My Rainbow Dove

January 14, 2009

2009-04-08T13:31:00.004-05:00

And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate space.---Luke 4:42

In order to cultive intimancy, husband and wives need to spend time alone with each other-away from friends, acquaintances, and even their own children.

Jesus understood the importance of getting away from the crowd in order to sustain an intmate relationship with His Father. Luke 5:15 tells us when news about Him spread, "crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of thier sicknesses". (NIV) Jesus had compassion on the multitudes and gave Himself sacrifically to minister to their needs. But He knew He could not meet their needs if He did not draw upon His relationship with His Father. So the very next verse tells us that Jesus often "withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (emphasis added).

When God called Moses up to meet with Him on Mount Sinai, He said, "Present yourself to me there on the top of the mountain. No one is to come with you." (Exodus 34:2-3, NIV). As part of a community of faith, we need times to worship, pray, and seek the Lord in the company of His people. But we must also have times that are set apart to be alone with Him. There are dimensions to our relationship with God that cannot be nurtured and sustain in a crowd.

Before the tabernacle was constructed, the Scripture says that Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the "tent of meeting." Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp (Exodus 33:7). This special meeting place was set up away from the crowd, away from the normal flow of traffic. It was a set-apart place, a place reserved for meeting with God.

I have found it helpful to set apart a place in my home for meeting with God. In one corner of my study sits a comfortable chair. That chair has become quiet time chair. It is my tent of meeting-a place where I go to meet with God. ---Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Do I have a place where I meet with God alone each day? Where can I set up a " tent of meeting" with the Lord? I have no choice but my bed.

January 13, 2009

2009-04-08T06:08:00.002-05:00

But with me it is avery small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself ...it is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgement before the time, before the Lord comes, who will breing to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.---1Corinthians 4:3-5

I grew up in a good church with good people. But one issue I noticed even as a young person was a constant struggle with an outward focus. Folks were obsessive about apperearances. The external was put under the microscope. You couldn't walk in the church foyer without everyone inspecting everyone else. It took me a long time to shake that in ministry.

I preached a message a few years ago called, "Freedom from People-Pleasing". Every time it airs on Walk in the Word, the responce is off the chart-a clear indication that a lot of us have lived our lives on the exhaustive treadmillif trying to please others. We need an exit ramp off this endless highway. The message is based on 1Corinthians 4, in which Paul said, "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not I do not even judge myself...It is the Lord who judges me. (vv 3-4). Notice that Paul said, "I do not even judge myself." I can't even trust myself to assess my own sincerity, let alone you who don't know what O'm thinking or feeling.

I cannot please everyone. You can't either. The attempt on our part to keep trying leads first to a crease, then a crevice, then to a canyon of distance between who we are and who we try to appear to be. Let's be done right now with people-pleasing. I dream a better dream for us than allowing petty people, majoring on silly things about which the Bible does not even explicitly speak, to control our hearts and lives. Lets not allow even our brothers and sisters in Christ-who have strong opinions-to pressure us into external conformity that doesn't reflect our hearts and dosen't please or sastify God. No doubt about it, hypocrisy has to go. It's destructive to us and despised by God.---James Macdonald.

Am I a people-pleaser? Who am I trying to please? Why? Just when it comes to my stepfather, but mom keeps on telling me to ignore him. But I let the harsh words for me to bother me. I do not think that he fully understands my Lou Gehrig's Disease. Even though I lost my speech, the use of my legs and my lung capacity is down to 13%, he still calls me a lazy bum.

What changes in perspective, attitude, and action do I need to make today? If my stepfather puts me down in any way, I will try my best to ignore him.

Prayer: God, I can't please everyone so I choose You. I want my life to match what I really believe. I want uninterrupted fellowship with You-no distance between us. Thank You for Your Word and the truth You've given me to live by. Amen.

January 12, 2009

2009-04-07T21:21:00.006-05:00

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteouness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek afer lies? But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. Be angry, and do not sin.; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD. There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!" You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in saftey.---Psalm 4

Not long ago my wife Karen, and, I decided decided to visit a church pastored by a good friend of ours. The church is very large, so we thought we'd better let our friend know we were coming ahead of time if we wanted to see him.

With that in mind, consider three observations about the sweet words found in Psalm 4:3. First God's attention is based on a condition.Only the "godly", those who walk in obedience with Him, can know that He hears their prayers. Some of us are out of fellowship with God, but when we get ourselves in a jam we want Him to give us special attention. But when we are in a jam we want Him to give us special attention. But to recive the favor of God, we have to meet the condition of godliness.

Second, God sets apart the godly and puts us in a special place. The espression "set appart", is His way of saying "That one over there is special; pout hin close to Me. Put him close to my heart."

Last, we have His undivided attention. He says, "The LORD hears when I call to him". Why? Because whe have met His condition, and He has put us in a special place.

when you pursue intimacy with the Lord and meet His cnditions, He will hear when you "call to him."---Crawford W. Loritts.

Am I truly seeking intimacy with the Father, or do I spend the bare ninimum of time with Him? I hardly spend time with God. I am making it up, though. I have alot of resources that I had bookmarked on my old laptop, that I am trying to recall, but I am having problems remembering them. Also I do not know when my stepfather will wake up in the morning and when he sees me doing devotionals, he calls me a hypocrit. I do not know why he calls me that, and mom says to ignore my stepdad, but it is very hard to do so. So I try to get up very early to do my devotionals, but then I doze off doing them. Sometimes I wake up at two or three in the morning. From this day (I am posting this on April 8th because of my laptop crashing and I did not know that I was THIS off with keeping up with this blog.

Well, he gave us the VIP treatment. There was a parking spot reserved for us. We were met by one of his staff in the parking lot and were ushered into the office, where we had a sweet time of fellowship with him and his wife. Then we were led to special seats near the front of the sancuary. Our friend isn't known to play favorites, but because of our relationship with him he gave us special time and attention.

All of us has to be affirmed. But in this life we are often overlooked or even ignored. The is One, howerever, who will never ignore us. If we are walking with God, He will always give us the VIP treatment. ---Crawford W. Loritts

Am I truly seeking the Father, or do I spend the bare minimum of time with Him? I have been spending hardly any time with God when I found out that I have ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease. I wasn't angry at God, I was angry at Satan. He took away the things I loved to do at churh, especially teaching Sunday School and helping out with our children's theater group, "The Pilgrim Players." My Lou Gehrig's Disease took away my ablity to speak. I bet that my preschoolers would not understand hand gestures. I did not feel like doing my daily devotionals, just the lesson for the next Bible study group. I am trying to get back on track.

How will I proritize my life so I may experience Him More fully? If I wake up at two or three in the morning, I will start in my devotionals, even though I may doze off. Whenever my stepdad sees me doing my devotionals, he always calls me a hypocrit, and I do not know why. My mom says to ignore him, but this is very hard for me to ignore.

Are there times when I feel as if I'm not getting God's attention? Why? Because I am still angry at Satan for giving me Lou Gehrig's Disease. I am going to be 49 on August 1o, 2009. I am going to try to live as long as possible. The last time I saw Dr Heller, my lung capacity is down to 13%, and Lou Gehrigh's Disease effects the lungs and the resperatory system. I am wearing my VPAP machine around the clock, unless I am eating or going out somewhere. It forces air, not oxygen, into my nostrils which then goes into my respertory system.

January 11, 2009

2009-04-05T08:02:00.006-05:00

I kenw that I was way behind, but not this much! Between having my old laptop dying on me and the 2+ months that we are having with our telephone AND internet connections, I appolgize to everyone who is reading this blog.

January 11th, 2009---The Dwelling Place

Lord you have been our dwelling place in all generations.Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had ever you have formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say, Return, O children of man!" For a thousand years in your sight are but yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in in the morning:in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.

Psalm 90:1-6

In Psalm 90, Moses declared that God has been the dwelling place, the home, of people in all generations. God Himself is where His people continually live. That is a tremendous thought, isn't it? Moses had seen pharaos live and die. Perhaps he had seen the tombs of the pharaos and noted the many who in the past had been laid to rest. Despite the passing centuries, there is no change in the relationship of humans to God. He has been the home of for all generations.

Next Moses points out that God is the God of creation. Here he is looking back across the record and saying that before the mountains were formed, God was. Then before that, he "brought forth... the earth and the world." To us those two may seem to say the same thing, but in Hebrew it is literally "the earth and the land." Inother words, God formed the earth first and then later brought out the lands from the waters, as the book of Genesis makes clear. The land emerged from waters that covered the earth. So Moses gradually moves back in time from the formation of the mountains to the emergence of the land to the creaton of the earth itself. Before all this, God was.

Then he takes a longer leap into timelessnesss and says, "from everlasting to everlasting you are God." Surely here is the greatness of God. He is God of history. He is the God of creation. But beyond all that, He is the God of eternity. He is beyond and above His creation. He is greater than the universe He produced. And before it existed, He was. In fact, the Hebrew here is again very interesting. It suggests the translation, "From the vanishing point in the past to the vanishing point in the future": thus, from everlasting to everlasting, God exists. How great He is!---Ray Stedman

All I can say God, I have been calling you Father because my father and stepfather---I cannot find the words. My father has been making up for lost time ever since I got ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease and he took me to see the Christmas trees at The Museum of Sicence and Industry in Chicago. All the time we were there, he was griping constantly that the ornaments on the trees were not authentic. I tried to tell him that the ornaments were a representation of the real ones, but he did not buy it. And my stepfather, I think, still does not understand my ALS. He is always asking questions that the answers are right in his face. I am catching up on my posts here and the real date I am writing this response is April 5th, 2009 and I lost the use of my voice and legs about 6 weeks ago. I also cannot hold my head up. One day my stepfather saw my head leaning to the right, and he said "I bet that it is hard for you to hold your head up. And I wanted to say "isn't obvious?" but I held my tongue. He is asking questions like that every day and I am getting tired of it. Besides God, the other father figure was my grandpa on my mom's side of the family. He and grandma were the best grandparents. Grandpa and I would always watch the Cubs games either at his house or ours, even though we lived in the South suburbs. And on the way to our Summer trek to The Museum of Scince and Industry, we would stop at the Standard (it became Amaco, [ for American Pertrolium Company] and now the British owns all the Amaco gas stations -British Pertrolium). Grandpa died on Palm Sunday, but I do not remember the year. And our late next door neighbors were great surrogate grandparents and their sons babysat me, my sister Jill and brother Jim. I better stop before I ramble on some more.

January 10, 2009

2009-01-23T14:47:00.002-06:00

Sowing the Seedsi

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not recieve what promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made erfect.

Unfortunately, many who come to a saving faith in Christ wrongly assume that their faith may bring them recognized success. It can be tempting to assume that "with God, on our side" we're never beaten, we're notovercome, and we don;t really get hurt, but ut that's not true. The writer to the Hebrews give examples of people commended for their faith who were persecuted, who suffered, and who died. Please don't get the idea that if you have faith in God you'll avoid all the hardships in life-that you'll never get sick, you'll never get down, you'll never be depressed and you'll never be hurt.

Stephen was the first artyr recorded in the book of Acts. You've probably noticed that when Stephen was being crushed to death, he looked up and saw Jesus, standing at the right hand of the Father. This is interesting because Jesus is normally seated at the right hand of the Father. Some have said He was standing to welcome the first martyr home. Maybe. But the point is that although Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father, Jesus did'nt lift a finger to help Stephen. Jesus let Stephen's body to be crushed to death; He let the stones break his bones and probably his skull; and He watched him die. Jesus saw Stephen's blood-soaked face and He didn't rescue him. Why? We don't know for sure. ut picture Jesus saying, "Stephen, I know this is tough for you, but I'm planting a seed. See that young man over there, looking after those coats? His name is Saul of Tarsus, and he is the archenemy of the church."

Later Saul became a Christian, changed his name to Paul, and began to preach. If you study the sermons of Paul in the book of Acts, and the sermons of Peter in the ook of Acts, you'll notice vast differences. But, interestingly, the style of Paul is nearly identical to the style of Stephen. Perhaps God alowed the death of Stephen because He had a plan; He was sowing seeds in Saoul of Tarsus that day. -Charles Price.

Prayer: Lord, what seed are You sowing in my life today that I don't recoginze? Give me Your strength to persevere through whatever trials come my way. Amen

What is my perception of the trials in my life? I do not know why or how I got ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease. My mom asked the older cousins, the ones around her age to see if there was anyone at least on the Hatfield side of the family had it, but I guess that I am the first one in the family to get ALS. Am I willing to stand up under the weight of tese trials, trusting that God is working His plan through me? Until last weekend, I have been strong in my faith in God, and I am still strong in my faith, but my legs are getting weaker and I am getting more frustrated as the 10 feet walk to the back bathroom and my recliner is getting more and more tricky for me. Mom is bracing me as best as she can, but that is not enough and my stepfather still thinks that I am faking all of this just to get out of housework and shoveling the snow. My stepdad used to be a heavy drinker, and mom will still find hard liquor bottles around the house, but he is usually a beer drinker now. My mom thinks that all of the liquor has gotten to his head and damaged alot of brain cells; I think so too. To think that I am faking my ALS is rediculous. My real dad is coming to grips with my ALS and my sister and her family and my brother and his family have been very supportive. I do not know what they told their families about my ALS, but my nephew Cooper who is 9 and Autistic and my 4 year old nephew Owen (they are cousins to each other) are grasping that something is not quite right with Aunt Judy. I am hoping to recieve my speech machine this week (the week of the 25th of January; I have been having problems with my voice, that was the first change I and my family noticed. ALS affects people different ways. I went to my first ALS support group meeting in November, and I asked the people there if there were any right handers, did their right side go first, because my right side started to weaken. And all of the right-handers said that their left side went first. I wished that my left side was the side that went first, because I am having a hard time writing and crocheting. And I sure do miss doing both!

January 9, 2009

2009-01-23T13:16:00.007-06:00

Trembling Followers, Tender Father

But he himself want a day's journey into the woderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. Ande he asked that he might die, saying "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than m fathers." And he lay down and sle under a room tree. and behold, an angel touched him and said to him, "Arise and eat." And he looked. and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. Ahe ate andrank and lay down again. 1 Kings 19:4-6

When Elijah couldn't take it amymore, he rean away and hid from his problems. And God's response to his fear frail fith might surprise you. The Alpha and Omega could've chosen to fry Elijah's behind with a small spark from the fire that barbecued Baal's buddies on Mount Carmel. He could've chastised Elijah and demoted him prohet emetrius to prophet embarrassed-us. But in the face of Elijah's whining, his crying for relief, and his healfhearted suicide threat, God was merciful. The Creator knows the breaking point of His creations. Instead of a reprimand, He gave Elijah a reprieve. Our gracious heavenly Father gave His weary messenger exactly what he needed: two long naps and some nourising snacks (see 1 Kings 19:4-8).

And that's not all. God did so mch more than just fortify the man with warm rolls and good rest. After giving His prophet a refreshing time-out, God sent Elijah on a trip to the mountains where He personally delivered a message of encouragement: And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind, an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire, the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (1 Kings 19:11-13)

Isn't it interesting that God chose to speak to speak to Elijah in a low whisper? He could've thundered and roar some divne decree, since Elijah seemed to need some pointers on perseverance. But He showed tender restraint in His message. The Creator of the Universe whispered t0 one of His whimpering children. Instead of chasting Elijah, God comforted him with His great love. ---Lisa Harper

Prayer-Lord, quiet my heart to hear You whisper to me. I so often want You to thunder Your voice at me, but I am so thankful for the intimacy of your softest whisper. Amen

How has God "whispered" hope in the mist of my whimering? I have ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease and my legs are getting weaker, but between God and my mom, He is encouraging me to go when my legs want to collapse either on the way to the bathroom or on the way back.

How will I make it a practice to e quiet in the midst of a strm so that I might hear God's whisper? When I get frustrated at my ALS, I will try to calm myself down to try to hear God's whispers.

January 8, 2009

2009-01-08T00:02:00.002-06:00

Be Carefu What You Wish For

And my od will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

A famous Hollywood actor was once asked if the price of fame was too high. "Is all the money and glamour and power worth havingif your persona; life is dragged across the front pages of the tabloids?" he was asked. His anser was a firm: "No. It's not worth it to me; it;s not worth it,, but I don;t know what to do about it."

The great physicist Albert Einstein once wrote to an acqaintace, "It is strange to be known so universally and yet to be so lonely."

The Bible tells the story of young Solomon, before he became king, who was offered a "blank check" from God. Solomon was promised that he could ask for whatever he wanted and God would give it to him! Think about this for a moment-anythingyou might want, and it's yours for the asking!

But Solomon din't ask God for weath or fame. Instead, he asked God to help him know the differnce between right and wrong. Solomon asked God for wisdom to be a godly man and a good king.

This answer pleased God so much that not only was Solomon given great wisdom, but great riches and honor as well. (2 Chronicles 1:11-12)

Now I am not suggesting that the Lord wants everyone to be wealthy like King Solomon.

Here's what it comes down to: if you will put God first in your life, He will bless you and suply all of your needs.

No, wealth and fame shouldn't be the focus of your life, but God should be. Put Hi and His will for your life first, and you will then find the hapiness and joy that you've always wanted.

You will find that what more than anything else doesn't come from seeking after the things of this world, but from seeking after Him. Greg Laurie

Prayer: Father God, I am tired of chasing after great riches. I look at my life now and see how happy I am, just becase You are my God. lease protect me fro the desire to seek after the things the world has to offer me. I choose You. Amen

What am I seeking hard after? Ways to meet my medical bills and the needed things I need to help out my ALS.

January 7, 2009

2009-01-07T22:26:00.003-06:00

It sall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant-Matthew 20:26

Your Christain life will never make sense to you until you learn how to serve, commit to serve and then actually roll up your seeves and jump in. At our church we call it "shouldering weekly kigdom resonsibilities."

You"ll know only the duty and never the delight of the Christian life unil you serve God with your whole heart, whaterverthat specifically means for you. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might."What's more, you'll never experience long-term growth in your Christian life until you serve in some kind of personal ministry.

For sure God has called every one of us inot a lifetime of service: "It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13. We don't have toask Him if He wants us to serve.

We're on the bull's-eye right now-true greatness is discovered in serving.Others may never assign greatness to your life, but in serving Christ you will know you have lived a great life-and eve better than that, God knows!

If you're hanging out on the fringes, man, what are you wating for? Get into the center and serve. If you always come in late and sit in the back, try something really radical-show up early and sit in front! Your perspective will instantly change. If you really don't know where to start serving, locate someone in the lobby who looks a little frazzled and approach him or her, saying, "How can I help?"

Make the choice now. Say, My life is not going to be about myself. I'm going to serve.
James McDonald

Prayer: Lord, what a joy it is to serve You here in this life! My sleeves are rolled up and I am ready to do whaterver it is that You show me to do. Please bring opportunities into my life to make an impact. Amen.

How am I shouldering weekly kingdom responsibilities? When my mom's computer is fixed, I am going to continue to write to the read the Bible, which will be easy as I listen to the Daily Audio Bible with Brian Hardin to mysteries to science fiction-you name it. There was a new challenge that caught my eye in the list of challenges so far for 2009. It is called A Year of Readers, where you make a commitment to a book organization where they donate books to inner-city kids or to children in Africa or whatever-there were at least 20 organizations on that list and I chose First Book. We are committed to pledge so much a book and to get friends and family to join in. What else can I or should I be doing? I am going back to my church's mission board after 7 years on the Christian Education board. We are supposed to stay for 6 years, but the Christian Education board had so few people at the end of January of 2008, that our church moderator asked me to stay on one more year and I said yes. That year we had our full membership for that board! In the last six months, how has y attitude changes regarding service? For better or worse? It is a mixed bag. I was diagnoses with ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease in September of 2008 and I knew that the first thing I had to give up was teaching Sunday School, because all of the classrooms are on the 2nd floorand I cannot do stairs anymore and I know that my church could not afford those seats that go up the banister of the stairwell. At least my church has a tiny elevator that I use that is about 10 years old now. I have been teaching in one way or another since I was 15 and I am 48 now. Another position I had to give up is being lay leader twice a month because ALS als made my speech garbled and hard to understand. I am glad that I found that challenge at my Yahoo! group. I can donate a portion of my fixed income to First Books.

January 6, 2009

2009-01-06T08:05:00.004-06:00

Steadfast Love

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1

Stadfast love-this is the recurrent theme of Psalm 107. In Hebrew, the word meas "an eager and ardent desire" and refers to the fact that God's love never gives up.

Another way to define His love is "unqualified acceptance." This kind of uncontitional love is the thing that fianally gets to us, breaks the back of our rebellion and sets us free from our emotinal hang-ups.

Many people are going through difficult situations. Many are wandering, restless, hostile, or bitter. They are held prisoner by some attitude, outlook or habit. Or they are sick, neurotic, and emotionally upset. Perhaps some are fearful, troubled by a crisis into which they have come. This may be your situation. Stop and think about how God accepts you, how He loves you, how He is deeply concerned about you and will meet you right where you are and take you just as you are. His love does not change a bit whether you a failure or a success. It does not make any difference to Him hou appear in the eyes of others. God loves you; He is concerned about you and has already received you, already given you all that He can give in Jesus Christ. Begin to rejoice in that fact. You will find God's love will set you free so that you can act upon the power and liberty He gives.

When you think about your relationships with others, give heed to these things. Have you ever tried unqualified acceptance with your boss? Or your mother-in-law? Or the kid next door who is so mean and difficult? Have you ever try unqualified acceptance with your children when they are giving you so much trouble, your teenagers who make you mad every time you come in the door? Have you ever tried unqualified acceptance with your parents, who are always on your backand never seem to give you a break? Have You ever tried unqualified acceptance with those who are diicult or demanding of you? I love my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, and I would give them all the acceptance and love that I can give. I have 2 nephews and a niece that are teenagers and while my niece seems to be a troublemaker at home, I get along with her fine. My two nephews seem to be normal. I love my family dearly, with the exception of my stepdad.

January 5, 2009

2009-01-06T06:45:00.004-06:00

A Surprise Ending

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understading, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the trueGod and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:20-21

The short five-chapter epistle of 1 John has been referred to as the "cliff notes for Christianity" because it covers all of the essential elements of the Christian life. It deals with man's need to confess his sinfulness (1:8), God's ability to cleanse him (1:9), Jesus' sacrificial death o the cross (2;2), our need to stay separate from the world (2:15), God's great love for us (3:1), our duty to love one another (4:7), and the assurance of eternal life for all who believe in Jesus as the Son of God (5:13). As the best books so often do, 1 John has a surprise ending. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Hohn ends his epistle by warning his readers to keep themselves from idols.

Most Bible scholars agree that the Gospels indicate John began following Jesus as a young man and that by the time he wrote this epistle, he was probably in his late eighties or early ninties. As he put his pen to parchment, John had the benefit of being well aged in his walk with God. He had witnessed the gamut of besetting sins and stumbling blocks that had caused many to depart from the faith over the years. As the tethers to these sins were traced, they had a common source---idolatry. It is the sin that nobody thinks they have, yet everybody does to some degree. ohn;s admonition couldn't be more relevant.

The warning against idols is also a exhortation to make the Lord our primary pursuit. All that we think, say or do shold be screened through this filtering question: How does this impact my relationship with the Lord? The target that our lives must be aimed at is to know Him first and foremost (Philippians 3:10). Anything that fall outside of knowingHim will spiritually sabotage us. Starting today, let's make the daily commitment not only to keep ourselves from idols but also to dedicate every moment of our God-given lives to knowing Him better. Bob Coy

Prayer: Father, what are teidols I am pursuing rather than You alone? Guide me inridding my life of them. Amen.

What have I learned about myself over the course of this past month? That whenever my stepdad comes back and I am typing something that I do not want him to see; I go into what I call "game mode"; which means I have a game on standby and when I hear him coming, I pop up the game. The bad thing is that I do not know how long he is going to be in the family room and if I am really into the game, everything else falls to the wayside. How will I break free of my idols? When my stepdad leaves the family room, save the game and go back to what I was doing.

January 4, 2009

2009-01-06T05:30:00.002-06:00

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we my rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, ad for as many years as we have seen evil. Psalm 90:14-15

Just as Jesus made time alone with His Father a consistent part of His daily schedule and bids us to do the same, so also He bids us rise early for those devotions. Whenever the subject of daily devotions comes up, "in the morning" seems to be the point that evokes the most frustration, and even resistance. I have often been temted to skip this point. but the more I study the Word and the ways of God. the more convinced I am of the imrotance of starting the day with Him. The Scriptual case for a morning watch is hard to refute. Liste to these verses (emphases added):

"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning, will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." (Psalm 5:3 KJV)

"I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the moring my prayer comes before you." (Psalm 88:13 NIV)

"He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught." (Isaiah 50:4 NIV)

"Jacob rose up early in the morning" to make a vow to God at Bethel." (Genesis 28:8-19)

God said to Moses, "Be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto Mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me." (Exodus 34:2 KJV)

God sent manna for His people in the morning. They day's suply of nourishment was to be gathered in the morning, while it was still fresh. Every morning God had a fresh store of mercies avaliable for His people. When we do not turn aside in the morning to ather what He has provided for that day, we are saying, in essence, I can make it through this day on my own. My strenght, my wisdom, my resources are sufficient for the demands of this day. Not only do we forfeit the the grace of God, but our self-suffiiency and pride force Him to resist us throughout the day.

Don't forget that the purpose our quiet time is to know God know God, we and to have a relationship with Him. If we want to be like Jesus, if we want to really know God, we have got to be willing to pay the price to get out of bed in the mrning to seek His face. -Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Prayer: Father, morning is fresh and new-what a great time to spend in Your Word. Speak to me in those quiet moments at the start of each day and fill my with Your wisdom, peace and joy to help e bring honor to You throghout the day. Amen.

Am I making a consistent time each day before my day begins to spend time in God's Word and in His presence? I am trying my best to go through my dozen devotioals and my Bible reading plan the best that I can before my stepdad gets up. How would/does starting my day with Him impact my day? I feel that I have the strenght to make it through the day with my ALS, but when my stepdad comes in the back and takes contol of the remote control and starts putting down me and my mom, it gets very hard.

January 3, 2009

2009-01-03T23:51:00.008-06:00

Enjoy the Blessings

For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head. He asked life of you; you gave it to him. length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. Psalm 21:3-6

The other day I got a call from an old friend. He told me his family was doing well. He was doing well on his job. His volunteer work with the young people was going great. Then he said something to me that got my attention. He said "Crawford, this may sound funny, but things are going so well that I'm a little scared. I keep waiting for the big letdown. I know its coming." He is not the fierst person that has something like that to me.

I have to confess that there have been stretches in my life where I have felt and said the same thing. Sadly,when life is going alongso marvelously well , we are often scared to enjoy it. Human nature is just naturally pulled to the negative.

It is true that testing and hard times are a part of the Christian life, and I suppose that in the back of our minds we get conditionded with that. Hard times. letdowns. disappointments---all of that is a part of the journey, and so we tend to hold off on experiencing joy and not really savor what is going on during the moment, because this great question mark about tomorrow is looming over our heads. However, God wants us to live in and enjoy the moment. Think about that. All we have is right now, and God wants us to savor that moment.

In Psalm 21:3-6 David is praising God for His wonderful blessings. What grabbed me about this text was that although David knew sorrow, he takes a moment to thank God for the good times and savor the blessings. Take time to savor the goodness of God. Express your thanksgiving and gratitude to God. Don't cheapen or dilute God's blessings by worrying about what may or may not happen tomorrow.

Remember this today. Relax. Enjoy where you are. God will give you the greace to deal with what is coming next. For now, do not be so uptight that you cannont enjoy His blessings.

Crawford W. Loritts

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to love for the moment and not worryabout tomorrow. Thank You for the blessings You have bestowed on my life. Alow others to see Your peace ruling my life. Amen

do I truly enjoy the moment I am living in? I try to, but since I was diagnosed with ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease, it has been hard at times. Am I continually giving thanks to God for His blessings on my life? Besides letting me live to another day; again this is hard. With the execption of two doctors visits and seeing the Christmas Trees from around the world at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, I have been cooped up at home due to the weather. I had to miss Christmas Eve service because of the weather. Also 6 Bible studies at another church in my neighborhood because of the weather. I am getting cabin fever! Do I have a tendency to worry about what may or may not happen rather enjoying the moment I am in? I have gotten used to my ALS and if Ican go out, great. If not, I have the TV, my books and games on my laptop and also XM Radio. But I worry about my mom. She worries about me and will my legs will give out (My legs gave out 6 times since Thanksgiving Day) and my stepdad is no help either. If he can get out of work, he will. And he thinks that I am faking my ALS. Mom and I keep on telling him once you get ALS, you have it for life. The one thing above all other things that bothers my mom about my stepdad is he has his belongings in every room of the house. He is not organized. He also doesn't understand my ALS. I cannot wait for Spring and to get out more. Do I live life in the moment? I try best, but my stepdad does not make it easy.

January 2, 2009

2009-01-02T19:38:00.003-06:00

Faith Sees Beyond Character

"By faith Abe offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he shoukd not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith it is impossivle to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:4-6

Many of us have a lurking sense that we need to earn tells God's approval, that we need to dot our I's and cross our T's if God is going to bless us and work with us and in us. But Hebrews 11:6 tells us, "Without faith it is impossible to please [God]." So the reverse is also true: "With faith, it's impossible not to please God.

Faith sees beyond character; in fact faith is actually more important character. Certanly, we need to grow in character and godliness. But we need to give as much attention to the question Am I really trusting God in every area of my life? When God writes biographies, He writes them differently than we do. God doesn't see us as other people sees us. He doesn't look at our outward apperance, which may have fallen apart for all kinds of reasons. God looks at our hearts. Do you know what kind of heart He's looking for? Second Chronicles 16:9 tells us, "The eyes of the Lord run to ad fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him." (Amplified Bible). The eyes of the lord are running all over the place, looking people who will let Gd show Himself strong on their behalf. He's not looking for men and women who will show themselves strong for God. He's looking for people who allow God to show Himself stong in them. He's looking for women like Rahab who said "God will give you the land." The Lord responds to people who have this kind of faith: "Thank you, Rahab, you're a lady who will trust Me to show Myself strong." He's looking for men like Samson who, despite all the mess cried "God, give me stength once more." "Thank you, Samson, even against these stone pillars you trust Me to show Myself strong." Is God strong in your life? It's not that character doesn't matter; of course it matters, but faith is more important.

---Charles Price

Prayer: God, show Yourselfstrong through me as You did through Rahab and Samson. I trust You and I want to see Your plan worked through my life. Amen.

In what area of my life does God want to show Himself strong? Am I allowing a past or present failing to get in the way of God acting?

I want God to be strong in me through my ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease. My mom is surprised that I have been strong and only complain occasionally about my legs. I just keep on keeping on.

Our Journey---January 1, 2009

2009-01-01T21:44:00.000-06:00

I CANNOT PLEASE EVERYONE

"So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." Matthew 15:6-9

I become like a circus juggler when I try to keep everyone's opinions of me high in the air. One person thinks I should be like this; another scrutinizes me for something else. Do you get it, too? Before long, everyone's expectations come crashing down around our feet.

Jesus lived with that kind of pressure. In His Sermon on the Mount, He focused primarily on the Pharisees, the Bible thumpers of His day. The Parasees put on a good show, but Jesus saw right through it. They wanted to look like that they had it all together with God, without doing the private heart business with Him.
They cared only about looking the part. As Jesus said, "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be see by them..." (Matthew 6:1) Jesus was talking about practical righteousness here, the things you do as a believer to outwardly express your heart before God---read your Bible, pray, share your faith, faith, work for the Lord, give to the poor. Don't do these to impress others; play to an audience of One.

Notice He didn't say you should hide your spiritual disciplines from people or enter a monastery. Some people have misunderstood that point. Tue issue isn't location; it's motive. You don't have to keep secret the fact that you go to church, raise your hands in worship. and get on your knees to pray. You don't have toshield your Bible when you open it because you have writte personal study notes all through it. But when you do all those things so that people will see you---that's a problem. Doing spiritual things so other people notice goes right into motive. If you're acting godly with the desire to get attention, affirmation, or strokes from folks---ou just got all the reward you deserve and lost God's approval in the process. When you get that pat on the back from your neighbor, then God is like, If that's what you were going for, man, you got it! There is your reward, buddy!

We are called to be living for a higher reward---a reward from the Lord Himself.
---James MacDonald

Prayer: Lord God, You are my audience. My life is for you. Be pleased with my offering today of a genuine heart and a faithful life. Thank You for Your forgiveness when I fail, and for the empowering strength to keep on going for You. Amen.

Journal:

Search my heart, Lord. Bring to light the attitudes and actions I have done for others to notice. Tell me now... If I ever did devotionals on the bus or train for others to notice me, please forgive me, Lord. It was the only place I could catch up.

what impresses You, Lord? What attitude pleases You? In my home, at work, at church, in my neighborhood, what can I do that would bring you glory? When I was diagnosed with ALS, I accepted the fact, and keep on keeping on; despite the struggles I would be going through. I kept that promise and mom is amazed at me that at times I struggle, but keep a positive attitude.

I Did Not Make it to Christmas Eve Service

2008-12-24T22:54:00.000-06:00

I did not make it to Christmas Eve service. It rained, and then the rain froze into ice. I am hoping that someone taped the service.

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

Judy

I Hope That I Can Make It to Christmas Eve Service

2008-12-20T11:05:00.000-06:00

We had a really bad ice storm here in Oak Lawn, IL yesterday and I doubt it that I will make it to the children's Christmas pageant tomorrow. Ever since I was diagnosed with ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease, I do not trust my legs. I was trying to make it to the special Christmas music service last week that Ellen, our Music Director at church has every year, but the weather was bad that week too and besides that, my right foot was giving me agony. It is getting better; I went to my regular doctor, Dr. Madhav, and somehow I sprang it. And I did not know it at the time, my sister Jill was making me wheelchair ramps-one for the hallway as the people who did our addition to the house did not make the addition even and there is one step and one for the front door-it is the best Christmas present that I could ask for in this stage of my life. And Jill made them in her cold garage. I have the greatest sister and brother (Jim) I could ever have. I am the oldest, then Jill, then Jim. And my in-laws Larry and Paige are great, too.

An Introduction

2008-10-29T05:42:00.000-05:00

I wanted to call this blog Rainbow Dove, but someone has already taken this name, so I added the word my. This is going to be my spiritual/religious blog-anything that fits this catagory will be posted here. I have always love rainbows; my favorite Old Testament story is Noah and the Ark. I love how God, despite being angry with the world, He had the good sense to save a pair of all of the animals that were around at the time. I wish that mankind had the good sense to do the same-I hate the way we in general have destroyed a lot of valuable land and the animals and other living things that have been living there are either gone for good or on the brink of extinction.

I have two other blogs; my book blog-Intergalactic Bookworm (I like most catagories of books, but mostly science fiction and fantasy) and I also started today a blog with my coping with Lou Gehrig's Disease (also known as ALS, an abbreviation of a long medical term.) I am calling it Coping With ALS.

On the side coloumn, I posted some of my favorite faith, spiritual, and religious sites that I hope that will be possible to everyone around the world.

Things may seem random; I am just jotting down what is on my mind. I will be posting my comments to a devotional that makes you think called Our Journey and other things like what is happening in my life spiritually. I will have a lot of cross-posting with my Coping With ALS blog. Intergalactic Bookworm will be strictly book and library related things.