Tamar³

Trivia question: How many Tamars are mentioned in the Bible? The answer is three (in case you didn't notice the title of today's story). And if those three aren't enough to keep track of, there were also a few towns named Tamar.

Tamar means "date" in ancient Hebrew, like the fruit - "date," "date palm," or "palm tree," are all acceptable meanings for Tamar.

Not much is mentioned about Tamar #3, except that she was the daughter of Absalom (King David's son) and that she was beautiful. We can assume that Tamar #3 was named in honor of Absalom's "sister," also named Tamar, who was raped by Absalom's brother Amnon. Absalom killed his brother because of this.

"Three sons and a daughter were born to Absalom. His daughter’s name was Tamar, and she became a beautiful woman." - 2 Samuel 14:27

The story of Tamar #2 is found in 2 Samuel 13. Like I said, she was raped by Amnon. An ugly and sad story to be sure. Yet, it is in the Bible. We must learn from it.

"Tamar lived in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman." - 2 Samuel 13:20

Tamar #1's story is found in Genesis 38. She was the daughter-in-law of Judah - one of the 12 patriarchs. It is she who is mentioned in Matthew's lineage of Jesus.

"Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar." - Matthew 1:2-3

That sounds all nice and clean, but Tamar #1 had to dress up like a prostitute and have sex with her father-in-law in order to keep the line to Jesus alive. 

So, what do we learn from all of this? The lineage of Jesus passes through a wide variety of humans, often by detestable and disgusting events. Murderers, adulterers, incestuous relationships, "there is no one good, no not one."

All of Jesus' relatives were sinners, just like us. Yet Jesus was "the spotless lamb." How could that even be possible? The answer is found in the Bible. Imagine that!

"Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit." - Matthew 1:18

The Seed of God!! God, The Father! The Christmas story!

He really DOES make all things, ALL THINGS, new. May His name be forever praised! Amen!!

A Thanksgiving Onion

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving day. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for families to get together and to eat way too much food. But underneath all of the turkey and stuffing, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, there is a concept that we often miss in all of our busyness. So today let us peel off the layers of this Thanksgiving onion and get down to the basics of the holiday.

Travel - Many people travel hundreds of miles just to arrive at their Thanksgiving destination. Why? The delays, cancellations, packing, unpacking and repacking can be overwhelming. Why do it?

Football - Football has certainly become a part of the Thanksgiving tradition. Thanksgiving meals are often planned around kickoffs and halftime shows.

Food - The Thanksgiving meal has certainly changed over the years. It used to be a turkey, corn and squash back in the day. Now we've added stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream. 

If we removed all these things, what would be left? Okay, maybe leave in the travel. But if we removed all the layers of this Thanksgiving onion that we are dissecting today, what would be left?

Faith, family, and love.

It's possible to shrink the reason for Thanksgiving even further though. Think about it. Can't we reduce the reason for Thanksgiving into just one word?

God.

Thanksgiving IS really all about God. Or at least it used to be. Who are we giving thanks TO anyway? If we do not give thanks to God on Thanksgiving day, what are we even doing?

And why do we only designate a Thanksgiving Day? Yes, I know all about the Pilgrims. But I am quite sure they gave thanks EVERY day because  of their struggle just to survive. And so should we.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of love, and for Your grace and mercy. Thank you for Your creation and design of the family unit. Without You and what You've done, we wouldn't even be here. We give thanks and praise to the One True God, the Creator of heaven and earth. Amen.

"I will give to the Lord the thanks due to His righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High." - Psalm 7:17

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" - Psalm 107:1

What's In A Name?

What does your name mean? Did you know that in the Hebrew language, a person's name actually means something? For example, the name Jesus actually means "God (Yahweh) saves." The name Emmanuel literally means "God with us."

There are numerous examples of this cool fact in the Bible. Did you know that the Hebrew word for 'man' is Adam?

When the Old Testament says, "son of man," it is really saying, " Son of Adam."

“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him." - Daniel 7:13

The "Son of Man," the Son of Adam, is Jesus. The "Ancient of Days" is God the Father.

There are two lineages of Jesus written in the New Testament. One is found in the Book of Matthew (ch1v1-17). The other is in Luke (ch3v23-38). Matthew's lineage is through Solomon (to Joseph) and the Luke's lineage is through Nathan (to Mary).

Remember now than each person's name in those listings of Jesus' relatives actually means something. What if the meanings of all those names were all written down and read? Would those meanings then tell a story?

Oh, my... Do they ever! And the story is all about Jesus.

I challenge you to watch this video. You will be amazed and blessed by it.

Here's a taste....

He will be a .... 'red man' or 'earth man' (Adam) whose purpose is 'to set something in place' (Seth) He became a 'mortal man' (Enosh) 'to make a nest' (Cainan) 'dedicated' (Enoch) to 'their death' (Methuselah) 'to be low' (Lamech) 'to give 'rest' (Noah) .... and on it goes.

Watch the video....

Lineage of Majesty - Eric Ludy

The Family Tree

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5

We all have a family tree. Some are big, some are small. Some have lots of branches while others don't have many at all.

When a family tree first starts out there aren't many branches at all. Just a couple of little leaves and a stem. That's God's Biblical concept of a marriage.

"And the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” - Mark 10:8-9

It's not long before branches form and take off in their own direction. These are like the children of the marriage. And then the branches bear fruit (grandkids!).

Some couples choose not to have kids. Their family trees resemble telephone poles. When the couple grows old and dies, so does their tree. That's it. Sad.

Sometimes our family trees can also suffer loss. When a child dies it's like a branch breaking off in a storm. The tree lives on but it's never quite the same.

A tree that is firmly anchored in the ground by a strong root system can handle just about any storm. But a tree with weak or shallow roots will not last. It's like a family without a common faith in God.

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." - Colossians 2:6-7

Is it any wonder that God chose The Tree of Life "to enhance and perpetually sustain the physical life of humanity?" (GotQuestions.org)

"And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." - Revelation 22:1-2

May your faith roots sink deep into His soil. May your roots drink deep as you nourish and strengthen your family. The love of our Savior is all the sustenance a family tree needs to survive in this world, and in the next. Drink deep.

The more mature a tree gets the closer it gets to heaven. Let it be so with us as well.

Growing Up

Each year at this time, family members travel to a small town in central lower Michigan. It's family reunion time!

It's interesting to watch the children interact - a small microcosm of American society. Some are wild, while others are more reserved. Some are little schemers, trying to get their way. Then they pout when they don't succeed.

In contrast, there are other children who show respect for their elders and are polite in their ways. These gems honor their parents and are polite in their actions.

So what causes the difference? What happened in their upbringing to cause such a noticable divergence? Discipline? Maturity? Rebuke? 

Yes! All of the above.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6

My wife recently observed how much like our parents she and I have become. She's right. We learn a lot about life and respect for others, or just the opposite, by observing our parents and mimicking their behavior.

In today's world we see lawlessness becoming more and more prevalent. The percentage of our population professing faith in Jesus is on the decline. Coincidence?  Or cause and effect?

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." - 2 Timothy 3:16

Could it be that, as the percentage of Christians declines, so does our society?

The proof is in our bigger cities, where criminals commit their crimes and then are released back into society with little or no punishment. Without rebuke, without punishment 'and justice for all, ' we deteriorate as a society. God knows all of this.

"A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke." - Proverbs 13:1

The Bible gives us all of the instruction we need as parents to 'raise up our children in the way they should go.' Our problem is that we parents are not obedient to our Father in heaven.

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts." - James 4:7-8

I'm Not Crying

Yesterday, my church family worshipped together for the first time in months. It was great to see everyone again. Laughing, talking, loving. And then the first worship song began to play and everybody's focus changed.

We were together again, singing to the God we love. It was beautiful and I fought back tears, voice cracking amidst all the love for our Savior.

Do you have a particular worship song that hits a little deeper than the rest? One that has a special meaning or tugs deep at your heart? Maybe it depends on the day or the particular mood you're in.

I have a few. Chris Tomlin's Love Ran Red and Andrew Peterson's Is He Worthy? are up there. Amazing Grace is too and How Great Thou Art. But yesterday the song that tugged at my heart the most was Jesus, All For Jesus.

There is one part of the song that always gets me. These are the words.

For it's only in Your will that I am free

For it's only in Your will that I am free

Jesus, all for Jesus

All I am and have and ever hope to be

Think about that first line for a moment. Isn't that true? If we are not "in God's will", whose will are we in? Our own? Satan's It's hard to tell sometimes. But if we are in God's will there is only 100% pure love and adoration for our King.

It doesn't really matter what song we will be singing. One day all of God's children will be worshipping . . . together. We will sing songs together. Everyone will be singing on key. and everyone will be worshipping in God's will. Free from all the struggles we now bring with us to church. We will worship in spirit and in truth and we will look around and see our church families next to us and everything . . . EVERTHING . . . will be perfect.

"Woman," Jesus replied, "believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth." - John 4:21-24

Jesus, All For Jesus - Robin Mark

Giving Thanks

One of the things I enjoy about volunteering is the people I get to meet. Every one of them is different, yet we all have this similar desire - to love and to be loved. Why is that?

It doesn't matter what political party you favor, whether you're a Packers fan or a Bears fan. There is a common thread that runs through the fabric of the human heart that is undeniable. And it is placed there by God. Knit into our hearts from long ago.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb." - Isaiah 139:13

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day here in America. We give thanks to our creator for all the many blessings He has given us. And we truly are blessed in this country. But with those blessings comes responsibility. A responsibility to bless others in God's name.

You see, Thanksgiving isn't really about US. It's not about turkey, football or parades either. It's about God. I think we've forgotten that as a nation. And that's part of our problem today.

The Thanksgiving story I remember from my childhood was the Pilgrims celebrating their safe passage from England, celebrating the harvest. But I also remember the Indians (Native Americans if you prefer) sharing some of their food as well.

That may or may not be true. I'm not going to look it up. But that's almost how it should be, isn't it? Sharing our blessings with others?

I hope that when you gather around the dinner table tomorrow you will take time to give thanks. Not just with a traditional prayer. Make it a special one. For we have a special God deserving of our thanks and praise.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Isaiah 139:14

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." - 1 Chronicles 16:34

Forever God Is Faithful - Michael W. Smith
The Real Story of Thanksgiving

The Best of Times

We were sitting around the dining room table at the farm this past weekend when my wife asked this question of us. "What was your favorite moment from this past (family reunion) weekend?"

"Interesting question," I thought to myself. There were so many moments from which to chose for my answer to that question. Playing disc golf with the boys, conversations with relatives, car bingo. But the best of times this past weekend for me was the time I spent with my niece.

There were two moments really. The first came when the entire family was sitting around the dining room table (we spend a lot of time there. LOL!) at breakfast on Saturday. We were talking and my niece was telling us how she was going to be losing her job. Certainly the worst of times for her.

She had worked for her employer for 12 years and loved everyone and loved working there but the office was closing and she would have to be looking for a new job. Naturally she was nervous and apprehensive about the coming changes.

Eventually everyone got up and left the table to other things and I was left there with my niece. Just the two of us. So we talked and I dug a little deeper into how she was feeling. It's a tough thing when we big changes come into our otherwise comfortable lives. That was a good conversation.

The following day we were getting ready to go to a nearby lake. I went upstairs to get my shoes and notice my niece in the kid's room, cleaning up. I started back down the stairs but then stopped after a few steps and came back up and asked, "Can I pray for you?"

"Sure."

Praying for someone is always the best of times, even during the worst of times. Why? Because we can't get someone a new job, we can't change things when someone dies or is very sick. But God can! I loved praying with and for my niece. Not because I can do anything, but because I know that God can!

"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." - John 16:24

When any of us go though the worst of times why not reach out to God? He has the power to change weakness into strength and sorrow into joy. Taking someone you love to God in prayer certainly qualifies as "the best of times" in my book. Seek God first in times of trouble. Minimize the times of sorrow and weakness. Turn the worst of times into the best.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." - Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

What The Lord Has Done In Me - Hillsong

Family

Family is a weird concept. We all were part of a family at some point in our lives. We had a mom and a dad. Maybe even a brother or a sister. We had no choice in choosing our family unless, as parents, we adopted a kid of two. Some families can't stand each other while others are so close that even death cannot separate them.

Some people long to have children and cannot conceive. Other people don't want kids and, when they find out they are pregnant, decided to kill their child before it's even born.

Whether we are part of a big family or we have none, we all want to feel the love that family brings. Basically, we all want to feel loved.

Did you know that there is a family waiting, often hidden, for each of us? We all can become children of God. There are no forms to fill out - adoption papers if you will. It is a simple desire that seals the deal.

We are not forced into God's family. It is our choice. God knows us and He knows which ones will be His. He waits patiently for His children. Is He waiting for you?

In the story of Abraham, he and his wife Sarah longed to have a family yet Sarah could not get pregnant. Yet God had promised Abraham a big family. Where was this promised family? Abraham was 100 years old. Yet God delivered, then Sarah delivered Isaac, a son. The beginning of a huge family so numerous they could not be counted.

If you are alone and long to be part of a big family, seek out God and ask Him to adopt you. He will. Then tell others what has happened to you and watch all of your brothers and sisters appear. Love is a wonderful thing.

"Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. 4 When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

6 Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” 7 And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” - Genesis 21:1-7

In a few days my wife and I will be visiting a childhood friend of mine. I hadn't seen this friend until a few years ago but when we met recently it was as if we'd known each other our entire lives. It was like we were brother and sister. Why? Because we ARE. In Christ.

The Robertsons - I Am Second

So Who Are You?

Until yesterday I didn't even knew her name. Come to think of it, I have never actually seen her face either. She was always wearing a mask. Yet she seemed familiar to me, like we had met before, but we hadn't. Like we knew each other all our lives, but we didn't. Like we were . . . family.

This old body of mine was in the shop for some repair work this month. Physical therapy for my aching shoulder. As I sat in the waiting room for my first appointment a grey-haired woman came towards me wearing a mask. The per-registration lady for my physical therapist.

"What are you reading?" she asked.

"The Bible. The Book of Revelation," I replied.

"Ooooooh! That's wonderful . . . . Brother."

It says in The Book of Ephesians that all believers in Jesus Christ will be sealed. Hmm. I wonder. What if "the seal" was in our brains or our hearts? And what if we would just KNOW who other believers were.

Well, I can tell you with 100% certainty that my masked friend and I knew that the other was a believer just by having a two minute conversation.

"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit," - Ephesians 1:13

Does God's Holy Spirit allow us to recognize other believers? I think He does! Are all brothers and sisters linked in some subconscious way, joined together in one eternal family through the Holy Spirit? I think we are!

Before I left my new-found sister yesterday we had a brief conversation.

 "What church do you go to?" she asked.

"Calvary Chapel - Waupaca"

"What!?! We go to Calvary Chapel - Appleton!"

"What's your pastor's name?"

"Pastor Dave."

"Yes! I heard his wife speak at a women's conference in Green Lake. Wonderful woman ."

"Vicki."

"YES!"

I suppose we could have talked all day but it was time to get back to work. I gave her a hug and said, "Your name. I don't even know your name."

"Sherry."

"Well, see you later Sherry (in heaven). It was nice to meet you."

I will most likely never see my "sister" again - in this life. That's okay. I will see her again in heaven. I will get to meet her husband and hear about their kids. And we all can sit around, talking about our amazing God who provides for our every need and protects us from the evil one. And the fact that He has adopted us into His family, in love.

Oh, and how will those people who do NOT believe in Jesus. How will they know we are Christians? That one's easy. By our love. Our love for one another - believers and non-believers alike.  "They will KNOW that we are Christians by our love."

By Our Love - For King And Country

The Parable of The Old Lawmower

Broken relationships. How do they happen? Someone we once thought would be in our life . . . forever . . . suddenly, they're gone. They leave us for some unknown reason - ripping a giant hole in our heart. Was it something we said? Was it something we did? Or, was it something we didn't do . . .

It may seem painfully obvious but unanswered questions like those are the most difficult questions to find answers to. That's why they are unanswered. If we only knew what caused a valued relationship to end we could at least deal with it. Or take steps to fix it.

I was mowing the lawn Thursday night. I gassed up "old reliable" - our lawn mower for the past 30 years - and began to cut the grass. Suddenly, something wasn't sounding quite right in our "relationship". Then BANG!! Something blew a hole in the side of the engine and our long term relationship was over. Just like that.

Why did it happen? Well, as I look back on things, it was probably my abusing it in some thick brush and stumps this past summer. Our "relationship" was never meant to be tested to that extreme. I had damaged my lawnmower to accomplish something I wanted. I didn't think about the health of my lawnmower, just like we often neglect our most treasured relationships.

Relationships with others are far more valuable in God's eyes than an old lawn mower.

³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:34-35

Red letters. That's Jesus talking my friends. Commanding us to love one another. He's not ASKING us. He is COMMANDING us! Yet the divorce rate among Christians is basically same as in secular marriages. Why? Because we love ourselves MORE than we love others.

Look at the second part of verse 34. "As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

How did Jesus "love" us? Well, He died for us. Do we have that kind of love for others? Would you die to save your spouse? Your child? Your friend? Would you die to save the life of someone who doesn't like you? Think about that. Re-read the words of Jesus again.

Are you a disciple of Jesus? Do you love everybody? EVERYBODY? The opposite political party? Your ex? Islamic extremists? Do you love them?

Try this:

Have you talked with Jesus about your relationships lately? Try it. Tell Him about them all - the good, the bad and the ugly relationships in your life. Ask Jesus to help you love, even the unlovable. Keep asking. He will grant you this request because it is HIS will that you do this. Ask!

Forgiveness - Matthew West
Ask, And You Will Receive - InfuzeLight

Where Joy and Sorrow Meet

There is a wonderful thing that happens when a family member dies. It's actually the same thing that happens when two people get married. Can you figure out what it is? Think about the similarities. Both events are usually officiated by ministers, they usually take place in churches. Both events often feature meals afterwards. But none of those are what I am going to be writing about today.

My sister and her husband came to visit this past weekend. Well, their visiting was only a byproduct of why they were here. My brother-in-law's father had passed away and they were coming back to Wisconsin for the funeral.

It seems like the only times family gets together in a major way is for weddings or funerals. Other times of the year we are simply too busy, we have something else to do or we simply don't want to invest the time to make a long trip.

Weddings and funerals are different though. We DO make plans, we DO make an effort to attend.

After the funeral and the meal that followed this past weekend my wife and I returned home. My sister, her husband and one of their sons stayed behind to visit with family. That was early afternoon. Later that night I received a phone call from my sister. My brother-in-laws family was having such a good time talking with one another they wanted to spend MORE time doing so! Joy amongst the sorrow.

I have been blessed to be a part of such a loving family. We always enjoy our time together. Weddings are amazing events for family and, if you really think about it, so are funerals. Why is that?

As I watched the people at the funeral the other day I couldn't help but noticed the love present in the room. Conversations, hugs, kisses on cheeks - much the same as at a wedding. What an odd combination. Gathered together in grief . . . and celebration.

There is another place where joy and sorrow meet besides funerals . . .

"There's a place of thirst and hunger where the roots of faith grow deep

And there is rain and rolling thunder when the road is rough and steep

There is hope in desperation there is victory in defeat

At the cross of restoration where joy and sorrow meet."

Where Joy and Sorrow Meet - The Zoe Group

9-1-1

Family get-togethers are almost always fun, especially in my family. We always find ourselves staying up way later than normal, trying to fit as much family time into a few hours.

This past weekend my daughter and I were visiting my sister in Michigan. We stayed up late Saturday night. The term "late" seems to get redefined with each decade. Late for me is 10:30. Late for my daughter is midnight. Just wait kiddo! Someday. LOL!

Earlier that evening my niece was relating a story where she and my daughter got themselves into trouble at an early age by dialing 9-1-1 and telling the operator someone needed help. They apparently did this a few times, resulting in the police calling our house to investigate.

My dad answered the phone and told the nice officer that there indeed were two young ladies in the house but that no one was in need of assistance. The my dad informed me and my sister what our daughters had done.

I yelled upstairs where our daughters were "playing" and made it very clear to my daughter that she had done something very wrong. My yelling was having quite and impact on my niece. She confessed this past Saturday that it was SHE who called 9-1-1 and that it was her fault.

She said she felt so guilty when someone else was being punished for something SHE had done. Let that last sentence sink in for a bit as we reading this verse from the Book of Isaiah.

"5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,    and by his wounds we are healed." - Isaiah 53:5

When you found out that someone else (Jesus) was being punished for YOUR sins, how did that make you feel? I know I felt pretty bad. It was my fault that Jesus had to die!

Now, I know that everyone else's sins resulted in the death of Jesus as well but I took it personally. I think we ALL should take it personally.

What is the first thing we should do when someone else takes the punishment for OUR sins. I don't know about you but I apologized to Jesus when I learned that "²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." - 2 Corinthians 5:21

May we all take the time to reflect on the things we've done in this life. The thought of someone else dying for something I did is a constant reminder of how much God loves us and the sacrifice He was willing to make for us. How do we answer that? We should offer our lives to Him.

Lord, I Offer My Life To You - Hillsong

Urgent - Foreigner

A Family Reunion

Each year around this time members of my family (on my mother's side) gather outside of a small, central-Michigan farm community and renew family ties. We tell old stories from long ago. We eat WAY too much food and laugh enough to make our faces hurt. There is nothing quite like family. There is nothing like being loved. :)

This week at work the father of one of my friends died. Death is never a FUN thing. Someone we loved gets taken from us. It is always a sad time - losing family. Losing friends. Emotions can range from psychological breakdowns in some to those who exhibit no feelings whatsoever. Do you know what my friend did when she lost her dad? Even though she had just lost her father, my friend praised God for the time that she DID have with him. That's exceptional.

Here's a trick question for you. When is your brother or sister NOT your brother or sister? Or better yet, when does someone, who is not a brother or sister BECOME your brother or sister? Confused yet? The answer can be found in the Bible.

^"25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, ²⁶ for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." - Galatians 3:25-29

My friend, the one who lost her father . . . I consider her my sister. In fact, all those who believe have millions of "relatives" they haven't even met yet. My dearest friend is my sister in Christ. Think about that for a moment. Think about who is your brother or your sister. Do you love people that way? As family?

Who are you looking forward to seeing again when you get to heaven? My friend will enjoy seeing her father again. I will enjoy seeing mine. What will they look like? What will WE look like?

I have a sister or a brother out there somewhere who I have never met. A grandchild too. How amazing will that be?!? I will get to see my friend Victoria again. Doreen, Jeanie, my buddy Juergen. and . . oh, my . . 

I will see . . . Kameron . . . and Austin. Two young people whose lives ended WAY to soon.

People spend so much time and money these days trying to stay young . . trying to find the fountain of youth. Are you kidding me? I can't wait until this life is over. I don't have a death wish and, no, I am not suicidal. I am simply looking forward to, and have complete faith in, the promises of God. And to be able to see Jesus . . . face-to-face!

Here's another trick genealogical question for you. How can someone be both your brother AND your Father at the same time? The answer is . . when He is your Lord and Savior, Jesus.

^"14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." - Romans 8:14-17

No one knows exactly what heaven will be like. We can only imagine. But I can tell you this. We will be totally and completely surrounded by the love of God and the love of family - all of our brothers and sisters in Christ! And our King!! Halleluiah!!

I Can Only Imagine - MercyMe

Do You Have A Family Like Mine?

After being away from home the past two weekends it sure was good to be back to worship at my home church. The guy I usually sit next to, Robbie, greeted me warmly, saying he was concerned that I was sick because I hadn't been there the past few Sunday's.

When I got home after church my wife asked me how the service was. I related the story of Robbie's concern to her to which she replied, "No one asked me where I had been these past two Sundays." And that is exactly the problem the many churches today. They are not . . . a family.

My wife belongs to a different church than me. Theological differences and the importance of "tradition" keep us from worshiping together. Her church is much larger than mine, filled with tradition, liturgy, robes and a pipe organ. The church I attend is much smaller, has no liturgy or tradition and the worship team is composed of two grey-haired gentlemen with guitars. But that's the beauty of the church I attend. It's simple, it's humble, and it's . . . a family.

Big churches are okay I guess but I prefer small ones. They're more family like. In bigger churches it's hard to feel like part of the family when you have 1000 or more brothers and sisters. Still, even though the early church was small, God added to their number daily and it grew quite large.

Small groups might seem like the answer - smaller size, more intimate relationships - but the accuracy of scriptural knowledge and theological discussions are dependent upon the most educated person in the bunch. Sometimes that's a drawback.

What make a church family a family? Well, the first thing is the Holy Spirit. He is that common thread that binds us together. Our mutual faith in God is another thing. When we believe the same things it is very easy to get along . . . just like family.

My earthly family is great but we do not always agree with one another, theologically speaking, That is not the case with my church family. We all love Jesus, we all believe He is the Son of the Living God. He was crucified, died and was buried but then on the third day He rose from the grave and walked among His "family."

Family is a precious thing. It is a gift that is given from God, but it can sometimes be lost. When we lose a family member it is always a difficult thing to go through. But family helps. Family helps us get through.

The Easter season is upon us or, as my church likes to call it, Resurrection Sunday. Have you come to know Jesus yet? All will get to meet Him one day. Some will be happy to do so. Others will not be as joyous. How amazing would it be if entire families were called to be a part of God's eternal family.

We all have a choice. Has God called you to be part of His family?? Is He knocking on your door?

"20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” - Revelation 3:20-22

Lauren Scruggs - I Am Second

When Life Leaves You Alone

The company I work for is amazing. While my wife tells me stories of her work environment and its "strictly business" policies, the company I work for is more like family to me. People end up working there for long periods of time. At this year's Christmas party we will celebrate work anniversaries of 35, 40 and even 45 years!

One of the cool things our particulate department does is it allows retired workers to come in and spend time in the office, after they no longer work for the company. That's really cool. When you've worked some place for a long time your work mates become more like family members than anything else. You miss them when they are gone.

Recently, one of our retirees came back in to the office. I usually see him in the mornings. He checks his e-mail and does some personal Internet research. He also recently lost his long-time wife to cancer. He is really struggling right now because . . . he is alone.

He has a photograph album, filled with pictures of he and his wife. He misses her greatly. Too much I fear. In one of our conversations he has even mentioned things like, "what's the point in going on?" He has attended grief counseling sessions, has listened to caring relatives and friends. Nothing seems to heal his broken heart. It is really sad to see.

So what do we do when we lose someone who is near and dear to us? A spouse, a friend, a relative? How do we cope with such a loss? And how do we find meaning in life after a devastating loss? The only answer I can come up with is . . . Jesus.

I have tried talking to my friend about Jesus - His ability to heal broke hearts, His offer to help us carry our burdens, His offer of peace and rest and His incredible love for us . . . but my friend is still not sure. He says he is on a "different path."

For a Christ follower it can be very difficult when people refuse to hear the Gospel or ignore it all together. We ourselves know Jesus is exactly what they need but we cannot force someone to believe. Free will. And so we pray, we love, we encourage and we support them as much as we can. And most importantly, we must never give up in that effort.

My friend's name is Bob. I invite you to pray for him and others like him who have gone through a major loss. We are to be Christ to all people but especially to the widow and the orphan - people groups who have all suffered loss.

Do you have someone in your life who has suffered a major loss? I think we all know someone like that. This is a tough time of year for them. Family celebrations and get togethers. It can be a sad time for someone who has no one to get together with. My friend Bob actually left town for Thanksgiving because he did want to be with family. "Too many memories," he said.

Loneliness can be a devastating condition in which to live. That's why I recommend taking steps to prevent it.

• Fight it. Instead of isolating one's self from others, embrace every opportunity to interact with others. Talk with someone. Go to a church.
• Embrace it. When attending family events that might contain too many memories, EMBRACE the opportunity and share those memories with one another.
• Use It. There are others who are missing people in this world. Knowing their pain and having compassion for others can liberate you from the very pain that ensnares you.
• Lose it.  Loneliness can lead to self-destructive behavior. Get rid of it by refusing to visit dark thoughts.
• Change it. Someone has promised to never leave you or forsake you. His name is Jesus. Seek Him. Talk to Him.

No one should feel alone in a world containing so many people. Reach out to someone. With just a little effort it is possible to escape the emptiness. You are worth far more than you think you might be. Join in a conversation with someone. Take someone to church. Invite someone out for a meal. You may find that in making an effort you could change someone's life . . . forever.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” - John 14:18-21

Only The Lonely - Roy Orbison
Only The Lonely - The Motels

The Love of Family

Early morning sunrise. Eyes still closed. Slowly waking but not really wanting to. The thoughts my mind entertains at this time of day are mostly prayerful. Yet often thoughts go places not traveled in the daylight hours. I give my mind free reign and the memories, hopes and dreams begin to take shape, hazy to be sure, yet real enough to feel and touch.

This weekend my family gathered in Michigan for our annual family reunion. "Family" is an amazing thing. Lives intertwined and memories shared. Some of those memories are sad but most are good and lasting.

We made a Saturday morning stop at the cemetery to visit some of our family members. Our daughter placed some flowers on the graves of her grandfather, my dad, and her great grandparents. A large part of family belongs to memories shared.

My family has all sorts of people in it, just like yours does. Some good, some bad. Some veterans who fought in wars, nurses, farmers, businessmen and women, but, most-notably, mothers and fathers, children and their children's children - all lying side by side.

We tend to condense a person's entire life into single sentences. "He was a good man." or "She was a good mother." Somehow that seems inadequate to me. Yet, how well do we know some of these people? Even the living ones, unless we take the time to get to know them better.

I was struck by one of the grave markers. It bore my name - Robert Hall. The birth date and the date of death were the same. A baby whose life span was measured in hours rather than years, if he even lived THAT long.

One of my cousins is named Mark. He's had a hard life. He brought his horse to my uncle's farm so all the kids could take rides. Although Mark is younger than me he looks older in many ways. He walks with a limp, sports a deep, dark tan - not purposeful, but from long hours spent working his farm.

We sat and talked for a few treasured moments. He had tears in his eyes - from some hidden burden I fear. Where had all the years gone? Later, after leading his horse around the yard, limping as he went, with happy young girls riding in the saddle, we talked again. My heart went out to this man, my cousin, my childhood playmate, scarred now, both physically and emotionally.

As I put my arm around his shoulder to say good bye, I told him that I loved him. He replied in kind saying, "I love you too." Words too often left unsaid in many families these days.

After our family reunion each of us returned to our own homes, our own lives. But we take with us the rekindled memories of years gone by and cherished, long overdue conversations with people we have known our entire lives, yet never really KNOWN at all.

I am reading through the Old Testament these days and I am continually reminded of the Biblical concept of family. All families are filled with good people and bad, happy moments and sad. But the one prevailing theme throughout all of the stories we read in the Bible - "doing what is right in the eyes of The Lord" - is a recurring message.

Families need to love one another, care for one another and must always be willing to forgive one another. Too many times YEARS can be lost to a family over simple misunderstandings, sinful lusts, and prideful stubbornness.

I am reminded of a verse that a friend of mine uses in her testimony. It's from the Book of James.

"What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people!" - James 4:1-4

We ARE an adulterous people alright - too often lovers of self. The real joy in life, however,  comes from loving others and, more importantly, loving God. We all have scars,we all have some kind of pain in our lives, but we also have family. Unless my biology class failed me, every one of us has a father and a mother. So let us rejoice today in our families. May we bury the hatchet - not in someone's back but in someone's arms.

Life is too short to waste any of it in bitter disagreements, unfriending family members or with idle gossip. Let us love as Christ loved us. He gave Himself up for us. Have we in turn sacrificed ourselves in the name of Christ, for someone WE love? Please, do so today. You won't regret it.

Family - Toby Mac

Families

Since becoming a believer in Christ nine years ago I have learned many amazingly wonderful truths. One of thee most beautiful things I have learned is about the love God has for those He calls to be His children. I have been humbled and blessed to be one He has called. I pray He does the same for my friends and my family members.

My wife and I just got back from a weekend in Michigan with family. On the way back and later in the evening we talked about "family" and the joy that is to be found in a healthy family relationship.

There are many who do not have this in our world. Many who have been orphaned, divorced, estranged, separated, disowned or lost. Families often have clashed, personality traits that don't mix well with others. There are SO many variables that can cause disagreements amongst family and friends.

So what's the difference? Why do some families succeed and others fail? Why do some relationships last a long time and others end like a bottle rocket in the night sky? I believe the answer can be found in the Bible. More precisely, the answer can be found . . . in God.

Look at any failed relationship. What are the basic problems?

1. Selfishness - Some ONE doesn't get what THEY want. This is where the "irreconcilable differences" phrase comes from in many divorce cases. Basically it's "You don't like the same things as me so we're done.
2. Abuse - Physical or sexual abuse is just a further extension of selfishness. Someone doesn't get their way and they take it out on another. Not good.
3. Sexual Infidelity - Someone's not getting what THEY want at home to they go searching elsewhere to find what they want. See #1 above.

I am probably oversimplifying things here but the main problem in most failed relationships is SELF.

So what does the Bible say about such matters? Let's start with the golden rule:

"31 Do to others as you would have them do to you." - Luke 6:31

If we followed this truth alone there would be very few divorces. Very few broken relationships.

Here's another verse that holds the key to successful relationships. Love one another!

"7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." - 1 John 4:7

And what is the Biblical definition of love?

"4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. " - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is what holds us together. It is essential for our survival. But the love I speak of is not the kind of love the world offers. It's the kind that God offers. The key to this verse is found in verse five above.

Love is not self-seeking.

This kind of love keeps no record of right or wrong. It is not easily angered. It protects. It always trusts, always hopes and ALWAYS perseveres.

Do you have relationship problems? You need this kind of love.. You say you ARE a Christian and are still having relationship problems. You must do YOUR part. You can't change anyone else. Love one another because love comes from God. Pray for those who wrong you. Examine yourself for any wrong-doing. And then pray your butt off because only Christ can save. Give Him control of your relationships. Life other up top Him in prayer. Trust. Hope. Persevere. Love never fails.

Susan

Each day at work I have the incredible joy of praying with my sister-in-Christ, Gayle. When we pray we often ask God to allow us the privilege of being used by Him, as He wills. We pray that we might become willing vessels that He could use to pour into the lives of others. Why then are we always so surprised when He takes us up on the offer?

This past Sunday I met with someone I hadn't seen in nearly 40 years, my sister's best friend . . . from the 6th grade! She and my sister have kept in touch all these years, recently aided by everyone's favorite social media network, Facebook. This story is an example of how God can, and will, use ANYTHING to accomplish His will - even us humans!!

A couple years ago I began seeing posts from my sister's friend, whose name is Susan by the way, in case you were wondering. I noticed that her beliefs were very similar to mine - political, spiritual, etc. I wondered what had made her become a follower of Jesus. A friend request was sent and accepted. Facebook conversations ensued, Christmas cards were exchanged - all at a relatively safe Facebook-ish distance. And that's where our relationship stayed . . . until this past Sunday.

It was definitely a God-thing because I had events scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday. But for "some reason" everyone canceled and my schedule was wide open. I still had no idea what was about to happen.

Sunday morning before church I opened up Facebook and saw a message from my sister's friend Susan. She was going to be in the area and was wondering if I would like to get together to catch up on things. Umm . . . Absolutely!

Later that day, as I was driving to Oshkosh for our meeting, I wondered what God had in store. What would she look like. What would I look like in her eyes? Would she go running from the building, screaming? Probably. But all that's up to God.

When I got to the restaurant I didn't see her at first. However, as the hostess took me to her table, the recognition was immediate, by both of us. We smiled and hugged as if we hadn't seen each other in decades . . . which was absolutely true. We sat down and began to talk and to fill each other in on 40 years of family, events, tragedies, births and deaths - woven together with Bible verses as they came to mind.

We shared both our struggles and our joys. God tells us to ALWAYS encourage each other and we did that. Being those willing vessels, exhorting one another in our faith.

"13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." - Hebrews 3:13

It was an amazing conversation. Before we knew it three hours has passed and it seemed like we were just getting started. I honestly believe we could have talked for at least another three.

I have had other such conversations with other believers - my friend and sister Gayle, my brother-in-law Curt, my brother-in-Christ Ron and my son-in-law Travis, his boss Kathy and now on Sunday with Susan.

It's hard for anyone living in the secular world to understand the special bond that exists between followers of Jesus Christ. In the Bible, we who believe are referred to as brothers and sisters. That is SO true! That's exactly what it feels like! What an incredible gift that is!

Another thing I noticed as we talked was the similarity between our relationship and the relationships many Christians have with Jesus. Prior to Sunday afternoon I had just known ABOUT Susan. I knew WHO she was and WHERE she lived, but I didn't really KNOW her or have a relationship with her beyond Facebook. Our relationship with Jesus really changes when we actually come to know Him and to love Him. That is true of ANY relationship.

I am not sure when I will see Susan again . . . I hope it is soon. But I know that when we DO meet again we will have another amazingly long conversation. In the meantime I am going to think about my relationship with Jesus. When was the last time I had a three-hour conversation with Him? Never. Maybe it's time I did that. After all, isn't the God who brings people together after four decades worth a chat now and then. I think He is. And so we shall. In the meantime . . .

Lord Jesus,  I thank you for my friend . . . no, my SISTER, Susan. I thank you for the smiles and the laughter we shared. I thank the Holy Spirit for directing the conversation and I thank God for the gift of family.

And Susan? I thank God for you, for your husband and for your precious daughter. I came away from our conversation on Sunday feeling like I had a new sister. How can I not praise God for a gift like that. Love you!

"50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister" - Matthew 12:50

Believer - Kutless

Family

Have you ever met someone you felt like you already knew? Someone who you’ve had an almost immediate bond with after you have only known them for a short amount of time? It’s almost like they were part of our family before we even met them.

I have had a few people like that in my life. I am sure you have people like that in YOUR life as well. Why are these people so close to us? What makes them stand out about other people we run into in this world? I believe that God has something to do with it - God and His Holy Spirit.

Today my wife and I are in Michigan for our annual family reunion. We will see family members we haven’t seen for a year – some even longer than that. Yet we can sit right down and begin talking as if we’d only been apart for a few days. We’re family. That’s just the way it is.

My wife was the first one of those people I met. She was, and still is, someone who knows me extremely well. She is someone with whom I feel totally at ease and someone I KNEW I loved, practically as soon as we met, becoming engaged to be married after only knowing each other for two months. Sometimes relationships seem as if they were “meant to be.” Do you think God plays a part in our relationships? I do!

God knows no limits regarding time. He was there at the beginning of time when He created the universe. He has already seen our world coming to an end. He was there at our birth and He will be there at our death.

Jesus told us that “no one comes to the Father unless the father draws them” (John 14:6) How do you think He draws us to himself? Do you suppose His Holy Spirit has anything to do with that? I do. Do you think God places us in situations to meet people? People who He wants us to know whose relationships will ultimately bring Him glory? I do. The evidence of that is seen throughout the Bible.

The testimony of my salvation begins with a seemingly random person entering my life. After a short period of time we became very good friends and began sharing stories of things that had happened in our lives. The next thing I knew we were talking about Jesus and within a few months of our meeting I had given my life to Christ. Was that a random chance meeting of two people? I don’t think so. It seems to me like it was more a meeting by design.

God already knew I was going to become one of His children. He knew that before I was even born. He knows us “before the foundation of the world.” And He uses people and His Holy Spirit to accomplish His purpose for us.

When you go to church are there people there you feel really close to? There should be. There should be an incredible closeness to every one of our brothers and sisters at church . . . because they are our brothers and sisters! Sure, there might be some disagreements. There might even be some squabbles now and again, but we are family.

Why do people leave a particular church? I left a church once over doctrine. The Bible says we should do that. But we are not to leave because of relationship problems. We are a family! We should be able to work things out. In reality though, because we are selfish, “I want it my way” humans, we tend to leave relationships that don’t go OUR way. Is that what God wants? I don’t think so. The Bible is all about family, featuring story after story about fathers and sons, mothers and daughters. Families are God’s design!

I have people in my life who aren’t my biological family members but who are family to me, in Christ. They are as much my brothers and sisters as my biological siblings are – dare I say even MORE so. The bond that God creates through our faith in His Son, Jesus, is that of an eternal family. A bond created by God, through the work of His Holy Spirit, to bring glory to His mighty name.

God gave my sister-in-Christ, Gayle, the task of leading me to Himself. My brother-in-Christ Ron and I meet on a semi-regular basis to share with each other how God is working in our lives. The same can be said about my brother Larry and of my sisters-in-Christ Jean and Cheri. We share an incredible bond through our mutual faith in our Heavenly Father. And it is all to bring glory to God and to show the world that “there is just something special about their relationships.”

The reason our relationships are so “special” is because they are all based in faith. It is because we all have the same Father, in heaven. It is because we are all . . . family.

May God bless you with such family members like the ones He has given me. My brothers and sisters in the faith are incredibly close to me and I love each and every one of them. They are precious to me, just as they are to God. Our love for each other and for God testifies to the power, the grace and the love of an incredible Father. Please, come join His family. Love abounds!

"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure." - Ephesians 1:5