All

Sometimes the most important words in the English language are actually the smallest. For instance, during this Easter season I've had the word "all" on my mind. Every time I read my Bible, "ALL" seems to jump out at me from the pages. So much so, I've found myself searching for the little word, whose addition to a sentence changes everything - sometimes for the good and sometimes not.

In Mark 14:31, Peter spoke emotionally charged words to Christ when he said, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" Then the verse continues and our little word appears again: "And they ALL said likewise." It wasn't just Peter that proclaimed his devotion to Christ. It was ALL of the disciples. They ALL claimed to be so devoted to the person of Jesus Christ that they would die with Him. And then just a few verses later, their devotion turned to desertion. As Judas' kiss fell on the cheek of our Savior, and the ear of Malchus fell to the ground, Scripture records: "Then they ALL forsook Him and fled." (vs. 50).

Jesus knew they would. He knew He would have to endure this horrendous death alone. It was prophesy. And yet, I can't help but imagine the pain that seared His heart as He watched them ALL run, as well as the full cup of guilt that they drank each time their feet touched the ground in flight.

If only SOME had deserted Him, maybe this verse wouldn't hit me so hard. Maybe it wouldn't have stuck out in my mind and made me think more seriously about the time before the death of Christ. Maybe His "aloneness" wouldn't strike at my heart the way it does. But it wasn't just some of them...it was ALL of them. His best friends... the people who had shared the last three years with Him...the ones that claimed they would die for Him and with Him, deserted the One they called their Master.

I know this was ALL part of God's plan, but it still makes my heart ache for my Savior. And maybe that's part of God's plan, too. The Easter season is a time of celebration - a time to remember the risen Christ. But I think, ALL too often, I focus way too much on the joyful aspect of the holy day, instead of all of the events leading up to it. I go into the season, lacking a true reverence and respect for the price He paid for me...and His "aloneness" was just a small part of that price.

ALL forsook Him. Let that word sink deep into your heart and soul. I hope it stirs in us a remembrance of the unimaginable price He paid for our souls. So that in turn, we will not be part of the ALL of our generation. We will not flee when ALL others do. We will not choose to run, when we are persecuted for our faith, whether that be emotionally or physically. We will choose to stay with our Savior and fight for His name, regardless of the outcome of our loyalty.

Jesus, I love You. I thank You for ALL You endured for ME on the cross, so that I could not only be worthy of Your name, but proclaim IT worthy to those around me. Help me, Lord, to stand for You, when others flee. Give me strength to fight in Jesus' name for Your name. Thank You for the crucifixion, for without it, ALL would be lost. I praise You, Jesus. Praise You.

The Word of God Speaks

Sometimes I just don't know how to pray. My mom was rushed unexpectedly to the hospital yesterday, my dad's having an x-ray on a lump as I write, and my son is awaiting a possible head CT tomorrow. Needless to say, I awoke this morning in tears. I cried out to the Lord and told Him I couldn't think - that I couldn't even focus enough to pray. It was then that the Comforter, Himself, whispered sweet words of peace to my heart..."when you cannot pray, the Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words."

I wiped my tears, leaned over and picked up my Bible. I didn't want to read, but was compelled. "Just a few verses..." I thought. My devotional book was in another room, so I just let the pages fall open. They separated at Romans 8, and I began reading. Little did I remember or have the presence of mind to recall what the passage was about before reading it.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

I felt eased...so my "few verses" turned into "a few more." I kept reading, unprepared for what I was about to experience:

26In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

A smile covered my face...the kind of smile a daughter gives to her father when she realizes he did something just for her. My Daddy, my Father, comforted me first through speaking to my spirit in prayer, and then through showing me the same Words in print. It was as if He knew I needed that verse to sink into my heart and take root in my soul.

Jesus spoke AND interceeded for me, for my family, for everyone involved, in the midst of my distress....according to His Father's perfect will. He took my deep wordLESSness and created words...my inability to pray coherently for my family and turned it into a prayer on my behalf...all in accordance with my Father's will.

Just had to let you know He's real. He's alive. He's personal...and He's interceeding for you and me, even now.

It's Time to Take a Stand

"The only way for evil to prevail is for good men(women) to do nothing."

Now, I'm not normally one to get on a band wagon about something, but I figure this is as good a time as any to do so. I recently received an e-mail from HSLDA - Homeschool Legal Defense Association - which concerns me, greatly. It seems that ABC is airing a new show in the fall called, "Good Christian Bi---es." I hope you see immediately, the glaring oxymoron in this title. It's based on a book that depicts a divorcee coming back home to Texas after her failed marriage. Evidently, her friends - the Christians - make her life even more miserable when she returns, because of jealously towards her.

Now, I have to say, I have not read the book or watched the show, YET. I have, however, read a few reviews. Despite that, the title alone should sound some sort of alarm in every Christian's heart. It's an attack on Jesus, period.

ABC-TV has decided that it can take direct aim at Christians with what amounts to hate speech. This is the premise of its new program GCB (which stands for Good Christian B*****es). We need to fight back.

This program ridicules Christians, Christianity, the Bible, and Christian symbols in ways that would be unthinkable if aimed at any other religious group. For example, in the official Facebook page for GCB it said that “cleavage will help keep your cross straight.” Can you imagine the reaction in the Muslim community if that kind of message (complete with a highly suggestive photo) would have been made aiming at a symbol of the Islamic faith?HSLDA

See what I mean?

My husband has recently been preaching about Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. When Jerusalem was destroyed, the wall around the city was torn down. That was a devastating blow, for the city wall symbolized protection. Without it, any marauding group could simply walk in and steal everything the people had. Jerusalem needed that wall. They needed the protection a wall could give.

And wouldn't you know it, when they finally started rebuilding, the groups around Jerusalem got upset and tried everything they could to keep the walls torn down. For you see, they had everything to lose and nothing to gain, if the Israelites became a safe, protected nation once again.

They shouted at the Israelites. They tried to deceive them into letting them "help" with the rebuilding. They tried sending discouraging messages throughout the camps. They even threatened the lives of those working on the wall. They pulled out every stop and tried every trick to end the work.

Finally, Nehemiah had had enough. He stood and addressed the people working on the walls: And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, 'Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your homes.' And it happened, when our enemies heard that is was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work."

I don't know about you, but I have "brethren." I have sons. I have a daughter. I don't have a wife, but I have a husband. And I have a home. Far too long, I have watched things happen and said in my heart with disgust, "That's a shame." However, now that the attack on my Jesus and my belief is so blatant, I can no longer sit and be silent. It's time to fight.

Now, I'm definitely not suggesting violence against ABC, but I am suggesting action. They say the pen is mightier than the sword. And with that in mind, I am wielding my sword, now. I encourage you, Believer. Go to the ABC website abc.go.com/site/contact-us, and fight for your family...for your "brethren," for your sons and daughters, wives (husbands) and homes in a Christ-like fashion. If we respond with anger and aggression, not only will we NOT please Jesus, but we will just solidify the material in the show. Please tell them of your concern, but do so in spirit of gentleness and conviction.

I don't know about you, but I'm done sitting...it's time to fight.

Jesus, we need Your help here. This type of thing makes us angry and fearful of the future. Help us to be neither, but also help us not to sit back and let this just happen. Teach us to fight for You, Lord Jesus, in a Christ-like manner so that the world will know that You are real and that You are, in fact, the Savior of it. We love You, Jesus. Help us to prove it in a manner worthy of Your great name. Amen

As an added note, here are the sponsors for the show:
• Verizon
• Comcast xFinity
• Rooms to Go
• SC Johnson
• Conagra Foods for Chef Boyardee
• PepsiCo

Sometimes You Just Need a Little Help

Sometimes you just need a little help. Actually, sometimes you just need A LOT of help. I have become increasing aware of that lately. Watching men walk in and out of our home, carrying plywood, nail guns, and particle board has been a great reminder. We thought we could do the majority of it ourselves, but soon realized we were in over our heads.

Back in late summer of last year, we had a water/steam leak which reaked havoc on the downstairs area of our house. Everything had to come up...nails, flooring, plywood...everything. We moved ourselves into a hotel and a couple of Pack Rat storage units and got to work. However, we quickly realized we were in over our heads. The work was taking way too long, and a lot of the stuff was too detailed for us to handle.

That’s when THEY showed up - in pickup trucks and trailers...with power tools and hammers...with energy and smiles to boot. I don’t know exactly how many have been in and out of our front door, but finally, the MONSTER - that our home had become - is being tamed...and groomed, all at the same time.

THEY’ve sweated. THEY’ve taken time away from their families. THEY’ve had sore muscles and some slight injuries. THEY’ve worked without complaint and without recognition. And for what reason? Well, I haven’t exactly asked them that question, but I think I know the answer. I think THEY’d tell you it has nothing to do with them and everything to do with Jesus.

Scripture tells us "...let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." I John 3:18 (NAS). Or as the New Living Translation says, "...let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." Somewhere along the way, these men were either taught that verse or learned it for themselves. THEY know that love spoken without evidence, means nothing. But love exemplified is everything.

The ultimate example of love in action can been seen in the life of Christ. He didn’t just tell us He loved us, He proved it on the cross. And THEY’ve exemplified that love to my family, in a very precious way. THEY’ve put my home back together...and I never even asked them to.

Now, I walk through the front door of our home and don’t feel the heavy weight of destruction, but feel humbled by the love of Christ fleshed out in their lives. Jesus has loved me, through them. How precious is that!

So, for all of the THEYs who’ve been used by Jesus in our home, "Thank You." Your love for Him is evident in every nail you’ve pulled up and put down, every board you’ve carried, and every sweat drop that’s fallen from your forehead. "Thank you" for being His example of love still radiant here on this earth.

Jesus, may you bless abundantly and exceedingly, these men and their families, who have exhibited love to my family in the last few weeks. Teach us to follow their example - the example of Christ - and love not just with our mouths, but with our hands and feet. Thank You, Lord for using Your servants to show love to me. You are indeed, amazing. I praise You, Lord. Praise You.

Why Not Today?

I read this e-mail from some friends of ours in Haiti and just had to share it with you. I hope it blesses you, as much as it has blessed me.


Hello Friends,

Well here we are back in Haiti. Only the Lord knew we were coming back and He did not tell us until recently. We are here relieving a wonderful Missionary couple, Wanda and Bobby Temple so that they can get some home time. We plan to return for May and August.

So much has changed and so so much remains the same. We are not doing construction anymore so our teams are just small medical teams. In fact we do not have a team this week. Janet and I did something on Sunday afternoon that we had never done in the two years that we have been coming to Haiti. We took a nap. ( that's sleeping in the day time for you young people). At first the light work load felt good, but after a few days we began to miss the volunteers. Mostly we miss seeing their joy grow each day in the service of the Lord. The weather is cool for Haiti mid to high 80's some days. Very different from the Haiti that I know where you melt away several pounds each day then some more each night. Much of the earthquake rubble has been cleaned up, but there is still trash everywhere and more tent housing along the road from the airport. The poverty, sickness, hunger, lack of education, and neglected children are still as common as the smoke and constant dust of Haiti.

"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him." 1 John 3: 18-19

While in the US we are sometimes blessed to be invited to speak at Churches about the work of Baptist men. Sometimes the Churches would give us a cash gift. At first this was embarrassing. We did not need the money and were accustomed to giving to the Church... not receiving from it. Then from time to time friends and family would do the same thing. So we realized that God had a plan for these funds. We started taking any gifts we were given along with us on mission and sure enough the Lord always revealed the intended purpose . As we arrived this time in Haiti, we talked with the doctors about any special need that they may know about. We then got busy in the day to day operation and forgot about money that had been given us.

On Friday noon, out of the blue our trusted driver and friend Jude Belzey turned and said to me " When are you going to Emmanuel's (orphanage)?" Now you must understand that I had not planned to go to Emmanuel's Orphanage but the question went so deep to my heart and I felt as if God had just spoken to me. So, I said "When do you think would be a good time?" Jude immediately responded.
" Why not today?" I told Janet what had happened and we went right then to the local street market to buy a lot of rice, beans, oil, pasta,tomato paste, soap, and, of course, cookies. As we moved from stall to stall we made several vendors very happy at their good fortune to make such large sales.

We proceeded unannounced to Emmanuel's Orphanage. Evon (the director) was not there, so about fifty very happy children gathered around us as we unloaded the food. We passed out the cookies making sure each child got a whole package. The children then stood and sang an amazingly beautiful French version of " How Great Thou Art". We stood with tears in our eyes as each one of the kids from two to ten stood and prayed for the people that had provided the food ( in many cases that was you). By then it was late afternoon (supper time) and Jude noticed that there were on cook fires, no cooking pots boiling. So we looked into their store room and sure enough there was no food supplies. Soon Evon returned and we found out that the kids had eaten their last meal that morning and that he had been out looking for a way to get some food. "Why not today", kept repeating in my mind.

Some of you may believe that this incident was just good timing, but I hope not. I do trust that most will see that this was God's hand and nothing short of His good plan. As I finish this story, I feel led to ask each of you " WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO EMMANUEL'S?" When are you going to take that church job, join a disaster relief or recovery effort, or go on that mission trip, etc.. I am convinced Jude has the same answer God would give. "WHY NOT TODAY?"

In Christ's love and service,
Scott and Janet Daughtry
Titanyen, Haiti
2.16.2012

God Doesn't Need Coffee

Before I got married to my wonderful husband, I used to sing with a small Christian contemporary group of 4 guys and two girls. The group's alto had recently left the road to get married, so the "new girl" joined us. I will never forget our first morning at a host home. I rolled over in bed, and sang out, "Good morning, Sunshine." Without even opening her eyes, she turned to look at me through her eyelids and said in a not-so-nice voice, "Don't talk to me, until I've had my coffee." Needless to say, I never did again.

We became great friends over the course of our tour together, and our relationship stayed strong...as long as I let her have her coffee first!

Now that I'm older, I, too, have developed quite an affinity for coffee and its eye-opening benefits. But one particular morning, there was no coffee to be found. We were staying in a hotel, while our home was being remodeled - compliments of a hot water leak. In order to get some coffee, I would have had to pull on some jeans, comb my disheveled, graying hair, dart out the door, ride the elevator down to the first floor, and hope no one would see me. Obviously, I was in no mood to do that, so I sat down to read, trying to shake off the sleep and concentrate.

Finally after fumbling around for the right page, I found my daily Bible reading: "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary." Is. 40:28. All the sudden, it was as if someone shouted "Whoo-Hoo!" down deep in my soul. My eyes perked up and a huge smile covered my sheet-creased face.

God doesn't need coffee!!!

He never gets draggy at 3 o'clock in the afternoon - not even at 3 o'clock in the morning! My God - my everlasting God, my Lord, my Creator - is awake and alert and ready for our conversation no matter what the time and no matter what the details. Nothing tires Him...not my wanderings, not my burdens, not my mistakes, not my endless complaints, not my continual askings....nothing wearies my God to the point that He needs a rest from our relationship. Nothing.

"Whoo-Hoo!!!"

Dear God, thank You that You never tire, nor become weary as I do. Thank You that at any minute of the day...any second...You are alert and attentive to my needs. You are always available...always accessible...and always there for me...no matter what. Thank You that You don’t need coffee! I love You, Lord.

The Relationship Remedy

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matt. 7:7-8
God is a relational God. He desires a close, intimate relationship with the ones He calls His own...a relationship free from fear, anger, stress, arguments...free from everything but vulnerability and love. So, is it any wonder that the same "oneness" He desires between Himself and us, is the same "oneness" He desires for us to have in our relationships with one another? After all, this "oneness" is the very essence of Jesus' ministry here on this earth as seen in John 17:21 - that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Yet, sometimes this "oneness" seems impossible. Let's face it, this is the real world. This is the place where life gives us a swift upper-cut, without an apology. Friends disappoint us. Family members refuse to speak to us. Husbands no longer "love" their wives and vice versa. Bosses become infuriated with employees, and employees turn on each other with a vengence.

Yep, relationships here are difficult and sometimes, down-right distressing.

That's why I find it quite interesting that Christ would sandwich verses about asking, seeking and knocking (at the beginning of this blog) smack dab in the middle of one of His discourses about relationships. Hmmm...

In the first part of the chapter, Christ deals with judging others and how you can't see clearly to help another person out of their sin, while knee deep in your own. He addresses more relationships, squeezing in these verses about seeking Him, and then finishes off with the Golden Rule - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. By the way, I have to keep reminding my children that it doesn't say, Do unto others as they have done unto you!

I guess I've always thought about Matthew 7:7-8 as a complete section of their own...standing by themselves to meet my every request. Yet, if you put them in the context they're written in, Christ seems to be implying that even in the best relationships, rocky times occur. He implies that relationships can be difficult. Yes, some relationships can really try your patience. Yes, some of them hurt like nobody's business. BUT Christ doesn't leave us hanging on the edge of the cliff of despair. There IS an answer, and it's through asking Him to heal those wounds and show you your own shortcomings. It's in praying for the other person or people involved to allow God to heal and change them, just as He is healing and changing you. It's in seeking to find God's will for your life regarding them - whether that means continuing to build a close friendship or to remain an acquaintance. It's in knocking at heaven's door over and over and over again, until you finally get His answer.

Now, you might say, "But God doesn't know my family. He doesn't know how hard it is to live with her/him. He doesn't realize how hard I've tried to get along with them, and they keep pushing me farther and farther away. He doesn't realize how hurt I am and how I feel as if I'll never recover from their wounding." On the contrary, He knows all of those feelings and even more, AND He knows your family. As a matter of fact, He knows ALL the relationships you are involved in right now and how they will turn out - how they will grow you...and make you more like Him, if you let them.

Ask Him for help in your relationships. Seek Him to find His will and knock until your knuckles are sore, glorifying God in your waiting and proving to the world that God, truly, sent Jesus to be its Savior.

We need You, Jesus, to be Lord of our relationships. Help us focus more on You, than we do on the problem people in our lives. Help us to ask, seek, and knock until we get an answer...and then respond to what we have heard. Thank You, Lord, for Your remedy for our relationships. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.