When All is Said and Done – It's Still a Miracle!

On Sunday, my son called to check in on me. “What are you doing today, Mom?” “I’m going to church with Larry and Staci and then we’re going for my birthday lunch at Hutchins BBQ (my pick)! They’ll be out of town this week on my birthday.”

Then his audacious reply: “Mom, how is it going to feel to be 79?” “Ha! Ha! You know it’s 72 and here’s what I know. My President is two years older than me at 74. If he can run a country – I think I can run my little corner of the world. I’m amazed that President Trump could be in his retirement years and live in a peaceful place of ‘having arrived’ and be able to sit back and enjoy the fruit of his labors – but, NO! He preferred to give his all for our country to get on track again. He chose to not receive his salary – to just give it away. He chose to make tough decisions even though he has to put up with so much hate and lies about him. He chose to be a patriot – so in love with our Country, that he’s willing to lay down his life for us!” Tangent ended with my son barely getting a word in edgewise. Pardon me if I let you in on a personal vent. It’s the day after my birthday and I’m still in the celebration mode! And, as my young-whipper-snapper-self, I’m not ready to quit either. Not saying I want the responsibilities of a store clerk – never mind being president. But he sure inspires me to keep swinging.

Thank you for all the birthday love yesterday from my beloved social media friends and family. My, oh my! If you want to feel the love, be sure to be a friend on FB! My children were all out-of-town for my big day, but they showered me with love from afar and so did my FB friends! Isn't it a miracle that in a matter of seconds, we are transmitting birthday messages to each other -- unlike the old days of snail mail?

I’m grateful for my sweet cousin who took me for a yummy “crab legs” lunch and then to the “Painted Tree”, a new marketplace to Frisco, full of mini-shops of local shop owners, boutiques, decorators, artisans and craftsmen all under one roof. So much fun. Remember my tale yesterday about the “Miracles” book I received, with musings about my life being one of miracles? What captured my attention in Painted Tree was this metal sign that says “there will be miracles”! Of course it was my own birthday gift to me – as a reminder that there are miracles coming our way every day – we just need to expect them and recognize them when they come!

Here’s how I’ll recognize miracles! I will breathe in God’s goodness – that’s a miracle. I can breathe. I will see the sun rise and the sun set. That’s a miracle – I can see God’s creation. Yes, there will be miracles and most of all, the greatest miracle of all is when someone has lost their way, and by God’s amazing grace, their soul is set free. Miraculous the change in one who is redeemed through Calvary. There will be miracles when we see a lily push its way through the stubborn sod. But, most of all there will be miracles because we believe in God. There can be miracles when you believe. And, just in case you don't believe in miracles, perhaps you've forgotten -- you are one!

Our President's State of the Union Address

I wanted to give my response to President Trump's State of the Union address with Godly words and wisdom. But, instead, I will give you Dr. Jim Denison's words that pack-the-punch that I wanted to provide. Thank you for allowing me to step back for Dr. Denison to tell us how we should react as Christians:

Yesterday (Monday) was unusually chaotic even for American politics. Democratic Party officials announced partial results from the Iowa caucuses at 5 p.m. EST showing Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders in the lead. Their statement came nearly a full day after the results were delayed due to reporting issues. Four hours later, President Trump began his State of the Union address. He became only the second president to do so while under impeachment. The atmosphere in the room was unusually tense and partisan.

The president handed copies of his speech to Vice President Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She extended her hand, but he turned away without shaking it. She then introduced him, but not with the customary, “Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you the president of the United States.” Instead, she said simply, “Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States.”

During the speech, the president honored a Tuskegee Airman and his grandson who intends to become an astronaut. He welcomed home a soldier who reunited with his family for the first time in months. The speech recounted remarkable economic good news and called on Congress to make progress on a variety of fronts. Then, at the conclusion of the speech, the Speaker of the House stood, took her copy of the address, and tore it in two. She said later that she destroyed the speech “because it was the courteous thing to do considering the alternatives.” She added that she was “trying to find one page with truth on it” but “couldn’t.”

My purpose in responding today is emphatically not to advance a partisan agenda. I would offer the same response to last night’s divisiveness if the president were a Democrat and the House Speaker a Republican. In such a bitterly divided culture, my purpose today is to consider biblical ways to deal with disagreements as a nation and as individuals.

~ One: Honor the position if not the person
First, we must honor the position even if we disagree with the person. Peter instructed us: “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good” (1 Peter 2:13–14). Paul agreed: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1). Note that the emperor to whom they referred was Nero, one of the most despotic tyrants in Roman history.

In light of God’s word, it was wrong for Republican Congressman Joe Wilson to cry out “You lie!” when President Obama was delivering a joint address to Congress in 2009. (The congressman soon apologized, and the president accepted his apology.) It was also wrong for Speaker Pelosi to rip up President Trump’s speech. Congressman Wilson and Speaker Pelosi obviously disagreed with the presidents whose speeches they protested. But Scripture teaches us to honor the position, even if we disagree with the person.

~ Two: Initiate reconciliation
Second, God’s word calls us to go to those with whom we disagree. Jesus was clear: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone” (Matthew 18:15). Conversely, our Lord also taught us: “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23–24).

Whether someone sins against us or we sin against them, we are to go to them. We are not permitted to speak about them before we speak to them. When we discuss public figures, we must avoid slander (Psalm 101:5; James 4:11) and gossip (Proverbs 20:19; 1 Timothy 5:13), only saying about them what we would say to them. These commitments break the cycle of retribution and initiate the process of healing. If the person will not respond to our initiative, we will know that we have done what we can.

Three: Love our enemies in prayer
Our third principle may be the hardest: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:44–45). “Love” translates agape, the unconditional commitment to put the other person first. We demonstrate this commitment when we pray for “those who persecute you”—the Greek syntax is translated literally, “for them as they are persecuting you.”

You know that you love your enemies when you pray for God’s best for them regardless of how they treat you. Such forgiveness obeys God’s word and will (Mark 11:25) and models his grace to a graceless culture.

Imagine a culture living by biblical forgiveness. Discussion of the divisiveness on display during last night’s State of the Union is likely to continue for days. In response, let’s model Christian behavior for a post-Christian culture. Let’s choose to honor the position of those with whom we disagree. Let’s refuse to slander them, speaking to them rather than about them. And let’s pray for God’s best for them as we share the forgiveness we have received.

Imagine the difference in our country if everyone followed these biblical principles. Now let’s model the behavior we ask others to exhibit. With whom will you begin today?

The Right to Abundant Life

The Right to Abundant Life
Today marks the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade legal decision, issued on January 22, 1973, that legalized abortion in the U.S. I wanted to take my thoughts a step further than the two March for Life videos that I posted last week of hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates, many of whom were high school and college students, marching to defend the rights of the unborn.

I am a woman (so clearly I am pro-women) and I’m a Christian who believes in life at conception to the grave, so clearly I am Pro-Life. I am so proud of those who marched for life last week. I was thrilled to see them carrying signs that read “Choose love, Choose life,” “I am the pro-life generation". God bless President Trump for announcing during the march that he will reject any efforts by pro-abortion leaders in Congress to weaken pro-life laws. He said, ” If they send any legislation to my desk that weakens the protection of human life, I will issue a veto and we have the support to uphold those vetoes.”

I don’t get on a soapbox when it comes to political issues, but when it comes to the sanctity of life, I can’t stay silent. In this case, silence is not golden! I’m not qualified to speak to the scientific debates and arguments going on between the pro-life and pro-abortion camps so I won’t attempt to go there. But I do believe I am qualified to provide what God says from His Holy Word that undergirds pro-life and right-to-life arguments.

1) I am pro-life because men and women are made in the image and likeness of God. "Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26). God’s choice at the time of creation. One of the Ten Commandments is: “You shall not kill.” (Exodus 20:13). Why? Remember, God has made man in His image. Abortion is the calculated taking of a life created in God’s image.

2) I am pro-life vs. pro-choice because God is the author and giver of life. "You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.” (Nehemiah 9:6) "Life comes from God; God is for life — that is, God is “pro”-life.

3) I am pro-life because the alternative is death. "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the LORD is your life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) The abortion industry is a culture of death. The sanctity of life movement is a culture of life. What a contrast!
• God says, “Choose life!” That is God's "choice" — life!
• Death is an enemy! Post-abortion counseling reveals that many women have been traumatized by the later realization that by having an abortion they have opted for death rather than life for their unborn babies.

4) I am pro-life because there is abundant evidence in the Bible that God looks upon unborn children in the womb as human persons, with human emotions. "At that time Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice, he exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped FOR JOY. (Luke 1:39-44). John
the Baptist, while still in his mother’s womb, “leaped for joy” as Mary, pregnant with Jesus, approached.

5) I am pro-life because every child in the womb has the potential for being used by God to declare His love and to serve Him. "The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5) God called Jeremiah to his future ministry as a prophet before he was born.

6) I am pro-life because children are a God-given blessing, a source of happiness, a reward and a heritage from God. “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him. (Psalm 127:3-5)

Two naive, young and completely unskilled in parenting, my husband and myself, started our family at ages 18 and 19. I continually thank God for my two biological children and my two children they married, and my seven grandchildren. I pray for them all daily. Indeed, “The fruit of the womb is God’s reward” (Psalm 127:3). They are a heritage from God, a reward from Him, a God-given source of blessing and happiness. How could anyone think anything otherwise?

Honoring President George H.W. Bush -- Character is What Mattered Most

A gift of two tickets from my children to the OU vs Texas Big-12 game on Saturday sure made me giddy and proud to represent our Oklahoma team well. It was a thrill to be on the “winning” side in the Cowboys’ incredible AT&T Stadium. On our way back home, my Waze app directed us to go down the President George Bush Tollway (PGBT). It was Saturday so the usual traffic was way less and we made it home quickly.

Not until I heard about our 41st President George H.W. Bush passing away late Saturday, did I think much about a toll road named after him. Suffice it to say, that person must have lived a stellar life and done some remarkable things, to have something named after them. I remember my daughter's comments about his genuine kindness to her after she sang "God Bless America" and "I'm Proud to be an American" at an event where she shared the stage with him at a motivational event. His "talk" was about character and freedom.

I've read many stories that came with many accolades and acknowledgments of his character, integrity, and honor. He was the last U.S. president to have served in combat. He and his adoring wife, Barbara, hold the record for the longest marriage in presidential history. A young man of "means", he enlisted in the armed forces on his 18th birthday. The youngest pilot in the Navy when he got his wings, he flew 58 combat missions during the World War II. On a mission over the Pacific, he was shot down and rescued by a US submarine. He was elected to two terms in the House of Representatives, then served as Ambassador to the UN, then Director of the CIA, vice president, and president.

More than all those accomplishments, President Bush has been remembered most for his personal character. President Trump celebrated Mr. Bush’s “authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country.” NATO Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison added, “He represented the best of our country with generosity, dignity, humility, and kindness.” His son, Jeb, called him simply “the greatest human being that I will ever know.”

Two commitments explain Mr. Bush’s legacy: his desire to live with integrity, and his love for Christ. It had to be his faith that produced such a legacy of character. Here’s what is most important for us to learn from someone who has lived a value-based life. A life of such character does not end when its days on earth are over. The Bible says of the righteous Abel, “Through his faith, though he died, he still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4).

We can certainly learn from his legacy and resolve to emulate his life of character and commitment to Jesus. If we make those choices, our lives will speak on earth long after we are in heaven. Dr. Charles Spurgeon put it this way: “A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts – not on marble.”

We will remember you, President Bush! Thank you for living your life with honor and integrity. This day, I’m being challenged with taking my own character up a notch because of the inspiration of your life and death. RIP.

The Emergency Alert System

If you carry a cell phone, I’m sure you received this alert a couple of days ago. And, in case we think this was a President Trump knee-jerk decision to send out personal texts – au contraire! President Obama signed a law in 2016 that required FEMA to create a system that allowed the president to send cell phone alerts regarding public safety emergencies. They did it! It’s already used for natural disasters or missing children alerts that we can opt out of, but no one can opt out of the presidential alert system. The president has sole responsibility for determining when such alerts are to be used. But don’t check your text messages expecting to hear President Trump’s opinion on Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation process or other news. The presidential alerts can be used only for national emergencies.

My, how far we’ve come. In a matter of seconds, everyone who owns a cell phone can receive a message that could save our lives. I’m thankful for warning systems. The dashboard lights in my car, smoke detectors in my home, even the little bumps in the road that let me know when I’m crossing over into another lane. If there’s any device or object that’s able to warn me of danger or impending catastrophe, I want it working for me.

In the Lord’s perfect design, we are equipped with a warning system to keep us from danger and harm. Pain is a warning system. When we first experience that pain, it may not feel like a blessing, but it’s really a gift from God. We know something is physically wrong when our body hurts. But more than that, pain is God’s way of protecting us. Maybe it’s as simple as needing to drink more water, get more rest, making better food choices, and/or getting into some fitness routines.

From a spiritual perspective, we have another built-in warning system – our conscience. Just as pain warns us of physical danger to our body, our conscience warns us about the potential threat to our morals and values. Our conscience alone can’t save us. It’s merely a warning device. And unless it has been guarded and trained, it won’t be able to alert us to spiritual danger. A malnourished, confused, and underdeveloped conscience won’t be able to protect us. In fact, it could actually lead us to immorality and regrets.

Yesterday I talked about training our spiritual muscles. That training can be applied to training our conscience like our physical and spiritual muscles. It needs to be developed and protected and sharpened. Living a life of freedom, joy, peace, hope, and love is possible and that’s why God made sure to give us such amazing warning systems. My Mom’s famous line was “Let your conscience be your guide”. Those were her parting words when I went out with my girlfriends or boyfriend. Those words served me well as they were loud in my ears and kept me on the straight and narrow path. May we heed God’s warning signals and alerts.

Never do we want to ignore His warning system. It’s his love call and his love language. He loves us too much to leave us.

The Way Maker is Here to Help Us Find Our Way Out

This morning I join others with stunned disbelief and sadness that we could live in a world where hate is so rampant that a single person could inflict such horrific pain as we witnessed yesterday. I watched the news video of people struggling to find a way out of what was thought to be just fireworks at the end of a country music concert, when in reality people around them were dropping from the gunshots.

I heard President Trump’s heartfelt plea for prayer and unity for the victims, their families, the first responders and our country to come together for peace. In essence he was saying "The way out is through coming together in one accord to pray for our world." I know that our Heavenly Father loves His children so much and He feels what we feel, including our pain and grief (John 11:35). "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted" (Psalm 34:18).

God wants us to "weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15), but He also wants us to do all we can to heal our broken world. If we give up, the criminals win. If we give up, Satan wins. He was "a murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44) who "comes only to steal and kill and destroy," but Jesus "came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10).

There’s a song that calls God “The Way Maker”. I love that name for God. He truly is a way maker. The song goes like this, “God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me.”

God has proven this to be an accurate name for Himself throughout scripture and in my life. In Exodus 14:10-30 we read about the Israelites being led by God to the Red Sea. Just as they arrived to the sea, the Egyptians appeared on the scene. There appeared to be no way out. To the naked eye, the Israelites were sitting ducks, but God did the unimaginable and parted the Red Sea delivering them from the Egyptians.

As surely as the fans in that concert were looking for a way out of their terror, maybe there are those reading this post today who are also looking for a way out. Maybe you are one who feels like you are at a dead end -- hopeless -- unable to find your way out of a situation or circumstance. You’ve tried everything – from seeking counsel and pleading for help from friends and family. It may be something as severe as facing an arrest, a failed marriage, a bankruptcy, or a terminal illness. No matter what it is......there IS a WAY out!

That WAY out is spelled G-O-D. "And God is faithful; He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. When we are tempted, He will also provide A WAY OUT so that we can endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

The WAY-MAKER, Almighty God, is on our side and He is everything -- our Guide, Confidant, Counselor, Healer, Peace & Strength Provider, and Source of Supply. I pray that, not only individually, but as a country that we shake off the negativism, the hopelessness, the spirit of hatred and turn to The Way Maker to direct and guide us through our mazes of difficulty to show us THE WAY OUT!
1 Corinthians 10:13 “And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide A WAY OUT so that you can endure it.”