I had a dream. I was walking on a side road and came to where the road made a “T”. There was an empty field in front of me and I looked into the clouds. I could hear a very distant music that was more beautiful than I have ever heard in my entire life. Little by little the music became louder. I did not recognize the words or the music but it was mesmerizing.
Still staring at the sky, one angel appeared in the distance, and then there where three, and then 12 and they continued to multiply until the entire sky was consumed and they were all singing the same wonderful song. The music continued to get louder and the angles continued to multiply and draw closer. I knew in my heart that this was the Glorious Appearance and Jesus would soon appear surrounded by the angels. I could not take my eyes off that sky- I waited with the greatest anticipation I have ever felt.
Out of my peripheral vision, I could see to my left that the ground was shaking and opening up. I could see way down into the earths core and it was full of flames. I could see the flames and feel the heat. People I knew were gathering around the opening earth and one by one falling to this lake of fire. I knew them, but not their names- but I know I knew who they were and I was scared and sad.
All the while I refuse to take my eyes off the sky because at that time, I was aware this was a dream and I just wanted to stay asleep long enough to see Jesus’ face. I remember starting to wake up slowly and almost pleading to keep within the dream, but I woke up and I have NEVER forgotten what I experienced.
I don’t know when the Lord will take me home- none of us do. But I do know I want to be ready. I want to be prepared as much as I can be. I want my loved ones there with me. I remember feeling so sad because I knew the people who were perishing and I couldn’t do anything about it in the dream, but I can do something about it now that I’m awake.
We had a song that was sang at church camp called “I Wish We’d All Been Ready”- it’s about the second coming of Christ and how some will be taken and some will be left behind. The chorus says
“There’s no time to change your mind, how could you have been so blind? The Father spoke, the demons dined, the Son as come and you’ve been left behind”.
I’ve read books on the Rapture, I’ve watched movies about it and I’ve heard many a good sermon on the subject. Some might call this “scare tactics” and yes I admit, I hope I scare you and make you think about your salvation.
Friends, we are NOT promised tomorrow. There are NO guarantees. There will be NO second chances. God loves us and wishes for NONE of us to perish. But some will. It might be people you know personally that will go hell. Could it possibly be you? How sure are you about your salvation? How ready and prepared are you for that day? There will be no where to hide and there will be no excuses. Are you ready to stand in judgment before God?
If you’re not sure, please, please contact me and we will discuss it so you can be. There’s no greater subject to write about, there’s no greater subject to sing about, there’s no greater subject to talk about- it’s the subject of eternity. The next time you’re outside- look to the clouds, envision what it will look like to see angels and hear music, anticipate His face and ask yourself- Am I ready?
“If anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown in the Lake of Fire”
Revelation 20:15
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Forgiven
Do you know what it feels like to not be forgiven for something or by someone? What does it feel like to tell someone how very sorry you are- only to be shut down and turned away? It stings. There's no getting around it- it hurts. As bad as you want to take away the pain you've caused, you just can't. You desperately want to sit that person down and tell them why it happened, maybe the circumstances surrounding it but they don't care to hear your pleading apologies. Maybe you've tried but they've responded with hateful words- words that cut you like a knife. Words you'll never forget.
We've all hurt people- we're human, we make mistakes and our parents tell us early on to "say you're sorry". Sometimes people forgive and sometimes they choose not to. That's really the bottom line- they have to choose to forgive. Choosing to say "I forgive you" is hard sometimes. I have known people who say they will never forgive- they say they can't- it's impossible. It's hard for me to hear people say they'll never forgive because I know what the Bible says about choosing not to forgive. And I'm going to tell you in case you don't know.
Matthew 6:14 & 15 says
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins".
I think that's pretty black and white, don't you? I know you might be thinking, "but you don't know what this person did…" Let's be clear- there is no "but "clause to Jesus' statement. He doesn't give a loop hole. There are no exceptions to this rule. Do you want to be forgiven?- sure, we all do. I'd love to be able to 'rewind time" and do a few things in my life over again- but I can't. One thing I've learned over time is I can't take my mistakes back but I have really learned from them. God has used my indiscretions to mold my character and just let me add- He's not even close to being done with me yet.
When I think of the forgiveness Christ has bestowed on me- I am so humbled. I am so thankful that the Bible says we are "new creatures" and "whiter than snow", that His love "keeps no records of wrong". Can you imagine being able to forgive like that? And what He went through to show us that forgiveness- that's another whole devotion!
When you know you've been wronged it's OK to be hurt- it's OK to be angry- but remember those are all parts of the cycle- forgiveness and acceptance should always be the last step in the grief process- without it our hearts become empty and hard. Sometimes I think we justify holding on to it so we can make the offender continue to suffer. But who does it really hurt more? - ourselves. As long as we're holding on to the hurt and pain- God can't heal us. The healing process can be so hard sometimes but don't you want to be forgiven for your mistakes? Can you remember the mistakes you've made that God paid for with His sinless life? He was perfect- and He forgives us. If He can forgive us- can't we forgive too?
The next time someone really hurts you and approaches you to ask forgiveness, see Jesus smiling face. Picture Him telling you how much He's forgiven you- how much He loves you. Forgiveness is liberating- it's empowering and it's free when we ask for and accept it. We will make mistakes- we will hurt people and be hurt- forgiveness is a bridge in the shape of a cross- the cross of Jesus.
We've all hurt people- we're human, we make mistakes and our parents tell us early on to "say you're sorry". Sometimes people forgive and sometimes they choose not to. That's really the bottom line- they have to choose to forgive. Choosing to say "I forgive you" is hard sometimes. I have known people who say they will never forgive- they say they can't- it's impossible. It's hard for me to hear people say they'll never forgive because I know what the Bible says about choosing not to forgive. And I'm going to tell you in case you don't know.
Matthew 6:14 & 15 says
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins".
I think that's pretty black and white, don't you? I know you might be thinking, "but you don't know what this person did…" Let's be clear- there is no "but "clause to Jesus' statement. He doesn't give a loop hole. There are no exceptions to this rule. Do you want to be forgiven?- sure, we all do. I'd love to be able to 'rewind time" and do a few things in my life over again- but I can't. One thing I've learned over time is I can't take my mistakes back but I have really learned from them. God has used my indiscretions to mold my character and just let me add- He's not even close to being done with me yet.
When I think of the forgiveness Christ has bestowed on me- I am so humbled. I am so thankful that the Bible says we are "new creatures" and "whiter than snow", that His love "keeps no records of wrong". Can you imagine being able to forgive like that? And what He went through to show us that forgiveness- that's another whole devotion!
When you know you've been wronged it's OK to be hurt- it's OK to be angry- but remember those are all parts of the cycle- forgiveness and acceptance should always be the last step in the grief process- without it our hearts become empty and hard. Sometimes I think we justify holding on to it so we can make the offender continue to suffer. But who does it really hurt more? - ourselves. As long as we're holding on to the hurt and pain- God can't heal us. The healing process can be so hard sometimes but don't you want to be forgiven for your mistakes? Can you remember the mistakes you've made that God paid for with His sinless life? He was perfect- and He forgives us. If He can forgive us- can't we forgive too?
The next time someone really hurts you and approaches you to ask forgiveness, see Jesus smiling face. Picture Him telling you how much He's forgiven you- how much He loves you. Forgiveness is liberating- it's empowering and it's free when we ask for and accept it. We will make mistakes- we will hurt people and be hurt- forgiveness is a bridge in the shape of a cross- the cross of Jesus.
His Time
Isaiah 40:31 (The Message)
27-31 "... God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And He knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind. "
I was honored to speak at a woman's breakfast this past week and it was the first time I had actually spoke "without a net" (without looking at my notes). And as I was criticizing myself, after the fact, one of the things I felt I did wrong was talk too fast. I'm used to writing, not speaking and my fingers work faster than my brain most of the time and now I know, I guess my tongue does too. How often do we get in a hurry about things that we should savor? I can think of a lot of ways we do that in our lives.
As humans, we tend to hurry. When I was 15 years old, I couldn't wait until I was old enough to be out of high school and on my own. I'll have to admit, being a wife and a mother wasn't in my immediate plans but I wanted to spread my wings and try things on my own. I can see from even farther back than 15 now, that God had a plan and was beginning to work it - but in His time.
Once I did get married and start a family, again- I was in a hurry. "I can't wait for my children to be out of diapers".. "I can't wait for my children to walk, run..." and so the cycle began. And sometimes, I don't' think I've still learned the lesson of waiting on the Lord- waiting for His time.
All those precious years slipped away in what seems now like an instant, forever in my memory, which my daughter so graciously told me a few days ago is now failing me too :) Why are we in such a hurry? I put my grandson down for a nap the other day and as I watched him sleeping so peacefully, I could have just laid there for hours just taking that moment in. His mother was laying on the other side of him and I teared up just thinking about how completely precious he is and seeing Paige there next to him brought back so many memories that I had in my haste, forgotten about until that moment. How blessed am I and how the years had somehow slipped away so quickly. Why was I in such a hurry? It's all about His time.
We get so caught up in everything our lives throw at us. We juggle so many responsibilities and duties everyday that it's so easy to just go through the motions without even giving it a second thought. And at the end of the day we drop, dead tired and then get up the next day and start the cycle all over again. The older I get the more I understand how important it is to wait on the Lord. How important it is to just sit sometimes and enjoy the silence-just sit and listen for His voice to speak to my heart. When I give Him that time, He does speak and how it has impacted me- I wouldn't even begin to have the vocabulary to explain!
Waiting isn't such a bad thing. And wouldn't it be better to just take the time to enjoy the little gifts of time He does give us? What if every time we had to wait on someone or something, we used that to just listen and think upon Him? What if every time we waited in a line at a market, or waited sitting in a Dr's office, we just silently had time to listen to Him? It's His time anyway. He gave it to us and He's using it all in accordance to His plan- His time.
What a blessing His time has been to me and I'm sure has been to you! Every second of every minute of every hour- what a true gift from Him!! So let the clock tick- let the tides come and go because ever second that goes by brings me closer to His plan- His time!
27-31 "... God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And He knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind. "
I was honored to speak at a woman's breakfast this past week and it was the first time I had actually spoke "without a net" (without looking at my notes). And as I was criticizing myself, after the fact, one of the things I felt I did wrong was talk too fast. I'm used to writing, not speaking and my fingers work faster than my brain most of the time and now I know, I guess my tongue does too. How often do we get in a hurry about things that we should savor? I can think of a lot of ways we do that in our lives.
As humans, we tend to hurry. When I was 15 years old, I couldn't wait until I was old enough to be out of high school and on my own. I'll have to admit, being a wife and a mother wasn't in my immediate plans but I wanted to spread my wings and try things on my own. I can see from even farther back than 15 now, that God had a plan and was beginning to work it - but in His time.
Once I did get married and start a family, again- I was in a hurry. "I can't wait for my children to be out of diapers".. "I can't wait for my children to walk, run..." and so the cycle began. And sometimes, I don't' think I've still learned the lesson of waiting on the Lord- waiting for His time.
All those precious years slipped away in what seems now like an instant, forever in my memory, which my daughter so graciously told me a few days ago is now failing me too :) Why are we in such a hurry? I put my grandson down for a nap the other day and as I watched him sleeping so peacefully, I could have just laid there for hours just taking that moment in. His mother was laying on the other side of him and I teared up just thinking about how completely precious he is and seeing Paige there next to him brought back so many memories that I had in my haste, forgotten about until that moment. How blessed am I and how the years had somehow slipped away so quickly. Why was I in such a hurry? It's all about His time.
We get so caught up in everything our lives throw at us. We juggle so many responsibilities and duties everyday that it's so easy to just go through the motions without even giving it a second thought. And at the end of the day we drop, dead tired and then get up the next day and start the cycle all over again. The older I get the more I understand how important it is to wait on the Lord. How important it is to just sit sometimes and enjoy the silence-just sit and listen for His voice to speak to my heart. When I give Him that time, He does speak and how it has impacted me- I wouldn't even begin to have the vocabulary to explain!
Waiting isn't such a bad thing. And wouldn't it be better to just take the time to enjoy the little gifts of time He does give us? What if every time we had to wait on someone or something, we used that to just listen and think upon Him? What if every time we waited in a line at a market, or waited sitting in a Dr's office, we just silently had time to listen to Him? It's His time anyway. He gave it to us and He's using it all in accordance to His plan- His time.
What a blessing His time has been to me and I'm sure has been to you! Every second of every minute of every hour- what a true gift from Him!! So let the clock tick- let the tides come and go because ever second that goes by brings me closer to His plan- His time!
...and now a Word from my Sponsor
Have you every wondered what it would be like if Jesus did commercials? I mean, if every time we sat down and watched TV, there would be little pauses in the programs to give a Message? They might sound like:
“Want to know how to get to Heaven???- Well let me tell you about a new way to GUARENTEE your place in Salvation! By just simply surrendering your heart to the Lord- you, yes YOU- could know for sure you’ll be on the way to those pearly gates someday! No need to dial a number, or even use your credit card- just get down on your knees and repeat after me… Don’t wait another second- the Lord is standing by waiting to hear from you- Act Now!
Or…
“…(Loud alarm)… this is test, only a test. The sound you just heard was the brought to you by the Emergency “Eternity is Forever” Bureau- If this had been an actually emergency, it would have been followed by Gabriel and his boys playing their trumpets and singing as they appeared in the air. Remember, this is only a test… this time.”
Wouldn’t it be so cool to have Christian commercials? - advertizing all the perks of the future. Do you think it would make a difference if people were constantly reminded of what’s to come? Or do you think they’d still get up and walk away to the kitchen to get a snack? I would like to think they would pay attention but when I truly think about the past and see how our society has progressed up till now- I kind of sadly doubt it.
God sent his One and Only Son to earth to be the Ultimate Example - yet still some rejected him. He actually walked the earth, spoke auditable to people, touched them with His hands, knelt and prayed with them, performed miracles, rose from the dead and some still didn’t get it. I guess I shouldn’t be shocked that people today still don’t get it- even if they saw it on the TV on a regular basis. Some people sit in church every Sunday and still don’t get it.
We need to be reminded daily what He’s done for us and in our lives. We should praise him constantly just for being the Lord He is! We should wake up stating “Yes Lord” and go to sleep saying “Thank you Lord”. The next time you’re sitting and watching TV and a commercial comes on- instead of jumping up and leaving the room, try saying a small prayer of thanksgiving. Acknowledge Him- Praise Him- Worship Him. I’ve heard it said the more we acknowledge him with praise, the more likely He is to do an encore.
Exodus 15:2 (New International Version)
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
“Want to know how to get to Heaven???- Well let me tell you about a new way to GUARENTEE your place in Salvation! By just simply surrendering your heart to the Lord- you, yes YOU- could know for sure you’ll be on the way to those pearly gates someday! No need to dial a number, or even use your credit card- just get down on your knees and repeat after me… Don’t wait another second- the Lord is standing by waiting to hear from you- Act Now!
Or…
“…(Loud alarm)… this is test, only a test. The sound you just heard was the brought to you by the Emergency “Eternity is Forever” Bureau- If this had been an actually emergency, it would have been followed by Gabriel and his boys playing their trumpets and singing as they appeared in the air. Remember, this is only a test… this time.”
Wouldn’t it be so cool to have Christian commercials? - advertizing all the perks of the future. Do you think it would make a difference if people were constantly reminded of what’s to come? Or do you think they’d still get up and walk away to the kitchen to get a snack? I would like to think they would pay attention but when I truly think about the past and see how our society has progressed up till now- I kind of sadly doubt it.
God sent his One and Only Son to earth to be the Ultimate Example - yet still some rejected him. He actually walked the earth, spoke auditable to people, touched them with His hands, knelt and prayed with them, performed miracles, rose from the dead and some still didn’t get it. I guess I shouldn’t be shocked that people today still don’t get it- even if they saw it on the TV on a regular basis. Some people sit in church every Sunday and still don’t get it.
We need to be reminded daily what He’s done for us and in our lives. We should praise him constantly just for being the Lord He is! We should wake up stating “Yes Lord” and go to sleep saying “Thank you Lord”. The next time you’re sitting and watching TV and a commercial comes on- instead of jumping up and leaving the room, try saying a small prayer of thanksgiving. Acknowledge Him- Praise Him- Worship Him. I’ve heard it said the more we acknowledge him with praise, the more likely He is to do an encore.
Exodus 15:2 (New International Version)
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Satan Spends/Jesus Saves
Have you ever heard someone say “Being a Christian means giving up too much”? When I hear this it stops me in my tracks. “Give up too much”? GIVE UP? Being a Christian is all about GETTING-not material possessions but eternal privileges. Let’s look at the facts:
Satan is a Spender. The Bible says he roams the earth looking for souls to mislead, to lie to, to devour. He takes and takes from us. He robs us of everything that is pure and holy. He’s spending our precious time when we’re too tired to get up and attend church on Sunday. He spends our self esteem when he makes us believe we’re unworthy. He spends our pride when we feel we’ve been cheated and were wronged. He spends our money when we buy drugs or alcohol. He spends our attitude when we’re angry and bitter, when we refuse to forgive. He spends our peace when we have inner turmoil. He spends our patients when we lash out and hurt those around us. He’s a SPENDER. He does not care about our money, our lives our families – He’s a user and a fake! Have you ever tried to take something back to a store for a refund because you decided you didn’t like it, couldn’t use it or it didn’t meet your expectation only to have them tell you that you couldn’t have your money back, but you can have store credit? That’s what Satan does to our hearts when he tell us by following his way- we’ll be happy and content, but when we realize it’s not what we expected and ask to change it, he says “no, I won’t give it back to you, but you can pick out another sin and exchange it and by the way-since you realized what you were doing was wrong- I’m going to give you some guilt and shame as a bonus”.
Jesus is a Saver- He saves us. Jesus saves our lives everyday by giving us His Spirit to lead and guide us. He saves lives, our relationships, and mostly our hearts. And He’s saving the very best for last-Heaven. I like how The Message interprets 2 Thessalonians 2:9:
“The Anarchist's coming is all Satan's work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they're so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it—gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they're banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions."
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t take comfort in God rubbing sinner’s noses in their transgressions. But there will come a day when this whole drama on earth will unfold and God will return and there will be no more “I’m sorry”. All the people who feel like they’d be sacrificing too much to follow God, will stand before him and answer because of it. If you’re someone that feels like you just don’t have the time, the strength or the inclination to be a Christian, let me assure you right now- the clock is ticking. The gifts we get from God are so precious and priceless I guarantee you will never want to exchange them or asking for your old life back- and better yet, His Grace and Mercy covers all the shame and guilt of that past so there’s no need to even look back. You don’t have to wait for a “sale” or a “blue-light special”- God’s always ready and waiting to give you the deal of a lifetime- or better yet, a deal for all eternity!
Satan is a Spender. The Bible says he roams the earth looking for souls to mislead, to lie to, to devour. He takes and takes from us. He robs us of everything that is pure and holy. He’s spending our precious time when we’re too tired to get up and attend church on Sunday. He spends our self esteem when he makes us believe we’re unworthy. He spends our pride when we feel we’ve been cheated and were wronged. He spends our money when we buy drugs or alcohol. He spends our attitude when we’re angry and bitter, when we refuse to forgive. He spends our peace when we have inner turmoil. He spends our patients when we lash out and hurt those around us. He’s a SPENDER. He does not care about our money, our lives our families – He’s a user and a fake! Have you ever tried to take something back to a store for a refund because you decided you didn’t like it, couldn’t use it or it didn’t meet your expectation only to have them tell you that you couldn’t have your money back, but you can have store credit? That’s what Satan does to our hearts when he tell us by following his way- we’ll be happy and content, but when we realize it’s not what we expected and ask to change it, he says “no, I won’t give it back to you, but you can pick out another sin and exchange it and by the way-since you realized what you were doing was wrong- I’m going to give you some guilt and shame as a bonus”.
Jesus is a Saver- He saves us. Jesus saves our lives everyday by giving us His Spirit to lead and guide us. He saves lives, our relationships, and mostly our hearts. And He’s saving the very best for last-Heaven. I like how The Message interprets 2 Thessalonians 2:9:
“The Anarchist's coming is all Satan's work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they're so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it—gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they're banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions."
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t take comfort in God rubbing sinner’s noses in their transgressions. But there will come a day when this whole drama on earth will unfold and God will return and there will be no more “I’m sorry”. All the people who feel like they’d be sacrificing too much to follow God, will stand before him and answer because of it. If you’re someone that feels like you just don’t have the time, the strength or the inclination to be a Christian, let me assure you right now- the clock is ticking. The gifts we get from God are so precious and priceless I guarantee you will never want to exchange them or asking for your old life back- and better yet, His Grace and Mercy covers all the shame and guilt of that past so there’s no need to even look back. You don’t have to wait for a “sale” or a “blue-light special”- God’s always ready and waiting to give you the deal of a lifetime- or better yet, a deal for all eternity!
Pedicures
I realize that I have a number of men that receive this devotion every week and yes, this is for you too. I LOVE to receive a pedicure. I don’t normally get them but in the summer when I wear sandals and I love them. There’s something about someone washing your feet that is SO relaxing. I think it’s the ultimate in pampering!
Pedicures take awhile to have done. It’s a process, but when they are done correctly, your feet will never be the same! The last time I was sitting in the chair soaking my feet, an older man came in, gray hair, bib overalls- he looked like he had just came in from feeding the livestock and behind him walked what I assumed was his wife. She like him was well on in her years and he lovingly and gently helped her into the big chair to start to soak her feet. As I watched him, I realized he was helping himself into the chair next too her. I remember thinking to myself “surely he’s not going to get a pedicure too”- Yep, he put his feet down in the warm bubbly water and together they enjoy a pedicure. Now, there’s a sight you don’t see everyday!
Did you know that Jesus gave pedicures?
“4) so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5) After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6) He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7) Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8) No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." 9) "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" 10) Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11) For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12 ) When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13) "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14) Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15) have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16) tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17) w that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13: 4 -17
What I find incredible about this story are a couple things. First, I’m sure that the roads were very long, dirty and dusty- they walked everywhere. I can visualize the disciple’s feet as less attractive then I’m sure the reality was. Now, I’m not a huge fan of feet; I just don’t believe I’ve ever seen pair that are attractive. Even when they’re all soften and nails painted, they still leave something to be desired in my eyes. I can only imagine how dirty they were at that time in history. I’m sure that Jesus didn’t have all the fancy nail clippers, emery boards, fragrant bath oil and toe separators like they do at salons. But did that stop Him from kneeling and washing His disciple’s feet? Nope. And he had an entire table full of feet to wash- and He washed each one by one.
Secondly, I’m totally in awe of the example He gave us by washing the disciple’s feet. The Bible says He washed ALL of the disciple’s feet, not all but one- He washed ALL of them- He washed Judas’s feet too. The man he knew that within hours would betray Him into the hands of his enemies- He washed his feet. The man that He loved and had trusted as one of His chosen twelve- He knelt and washed his feet too. Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t mind washing feet, mine or anyone else’s that I love and care about, but my enemies??? Someone that’s betrayed me??? Get on my knees and serve them??? What an example of pure, unconditional love. That is a picture I want to always keep in my mind. It’s a quality that I need to practice daily. Not on special occasions, not when I’m feeling generous, not when I have all the right thoughts- DAILY. How much better would the world be if we all would remember to serve our brothers and sisters, our family, our friends, our co-workers, and yes, even those that we find hard to deal with on a daily basis? Jesus was our example- He washes our feet every time we fail because He loves us. Whose feet can you/will you wash today?
Pedicures take awhile to have done. It’s a process, but when they are done correctly, your feet will never be the same! The last time I was sitting in the chair soaking my feet, an older man came in, gray hair, bib overalls- he looked like he had just came in from feeding the livestock and behind him walked what I assumed was his wife. She like him was well on in her years and he lovingly and gently helped her into the big chair to start to soak her feet. As I watched him, I realized he was helping himself into the chair next too her. I remember thinking to myself “surely he’s not going to get a pedicure too”- Yep, he put his feet down in the warm bubbly water and together they enjoy a pedicure. Now, there’s a sight you don’t see everyday!
Did you know that Jesus gave pedicures?
“4) so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5) After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6) He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7) Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8) No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." 9) "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" 10) Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11) For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12 ) When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13) "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14) Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15) have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16) tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17) w that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13: 4 -17
What I find incredible about this story are a couple things. First, I’m sure that the roads were very long, dirty and dusty- they walked everywhere. I can visualize the disciple’s feet as less attractive then I’m sure the reality was. Now, I’m not a huge fan of feet; I just don’t believe I’ve ever seen pair that are attractive. Even when they’re all soften and nails painted, they still leave something to be desired in my eyes. I can only imagine how dirty they were at that time in history. I’m sure that Jesus didn’t have all the fancy nail clippers, emery boards, fragrant bath oil and toe separators like they do at salons. But did that stop Him from kneeling and washing His disciple’s feet? Nope. And he had an entire table full of feet to wash- and He washed each one by one.
Secondly, I’m totally in awe of the example He gave us by washing the disciple’s feet. The Bible says He washed ALL of the disciple’s feet, not all but one- He washed ALL of them- He washed Judas’s feet too. The man he knew that within hours would betray Him into the hands of his enemies- He washed his feet. The man that He loved and had trusted as one of His chosen twelve- He knelt and washed his feet too. Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t mind washing feet, mine or anyone else’s that I love and care about, but my enemies??? Someone that’s betrayed me??? Get on my knees and serve them??? What an example of pure, unconditional love. That is a picture I want to always keep in my mind. It’s a quality that I need to practice daily. Not on special occasions, not when I’m feeling generous, not when I have all the right thoughts- DAILY. How much better would the world be if we all would remember to serve our brothers and sisters, our family, our friends, our co-workers, and yes, even those that we find hard to deal with on a daily basis? Jesus was our example- He washes our feet every time we fail because He loves us. Whose feet can you/will you wash today?
Collateral Damage
According to the USAF Intelligence Targeting Guide, the term means:
“[the] unintentional damage or incidental damage affecting facilities, equipment, or personnel, occurring as a result of military actions directed against targeted enemy forces or facilities. Such damage can occur to friendly, neutral, and even enemy forces".
When I think of Collateral Damage on a non-military level, I think of mistakes or wrongs that not only have affected myself, but others around me- they’re like the “ripple effect” One mistake can have a major impact on the people around us. Sometimes I think we feel our mistakes will only have a repercussion for us-but many times that is not true.
I personally don’t like to live in the past- it’s too painful. I praise our God who is my Deliverer- deliverance from painful mistakes that have forever altered my life- mistakes that only He can totally forgive me from and only He can totally forget happened. This is a very hard truth that I have to come to understand for my life. As Christians we are to forgive each other – we’re commanded to, but we can never totally forget- it isn’t possible to totally erase that part. God gives us the ability to see past the hurt and most of the time I don’t remember it unless I pull it from the shelves of my memory library intentionally.
Collateral Damage- it can be unintentional and intentional. When it’s unintentional, it is any less severe or painless as when it’s intentional? Both cause scars- both do damage, both can alter relationships, destroy families and friendships. I have regretfully said things in anger that as soon as the words came out of my mouth, I wish I could snatch them right back. I can be SO quick tongued- that is not a welcomed attribute to my personality and that’s just a little something He’s still working on in me. I LOVE Proverbs, it has so many passages that speak to me:
“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment”
Proverbs 10: 19-21
Collateral Damage- it can affect others and our spiritual realms as well as our physical ones. The Bible is very firm on where we stand when we offend our brother spiritually.
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.”
Proverbs 6:16-19
Collateral Damage- to friendly, neutral or even our enemies. When we love someone and hurt them- wow- that really hurts us too. Love is such a tender emotion that has a wide sense of being. But what about when we don’t actually love someone and hurt them? Maybe we don’t even really like them but hurt them. Or what about the person you have in your life that you just wish you didn’t have - you know who I’m talking about… let’s be honest, we ALL have them. When you do something to hurt them, do you enjoy it or do you regret it? Or let’s go one step farther still- our enemies. You might be saying “I don’t have anyone I really hate”…- do you? What about the little things we do, we might feel are innocent or come natural like “road rage” or maybe it’s a prejudice we have – someone of a different race, someone with a different social background, someone with a different religion…??? Just because we don’t actually say we “hate” someone doesn’t mean it can’t play out in our actions, after all, I’ve heard it said “Actions speak louder than words” and isn’t that so true!
As Christians, Collateral Damage should be kept to an absolute unintentional minimum. We should always be aware of our surroundings and who it could affect. When we have to correct- it should always be constructive and loving- never like dropping the bomb on Hiroshima. It shouldn’t be intentional or devastating. I know this will sound funny to some people but when I find myself at the point when I want to lash out and say something I know is going to be hurtful and wrong, a lot of people say “Count to 10”- I could count to 1000 and that wouldn’t work for me, so I sing. Yes SING- for some reason I find it difficult to sing and be angry at the same time. Try it sometime; it might just “defuse” you.
“[the] unintentional damage or incidental damage affecting facilities, equipment, or personnel, occurring as a result of military actions directed against targeted enemy forces or facilities. Such damage can occur to friendly, neutral, and even enemy forces".
When I think of Collateral Damage on a non-military level, I think of mistakes or wrongs that not only have affected myself, but others around me- they’re like the “ripple effect” One mistake can have a major impact on the people around us. Sometimes I think we feel our mistakes will only have a repercussion for us-but many times that is not true.
I personally don’t like to live in the past- it’s too painful. I praise our God who is my Deliverer- deliverance from painful mistakes that have forever altered my life- mistakes that only He can totally forgive me from and only He can totally forget happened. This is a very hard truth that I have to come to understand for my life. As Christians we are to forgive each other – we’re commanded to, but we can never totally forget- it isn’t possible to totally erase that part. God gives us the ability to see past the hurt and most of the time I don’t remember it unless I pull it from the shelves of my memory library intentionally.
Collateral Damage- it can be unintentional and intentional. When it’s unintentional, it is any less severe or painless as when it’s intentional? Both cause scars- both do damage, both can alter relationships, destroy families and friendships. I have regretfully said things in anger that as soon as the words came out of my mouth, I wish I could snatch them right back. I can be SO quick tongued- that is not a welcomed attribute to my personality and that’s just a little something He’s still working on in me. I LOVE Proverbs, it has so many passages that speak to me:
“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment”
Proverbs 10: 19-21
Collateral Damage- it can affect others and our spiritual realms as well as our physical ones. The Bible is very firm on where we stand when we offend our brother spiritually.
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.”
Proverbs 6:16-19
Collateral Damage- to friendly, neutral or even our enemies. When we love someone and hurt them- wow- that really hurts us too. Love is such a tender emotion that has a wide sense of being. But what about when we don’t actually love someone and hurt them? Maybe we don’t even really like them but hurt them. Or what about the person you have in your life that you just wish you didn’t have - you know who I’m talking about… let’s be honest, we ALL have them. When you do something to hurt them, do you enjoy it or do you regret it? Or let’s go one step farther still- our enemies. You might be saying “I don’t have anyone I really hate”…- do you? What about the little things we do, we might feel are innocent or come natural like “road rage” or maybe it’s a prejudice we have – someone of a different race, someone with a different social background, someone with a different religion…??? Just because we don’t actually say we “hate” someone doesn’t mean it can’t play out in our actions, after all, I’ve heard it said “Actions speak louder than words” and isn’t that so true!
As Christians, Collateral Damage should be kept to an absolute unintentional minimum. We should always be aware of our surroundings and who it could affect. When we have to correct- it should always be constructive and loving- never like dropping the bomb on Hiroshima. It shouldn’t be intentional or devastating. I know this will sound funny to some people but when I find myself at the point when I want to lash out and say something I know is going to be hurtful and wrong, a lot of people say “Count to 10”- I could count to 1000 and that wouldn’t work for me, so I sing. Yes SING- for some reason I find it difficult to sing and be angry at the same time. Try it sometime; it might just “defuse” you.
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