The Bigger Picture

            On May 23, 2011, a tornado ravaged Joplin, MO at the same moment God demonstrated His omniscient presence when He spared my daughter and I from a head-on collision with a driver traveling full speed the wrong direction in the far left lane of Missouri Hwy. 270 … the exact lane that I’d been traveling in only a few seconds earlier.  I did not move over because I saw him coming.  It was dark and the oncoming driver’s lights blended in perfectly with the oncoming traffic moving properly on the other side of the busy highway.  Noticing the other drivers flashing their lights,  I thought they were simply warning us of a police presence and that we should slow down.  (We were all traveling rather quickly to get home before the storm blew over St. Louis.)

            I moved over to avoid a speeding ticket, I thought.  Seconds later, as the driver flew past me, I stopped breathing as the reality of what God had just done for Sydni and I.  Flooded with “what ifs,” the next few moments were a blur.  When we finally arrived safely at home, I learned of the tragic devastation in nearby Joplin.  The next few days were blended between confusion and turmoil.  I rejoiced in God’s miraculous intervention; I struggled with a heavy question.  “Why did God spare us but He let that tornado destroy Joplin and so many other lives there?”  I never received a satisfying answer, but in time God comforted me in knowing that His wisdom is beyond my human understanding. 

            Thankfully, God does not so vividly display the caustic reality of His life-saving interventions in our lives every day.  While most of His miracles are incredible, this one was terrifying.  However, the truth is that He does, indeed, provide for our safety … our salvation every day.  Each day I pray for courage, strength, and safety for my family and friends.  But, then, I don’t really stop and take time to observe God answering those prayers.  For awhile that week, I thought that was part of God’s intention … to show me that He is listening and answering my prayers.  But that was just self-centered reflection. 

            Later that week, Sydni and I went to the movie “Soul Surfer.”  At one point in the movie, the youth director states, “We need to stop looking too closely at the things God lays out before us and start looking at His bigger picture.”  Then she quoted one of my favorite verses, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, not harm you.  Plans to give you a hope and a future.”  (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)   I realized that while I couldn’t thank God enough for answering my prayers, I’d missed the bigger picture. 

            We live every single day in His safety because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.  God provides life-saving interventions every day – some earthly that we see, some we never realize.  But we always have eternal salvation in our midst.  God didn’t just save Sydni and I that night on the highway; He saves every one of us every day.  That happened 2000 years ago through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

            So, while my heart still skips a beat when I allow my mind to wander back to those oncoming headlights, I am now overwhelmed with joy and praise for my God who already saved our lives and allows us to live in that divine safety each day on earth and, eventually, forever with Him – for a God who gives us a bigger picture if we let Him.

One Life to Love

Did you buy a lottery ticket a few weeks ago?  Considering the odds of winning, I’m guessing your numbers were not selected.  Do you make it a habit to gamble?  What about gambling away your time?  Your life?  Yes, we all do if we are honest. 

Philippians 3:12-19 (MSG)

Focused on the Goal

 ^12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

 ^15-16So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

 ^17-19Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

Have you come to the point where you’ve bought the lie that you’re about as good as you’re going to get?  Have you stopped working harder to improve your life, and instead just accept yourself now as who you are and ever will be?  Or, do you believe that God can make powerful changes in your life, character, behavior, service to Him, actions, etc. every day of your life?

In life we often settle for less than God wants to give us.  In Jeremiah 29:11, He said, “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you, not harm you.  Plans to give you a hope and a future.”  If God himself has these amazing plans for each of us, why would we quit before He’s blessed us with the abundance He wants to offer His children?   

There’s a story about a man who died and went to Heaven.  When he got there he was thrilled to visit with Peter, but Peter said, “I want to show you something.”  They went to a special house with lots of rooms.  Peter showed the man a room filled with the richest treasures and blessings the man would have ever dreamed of having in his life.  He said, “Are these my treasure now that I’m in Heaven?”  Peter replied, “No, these are the things God wanted to give you on earth, but you never opened your life to Him enough to let Him bestow these upon you.”

In Finding My Smile, Alayna is suffering with severe issues in her life.  She’s angry and withdrawn.  She refuses to let herself get close to anyone or become a part of anything substantial in life because she’s afraid of being hurt if the person or activity lets her down.  A song comes on the radio one day, One Life to Love, by 33 Miles. As she listens to the words, she realizes that God has given her this one amazing life on earth to learn about God's plans and be blessed in His abundant grace. 

Why would we waste what God wants to lavish upon us?  Why would we waste one day of this precious gift He’s given us?  Today, take a moment to really consider how well you are using this one life God has given you.  Are you open to all the wonderful blessings He wants to bestow upon you?  Are you open to the fullness that His body and blood signify in your life?  To the sacrifice He made so you could be complete and full in your life with God?

You only have one life to live and love, don't waste it on anger, pity, or self-doubt.  Give it all to God and let Him pour out blessings you've not even dreamed of this day!

Soli Deo Gloria!

If you would like to hear One Life to Love, by 33 Miles, click on the title above.  

Black Pearls

Larry and I first met Heather and Tom Whipp when they visited the States for their son's wedding.  Knowing only their son's fiance, we were not sure about our decision to house the Whipps for their three-week visit.  Little did we know that our lives would be forever changed by their stories of mission work in the Vanuatu Islands.  Heather and Tom committed their early retired years to the mission work, selling nearly everything they owned to afford a boat and supplies needed for the travel from Brisbane to Vanuatu.  This story is the first in a fictional trilogy incorporating some of their experiences with the tribal people.  I first heard the term Shekinah from the Whipps.  They christened their boat by the name, noting that it was but for God's glorious presence in their lives that they were called to share His message with others.  

 

Black Pearls, by Heather Whipp

     Black Pearls is the first book in a trilogy by Heather Whipp. Black Pearls begins late in the nineteenth century on a Pacific Island, moves briefly to Australia, before returning to the New Hebrides. It incorporates the key elements of love, envy, greed, prejudice, and faith.
     Having lived for a number of years in the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu), the author has been able to portray the physical and fascinating custom side of life in a Pacific island setting. She has reproduced the island atmosphere by painting word pictures of village life so that the reader can almost smell the smoke from the women’s wood fires, hear the beat of the slit drums, and the crash of the surf onto the beach. The author keeps readers absorbed and intrigued as she creates an in-depth picture of a young woman as she faces challenges and heartbreak.
      Black Pearls is an imaginative and powerful story woven around Ellie Griffiths’ idyllic life on a Pacific island, where she resides for the first nineteen years of her life. Ellie, the adoptive daughter of a missionary couple, knows little beyond her innocent existence. One fateful day a ‘recruiting’ ship calls into the island and the hand of tragedy strikes the village and all who live in it. Cruelly invaded by the murderous, black-birding crew, the simplicity of Ellie’s life in her tropical wonderland with its background of jungle-clad mountains, white beaches, and spring-fed waterfalls, is no more. Ellie has only heard of black-birders, but has never seen them. On the surface, nothing about black-birders differentiates them from other seamen calling into Baninga Bay. It is only when the recruiters drop their deception of resting after a severe storm at sea, that Ellie sees how vicious men from a western nation can be. She is thrust into a situation filled with danger when witnessing the abuse of young women. Ellie’s traumatic experience with the black-birders has one saving grace. It is her close childhood friend, Tari Masu, who comes to her rescue.
Although overdue for its visit to the island, the trading vessel, Response, arrives just in time to rescue the villagers, as they make their escape from the black-birding ship. Vernon Brissom, on board Response is the passenger, who caused the ship’s delay. Mr. Brissom, an agriculturalist, has signed a contract to oversee the Baninga villagers in setting up a coconut plantation.
     Not long after Vernon's arrival, Ellie’s natural mother, Laura Griffiths, accepts a government contract to teach in the village. In due course, Vernon and Laura fall in love. They take Ellie with them to Australia for their wedding. Their hope is that once in Australia, which is Ellie’s country of heritage, she will prefer it to life in the Pacific islands.
     Follow the story of Ellie in Black Pearls, as she develops into a mature young woman. Cry with her when she mourns the death of her parents, cheer for her when she outwits the black-birders, laugh with her when she is reunited with her natural mother, feel a thrill when she falls in love, and smile at her reaction when she sees strange and wonderful sights for the first time, in Australia.

You can order an e-copy of Black Pearls at SmashWords.

Former Prison Inmate Honored for Prison Ministry

My friends, Dave & Patty R. volunteer much of their time in prison ministry.  This article is a great story they shared with me about how God can work consistently in the lives of even those with the most hardened of hearts.

Life of crime began at age 5
FORT WORTH, Texas –– Lonnie Bingmon, a man who has been in youth detention centers nine times and in jails or a prison six times, received The President’s Volunteer Service Award for his ministry in prisons.  “Your volunteer service demonstrates the kind of commitment to your community that moves America a step closer to its great promise,” said President Barak Obama in a 2011 letter announcing the honor.

Lonnie understands the needs of those in prison since he has spent years behind bars. His life of crime began at age 5 when he was with two 10-year-old boys who threw a rock through a Dallas bank window. That was the first of his many brushes with the law.

Introduced to Jesus 

 “One day at age 9, I was going through alley and saw a tree with pears on the upper branches,” said Lonnie. “When a little white lady saw me looking at the pears, she got a broom and started knocking some down for me.”
Still today, Lonnie gets a little choked up as he recalls the lady who “was nice to a little black kid.”

The woman invited Lonnie into her house and introduced him to Jesus. “One day you will be a mighty man of God,” she said.

Lonnie returned to visit her on five occasions. “She read the Bible to me, and she sure could cook. Both of her sons were behind bars at that time. Billie Joe was in prison and Jerry was in the county jail.”  While Lonnie wanted to be a “mighty man of God,” he was still under the influence of other boys who showed him quick routes to money and nice things.

A tattered old Bible

In 1979, Lonnie saw some inmates tearing pages out of Bible to roll cigarettes. “Even a crook like me knew nobody should light up Luke or roll up Romans,” he said. “I stole that Bible that night and when I was sent to a Midway, Texas, prison for armed robbery, I took that raggedy Bible with me.”

“I read the story of the prodigal son in that old Bible,” said Lonnie. “My foreign land was prison, and I knew that I could be welcomed home.”  During the four years Lonnie spent in prison, he read from the Bible with the missing pages and later he read a new Bible provided by the prison chaplain.

Bob Hayes, former 100 meter Olympic champion sprinter and Dallas Cowboys football player, was in prison with Lonnie. One day, Lonnie told him, “You may be the fastest man on the planet but you couldn’t outrun God.”
“You’re right,” Hayes replied.  Hayes may have been denied entrance to the NFL Hall of Fame because of his imprisonment for illegal drug use.

While in prison, Lonnie became a certified welder. “I had 876 hours of welding time,” he reports.  In 1981, after being released from prison, Lonnie received a job as a welder after he voluntarily repaired a damaged gate. “I was glad to show what I could do,” he recalls.

Shot in head 

On Jan. 15, 1982, Lonnie got out of a cab and saw his little brother, Paul, and George McAlister going into Caesar’s Palace. “I asked the doorman if I could speak to the men who just walked in,” said Lonnie. “Before I knew it a guy pulled a gun and we started tussling and as I tried to leave I was shot in the right side of my head.”

Rushed to the hospital by ambulance, members of Lonnie’s family were told they should make funeral arrangements.  “My father, a three-time loser who had also been shot in the back and later became an ordained pastor, said, ‘If God can deliver me, he can deliver my son.’

“I recall seeing a shining figure on the other side of the room,” said Lonnie. “He said, ‘Peace . . . Be still . . . It’s not your time. . . . You have work to do.’”  Lonnie lost his left eye and he is partially paralyzed on the left side, but he proved the physicians wrong and his father right. It is still difficult for him to walk and he has trouble lifting his left arm.

His early attempts to find a church home were disappointing. “You should be with your own kind,” some church members told him. “You just don’t fit in.”  For 18 months, Lonnie wandered the streets. His mother suffered a heart attack and 13 family members died in a 15-year period.  “I was angry, frustrated and depressed,” said Lonnie.

Work in food pantry

After finally refusing to take any more drugs, Lonnie walked into Calvary Baptist Church, and told them he wanted someone to pray with him. “I know you are here to see Dixie,” said a church member.

Dixie Gross managed the food and shelter center. “I’ve come for prayer, not food,” said Lonnie. At that point Dixie and her three children, ages 5, 8, and 10, placed their hands on him and prayed for him. “God, give Lonnie another chance,” they prayed.

Lonnie worked in that food pantry for the following three years. “I even asked God to forgive the guy who shot me,” he said.

Move to Fort Worth

In 2000, after his mother died, Lonnie moved from Dallas to Fort Worth where he found his way to Alliance UMC. It was there that he engaged in a life-changing Walk to Emmaus in 2003.  It was also in the Alliance church that Lonnie met Mike Springer, chairman of the Texas State Chapter of Kairos Prison Ministry (http://www.kairosprisonministry.org/).

When Mike asked Lonnie if he would be interested in participating in a prison ministry team, Lonnie responded. “Brother, I’ve been looking for this my whole life.”

“And I’ve been looking for you,” said Mike.

“In 2004, I went to my first Kairos meeting and I’ve been rolling ever since,” said Lonnie.

A mighty man of God

The lady with the pear tree promised Lonnie that someday he would be a mighty man of God. Even President Obama now recognizes that her promise has come true.

© 2012 General Commission on United Methodist Men, Nashville, TN • Powered by The A Group

Second Chance, by Eileen Hinkle Rife

Check out the newest book to hit the markets for avid Christian Fiction readers!

Second Chance, by Eileen Hinkle Rife

What inspired you to write your newest book, A Second Chance? 

A poignant story of middle age, surprising friendships, and unexpected places. I was inspired by my own journey through the empty nest and her daughter’s and son-in-law’s work with inner city teens.  

What is this story about?

Mave Robertson, a recent empty nester, wants the fire back in her marriage, but her husband, Jerry, remains aloof. Is he having an affair? A midlife crisis? When a neighbor suggests she “get a life,” Mave accepts the challenge and volunteers at an inner-city teen ministry where she is thrown into a culture of drugs, gangs, and unwed teen moms. She soon discovers someone she can help, but might he also be the cure for both her stale marriage and her crumbling relationship with her father? 

What's that little hook I keep seeing all over the place?

Dareece Jackson, a teen from the projects, wants something in Mave’s purse…and he’ll stop at nothing to get it.  You'll have to read the book to find out more.  :)

Tell us a little about your life, please.

An alumna of Christian Writers Guild and member of American Christian Fiction Writers, I've published several non-fiction books, written newsletters, a marriage column, and over ten church dramas. My byline has appeared in magazines, such as Discipleship Journal, Marriage Partnership, Mature Living, Christian Home & School, Drama Ministry, and ParentLife, as well as other print and online publications. My fiction works include Journey to Judah, Restored Hearts, and Chosen Ones in the Born for India trilogy, and a stand-alone novel, Second Chance. My husband, Chuck, and I conduct marriage seminars in the states and overseas. My favorite pastime in this season of life is dancing with my hubby, spending time with my daughters and sons-in-law, and playing with my six grandchildren. 

The Lord's Prayer

David wrote a heartfelt prayer to God in Psalm 23.  It's probably one of the first passages you learned by heart; it was the first chapter I learned by heart at a young age of 6.  It was also my grandmother's favorite.  She's the one who taught it to me when I was so young.  My daughter, Sydni, also learned the passage by the time she was 5.  I doubt either of us truly understood the words at those young ages, but it would resonate in our hearts until one day later we were mature enough to grasp its beautiful message.

God planted this scripture in my heart, and the hearts of so many, for comfort, guidance, and a reminder that He desperately wants to be our Guide in life.  It's interesting, but the promises in this Psalm are all truth in our lives because of Jesus' death and resurrection.  A Psalm written hundreds of years before Christ's birth prophesied the promises that we could count on after His glorious resurrection.

One of my favorite Bible translations is Eugene Peterson's The Message.  Following his model, I'd like to share my own version of what Psalm 23 has meant, and still does mean, to my life.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Jesus Christ is my Savior, my Redeemer, my Best Friend.  With Him in my life, I don't need anything.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Even though I'm often stressed, He gives me peace and tranquility in life.  Sometimes He just makes me stop and count my blessings instead of concentrating on the bad stuff.

3 He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

And when I screw up, He forgives me because of Who He is and Whose I am.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

And sometimes when I screw up really bad, and sin has a death grip on my heart, deep down I still know He is with me.  He just waits patiently for me to come to my senses, sometimes with a little tough discipline along the way.  But always He reassures me that I'm still His.  He knows I have faults, but He looks past them to reassure me and meet my needs.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

When life get tough and I feel so totally wronged by, or frustrated with, others, He reminds me to focus on Him and the joy He lays out before me every day.  Then, He forgives me, again, for the evil thoughts I held against those who hurt me.  And I realize once more that with God, I lack absolutely nothing in life.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I am certain that Jesus Christ will continue to pour out His blessings, His love, His forgiveness, every moment of my life.  And someday, I am going to spend eternity in Heaven with my Savior and, hopefully, everyone I've had the joy of knowing and loving on earth.

(Scripture from Psalm 23 KJV.)

Experiencing Shekinah: Are You Standing in the Radiance of God’s Glory and Love?

"Then Moses said, 'I pray You, show me Your glory!'" (Exodus 33:18 NASB)

Moses and the Israelites had been in the desert for a long time. They were all growing rather impatient...actually, they were all really sick to death of wandering in the hot sand and eating manna. The people complained incessantly to Moses; Moses complained to God. God listened. Luckily for the Israelites, Moses found favor with God, causing God to spare the Israelites...one more time. During one of the Tent Meetings (Exodus 33), God and Moses had a heart-to-heart conversation something like this:

GOD: Get these people out of here now. And I won't be going with you because they are driving me crazy. I just might destroy them all if I stay with you any longer.

MOSES: You told me to lead these people out of Egypt. And now we're wandering and you won't let me in on Your secrets about what comes next. These people are driving me crazy too! If you still love me and want me to lead them somewhere, do something about them. And let me in on your plans so they will know that you still love me and them.


GOD: Okay, because I love you so much, I'll go with you and the people ... again.

MOSES: That's good, because if you don't go with us, we aren't taking another step. Besides, you promised that these were your chosen people. How can we believe we are special when you abandon us in the dessert?

GOD: Moses, you are very special to me. I'll do what you ask. Name it, and it is yours.

MOSES: Wow! Okay then. Show me your glory.

GOD: Now Moses, if I really let you see my full glory, it would kill you. But I'll pass before you now and cover your eyes so you can experience the fullness of my glory and not die.

And with that, God—in all His Glory—passed before Moses, veiling his eyes so that Moses would live. As Moses' eyes were opened again, he had the amazing honor of seeing God's back as He passed by revealing Shekinah—being in the ultimate presence of God's Glory. In fact, the whole scene was so powerful that Moses' body radiated brightly from just the "aftermath" of God's glory. The people had to cover their eyes when they saw Moses!

The story continues for many more years, unfortunately, as the Israelites continued to struggle with trusting God in everything. Yet, Shekinah never left their presence. Moses fully understood God's unconditional and intense love, even for a group of people that exasperated Him nearly every moment!

God's love is as unconditional, as passionate, as faithful today as it was thousands of years ago. If He could love the Israelites in spite of their whining, bickering, thievery, adultery, idolatry, etc., then surely He can still love you and me. In fact, that's what God is about—Love. No matter how badly we screw up, He still loves. No matter how horrible the sin, He still forgives. No matter how often we make the same mistakes, He continues to wipe our slate clean so we are, once more, worthy of experiencing Shekinah in our daily lives.

Do you feel like God's love is out of your reach? Are you able to love others? Or, do you find it nearly impossible to love and be loved? No matter how far you remove yourself from the love of others, you will never be out of God's reach. His loving arms are always open to you. Always! No matter how much you push others away, you can't push God away. No matter how long you avoid the risk of a relationship, God still watches over you praying that you will take that first step toward Him. You see, nothing you can do will ever make God go away. You may feel like He's not there, but that distance is you walking away from Him. God will never walk away from you. Ask Him to show you His glory today; He will! And, you will radiate with a glow that just might make others around you put on their sunglasses! Your life will never be the same once you take that first step into Shekinah.