I received a check in the mail today. It was not the first check I’ve ever received and I certainly hope it will not be the last, but by far it is the most remarkable. The reason for its significance is because it was for $.05. The telephone company sent us a refund, a whopping five cent refund, when we cancelled our telephone service. Previously, they had sent us two credits in the mail. Now maybe you are not as perplexed as I am to this reasoning but let me explain what I see here. The telephone company so concerned with its customers that for a five cent credit they will mail two letters (at $.44 each plus paper cost), print a check (paying someone in the company to do this) and send the $.05 check (using paper and another $.44). What has happened to common sense? The same company several years ago sent us a final bill for $.42. They sent several bills clearly costing more money than the forty-two cent they billed us for.  Again I ask, what has happened to common sense? I shouldn’t be surprised that it has died, look at our country. As I listen to the news and all the talk about stimulus packages, illegal immigrants, states’ rights, gun restrictions, hate crime legislation and the silencing of Christians I again ask “What has happened to common sense?” When I hear the same people who believe in the murder of innocent babies talk about animal rights and “mother earth” I again ask, “What has happened to common sense?” When I hear about people suing others over hot coffee or schools hiring child molesters or the government spending 2 million dollars for ATV trails during a financial crisis, I began to believe that common sense has died. Common sense died in this country when the belief of God and His Holy Word died. You may ask, “What does a .05 cent check and God have to do with one another?” It’s simple really. When a person no longer cares about God, His Word, His Standards, His Holiness, or His coming Judgment, then a person stops caring about everything else – that is unless it immediately involves or benefits them. The greatest two commandments are love God and love others. People have stopped loving God, therefore they cannot love others. People today seem to love only one person and that is self. So, the attitude is, “If it doesn’t promote my well being than I don’t care.” This can be applied to employees in companies wasting money to people not standing up when Christians are persecuted. The apathetic attitude in our country, even among believers, is killing our nation. The lethargic approach many have taken to life is destroying the very foundations that this God fearing country was built upon. Oh how I wish we could get back to where we once were – God fearing, Bible reading, church going, parent honoring, country caring, neighbor loving, elderly respecting and common sense!

  Raising a daughter just about guarantees you that tea parties will be a part of your life.  Beginning with the time my daughter could barely walk, having tea parties with her stuffed animals to just last summer when my daughter and I hosted an afternoon tea for the older ladies in our church.  All proper young ladies love tea parties.

Tea has played an important role in America.  It was in 1767 that because of the unjust taxes on tea, as well as many other reasons, that the historic event that we know as the Boston Tea Party took place. 

I pray that another historic event has just taken place.  Today, my husband and I took our children to another tea party.  All across the nation, thousands of other people just like me, who believe in God, in liberty, and in freedom took a stand.  People stood who are tired of our immoral big government.  People stood today who know and believe that our government is made up for the people, by the people and of the people.  People, true patriots, are uniting and it’s encouraging.

Too long have we stood by and done nothing.  Too long have we let a few in Washington dictate to us their beliefs.  Too long have we allowed our government to grow out of control.  Too long have we let our freedoms be taken from us.  I heard it today, from the platform on a courthouse in Southern Mississippi, “There is no messiah in Washington!  There is no king but King Jesus.”  It’s about time that the Christians stand up and say this loudly.  People need to quit holding out their hands to the government expecting the government to save them.  In fact, people need to quit holding their hands out to the government schools who indoctrinate their children in the ways of humanism and who fail to teach the truth of our Christian heritage and founding fathers.  People need to quit holding their hands out to the government for health care, mortgage payments, car payments and jobs.  Quit holding out your hands and start holding up your head.  Be an American.

We must pray hard and work hard.  We must take a stand and be involved.  There is too much at stake to only think about the immediate.  Looking at my children, I’m compelled to try and make a difference in this country.  After all it was multigenerational thinking that made this great country what it once was.  I won’t just turn it over to the liberals.  I won’t just turn it over to the ungodly.  If our country collapses let it not be said of me that I did nothing but that my family stood till the end.  With that thought I think I’ll go make a glass of tea.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Psalm 33:12

In his book, Joy in Your Life, Charles Spurgeon recalls a story of an elderly woman who when asked about the fear of dying replies, “Afraid to die, sir?  I have dipped my foot in Jordan every morning before breakfast, for the last fifty years, and do you think I am afraid to die now?”  In speaking to believers, Spurgeon says, “We die hundreds of times.  We ‘die daily’.   We die every morning; we die each night when we sleep; by faith we die.  And so, dying will be old work when we come to it.  We will say, ‘Ah, death, you and I have been old acquaintances.  I have had you in my bedroom every night.  I have talked with you each day.  I have had the skull upon my dressing table.  I have often thought of you.  Death, you have come at last, but you are a welcome guest.  You are an angel of light and the best friend I have had.’  Why dread death since there is no fear of God leaving you when you come to die?”

Yesterday we celebrated Resurrection Sunday.  Some would call this Easter, but not us.  We celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord.  We celebrate life.  We celebrate victory over death.  There is no more sting in death for Christ has arose.  “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”  I Corinthians 15:22. 

There is victory over death; therefore there is a death that is welcome.  As Paul addresses the Corinthians he says, “I die daily.”  In Colossians he exhorts us to put to death the old man and put on the new man.  For we are dead and our life is hid with Christ in God.  Like the old lady in the story I should every day wake to die; die to myself, die to my flesh, die to my desires, die to my wishes, die to my wants.  Die to self and live for Christ; that is the goal.  Therefore, I have purpose in this life.  It’s to die.  I must remind myself of this truth often. For when it’s a reality it is so much easier to serve Christ.  Today, I will serve Christ and live for Him by being my husband’s helpmeet.  I’ll do my best to please him, to help him, to wait on him.  I’ll serve Christ by being a mother to my children.  I’ll do my best to teach them, to love them, to train them.  I’ll cook for my family.  I’ll clean house.  I’ll wash dishes.  I’ll do laundry.   I’ll do my best to die to myself and live for Christ.

Help me Father to please you in all I do today.  Help me to be the wife and mother I’m called to be.  Lord, let me die to self and live for you by reaching out to others, by putting others before myself.  Let me take a few minutes to call someone who is hurting or drop a note to someone who is lonely.  Lord, let my life be given to others.  And let me teach my children the same.   Help me Lord…..I’m dying.

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

(Matthew 10:38-39)

I love the mountains.  Last year my husband took me to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  The mountains were so beautiful.  We would drive through the mountains with the windows down and the sunroof open.  We would listen to music and take in all the scenery.  Life always seems clearer when you’re on top of a mountain.  My family’s all-time favorite vacation spot is Colorado Springs.  When you stand upon Pikes Peak at 14,110 feet above sea level, God seems closer.  Perhaps it’s because His handiwork is so evident.  At that height the air is thinner and you experience shortness of breath.  But, it’s okay because as you’re standing there admiring the grandeur of God’s creation all of a sudden you appear so very small and you realize that God is so very big.  Therefore, you accept the fact that even the next breath you take is in His hands.  It’s truly breath-taking.  Even in Northwest Arkansas, where my family is from, you have small mountains and big hills.  It’s such a wonderful experience to climb a mountain, stand at the top and look out for miles and miles in every direction.  In contrast, take a look at Southern Louisiana or even Southern Mississippi where we live.  While those areas have their own distinct beauty the land is just plain flat.  It’s hard to find even a small hill to climb.  The beauty can’t compare to the mountains.

God’s Word tells us in Psalm 125 that, “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.”  When you stand at the bottom of a mountain the sheer size is overwhelming.  Mountains are unmovable.  Mountains protect.  Mountains inspire.  Imagine being surrounded by mountains.  Some might say that the feeling would be one of helplessness but not when God Himself is the mountain.  There is such peace in my heart when I read these Truths from God.  There is such peace knowing that God stands around His people protecting, defending and shielding from all danger and harm.  Nothing comes through God that is not in His Sovereign will.  In that fact I can rest assured that there is no better place to be than surrounded by mountains. 

Yesterday I took my children to the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby for a field trip. In History the children have been studying about World War II. The exhibits were all very interesting. But one particular exhibit caught our attention. It was the display of The Bataan Death March. During WWII tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were surrendered to Japanese forces. They were marched for days (over 65 miles) in the scorching heat through the Philippine jungles. Thousands died. Those who survived faced the hardships of prisoner war camp.

The reason for our interest was that last week my brother had just completed the Bataan Death March Marathon. One thing that he said really stuck out and I wanted to share it with you,

“Sometimes watching the news, I begin to wonder if there is anything good about America that is left. Attending an event like this leaves no doubt in your mind that there is a lot of good still left in America, you just have to look for it.”

For those of us who have studied the History of our great country and understand the Biblical foundations upon which this nation was built, it becomes very depressing to think about how far left we have come and where we are today. But, after talking to my brother about his experience, then touring the museum yesterday and reading about all the men and women who have defended this nation I was encouraged. I agree that we are no longer the godly nation we once were, but there is no doubt in my mind that there are still thousands of God fearing people in our country who believe in and stand for the truths found in scripture. We find them in the military serving because of their loyalty to what this country once stood for. We find them serving in the churches, preaching and teaching the Truth from scripture. We find them on the front lines, fighting the war on abortion, homosexuality and the destruction of marriage. We find them quietly working and providing for their families and teaching their children the ways of God. It’s easy to think as Elijah that “I, even I only, am left”. (I Kings 19:14) but there are still those who “have not bowed down”. We might not be the great nation we once were but there is still greatness left in this country. The reason is because God is Great and He has those who love Him and serve Him all throughout this country. Now is not the time to disengage from the culture and give up on what once was, now is the time to fight for what’s right, to stand up for God and His Word, to live a consistent life that is pleasing to the Lord and to remember that God is sovereign and to Him be all Honor and Glory.

Below is a copy of the email my brother sent about the marathon. I pray it will bless your heart as it did mine.

“1st of all I would like to thank each of you for the support you have given. I have received hundreds of encouraging e-mails, text messages and phone calls. There has been tremendous support and interest regarding the 20th annual Bataan Death March Memorial Marathon and the fund raising efforts for the Alzheimer’s Association.

What an amazing experience! Sunday, March 29 we arrived at White Sands Missile Range near Las Cruces, New Mexico at 5:30 a.m. There we joined over 5,300 participants and 1,500 support personnel and volunteers. This is a memorial event to honor WWII veterans and the survivors of the original Bataan Death March in 1942. During the opening ceremonies we honored the dozen survivors who were present, proudly wearing their medals.. The youngest was 86 years old with the oldest at 92, most were in wheelchairs or used canes or walkers. A huge American flag snapped in the wind, bagpipes played reveille, many of the participants were in fatigues and combat boots, there was no doubt that everyone there was proud to be an American. Sometimes watching the news, I begin to wonder if there is anything good about America that is left. Attending an event like this leaves no doubt in your mind that there is a lot of good still left in America, you just have to look for it.

On the flight down, I met a man named Kirk Bauer who is the Executive Director of Disabled Sports USA. Their motto is “If I can do this, I can do anything”. Kirk is a Vietnam veteran who lost his left leg in 1969 and who for the last 40 years has helped people with disabilities renew their lives through sports. His work through the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project teaches military veterans who have lost arms or legs how to ski, bicycle, play basketball, swim, run, etc. Kirk has worn a prosthetic leg since his injury, but in January, 2009 he broke the bone in his stump. Kirk had been on crutches for the last 8 weeks still training so that he could participate in this event. When asked why he was still planning on participating (he’s 61 years old), his reply was “How can I not do it?” He said that he is always telling disabled veterans to “adapt and overcome”, and that is what he had to do. I saw Kirk afterwards and he had completed the entire 15 mile honorary course on crutches with one leg. On both hands he had blisters on top of blisters, but he was smiling from ear to ear. What an inspiration! I don’t think I will be complaining about some aching muscles and a few blisters.

I had signed up for the civilian “heavy” category which is the 26.2 mile course carrying at least 35 pounds in a backpack, the course is through desert terrain with much of it uphill. This is done in part to experience some of what the survivors of the original march went through. My personal goal was to finish the marathon in 5 hours and 30 minutes, and I wanted to be a top 10 finisher in the heavy category. Thankfully, I was able to complete the course in 5:30:53 and finished 7th overall and 2nd in my age group (30-39) which qualified me for a medal. Many of our military veterans have suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Through this event we have raised some funds for Alzheimer’s support and research. 100% of all money raised has gone directly to the Mid-Missouri Alzheimer’s Association. Thanks so much to each of you who have contributed. If you have not had a chance and would still like to contribute to the Alzheimer’s Association you can go to http://www.alz.org/mid-missouri/in_my_community_16155.asp or you can print a donation form from the attachment and send a check to the address on the form. If you know of anyone who would like to hear about this or would like to help support Alzheimer’s research, please forward this to them. To read more about the Bataan Death March Memorial or to see photos and race results go to http://www.bataanmarch.com . Thank you, Dave McEntire

“that ye may be sincere…” (Php 1:10)

When the apostle Paul writes to the Philippian church he offers up a prayer. Along with praying that their love abounds more and more and that they live without offence, he also prays that they will be sincere. I believe that God has given us women a unique ability to be able to discern when people are being sincere. No one likes to be around an insincere, patronizing person. But, show me a person who is truly sincere, a person who is heartfelt, and a person who is genuine and I’ll show you a person who people naturally congregate towards. While it’s easy to spot a sincere person, it can be difficult to describe the word “sincere”. The word “sincere” used here in scripture literally means without wax (sine cera) that is, honey which is pure and transparent. It is rather tricky to see through a jar of honeycomb but remove the wax leaving behind only pure honey and the jar becomes clear. This is how we are to be as Christians: pure, transparent, clear, what you see it what you get. We should never wear a mask of Christianity or as my husband calls it, having “coat rack Christianity” where you take off your “Christianity” and leave it at the door on Sundays only to pick it back up again next Sunday. Or, another word associated too many times with “Christianity” is hypocritical. Of course the sad truth is that the reason Christianity is viewed as hypocritical is because there are too many goats among the sheep. I believe that although a child of God will stumble and fall on occasion that a true believer will not live a consistent hypocritical life. For light and darkness cannot dwell together. Therefore, these hypocritical people are just pretenders of the faith.

Now, let’s talk about true believers being sincere; for even the most mature believer can have a tendency to be artificial at times. Let me explain by giving an example. Take a person who is going through a difficult time, perhaps they are having family problems, facing financial ruin, struggling with their health, or even in the midst of a spiritual war battling the enemy. They walk into church, put on a smile and “pretend” that everything is just fine.

“How are you today?”

 “Oh, I’m doing great, and you?”

“Just fine!”

And they go and sit down, listen to a sermon, walk out the door and feel the same or worse than before they came into the service. Sound familiar? I’ve done it. Have you? I would say that most of us, if not all of us have at times. Why can’t a believer who is hurting walk into a church service with their brothers and sisters and share their struggles, their pains, and their worries? Why do we have so many “unspoken” prayer requests? When was the last time you heard someone ask prayer for a spiritual issue they were battling in their life? When was the last time we confessed our faults to one another and prayed for one another (James 5:16)?

While I’ve been in places describe like this, I’m so thankful to be a part of a church family where we do share our burdens (Gal. 6:2). Our church family has great love for one another, it’s apparent from the moment you walk into the midst of the church. And while the family is sincere most of the time, we can always do better. We need each other. Times are going to get hard. Our country is beginning to reap what we’ve been sowing for the last 50 years. Therefore, it’s time to remove any wax from our lives and as children of God be pure with one another.

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. (Php 1:9-11)

Living in the middle of a National Forest has its advantages. The lovely scenery, quiet solitude and the awe-inspiring awareness of being in the midst of God’s creation all add to the beauty. However, the other night I was beginning to wonder if living in the forest might have a few downfalls. You see, every few years various Forest Services throughout the country use prescribed burns in an attempt to control wildfires, insect infestation and create changes necessary to maintain a healthy ecosystem. We were warned that they would be burning but what surprised us was the amount of smoke. My children none the less loved all the excitement. They watched as men dug a fire line behind our home the day before. They went outside and waved to the helicopter, hoping for a chance to end up on the nightly news. They were awed by having to cover their faces for all the fire and smoke. But as the day wore on so did our enthusiasm. Eyes began to water, throats became sore from all the coughing, and our home begin to fill up with smoke. By midnight our home was completely filled with no means of relief. So my husband, being a great provider and protector, said “pack a bag, we’re leaving”.

The next evening as we drove back home we could still see the fires burning and they continued to burn for several days afterwards. My children did what all curious children do; they asked questions. “Why do they have to burn the forest” was the most prevalent one. As my husband answered them I began to think about the times in my life when the trials of fire have come. “Lord, must I go through this,” my heart cries. Yet, His Word is always there to answer. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1Pe 1:7) The process of refining gold from ore is to use extreme heat in order to separate pure gold from the other elements. And God uses the same process of refining His children. You see, as a believer it’s very easy to claim Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  But we must not forget the following verse. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”(Rom 8:29) I must remind myself that the goal is to be “conformed to the image of his Son.” God wants me to be conformed into the image of Christ. This is why He tells us to be holy, for He is holy. It’s a work in progress that will one day be complete when I step into glory. But until that time God is working in my life, sometimes using extreme heat to separate the pure from the other. So maybe after all living in the forest has more advantages then downfalls. For even when the fire comes and the smoke fills our homes it can be a reminder that God is working in our lives for good. Just as the fire is good for the forest to purify and cleanse it, so can I rest assured that God will use fire in my life for we know that all things work together for good to them that love God and who are called for his purpose…..to be conformed to the image of His Son.

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” (1Co 3:11-13)