What are we listening to, today?

I'm giving away the punch line today, by posting the picture above.

But I digress.
Let me begin my story at the beginning.
Recently, I was sitting on our screen porch, shortly after a thunderstorm had passed by. The roar of the downpour had stopped, and the silence was broken only by the random drips of water from the leaves in the woods. The trees surrounding that corner of the house were washed clean of pollen and dust, and the raindrops on the leaves were glistening in the sunshine as the sun broke through the clouds and began to warm things up.

Bambambambam!

A sharp sound broke the stillness.

Then again.
Bambambambam!

At first, I wasn't sure what was making the noise, for we don't see these large woodpeckers as often as their smaller cousins.
But there, on the side of a large, dead poplar, was a huge pileated woodpecker. These birds are as big as some of the large crows seen everywhere, but these woodpeckers are a little more shy. They whack away at dead trees, searching for their prey -- they love to gobble up carpenter ants. When we hike on our property, we can see where they have been, for they leave behind unusual rectangular holes in the wood they've explored.

They make pretty large nesting holes in trees, and they move around often, leaving one hole and settling in a new one. Their old nesting holes make great habitats for owls, some ducks, and even bats.

Bambambambam!
He was really working over that tree. Must be some carpenter ants in it, and he's on their trail.

As I was listening to him fiercely pecking on the tree, the Spirit nudged me and reminded me of God's wonderful design. How the ecosystems that we humans love to talk about so pompously are really his creative work. How He planned for all of these animals and environments to work together in harmony.
And how His plans for us, His children, are just as detailed, and just as wonderful.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, (Jeremiah 29:11-14a)

A lesson from a woodpecker.
What are you listening to, today?

Mary, Mark's mom

Our lady of the Bible for this week is one of those that we don't know too much about. She's mentioned briefly, but we can pull out some nuggets from situations we see her in, as well as the actions of people around her.

Let's dive in!
We see several Marys mentioned in the New Testament, but the mother of Mark (yes, that one that wrote a gospel account) is only spoken of once. We've touched on it before, when we studied the young servant girl, Rhoda, whose job it was to determine who was at the door of the home, and usher them inside. We saw that Rhoda was so excited about Peter being at the door, that she left him without welcoming him inside, and rushed to tell the folks praying in the house that she heard Peter at the door!

So, it was at Mary's house that incident happened . . . .

When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.  (Acts 12:12)

Because Mary was mentioned as the mother of John Mark, instead of being mentioned as the wife of someone, scholars tell us that she was likely a widow. Colossians gives us a clue as to her family:

My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (Colossians 4:10a)

The scholars who are more knowledgeable than I, tell us that makes her a sister or sister in law to Barnabas, who accompanied Paul on his missionary journey. This is the same Barnabas who was moved by the Spirit to sell his land and bring the money to be used by the church leaders in Jerusalem. Apparently Mary herself was prosperous, too, for her home was large enough to be used as a space for gatherings of the Christians in the city.

Peter knew her home well, and he called John Mark, "his son" in I Peter 5; John Mark was his spiritual son, for he had led him to yield his life to the Savior.

The Christians in Jerusalem knew her home and her steadfast support of the believers, for it was there that they were all gathered to pray for Peter's safety and his release. What an example for us of godliness and faithfulness!

She must have been a very faithful and devout person, for it seems that her son, John Mark, was well-prepared for a life of ministry. First they would have followed the Law and all of its tenets, and then they joyfully accepted Christ as the long-awaited Messiah. Her leadership of the little family, even as a lowly widow (remember they didn't have much social or community standing back then) was an inspiring example to her son and to others in the family of the believers.

We'll learn more about Mary, Mark's mom, this week!

Guided thoughts, V

One of the things that we often take for granted in our lives today is light, or specifically, electricity. In the area where we live, there passed many years where peeps in the city had lights and power, and in the rural areas, people still utilized lanterns, oil, and candles. (Grin) Yes, I do live at the edge of the world.

As late as the mid 1930's there would only be one out of ten rural homes that had electricity. The farmers milked the cows by hand, and their wives cooked on wood stoves and washed clothes on a wash board in a tub or kettle! Seriously. Water was pumped by hand and carried to the house, and kiddos did their homework by the light of a kerosene lantern. That was the way of the world in the county that I live in.
Enter the electric cooperative. As a result of FDR establishing the Rural Electrification Administration, farmers and businessmen formed groups to get power to folks who didn't live nearby the existing power lines. That was important, because it just didn't work for the regular power company to do it....they needed many customers per mile of line, where in the countryside, there might be just one or two customers per mile of wire.

the people living in darkness    have seen a great light;on those living in the land of the shadow of death    a light has dawned. (Matthew 4:16) 

Some of the old-timers who live near me tell stories of what it was like to finally "flip a switch" and have a light come on, or a new electric stove heat up. Imagine how exciting it would be, if all you knew was the lantern or candle, or adding wood in the side of the wood stove to bake a cake or cook a meal! All of the neighbors gathered around to see the miracle, and then rushed to sign up with the electric co-op, so that they could have the benefits of electricity, too.

There is a Light, and a Power available to us, that is just that exciting, but we might not spread the word as we ought to.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

The Lord is my light and my salvation—    whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

We have access to His power -- the power of the Creator God:

But God made the earth by his power;    he founded the world by his wisdom
    and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar;    he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth.He sends lightning with the rain    and brings out the wind from his storehouses. (Jeremiah 10:12-13)

Trust in the Lord forever,    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:4)

Just as the neighbors crowded into the newly electrified house, eager to learn and see more, so people are hungry today for the good news of the gospel of Jesus. Are we eager to tell? Do we try to find opportunities to speak a word for Him?

Oh, I pray that we'll be just as excited about what God has done for us, in saving us, and in what He is continuing to do for us today -- excited enough to tell the world!

Guided thoughts, IV

Mirror, mirror, on the wall . . .
So many people, especially women, don't like what they see in the mirror.
Whether they think they weigh too much, or they see scars or flaws, or even if they are looking past the image at the scars and pain on the inside . . .
They may feel broken. They may feel worthless. They may feel guilty, or they may feel used.
Humankind throws away things that are broken. We seem to have little patience for what we feel is not pretty, or that we perceive as worthless or broken.
We cast things aside, and they either end up in landfills or in thrift stores. Am I right?
Do you know a person who feels broken or worthless?
Are you a person that sees that when you look in the mirror?

The Bible has good news for us. That is not what God sees, when He looks at us. When He looks at an unbeliever, He sees one of His children, and loves with an unconditional love, a sacrificial love. He wants desperately to have a close relationship with that person, and He provided a way!

When we accept that gift, and are believers, you know what God sees when He looks at us? Scars? Old sins? Old habits and problems? Nope.
He sees Jesus.
Christ's blood and resurrection makes it so that we are clean, pure, and acceptable to the holy God that loves us that much!

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:17-18a)

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

To God, we are so valuable, so priceless, that He sent Jesus to redeem us. The sinless Lamb of God was crucified and rose again to defeat Satan, and to make it so that we are clothed in white. We are redeemed.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (I John 1:7)

I don't know about you, but there are some things in my past that I'm not proud of. Heads nodding? I'm so glad that those sins are separated from me, as far as the east is from the west!

So take another look in that mirror. Take a look into your heart. Do you know Jesus as your Savior and Friend? If you don't, please make it so. If you do, please know that He only sees you dressed in white -- pure -- redeemed!

Guided thoughts, III

It's springtime!

For some of us, that rates an "Ugh!" for we know that the struggle with pollen is just beginning, and will continue for a few weeks. Me? Personally, I'm blessed with a nose that doesn't get bothered by that kind of thing.

Spring definitely is a time of increased activity, though. And not just the birds and the bees, and the trees popping out their leaves. (Don't get me started on the birds that disdain the nesting areas created for them, and obstinately try to build in precarious places that I have to keep clearing!)

For us, it's always a time to clear the yard of debris from the winter. To survey the grapevines and admire the irises. To gasp at the bare spots in the lawn, and head to the big orange store for grass seed and fertilizer.

Nodding your head with me?
I thought so!
The ground is prepared, and the seed is sown. Tiny sprouts delight us when they pop up, and we cajole them into growing (we think). When the time is right, the fertilizer is applied.

Careful, though! Too much fertilizer, and the sprouts are burned. Too little, and they run out of nourishment and die away. The same with the watering . . . got to be done just right.

Recently in the midst of this frenzy, the Spirit nudged me, and I realized afresh that this is just like the parable that Jesus used, to teach His disciples.

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you,but to others I speak in parables, so that,“‘though seeing, they may not see;    though hearing, they may not understand.’
11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 8:5-15)

So, don't despair if that loved one or acquaintance that you've witnessed to, doesn't seem to want a relationship with our Lord. It will happen. When God's timing is perfect!

It's up to us to keep preparing the ground, and sowing the seeds!

Guided thoughts, II

Every hurricane season, the southeastern area of our country braces for storms. We know they are coming.
We're not sure when.....the season is actually months long.
We're not sure how many there will be.....sometimes there are not too many. Some years they come fast, with little time between the storms.
We're not sure exactly where they will hit....with hundreds of miles of vulnerable coastline, it could happen anywhere.
We're not certain how strong they will be....some are just tropical storms, and others are full-blown, hard-core mega-storms.

The weather stations and forecasters try to determine the path of the storms. People stock up on batteries, water, and other things to make sure they are prepared.

When the storm hits, the winds and the rain lash at the land, homes, and other buildings with winds that can topple trees, damage structures, flood inland areas, and wreak havoc. The winds can get up to over one hundred miles per hour at times . . . then the calm arrives. It's the eye of the storm. We can catch our breath then, in the stillness, and assess the first round of damage. But don't take too long before seeking shelter again....the other side of the storm will hit soon.

But through it all -- the first, fierce bands of wind and rain, the calm eye of the storm, or the final, ferocious effects as the hurricane moves past us -- we know Who is in control.

The Spirit reminded me of this last week. Isn't this similar to life here on earth for believers? We're not sure when crises will hit. We never know how many there will be. We're not sure exactly what the crises will be about, whether ourselves, our families, our friends, or our countries. And we aren't certain how "big" our troubles will be.
But we know they are coming, right?

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Paul tells us the same thing in II Timothy -- "there will be times of difficulty."
We should remember that like the people expecting a hurricane, we can prepare for the storms of life.

          So you also must be ready... (Matthew 24:44a)

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:12-13)

And through it all, we are held in His hands. Whether the storm is raging around us, or we're in that brief calm in the eye of the hurricane, it is He Who is in control. (Excuse, me, that just makes me want to pause and say, "Hallelujah!")

So do not fear, for I am with you;    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

I'm so glad that my life, my good times, my crises, everything -- all of that is in His hands!

How about you?

Guided thoughts

I started to title this post "random thoughts," but they are not really random. They are guided thoughts, for they are things that the Holy Spirit has brought to mind over the past few days. Often they are things that some music I'm listening to has made me think about. And that's not a bad thing!

I guess this one could be called: If He doesn't move the mountain, climb it!

Many of us are confronted with problems big and small. It sometimes seems that every day brings something new to stress about. Uh oh! Don't forget what we studied . . . don't slip into that sin.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? (Luke 12:22-26)

Our Father God knows what we need. He knows when we need it. The Word tells us that He is an even better father than earthly parents, and gives better gifts!

He has said that He will never, ever leave us. Nor forsake us. Claim that promise as you stare at that mountain in front of you.
He might just move it.
He might not.
But we can be sure of one thing -- if it is His will for us to climb it, He will be with us every step of the way.

Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at your feet
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what you see
I try to win this war
I confess, my hands are weary, I need your rest
Mighty warrior, king of the fight
No matter what I face you're by my side

When you don't move the mountains
I'm needing you to move
When you don't part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When you don't give the answers
As I cry out to you
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in you

Truth is you know what tomorrow brings
There's not a day ahead you have not seen
So let all things be my life and breath
I want what you want Lord and nothing less

When you don't move the mountains
I'm needing you to move
When you don't part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When you don't give the answers
As I cry out to you
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in you
I will trust in you

You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
Your ways are always higher
You plans are always good
There's not a place where I'll go
You've not already stood

When you don't move the mountains
I'm needing you to move
When you don't part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When you don't give the answers
As I cry out to you
I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in you
Songwriters: Lauren Daigle / Michael Farren / Paul Mabury