Dedicated to Better

Those dark eyes stared deep into my soul.  For an instant I thought, "Is this unconditional love...am I up to it?  Do I deserve it?"  A little boy had entered my life.  Immediately upon introduction he gripped my shirt to hang onto  me with all his strength.  I decided in that moment to strive to live up to his expectation.  I had an opportunity and I wanted to be a better person.  Most baby gifts I give include my "light bulb" moment of enlightenment, "Parenting will make you a better person."  Now my life decisions included consideration of the effect on his life.

Paul offers Philemon an opportunity to be a better person and an example of life in God's world. In verses 12-16 he explains to Philemon his desire to keep Onesimus with him because he has helped him in his ministry for the Gospel.  But he wanted Philemon's consent.  He wanted Philemon to do him a spontaneous favor and not force him.  In The Message, Paul "didn't want to do anything behind " Philemon's back and make him do a good deed that he hadn't willingly agreed.  Paul offers Philemon an opportunity to be generous, to be forgiving, to be unselfish.

What would our world be like if we offered more opportunities for people to be generous, forgiving and unselfish? 

Too often as a child I was told "Eat your ________________.  It will put hair on your chest."  What if I didn't want hair on my chest?"

My piano teacher assigned a piece of music by Chopin with the pronouncement "It will be good for you."  I practiced Chopin in earnest so I would be a better pianist but it was a mission to better myself. 

Paul offers Philemon an opportunity to be a better person and at the same time the opportunity to assist Onesimus to be a better person.   How often do we think about enabling others to be better persons?

To do the right thing for another, not self.  To do something to change the world,  for the future.  Is this what it means to be a "change agent"?  Is this how the Good News will change this crazy world in which we live?

How can I give others the opportunity to be better persons?  It seems I must live out their opportunity... to be generous, forgiving and unselfish.  Assisting them to become a better person will make me a better person, and witness. 

Just as that little boy's well-being influenced my decisions, so should the effect on others, the world and my witness, affect my decision making.

The little book of Philemon is changing my view of the world!  It really is "A Whole New World"!!!!

Gracie

"I'm going to name her Ruthie" I told my husband as we drove to pick out a new puppy.  I thought I had picked her name but Ruthie was not her name. 

On the car ride home, I knew what her name would be.  I'd heard her story. She had been a member of a litter of pups dumped with her mother on a desolate farm road on a cold January night.  Two sisters lived in a nearby farm house and took in the new mother and pups.  They fed them, gave them shelter and their first vaccinations.  I saw the advertisement in the newspaper, "Free pups to good homes."   When we arrived, and chose our pup, one of the sisters gave me the information on the vaccinations, a bag of dog food and the assurance that if the pup didn't get along in our home to  please bring her back.

Her name was Gracie.   Gracie had been brought back twice because she didn't fit into a family.  That's when I knew her name was Gracie, not Ruthie.  She'd found grace several times.  Later I found out that the mother of the two sisters who rescued the pups was named Grace.

Her name and her story always reminds me of my faith journey with God and how He rescued and rescues me with His amazing grace.  Gracie lived up to her name, at least to me. God always takes me back when I try to fit into the world.

In Philemon 9b- 11, Paul introduces his reason for the letter to his friend Philemon.  He appeals to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus.  He begins by sharing that Onesimus had been useless but now was useful.  He had become a believer in Jesus while with Paul.  Paul was now his spiritual father and Onesimus was Paul's spiritual son.  Onesimus had served Paul while Paul was in prison.

Onesimus means useful, beneficial, and profitable.  Now he was useful in the ultimate way-useful to God and His mission. Bible commentator, Matthew Henry, said of Onesimus "Now he (Onesimus) will answer to his name."

The same Greek word for useful is found in 2 Timothy 4:11 referring to Mark's assistance in Paul's ministry. In 2 Timothy 2:21,  Paul compares the use of household articles which have noble purposes and ignoble purposes.  In the Living Bible, "If you stay away from sin you will be like one of these dishes made of purest gold--the very best in the house--so that Christ himself can use you for his highest purpose."

My name, Janice, means "God is gracious". (For real, I didn't make that up, just ask the internet!)  In 1953 when my mother choose my name, Janice was the 23rd most popular girl name.  In 2015, Janice is the 1238th most  popular name.  Obviously I have a vintage name and some days I feel like I live up to being vintage.

Today I am challenged by Onesimus, Matthew Henry and Gracie.  Will I answer to my name?  Will anyone know of God's grace as a result of my story or my ministry?

 Regardless of what our names mean, God has given us our true name, Loved, Chosen, Rescued and Useful.

2 Timothy 2: 15 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed...." NIV 

OR

"Work hard so God will say to you "Well Done...." Living Bible

OR

Be useful to God and hear God say "Well done, my child" - Jan's paraphrase.

The Secret of Three Dots

Once upon a time there were three little dots.  \ No one knows their origin.  Only mathematics types use the dots on a regular basis.  I've always enjoyed using the three little dots.  They introduce the final answer.  They are the drum roll before the big unveiling.   Now I know why I've been attracted to the three little dots. 

"Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love..."  Philemon 8-9a NIV

OR in my journal I wrote these verses as

\ I could be bold in Christ and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love.

I've always enjoyed using the "therefore" symbol I'd learned in a math class as a child.  Math gave clear and definite, "black and white" answers in a world that taught there were no right answers.

Therefore means for that reason, because of that, on that ground, to that end.  (Merriam-Webster's online dictionary.)  Therefore in these one and one-half  verses is the prelude to  God's final answer to "How should I live in today's world?"

Remember, I heard that the letter to Philemon had a message that could change the world.  Here it is:  Make love the basis of life.

This is revolutionary in a world based on economics.  We judge by numbers so we strive to build more of everything material.  In the preceding verses Paul has expressed his appreciation for his friends, he's prayed the best on his friends and he inspired them to live according to God's way.  In worldly thinking he is building his case, amassing the evidence, compiling his numbers. 

The final answer  is a total surprise.  It is not the answer the worldly types would expect.  Worldly types might interpret Paul's preceding expressions as "Philemon, you owe me".  Yet the big surprise is what rocks our world.  Paul rejects the "you owe me" and concludes by asking Philemon to live by the rule of love.

Two worlds collide in this verse and one-half.  One world is guided by who  has the most, keeping track of favors, while the other world is based on relationship, with each other and with God and love is the key ingredient.

\ we think we prove, deserve, earn, expect but instead we should go against the world and let love inspire us and influence our friends.  What if we lived out our relationships on the basis of love, Love of others, Love of good, Love of God?

The three little dots inspire me to live life based on what God has done: loved us beyond measure.  After all, "...the greatest...is love." (I Corinthians 13:13)  and "Love never fails." (I Corinthians 13:8)

Now I know why I've always liked those three  little dots. They remind  me of the real answer as to how to live in this world.  Live life with love as the goal, the prize, the final answer.

\

Suppose it's a coincidence that the symbol used to introduce the final answer to life is a triangle of dots, kind of like how you often see the Triune God sketched during a bible lesson.  Hmmmm.  Maybe I know the origin of the symbol... just thinking.

Get a GRIP

"Count your blessings." My doctor shared.  The comment subtly reminded me "it could be a  lot worse."  Then he concluded our appointment with "Thanks for making my first appointment of the day the best one."  I was surprised that I had given him encouragement while he encouraged me.

Paul encouraged his friends in the letter to Philemon while their faith in Jesus,  their love for him and their work to refresh the faith of other believers encouraged him.  In verses four through seven Paul reminds me that our daily walk with Jesus will influence other believers.  Paul urges his friends to live their faith such that other believers will be refreshed and that faith in Jesus alone will grip their lives.  In the Living Bible verse 6 Paul prays that sharing their faith with others would grip their lives so they would see the wealth of good things that come from Jesus.

A friend shared a challenging day and how it made him feel.  When he got in his car a particular song was on  the radio and he was assured that God was in control.  We encouraged him when we rejoiced in his testimony.

God's

            Goodness Really Is Present

                                                            in my life!

A friend shared the diagnosis she'd received.   We encouraged her when we all exhaled relief!

God's

            Greatness Really Is Present

                                                            in my life!

A friend shared how she had been affected by a lengthy challenge and how she just wanted her  life back.  Her friend called and had made arrangements for a first step in making her life normal again.  I encouraged her with an enthusiastic Hallelujah!

God's

            Guidance Really Is Present

                                                            in my life!

What I hear the wonderful work of God in the lives of believers I get a grip on the good in my life, the good which God has blessed me.

G od's Goodness, Greatness and Guidance

R eally

I s

P resent

and my friends make sure I remember to get a grip on my true wealth in Jesus!

Dig into God's New World. It is a fantastic point of view!

"A whole new world, a fantastic point of view..."  In my mind I can still hear my young nieces' sing the theme song from the 1992 animated movie Aladdin.  They sang it in the family talent show, in the car, on the street and at MaMa's house.

I'm adopting this song as the theme song for my study of the book of Philemon.  A few weeks ago this tiny book was mentioned during the sermon  as having a message that would change the world.  The thought has since intrigued me.  Hence I begin my exploration of a whole new world.

Paul writes to his friends, Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and their church.  He asks God to give them grace and peace.(Philemon 1-3.  Yes the book is so small there are no chapter numbers, just verse numbers.  Wonder how many blogs I can get out of 25 verses!)

These friends of Paul have faith in Jesus as their common denominator.  Following God and spreading His Good News is their whole world.  It's new to the earthly world.  It's a whole new world unlike what they have experienced, " fantastic point of view".

In this new world, where faith in Jesus is the driving force in life, we have a new set of relationships which might parallel earthly relationships or may be a newer, better experience.

Philemon was Paul's friend and fellow worker.  I reflected on my thirty plus years as an adult Sunday School class teacher.  I realized my effectiveness was due to my partner teachers.   God called Rodney, Lynn, Bruce and Mark to be my fellow workers and friends.  They were regular attenders, inviters, hosts and substitute teachers.  I loved my ministry so much more because they were with me in all aspects of our mission.  Grace and Peace to them for being faithful to God's call to encourage and support me and so many others.   In God's new world I have friends and companion workers wherever I am.

Apphia was Paul's sister.  Maybe she was his biological sister.  Just today I learned he had one.  Acts 23:16 tells it was Paul's sister's son who alerted Paul to a plot to kill him. I don't have a biological sister but have three dear sisters-in-law. Maybe Apphia was Paul's spiritual sister.  I have several spiritual sisters God brought into  my life.  Jeanne could read me like a book.  After being apart for years she knows when I need a phone call.  Chris and Susan taught me about commitment.  We celebrated each and every birthday together  in big ways.  Mary, Terry, Roxane and Beth have carried me through many adventures in life, all of which have a common theme: "How hard can this be?"  Grace and Peace to my sisters. In God's new world I have family wherever I am.

Archippus was Paul's fellow fighter.  Several times in my life I have been called to be one of the "change agents."  It's not a popularity winning ministry because most people do not like to change.  Yet to see God at work and to focus on God, not our comfortable ways and structures, change must happen.  Donna, Gloria, Eleanor, Maggie, Mae, Carol,   Virginia, Charlotte, Evon, Ruth and so many others labored with me in our work for God.  Grace and Peace to my co-laborers.  In God's new world I have colleagues in God's work wherever I am.

Finally, Paul greets the church.  We have lived and served in several churches across the country.  Countless people have prayed for us, given to us and been with us through thick and thin.  Grace and Peace to those in the churches of Coalinga, El Dorado, Marshalltown, Blackfoot, Jefferson, and Clearfield.  In God's new world I am never alone. 

In Christ, I have a whole new world of friends, family, partners and community.  I am never alone.  I belong. I will succeed.  The common denominator is God.  It's a whole new world in God's world.

Today take time to thank God for your friends, family, partners and community.  They are the proof that you are never alone, you belong and you will succeed.  Send them His Grace and Peace.

The Empty Manger & The Empty Tomb

“You’ll need to take that down.”  My husband responded when I shared a minor Christmas disaster.  I had unpacked the Nativity set his mother had built for us over several years.  Each year at Christmas she gave us another set of characters from Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus to the three camels.  We loved it.  It was displayed in a place of honor every year.  This year, however, its appearance was doomed.  All the characters were in the box except one—Baby Jesus.  The manger was there but it was empty.

I searched the box and packing material.  I went back to the shelf where it had been stored for the past ten months.  No Baby Jesus.  Dread loomed.  Three dogs may have been guilty.  It would have been an inviting theft and destruction mission for Mickey, Molly or Makena.  My first inclination would be Molly, she gets what she wants, always!  Yet I don’t recall any evidence of bits of Baby Jesus and the manger escaped intact.  Perhaps some visiting child needed the assurance of Baby Jesus in their pocket. 

Regardless, Baby Jesus was missing.  We can’t display a Nativity without Baby Jesus at Christmas.

Quickly I went to Amazon to rescue our Christmas tradition.  I found a replacement Baby Jesus.                 I would have it in a few days, free shipping, in time for the first party of our season.  Dutifully I checked the reviews.  I was stunned by the comments:

·         Several were appalled that Baby Jesus was plastic.  The whole Nativity set is a plastic resin material.  So what did they expect? 

·         Others felt the Baby Jesus was too small.  As the original set was made, Baby Jesus was about the size of a 25 pound newborn and Mary looked to be 100 pounds soaking wet.  So what did they expect?

I was reminded that when the real Baby Jesus appeared on Earth, most people were appalled by His mission and ministry.  Too many expected a victorious conqueror, an authoritative judge or a powerful king.  Instead, He came as a vulnerable baby human. 

The “Amazon delivered” Baby Jesus is perfect.  It is the same material and size of the rest of the set.  It completed the set and saved our Christmas tradition.

I’m keeping that old empty manger (because Amazon delivered a new Baby Jesus and a new manger)  as a reminder that regardless of my expectation of Jesus, God sent the Jesus I need.  Jesus completes my life and saves me.

And now the rest of the story:

We were preparing for a group of guests.  Dick looked on the couch and there was the original Baby Jesus.  It had blended into the design on the fabric.

Baby Jesus was there all the time I thought He was missing.

How often in life do we forget that Jesus is with us all the time?  We may not pay close enough attention.  Yet Jesus is always there!

Let our story of the lost and found Baby Jesus remind you to pay attention, He’s there all the time!

And now my confession.  

This story is actually our Christmas letter I never got around to sending.  I thought I should post it today, on Easter.

The empty manger sits in my kitchen window next to the seeds I hope will germinate into tomato plants.  The empty manger and the empty tomb mean Jesus is with me, all the time.

HE IS RISEN!  CELEBRATE!

Hold On!

"Hold on!  Hold on!"  The field supervisor kept yelling.  I held onto the doorframe while he held onto his bouncing desk.  For 28 seconds we held on.  28 seconds which taught me to hold on spiritually too.

It was the Big One.  We'd lived in California for nearly three years and hadn't felt a real earthquake.  There were reports of minor quakes but we never noticed.  On May 2, 1983, at 4:42 pm, there was no doubt we felt this quake.  Eventually they labeled it as a 6.8 on the Richter scale.  The whole downtown collapsed into a pile of rubble.  Home shifted from their foundations.  Cupboards opened and the contents flew out to become rubble.  We lived in an official disaster zone.

As I read the final verses in Micah I noticed he encouraged the Israelites to put their hope in The Lord "as in days long ago." (NIV Micah : 14, 15 and 20).  Micah had told them disaster was coming.  He reminded them of God's deliverance when He led their ancestors out of bondage.  The final words of the book of Micah points to the fulfilled past promises of God to be the foundation of their hope for the coming days.

Hope starts in my past experience with God.  The memory fuels my present experience and propels me into the unknown future.

My memory of life in the disaster zone is one miracle from God after another.  It was a rare occasion for the field supervisor to be in the office at 4:42 pm.  Yet he was there and knew exactly what to do during and after a major earthquake.  Stand in the doorway. (Which I just happened to be when the earth began to shake.)  When the shaking stops, get out of the building and away from potentially falling power lines and buildings. He got us settled standing in the middle of the street.  Then he took off with a big wrench and drove up alleys to turn off gas lines to prevent explosions.  He had been a plumber and served as our mayor.

Was it a coincidence that I was in the safest place when the quake started?  In the doorway with someone who knew exactly what to do?  I think not.  God was in control and keeping watch over me, and many others.

I have  many stories from my time living in the disaster zone.  Memories that have shaped my faith and relationship with God.  Experiences to equip me to face tomorrow and the uncertainty of life.

·         I learned to put my trust in the eternal God, not the shake-able earth and my breakable treasure.

·         I learned that the fervent prayers of many people really would help me cope with the daily challenges.

·         I learned what the family of God looks like.  People from all other the world came to assist or contributed to our physical recovery.

The foundation of my hope in God begins in my past experiences when He has cared for me.

As I finish my reflection on the Book of Micah I am reminded to "Hold on".

·         Hold on to the proof of God's care for me in the past.

·         Hold on to His control in my daily life.

·         Hold on to His plan for my future.