Memorials

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer [Ebenezer means stone of help], saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.  (1Samuel 7:12 KJV)

In the United States of America it is Memorial Day weekend.  Originally, it was a time set aside to honor the men and women who gave their lives in various wars (as well as a time to decorate graves of loved ones who have passed away).  Sadly, this time has evolved into a huge party time—a time to kick off summer time. 

Many people will spend the weekend relaxing and hanging out with family and friends—not giving a second thought to what the day is really about.  However, there are places where those who have gone on are remembered.

Personal photo

In the United Methodist tradition, we honor those who have passed away since the previous Memorial Day by reading their names and lighting a candle.  In addition, memorials given to the church are used to buy items; such as, pictures, Bibles, and books—in memory of an individual—are dedicated.

Photo Credit: C. Meissner

With all of this in mind, I thought it would be interesting to look at memorials in the Scriptures.  In order to better grasp the idea of a memorial, let us consider the definition of memorial from Webster’s Dictionary of 1828: 

“1. Preservative of memory.  There high in air memorial of my name, Fix the smooth oar, and bid me live to fame.  2. Contained in memory as memorial possession.  MEMO'RIAL, noun That which preserves the memory of something; any thing that serves to keep in memory. A monument is a memorial of a deceased person, or of an event. The Lord's supper is a memorial of the death and sufferings of Christ.  Churches have names; some as memorials of peace, some of wisdom, some of the Trinity.  1. Any note or hint to assist the memory.  Memorials written with king Edward's hand shall be the ground of this history.  2. A written representation of facts, made to a legislative or other body as the ground of a petition, or a representation of facts accompanied with a petition.”[1]

Photo Credit: C. Meissner

We memorialize to honor; we honor people, we also honor God.  On the flip side, we also dishonor people and God by how we treat them and talk to and about them. 

Memorials have a long history; they have a solid biblical foundation.  Throughout God’s Word, we can find memorials to God’s power, might, help, and work on behalf of His people. 

In the Old Testament we see a memorial to the faithfulness of God being put up, by the prophet Samuel—the Ebenezer stone (1 Samuel 7:12). 

What does it mean to you to have a God Who helps? 

What can you do to help you remember how God helps you?

Photo Credit: P. Whitlach 

In the New Testament we see the establishment of Communion—a memorial to Jesus’ work on the cross (1 Corinthians 11:26-29).  (In the future, I plan to take a closer look at Communion.)

Obviously, there are many more memorials in the Scriptures, some will be considered later.

Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Lord of All, Thank You for being our ever faithful “stone of help”.  We realize what a wretched state we would be in without You.  We praise and thank You for Your faithfulness towards us, especially when we have been less than faithful, at times, towards You.  We remember with gratitude all that You have done for Your children.  During this time, we lift up to You memories of loved ones who have died.  Thank You for the ways they have touched our lives.  We remember with gratitude, all that Jesus did for us.  Guide us to use this special time in a way that is honoring, rather than dishonoring.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim  

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[1] From http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/memorial   

Commencement

*Note: I am re-posting this from last year (original post date:  May 29, 2015) with some editing. 

From http://www.clker.com/cliparts/C/R/m/z/8/q/graduate-md.png 

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”  (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV)

Me on my high school graduation day (May 27, 1990)

Since commencement season is upon us once again; I thought it would be a good idea to revisit the imagery we can see in commencement ceremonies.

Commencement is defined as:  “an act, instance, or time of commencing; the ceremonies or the day for conferring degrees or diplomas”.  While commencement seems to indicate an end of something, such as high school or college, it really means a beginning of something, a new time of life.

My Uncle Carrol and me on my graduation day from William Penn (College) University (May 14 1995, Mother’s Day)

During our lives we have many beginnings and starts—the very first day of school, the first day of high school, the first day at a new job—the list is endless.  Many times a new beginning is the end of some thing that captured our attention for many years.  We grieve what we are leaving behind; while feeling a degree of anxiety and/or excitement about what our future holds.

What feelings did you experience at your high school and/or college graduation?

In what ways did your dreams come true after graduation?  If not, how were God’s plans and dreams different than yours?

My friend, Maud, and me after our college graduation ceremony

Have you ever considered how inviting Jesus into your heart is like a “commencement”?

We know there is much rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7).  There is a turning from “idols” to the Lord (1Thessalonians 1:9); much like the turning of the tassel during the graduation ceremony, we have a new identity and a new set of responsibilities.  A totally new way of life is open to us.

To be sure, there is an adjustment period, not only for new graduates but also for those who receive Jesus as Savior and Lord.

What advice would you give to this year’s graduates?

What advice would you give to new Christians?

Me after graduate school graduation ceremonies at the University of Northern Iowa (May 8, 1999)

Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for knowing Your plans for us—plans that will bring about positive things for us.  Help us to trust in You and the plans You have for each one of us.  Clearly reveal Your presence those who are beginning new chapters in their lives, whether it is through graduation or starting life anew as a Christian.  We pray for our graduates that they will correctly discern the plans You have for them.  May each one seek You and discern the dreams You have for them.  In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim

         

Pentecost

*Note: This is an edited post from last year (May 4, 2015).

From http://www.hprweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Pentecost-Sunday-collage-2.jpg  

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto to them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4 KJV)

Sunday, May 15, is Pentecost, the day we celebrate the birth of the Church. It is a day of joy, a celebration of God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to His children.  Without the Holy Spirit we could accomplish little—what little we did accomplish would be in our own power and/or strength. (As a side note: on May 15, 2005, I was water baptized. In the future, I will share more in a post dedicated to water baptism.)   

Pentecost is the fiftieth and last day of the Easter Season—when the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the church (see Acts 2). The Holy Spirit came to those who had been waiting and praying for the One promised by Jesus before His ascension.

Likewise, we too, may have to wait for the Holy Spirit to baptize us, to empower us to live a Christian life and to do the ministry God has equipped us to do. (Many times this is separate from the Holy Spirit’s indwelling in us at the moment of our conversion. At some point in the future, I will address this in an additional blog post or series of posts.)  Receiving the Holy Spirit baptism changed things for me in a very positive way.  

The color red, symbolizing the tongues of fire that came down upon the apostles and those gathered together, is the color of the church at this point in the year.

What else does the symbol of fire represent to you?

What comes to mind?

What does fire do (cleanse, purify, destroy)?   

Yet, Pentecost is much more than this.  Pentecost is when Jesus’ promise (see John 14:15-17) to send a Counselor, a Comforter to be with and empower those He left behind was fulfilled. It was at this point that the apostles had the power to preach, to heal, to speak in tongues (unlearned languages and spiritual languages), and to cast out demons.

Without this gift of the Holy Spirit, the disciples would have remained fearful (and stayed in hiding) of the religious and political authorities. We, likewise, without the Holy Spirit are weak, yet when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we can do great things! Consider the great men and women of faith who have done great things for the Lord (for some examples please see Believing God: Those Who Believed God).

I believe this gift—the baptism of the Holy Spirit—with the speaking of tongues and everything else received by those early followers of Jesus is still available to us today. It has not died out as some believe. Just because we do not see certain things much, if at all, today does not mean that the gift given at Pentecost is no longer available to us. More likely, it is due to us getting too smart for our own good! Fear gets in the way too. The Holy Spirit is not to be feared; He is a gentleman and will not come where He is not welcome, nor will He behave in ways that would cause fright.

From http://images.sharefaith.com/images/3/1241457364338_376/slide-02.jpg 

What experiences have you had with the Holy Spirit?

Have you experienced Pentecost in your life?

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; It is expedient that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

(John 16:7-8 KJV)

From https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2087/5791934000_816bcc3b4d_b.jpg

Please join me in prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for fulfilling Your promise of sending the Holy Spirit to us. Thank You for the work that the Holy Spirit does in our lives. We realize our need for the Holy Spirit’s empowerment to live as a Christian and to walk as You walked, Lord. Without the Holy Spirit baptizing us, we will rely on our flesh to live as we are to live and to fulfill the ministry that You have called us to; something that we cannot do for the long haul. Come Holy Spirit, fill us with Your presence and empower us to do what we cannot do on our own. In Your Name, we pray. Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim

Come Holy Spirit, Come!

Worship Time: Pentecost

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  (Acts 2:1-4 KJV)

Today, in lieu of a normal length post, I would like to worship the Lord, in preparation for Pentecost.

Please be watching for a post on Sunday on the topic of Pentecost.

Now let us worship the Lord!

There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit

Every Time I Feel the Spirit, I Will Pray

Blessed be Your Name

Spirit of the Living God

Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Lord, we come to You humbly and in awe of You and Your amazing goodness towards us.  Send Your Holy Spirit to do His work within us; preparing our hearts to receive a Pentecostal outpouring of our own.  Like Your early followers, we wait and pray for the Promise and the empowerment the Holy Spirit brings.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim   

Happy Mother's Day!

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

(2 Timothy 3:14-15 KJV)

*Note: This post is an edited post from last year (May 8, 2015).

This Sunday, May 8, we celebrate Mother’s Day. Therefore, it is a great time to reflect on the special women (our mom and others) in our lives who nurtured us; perhaps, they still nurture us, even if from afar. There are so many different types of mothers: those who give birth to and raise their child/children, those who are brave and allow their child to be adopted, there are adoptive mothers, foster mothers, and spiritual mothers. So many different ways to be a mom to many—great is the impact of moms on the lives of those they nurture.

At the outset, I realize some reading this post will have had a challenging relationship with their mom, or perhaps a dear mom has passed away, or a mom is no longer mom due to a variety of health issues and/or dementia. My prayer for you is that you will experience God’s comforting, healing presence in the days ahead.

Likewise, some women reading this post will struggle due to their longing to be a mom. My heart goes out to you, so many of us with “mommy hearts” (this includes me) know we are to nurture another person. In my case, I have found contentment in being a nurturing presence in the lives of my friends.

From http://c.tadst.com/gfx/600x400/mothers-day-global.jpg?2

In thinking about some of the ladies who have nurtured me spiritually I recall a couple of dear ladies from my earliest years—both were apart of my life due to Sunday school and church attendance.

Many times, if it were not for our mom we would not be in church. It seems spiritual nurture, many times, is dependent on mom. As a little girl, I attended Sunday school and church faithfully, thanks to my mother. In fact, some of my earliest memories are of church and Sunday school.

Particularly, during the early years (pre-school-second grade), two ladies—Ruby and Clara—taught my peers and me a lot about Jesus and His love for us.  

For many of us, Sunday school and Vacation Bible school teachers have a huge impact on us and how we grew in our faith. What sort of impact did your Sunday school and Vacation Bible school teachers have on you?

How have you been nurtured by your mom or your spiritual mothers (teachers, aunts, cousins, friends of the family)?

How can you nurture someone in need? Look at how Paul encouraged Timothy regarding his faith that he learned from Lois and Eunice (his grandmother and mother) (see 2 Timothy 1:5). 

Therefore, in reflecting on this special day let us think about everything that moms do for their off-spring (this includes spiritual moms too!).

Moms do a lot for us.

They care for us when we are ill.

They comfort us after bad dreams.  

         They encourage us on difficult days.

It is clear that moms everywhere deserve this special day of remembrance.

How can we thank our moms (birth and spiritual) at this special time?

Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Lord of All, thank You for our mothers who gave us life and nurture. Thank You for the spiritual mothers in our lives who taught us about Jesus and His love for us and who influenced our growth in the faith. For those who long to be a mommy grant them a special sense of Your comforting presence. Bless our mothers today and always.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim

Happy Mother’s Day!!

Two Fools

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.  (Psalm 14:1 KJV)

In the Word of God we can find a number of contrasts: good fruit and bad fruit; good trees and bad trees; wise men and foolish men.  Fools who say God does not exist and fools for Christ.

God’s Word has much to say about foolishness and wisdom.  To the world, following hard after God can appear to be absolute foolishness.  However, God calls those who do not believe He exists fools. 

The Hebrew word for fool is nabal, meaning “foolish or senseless.”[1]  It can also mean “disgrace or dishonor.”[2]

Photo Credit C. Meissner

An example in the Old Testament of foolish thinking and behavior contrasted with wise thinking and behavior is found in the stories of David before he became king of Israel.  Foolish thinking leads to Nabal’s (his name means fool) behavior towards David and his men (see 1 Samuel 25:28-39).  Ultimately, God struck down Nabal because of his hard heart. 

In contrast, Nabal’s wife, Abigail, acted wisely, as did David.  Abigail’s wisdom to send a “peace offering” prevented David from taking vengeance into his own hands.  God got vengeance on Nabal in His own time and way.

Photo Credit C. Meissner

Sheer arrogance can lead us down paths that go away from God and the best He has for us—an arrogance that says, “we know better” or “there is no God”.  (I have gone down paths that God did not want me to go down, because the “cost” was too great.  However, I found that I paid an even greater cost than I would have paid had I followed God’s desire.)  How this behavior must pain God’s heart!  Ultimately, it brings great pain to us and those around us.  Fools in the spiritual sense are spiritually blind—it has nothing to do with their intellect.[3] 

While Jesus walked on the earth and had interactions with many people; we can see where the very ones who should have known Him (the Pharisees) completely missed Him due to their spiritual blindness (Jesus called them fools); while the people rejected by the Pharisees (sinners of various types) saw who Jesus was (the Messiah) and flocked to Him in droves.

Photo Credit P. Whitlach

Yet there is a better way, a better choice to make!  What is that choice?  You can say “yes” to God who has already said “yes” to you.  In the world’s eyes it will appear utterly foolish—Paul called himself a fool for Christ (see 1 Corinthians 4:10)—however, we will find true life and living not possible in any other way.

What have you decided?  Foolishly rejecting God now has horrific consequences for eternity.  God loves you more than you can imagine; He desires for no one to perish (see 2 Peter 3:9).

Living for Christ now will mean being misunderstood at times or being rejected or marginalized.  Rightly living for Christ can lead to persecution; in fact, Scriptures seem to imply that something is “wrong” if persecution does not happen (see 1 Peter 4:12-14). 

Compromising with the world is a dangerous choice!  It damages our witness.  If we look and act like the world, why would people want a relationship with Jesus?

Many years ago, I said “yes” to Jesus.  This decision has made all the difference!  While I have not yet faced persecution like my Brothers and Sisters face in other parts of the world, I have been misunderstood, rejected.  My prayer is that when the day comes, I will remain faithful and give my life for Jesus.

I will happily be a fool for Christ!  What about you?

Please join with me in prayer:

Lord, grant us godly wisdom to walk in the way that leads to life in You.  Empower us to stand the onslaught of the world and be fools for Christ.  Place within us Your heart for those who foolishly say You do not exist.  Free us to seek You above the things of this world.  Thank You for all that You do for us each day.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim  

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[1] From http://biblehub.com/hebrew/5036.htm

[2] From http://biblehub.com/hebrew/5034.htm

[3] See http://www.gotquestions.org/fool-heart-no-God.html

Caring for God's Creation

“The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”  (Psalm 24:1 KJV)

*Note: This is an edited post from April 17, 2015 titled Caring for God’s Creation

From http://www.deafhope.org/assets/images/theatre/world3.jpg 

From the opening verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1, we see the creative power of God—“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth”. God designed the earth for a purpose. Likewise, He created mankind to care for His creation—the whole of it. 

Photo Credit P. Whitlach

Photo Credit P. Whitlach

Once sin entered into the picture (Genesis 3), the whole of God’s creation began to suffer as the result of mankind’s decision to live in a way that God had not planned. The beauty was marred. Creation has beauty but within that beauty lies danger too—danger from various elements, as well as animals.  

How have you seen danger within the beauty of God’s world?  

Photo Credit P. Whitlach

Photo Credit P. Whitlach

God expects us to care for the environment and the world He has given us. This is a sacred trust, in fact, Ecclesiastes 1:4 states: “One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.”  

We have only one planet…let us care for it! How are we doing at caring for our environment?  Are we helping or hurting it? 

It would be so easy to take the easy way out and flippantly think: “Jesus is returning. Why should I do anything to help the environment?” While Jesus is indeed returning—likely soon—we still need to use care in what we do and how we do it. Creation is fragile; therefore, we need to handle it with care.

Photo Credit C. Meissner

Photo Credit C. Meissner 

We can do many things (such as recycling paper or plastic, or planting a tree, or walking instead of driving), that will make our world a cleaner, healthier place to live. 

It was not all that long ago, during the Great Depression, that our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and others learned to recycle/reuse/repurpose almost everything. They were on to something that many of us in this disposable culture have seemed to have forgotten: there is not an unlimited supply of resources, eventually things run out, disappear. We would be wise to use its resources with care.

How do you repurpose/reuse things? 

Our world—the whole of creation—is crying out. Crying out in desperation for a change, for help—help that is found in Jesus Christ alone. The whole of creation groans as even it awaits the return of Jesus (see Romans 8:22). Are we crying out as well? 

From https://completejoy.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/jesus_holds_the_world1.jpg 

Check out this article on The High Calling website for some ideas of how you can care for the environment. 

Somewhere I read that we borrow the earth from our children; therefore, we should give to them an environment that is as healthy as possible.  

Take some time to soak in the beauty of God’s creation and praise and glorify Him for it!  

What can you do today or this week or this month to help the environment?  

What are you already doing to care for God’s wonderful, beautiful creation?

Please join with me in prayer:

God of Creation, thank You for Your beautiful and fragile world. We recognize many times we have not cared for it as carefully as we should and have taken its resources and beauty for granted; please forgive us. Grant us the wisdom to protect Your world and use its resources with care. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.  

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim