It was over 35 years ago I received a call from a family in our church about the premature birth of their little girl in the Rock Hill hospital. I rushed to the family's side because they were not expecting her to live. She was almost 3 months early and had several birth defects inside and out. What started that day developed into an almost two year crisis of life-threatening surgery after surgery. If I remember correctly she didn't get to come home but a few days during her first two years. Even back in the 80's I'm sure her hospital bill was well over a million dollars.
When I finally got to dedicate her to the Lord, our church and community knew she was a miracle baby. We were told over and over she would not survive each surgery, but she did. God was truly with her and brought her through every event in her little life. So many times I would break down and cry with the family when I saw all she was going through from surgery to surgery; but she made it because God was with her.
I wrote a special song for her dedication, which Becky and I recorded in 1987. Man, that seems like a lifetime ago and I've lost touch with her family since those days. The last I heard she was doing well in spite of all she had gone through. It was during this time of my ministry that I learned just how faithful God can be in a time of crisis.
It is my understanding that it did take a toll on the family and her mother and father divorced a few years after I left the area. It's a sad reality that something tragic can have lasting effects on a relationship, even if God performs a miracle. I wish I could say that every story has a happy ending, but I would be lying to you. Some stories, even with miracles, don't always come out right.
This blog today is to encourage every parent of a healthy child to give God praise and glory for His blessing to you. It's also to encourage those parents of a child with challenges to trust God for your baby's miracle. Amanda must have gone through at least 15-20 surgeries, but she made it. I believe your child can make it too with prayer and God's help.
So when you sing a lullaby to your baby to get them to sleep think of Amanda's Song. Jesus loves the little children and your darling is one of them. Just like He touched Amanda He can touch your little one as well.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Funny Things Always Happen In Church
Funny things always happen in church. Whether it's a child doing something that's embarrassing to his/her parents or some adult doing something out of order. Whatever it is, it's usually not funny at the time, but after a while the chuckles begin to roll.
I remember times when a little boy, during a Christmas program, would stick his finger in his nose and eat the results while the congregation watched. Or the little girl that stood on stage and kept lifting her skirt to hide her face so nobody would see her. It wasn't funny to the parents of these children at the time, but they still bring a laugh when you mention the occasion.
Adults do the same thing. The funniest thing I remember was a lady who used to ride one of our church buses who would steal the toilet tissue from the women's restroom at church. We finally had to put all the extra rolls under lock and key because she would come to church one size and leave another. Who in the world is going to do a body search at church for toilet tissue rolls? Not I!
I could write a book about all the funny things that I've seen in church over the years. The only thing is that most people would think its fiction. People would say that I had made up most of the stuff I've seen or heard. Yet, I believe God let's them happen so we can realize that we're not perfect yet. Church is serious business, but we are human and sometimes we do goofy things. So its better to laugh later about it than continue to cry. We've all been embarrassed, but its better when we can laugh at ourselves openly and put it behind us.
So the next time your child does something gross in a program or pageant, just smile and thank the Lord they're in church with you. Or the next time you see someone come from the restroom and a piece of toilet tissue is stuck to their foot and they're bringing it down the aisle with them, just smile. It could have been worse-it could have been you!
I remember times when a little boy, during a Christmas program, would stick his finger in his nose and eat the results while the congregation watched. Or the little girl that stood on stage and kept lifting her skirt to hide her face so nobody would see her. It wasn't funny to the parents of these children at the time, but they still bring a laugh when you mention the occasion.
Adults do the same thing. The funniest thing I remember was a lady who used to ride one of our church buses who would steal the toilet tissue from the women's restroom at church. We finally had to put all the extra rolls under lock and key because she would come to church one size and leave another. Who in the world is going to do a body search at church for toilet tissue rolls? Not I!
I could write a book about all the funny things that I've seen in church over the years. The only thing is that most people would think its fiction. People would say that I had made up most of the stuff I've seen or heard. Yet, I believe God let's them happen so we can realize that we're not perfect yet. Church is serious business, but we are human and sometimes we do goofy things. So its better to laugh later about it than continue to cry. We've all been embarrassed, but its better when we can laugh at ourselves openly and put it behind us.
So the next time your child does something gross in a program or pageant, just smile and thank the Lord they're in church with you. Or the next time you see someone come from the restroom and a piece of toilet tissue is stuck to their foot and they're bringing it down the aisle with them, just smile. It could have been worse-it could have been you!
T-R-O-U-B-L-E
There are a lot of songs that talk about trouble. In every genre of music that word often appears because trouble is everywhere and seems to follow us around like a shadow. It was the curse of sin that unleashed trouble on the world and it's doing the job on overtime today. There is no natural cure for adversity, discord, or disharmony. You cannot purchase a remedy from a pharmacy or discount store. The reality is that trouble is here to stay and you have to learn how to deal with it or be devoured by it.
The Psalmist knew how to deal with it. He identified the Lord as "his hiding place". Instead of being surrounded by melodies of defeat, he was covered by "songs of deliverance". The Lord was his shelter, his dwelling, and his covering from the showers of trouble. Instead of being swallowed by trouble, he was preserved from it. In other words, even though trouble existed, the protection of the Lord was upon him.
Have you ever been to that place where trouble wants to devastate you? It's not a fun place to be in when trouble catches up to you. It can affect you in so many ways you can't even comprehend. It can affect your family, loved ones, even your closest friends. Once it starts, it seems to spread like wildfire. The Psalmist was in that hot seat. He understood what trouble was and how it could overtake him, but his solution was to call upon the Lord.
You can't handle trouble by yourself. You need some assistance. That's why the Father sent His only son, Jesus, to set us free from the trouble that sin created in our life. That's why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter on the earth when He ascended to heaven. He never promised we would face troubles, but He did promise the Comforter would be with us to bring the supernatural help we needed to deal with trouble.
Trouble is here to stay, but so is hope. As long as there is hope, trouble can be vanquished. Jesus is now your hiding place and the songs of deliverance surround your faith. Don't give in, but look up-Your redemption draweth nigh!
Get Out Of Your Box
For years I believed an ostrich stuck his head in the sand when an enemy approached. When I reached my later childhood years it dawned on me that the Warner Brothers Cartoon was wrong. Anything as big as an ostrich body standing up would be easy prey for a predator. Just hiding his head in the sand would not protect his body.
Too many Christians are living in a box today, trying to block out the realities of this world we live in. We all try to hide from the economy, the savagery of life, and the terrors they represent to our homes and families. It's not easy existing in a wide open territory invaded by constant negative forces. That's why we often like to box ourselves up into safe places where we think the enemy cannot infiltrate.
The trouble is you've got to come out of the box sometime. Hiding yourself away from your problems will not deal with them. Doing your best to prevent disaster makes you more vulnerable when disaster strikes. No matter how much you try to protect yourself and your family hiding in a box doesn't prepare them for the world they have to face.
I could really be lighthearted here and say that when you get out of the box it's going to be okay, but I can't promise that. The only thing I am sure of is that when you are exposed to the unfriendly elements of life, God raises a standard or barrier on your behalf. Unpleasant things will come your way from time to time, but with God watching over you, somehow, someway, it will be okay.
When you get out of your box you'll discover the world is not as bad as you think. There's an angel that watches over each one in your household, so where you go the angel goes. He's there in the morning and there in the evening. So get out of your box and find out how much God cares.
Too many Christians are living in a box today, trying to block out the realities of this world we live in. We all try to hide from the economy, the savagery of life, and the terrors they represent to our homes and families. It's not easy existing in a wide open territory invaded by constant negative forces. That's why we often like to box ourselves up into safe places where we think the enemy cannot infiltrate.
The trouble is you've got to come out of the box sometime. Hiding yourself away from your problems will not deal with them. Doing your best to prevent disaster makes you more vulnerable when disaster strikes. No matter how much you try to protect yourself and your family hiding in a box doesn't prepare them for the world they have to face.
I could really be lighthearted here and say that when you get out of the box it's going to be okay, but I can't promise that. The only thing I am sure of is that when you are exposed to the unfriendly elements of life, God raises a standard or barrier on your behalf. Unpleasant things will come your way from time to time, but with God watching over you, somehow, someway, it will be okay.
When you get out of your box you'll discover the world is not as bad as you think. There's an angel that watches over each one in your household, so where you go the angel goes. He's there in the morning and there in the evening. So get out of your box and find out how much God cares.
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Cinderella
My family loves Disneyland and Disney World. It has been a joy to share with my grandchildren over the years memories I will always treasure. They enjoy the rides, but they love the characters. One of their favorites is Cinderella.
I read a story the other day about an episode that once happened in Cinderella's Castle at Disney World. Families were crowded in the room waiting for Cinderella's appearance. She made a dramatic entrance and the children excitedly crowded around her.
Whoever hired the young woman to play the role of Cinderella found a remarkable match. She was perfect. Flawless skin; beautiful face; bright eyes and smile; and, she was costumed exquisitely. She looked as if the cartoon character had come to life.
The children wanted to touch and hug her. She smiled down at them and the room was electric with excitement for everyone except two boys, apparently brothers, who stood next to a far wall, away from the other children. The older boy held the hand of the younger, much smaller boy, whose body and face were disfigured.
The look in the young boy's eyes was that of yearning. How he wanted to be with Cinderella. How he wanted to be a part of other children. But he held back, probably out of fear, because he had likely been hurt too many times before by children who didn't understand his disfigurement.
But unexpectedly, Cinderella turned and saw the boys. And she must have noticed the longing in the little one's face, for she slowly made her way through the throng, inching toward the far wall.
Then something wonderful happened. Cinderella did the most remarkable thing, something I'm sure she never learned in Cinderella Training Class. She bent down and kissed the little boy's face. He smiled a big and beautiful smile. Cinderella kissed him!
Could anything be so wonderful? Cinderella kissed him. Out of all of the children in that room, Cinderella kissed him. No matter what happens to him, he'll always have that-Cinderella kissed him.
Now when he looks into the mirror he will always see the face that Cinderella kissed looking back. Who knows... for months, for years, maybe forever stings and barbs of life will hurt a little less and he will stand a bit taller and feel a little more special. He'll never forget that something magnificent happened the day that Cinderella kissed him.
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Three Days
Psalm 31:1 " In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness."
There are two days in every week about which we should not worry and should be kept free from fear and apprehension. These two days can either make or break you depending on how you let them dominate your life.
One of these days is Yesterday, filled with all its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, and its aches and pains. It has passed forever beyond your control. All the money in the world cannot bring back Yesterday. You can't undo a single act you performed or erase a single word you said. Yesterday is gone forever, but will haunt you if you let it.
There are two days in every week about which we should not worry and should be kept free from fear and apprehension. These two days can either make or break you depending on how you let them dominate your life.
One of these days is Yesterday, filled with all its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, and its aches and pains. It has passed forever beyond your control. All the money in the world cannot bring back Yesterday. You can't undo a single act you performed or erase a single word you said. Yesterday is gone forever, but will haunt you if you let it.
The other day you should not worry about is Tomorrow with all its possible adversities, burdens, promise and possible poor performance. Tomorrow is also beyond your immediate control. Tomorrow the sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise. Until it does, you have no stake in Tomorrow, for it is yet to be born.
This leaves only one day, Today. Any person can fight the battle of just one day. It is when you add the burdens of Yesterday and Tomorrow that you break down in fear and trepidation.
It is not the experience of Today that drives a person mad, but the remorse or bitterness of something which happened Yesterday and the fear of what Tomorrow may bring. That's why you should live one day at a time, resting in the arms of Jesus.
The Psalmist reminds us all of three important things in this simple verse of scripture. They are not complex, but skillfully detailed to help us all understand how to deal with Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow:
-Put your trust in the Lord.
-Never be ashamed of your relationship with Him.
-Know deliverance comes every day through His righteousness.
One more time let me remind you Yesterday is gone and Tomorrow will come, so live Today in the fullness of His grace and glory. In three days Jesus did enough to cover all the days of your life. Never forget that fact and worship Him for it.
Life Is A Journey, Not A Destination
Life is a journey and not a destination, so enjoy the trip!
Psalm 23 says, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil..."
When we were in California a few years ago we stopped at a local state park to view the scenery. This was right out of Los Angeles. At the bottom of the trail was a sign that said, "BEWARE OF MOUNTAIN LIONS," and then gave instructions on how to avoid an attack if you encountered one. The first thing it said was not to run, but stand perfectly still. Yes, I'm sure that if I had seen one I would have not moved a muscle. NOT! I would have broken the world's record to get out of there.
My point is life is a journey and not a destination. Forrest Gump said in one of my favorite movies, "Momma always said life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get." Yes, it's true. If life were a destination you would one day arrive-but it's not. You will never arrive, because until you die there is no end to your journey.
So you will have happiness and joy, sadness and sorrow, along with pain and loss. They'll be good days and bad days, days of fullness and emptiness, days of hope and days of despair. You will experience success, failure, new beginnings, opened and closed doors, and adventures beyond your wildest imagination, but you will never complete your journey until the Lord is finished with you.
The best thing you can do is decide right now that you're going to make the best of this life that the Lord gives you. Don't take anything for granted, but enjoy every experience possible. Laugh, cry, smile, frown, pout, get excited, be grateful and humbled by every step you take forward-just enjoy the ride.
Will it be perfect? Nope! Will it be what you expected? I doubt that. Will it be impactful? Could be; you just never know about those things. Your journey will become what you and God let it be. So take your first step-it could be a long walk to the finish line.
Psalm 23 says, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil..."
When we were in California a few years ago we stopped at a local state park to view the scenery. This was right out of Los Angeles. At the bottom of the trail was a sign that said, "BEWARE OF MOUNTAIN LIONS," and then gave instructions on how to avoid an attack if you encountered one. The first thing it said was not to run, but stand perfectly still. Yes, I'm sure that if I had seen one I would have not moved a muscle. NOT! I would have broken the world's record to get out of there.
My point is life is a journey and not a destination. Forrest Gump said in one of my favorite movies, "Momma always said life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get." Yes, it's true. If life were a destination you would one day arrive-but it's not. You will never arrive, because until you die there is no end to your journey.
So you will have happiness and joy, sadness and sorrow, along with pain and loss. They'll be good days and bad days, days of fullness and emptiness, days of hope and days of despair. You will experience success, failure, new beginnings, opened and closed doors, and adventures beyond your wildest imagination, but you will never complete your journey until the Lord is finished with you.
The best thing you can do is decide right now that you're going to make the best of this life that the Lord gives you. Don't take anything for granted, but enjoy every experience possible. Laugh, cry, smile, frown, pout, get excited, be grateful and humbled by every step you take forward-just enjoy the ride.
Will it be perfect? Nope! Will it be what you expected? I doubt that. Will it be impactful? Could be; you just never know about those things. Your journey will become what you and God let it be. So take your first step-it could be a long walk to the finish line.
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