Years ago, someone I knew became an atheist because when her sister was sick she prayed to God and instead of answering her prayers and healing her sister, God let her sister die.  How deep was her commitment to God prior to this incident? Who can say?  Only God knows the heart, but it does bring up a valid issue, one that, I dare say, many Christians, me included, have experienced, and it is disappointment with God.  We get disappointed when we have prayed and prayed about a thing and it doesn’t happen, of if after walking in what we thought was faithful obedience for some time, God still doesn’t answer our prayers, or He lets something terrible happen, or He allows the sins of others to drastically impact our lives. And we become offended and ask, “why?” and we begin to feel resentful towards God.  And all this says a lot about us. It says we are like spoiled children, wanting our way and wanting it now. It says that we think we can run things better than God; that we know better than He does what is good for us. It also shows a lack of faith because we really don’t believe God works all things together for good for them that love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). 

Why are so many disappointed with God these days? Is it because we’ve become I-centered dough-people? Has our culture made us believe we are the center of the universe?  That everything revolves around us? And if it feels good do it and if it doesn’t, well don’t waste one more second in that marriage, in that job, or in trying to overcome that problem? I think it has.  And though we are but weak flesh and it’s often hard to fight the good fight, and we get discourage and even disappointed with God, we must hang in there.  God really does have our best interest in mind, and there is no better advocate in all the world.  He will stick closer than a brother, never leave us or forsake us, and He loves us with an everlasting love.  And if we trust Him and see the thing through we really will come out conformed more perfectly into the image of Jesus Christ. And that, in a nut shell, is the whole point.

Until next week,

Sylvia

Sheep have to be among the silliest of God’s creatures.  They simply cannot survive by themselves.  If left on their own they would return to the same overgrazed and pollute pastures, unable to find new ones upon which to feed. They would become sickly without the saltlicks and other trace minerals the shepherd provides.  They would drink from polluted holes unless taken to a source of water that is pure. Or they would drown if not kept away from swift running streams. Their eyes have to be constantly cleaned and medicated to prevent blindness from infections caused by flies. And they need sheltering during harsh inclement weather for they don’t know enough to shelter themselves. And when a sheep becomes “cast” or ends up on its back unable to scramble back on its feet, it would die unless the shepherd picked it up. In addition, sheep are utterly unable to protect themselves from predators and must rely solely on their shepherd for protection.

It’s no accident that the Bible compares us to sheep for we are just as foolish and incapable of caring for ourselves. And it’s for this very reason we need The Good Shepherd.  For it is the Shepherd that keeps us from pollution by providing His word for us to feed on.  He is the living water that keeps us refreshed.  He is the salve that keeps us from spiritual blindness.  He is our provider, our shelter, our protector.  His utter care and commitment is all encompassing.  He is tender and loving, ever mindful of our weaknesses but never repulsed by them. He picks us up when we fall, and carries us when we are weak. He has laid down his life for us, the sheep. He has held nothing back.

In this time of uncertainly and upheaval, isn’t it wonderful that we have such a Shepherd?  We need not fear, but only allow Him to lead, guide and protect us. And we, His sheep, can remain in perfect peace, if we follow His leading.

Until next week,

Sylvia

As the saga of Egypt unfolds many are wondering what this means for Israel.  My own opinion: in the short term, not much.  In the long term, added danger.  Israel has become the whipping boy of the world.  Anti-Semitism is rampant throughout Europe, while in the Middle East it continues to ratchet-up—all dangerous, but not necessarily for Israel.  To be sure, the Old Testament talks of the day of “Jacob’s Trouble” while the New Testament calls it the “Tribulation”, a seven-year period when the world will be turned upside down, and all because of the tiny state of Israel.  And while it will be a difficult time for Israel, it will be even more disastrous for the world.  How do I know?  It’s all in God’s Word.

In the meantime, more and more churches in America are buying into “replacement theology” which claims that the church has replaced Israel and that God is actually finished with Israel altogether. It’s a belief that twists scripture as well as ignores end-time Bible prophesy where Israel, not the church, is the central figure. This new theology is dangerous because it is dangerous to abandon Israel, and I’m talking spiritually.  God promised Abraham, the grandfather of Jacob (God later changed Jacob’s name to Israel) that He would bless those that blessed him and curse those who cursed him (Genesis 12:3).  He also promised him a certain land. “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to they seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:7-8.  Notice the word everlasting was used twice and it means just what is says.  God intended this covenant and possession to be forever, non-revocable and not predicated on the faithfulness or performance of Abraham’s descendants, unlike some of the other covenants God made with the Jews which were.  God also calls Israel the apple of His eye and that when we hurt Israel we are poking Him in the eye! (Zechariah 2:8)  Space does not permit the documentation of how God responded to those who have hurt Israel in the past, but if you want more on this, read John McTernan’s book, As American has done to Israel; a sobering work to be sure.

In spite of all God’s warnings, the Bible tells us that in the end times Israel will stand alone, that the whole world will be against her.  We are beginning to see it.  Even our government is cooling towards its best Middle Eastern ally. It’s important to note that Israel is the only nation in the world where God Himself set up the boundaries (Deuteronomy 11:24; Joshua 1:4) and they encompass far more land than Israel claims today. Even so, the politicians say Israel must give up more land in order to solve the Palestinian problem, and that once this problem is solved there will be peace for all, including Israel. Well, if you repeat a thing often enough, even if it’s a lie, people eventually begin to believe it.  The sad, desperate plight of the people in Gaza is due to their own leadership.  Over the years, billions in aid have poured into the area, and instead of being used to build roads, hospitals, schools, improve sanitation, etc., it has gone to line the pockets of people like Yasser Arafat or to purchase more weaponry to use against Israel. Add to that this fact: In 1922 75% of the land promised the Jews in the Balfour Declaration was taken away and given to the Arabs as their state, a state set up east of the Jordan River called Transjordan, later renamed Jordan.  The land west of the Jordan River was to be used for a Jewish state.  A promise was given that the Jews would never again be asked to give up any more land. So much for promises. 

And what of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem?  The Moslem world would like nothing better than to bar all Jews from it because they claim it is so holy to Islam. Really? Then why is Jerusalem never mentioned by name in the Koran while in the Bible it is mentioned over 800 times? And that doesn’t count the times it is called by other names such as Zion or Salem.  You would think a site so holy to Muslims would be mentioned at least once in their scriptures.  And while the Dome of the Rock is, indeed, a holy structure to Muslims, the Jews have had two temples on the Mount, and the first one, Solomon’s Temple, was built over 1,600 years before the first stone of the Dome of the Rock was ever laid.

So why all this phony uproar and illegitimate claims against Israel’s land?  Because it’s a spiritual issue, and limited space prevents me from doing justice to the subject. But here’s the reason in a nutshell: Israel is God’s land.  Jerusalem is where Jesus, the Great King, will return to set up his earthy kingdom, where He will rule and reign for a thousand years, therefore it is the very place where Satan vies to set up his.  And for a brief period during the tribulation, Satan will succeed, when his man, the Antichrist, declares himself god in the new Jewish Temple (Oh, yes, there will be another Jewish Temple!) So while there is a great physical struggle going on over Israel and the Temple Mount, it only mirrors the spiritual struggle going on behind the scenes.

So, as a result of the world sticking its finger into God’s eye, what can we expect in the future, according to the Bible? Here are but two examples: Damascus (an ancient city continuously inhabited for over 4000 years) will become a “ruinous heap.” (Isaiah 17:1) The coalition army of Russia, Iran, Ethiopia, Libya, and Turkey that will eventually go against Israel will be decimated by God Himself. (Ezekiel 38) And it will take Israel seven years to burn their battle implements (Ezekiel 39). 

I fear we are entering perilous times, times when we need, more than ever, to press closer to God and to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  They will prosper that love thee.” Psalms 122:6

Until next week,

Sylvia

Sometimes we defeat ourselves by our expectations.  I’m not saying we shouldn’t aim high and strive for the best. What I am saying is that there is nothing more discouraging than having unrealistic expectations.

Here’s an example.  Often times, as soon as their vows are said, young couples today expect to walk into a lifestyle that mirrors their parent’s—a lifestyle that took their parents years to acquire. This expectation has lead many into debt, and caused countless arguments and even divorce.

Going back in my own life I can see how my expectations as a young wife and mother were poorly managed.  I wanted that perfect family I saw on TV, where the mother was all dressed and happily serving her family a giant breakfast every morning.  I wanted happy, healthy kids who did well in school and who respected authority and who joyfully accepted my guidance. I wanted to remain interesting to my husband, keep my mind keen and challenged, as well as keep a clean and orderly home that my husband would be eager to return to every night.  

I was duped.  Unrealistic expectations had gotten the better of me. I had tried to mirror what I saw. Who can forget that well-dressed woman who, during a prime time commercial, held a frying pan and sang how she could “bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan” signifying how she worked at a demanding job all day and still maintain a home and family, and cooked great meals, and did it all with a smile.  To reinforce this picture, I had a lovely neighbor with twice as many children as I had who kept a perfect house, baked her own bread and consistently volunteered at school and her church.  Meanwhile, my house was generally messy, I hardly every baked bread, and did only a

little volunteering.  And though my days were full and busy I never quite felt I measured up.

Frustrated, I began seeing myself as a deficient homemaker, a malfunctioning Stepford Wife.  That was before wisdom took over and I began to understand that nobody can have it all; that life is a series of trade-offs and compromises and we must choose those things most important, then pursue them with gusto.  So I made peace with myself. I cooked breakfast in my robe. My house remained on the messy side. And I baked cookies only once a week, but I had a wonderful time raising my kids.  I enjoyed them and the many impromptu excursions my husband and I took with them. 

I know it’s a different age now, but people still allow unrealistic expectations to manage them.  With all our modern technology, technology meant to make life easier, we are busier than ever with seemingly not enough time for it all. And it’s a trap that can run you down and make you feel like a failure. The best way to combat this is to allow God to fill us with His expectations.  To allow Him to order our days and set our course. It will never get any better than that.

Until next week,

Sylvia

I had the occasion to spend last week with my grandchildren, and during that time they made two things abundantly clear: I have neither their stamina nor their techie know-how. Regarding the latter, I was amazed as I watched my two treasures navigate the complex world of remote controls and computer games.  I was further amazed at their ease in doing it. You’d have to be over fifty-five to be so impressed because many this age feel intimidated by our hi-tech society, myself included.   

But as I observed my grandchildren, I realized they needed this ability to live in this new world, a world where almost any electronic gizmo can become obsolete as soon as it’s purchased. It pleased me that my grandchildren were so adept, but it was a source of sadness too, for a world in which change seems to occur at light-speed can also be a world full of insecurity.  I mean, how do you maintain a sure footing in so fluid an environment? The answer is only by anchoring your life to a God who never changes.   I am glad my grandchildren know this God who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever”.  It gives me comfort that they will have a Rock to stand on in times of uncertainty. This is the gift their parents have given them and that I, as a grandparent can reinforce in a thousand different ways.  It is the one thing that makes me feel secure about their future.

Until next week,

Sylvia

Nothing destroys peace of mind like fears about tomorrow and these days people everywhere are worried about something: their jobs, their families, their finances, terrorism, the possibility of nuclear war, the list goes on and on. And though these problems are real, Christians are commanded by Scripture not to be fearful or to worry but to cast all their cares upon Jesus, no matter how big or impossible the circumstances.  Jesus says, in Matthew 10:29-31 that not even a sparrow can fall to the ground without God knowing it, and that we are worth more than sparrows.  He also says the very hairs of our head are numbered. Yes, He has numbered every hair on our head!  And if He cares about such a seemingly insignificant detail about each of us, surely He knows and cares about the "big stuff” in our lives as well.

Jesus goes on to say in Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” What an exchange! What Jesus is saying here is if we yoke up with Him, if we walk beside Him and walk in His ways and get to know Him in a personal way, then He will give our souls rest by carrying our burdens. That word “souls” in Greek is psuche from which psyche comes from, and refers to the mind. Jesus is talking about giving us peace of mind, and when we have peace of mind we are not worrying about things.

In 1Timothy 1:7 the Apostle Paul says “God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  By this we see that God doesn’t want us going through life worried and afraid, but to walk in the power and love He has given us, and to maintain that soundness of our minds by walking closely with Jesus and allowing Him to help shoulder the burdens of our life.  

No circumstance, no matter how difficult, can void out the word of God.  He will deliver what He promises if we will follow what He says. The only questions remaining: Do we believe it? And will we do it?

Until next week,

Sylvia

When my children were young and they got frazzled or run down from too much activity, I would declare a “pajama” day.  These were days they didn’t have to get dressed (unless they wanted to) and could just rest or play quietly or watch TV, or do nothing at all without feeling guilty.  It really was a treat for them, and a tradition they continued long after they graduated high school. 

This year, after the holidays, I declared a “pajama” day for myself, a rare luxury for someone who is goal oriented and always has something I need to do. But it was wonderful, a day for recharging the batteries, for resting and reading that book I’ve been wanting to read, a book not for research or study but just for fun.  It reminded me how in our fast-paced world we tend to neglect ourselves.  We have so much to do, so many responsibilities that keep us racing along until we find ourselves exhausted and grinding to a halt.

The Bible talks about us being a three part man: spirit, soul (mind) and body.  And often times Christians concern themselves with their spirit and soul but forget the body, thinking of it as second class, or almost unimportant.  But the body is, after all, the temple of the Holy Spirit.  We need to care for it. 

I can’t tell you how much good my “pajama” day did me.  It gave me a fresh perspective, renewed energy and a new enthusiasm for, yes, you guessed it, the things of the spirit and soul. It’s better than a vacation, because most vacations are hectic and leave you more tired than when you embarked.  “Pajama” days are, on the other hand, low-keyed, easy and inexpensive prescriptions for maintaining balance in a harried world.  I think we should allow ourselves a few of them a year, don’t you?

Until next week,

Sylvia

It goes without saying that God wants us to be successful; successful in our families, our relationships, our jobs, our finances, in utilizing the gifts He has poured into each of us.  I dare say we want the same thing, and as we begin another year I’m sure we all hope it is successful, perhaps more so than previous years where no matter how hard we tried, success seemed to remain just outside our grasp. Our families were not what we hoped for, nor our relationships, our jobs, our finances. How can this be when we’ve done everything we know how to do?  When we’ve given it our best and still to no avail? To know the answer there are certain things we must understand.  First, for the believer, promotion comes from God (Psalm 75:6-7), and it always comes in His perfect timing.  Second, the path to Godly promotion (success) is totally opposite of the path to worldly promotion, and often appears as foolishness in the world’s eyes. But don’t worry, “the foolishness of God is wiser than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

So how do we achieve Godly success? Jesus called John the Baptist the greatest of men (Matthew 11:11). So here’s our first clue. What was it about John that made him so great? A one-liner from John himself says it all: “He (Jesus) must increase but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Wow! That’s a mouthful.  And to me it says as long as we remain the center of our world, the “Big I” on the throne of our hearts and minds, we are not going to be all we can be, and certainly not all that God wants us to be because that “center” belongs to Jesus.

Jesus gave us a few more clues when He said “if any man desires to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). He also said we are not to do anything with selfish or conceited motives, and that we must esteem others more highly than ourselves (Philippians 2:3 Amplified Bible).  Jesus is not talking about being a doormat here.  He’s talking about walking humbly before Him, caring about others and not always putting yourself first. If we do it His way, then He is bound by his word to honor us through promotion, blessings, and protection. If we violate His principles, then He is not.

“But,” you say, “there are many ungodly people who are successful.  Look at the entertainment industry. Look at sports, politics, business.”  Well, Satan is still the god of this world and he can make successful those who serve him, albeit unknowingly, through blaspheming the things of God, or through greed, dishonesty, etc., because just as Jesus is working to enlarge the Kingdom of God, so Satan is working to increase his own kingdom. But one day, Jesus will return to take back the earth, and rule and reign as its King.  Until then, He wants His people to occupy, and He wants us to do it successfully.  And it will be the kind of success that does not destroy us or fill us with overweening pride. It is a success that will be a blessing to ourselves and others, and will have consequences that reach far into eternity.

May God give us all a successful 2011!

Until next week,

Sylvia

I love New Years because it smacks of new beginnings, and new beginnings are ever so hopeful.  This year I’m going to shed those extra ten pounds.  This year I’m going to take that trip to Israel.  This year I’m actually going to read all those books piled high on my nightstand. This year . . . well, you fill in the blanks.  We all have our lists and New Years is the time when we once again look forward to a fresh start.

But the truth is we don’t have to wait for another new year to start over.  Everyday is new in the Lord.  Everyday we can start with a clean slate. The Bible tells us that today is the day the Lord has made, and that God’s mercies are new every morning.  That means no matter how badly we’ve blow yesterday, today we can start fresh with God. 

I love that about God.  He never rubs our nose in our failings, our shortcomings.  And if we confess our sins to Him the Bible says He casts them into the depths of the sea to be remembered no more. And He’ll never fish them out to throw them in our faces, either. So while I still love New Years, I’ve passed enough new years to know that those resolutions I make on January 1st don’t take long to go by the wayside.  And that’s OK, because I don’t have to wait until next New Years to begin again, and neither do you.

Wishing everyone a blessed and Happy New Year!

Until next week,

Sylvia

The more I see of the world the more I wonder if society at large has a clue of what real love is.  Oh, the romance movies would have us think it’s all sparks and chemistry like something that fizzes out of a child’s toy volcano when the right elements are mixed together. Most of the time this makes for a nice story, one that usually has a happy ending of boy getting girl.  But we rarely see what happens after the “getting,” when the pressures of everyday life kicks in, and the “fizz” goes flat.

So if that’s not real love, what is?  Well, there’s a great definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4 which says that love is patient, kind, never envious or boastful or conceited. It says that love does not insist on its own way, or its rights.  It’s not touchy or resentful, takes no account of wrong done it.  It’s not self-seeking, but bears up under anything that comes along.  It never fails and it’s not conditional.  Wow!  That’s awesome and inspiring, but depressing, too.  Because who can live it?

Only One comes to mind; the perfect embodiment of true love; the kind movies seldom talk about.  It’s love without sizzle.  It’s hard and gut wrenching, and poignant, and difficult.  It’s the kind of love that made the King of the Universe, the Creator of all, humble Himself and come in the form of man and allow His entrance to be made in a smelly animal shelter.  It’s the kind of love that, without resentment, bore up under the persecution and lies of His countrymen.  A kind of love that didn’t fail when He was tortured and nailed to a tree.  Instead of calling down bolts of lightening on those who mocked Him, He called out, “Father forgive them.” 

Oh, how our God loves us! He spelled it out clearly: J-E-S-U-S.  Let us remember Him in this wonderful season.

Happy Birthday Jesus.  And Merry Christmas everyone.

Until next week,

Sylvia