Two Wolves .
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil: It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, worry, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good: It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, humor, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

I sat at the computer this morning unable to zero in on the scripture about which to write. I received an email from one of my dear Covenant Sisters about 30 seconds before I was ready to give up and not post anything today.

You pick the verse this morning. There are plenty to choose from with this same message.


My prayer today is that you feed the wolf that leads to heaven.

Mary  ¶ 6:20 AM

  Only Me. Only You. .
Ecclesiastes 8:16,17 NIV

When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe man's labor on earth--his eyes not seeing sleep day or night--then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.

1 Chronicles 28:9 NASB

As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

Have you ever returned to a childhood home that you thought was so huge with an expansive yard and the school you walked “miles” to each morning, only to discover the house was a cute cottage on a ¼ acre yard and the school you trekked to really was only 2 blocks away? I imagine that this world we think is so huge, the globe that is so expansive, the sun, so very far from earth are viewed by God the way we now see our childhood mansions.

Sometimes that sense can make us feel very small. Because the world is so big and values and traditions are as varied as are the countries upon the globe, we can feel very isolated, small, insignificant and powerless. But we are beings of tremendous, unspeakable significance through the eyes of God. Just image it: He made the sun, the moon and stars, water and land, air and vegetation, animals and then . . . He made man.

He saved us for last because we are the most important. Not important in a self-righteous, arrogant way, but as intrinsically significant creations, loved and valued above all others in the universe. Wow! Talk about a sense of identity! Note I didn’t say perfect creations. God does indeed know our minds and our hearts. He accepts that we are less than the angels. He made us that way after all.

God loves us so much in fact that he allows us to seek Him—He doesn’t force himself on us. There is no love on earth that equals that of our God’s for His people. That truth is demonstrated through Christ. The realization that I came to some time ago is that Christ died for all of mankind to give us the opportunity to choose eternal life in heaven; and He would have died for only me. Only me. And only you. Isn’t that thought overwhelming? To be loved that much, to be valued so tremendously is incomprehensible!

My prayer today is that as you remember your value in all of creation. And that you accept the gift of eternal life.

Mary  ¶ 6:53 AM

  Harvesting Righteousness Through Peace .
James 3:16-18

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity. And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

OK. I admit it: I was going to begin with a rant about the current governmental leadership, the world leaders, the UN, just about everybody and every organization in power in the world today. I certainly do feel selfish ambition and other “human” pursuits have influenced the world situations today. No one party or country is more to blame than another. I’ve bemoaned the wars and the genocide, the corruption and the blatant disregard for morality and even for human life on the world scene. The media reports on it all 24/7. There are not too many signs of peace to look forward to in the coming year, are there?

Then I caught myself short. These verses apply to me and my life. James is talking about my jealously and selfish ambition. James wants me to take a long hard look at my life and repent. James encourages me to seek out the certainty of Christ’s resurrection and the sincerity of His death. Sow peace and righteousness. He’s saying, “Stop ranting about the world, and look at yourself. Stop clucking your tongue and shaking your head at the corruption, violence, starvation, genocide and every other “vile practice” and examine your own heart.”

James suggests that were I more gentle and open to reason, I would show more mercy and love. When I turn over the state of the world to the one who created it in the first place, I can then focus on myself and my own life. Am I the best person possible? Am I doing enough in my own life to make the world a better place? Am I setting aside my own wants and desires to tend to the needs of others? Am I sowing peace?

It’s so much easier to look at the world, though. The worldly and world-wide vision doesn’t really require us to change ourselves. After all, how can my attitude and lifestyle make a difference in Africa or Iraq or anywhere else? Jesus himself even said to give to Caesar what is Caesar's—let the world be what the world will be. God has the big stuff under control. Focus on our own lives and how we live. Look within to see if we have mastered living and thinking and speaking peaceably, gently, reasonably, and if we are merciful and sincere. That’s much more difficult, and perhaps even painful.

Jesus hung on the Cross, though, to bear the pain with us. He wants us to dig deeper, to look at the core of our beings and change what needs to be changed. His courage was enough for us all. We can do it. We only need to make the attempt. God will sustain us through the rest. Then we will begin to change the world for the better. When we become better people, we influence everyone we meet. Then they influence everyone they meet. Then the world begins to change, one person at a time.

My prayer today is that you examine your heart and banish any selfish ambition and jealousy. And that you sow peace along the way of your travels.

Mary  ¶ 6:45 AM

  Emmanuel—God With Us .
John 16:33

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

This is one of my hallmark scripture verses. It is one of the verses that displays in the banner at the top of the page. It may seem odd to be offered for reflection at Christmas, but I think the words speak of joy and celebration. “I have overcome the world.” Wow! That is such a promising, reassuring statement. Christ has overcome the world as we know it. He transcends all modern day philosophy of one-up-manship; he tramples all over the premise of some of the “reality” television shows and forever lays to rest the idea that we may find all we want and need in the things of this world.

Upon reading this verse, and reflecting upon the power of its words, praying upon the implications, the verse becomes a perfectly suitable one for the day after Christmas. A child is born. That birth changed the world forever. His life became our new model. His death created a new paradigm. His resurrection offered us the reassurance that there is more to our existence than our lives upon this earth. No matter how much money you have, no matter how many friends you’ve made, no matter how much power and influence you possess, this gift is unsurpassed on earth! Christ has overcome the world.

Yes, we will labor. Certainly we will have trials and tribulations. Thank you Adam and Eve! But God didn’t lock the gate to paradise forever when they sinned. He merely set an angel at the gate to guard it, waiting until the right time to throw open the gates again and allow mankind to live in Eden for eternity. God didn’t throw up His hands and decide to be done with us all because of our sinfulness and self-centeredness either. He didn’t give up on us in exasperation and disappointment. Nor did He decide we just weren’t the trouble, because there is a whole universe out there that demands his time and attention.

He sent a Savior. That savior came in the form a tiny helpless human child. The child had human parents who loved him very much, but certainly didn’t understand him, or realize his potential or his life’s goal. (Sound familiar?) Jesus the man was rejected by many, especially those in his own community—they knew better than any about his illegitimate birth, and his profession as a carpenter—a lowly workman in the community. Still sounding like this story could be your story? No one really knew him; no one really understood him; he had no one in whom he could confide—except God.

I realized as I prayed over this verse this morning how very much the life of Christ is like mine and, I suspect, just like yours. God came to earth for a while to walk among us, to be clothed in our skin, to have our blood coursing through his veins. I wonder if his humanity ever got in the way of his divinity. I imagine any time he sensed that was the case, he prayed. The theme for Advent this year at our church has been Emmanuel—God With Us. Today is the second day of God’s life upon the earth 2000+ years ago. Today the story continues. Though it is one of poverty, trial and tribulation, it ends in final victory.

My prayer today is that as you reflect upon your Christmas celebrations and merriment, you remember the true reason for the season. And that you thank God for giving us the greatest gift of all.

Mary  ¶ 6:50 AM

  God’s Four Point Guide to Living .
1 Timothy 2:1-3

1. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, 2. for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. 3. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

I don’t know what else could possibly be done by one individual regarding the world situation today. I can’t imagine how else I could help my church in their capital campaign reach their goal when many hearts and minds have not been opened to the importance of financial stewardship. I don’t know how to mend the broken lives of those in my community who have not heard the word of truth preached to them. I don’t know how on earth I can live my life fully clothed in the love of Christ, keeping my heart like His, my mind on God, and my life on the path He walked.

Supplications. Prayers. Intercessions. Thanksgivings. A supplication is a humble, earnest petition or plea. When we have come to the end of our own power and ability we ask God to step in. Intercession is a prayer to God on behalf of another. Jesus interceded for the whole world on the night he was arrested. He also prayed for himself that He would have the courage to endure what was to come. Knowing His future, he even thanked God for using Him to fulfill God’s plan. That’s how we can change the world, our church, our community and our own lives. No matter what we do or say in any given situation, it must be surrounded by prayer. Prayer, supplication, intercession and then thanksgiving were given to us by God Himself through Christ.

Whatever situation we face, whatever struggles we’re experiencing, whatever problem we are wrestling with, we need to give it to God. We must humble ourselves and admit to God we are not able to stand on our own. We are to pray for ourselves, for the situation, for the others involved, and then for all of God’s people and their situations. Finally we are to thank God for His active presence in our lives. Every time I begin to feel as if my life is getting out of control, I know it is because I have not gone to God to ask for direction. When I can’t sleep at night, turning something over and over in my mind, it’s because I have not let go of it, humbling myself before God and giving it to Him.

My supplication today is that you will use the model for living given to us by Christ in the garden on the night of his arrest. And that you offer thanksgiving every day of your life for God’s love.

Mary  ¶ 6:44 AM

  Love Transcending .
1 Corinthians 13:1-3

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

The kind of love referred to in these verses is not the kind of love we have for our favorite food, for a prized possession, for a spouse or parent, or even for a child. This love is the type that transcends all other love and even more than that. This love transcends hurt and betrayal, rejection and shunning, sorrow and pain. This love banishes revenge. This love survives and even thrives in the face of adversity and hardship. This love is stronger and deeper and more powerful than that moment you realize you are not capable of this kind of love. That is, not without Christ.

I would guess that every one of us has been hurt, betrayed, shunned or rejected—or perhaps you’ve experienced all of these. This could have happened in a work setting, at school, within your family or your church. Perhaps a friendship or a marriage has ended. Those are all certainly valid human reasons to want revenge or retribution. We can all relate to the emotions and thoughts that run through our minds in those situations. But love—Christ-like love—replaces any thoughts of hatred, any desire for revenge, any acts of retribution.

A dear friend and former Sunday school teacher would challenge us to go deeper—to take another look at these verses in view of our everyday life. He would suggest that even getting angry at someone cutting us off in traffic or cutting in front of us in line denies this kind of love. He would contend that unless we banish all anger, all gossip, all contempt, any thought or action that is other than love, we are not living within the love of Christ.

That’s kind of hard to swallow—because it is so very convicting. If we look at our lives, we must admit we spend a good deal of our time living counter to Christ-like love. Jesus said when someone slaps you on the cheek offer them the other one as well. That’s so counter to how we live, to human nature. These words also apply to the smaller insults and offenses as well, though. The thing is, holding all these emotions in our hearts depletes our energy and weighs us down. It prevents us from moving on with our lives.

When I conducted a search of the New Testament on bibleverses.com on the word “love” it yielded 186 results. Dictionary.com provides 16 definitions for love and goes on to provide many examples and idioms for a total of 28 entries. There is only one definition that matters: Jesus Christ. There is only one way to live: lay all our burdens and hurts at the foot of His Cross. Live into love. Live within love.

My prayer today is that you immerse yourself in the healing love of Jesus Christ. And that you offer His love to everyone in your life.

Mary  ¶ 6:46 AM

  Less is More .
1 Timothy 6:6-8

6. There is great gain in godliness with contentment; 7. for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world; 8. but if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content

This is pretty amazing. . . I had just posted some comments at on myspace at http://blog.myspace.com/divinelydesigned about living with less and living on less because of Jim’s new job. He’s accepted a sales position that he’s very excited about (I am too!) As most people know, commissioned sales is an uncertain way to make money, and it will take a while for his income stream to reach the point we had grown accustomed to. I indicated at myspace.com, we’re actually kind of excited at the prospect of going back to a simpler, more frugal lifestyle.

We really won’t have to change much, actually. Our kids will both tell anyone who asks that we’re “pretty cheap.” What we hope we’ve taught them though, is to live without excessive debt, be satisfied, desire God first, then everything else will be in the proper perspective. We’ll be making some adjustments though, both financially and spiritually. Paul speaks several times about being content in any situation – even imprisonment. One thing we feel very strongly about is our financial commitment to our church. We have decided to honor our original level of financial giving. That’s a big change from where we were a few years ago.

But back to this “godliness with contentment” concept . . . I don’t think this means having a “holier than thou” attitude. It’s a statement of personal choice. It’s about living the best life we can, in spite of all our own shortcomings and failings. The sincere attempt is what God wants. He doesn’t expect perfect, only perfect intention. At least I hope so! This way of living is also about giving over to God the things of this world, the problems and the tragedies, and finding the strength to go on—through Him.

There is a groundswell movement toward getting back to a simpler time, a simpler lifestyle. On the internet I’ve found many sites that offer how to live on less, how to spend less, how to recycle, reuse and live more responsibly. It’s always been around, but I think more and more of us are sick of the blatant consumerism that seems to be the norm in society now. God doesn’t care what car we drive, where we live, how much we make, how much stuff we own. He knows what is in our hearts – that’s where he wants us to store up enough to last a lifetime.

Don’t get me wrong, many very wealthy people give back a lot of what they have to the world. Nothing wrong with being rich—I’d love to try it sometime! After I spent about $5000 to purchase the one or two items I consider a luxury, I’d be giving a lot more away too. But I am very content with my life. I am blessed beyond words with a wonderful husband, and two amazing children. I have more than I deserve and certainly more than I could every “earn” on my own. God has blessed me with a network of friends who walk with me on this journey called life, and help me stay on track. Most of all they love me even when I stray—just as God does.

Contentment is a state of heart and mind. I don’t know how one achieves it. I only know how great it is to reach that point.

My prayer today is that you take inventory of the true, lasting blessings in your life. And that you replace a desire to be happy, with contentment.

Mary  ¶ 6:45 AM

  Star Wars and Adam and Eve .
Ecclesiastes 8:16,17 NIV

When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe man's labor on earth--his eyes not seeing sleep day or night-- then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.

Man will never have the capability to know the mind of God. We never cease in our quest, though, to explore every molecule of His creation in order to more completely and thoroughly comprehend how it all works together to make up the universe. I have been an avid science fiction fan for many years. I remember years ago watching the show about the Robinsons in outer space with the robot that could sense danger, and always seemed to be able to get the family out of trouble at the last minute in a last ditch effort to save themselves.

I don’t remember why that family could get all over the universe, yet never find the way back to earth! Later, Star Trek and Star Wars became favorites. Now that all the mysteries of Star Wars have been revealed, I’m somewhat less than enthusiastic about science fiction. I guess I’m feeling as if we have exhausted our imaginations and now have only to wonder how close we have come to the truths of the universe.

The fact of the matter is, “no one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning.” This reality does not prevent us from continuing our quest. This passion to know it all and to understand and explain it all was infused in us beginning with Adam and Eve. I don’t think they were tempted by Satan – I think they were the first of a long line of mere humans who longed to be like God; who ardently desired to comprehend his vastness and greatness. We lust after that likeness. That lust, that passion, that insatiable curiosity is what drives us to research the human body and mind, to explore space and the oceans, and even to simply sit and watch a sunset, or gaze up at the stars on a clear summer’s night.

Every time I think I’ve got God all figured out He reminds me I’m not even close! We can dissect the human body for a thousand more years; we can send ships farther and farther out into space; we can push the boundaries of human strength and endurance for a million more years. We still won’t be close to comprehending how God made us with a mere thought, breathed life into us, and made a place on earth for us at exactly the right time, in exactly the right place, with a specific and unique purpose.

How? We won’t fully know until we get to heaven. And I’m pretty sure we’ll be surprised when we get there!

My prayer today is that in your striving to understand the workings of God, you remember His son—another incomprehensible part of God’s mind. And that you rejoice in the truth that at the end of time, all will be understood.

Mary  ¶ 6:47 AM

  All-purpose God .
Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Our church’s Christmas pageant and dinner was held last weekend and “Isaiah” made this announcement as the story of that first Christmas unfolded. Dictionary.com defines zeal: Enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal, or goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance. God certainly demonstrated zeal as he waited for the perfect time to send Christ into the world, for Mary to be the woman who would carry the child, and for Joseph to be the man with so much goodness and compassion that he could not abandon Mary in spite of his “right” to do so.

Note that God reveals to Isaiah a multi-faceted savior. This savior will be an “all-purpose” answer to man’s sin and God’s deep and abiding love for his creations. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace: those pretty much cover the gamut of man’s need, on an individual basis, community basis and in the world realm. Jesus wasn’t one of those other gods to be worshipped. He was THE GOD, the all-purpose, multi-faceted, all-encompassing, God to end all Gods. God made man, man and God incarnate.

My in-laws can trace their family tree back many, many generations—to before the Revolutionary War, I believe. In this part of the country—the South—that’s an important thing—especially if your family was on the “right” side of the Civil War! Christians, though, have only one side to choose from, and so our choice is made simpler. Jesus is man’s Wonderful Counselor. God told Isaiah, and Jesus was the fulfillment of the promise, that the son would be the comforter, the healer of man’s individual hurts, wounds, sorrows, and our guide for behavior and for living rightly.

Christ was probably not considered “Mighty God” even during his lifetime, except for a small group of followers. Even his closest friends and companions didn’t really fully grasp who he was until after his resurrection! Were he not a Mighty God he couldn’t have healed so many, preached so convincingly, reached so many with his words, and given hope to so many with his actions. Everlasting Father is the title he was given once he joined God in heaven after the ascension. Everlasting—as in part of God before time began – see the Genesis “we” and “us” as God converses with his multi-faceted self at creation.

The world certainly needs a Prince of Peace now just as much as it did in Isaiah’s time—and the time of Christ’s life on earth. We may pause to think that not much has changed since the resurrection. At first glance that could be the perception. But one thing is different since Christ died on the Cross and rose again: we now have the promise of eternal life in heaven! No matter how sin-filled and flawed we are, we have that promise. God knows our hearts, and His heart ached for us to be with him in heaven, so he made a way for us, in spite of ourselves.

Talk about an all-purpose God! That promise gives everyone hope – the hungry, the homeless, the sick and dying, the young and old, the “saved” and those yet to be saved. Those already buried and those yet to be born all have the same promise!

I remember thinking to myself during the dress rehearsal for the pageant, What if every baby ever born was anticipated and desired as much that baby was. What if we welcomed every child into this world as if he or she would change the world for the better? What if we loved our children (this is the editorial we) as much as Mary surely loved Jesus? This will be my challenge today, and in the future, as I minister to my three-year old students. Some of them and their families truly need a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

My prayer today is that you announce the good news to the world by your actions and your words. And that you rejoice that we worship an all-purpose God.

Mary  ¶ 6:53 AM

  Share "IT" With the World .
John 1:35-42

35. The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples; 36. and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" 37. The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38. Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" 39. He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying; and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40. One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41. He first found his brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). 42. He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter).

We never really are told what Jesus did from the time he was 12 and his parents found him in the temple talking and asking questions of the elders, until he began his ministry. I imagine he learned Joseph’s trade and helped support the family, and then himself as a carpenter. All of the apostles needed to ply their trades as they traveled around, some with their families, so they could support themselves. I imagine that they were viewed by some in the same way we would view day laborers today! Isn’t that amazing? These rough, strong, rowdy and impulsive men were tasked with spreading the Good News to all the world!

Then we come to Peter, the Rock upon which Jesus builds His church – note I didn’t say the church! My bible notes indicate what scripture later relates to us: Peter was anything but a rock in his early years! He was, in fact, unstable and impulsive—hardly the type of person one would look up to and model their behavior after! But my notes go on to say the Peter was chosen by Jesus because of what he would become through God’s grace. That is quite daunting! To think that Peter was molded and shaped, taught and re-taught all the lessons Jesus needed him to learn so that he could become the pillar of the church after Christ rose and went to heaven!

And God does that with each of us! I’ve had several conversations with friends lately about this topic. All of us have things we’ve experienced in our lives that were unpleasant, painful, even almost unbearable! But each of us has said – some with substantially more grace than others – that if going through it all again was what was required to be where we are today – we would do it! Not that I am so devout, good, strong, righteous, or by any stretch of the imagination the kind of role model I should be for anyone! But that if I needed to be refined and molded and broken over my lifetime to arrive at this point where I feel the almost tangible presence of God’s grace in my life, then yes, I would do it all again!

Andrew “got it!” And he wanted to share “it” with his brother! He was bound to be overcome with excitement and hope and overwhelmed with the realization that he was chosen by The Anointed One! Each of is chosen too. We have the responsibility and the privilege to become a disciple of Jesus Christ, and to bring others to Him. And we are able to do so, not because of our own ability, skill, talent, education or training. No. We are able because, through God’s grace we are who and what the world needs us to be right now, today. We are Christ’s disciples. We are to be the rock for others. We are to be Jesus to a fallen world. And in case you hadn't notice -- this world is in a tailspin!

This isn’t really in the Advent theme, which is where my mind has wandered the past few days. But in a way it is. Because I am waiting to discover who God will make me! I long to know and become what He has planned for me next! I rejoice that I feel his tangible and unquestionable grace as if it were a living, breathing being! I embrace it! I rejoice in it! I am both convicted and washed clean by it.

I hope you spend today experiencing with joy and anticipation of what God is doing in your life, and how He is shaping and molding you to become who and what you were meant to be. And that you will rejoice in his grace and love, the vehicles through which we are transformed.

Mary  ¶ 6:24 AM

  Fan the Flame .
Jeremiah 20:9,13 NIV

If I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in His name," His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.

These verses call to mind a literal fire. With the onset of cold weather, we’ve been keeping our fireplace going day and night for the past couple of weeks. The fire will burn for a long time deep down on the bottom and on the underside of the logs. When we open the door and let in oxygen, flames begin to grow and the fire burns even hotter. It is as if the embers were just waiting to be released.

I like the image of fire in this passage. Since man first learned to strike stones together to make a spark, we have sought fire for warmth. I don’t know many people who don’t enjoy sitting around a campfire, watching the flames lick the night sky, sparks floating up to the clouds. That’s how I have felt since 1999 when I had a spiritual reawakening. Some call it a “born again” experience. I didn’t have one dramatic day when it all came together for me though. It has been a gradual process, like adding logs on the fire, to continue fueling it.

I was certainly one of the neediest individuals around by that point in my life. I feel so blessed to have been in a faith community that embraced and encouraged my spiritual exploration, formation and growth. They nurtured our entire family physically, emotionally, spiritually as we each found our way to Christ in a new, powerful, life-changing way.

The United Methodist Church has adopted a logo that includes a red flame, representing the Holy Spirit. How appropriate that a former Catholic and a former Southern Baptist would find a home in a faith community in a little church that recognizes, celebrates and embraces the powerful workings of the Spirit.

Riding somewhere with a friend one day I commented that I needed to get home so I could write something—I don’t remember the specifics of the event or situation, but it was apparently one that had a tremendous impact on me. She asked me what it felt like to need to write. She wanted to understand how I “knew” what to write and when. I explained to her that I couldn’t explain it! It burns in me like a fire. It is from God, brought to life by Christ and fueled by the Spirit. It is not of me.

I come from a line of wordsmiths and writers. My mom is a crossword puzzle whiz and I have memories of my Grandmother doing them in pen! I also remember throughout my life, from the moment I could read more than a few words, anytime I asked my mom how to spell something her automatic response was, “look it up.” I thank her for that, because I developed very early on a love for words and their origins and usage. God clearly planned the genetic makeup of my family, leading to me and my ministry. Then he placed me in a home where reading and books were highly valued.

God has a plan for each of us. We cannot fight it or hold it back forever. His words are in our hearts like a fire, a fire shut up in our bones.

My prayer today is that you fan the flame of God’s purpose for your life. And that you sing to the LORD and give Him praise.

Mary  ¶ 6:36 AM

  Called By His Name .
2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

God is so very, very good! I know that is said often, and it may seem pretty tired and overdone. If it is said often it’s because it is so very, very true! I’ve been sitting in my study this morning, checking emails and thinking about my past week. I have paused periodically to glance at book titles in my bookcase, wondering which one I should read or re-read to give me some pointers of being at peace in my soul. Rough week, but this too will pass. . . Silly me! There is only one book really needed!

One book. One source of peace. One God. That’s just way too simple for one who tends to be in the midst of drama, reorganizing, redoing, constant change and yes I’ll admit it, chaos, way too often! The answer to my pondering is not to read yet another book on spirituality or find a magazine article on how to make the most of your life in ten simple steps. The answer to everything is found on our knees. Books are good – some of them are outstanding. A few magazine articles can be helpful as reminders and for picking up a pointer or two. But the Bible is chocked full of words of comfort, wisdom, guidance, promise, hope, peace and . . . well . . . God.

One of the reasons I have several subscriptions to inspirational emails is because I forget all too often that the Bible is The Book of Life. Here is contact information for some of my subscriptions: subscriptions@bibleverses.com, and ezines@arcamax.com. You can also sign up to receive a daily devotional written by John Fisher with Purpose Driven Life ministries. I enjoy his conversational writing style and great sense of humor. He’s not preachy and very self-effacing. Those who have a little more time to read a magazine type format will enjoy newsletters@faithstreams.com, full of inspiration stories and feel-good articles and information.

Having proclaimed the Bible as the book of life, I think I’ll close for now and spend a few minutes in scripture this morning.

My prayer today is that you seek God’s face, humble yourself and pray. And that you never forget He has called you by name.

Mary  ¶ 6:25 AM

  Called to be Holy .
1 Peter 1:15-16

But as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

Yesterday I had one of those days at the daycare center where I work when I asked myself repeatedly “What am I doing here?!” I won’t go into too much detail, but imagine a room full of three-year olds who have not been able to play outside for several days because of the cold and/or rain and who are getting all worked up because it’s almost Christmas. Add to that combination the fact that they are only three years old and they don’t yet know how to handle everything going on in their home lives, in the world, with each other . . . . Even the children who normally are fairly compliant, helpful, easy-going and quiet were absolutely over the top!

O.K. That was probably more than I needed to say. There were some other mitigating circumstances in addition that didn’t involve the children, but I won’t go into any detail about that. I guess you could say I had a melt-down of sorts. Holy is not how I was feeling for about 2 hours of my day yesterday! I know you’re thinking you can’t really relate. You may even be wondering why a woman with so many years of experience as a skilled, high-powered administrator, manager, small-business owner, and a vast array of other business experience would be working in a day care center teaching three year olds in the first place.

First, I had many more “melt-down” type days when I worked in the corporate world. I had worse than melt-down days! Second, I love children. That’s the part I forgot yesterday. I truly, absolutely and completely love children, passionately, completely, without exception. I am called to be with them, to teach them, nurture them and love them—passionately, completely and absolutely. Yesterday I made their challenging, frustrating, “bad” day about me. I am the adult. Oh, yeah! I am called; called to be holy; called to rely upon Christ and His patience, His love, His mercy, His peace. His love.

You shall be holy. Convicted! I thank our loving God for His grace. Life is so full of challenges and frustrations. A former pastor and spiritual mentor often reminded us “Life is hard, but God is good.” In other words, “But as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." Be holy wherever you are. Be holy in whatever circumstance you find yourself. Be holy. Be like Christ. See with His eyes. Listen with His ears. Act with his hands. Love with His heart.

Today I have a new attitude—amazing what good night’s sleep will do for you. Quite a bit of time in reflection and prayer make a tremendous difference as well. I highly encourage both. Yesterday I forgot my calling for a little while. Today I’m going to try to live into it. I trust in God’s grace to sustain and guide me. I rejoice in the gift of eternal life won for me by Christ on the Cross. Today I will try very hard to be holy, because He is holy.

My prayer today is that you are holy in all your conduct. And that you remember Jesus who was holy, even on the Cross and unto death.

Mary  ¶ 6:35 AM

  Coroners and Three-year Olds? .
Hebrews 4:12-13

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

I don’t know why, but these verses made me call to mind a butcher, cutting up a side of beef with great precision. Then I immediately pictured one of the crime shows I watch too often. There’s always a scene with the coroner and a body on the table, laid open and bare for all the world to see. When we really stop to think about it, that’s how intimately and completely God knows our hearts. He doesn’t need to cut us open to see who we really are because He already knows. He made us, and thought of us eons ago.

He decided who our parents would be, and what our favorite color would be and how we look. He created us to fill a particular purpose. Before we were born, there was void in the world, exactly the size and shape of our physical bodies—and waiting to be filled by exactly what is in our minds, hearts and souls.

We need not waste time on regret, on holding grudges, on worrying about whom has more or less than we do. We need not worry about anything – except to figure out who and what God intended us to be – to make the world complete by our lives and our living. We can deny our purpose. We can refuse to live into it. We can spend our entire lives running from it, but we never feel fulfilled until we accept and embrace it. Sometimes that purpose seems mundane and unexciting, especially when we watch television programs and commercials that entice us to the “good life.” But don’t believe them! The good life is a life lived in line with God’s plan for us.

That doesn’t mean we need to panic that we’ve chosen the wrong profession, or the wrong church, or the wrong anything! It simply means we need to figure out how to shape our lives to be in line with God’s plan. We can be an accountant by day and a loving, warm mom by night. We can be a social worker by day and go home to a cozy, warm, and love-filled home full of children and pets. Our families can be our “mission.” So can our work. So can our extra-curricular activities—tutoring, showing up for a church grounds clean up day, preparing and delivering a meal for neighbor, sending a note to a friend who is ill or going through a difficult time—all of these are ways to live out our purpose and none of them should be discounted. Most of us will never be a spiritual giant like Mother Theresa. We can still live with her heart, caring for those in our lives with all the love we can muster.

I absolutely love children. God gave me two of the most amazing children I could ever have dreamed of! At this point in my life I’m also the teacher of a class of three-year olds in a day care center. Wow! I am reminded daily why we are made to have children when we are young! But every single day, I am given the gift of their love and their imaginations. I can think of no greater reward in life than to be told by a three-year old, wrapped up in a blankie, looking up at you and saying, “I love you Mrs. Moss.” That, for me, makes it worth getting out of bed in the morning.

That is not a “career” I would have imagined at 50 years old. But it is so fulfilling and even on my craziest, most exhausting day, I do feel it is what I am supposed to be doing right now. It’s not the only thing, but one of them. For now.

My prayer today is that you look at your life from God’s vantage point, laid bare and exposed. And that you realize he made you for a specific and very important purpose.

Mary  ¶ 6:50 AM

  The Punishment That Brought Us Peace .
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:2-6 NIV

Some interpret verses 2-3 to mean that Jesus had some type of deformity or condition that made him unattractive, distressing or uncomfortable to look at. I have long contended, in my humble opinion, that the verses simply mean he seemed to be a “regular person” in every way. He was not perhaps extremely physically attractive, but rather average looking. I think he was despised and rejected because one look into his eyes revealed one’s sins.

Jesus was a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering because that is the very reason God sent Him to earth – to be our suffering, to be our sorrows, to take them upon himself for us. That would certainly have been a reason for tremendous guilt. I imagine he emanated an energy that was unnerving at first. He must have had an aura about him, a energy force that surrounded him, especially once he began his ministry.

I am so humbled when I think about God allowing Godself to endure such a tortuous death. I can’t comprehend that yearning to walk in our skin, to be flesh and bone. How he must have been grieved to have even conceived such a need for our salvation. I wonder when he realized his most precious creations were flawed to the point that there was only one way we could ever get to heaven. Some time, long ago in eternity, he hatched this plan that would change the course of history, and save us all from ourselves.

Wow! It’s unthinkable really. Some say it can’t be true, because they are unable to wrap their minds around it all. I say it’s accepting that we will never be able to comprehend it all that allows us to begin our faith journey in earnest. Believing without seeing; trusting without proof; that’s what faith is. The Holy Spirit steps in where our minds cannot even go.

My prayer today is that you open your mind and your heart to the workings of the Holy Spirit. And that you allow God to work in you as He imagined long ago in eternity.

Mary  ¶ 6:44 AM