Success and Failure Blog

My husband and I had just been served dinner at one of our favorite restaurants when a couple, recently arrived from another country, came in and sat down very near us. Because neither my husband nor I are shy, we were soon engaged in a friendly, four-way conversation with them. It was obvious their English was none too good, but definitely better than our command of their language. In spite of this, we somehow transcended the language barrier and enjoyed our evening with them. Soon thereafter, we began seeing them socially during the two years they lived and worked in our area.

One day, feeling comfortable enough in our relationship to do so, I cautiously broached the subject of their religion. It was my hope that from it I could springboard into sharing about my relationship with Jesus Christ. I asked several questions about life in their country, then inquired what their religion was all about. Their brief reply was, “Oh, you just have to be good.”

This wasn’t the first time I had heard the idea of being good. It’s not just a belief held by foreigners. Many Americans believe this too. In fact, I was once part of a church group that visited the first-time attendees to our church. After a brief conversation, I talked about their spiritual beliefs and asked these two questions:

“Do you know for certain you will go to Heaven when you die?”

“Suppose you should die tonight and stand before God and He would ask you, ‘Why should I let you into Heaven?’ What would you say?”

Their answers clearly revealed what they believed was the requirement for entrance into Heaven.

            So many times I’d hear the same response our friends gave. “Oh, I try to be good. I haven’t murdered anyone. I’m a good person.” Being a good person seems to have a universal appeal, and why not? It sounds so easy. All one has to do is try. With this philosophy, you don’t have to ask forgiveness from a Savior who took your punishment for your sins. You wouldn’t ever have a desire to attend church each week or study your Bible, and you would certainly never consider going to a foreign country as a missionary.

            Hearing the response from my friend, I asked, “How good is good? How good do you have to be to be “good enough?” After thinking for a moment the reply was, “Oh, that’s a very good question.”

            Yes, it is a very good question indeed. How good is good enough?

            Sometimes, after we finish doing a particular task, we hear ourselves saying, “Well, it’s not perfect, but it’s good enough.” Perhaps that’s okay for the task at hand, but when it comes to entrance into Heaven, Jesus says perfection is the standard and good enough just will not get you there. But as human beings, rather than taking the steps the Bible outlines for getting into Heaven, we substitute our own idea of just being good, believing that will work also. It’s a bit like going to the movies, and offering the cashier your watch instead of money as payment for your ticket. Nice try, but just as your watch doesn’t get you into the movie, good enough doesn’t get you into Heaven.

            A problem arises when we realize Jesus Christ was the only one who was “good enough.” Try though we may, we will never be perfect. So, this being true, what’s the answer? How do we get to Heaven? Glad you asked. Let me illustrate.

            A young man was brought before a judge for an offense he had committed. When all the evidence was heard, the judge pronounced him guilty. When it was time for the young man to take the punishment, the judge stepped down from the bench and said, “My child, I will take the punishment for you.” This is exactly what happened when Jesus died. You and I deserve to be punished for the wrongs we have committed, but one day, Jesus, our innocent judge said, “I will take the punishment for you.” And He did. This is great news. It means it’s possible you don’t have to die for your sins. The innocent Jesus has taken your punishment. However, don’t stop there, for merely believing He did this is not enough. Heaven is not yet your destination. Next, you need to come to Him in sincerity, confessing your sins, and asking for His forgiveness. Now Heaven is yours.

And there’s more good news. If He had merely taken your punishment and forgiven your sins, that alone would be wonderful. But He also invites you to come into a daily, personal relationship with Him. It’s pretty mind boggling that a human being can have a relationship with the Almighty God, but it’s true. And that relationship with Him is the most wonderful relationship there is. In it, He loves you and guides you, not just once in a while, but each and every day.

So you see, it’s really quite simple, isn’t it? You don’t have to join a church or a particular religion. You don’t have to work real hard, say so many prayers each day, or give a lot of money. Frankly, whatever you do is never going to be good enough to get you into Heaven. But once you’ve followed the steps outlined above, Heaven awaits you when you die.

So let me ask you the question. “Suppose you should die tonight and stand before God and He should ask you, ‘Why should I let you into my Heaven?’ What would you say?”

Ladies, What Kind of “Cookie” Are You?

A wonderful thing happens at my house each October. The plastic containers that have been sitting empty in my cupboard all summer now get filled with homemade cookies and stored in the freezer. You see, this is the time of the year I like to do my holiday baking. I get to select from the many different varieties of cookies which ones I’ll make, as well as how they will look and taste. Will I make bar shaped cookies, drop cookies, frosted cookies, or cookies that require a cookie cutter? Will they contain chocolate, coconut, dates or nuts? What flavoring will they have, lemon, vanilla or anise? Will they be frosted or plain? It’s all up to me.

This year as I proudly surveyed the beautiful assortment I had made, I realized that in spite of their differences in appearance and taste, they have one thing in common. They all contain the same basic ingredients: flour and sugar. In some ways this reminds me of the infinite variety of people our Lord has created. Although inwardly we all have the same kind of flesh and blood bodies, outwardly we look different and have a variety of talents to be used for His kingdom. We may be short, tall, blonde, brunette, light skinned or dark. We may have been given a beautiful singing voice or the ability to speak or write. Perhaps we have the gift of giving or the gift of mercy. We had no say in what we would become. It was God’s decision to make us as different as He desired both in our appearance and our giftedness.

            Another thing I noticed about the cookies, not one of them complained about the way I had made them. Not one of them said, “Why did you make me a chocolate cookie? I wanted to be a lemon cookie.” Not one of them complained that they contained nuts when what they really wanted was chocolate chips. They’re so unlike us women who are prone to complain about our appearance and giftedness. Perhaps we don’t like the shape of our nose or the way our hair curls or doesn’t curl. And when we see someone using their talent for the Lord, we may secretly envy them wishing we had their talent.

            Romans 9:20-21(NIV) says, “But who are you, O woman, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?”

Just as I was the baker who could make cookies any way I wanted, the Lord is our Potter, our “cookie maker” and we are His “cookie dough” to make however He wants. We women look at outward appearances and compare ourselves to others, but God looks at our heart and compares us to Himself to determine how beautiful we are. When He does, what does He see? Does He see a heart that is always complaining about the way He made her? Is it a heart that is more concerned about people’s opinion than God’s?

Another characteristic of cookies is that the prettiest ones are not necessarily the best tasting. I’m often attracted to the beautifully frosted butter cookies, but they lack real substance or flavor and after a bite or two I’m left with merely the taste of the sugary frosting. I prefer the taste of the plain looking chocolate cookies with nuts – and I can eat several of those for they satisfy.

            It’s not hard to know the kind of “cookie” God prefers for He has revealed it to us in His Word.1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV) “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Also Proverbs 31:30 (NIV) reminds us, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord, is to be praised.”

Society places great emphasis on external appearances and women spend thousands of dollars each year on products they hope will make them look more beautiful. Isn’t it great that as these and other verses tell us, God’s ideal cookie gets her beauty from a pure heart and not from external appearances? This beauty is not found at a cosmetic counter, but is developed as we spend time in His presence praying and reading His Word. So why not do this each day and become a cookie of substance and inward beauty, the cookie God wants you to be?

Visiting the Holiday Open House, at the small center near my home, is a tradition I enjoy each year. This event, held one evening each November, ushers in the Christmas season. Visitors are offered a cup of hot cider and encouraged to take their time browsing in the lovely shops. Everything is festive and beautiful inside, while outside, thousands of lights twinkle and carolers serenade people walking from one place to another.

This year, while browsing, I noticed a shelf full of Christmas cards. Some pictured beautifully-decorated Christmas trees. Others had reindeer, snowmen or angels. As I searched through the many boxes of cards, I didn’t see any with Nativity scenes on them. In fact, there were no Nativities on display anywhere in the store. One particular card captured my attention and caused me to ponder. It had no message, only a picture of Father Christmas with his white whiskers, and long, fur-trimmed, red coat.

Father Christmas? I reflected. I know who the real Father of Christmas is and it’s not the person pictured on that card.

As my eyes beheld the beautiful decorations all around me, I thought how sad that humankind has substituted traditions, decorations and make-believe for the real reason we celebrate.

Don’t they realize that even without these things, there would still be Christmas? This beautiful season is not about buying things. It has always been, and always will be, a special time to remember Someone born in a manger, many years ago. He is the true Father of Christmas. Without Him we would have no cause to celebrate, no reason to sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem” or “Away in a Manger.” His life showed the way to Heaven and His death provided forgiveness for sins. Believing in Him is the only way to bring true joy to our hearts and “Joy to the World.”

As I continued browsing, these thoughts eventually left me, and by the time I arrived home, my heavy heart had lifted. Sad thoughts had been replaced with the remembrance that many people, like me, have met the real Father of Christmas. Yes, we may include glitter and traditions in our holiday celebration, but our hearts are focused on the true reason for the season. Like the shepherds of old, we have discovered the Baby in the manger. We have invited Him into our lives, and because of this, we can celebrate Christmas in our hearts, all year long.

And what about you?  Have you met the real Father of Christmas?

Someone once said, “I wish I could be as good a person as my dog thinks I am.” I had always thought that was merely a cute saying until I became the owner of Rob Roy, my Scottish Border Collie. Now, not only do I wish I were as good as he thinks I am, every once in a while, I secretly wish I could be as good a “person” as my dog is. From watching him each day, I have observed his many good qualities, ones I wish were mine. Perhaps you’ve seen these same qualities in your dog.

One of the first things I noticed about Robbie, as we call him, is that he doesn’t hold a grudge. If I accidentally step on his paw, he’s not still upset with me an hour later. He has that wonderful quality of knowing how to forgive and forget – quickly. What a great trait to have.

And talk about patience? Even if his dinner is late for the third day in a row, he’s willing to sit patiently until I have it ready, no matter how long it might take. And then he receives it with a wag of his tail, as if to say, “Thanks, that’s great.”

Another wonderful quality in my four-legged friend is he can sit quietly and listen to me talk, whether I want to “let off steam” or merely “have a little chat” with him. He doesn’t interrupt me except for an occasional sweet kiss that somehow translates to, “I understand and I love you anyway.”

When we go for our walks, Robbie knows the route very well and walks quite fast. It’s the encouragement I need to pick up the pace when I start to slow down. But should I stop to talk with a friend, he’s always willing to sit and wait until I’m finished. Then with a nice pat to his head or “you’re such a good boy,” we’re soon walking again. Unlike me sometimes, interruptions to his given task don’t deter him, and he takes them all in stride.

Robbie loves people and so do I, but I have a tendency to get wrapped up with “things.” He never sees people as an interruption to his day. He greets everyone with a wag of his tail, and always seems happy to see them. He is a reminder to me that “the most important things in life are not things.”

He awakes each morning with a happy attitude, eager to see what new and exciting adventures his day will bring. Little things, even the toss of his ball, a pat on the head, or fresh, cold water in his bowl, bring happiness to him. He appreciates it all. On those rare days when I wake up on “the wrong side of the bed,” his wagging tail brings a smile to my face, and before I know it, I’m in a happy mood too.

I’ve noticed he needs some of the same things I need each day – physical exercise, rest, nourishing food, and words of love and approval. With them, both Robbie and I are healthy and happy.

I believe he is God’s gift to me, not just to remind me of these lessons, but to bring into my life the companionship, laughter and joy only a pet can bring.

And in spite of the many lessons I learn from Robbie, my God knows I’m not perfect. He was the only One who was perfect. Thankfully, He is the One who really teaches me each day about the most important, significant and meaningful lesson of all – my need for a daily relationship with Him.

What comes to mind when you think about worship? Do you think of a particular place or time, or way to do it?

Two thoughts come to mind when I think about worship. First of all, God’s Word tells us to do it, so I should be obedient, but secondly, I admit I need to do it more than I do.

Worship simply means to bow down, and it always comes from our love, admiration and adoration of our Savior. It’s a personal response of gratitude for all He has done for us. Therefore, we do not have to adhere to a set of rules about when, where or how to do it. We can worship Him by “bowing down” in our hearts, while we’re standing up, sitting down, or on our knees. He hears our worship even when we’re in line at the post office, driving our car, or working around the house. We can worship any time of day or in the middle of the night, when the cares of our day keep us from sleeping.

Since it is so easy to worship, why don’t you and I do it more often?

We all know the benefits of staying physically fit, and scripture tells us spiritual fitness (godliness) has “value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8 NIV). Isn’t this what we want?

I like to take time each day to include worship in my “spiritual fitness program.”

Bowing down is my favorite posture in which to worship. As I do so, I often visualize God on a large thrown-like chair – a living, loving Savior looking tenderly at me, gently inviting me to come to Him. There, as I see those nail pierced feet, I’m reminded once again of the sacrifice He made on my behalf, and just why I love and worship Him.

Have you experienced how difficult it is to worship with sin in your life, how much you enjoy it when your relationship with the Lord is as it should be? One person who is known as a worshipper is King David. Yes, his sins were great, but he humbly confessed His sins, asked for forgiveness and then worshipped the Lord. This is such a great example for us today when we sin.

Many verses in the Bible mention worship. Here are a few of them:

Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; He is holy (Psalm 99:5 NIV).

A time is coming and has now come, when the true worshippers will worship the father in spirit and truth; for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks (John 4:23 NIV).

Come, let us bow down in worship. Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, for He is our God (Psalm 95:6 NIV).

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness (Psalm 29:2 NIV).

With all that He is, with all He has done and wants to do for us, why would we NOT worship Him?

Why would we NOT worship our Creator – the One who knows all about us and planned all our days before there were any of them?

Why would we NOT worship the All-Sufficient One? He has the answers and resources to meet our needs.

Why would we NOT worship the Lord, Our Righteousness? He is the only one who can forgive our sins.

Why would we NOT worship the Lord, My Shepherd? He very tenderly cares for us, guiding and leading us each day.

Why would we NOT worship the Lord, My Peace? I can cast all my cares on Him for He calms the storms in my life.

And why would we NOT worship the Lord of Lord and King of Kings? Above Him there is no one higher.

He’s all knowing, all powerful, everywhere at once. He will rule and reign forever.

With such a Savior, I can’t think of any reason NOT to worship Him, can you?

I hadn’t thought about my grammar school days for a long time, but one day they boldly invaded my thoughts.  I remembered the friends I played with and even recalled the names of my favorite teachers.  My classroom, with the big clock on the wall and the old-fashioned desk I sat in, were as visible in my mind as if I’d seen them just yesterday.

Somewhere along the line, I began thinking of the school’s lost-and-found department. That’s where lost sweaters, lunch pails, broken toys and miscellaneous items were kept until their owners came to find them.

As my thoughts wandered, it occurred to me that, in a sense, there are many people who are like these items in the lost and found.  They’re “lost,” and whether they realize it or not, are very much in need of being “found.”

Although they keep busy each day, deep inside they feel empty and without purpose, wishing for something or someone to bring meaning to their lives.  Even if they’re successful in business or have all “the toys” the world has to offer, they don’t feel satisfied.  They’re confused about the meaning of life, and even wonder why they were born.  They ask themselves, “Is this all there is?”

Does this sound like you?

There is a book we don’t hear mentioned much anymore, but for hundreds of years it has shown people how to be “found.” Years ago, many people believed what it said and lived their lives by its words.  It brought peace to the reader’s heart and gave guidance for their daily living.  In this book, they found instructions for living successfully, now and in the afterlife, as well.  And this book was the first place to which those people turned for help when they were stressed or didn’t know what to do.

Today people think it’s too old fashioned to be any value in the twenty-first century.  How could this particular old book, written so long ago, have all the answers for people living today?

Let’s just say it is unlike any other book ever written, and if you take the time to read it, slowly and thoughtfully, you will see just how pertinent it is to today’s world – and to you!

It’s no secret.  This book is the Bible, and here are things you might not know about it:

            First of all, although it is only one book, it’s really a compilation of sixty-six short books.  It is good to begin reading it, not at the beginning, although that’s okay, but in one of the little books toward the back, called The First Epistle of John.  It talks about the most pressing need of mankind in this or any century, and it tells how to take care of that need.  Another little book to read is called The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans.  Check out Chapter 3, verses10-12, and 23.  From there, find Chapter 5, verse 12, Chapter 6, verse 23, and Chapter 5, verse 8.  Then read Chapter 10, verses 9-13. If you read the verses in that order, you’ll learn some pretty amazing stuff, showing both a problem and the solution.  From there, you might want to meet the man who is talked about in the books of The Gospels According to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

In the middle of this big book is a little book called The Book of Psalms.  It actually contains words to songs written a long time ago.  Chapter 139 tells about you before you were born. Cool, huh?

Do you wonder about the formation of earth?  Then start reading in the very first book, The First Book of Moses Called Genesis.  And if you want to learn about the end of the world, read the last book, The Revelation.  It’s pretty heavy stuff, and it will cause you to think serious thoughts about what it says.

Here are some other places to look:

When you think nobody loves you, read The Gospel of John Chapter 3, verse16 and Chapter 13, verse 34.  You’ll see someone actually does love you – a whole lot.

If you can’t figure things out, consult The Book of Proverbs Chapter 3, verses 5-6. It shows you what to do.

When you can’t forgive yourself, the most important person can. Read The First Epistle of John, Chapter 1, verse 9 and The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans Chapter 8, verse 1 to see who it is, and what He has already done for you.

If you’re always worried and frustrated, you’ll love The First Epistle of Peter Chapter 5, verse 7.

When you’re feeling lonely, The Epistle to the Hebrews Chapter 13, verse 5 tells you who is there for you.

Are you in an impossible situation?  See who The Gospel According to Luke Chapter 18, verse 27 tells you to talk to.

            Yes, all this information, and more, is found in the Bible.  Many have read it attempting to prove it is just a myth, full of errors, or at the very least, not pertinent to their lives.  Instead, those who once felt “lost” have been “found,” finding meaning and purpose for their everyday lives. And they have become believers in this book and the man about whom the entire book refers.

            Okay. That was a good book for people long ago, but what about you?  Have you ever read the Bible?

What do you think would happen if you did?

This should wake us up.

One day, a man went to visit a church. He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, ‘I always park there!  You took my place!’  The visitor went inside for Sunday school, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, ‘That’s my seat!  You took my place!’  The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday school, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down.  Another member walked up to him and said, ‘That’s where I always sit!  You took my place!’  The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still he said nothing.

Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change.  Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet.  Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, ‘What happened to you?’  The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, ‘I took your place.’

Have you noticed how much we hear about our hearts these days?  We’re frequently reminded we should reduce the stress in our lives, eat properly, exercise regularly and have yearly check ups.  Doctors believe if we do these things we will keep healthy.

Of course, if problems arise, we can choose to ignore their advice and risk the consequences, or we can make whatever changes are necessary for a healthy heart. It is really up to us to decide.

Our “spiritual hearts”—our relationship with God, need to be taken care of as well.  Some people have very healthy spiritual hearts, but for others, there is bad news.  Their “spiritual EKG” shows severe sin problems in desperate need of forgiveness.  There are only two options available to them:  They can ignore their condition, in which case they will “die in their sin,” or they can take the healing advice of “God, the Great Physician,” and get well.  It seems like an easy decision to make, but it’s amazing how many people make the wrong one.

The Physician has a “file” about all people with unhealthy hearts.  It is entitled, The Book of Romans. It’s a book in the Bible.  Contained within its pages is complete information about the patient, along with a diagnosis and recommended treatment.  It’s a very important file.  This is some of the information contained within it:

The Physician’s Diagnosis:

There is a condition known as sin.  It is defined as not measuring up to God’s standard of perfection in our thoughts, words, or deeds.  Sin entered the world because of one person’s behavior (Rom.5:12 NIV).  That was Adam.  Since then, all people have sinned (Rom.3:23 NIV).  Sin separates each person from a relationship with God, results in physical and spiritual death, and condemns each one to a place of eternal torment called Hell (Rom.6:23 NIV).  This is a world-wide epidemic, and is the most serious and deadly problem known to humankind today.

Treatment and Cure:

The treatment and cure for this problem is available from only one source—Jesus Christ, the Great Physician.  Although Jesus never sinned, He showed His great love for us by taking the punishment for our sins—a cruel and painful death.  It is the punishment we deserve (Rom.5:8, 17-18 NIV).  After three days, God raised Jesus from the dead. Verbally confessing Jesus is Lord, and believing in ones heart that God raised Jesus from the dead is the treatment for a sinful heart condition (Rom.10:9-10 NIV). Anyone who asks for the treatment will receive it (Rom.10:13 NIV). Then, no longer sick in your sins, you will be able to give yourself “whole heartedly” to God (Rom.6:16-18 NIV).  Nothing will ever be able to separate you from God’s love for you (Rom. 8:35-39 NIV).  This is truly good news!

With this treatment the patient will soon realize his heart has been cured.  By daily “feeding” on God’s Word, the Bible, and “exercising” one’s prayer life, a good check up with the Physician is guaranteed.  This treatment will also result in a less stressful life because cares can be given to God, and it will cause one’s heart to beat in time with His.

A bright future is promised the patient who makes these changes.  When that person dies, a home in Heaven, with God forever, is guaranteed (Rom.3:23 NIV).  After Jesus arose from the dead, He went to heaven to prepare that home.  In fact He’s working on it right now.

Imagine being able to live with the Physician forever in a place prepared especially for you.  With Him, there will be no more tears, no more aches and pains, no more sin-sick hearts.

The Physician has never had a malpractice suit filed against Him, nor even a complaint from any of His patients.  He has a great bedside manor, and even makes house calls. With His “health plan,” there’s no waiting to see the Physician, no paper work to fill out, and no co-payments.  Best of all, anyone can afford it—because it’s free for the asking.

MY NAME IS MARIE: I’M A RECOVERING ALCOHOLIC

It would be easy to blame a lack of Christian upbringing for my behavior. I could even point to an absentee father and a dysfunctional family and say they caused it.  In reality, it was the love of alcohol and my immoral behavior during my teen years that quickly propelled my life into a hopeless abyss from which I thought I would never recover.

When I was eight years old, my playmate told me about the fun things she did at church.  Since there was no fun in my life, I invited myself to attend church with her.  This was the first time I ever heard about God.  Also at eight years old, I became curious about the wine my mother was drinking.  I reasoned it must taste pretty good since she drank it so often.  So I began taking sips of it when she wasn’t looking.  I loved it immediately!

By fifteen, my girlfriend and I were routinely leaving our homes on Saturday nights crossing the nearby border into Mexico.  There, feeling very mature in our mini skirts and black, net stockings, we drank until we were drunk. I loved everything about alcohol – the way it tasted, the way it made me feel, and the power I thought it gave me.

Returning to her house to sleep, we found the nights too short.  For bright and early each Sunday morning, her father would wake us up, insisting since we had been drinking, we now needed to go to church.  Although aware of our drinking, members of the little church turned a blind eye to our appearance and the alcohol on our breath.  Instead they chose to love us anyway and encouraged us to continue coming.

The pastor would often say, “Marie, do you want to talk? How can we help you?  Are you ready to stop drinking?”  I wasn’t ready to stop, but I felt guilty because of how kind he was to me in spite of my condition.  Even reeling from a hangover, God spoke to me through his sermons.  No matter where I was, no matter my condition, He continued knocking on the door of my heart – wanting me to come to Him.

A tubal pregnancy at fifteen ended with the loss of my preborn child and nearly took my life as well.  In the years to come, this pregnancy would affect all efforts to become pregnant.

In my sober moments I would take a good look at my miserable existence.  “God, my life isn’t supposed to look like this.  Why is this happening?  What do you want from me?”  I wondered if I would ever be free from the powerful, dark forces controlling my life – this addiction to alcohol and the drugs I was also taking.

In 1992, at the age of twenty-four, I hit bottom.  In addition to everything else, I was now homeless.  Although embarrassed and ashamed of my condition, with no place else to go, I moved in with my father.  I somehow managed to stop drinking for one year, but with a poor choice of friends, sobriety did not last long.

Jim, a frequent customer where I worked, recognized my condition and spoke encouraging words to me each time he saw me.  “Take it one day at a time.  Look to God for your strength.  You can do it.  God can help you.”  I didn’t realize the words he spoke were those he heard at his Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.  One day he said, “Marie, you look horrible.  You just can’t go on like this.  Let me pick you up this evening after work and take you some place where you can get help.”  With no idea what he meant or where we would go, I agreed.  He took me to a meeting place for recovering alcoholics.  That night, I determined to get sober and stay sober.  Step one was to attend those meetings on a regular basis.

Shortly thereafter I was transferred to the late night shift at work.  That meant I was at work while the bars were open.  I truly believe it was God Who rearranged my schedule to put the temptation of alcohol even farther from me.

After a year of encouragement from the meetings, I finally began seeking God with all my heart.  From my first introduction to God, I never doubted His existence and never stopped talking to Him.  I had asked Him to be my Savior in the past.  Now I was asking from my heart.  I had no idea what the future would hold, but was certain He was real and that His hand was on my life.

From all I’ve experienced, I should be dead by now, but instead I’ve been given life – a life of sobriety these past fifteen years.  During this time, I have seen God do a tremendous work in my life.  Now I know what the Bible means when it says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17 NIV).

I praise God for doing that for me.

Also see Alcohol Abuse, Temptation on www.SuccessAndFailure.net

WHAT’S YOUR ANSWER TO THE CHRISTMAS EVE QUESTION?

How quickly Christmas has come and gone.  Decorations are once again hibernating on their shelf in the garage.  Two potted poinsettias, like silent sentinels, still “stand guard” by the front door, the only visible reminder Christmas has ever been here.

Swirling in my head is one last reminder of Christmas and I cannot put it away just yet. It is the question the pastor asked at the church service on Christmas Eve.  Whatever else he said that evening is now forgotten, but the question lingers.  It is not for me alone.  Humankind has always wrestled with it and now I ask it of you even as I ask it of myself.

“How close do you want to come to the manger?”

Look past the shepherds and the sheep, past the wood and the straw.  Do you really see the baby in the manger?  He is no ordinary child. He is God, deliberately inhabiting a human body.  He will live about thirty-three years, and will face temptation, rejection, persecution, and death.  Because He is God in heaven before coming to earth, He knows how difficult His life on earth will be.  He also knows the sinless life He will live makes Him the only One qualified to pay the penalty for the sins of all people.  To do that, He will have to die an agonizing death on a cross, but because He loves us so much, He will do so – willingly.  He did not come into the world to condemn it, but to give us an opportunity for a relationship with Him. And so I ask.

“How close do you want to come to the manger?”

Do you want to come close enough for a quick glimpse of the baby and acknowledge He was really born?

Do you want to come close enough to see the baby and believe He is God, but continue to ignore Him and any influence He might have on your life?

Or do you want to come so close you can embrace Him, ask Him to forgive your sins and take Him into your heart?  This is what He would like you to do!  This is why He came to earth, for a relationship with you.

Right now He lovingly whispers in your ear, “What is your answer to the Christmas Eve question?  How close do you want to come to the manger?”

Reprint: This article has appeared in the Church of God Evangel Magazine, December 2005 and in Purpose Magazine (date in the future)

Comfort Foods – What’s Your Comfort Food?

At a recent pot-luck, my friend looked at the rice pudding I had brought and exclaimed, “O boy, comfort food.”  For her, rice pudding was more than something pleasing to her tongue.  It seemed to stir up all sorts of wonderful and delicious memories. Perhaps it even touched a very special spot in her heart.

Comfort food is different for each individual.  For many it is chocolate that brings comfort – chocolate in just about any form. Some people even think of mashed potatoes and gravy as comfort food.  For my husband, comfort food is apple pie, especially apple pie a la mode.

Think for a moment about your comfort food.  What was happening in your life when that particular food brought comfort to you?  Were things going well or not so well for you?  Can you relate it to a particular person or event?

No matter what our comfort food may be, eating it always seems to make us feel a bit better and gives us a little brighter outlook on whatever situation we may be facing.  Although it is probably high in carbohydrates, it somehow touches whatever that spot is that needs to be touched at the moment.

Thinking about my friend’s response to rice pudding reminded me of my favorite comfort food.  Perhaps it’s your favorite too.  It’s my “spiritual comfort food,” and it’s found in the Bible.  It is the “go to” comfort food I rely upon.  I can eat all I want and never gain a pound, never get a cavity, and never feel guilty if I over eat.  It is delicious to my soul and readily available day or night.  No matter what I’m experiencing it is always there to bring just the exact comfort I need at that particular moment – and I don’t even have to go to the kitchen and prepare it.

For example, when I was a single mom raising three young children on my own, my comfort food was found in Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”  And when I was having trouble collecting all my credits from various college locations to apply toward a degree, my comfort was Isaiah 45:2 (NIV).  “I will go before you and will level the mountains.  I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.” And many times I have found comfort in these verses: Jeremiah 29:11(NIV) “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.” Proverbs 15: 29 (NIV) says, “The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous.”  And Psalm139 comforts me continually for it says God knew me before I was born and he will never forsake me no matter where I go.  How comforting those verses have been in my life.

Let’s face it. Chocolate may be comfort food for the body, but for the soul, you can’t beat The Bible.  It is delicious to your heart and satisfies your soul.  For as it says, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” (Psalm 119:103 NIV)  So go ahead.  Indulge – in God’s comfort food.

It seems to me the hardest test questions are always those that ask me to fill in the blank.  With a true or false question I can guess at the answer and perhaps get it correct, but if filling in the blank is required, there’s no guessing. Either I know the correct answer or I don’t.

Life is like that too. From the date of our birth until the date of our death, we’re allowed to live our life—“fill in the blank,” however we wish.  What we put in the blank is very important and it’s not wise to guess at the answer.  The wrong answer has serious consequences.

With the appearing of that second date on our tombstone—the day of our death, there will be no time left to “cram for finals.”  However, we need not worry if we fill in our blank with the correct answer as found in the Bible.

In Romans 3:23 it says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” To sin means to say, think or do something contrary to God’s will— to fall short of God’s glory.  We have all done it. This makes us sinners who deserve punishment for our sin—living forever in hell and completely separated from God. This is not pleasant to think about, but don’t stop reading, for there is good news.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only unique Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son, Jesus, into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:16-17 NIV).  The punishment for sin is spiritual death—separation from God forever.  God’s Son, the only non-sinner ever to live, willingly died on a cross to take the punishment we deserve.  He arose from the dead three days later, making Him the Conqueror over death and hell.

We must make a decision about what He did for us.  We can reject it, and die both physically and spiritually, and go to hell.  But if we ask Him to forgive our sins, we become a Christian.  Then, although physical death will eventually occur, spiritually we will be alive and go to live with Him in heaven.

The Bible says, “That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10 NIV).  Filling in the blank correctly isn’t difficult to do, but it’s a life-changing experience.  For when we believe Jesus did what He said He did, and confess we are a sinner needing forgiveness, we will receive the Holy Spirit into our heart. He will guide us each day, showing us how to live a life pleasing to God (John 14:26 NIV).

After Jesus arose from the dead, He promised to go to heaven to prepare a home for those who have accepted Him.  He said He’d return to take them to heaven to live with Him (John 14:2-3 NIV).

Many people have chosen to believe and obey these Scriptures.  They’ve invited Him into their hearts, and asked how He wants them to fill in the blanks.  He has shown them how to do it with love, obedience and service to Him, their Lord and Savior.  They don’t need to guess at the answer.  They have filled in their blank correctly.

Have you?

Reprint ** Church of God Evangel, January 2009

“My dad is not expected to live,” Bill told his pastor. “I’ve shared with him many times how he can simply ask Jesus to forgive his sins and then he’ll know he’s going to heaven when he dies, but he hasn’t ever asked. I’m so anxious for him to do this. Please, Pastor Johnson, would you do me a big favor and go talk to him?”

The pastor went to Hank immediately, but his eyes were closed and he seemed very weak. Silently he prayed this dying man would still be able to hear and communicate with him. Leaning closely, Pastor Johnson took his feeble hand and explained who he was and why he had come.

Having received no acknowledgment of his presence, the pastor wondered what he could do. Finally he said, “If you can hear me, just squeeze my hand.” Time seemed to stand still as he waited for a response. Finally he felt it— gentle though it was. Ever so thankful for a response, the pastor proceeded with what he wanted to say.

He shared several verses from the Bible that tell about Jesus who willingly died on a cross for the forgiveness of everyone’s sins and three days later rose from the dead. He said all one had to do was sincerely believe this and ask Him to forgive your sins. Then a home in heaven would be yours when you died. Once again Pastor Johnson said, “If you understand, just squeeze my hand.” As before, the pastor waited for a response. It did not come right away, but once again he felt it.

The pastor went on to say, “Hank, Jesus wants everyone to go to heaven to live with Him. Right now He is in heaven preparing a home for those who have asked for forgiveness.” For a third time he said, “If you understand, just squeeze my hand.” Patiently he waited and then he felt it. This time it was not as strong as before.

Sensing he must leave because Hank was very tired, Pastor Johnson asked one more question, the question he had come to ask. “Would you like Jesus to forgive your sins and take you to heaven? If so, just squeeze my hand.” Now the minutes seemed like hours as he waited for the squeeze of his hand. Would it come? Had Hank really heard and understood? There was no response. He repeated his question. “Would you like Jesus to forgive your sins and take you to heaven? If so, just squeeze my hand.”

And then he felt it.

Three days later Jesus welcomed Hank to his new home in heaven.

With His nail-pierced hands open wide, Jesus comes to each one of us asking those same three questions. “Do you hear me talking to you? Do you understand what you’ve heard? Would you like me to forgive your sins and take you to heaven when you die? If so, just squeeze my hand.”

The sun was starting to rise over my shoulder as I walked the Oregon shoreline that soon led me to Haystack Rock.  Something about this rock at the ocean’s edge compelled me to it like iron to a magnet.  I’d heard it was huge, yet from my starting point a mile away, the rock seemed small and far from me.  I could not determine its characteristics—size, weight and color.  I had yet to experience it “up close and personal.”

As I continued walking, the rays of the sun moved to various parts of the rock, revealing more of it.  I began noticing new things about it, and so with each step my eagerness to get closer began to grow.  My pace increased.

Now at low tide, I stood as close as possible to the rock beholding its true size, beauty and magnificence.  Haystack Rock appeared huge beyond my imagination, and it looked so firmly planted that it surely would never move.  As I gazed at this rock, new sights caught my attention: the swirling water and tide pools at its base, and the many birds coming and going from their nests upon it.  I would have never noticed these had I not come close.  I wanted to stay there all day enjoying the breath-taking sight before me.

But in the long run it was not what I saw that impressed me most, but rather what I felt. In the presence of the rock I was suddenly aware of how massive and heavy it was, and what great strength and power I attributed to it.  By comparison I felt small, frail and helpless.  Yet it was not the rock that told me I was that way.  It was only when I drew near that I could make my own comparison.

Sometime later my thoughts returned to that walk on the beach and the feelings I had seeing the rock.  The experience somehow paralleled the spiritual walk I have taken over the years, drawing closer to my Savior, the Rock of my salvation.  I was drawn to Him, but at first He seemed small and far away.  I didn’t have any idea what a mighty God He is, but as I drew closer to Him, I began to see Him more clearly.  And the more I saw of Him, the more eager I became to stay close beside Him.

Time I spend in His presence is so pleasurable, so rewarding, that getting to know Him better has become my desire. In His presence, I realize my small size and weakness, but I also see what a big God He is.  Strong, unmovable, powerful, are just a few of His attributes, yet He loves me so much He died for the forgiveness of my sins. He bids me come, to know Him better and to allow His strength to flow through me.  With nail-pierced hands open wide to receive me, He simply says, “Come unto me.”

I gladly accept His invitation.

“For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?  It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. (Psalm 18: 31-32 NIV)