasn't whining or crying.   It was just a simple statement with a slight emphasis on the word "my."   I explained to her that we couldn't, but that her daddy would be coming up soon to be with us.   That was the end of that for a few days.   But for the rest of the trip, every few days, Cassidy would stop what she was doing and say, "I want to go to my home."   We'd acknowledge her and try to explain how much longer we would be gone, and she would go on to other things.  Finally on the last Monday of our trip, I told her that we would be going to her home in four days.  After that she would go around holding up two fingers saying, "We're going to my home in four days."   When we finally got to "her" home (it was 5 AM), Mark got her out of the van and carried her in to bed.  She woke up and narrated the trip, "That's MY truck, that's MY HOUSE!, that's my stairs, that's Ish's room, that's my bed."  She was thrilled to be there.

     Now you might think from this description that Cassidy was miserable the whole time she was gone, but she was not.  She had a ball.   She went to an amusement park, the Alpine Slide, two children's museums, two different ChuckECheese's, the Memphis zoo, goony golf, a park, she rode a horse, played with another Katie and Cassidy, fished, went to the beach, and swam in the pool, came home with a few trillion more toys and clothes, and existed the whole month on nothing more than 'roni, candy, and Cool Whip. But even though she got to do all of these things; many of which she cannot do at home, she still kept reminding us, "I want to go to my  home."   Which got me to thinking that that is the attitude that we all should have about heaven.   Our time here on earth should be spent trying to live as Christ would have us to and  in trying to save others.    The Christian life can be an enjoyable one, which is not to say that we will not have problems--everyone does (Matthew 5:45; Romans 2:11)--but unlike non-Christians our problems will end here.  We have something to look forward to, and we should be.   We need to have a goal (heaven) that we are ever working toward and it should always be in the back of our minds.   As Paul said in Philippians 1:24, "For me to live is Christ to die is gain" and in II Timothy 4:7-8  he said, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness..."   Our time here on earth should be spent trying to live as Christ would have us to and  in trying to save others.   And while we should certainly enjoy our time here on earth, like Paul, we should also long to go to "our" home in heaven.

--Beckye Mosher

QUIET LIONS AND FAT SHEEP

  One of my favorite books and movies when I was growing up was The Parent Trap (with Hayley Mills).   To me, one of the funnier parts of it was when the twins were tormenting Vickie on a camping trip.   In one scene they had her striking sticks together to scare away mountain lions.   When their dad saw Vickie hitting the sticks together he asked her why and after she explained he laughed and told her that it would not scare away wild animals.   However, recently I have read several places that it is a good idea to make noise when hiking to alert bears of your presence.   Because although many wild animals have very acute senses of both smell and hearing, it is possible that a noisy stream, thick brush, or the wind blowing the opposite direction might disguise your movements or scent.   So it has been recommended that you wear bells, whistle, talk, shout, sing, clap your hands, or blow a whistle when hiking anywhere wild animals might be.   Other sources claim that these methods do not work and there are even several jokes going around to this effect.  

     Whether or not bells would truly work at scaring away wild life, wouldn’t it be wonderful if sin wore bells?   If it just let us know what it is when it shows up in our life?   Unfortunately sin is usually a wolf in sheep’s clothing.   It shows up looking harmless and maybe even enticing and next thing you know, you’re completely taken in.   If sin only showed up wearing bells we could hear the warning and flee.

     The Bible refers to Satan as “a roaring lion” in I Peter 5:8:   “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”   Amos 3:4 asks, “Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?  So does a lion usually walk around roaring?   No.   A lion in search of food is very quiet.   He stealthily moves about looking, smelling, and listening for potential food.   The lion does not roar until he is ready to pounce.   The roar serves to “freeze” his prey like a deer caught in the headlights.   The victim merely stands there while the lion soars through the air and catches him.      People’s New Testament tells us that the devil “goeth about as the lion, seeking for prey. The lion while hunting only roars when it springs. So the devil is stealthy and does not give warning of his approach.”

     Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown say that the “roaring lion” implies that Satan has a violent and insatiable thirst for prey just like a hungry lion.  John Gill puts it even more bluntly, saying Satan is called a roaring lion “both on account of his strength, and also because of his rage, malice, and cruelty, which he breathes out against the saints, who, though he cannot destroy them, will do all he can to terrify and affright them.”

     Satan wants to capture all he can; he is particularly trying to tempt the Christian because he already has the world.   So what can we do if he is sneaking up on us?   How can we avoid that roar as he pounces on us?

Well, just as the Bible warns us of Satan and his sneak attacks, it also tells us of how to avoid him.   The first part of  I Peter 5: 8 warns us to “Be sober, be vigilant”   In other words, we should always keep our eyes open and think clearly.   Matthew Henry says, “(Satan) is a roaring lion, hungry, fierce, strong, and cruel, the fierce and greedy pursuer of souls.”   His business is to walk about seeking whom he may devour; “his whole design is to devour and destroy souls. To this end he is unwearied and restless in his malicious endeavours; for he always, night and day, goes about studying and contriving whom he may ensnare to their eternal ruin. “   He goes on to say that Peter “infers that it is their duty, To be sober, and to govern both the outward and the inward man by the rules of temperance, modesty, and mortification. To be vigilant; not secure or careless, but rather suspicious of constant danger from this spiritual enemy, and, under that apprehension, to be watchful and diligent to prevent his designs and save our souls.”   It is our job to be watchful.   It is our job to guard ourselves from sin (I Thessalonians 5:22).   We are told time and time again to be careful and watchful in all that we do.   We are reminded of how easy it is to stumble.   But along with these reminders we also find assurance.   James 4:7 tells us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”   I Corinthians 10:13 says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. ”   This verse is telling us that God will not make a special case out of any of us.   We will all undergo trials and tribulations; we will all be tempted because sin is in the world.   BUT the verse goes on to say that we can escape this temptation if we really want to.   God will provide a way.   We cannot say the devil made us do it; we cannot say we couldn’t help it because the Bible tells us we CAN avoid succumbing to temptation.   Ephesians 6:10-18 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”  

     God did not leave us unarmed.   He has provided all the tools necessary for us to resist temptation.   If we always keep our Sword at hand, if we are continually dwelling on God’s Word, then we will not become prey for the devil.   There is a site on the internet called fatsheep.   I found it one day while I was searching for something.   I was curious about the site and why they picked that name so I read until I found the explanation.   They referred to John  21:15-17:    “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my my sheep.  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”   Below this was printed:   “So why fatsheep?   Because sheep that feed a lot get fat.   So come in to the meadow.   The grazing is fine.”   I don’t remember finding much worthwhile at this site but this one thing stuck with me.   Are you a fat sheep?   Fat sheep find temptation easier to avoid because they are continually feasting on God’s Word (Psalm 119:11).   If we keep our mind on God and His Word (Philippians 4:8), we won’t need sin to ring bells and alert us to its presence because we will be looking for it and will spot it first so that we can avoid it.  And the reward for those who obey God’s Word and avoid temptation is found in James 1:12, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.”    So open your Bible and start getting fat today!

Helping Others

           Cassie has always had an “I want to save you” attitude about people. She really seems drawn to those who are a little different or those who ask for help. She always thinks she can help them. It seems almost any time I leave her in the car people ask her for money and today was no exception. I left both Calli and her in the car (Cassie was driving) while I went in the Beehive. I barely get in the door when I look out the window and see her talking (thru the partially open window) to a man. I just stayed and watched to make sure nothing happened until I saw her hand him something and he took off jogging. 

              After I got back in the car I asked her what it was all about and she said he had asked for money for food, and he was a nice guy because he looked her in the eye and told her he wouldn’t hurt her, and that any amount was fine because he just wanted to get food for himself and his family. She assured me he was sincere and that he wasn’t drunk or on drugs because he was coherent and didn’t have any symptoms of drug use (which she proceeded to describe to me!). She gave him 50 cents because that was all she had. She realized later that we had a whole plate of hot dogs and buns from the 4H get together we’d just been to and felt really bad that she hadn’t given those to him. Right after I got in the car we saw him go by with a plate of food and Cassie was all “See! He’s legit! I wish I had more to give him.” As I said, this is not the first time this has happened. Last time a woman told her a long story about how she was going to die if she didn’t get an operation so Cassie gave her whatever money she had then as well. I feel sure that wasn’t legit.

          

              I think because of Mark’s years of preaching/benevolent work, we are both very skeptical of helping people this way. I think that Cassie has a very sweet heart to want to do this. I also think that she may one day get in trouble trying to help people. And I do think most people begging this way are not legit. But it’s her money and if that’s what she wants to do, then I’m going to let her. I’m glad he did buy food (even tho’ her daddy pointed out that he might have needed money for food because he’d already spent his on booze and cigarettes…I told you we’re skeptical).

          

              We attended a funeral for a dear friend yesterday and he was known for helping everyone, including the homeless or others begging for money. His wife would sometimes tell him that he shouldn’t because they were taking advantage of him. He told her that that may be true but he was going to help them all and let the Lord sort it all out. It made Cassie’s day to see the man go by with a plate of food and she did feel bad that she hadn’t given more or offered him the hot dogs.

           

                I remember reading about how a friend made packages of snack crackers and a few other items along with a Bible verse to keep on hand to pass out to those in need. I told Cassie that we would do that. We don’t see as many homeless as some do, but we do still see our share. While I was researching other ideas of what to put in the bags, I found an article where the author said that she used to avoid eye contact and  look away whenever she saw anyone asking for food, but after she made up packages and began passing them out she realized that looking the person in the eye, sharing a smile, touching their hand as she passed them the bag, all made a difference to the person in need. Many of these people are overlooked by society and maybe they won’t use what we give them, but they do deserve to be recognized and they need our compassion far more than the food/toiletry items. So we will begin dong this and not only will it make Cassie feel good to be able to help, maybe it will make a difference to that person as well and if not, as Ben said, “We will just let the Lord sort it out.”

WHAT ARE YOU SELLING?

     Not long ago Mark and I went to Wal-Mart.   Right in the front of the store was a booth set up where a man would clean your glasses for free, in hopes you would buy some of the cleaner he used.   I had seen these booths before and most of the time the salesperson would not let you get anywhere near him without wanting to clean your glasses.   I had bought some of the cleanser before and was glad to see this particular salesman.   We went over to him and I gave him my glasses.   He cleaned them and then he cleaned Mark’s.   He never asked us if we wanted him to and he never tried to sell us his product.   He was very nice and very soft-spoken.   I told him I had purchased some cleaner before but this seemed to be a better deal.   I had Mark pay him for some and we left.   Afterwards, Mark and I talked about how we were probably his only sale that day and that we hoped this was not his sole means of support because he just was not a good (aggressive) salesperson.   He didn’t approach us and he never told us anything about his product.  
     Sometimes I believe that we approach evangelism in quite the same way as this salesman.   We hang out our signs that announce the times of services and then we just sit and wait on people to come to us.   There was a movie a few years back whose catch phrase was “If you build it, they will come.”   Well, it does not usually work that way in the church.   We are supposed to seek out the lost and erring and bring them to Christ.   Instead when we talk with our nonChristian friends and family we do not mention religion.   We certainly never mention it to strangers (i.e. cashier, librarian, bagboy, etc.).   We just are not good “salespeople” and yet we have the best “product” in the world to be “selling.”   Our faith in God should certainly be something we believe in enough to try to convert others.   We have the best gift on earth and we should not only be willing to share it, but champing at the bit to.   Nowhere in the Bible do we read that we are to just build a building and hope people show up.   Nowhere do we read that teaching others is an option; it is not, instead it is a direct command.   We read, “Go, YE, therefore, and teach all nations…teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19) and though this command was given by Jesus to his disciples, as the book by Ivan Stewart says, Go YE Means Go ME.   Luke 19:10 tells us that “the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost.”   As Christ was our example, then it is now our duty to seek and save the lost.   Jude 22-23 tells us there are different ways to approach people depending on their understanding.   For non-Christians, we are to have compassion and treat them more gently than those Christians who know better and yet have forsaken their Lord.   For those Jude tells us to save them “with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”   How are we going to save others if we do not teach them?   The non-Christian, perhaps does not know to seek Christians out and the erring Christian is not trying to do God’s Will so it is up to us to find them and teach them the error of their ways.

     Perhaps the most important part of the Great Commission is that we do GO; we do try to teach.   God’s Word does not promise us that we will always succeed.   Noah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and even our Lord Himself taught people who did not always respond.   I suppose it might even be possible to live your whole life trying to convert others and never succeed in reaching anyone, but that is rather doubtful if you are truly trying.   However, should that happen we are told in I Corinthians 3:15 “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss:   but he himself shall be saved…” so God will not hold it against us for trying and failing.   What He will not accept is if we do not try. On the other hand, if we try and we succeed in bringing others to Christ we not only help them, we help ourselves.   I Timothy 4:16 (ASV) says “Take heed unto thyself, and to thy teaching; continue in these things: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” And James 5:20 reminds us “that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”   Remember, as the saying goes, we have been taught to teach, won to win, and saved to serve.   So what are you selling?   Can people tell by the life you live and the souls you try to save?

                                                                                                                            Beckye Mosher

HOW DO I FEEL ABOUT PERSONAL EVANGELISM?

How many people have I helped lead to Christ?___

How many people do I NOW have my heart set on to win to Christ? _______

To what extent have I gone to try to win these people? ____________

Approximately how many hours (or minutes) per week do I average talking to people about the Lord? _________________

How often do I pray for certain individuals to obey the Lord, or to be restored to faithful Christian duty? __________________

Do I ever pray FERVENTLY that I might become a better soul winner?_____

DO I SINCERELY TRY to help that prayer be answered? _________

Am I generally embarrassed to converse with people about Christ? _____

Do I know enough Scripture to help one become a Christian? __________

Do I honestly feel that I am my brother's keeper, and that his salvation may depend LARGELY upon me? __________________

Have I offered the excuse, "I DON'T KNOW HOW," for not doing personal work? _______

Do I think I can ever really learn how until I try? ________

When do I plan to begin? __________________________________

Has it ever occurred to me that many will die and go to God unprepared while I'm wasting time thinking I don't know how? _____________

Am I interested enough in Heaven, and does it mean enough to me that I earnestly desire others to go with me? ___________

Does a checkup list like this help me to do better? _______

REMEMBER:

1. God knows what I really CAN or CAN'T do!

2. I can't deceive God!

3. I will be held responsible for not making some attempt!

(copied)

THAT MAN I MARRIED

Introduction: I used to put out a monthly ladies bulletin. I started it before Caiti was born and then continued it most of the time up until a few years ago…more like 7, I guess. I quit when Caiti started college and I went with her. Several people asked from time to time when I was going to start them up again, but life just got progressively…IDK…more complicated, more depressing, more bad things happening, more overwhelming. So I quit writing. I’d like to start back again. I figure I will talk some about the issues we’ve had and intersperse them with old articles in hopes that people don’t die of boredom.  I picked the name for my blog partially because my ladies bulletin was entitled Heart to Heart from Acts 4:32 and partially because this will not entirely be about Bible but probably will have a lot of babbling. Below is an article I wrote in the early ‘90’s.

THAT MAN I MARRIED

I don't think any of us really know what we are getting into when we get married.   All of a sudden the guy who used to show up all clean and smelling sweet to take you out to a fancy place turns into a not-so-tidy fellow  worried about making ends meet.   Not only that, now you each have two sets of parents to deal with and while your parents' requests seem perfectly normal, his parents' requests are definitely not!  Why can't he see that?   Yes, this wonderful guy you married has suddenly become less than perfect---and guess    what?  He seems  to think you have one or two faults yourself.

     Marriage is probably one of the first major life changes you will make.  And just when you figure out that it won't be one long honeymoon, along come other drastic changes such as children, job changes, moving, etc.  Major changes can bring you together or pull you apart.  One thing I never thought about until Mark pointed it out is that when we are going through major changes, that's when we end up having some of our biggest arguments over things that, needless to say, are really silly!   Since we have become aware of this, now we try not to take out our frustrations on each other, but work together on the problem instead.

      Now it has been said that when a bride is preparing to walk down to her husband-to-be, the first thing that she sees is the aisle, the next is the altar, and then she sees him--her groom.   So naturally she thinks, "Aisle, altar, him:  I'll alter him."  Now although we may enter into marriage with changing him in mind, you will soon find that he will resist you every step of the way.   However, after so many years, you will finally just stop trying.   He hasn't changed, but you have.   You just don't care any more because you are used to him and his quirks (and vice-versa, luckily for us).  

   We have to remember that we took each other for better  or  worse, richer or poorer, and in sickness and in health---it was not a multiple choice test (I'll take better, richer, and healthy---wouldn't we all?). Marriage is not an end---you're born, you date, you marry, the end.  Marriage is a beginning of making two lives into one.   Marriage takes two people who love God and each other enough to overcome all obstacles.  And you can read all sorts of books and articles on marriage, but the best training is on the job.  Marriage is a lot of work; left alone it cannot survive.   That's why we must find time for each other alone.   That's why there is always room for improvement---our own, not our mate's!

   A lady once wanted to divorce her husband and went to a lawyer for some advice.   He told her that if she really wanted to make her husband miserable, she should go home and for three months do every little thing she could for him---try to be the best wife anyone ever had---then when she divorced him, boy, would he be sorry.   Well, several months went by and finally the lawyer called the lady and said, "Hey, what happened?   I thought you were going to divorce him."   "Divorce him???" the lady cried, "I love him!"   Guess what had changed?   Her attitude and her actions.  True the husband probably responded in kind, but it started with her.   Start with you. Try to make your marriage and your life a happy one.   Marriage is intended to last for a lifetime and since we can reasonably expect to live 80+ years, that's a long time.  But if you are truly married to your best friend, it may not seem long enough.

                ---Beckye Mosher