Barely Hanging On

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Arrow

People overwhelmed by their current circumstances painfully admit, “I am barely hanging on!” Difficult seasons hit us all. The loss of a loved one, a health crisis, someone we care about deconstructing their faith, or something else.

Envision someone “hanging on by a thread,” but a thread is too fine, too weak. So, replace the thread with a strong nylon fishing line. But even a fishing line is hard to grip. Okay, let’s imagine a thick rope. Now we’ve got it. And that rope is tied to a heavy chain which is attached to a large, sturdy anchor.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

But what do we to hook our anchor to while in the midst of life’s storms? We do not want to find ourselves in a ship lost at sea or blown and tossed by the wind and waves. That could lead to being capsized! No. We need our anchor hooked securely on Jesus, our Rock!

The author of Hebrews included nautical terms writing, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19a). Readers are encouraged to “take hold of the hope offered to [them]” (Hebrews 6:18b). And finally, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

Now recall the time Peter decided to walk to Jesus on water. When Peter turned his focus to the storm, he became afraid and began to sink. “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him” (Matthew 14:31a).

May we keep our eyes focused on Jesus and our hope anchored in Him. Know that His hand is always ready to grasp ours in time of need for He is faithful, firm, and secure. So . . . reach out and hang on!

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Kick It

Posted on January 8, 2025 by Arrow

Apparently, I have a little OCD, obsessive-compulsive behavior. I notice that when I walk our neighborhood, I have an overwhelming urge to kick stray rocks off the sidewalk. Not all the rocks, mind you. Just the ones that are naturally within my stride. For some reason I feel the need to punt the neighbors’ landscaping back within the boundary of their yard.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Then I started thinking, am I actively doing this in my spiritual life? Am I kicking out things that don’t belong? Or am I just letting them sit there, taking up time and space and allowing them to pile up into bigger problems? Whether it’s an annoyance, temptation, or distraction, I must discern what does not belong in my life.

Here are a few Scriptures to help us identify what definitely needs kicked out!

  • “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31).
  • “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21).
  • “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20). In other words, sometimes even relationships must end or be given boundaries.
  • “[L]et us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” (Hebrews 12:1b).

There are also many verses in the Old Testament warning to get “rid of false idols”, a good reminder that nothing should take priority over our relationship with the Lord God.

May we kick out what doesn’t draw us closer to God or reflect His character.

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Are We Ready?

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Arrow

Luckily, I had mentioned to my husband that I had a 9:00 physical therapy appointment. It wouldn’t have appeared so, the way I went about my morning activities. Quiet time, fiddling around in my office, and working out. Then I heard, “You know it’s twenty to nine, right?”

What!? I had been casually looking at our analog clocks, focusing on the minute hand, completely ignoring the hour!

Timing is everything, even in Scripture. Besides the birth and resurrection of Jesus, the Bible mentions another world-rocking event. And, like me haphazardly glancing at the clock, most of us are not paying attention.

This event is on God’s master calendar, but we don’t know exactly where to place it on ours. Referring to His return, Jesus said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. . . .Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:36, 42).

My prayer is that in 2025, you find yourself ready. And in case you are unsure, being ready includes having a personal relationship with Jesus. It means you believe He is God’s Son and you attempt to reflect that decision in your life. Know that a relationship is not a casual nod at the neighbor you barely know. Real relationships include regular, intimate time together, sharing and listening.

That relationship translates into being ready to join Jesus when He returns. At that moment, all believers will rise to live a new, extraordinary and eternal life with Him beyond anything we can hope or imagine!

Now, that is an event worth being ready . . .  because ready or not, Jesus will return!

(And yes, I did make it to PT on time!)

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Delivered on Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2024 by Arrow

What special gifts do you think you will receive this Christmas? What will be inside those packages wrapped in holiday paper, topped with ribbons and bows, or gracefully placed in a gift bag gushing with tissue paper?

In one of Jesus’ recorded prayers, He states repeatedly what God sent us on Christmas … or rather who.

  • Referring to His disciples, Jesus said, “and they have believed that You (Father) sent Me” (John 17:8).
  • Praying to the Father, Jesus said, “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:18).
  • Jesus continued, “… that the world may believe that You sent Me” and “that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me” (John 17:21, 23).

What I have omitted so far is the opening lines of Jesus’ prayer where He reveals the incredulous reward of receiving the One delivered to all the world on Christmas, the gift of eternal life. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

Simply put, God sent His best, His Son, God in human skin. When we believe that fact and receive this incomprehensible gift, we are promised eternal life with Him.

My prayer is that you have received Jesus, the Son of God, delivered to you on that first Christmas.

May your Christmas be blessed!

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Hark!

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Arrow

“Hark, the herald angels sing …” 
Hark? Listen carefully, pay attention, focus, hear and consider.

Listen up, shepherds:  Your Messiah was born today in Bethlehem. You will find Him wrapped in cloths in a manger. (Luke 2:11-12)

Listen, Mary:  You have found favor with God. You will be pregnant and give birth to a son. He will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:30-35)

Listen, Joseph:  Take Mary as your wife. The child is from the Holy Spirit. Name Him Jesus because He will save people from their sins. (Matthew 1:20-21)

These real-life characters, not just figures in a nativity scene, actually heard a word from the Almighty God.

And God continued to speak. When Jesus’ body was transfigured, appearing in a glorious state, God spoke from a cloud. “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7b). And Jesus spoke these encouraging words about His followers. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

God continues to speak to us today. Whether your Christmas is noisy and hectic, whether you experience a calm, silent night, or perhaps, a blend of both, may you take time to listen to what God is saying. He has a message especially for you … if … you … listen.

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Vision Division

Posted on December 11, 2024 by Arrow

We live in a nation that is divided. This comes as a surprise to no one. Each person has their own opinions and beliefs. God gave each of us a mind and with it we make decisions based on the input we receive. Hopefully, we seek godly wisdom and discernment before making life-altering choices.

Jesus explained that His very coming into this world as a human caused division. The disciple John records Jesus’ words. “I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind” (John 9:39b).

Again, people were allowed to have their own opinion and choose whether to believe or reject who Jesus claimed to be, the Son of God. And, we still have that choice today. Just remember, choices come with consequences.

For example, if I ignore my cancer diagnosis, opt out of surgery to remove the tumor, and refuse follow up treatment, my prognosis does not look good. Disbelieving the lab results and refusing to follow the recommendations of the oncologists does not mean my cancer magically disappears.

Again, choices have consequences. According to Jesus we can either see or be blind. Here, Jesus is referring to spiritual blindness and sight. Those who reject Jesus as the Son of God have spiritual blindness, are unable to comprehend their need for a Savior, their need for forgiveness, and perhaps even refuse to acknowledge their own sin.

Having spiritual sight, on the other hand, includes seeing and surrendering to God’s guidance from Scripture and the Holy Spirit.

Hear the apostle Paul’s warning. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

May your eyes be opened to see the Light of the World, Jesus!

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Tell What You Know

Posted on December 4, 2024 by Arrow

After a recent surgery, I needed to tell the doctor what I knew. An itchy rash was invading the right side of my body! I could tell the doctor where and when, but I could only guess the why. Turned out, my guess was wrong.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

During His ministry, Jesus healed a blind man on the Sabbath. The disciples wondered why the man was blind. Whose sin caused this malady, his parents’ or his own. The disciples’ assumptions were wrong. Jesus explained, “[T]his happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:3b).

The religious Jewish leaders chose to investigate the healing and questioned the man born blind. Again, he could only testify to what he knew. “He put mud on my eyes . . . and I washed, and now I see” (John 9:15b).

Still not satisfied, the Pharisees interrogated the parents of the man born blind. Their testimony was succinct. “We know he is our son . . . and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know” (John 9:20-21a).

Finally, the Pharisees grilled the no-longer-blind man again. Since he had no additional testimony, he simply stated, “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:25b).

I love that! Many times, we fear we have nothing to say, no testimony worth sharing. We feel unable to explain the “whys” of this world. But we can share how Jesus has met our needs, how we have witnessed answered prayers, and experienced the Lord walking with us through difficult seasons. We can express who Jesus is to us.

May we tell what we know!

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The Week of Thanksgiving

Posted on November 27, 2024 by Arrow

‘Twas the week of Thanksgiving
and all through the house
there were chores to be done
by mom, children, and spouse.
Floors to be vacuumed,
dusting and more,
grocery lists made,
and some trips to the store,
the patio swept and appliances shined,
a turkey to thaw and recipes combined,
a table to set, and pies for the oven
all carefully prepared with a good dose of lovin’.

Then “thank-yous” were given as kiddos pitched in.
Mom gave Dad a peck, leaving flour on his chin.
Dad gave Mom a hug for she baked what he favored,
his favorite side dishes, warm and well-flavored.

The time had arrived.
They sat down for their feast
but felt a slight tinge before waistlines increased.
Was there someone to thank on this Thanksgiving Day,
one they’d left out in their hurried-up way,
one who had blessed them, provided, and cared,
encouraged them when they felt helpless and scared?

Then humble heads bowed to honor the One,
Almighty God who had given His Son,
who provided forgiveness to all who believe,
who accept Him as Savior, and in faith receive.

Oh, may we take time to thank God above   
for the blessings rained down on us, poured out in love!

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1)

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God Sees You

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Arrow

Remember in Genesis, after Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit? The two “sewed fig leaves together” to cover their nakedness.

Fig trees, like the one pictured below, are also mentioned in the New Testament. If allowed to grow naturally, they appear more bush-like.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

In John’s gospel, we find Jesus gaining disciples. At one point, Jesus finds Philip and invites him to follow. Then Philip eagerly tells Nathanael, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote” (John 1:45). After a little persuasion, Nathanael agrees to “come and see.”

Nathanael is surprised when he meets Jesus. Jesus gives Nathanael a greeting that indicates He already knows him, including his character as a man of integrity. Taken aback, Nathanael asks how Jesus knows him.

“Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you’” (John 1:48). Nathanael is so awed at Jesus’ insight that he immediately acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God.

Now, I’m curious why Nate is so amazed. Fig trees are shady so it is not unusual to sit under one. Did Nate find one that was more bush-like? Was he hiding under it? Having a personal time of distress or doubt? Or, as portrayed in “The Chosen” series, was He feeling unseen by God?

Whatever it was, when Jesus said, “I saw you,” it touched Nathanael’s heart dramatically and changed his life forever.

I want to encourage you, friends, that God sees you too. He knows everything about you and still chooses you to come and follow Him. If you do, it will be a journey you will never regret.

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Who Do We Turn To?

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Arrow

Joys, sorrows, worries, fears, secrets. With whom do you share your deepest thoughts and concerns? Perhaps a spouse, best friend, neighbor, fellow believers, a mentor, or counselor. It usually depends on the subject or matter at hand.

Sometimes, we may feel there is no one with whom we can share. If that is the case, where do we turn to find encouragement, guidance, a helping hand, or listening ear?

What did Jesus do?

The gospel of John describes a time when Jesus was teaching and performing miraculous signs before large crowds in Jerusalem. Then John adds an interesting detail. “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man” (John 2:24-25). (Note that the words “man”/”men” are usually referring to all people.)

So, what’s wrong with us people . . . well, besides the fact that we have wrong motives, are foolish, greedy, selfish, not trustworthy, and deceitful? Oh.

In the gospels, we read of the task assigned Jesus, the salvation of the world. We see His great responsibility of teaching and training His disciples who along with the help of the Holy Spirit would be accountable for spreading the Good News to the known world.

Jesus regularly made it a priority to spend time with the Father. Many times, He went off alone to pray, like before choosing His twelve disciples, after feeding the 5000, and the night in Gethsemane before His arrest and crucifixion.

How amazing it is that we also have that same Heavenly Father to turn to! Or perhaps, we are more comfortable talking with Jesus. No matter, God is God. He is always available, always listening, always aware of our situation. Always near to help.

Enjoy some time with the Lord today!

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