Being a Witness

There is a husband and wife who stand with a huge board near the capitol building across the street from where I work. On the board is written, "Do you want prayer?" I stopped to talk with them one day last fall because I was curious about their ministry. They were very friendly and I learned that their daughter attends the same church as I do, which, given the size of our city and the number of churches, really astounded me. They told me they've been doing this type of ministry for about five years. They talk to people, give out tracts, and pray for those who ask for prayer. There is nothing pushy about either of them, in fact, I've observed that they don't approach people, people come up to them. There is a lot of opportunity for ministry there because they stand at the crossroads of where all the busses in the city start/end their routes. Anyway, he was at our church this past Sunday evening and talked to us about evangelism.

When I left that meeting and was driving home, I began to think about the reasons that I don't witness to people. Some of the reasons I have are like most other Christians' reasons. I'm afraid I'll mess it up, won't say the right things, that people won't listen, or I don't know how to bridge a conversation to talk about Jesus. Trying to overcome all of that makes me feel uncomfortable and so I tell myself, "I'll just live my Christian life in front of people and they'll see and ask me about Jesus." Then I realized what Roger said was right, it is pride that has kept me from witnessing about Jesus.

I realized then, that I was placing the price I'd pay for moving out of my comfort zone, or looking foolish, or being rejected above the price which Jesus Christ paid in giving His life as a sacrifice for mankind. How could I call myself a Christian, ever! I had been placing more value upon my own comfort than upon the price He paid for every person who has lived, is living, or will ever live on this planet. I was pretty sickened at myself about it. It's no wonder so many people call so-called Christians 'hypocrits'! With that attitude, how could I think that anyone would be interested in Jesus, if He is not worth more than my own comfort!

So, I have an entirely new attitude about witnessing. I realize it's a command that all Christians do it - it's not only a suggestion. If God has given me so much through Christ Jesus, including being reconciled to Him through Jesus' blood, how could I NOT share it with other people. Everyone wants hope and joy, and in Christ is all the hope and joy of an eternity that begins here now. You see, the thing about the Heavenly Father is that we don't gain eternal life by the good things we do here. It is not a reward or demerit system, eternal life is a gift of God through Jesus Christ. Without a relationship with Him, people are going to hell, to be eternally separated from God.

Jesus called hell a place where 'the worm never dies' which speaks of the lusts and sin of our heart. He said there is 'gnashing of teeth'. Consider the worst frustration you have ever felt about something and multiply that by an eternity spent in not being able to be fulfilled. That will be hell.

One of the things I have run up against in the past when I have told people about Jesus is that they believe that 'all religions lead to God'. Well, the difference is that religions require something of the person, there are works involved in order to 'earn' rewards with the deity they call 'god'. But in Christ, there is nothing that I can do to change myself, to make myself clean enough to be reconciled to God.

My sins have separated me from God and so I need Someone who can bring me back to God. That's what Jesus does, He has done it already, there is nothing for me to do except give myself to Him, to ask Him to take over my life through His love in my heart and mind and emotions and my spirit; to forgive me of my sins and to wash me from unrighteousness. To be a Christian is to have a heart-relationship with Jesus Christ. In Him is all that we need.

So, it's one thing to write about Christ, but it is also my duty to tell others about Him as I go through my day. My comfort is of miniscule value compared to what He has to offer to the person who will yield their life to Him.

Have a great day and remember to get and to give Mercy!

Trucker's Wife

I received an e-mail from my sister yesterday. She travels with her husband quite a bit in their trucking business. She told the family about going over the Rockies in rain that turned to snow that turned to ice as they reached 11,000 feet! There were lots of trucks pulled over and she wondered why her husband didn't do the same when he told her that with the load they were pulling - i-beams for UNLV that they would only go backward and jackknife. So, all they could do was go forward, most of the time at only 20 miles per hour with alarms going on in their cabin about something - not brakes - thank God! There were lots of vehicles that didn't make it through, that were on the side of the road and they saw a few trucks that had jackknifed, but my sister and her husband made it through! It was so scary to hear about it, though.

So, if anyone reads this who is a trucker or a trucker's spouse, be safe. I pray for you when I'm driving on the highways myself. It's honest work and not easy and I'm constantly amazed at my brother, and my sister and brother-in-law who make their living doing this every day.

Have a great day and remember, we all need mercy every day, both to get and give!

Article 4, Section 1

Our first assignment for the General Practice course I'm taking was a research paper on Full Faith and Credit, the meaning of it and how it has been applied. I spent over a week reading cases and articles, probably my favorite on the subject was Justice Robert H. Jackson's speech on The Lawyer's Clause" which was great for background. Then I spent a few days trying to digest what I'd read and put it into something that would explain what I think I understood about the topic. I e-mailed it in to the instructor and then as I thought more about it, I wished I had done it differently, had read another case, or researched more - on and on. So we'll see. I love to do research and my writing has gotten me excellent grades and comments from my instructors, but this time, it just didn't click with me. I think I'm going to do the paper over again, if only for my own clearer understanding of it. Although when the instructor reads it, he may send it back and INSIST that I do it over again!

Well, on to another Monday at work - the calendar is full!

Spring Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday. I think it was a significant birthday, though my boss' theory is that it's only significant if there's a 'zero' at the end of it. I don't know, I'd say a half-century plus five - well, that seemed more significant than when I hit the half-century mark.

One thing for sure about my birthday - I love that it happens the same time of year that trees, flowers, grass and rose bushes are beginning new life!

Mercy

Words for 'mercy' are used almost 300 times in the Old Testament, the most used word being 'checed' meaning kindness or favor. Another word, racham, means to be compassionate and eleeo means to give out compassion (eleos).

In the New Testament, one form of the word is translated from the Greek word, hilasterion, which means expiatory place, atoning sacrifice, atonement cover, the place where sins are forgiven. It is traditionally translated as propitiation or mercy seat.

I was thinking on the way to work this morning about how true mercy is exhibited by the events that are celebrated this week. My Jewish co-workers will begin to celebrate Passover this evening. Passover recalls how God showed mercy and kindness by His deliverance of the Israelites from Eqypt. Those were some of my favorite Bible stories when I first learned about God.

I can still hear Mrs. Klingingsmith in the after-school program at the Methodist church that was near my home as a little girl. She made the Bible come alive for me. Her stories about Jesus made Him as real to me as my parents. He showed that children were important to Him and to His Heavenly Father when He rebuked the disciples for trying to send them away from Him. And He healed sick people, no case was too difficult for Him. I absolutely fell in love with Him because of His kindness and favor, and His mercy.

When the teachers told me about Him dying, though, and how He suffered in His death, I couldn't understand that. Why did He die? They told me that He came back to life, but it was all perplexing to me.

They tried to explain but I couldn't grasp it. Even as a pre-teen in Mrs. Hanawalt's class when I asked, it didn't make sense. Is God really so cruel that He would want a loving perfect man to die so horribly? The problem was that I'd heard about God's mercy, but I didn't know why I needed it.

Isaiah 59 explains the problem - "your sins have cut you off from God." What's that? My sins? I thought Jesus drew me to Him. The next verses tell me what I'd rather not hear about. The times I've lied are enough to keep God from listening to me. He can hear me, but my sins kept Him from being able to draw me to Himself. Not because His arm is too short to pull me toward Him, but because my sins separated me from Him - I didn't want to be drawn there because I knew my sin and how unworthy I was to be there.

In Isaiah 61 though, God reveals His plan. He sends Someone who can draw us to Himself. He appoints His very own Son to be the bearer of the good news that the brokenhearted are comforted, captives are released, mourners receive beauty from the ashes of their grief. And the despair we experience because we are separated from God is turned into praise because Jesus draws us near to Himself.

Romans 3 tells about the way God made when there was no other. That way is not about obeying laws or doing good things. He knows that we cannot do that. Commiting only one lie, using our mouths to speak in anger against someone else wipes out any hope we have of reconciliation with God.

"We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed His blood, sacrificing His life for us. God was being entirely fair and just when He did not punish those who sinned in former times. And He is entirely fair and just in this present time when He declares sinners to be right in His sight because they believe in Jesus. "

When I realized that sin kept me from God the Father, then I understood why Jesus came. And though such fathomless love is still beyond my comprehension, I know that God loves us so much that He sent His very own Son, whom He loves, to be the way back to Him.

Mercy is for all of us today. Like the song we sing during worship sometimes, "I'm running, I'm running, I'm running to the mercy seat. Where Jesus will meet me, He said His blood will save me, I'm running to the mercy seat!"

Penny - the Beagle-Dachshund

Penny is our dog. We got her at the local dog pound - yes, that's the name of it! Anyway, we went there on a Saturday morning to look at the dogs. They weren't really open, but the kennels open up to the outside so the dogs can run in and out. We'd already met the man who works takes care of them and he was there feeding and watering the animals.

When we wandered up and down the kennels, there was this little brown-black-speckled girl dog barking her little head off at us. I wasn't quite certain of her, but Hubby liked her. She had been picked up the night before and couldn't go until several days later. On Wednesday, Hubby called and she was available. He immediately went to get her and we've had her since July 2005. She's a speckled beagle-dachshund mix. She looks mostly like a beagle on top, but she has short squat legs and a long body. Her ears are like velvet and she has the very large brown round dachshund eyes. Her feet are webbed and very thick.

She was nearly house-trained and obeyed some general commands and was very nice about letting us go through doors ahead of her. And she loves to travel! Going anywhere in the car or truck is great to her. Hubby even takes her inside the local Tractor Supply - has since he first picked her up. They all know her there, pet and talk to her and she soaks up the attention! Spoiled!

She moved into our household that includes six cats! She's learning that she is not their boss - in fact we constantly remind her that she is nobody's boss! They just began a few months ago getting close to her, even sleeping close to her, so that's working out okay. All that being said, she hasn't been perfect. She loves to chew paper and fabric. Yesterday she chewed up another of Hubby's favorite magazines. This morning I noticed she had (again) opened up the zipper on a cushion on the living room sofa and had taken out the stuffing. Arghhhh! So, Penny had the muzzle on her when I left this AM. Hubby takes it off later since he's at home during the day. I also removed the cushions to a safe place to be brought out again as needed.

Got to finish my new book from Cesar Millan - the Dog Whisperer on the Discovery Channel!

School Really Starts

Though the quarter started last week, our real estate class met for the first time last night. The instructor talks VERY fast. I'm really glad I had read the book before class, because I think that's the only way I'll be able to keep up with his lectures. I have to take notes - during class, during sermons, during meetings, during presentations -- etc. I'd take notes of hubby talking if he didn't think I was completely over the edge! So, it's going to be interesting to keep up.

The other class I'm taking is a general studies class. The instructor, who also happens to be my advisor, sent us an e-mail last week - 'get a copy of the U.S. Constitution and start reading it.' Well, okay. So, not hearing anything from him again, I e-mailed him yesterday. Now I get to write a five-page research paper on Article IV - full faith and credit; describe it and how has it been applied; 'contact me next week, let me know your progress and we'll figure out a due date.' I think I'm going to like this class.

I output a ton of stuff from computer commons last night. This was a good beginning place - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_Faith_and_Credit_Clause along with some materials from findlaw.com. I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend.

Studying

I was searching for sites related to paralegals and found some helpful articles having to do with study skills (www.profj.us/studyskills/) and improving test scores (www.profj.us/improve-scores/. My husband calls me an eternal student and he’s probably right. Six years ago I finished a degree in Computer Programming. Now, I’m a year away from finishing up a degree in paralegal studies. When that’s done, I’ve already thought about some things to do next. Note: please don’t tell my husband, he's not ready to hear this yet!

I guess I take 2 Timothy 2:15 literally. I looked at it a little deeper in just a few mintues this morning. Reading it in different translations gives a different perspective to it and I gained a different understanding of it.

The King James version, which I grew up with and is still embedded in my memory, making it difficult sometimes to find a scripture in another translation says it this way. “Study to show thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

The New King James Version, which my pastor preaches from and which I like pretty well says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

My favorite study Bible, because it contains the Hebrew and Greek words and contains a lot of the Strong’s Concordance as part of the book, is in the New American Standard translation and it says it this way. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

Finally, the metal-bound Bible I carry with me is the New Living Translation and it says, “work hard so that God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”

When I looked up “the word of truth”, one of the references I found is Psalm 33:4, “for the word of the Lord is right and all His work is done in truth.” I know His word is right, and this scripture goes on to say that His work is done in truth. It seems that God is interested in my studying, or diligence, and my work.

My studying should be toward becoming diligent in my work toward and for God. And the work relates strongly to knowing His word and “rightly dividing it.” When I know His word on a matter, then I can apply it immediately to any area of my life and know what to do. Well, that sounds direct and even easy, but how many know it’s not always easy? That’s where diligence and work take over. When I study deeper and consider His words over a matter, it does get easier. The things of God that were mysteries to me a year ago have become clearer and I have understanding today because I studied His word on the subject. And that applies to paralegal studies too. This quarter I’m taking a real estate course. I didn’t think it would be all that interesting, but when I got the book and started reading, I found out that there is a lot to property. And I’m learning again, I don’t even know what I don’t know!

Well, now I’ve got work to do. Remember to receive God’s mercy today and to show mercy to those around you!

What's in Your Waterpot?

Thursday and Friday our church had Women's Refreshing, a revival strictly for women. It was the first time our church has done this. I hope it won't be the last. I'll talk about Thursday's sermon another time, but wanted to talk about last night's. The scripture reference was from John 4 concerning the Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at Jacob's well.

Jesus went to that well specifically to meet that woman. Most women would have already had their water early in the morning, but this woman went at noon, probably to avoid other women. After all, she wasn't exactly that city's most outstanding citizen. The most she could get from other women would be stares and whispers behind her back. But there she was with this strange man. Oh, she knew about men and she had learned they usually only wanted one thing from her. Now here's this one asking for water - 'yeah, sure I'll get your water, but you don't have a pot to put it in.' But then he tells her, 'well, if you knew the living water I had, you would ask me for a drink. You'll thirst again with the water from this well, but the water I have is living and you will never thirst again.'

They have a further discourse and she is astonished that he knows everything about her. She suspects that he is the Messiah, the prophet they'd heard would come. He tells her that salvation comes from the Jews. She knew about religion, knew that Samaritans worshiped in this mountain, but that Jews worshiped in Jerusalem. Then she ran off and left her waterpot. She had carried that pot around thinking it was her life, but when she met Jesus, she realized that her pot was useless. She saw in Jesus, that he had living water and that's what she needed in her hurt and ostracized existence as a woman.

She went back to town and told everyone about the man who knew everything about her. She talked to people she wouldn't have talked to before and they came out to hear Jesus. She became responsible for the revival of that town. They came out and believed in Jesus as the Messiah. They had listened to her talk, but they came out and heard him for themselves and he showed himself as the One who gives life abundantly.

What's in your waterpot? What are you carrying around that you hope will give you life and happiness? All of us have something. Some think money will satisfy, or a good marriage. Some have already figured out those may not last and if they do, they still are not satisfied inwardly. Sex, drugs, seeking after knowledge, a big promotion on the job, fine homes and cars, and other quests become candidates for fulfilling life's deepest needs. But those disappoint quickly.

Jesus is the fountain of life that springs up in new life in us. He satisfies where nothing else can. He is lasting, eternal, He's there when everyone else fails you and leaves you. He showed her that the opinion that other people had of her was not God's view. After all, Jesus went out of his way just to meet with her and tell her that the Messiah had come and she was a worthy candidate to receive the life he had for her.

What's in your waterpot? Replace what you carry around every day with the knowledge that Jesus loves you and gave Himself for you. Believe in and accept that He is the one true God who loves you more than you can imagine.