Beyond Me

I thoroughly enjoyed the Beyond Van Gogh exhibit and I highly recommend that everyone go see it. But, one screen disturbed me greatly and I cannot stop thinking about it. It had an excerpt from one of the hundreds of letters Vincent Van Gogh sent to his brother Theo during his lifetime. 

I looked it up and read the entire letter. While this man was immensely talented and is one of the most famous artists ever; while his grandfather was a minister and he was even a missionary for a brief season; while he even was said to have spent a brief time translating Scripture into other languages, when he found his true calling in life to be art, he found it necessary to choose either God or his art. 

He wrote on Sept 3, 1888:

"Ah, my dear brother, sometimes I know so clearly what I want. In life and in painting too, I can easily do without the dear Lord, but I can’t, suffering as I do, do without something greater than myself, which is my life, the power to create."

Why would it be that he felt he had to choose between the Lord and art? Why not both? Isn't the Creator the One who puts creativity in all of us, even the unregenerate, as evidenced by the Holy Scripture in Genesis 1:27, "God created man in His own image."? 

Why would Van Gogh say that that which greater than himself is his "life, the power to create?" Yes, he was a very creative and talented artist, but he did not create anything that God did not give him the ability to create. (see John 1:3 and Colossians 1:15-17) And, it was not his life that is bigger than himself, it is the Lord, whom he says he can easily do without. 

This quote made me sad. He was only 35 when he made this statement, and he died two years later. I do not write off the man's work for it, because his art is good. And, I do not presume to know the state of his heart upon his leaving this life and facing God in eternity. But, if he knew Jesus and is in His presence today, he basically took the credit for the incredible talent he had been given instead of attributing it to the Creator, God, for whom it is due. And, if he did not know Jesus, well, his life here on earth was as good as it gets, for all of eternity, for him, and given his many years in mental hospitals and "suffering" as he wrote, I'd say, that was not much to speak of. He is in God's hands now; the very One he said he could easily "do without." 

Do you know Jesus? Would you like to know the God who creates us and gives all our gifts and talents? Would you like to know someone who is greater than you, even greater than your life and your abilities? Message me and I'll share with you how you can get to know this God. You may think you can "easily do without the Lord" but its beyond me why anyone would want to.

Life's Winter

“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” - John 12:24

Life’s winter

Beautiful in its own right, the once verdant vine hangs limply on the fence;

Its leaves turned gray as that of time and old age.

They dangle on their stems synchronized in their movement

as they rhythmically sway in the cold breeze that blows;

reminding us of both their past glory

and of the future weather that approaches.

The few birds who have dared to stay

scurry about seeking sustenance,

finding seeds from the fruit that grew abundantly on the vine

only a few months past.

Fallen seeds not consumed by our feathered friends will rest all winter

only to begin the cycle again in the Spring.

New life of Spring

Verdant green abundance of Summer

Slowing fade of Fall

Restful end of Winter.

Yet, not really an end. Just a reset.

For life continues with each new cycle.

For even in death, life continues.

Fruit and seeds feed others.

Purpose is fulfilled.

-SJM

12.22.2017

When Pain May Come

When pain may come

When pain may come

And it touches you

And all of you hurts

No matter the day

Nor the hour

And you wonder

Will it ever leave?

Tears roll, Aching soul

Pain that refuses to cede

Unyielding  indeed

When pain may come

And it touches you

Your whole world

Stops.

It was God!

"It was God"

Today, my mother had a procedure in the hospital. She had had a stress test and echo on her heart Tuesday and the doctor became alarmed enough that he said she had to have an arteriogram immediately. He said he had seen multiple blockages and was certain she would need to get a bypass. Needless to say, we were all concerned.

So, last night, I gathered my family around Mom and we prayed. After instruction in the laying on of hands, the little ones put their precious hands all over my mom. The youngest, Cody, who is six, was right there with us. While he chose not to pray out loud, he obviously took the process very seriously.

At the hospital, Mom had her procedure and the doctor came in and told the family that he had been surprised, that Mom's arteries were clear with absolutely no blockage. Later in the day, Cody and I went out for some special Aunt/Nephew time and we were discussing the day's events at the hospital. He had been the only child who had been able to go see Maw-maw in the hospital, so I am sure seeing her in a hospital gown and not in her apron in the kitchen was very different for him. I was explaining to Cody how arteries can get clogged up like a pipe gets clogged up and I suppose I must have indicated that the doctor may have been mistaken in his alarm. Cody very earnestly, yet quietly reminded me, "It was God."

Oh the faith of children! Cody readily recognized the hand of God in Mom's arteries being clear. After all, that's what we asked God to do when we prayed. He did not question it and was convinced that God was the reason the doctor had such a pleasant surprise. Jesus said we must receive the Kingdom of God like a little child or we'll not enter that kingdom. Children, in their unwavering trust and innocence, just believe that when they ask God to do something, He will do it.

When we pray, it takes the faith of a mustard seed. When we pray, it takes the belief of a child. One is tiny, and apparently the other is giant. Children take people at their word. Children believe. When you pray for people, issues, events in your life, pray with the faith you have, no matter how small it may be and then believe with the giant faith of a child.  And then, you'll be convinced that God will act, and don't be surprised when He does.

"He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you."  Luke 17:6

"Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:17

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

12/6/2014 2:23 AM EST

from Pain to Glory

Tonight I hurt. I hurt all over. I am immersed in pain. I try to lie down and sleep but as I lie there every fiber of my being is screaming at me for relief. There is none. I took pain meds but they've made me sick to my stomach. They may kick in sooner or later, but seems lately its always later.

I am sore like I've been punched all over. I am tender. I feel every muscle, every joint, every hair. It all hurts. I want to go to sleep, but lying down hurts more than sitting up, so I will await such an overwhelming sleepiness that I cannot but fall away to a dream world where hopefully, my pain is less.  Sometimes the pain invades my dreams as though it was written into the script. Other times, it is when sleep finally does take over that I am pain free for a couple of hours.

I know that my trials are temporary. I know that my pain is temporary. I am grateful that I am alive as I was dying and I was healed of so much of the source of this pain. I long for complete healing or for at least another measure of it. Yet, I know my God is in control.

I trust His character even though I hurt; even though I don't understand why I have to endure this pain. I know many others have their pain as well and I've come to believe that it is not okay to compare my pain to anyone else's. Every person's pain is their own and it is theirs to feel in any way they desire. Its not something to compare saying  "mine is worse than yours" or "yours worse than mine".

I believe that every single thing in our lives is something that God can and does use to His glory in life if we submit it to Him.  Consequently, I have seen how my pain has opened up doors for me to connect with others who have pain. Perhaps that's the purpose for it all. Perhaps not. Either way, again, I trust His character so I know He will bring me from pain to glory. And in that day when the temporary gives way to the eternal, there will be no more pain, no more tears, no more need to explain my pain to those who don't understand. But there will also be no more time to use my pain to connect with those who do. So I must be about His business in the meantime, and let this pain open the doors that its meant to open.

God help me be faithful even in the hard things, like enduring temporary pain for Your kingdom and Your purposes. Thank you for trusting me to walk this path. Thank you for a life of purpose and for showing me purpose in the pain. May I be faithful.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18 NIV

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Birth Numbers, Superheroes and Rock Bands

In what decade should you have been born? What color are you? What model car are you? What superhero are you?

Which Downton Abbey character are you?
Which Rock band are you?
Which state should have been your birthplace?
Which superhero are you?
What age are you really?
What kind of girl scout cookie am I?
Which of Jesus' disciples am I?
Which Dallas' character am I?
Are you creative or analytical? Find out in five seconds
Which of 16 personality types are you?
Are you right brained or left brained?


It  seems that everyone is getting in on the game to find out who they are and what that information tells them about their personality.  Why? Well its harmless fun, or is it?

Today, posted on facebook, I saw an article that talked about one's "birth number". By adding up the numbers in your birthday, you could find out about your personality. The article said, "Your birth date describes who we are, what we are good at and what our inborn abilities are. It also points to what we have to learn and the challenges we are facing." Of course, this is just part of the caption below the photo shared on facebook. Its almost impossible to track down the original source of the information. 

However, a quick search on Google reveals some truth behind the birth number practice. The birth number is part of the practice of numerology that is defined by Webster as "the study of the occult significance of numbers. "  Its not a good idea for Christians to practice the occult in any capacity, so it stands to reason that we should avoid even what appears to be harmless practices of reading about our personality from our birth number.  Be careful what you participate in on facebook as it is very tempting to want to be part of the latest craze.

As for all of these quizzes about who we should have been; these are also not a good idea. They have swept facebook but their increasing popularity and use as a "fun" tool does not change their bottom line nature and how they show humanity's complete lack of completeness without Jesus. Scripture clearly tells us to stay away from all sorts of fortune-telling. The Bible tells us that we were made for the exact time and season in which we were placed, therefore we do not need to take a quiz to tell us what decade, or year or town we were meant to be in, as we are in the very one God meant for us. (See Acts 17:26-28)  To look for anything different is rebellion in that one is telling God that He doesn't know what He's talking about. And Scripture says rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft.

 It appears many are starting to get led astray by simple things on social media? Wouldn't it be just like the enemy of our souls to use a world-wide phenomenon that everyone loves such as facebook to plant little thoughts of discontent with who we are in order to keep us from living in that place God has for us and from growing in Him into the person He's planned for us to become?   Friends, lets be diligent to watch over our own souls and not be led astray. Also, let's not participate in leading anyone else astray. Perhaps  you are not easily swayed and your taking these quizzes and sharing them online is all in fun, but what about someone you influence who is not as strong and ends up going deeper into things of the occult? Let's not lead others astray, even unintentionally. Search the scripture on our responsibility in this matter.

As for wanting to know things about yourself, again, just turn to Scripture.
So, who am I?


I am a sinner saved by Grace. (Rom 3:23)
    “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” ... For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard."


I deserve death. (Rom 6:23) 
     "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

I am so loved by God that He sent His son to die in my place. (Romans 5:8)
      "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."


I am saved and have eternal life through Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:9-10,13)
      "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved ... For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 

 I have peace with God. (Romans 5:1)
      "Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." 

I am not condemned. (Romans 8:1)
           "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." 

I can never be separated from God's love. (Romans 8:28-29)
     "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

I am created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27)

I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works that He prepared for me beforehand. (Ephesians 2:10)

I am the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in me. (1 Corinthians 3:16) 

I have been given spiritual gifts from the Lord. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)

I am an integral part of the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12-30)

I am an God's child and His heir. (Galatians 4)

I am loved of God. (John 3:16)

I have a purpose. (Mattew 28:19-20)


I have no need of surveys, tests, numerology, birth numbers, fortunes, quizzes to know who I am in Christ. I also really have no need of them to know my faults, as I already know them more than I wish. I can ask my friends if I want to know more about how I deal with a certain issue as they know me more than a random test ever will. As for when I should be born, its the year I was born, because God saw fit to put me in that year.

Let's not be so quickly pulled in.

Blessings!

(All Scripture is from the New Living Translation. See http://christianity.about.com/od/conversion/qt/romansroad.htm for more details on how to receive God's gift of Salvation. I welcome comments.)

A Different Kind of Longing

How I long....

How long to crawl into a bed.
How I long to sleep in that bed all night long. How I long to sleep in a bed all night long and not in a recliner.
How I long to lie on my side or my stomach with my face buried in a pillow once in that bed.

How I long to sleep comfortably without pain throughout the night.
How I long to sleep through the night without waking up every hour because of pain.

How I long to sleep all night long without fear of the next day and how hard it will be because of lack of sleep that night. 

How I long to be able to fall asleep without first having to take pain medication.
How long to be able to fall asleep before I'm so exhausted that I cannot stay awake.
How I long to be able to relax without taking medication that makes me relax.
How I long to awaken without dry mouth because of all that medication.
How long for my teeth to not be in such bad shape because of the dry mouth and all the medication.

How I long to not sleep away the morning because I didn't fall asleep until morning.
How I long to be awake early enough to see the morning glories blossom and to see the morning sun while the birds sing their morning songs.
How I long to not always have to give explanations to people as to why I cannot come to things early in the morning.
How I long to not invoke people's pity when they don't know how to respond to my explanations.
How I long to not feel the guilt that comes constantly because people don't understand and they just think I'm lazy in the mornings.

Oh, how I long.