Living in Reality

~ Erin Blair

My husband and I were having an interesting discussion the other day (which we tend to have quite often). We were talking about why Christ said in Matthew 5:28, “But I say to you that whosoever looks at a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her in his heart.” We have read and heard lessons on this verse countless times in our lives. But what if God, and therefore Christ, were also making another point besides desiring something that isn’t ours to have?

The popularity of films and books like 50 Shades of Grey, Twilight and countless other “romance” novels is fairly simple I believe. Why do women fawn over characters like Christian Grey or Edward Cullen or –fill in the blank with whatever romantic character you wish-? These characters are fictional and therefore written to be “perfect.” It is an escape to a reality where their husband’s imperfections don’t exist.

It’s a matter of reality.

My husband pointed out in our discussion of Matthew 5:28 that when someone, man or woman, “lusts after” or desires another man or woman, they don’t see their flaws, their imperfections. They don’t see their bed head, or the hamper full of dirty clothes or the sink of dirty dishes. They see what they want to see – a “perfect” person. This isn’t real. No one is perfect.

God knows the danger of living in a reality that is not true real. If our minds are off in “la-la land,” dreaming about the handsome stranger we saw across the restaurant, or our minds are filled with thoughts of being rescued and romanced by a Fabio-esque hero, our minds our not on our husbands and not on God.

I know of women who got so engrossed in their fantasies that they neglected their duties as a Christian, as a wife, and as a mother. Their relationship with their family suffered, sometimes beyond repair. And most importantly, their relationship with God suffered. 

God knows how living apart mentally from our spouse can damage our relationship and how it can damage our relationship with Him. God has blessed us (James 1:17) so why would we want to any other reality?

Erin resides in Ben Wheeler TX with her husband, Jordan. Erin has been involved with preparing and organizing the work of the church since she was a teenager by teaching all ages of Bibles classes, helping prepare and organize Ladies Days, Prom Alternatives, Youth Rallies and VBS.  She is currently works as a paralegal for a law firm. She and her husband also spend their time enjoying their garden, dogs, rabbits, chickens, ducks, quail…etc.  Life is never dull at her house. 

"This Is The Best Day Of My Life!"

~ Nancy Goring 

When do we really have that "best" day of our lives, that most important one? Is it the day we are born? That's pretty special! How about the day we obey the gospel! That must be it! The day we are married, have our first child, watch our grandchildren be born, be baptized...the list goes on. Perhaps it was the birth of Christ (no it is not Christmas Day), because without Him we have no salvation! Was that the best day for Us? Seri...ously, though, without His death, there would be no redemption from sin. Was that the day? Oh...without God's omnipotence in raising Him from the grave, there would be no power over death. Yes! But without our physical death, we cannot inherit eternity! (1 Corinthians 15:50). Even if we have been born, obeyed the gospel, lived obedient lives...all of these things are necessary, but without physically dying...it's all for nought. We are simply stuck on this old earth with the sorrows, pain and evil with no escape. Granted there are many joys here as well, but we long for that better city, the one God promised us (Hebrews 11:16) where all is peace and joy; no tears, sickness, or heartaches, don't we? So can we say that the "best" day of our life is that day we die? Most of us consider this thought from time to time.

I think that our Heavenly Father wanted us to live EACH day as the Best day of our life. "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it," (Psalm 118:24). We should enter into every day with this attitude - That we will see every soul, see them as one who needs the Lord and we will say or do something to encourage that one, and make every attempt to bring a wayward one back to the Lord. In doing so, we will know we have pleased God and that, friends, will make our day The BEST Day Of Our Life! Let's not be found guilty of waiting for some "special" day to happen, but rather let's MAKE every day that special day! When we do this, our BEST day will be realized! 


Nancy is the wife of Bill Goring, who serves as a gospel preacher and elder for the Chipman Road church of Christ in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She has 4 children, 11 grandchildren and has taught Bible class for over 40 years, speaks at Ladies Day gatherings and has published several books including: Behavior Becoming Holiness: Studies in Titus Chapter 2 and Overcoming our Self-Imposed Prisons.

Taking Comfort in Knowing that Sometimes There are No Words:

~ Tracy Frederick


It has been a pretty emotional few weeks with too many of my sisters and brothers are dealing with emotional, physical and spiritual challenges- babies suffering in hospitals, sisters are dealing with unknown illnesses, injuries,  parents passing and cancers  have returned. I only recall one other time in my life, when our daughter was fighting for her life, that I felt such emotional turmoil and spent so many hours on my knees in  prayer. I've also struggled with-What does one say to those who are suffering? “I am sorry?” “I am praying for you?” Words fail me too often. But, sometimes there are not words...I know that.... I remember waiting in hospitals with our weeks old baby...sitting in pediatric ICU...lying next to my father in his hospital bed knowing each breath was probably his last . I know that there are no words.... but, there were the looks from those who knew...the looks that said- I KNOW what you feel....I suffered too....I get it.

But, I admit that I didn’t get it....REALLY get it. I knew Hebrews 4:15. I know that we have a Savior who has been tempted and suffered as we suffer...but, I guess I didn’t make the connections. I know that suffering comes at the hands of Satan and our own mistakes and even disobedience- we sometimes do it to ourselves.  In other words, we live in a world that has consequences to actions; we live in a world that our bodies become ill and deteriorate. We aren’t meant to live forever. However, watching someone suffer is such a sense of powerlessness...hopelessness....But, knowing that someone else understands, truly understands can offer the greatest comfort of all. And that’s when I realized that I failed to consider that our Father suffered, just like we suffer. I had allowed myself to think that He was "above it all"...or maybe that he was immune. I was selfish. I then considered-  He watched His son, our Savior suffer deeply as He begged His Father to let Him escape suffering at our hands. He knew His Son would suffer. Our Father watched His Son suffer as was spit on Him and tortured Him to near death. Our Father suffered as He watched His Son being nailed to a cross for us. Our Father suffered.

I've been praying unceasingly for the relief of the suffering of dozens of people this week. But the most powerful and comforting idea that I have taken from  this is that our Father understands...I mean He REALLY understands the suffering we endure here and that gives me the greatest comfort of all. He has been there. What is most overwhelming is that He watched His Son suffer for us. So when I am on my knees today...and tomorrow...and the next... I will be thinking about how He gets it...He has been there....He understands my groanings...and I will take great comfort in that, especially when there are no words.

"Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose...What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  He that did not spared His own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall He not with him also freely give us all things? ...It is Christ that died, but is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us."   Romans 8: 26-31

Keeping up with the Jones'

~Erin Blair

In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded via marketing ads, music, and even idle gossip to get the next big thing, next big toy.  So many people are trying so hard to “one up” their friends and neighbors.  If our neighbor buys a new car, well we have to buy one bigger and flashier than theirs.  If their kid gets a trampoline, ours has to have one too.  Having worked in a large law office for a while now, I constantly see people trying to look better, smell better, and have better things than the next person.  I have even had clients who are so obsessed (yes, obsessed) with beating the other party and winning loads of money in a lawsuit or are so paranoid that so-and-so is trying to steal from them/trying to cheat them out of their wealth. 

 The writer of Hebrews states in chapter 13 verse 5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”   Why are these people so frantic to get the new iPhone or newest laptop or car?  The one they have works perfectly fine.  Why are they wanting the newer, bigger thing?  Why are they trying so hard to “keep up with the Jones’s?”  It is a matter of contentment.

 
Are we truly content?  Society tends to frown upon, or make fun of, people who truly are content with very little.  In society’s eye, he who dies with the most toys wins, and it is easy for this attitude to creep into the church.  Even with very little in regards to the world’s wealth, “…I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil. 4:11)  But do we truly know how to be abased and abound? To be full and to be hungry? To suffer and to abound? (Phil. 4:12) Can we truly be these things and still be content?  Remember what our Lord said in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Do we love the things of this world more than Christ and His church?  Are we content with whatever we have, whatever state of life we are in because we know that we have a far greater reward in heaven?

 Oftentimes people look at those who are less wealthy than us, or don’t have the latest and greatest gadget or clothes and some think how unfulfilled they must be.  But let us look inward at ourselves and search our hearts to see if we are truly content, whether we be rich or poor.  Or are we just racing to get the next big deal?  Where is our treasure?

Erin resides in Ben Wheeler Tx with her husband who preaches for the Ben Wheeler congregation. Erin has been involved with preparing and organizing the work of the church since she was a teenager by teaching all ages of Bibles classes, helping prepare and organize Ladies Days, Prom Alternatives, Youth Rallies and VBS.  She is currently works as a paralegal for a law firm. She and her husband also spend their time enjoying their sweet dog, chickens, ducks, quail…etc.  Life is never dull at her house.

Just Christmas Gifts....right? Ummm....Think Again.....

~Tracy Frederick

I am stuck...sigh...As I recover from my first hip replacement between semesters I am stuck at home. So, this morning I washed a few dishes while a morning news show was playing in the background. Since it is Christmas a segment with children was a centerpiece. I paused to watch the children discuss their Christmas wishes. Each child, dressed very sweetly was able to articulate very strongly, what they wanted for Christmas. They were asked to act out how they would react if they received their heart’s desire. Then they were asked to show how they would react if they DIDN’T receive their choice (laptop, robotic baby, favorite electronic expensive toy, etc.). They knew exactly what to do...they quickly showed their “angry face.” The segment host thought it was great. It was supposed to be funny, right? She told them how much she liked their “angry faces.” One little girl however, when asked how she would react if she didn’t get her toy of choice replied with a sweet: “Thank you.”  The host replied: “Well, I guess we always have to say thank you right? But show me that angry face that goes with it.” The little girl then said “Thank you” with face that said anything but thank you; to which the host told her how important it is to do that so they understand that she really doesn’t mean it.

She was a cute little girl that was very polite throughout the interview. She had been taught to behave in a respectful way and with gratitude and in just a few minutes all of that was gone. She was different, however. She wasn’t the norm. All of the other children already knew how to show that they didn’t like the gift and how to “punish” their parents for failing to get them what they want.  The lesson of selfishness and the look on the children’s faces stuck with me. I’ve seen that face before. I’ve seen children yell at their parents for getting them the wrong brand of this and the wrong color of that. We still do it, don’t we? We still sometimes harbor feelings of ungratefulness or ingratitude to our Father for the wonderful blessings He showers on us each day. Maybe we don’t even recognize them because we focus on our own heart’s desires. So, I am thinking of the children who will open their gifts tonight or in the morning...probably many more than they should have...and the faces they will make. Each gift will be a lesson. With each gift is an opportunity of gratitude or selfishness.  

It in these opportunities that will determine the selfishness and gratefulness they will have as an adult. Will they feel that they have a “right” to whatever they want? Or will they develop a humble attitude that will lead them to their salvation? 

Maybe it is just Christmas. Maybe it is just a bunch of gifts. But, perhaps it is an opportunity to teach: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” I John 2: 15-17.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son..." John 3:16a

That is something to be grateful for.

Looking that Others may SEE

~ Tracy Frederick

I am a people watcher. I admit it....not in a creepy way, of course, but I admit that I have become fascinated, for some reason, with how many people are walking around with their heads down staring at their phones. I work on a college campus and so, one day while driving to the building where I work,  I was turning onto a street when I noticed a student walking toward the intersection I was about to turn onto. He had his head down reading something on his cell phone. I knew it was going to happen. So, I stopped. I watched while he never slowing down his steady pace and never looked up as he stepped off the curb.....WHAM! He walked right into the side of my car. He hesitated...looked up and around as if confused, finally saw me wave and smile at him from inside the car, put his head back down and walked around me and on down the sidewalk as if it was nothing unusual...maybe, it wasn’t for him. Maybe he walks into cars everyday. So, I began to notice that when people leave buildings, stores, etc...the first thing many do is to take out the phone. I hear often the pitfalls (literally) of failing our Lord- when we do not recognize the snares of Satan. It is a good idea to ponder, but I think that we have also missed another pitfall, the failing to look for the opportunities to glorify our Father and Master.  God tell us through the inspired writer, Paul in Titus 2:11-14 says that “the grace of God that bringeth salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”  

I wonder if we are looking, really looking for the opportunities and blessings our Father is offering us every day.  I mean REALLY looking.  I fear that we get caught up in our own worlds, our own facebook, our own...well...stuff.... we fail to SEE, or fail to LOOK for the opportunity let our light shine before others (Matt 5:16) that they may glorify our Father. I mean, that is our purpose right? Perhaps we need some spiritual corrective lenses to help our eyes adjust to our SEEING our world as an opportunity to SHOW our Father’s glory and SEE the opportunity to show Him to others....or perhaps we just need to get our heads up out of our phones, computers...whatever.... and just LOOK around.

I think it comes down to asking ourselves:  are we are LOOKING that others may SEE?

It Doesn’t Matter…REALLY, IT DOESN’T MATTER!!!

This world is not easy for sure. The physical illnesses and difficulties can sometimes only be overshadowed by the emotional hurt. I understand, I get it…but….does it matter? Really? I mean, when you get down to it? Really.

Our physical pain cannot compare to the beatings He endured for us because it mattered to our eternal soul:

“His visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.” Is 52:14.

Our loneliness and emotional hurt cannot be matched by the isolation He felt for us because it mattered to our eternal soul:

 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53: 4-5

It is easy to lose our focus on what is important and REAL when we allow ourselves to see only the temporary emotional and physical pain we have. But, really, it doesn’t matter. None of that stuff matters. When we lose our focus on the eternal opportunity He gave us through His physical pain and emotional suffering (Lk 22:39-46) we forget what matters.- living wholly to glorify our Father – and it paralyzes us from doing what matters. Who said what to whom that hurt our feelings doesn’t matter. How many pain pills we have to take to walk across the room doesn’t matter. NONE of it matters and NONE of it compares to the pain we caused our Savior when was humiliated by His creation, rejected and beaten physically beyond recognition by His creation.

Sometimes we need a little reality check, don’t we? We need to take a moment and compare our insignificant problems with the pain WE caused our Savior. I guarantee we will come up short, and hopefully gain a little perspective to realize that glorifying God in health, in physical pain, in emotional heartache, in our deep loneliness…you name it….in any trials we have…through any problems we suffer….Glorifying God is the ONLY THING that MATTERS. If do what matters (Acts 2:38, Rom 2:10, Matt 7:21) we will have the relief we desperately need….no more pain, no more loneliness….no more hurt. Christ knew what we needed when He offered Himself for what MATTERS the most to us.

“He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”.Is 53:12
~Tracy Frederick

Happy are those that are Poor

~Tracy Frederick 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God.”  Matthew 5:3.

Sometimes it is easy to pass over parts of the Lord’s word when it seems difficult or confusing. Some of the most beautiful passages of scripture can tempt us to do so and in doing that, we lose the great depth that they offer. Consider: “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God.”  Matthew 5:3. We have all, no doubt, heard many a sermon on the “beatitudes.” But I admit that their great depth has alluded me until recently when in my studies on humbleness I decided to get my spiritual shovel out and dissect this idea. Our Savior begins His pronouncement of “blessings” with those who are poor in spirit. Now, I’ve always argued that each word in the text is there for a reason and the order is divinely inspired as well. There are no “happenstances” or “accidents” in the Bible. It is all intentional. So, when we look at these few short words that our Savior began His famous sermon with seem pretty important to me. So, I dug in.
Blessed= fortunate, well off: - blessed, happy.  This seems ok, until one considers the state of the happiness is tied to something that seems the opposite: “poor in spirit.” Just the thought of being poor in spirit seems ad odds with the idea of being happy and blessed right? Nope, not really when you consider the REAL  meaning, then all is clear: The word for ‘poor’ in Greek is ‘Ptochos’ which literally means having nothing, reduced to begging, like a beggar, totally broke. We usually think of being broke as a bad thing, right? Wrong again. Consider the person that is totally spiritually broke. Here are some examples from great men of God:

Isaiah 66:1-2: “Thus says the LORD, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? “For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.”

Isaiah 57:15: “For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, “I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

Ps 51:17: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”

So when we consider that an individual who has given up her will to the Father and realizes she is nothing without Him, it is at that place that she is happy and blessed because she finds comfort in nothing else but the word of the Lord. It is at that point that all fear and doubt and pain fall away…her spirit is renewed and refreshed as she fills herself with the hope of her eternal home.

Blessed? Happy? I’d say so…but only through her bankruptcy….in the realization that she is poor…without anything without her Master.

The Blessing of Forgetting...and Remembering

~Tracy Frederick

The sounds of the storm, among other things cause another sleepless night. As I listen to the rain outside and storm blowing and try to quiet my brain to catch a few more hours of sleep, I pray. I pray for others who I know are hurting, for those who are facing challenges to their faith and those who have not yet found their Lord. My mind races from one to another, but included in those prayers first and foremost is my own inadequacies. It is in these quiet moments of night, and sometimes during the strangest moments of the day that a memory will appear. Sometimes it is welcome one, but often it is a reminder of something that I have done that I would rather forget, something that is shameful, and something that hurt my Master or the times that I have failed to do what I knew to be right and good. Each of these memories follow with a flood of regret, remorse and usually another short prayer for forgiveness, even though I know He has long ago forgiven me. So, this night as I pondered those memories and try to push them away I was thinking of why it is so hard to do that; why is it so hard to forget? I pray for peace from the regrets, but then I began to think about the comfort that comes from knowing that my Lord has no such recollection of those things that I seem to be unable to let go of. 

I contemplate the soul-soothing comfort that comes with godly forgiveness.  It is so much different from human forgiveness.  We all know what forgiveness means, the biblical use of the word is to “cast away” or “spare” from a punishment.  Each of us have asked for it from a friend, even asked us of when someone cuts in line at the grocery store or interrupts a conversation, but we may all too often remember it again when another person tries to do the same. Perhaps we take offense even more, since it has been done before, right? The problem is that we remember.  The most comforting thing I contemplate this night while praying for wisdom and peace is that my God does not.  “For  I will be  merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 8:12)  “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17).  Isaiah paints a great picture of what our God does with our forgiven sins: “… thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption:  for  thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.” (38:17). As I contemplate how hard it is for me to forget the things I’ve done, I have wondered about my God and how He is able to forget. After all, He isn’t a “forgetting” God. He remembered His promises to Abraham, even when he and Sarah had given up hope (Gen 12:1-3). He remembered His promise to His people when they thought He had turned His back (Ex 2:23). He remembered His promise He gave to me at the beginning of the world (Gen 3).

Yeah, I have a hard time understanding and forgetting. But, then again maybe it isn’t so bad that I remember. Maybe it is a good thing that from time to time as I go through my day, or on a dark stormy night my past offenses come back.  It is only because I remember, and feel remorse again for the pain I have caused that reminds me to hold onto the grace and peace that He offers.

It has been a long night already and tomorrow will be a longer day, but it is a great comfort knowing that tomorrow can be filled with peace; that if we are in Christ (Rom 6:4) we can have the grace (I John 1:7) and peace (Phil 4:7) of knowing God has forgotten.

The Faith to Touch the Hem

~Tracy Frederick

She was tired, no doubt, worn out from the daily routines of life as most women were, but even more so in her situation. Most likely she had no one to offer a comforting shoulder to cry on. It wasn’t possible, the law didn’t allow it; she was “unclean.”  “Unclean” was a word necessary to maintain the health of the people, but struck fear in the hearts of those who knew what it meant-- ostracism. Under the old law, no one could touch her, or anything she had touched (Lev 15: 25-27). The loneliness must have been overwhelming. Furthermore, it had been twelve years; twelve years of going from doctor to doctor and subjecting herself to one treatment after another, enduring embarrassment and unsuccessful treatments—“she had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.”  The heartache and worry must have overcome her …and no one could help; no one could comfort, and all of her money was gone  (Mk 5:26) .

Jesus had been traveling about the region healing and had casting out demons (Mk 5:1-24, Lk 8:1-42, Matt. 9 1-19). He was a busy man and in demand, “the crowd thronged Him” (MK 5:24, Lk 8:42). In fact, when He arrived, an important man from the synagogue came to worship Him, Jairus, and desperately needed a favor- his daughter was dying (Mk 5:22-24). The man was important, and she was a woman and an unclean one at that. Perhaps this woman stood afar off and contemplated the consequences of her actions- the risk of being in a crowd; interrupting Jesus with a synagogue leader. Perhaps she stood back a bit, her heart pounding; feeling the blood flowing from her body with each beat of her heart. Perhaps she took a moment to contemplate the crowd that separated her from her Savior until she finally convinced herself to do it…take a chance… “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well” (Mk 5: 28, Matt 9:21). I wonder about this great woman of faith: Did she try to ball herself up as tightly as possible so as not to risk making others unclean and suffer the consequences? Did she hide herself until the last possible moment knowing others might recognize her as unclean? Did she drop to her knees in the dust and dirt trying desperately to stretch out her hand as far as possible…perhaps even through the legs of others to reach Him? Were her hands, her fingers stepped on? Was dirt kicked in her face as she tried in desperation to not lose sight of the RIGHT garment; her eyes fixed on the RIGHT hem? She felt immediate healing when she finally touched it. I wonder how her eyes must have welled-up in happiness.

Then He turned to look for her. She must have been shocked. It was only a hem, right? She only dared touch His garment; she never touched HIM, and there were so many others around, right? But He knew. “The woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth” (Mk 5: 33). She was afraid. She was unclean. Then He talked to her, looked right at her-- encouraged her…..and called her daughter (Matt 9:22, Lk 8;48, Mtt 9:22). (Note: This is the only time that I see Jesus calling someone “daughter”. )

The account, this small, little seemingly insignificant account of a desperate woman is found in three of the four gospels (Matthew 9, Mark 5, Luke 8). It is an account that we might often overlook. It is just a woman with an illness; it is just a small miracle in the midst of the raising of the dead and the casting out of demons. But, I believe it must be very important for our Father to, through the Holy Spirit, inspire the writers to include it so often. For some time I’ve been considering the depth of faith one must have to please our Lord, the depths of humbleness to which one must  be willing to go to/through, to” reach” our Lord, the desperation and the risks we are willing to take to make our lives, our sin-sick souls whole- only through Him and I keep coming back to this woman, this unclean woman who fell to her knees and crawled on the ground through the dust and the crowd--with great risk-- and the belief and faith she had knowing  that she only needed to touch the hem.  

Breathing Dust

~Tracy Frederick

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7).  Dust, dirt, that’s all we are without the breath that our Father provides each and every time our lungs expand to let it in and to expel the used oxygen that He provided to sustain our bodies. Dust and dirt are what we are without the breath of life. God reminded Adam of this when He rebuked him for his sin and removed him from the garden:” ..For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19. David knew this and wondered at how the mighty Creator was mindful of such small particles of dust Ps 103:14. Perhaps that is why God loved him so much (Acts 13:22).   

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8: 3-5

It seems very appropriate to me to reflect on this passage now when in a few hours those who are the children of God will gather together as a family to remember the awesome sacrifice given by a Father. It is hard for my feeble mind to understand the kind of love that would sacrifice a son for dust. But that is what makes Him God.

A Word of Thanks...

~Tracy Frederick
 

Here we are in the middle of the week. Some call it “hump day” in reference to having climbed the last few days to get to this middle point and it will all be downhill from here. It says that it has been an uphill climb to this point, and sometimes it is, isn’t it? We worshiped our Lord on Sunday, praising Him and thanking Him for the blessings of air, food, clothing and the many riches He has provided. It was perfect wasn’t it? It was a blessed day of thinking of Him and thanking Him and rejoicing in the goodness that He is. Then we headed into the week where Satan lives and prowls at work, in school and sets his traps of discouragement, pain, sorrow, heartache and deception. Then I realize how privileged we are to gather together at the mid-week Bible study to refresh ourselves together in the word together and encourage one another together, to exhort one another together and to fortify ourselves together for the last few days of the week as we look again toward gathering around the table in anticipation of the bittersweet time of remembering the death of our Savior. I appreciate those that will encourage me tonight to get over this “hump” and will gather in my Father’s name and see the evening of Bible study as a priviledge as they crave the word and appreciate the gathering together to refresh and renew my spirit. I appreciate those of you who will put aside your personal needs and selfish wants to think of ours and consider encouraging me and my other brothers and sisters as we try to get through this week, and over this hump. I appreciate those of you who will choose the body of Christ over a television show, a barcalounger  (or the lazyboy). I appreciate you considering us, and helping us get over the “hump.” (And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25).

A Simple Question

~Tracy Frederick

It is always a little humbling to stand in front of a room full of children and teach the word of God. Just knowing whatever I say will become the “gospel” to them is more than humbling and daunting. So, when I looked around and saw the eleven pairs of eyes all glued to me with confusion and almost shock, it was a moment, you know what I mean, one that is almost frozen in time. I had asked a simple question that silenced the usually chatty room full of preteen/teen girls. We were leading into studying John 15, but to understand that context, so we had reached back into John 13 to discuss the circumstances of the situation through John chapter 14. In those “pre-chapters” where Jesus prepares His apostles for His leaving and His death I mentioned that He knew He would die before He came to this earth. They looked up at me with confusion in their eyes. Then I asked the question: “Why would Jesus, knowing He was going to die, come anyway?” You could have heard a pin drop…on the carpet. Their sweet little eyes looked to me with confusion. One said, “What? He knew? BEFORE?” We continued our discussion and I asked the question again: “Why would Jesus, knowing He was going to die, come here anyway?” One young girl said, “I don’t know. Why?” They looked around at each other and then after a moment started to, hesitantly, offer answers: “Well, ‘cause God said?” and “Maybe He had to?” But, it was obvious they really didn’t know. Finally, after a few answers, one girl quietly answered, “Because He loves us?” She wasn’t sure. It was a question. They all quietly looked around at each other as if to say…really? One said: “that’s a lot of love.” We continued to discuss the soul stirring concept that He didn’t have to; the fact that He could have said no; the awesomeness that He said yes, knowing that people would hate Him, would humiliate Him, would reject Him; and knowing it would hurt…a lot. We continued with the lesson, but the mood was somber and the girls seemed to. No joking was heard, just a sad look into the lives of a man who loved them and His best friends who were sad to lose Him. It was a moment that later passed as the bell rang to signal the end of class, but it was a moment of concern for our Savior, of sadness for what He had done, for the realization of what love is. As I stood there looking into those precious eyes, I thought about how the magnitude of knowing that He gave because He loved; He did it because He loved; He didn’t have to, but He loved.

A Reality Check of the Heart

~Tracy Frederick

I sat all alone in the rehab hospital waiting room wallowing in my irritation. I had driven the hour and a half only to have the appointment postponed and now I had to wait another half hour for the set of tests. Didn’t these people realize I had places to go and things to do? I sat there calculating how to juggle the days obligations that awaited me. The rescheduling would mean more stress to my already stressful day. I pulled my Ladies Bible class book from my computer bag and began to read and underlining the points I needed to emphasize. I couldn’t concentrate. How was I going to reschedule for another day?  Then, slowly, but steadily the waiting room filled. An older lady lovingly pushed her husband’s wheelchair into the waiting room and smiled at me sweetly as she parked his chair and eased herself into the chair next to him. A younger woman, close to my age guiding her husband into the waiting area as he took one small step after another, whispering to him all the way:“You’re doing great, sweetheart.” Next came the mother following her teenage daughter who leaned heavily on her cane, unable to use her left side. She looked me and said sweetly, “hello!” I smiled back- a little, starting to feel embarrassed for my thoughts, but still a little irritated. The waiting room was filling up, the wheelchairs came and went. I was finally left all alone with my thoughts. My irritation had calmed a bit, but I was still considering the inconvenience of the morning. Then SHE walked in. She was a young woman, maybe about 25 or so. She smiled at me when she rounded the corner, but there was a deep sadness behind her eyes. Her little blonde girl of about 3 years old could hardly contain her enthusiasm as she tugged at her mom’s hand jumping up and down squealing with laughter and then she looked right at me… and smiled. The characteristics of Down ’s syndrome were obvious. The mother patiently checked her daughter in as little girl grabbed at the pencils, the Kleenex box, the..whatever was on the receptionists desk. All the while the mother patiently pushed the girls hand away. Then, of all places, they sat down across from me. The mother reached into her diaper bag and pulled out the package of well-worn flash cards. One by one she showed the cards to her daughter as I imaged she did every day, maybe even several times a day, asking: “what’s that?” The little girl starred at the card, then back at her mother’s warm smile a little confused, but wanting to please and tried to make some sounds. The mother praised the child for any sound that was near whatever picture was on the card- a “c” sound for “car,” an “r” sound for “rug.” I started to think about the life expectancy of this child, the uncertainty this mother faced every morning, the heartache she felt as she looked into her precious daughter’s face each day, the amazing hope she must have to work so diligently with her daughter to make a sound. I took another look at the clock on the wall and couldn’t remember what was so pressing. I bowed my head in shame….lesson learned. I hope you realize the wonderful blessings our Lord has offered us this day, and each day- a beautiful child, medical care, a spouse to love.....and eternal riches in a home built by our Savior for those who obey. My mind turned to: "How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you” Psalm 31:19.

Stop Drop and......PRAY!

~Tracy Frederick

There are just some days that are overwhelming aren’t there? There are days when the hurt and the pain is just too much to bear.  We often sing a familiar song- My Jesus Knows. In that song we encourage each other that our Savior understands our emotional pain and can empathize with our weaknesses and the sufferings we have here on this earth. What a comfort that is to know that “we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but in all points was tempted like we are, but was without sin” Hebrews 4:15. It is the first part that is comforting, but the last that causes me to pause and tremble.  I find that when I am at my most emotional, I am at my most vulnerable. When I am hurting, I am looking for a quick way out. When I am emotional I am less rational and more willing to act without thinking. So, how was our Savior was able to withstand the emotions of hurt when betrayed by a best friend (Mk 14:66-72), the rejection of the world (Mk 15:6-15)? Notice each and every time our Savior was in a difficult situation, an emotional situation, or knew He was about to be, He prayed; He stopped, dropped His head and prayed. We teach our children that to stop themselves from burning, physically, they should stop, drop and roll. We preach it over and over again. I think it is a good idea to teach our children the same to avoid eternal fire- stop, drop and pray. We know that if the Evil One has no qualms about tempting the Lord, (I mean seriously!) he looks upon us as easy prey. Our Savior knew the solution to the temptation- STOP what you are doing NOW! DROP your head and humble yourself, realizing you are the created and need help! PRAY for forgiveness and wisdom to discern what is needful. Such an easy answer to any problem. And the example was there all along.

REAL Thanksgiving...

~Tracy Frederick

I have been thinking a lot about the Biblical accounts in which people suffered for the cause of Christ. The apostles  were run out of towns, threatened and persecuted by their own families. John the Baptist was beheaded for speaking out against the adulterous situation in which the king was living. And we cannot forget our brothers and sisters who lost their lives in horrible acts of persecution when they were tortured and died for the cause of Christ. They saw their spouses and children die in front of them as they were offered their lives in exchange for renouncing their Savior. It is hard to imagine as I sit in my comfortable chair after enjoying a good breakfast of my choosing, and am struggling with the decision as to which pies to serve for Thanksgiving. I am, I admit, a little ashamed in my bounty. I have much to be thankful for, but I am thankful for my my easy life without hardships and persecutions. That gives me pause to remember those who were thankful in their times of hardships. I can't imagine the suffering my brothers and sisters endured. I am even more humbled by their thanksgiving for the suffering they went through as they looked toward the glories that this life cannot even compare. "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy" I Peter 4:12-13. I hope we teach our children the meaning of rejoicing and what exceeding joy really is. That is, I hope we teach them what REAL thankfulness is.

Just One Small Word that Saved the World.

~Tracy Frederick
Isn’t it sad that our language has only one word to express what we so desperately need? It is what songs are written about; it is what brings in billions of dollars into the box office, what television shows are designed around, what sells tons of books and what internet sites are built for. We dream about it, crave it and sometimes even die for it. But, the sad part is, we have very little understanding of what it is.  We have one little word for it…love. One measly little word to describe all of what our heart yearns for; is made for. But, we understand there are different kinds of love, different depths of love and although someone may say they love, it doesn’t always mean forever. With the way our world and the media defines love, it can be easy to lose sight of the depths of love, I mean REAL love. Perhaps it is time to refresh our memory and help us to renew our understanding of that kind of love, the enduring kind and remind us that we are loved, loved more deeply than we are probably capable of, or can ever imagine.In order to understand the depths of true love, we must turn to the source and creator of all love, our Father. I also know that unless we understand the depth of our Father’s love for us, an agape love, unless we can truly grasp how much He gave up and loves us, beyond our human comprehension, we will never WANT to walk the narrow path, we will never WANT to stray from Him. Some time back I had a conversation with our ladies Bible class about talking to our children about their soul’s salvation. The subject first came up in regard to punishment, that is, children who want to put their Lord on in baptism (Acts 2:38, Mark 16: 16, Rom 6:4, etc.) because they want to avoid punishment,of hell. It is all about not getting in trouble, not getting a “spanking." I was concerned that this kind of attitude is not about love, the eternal separation from the love of our lives, our Creator and sustainer of our lives, our first love, the one who loved us when we were unlovable, the one who always forgives us over and over again. I get that we don't want to be punished, but isn't the biggest heartbreak, the separation from our first love, our Father? 

Much is Given...

~ Tracy Frederick

I just got the fantastic news! Tears immediately began to flow and prayers of thanks were on my lips. A dear sister in Christ, who had recently learned she had cancer and then endured a surgery to attempt to remove the cancerous organs learned today that she cancer free! What a great day. I have been praying diligently for her for several reasons, not only for her family to have her longer, but she is a great worker in the Lord’s kingdom, and she has become a great Bible student. She has a great heart for the Lord and I see her diligently working to help her daughters and grandchildren go to heaven. I immediately thought- she’s been given a great blessing! As I began my prayers of thanks for allowing us to have this sweet sister longer, my thoughts turned to the voice of my Master: “…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more” Luke 12:48. 

Huh…I stopped in my tracks…..I rethought this a moment….she was given the opportunity to serve the Lord longer, but so have I. I wasn’t diagnosed with cancer, I don’t have a fatal disease, but I too was given the gift of life today. I was given a blessing of another day. Much has been given to me this day, a warm home (while some of my brothers and sisters are struggling without power in the Northeast), I have been given much food (while some are without in much of the world), I have sight (while some are without, or losing it and cannot read their Bibles), I was given hands to type this (while some suffer from arthritis and such, or have no hands to write). This list could go on and on.

Yeah, I was thinking of the blessing my dear sister was given when I read the text: 100 % cured, and immediately thought about what might be required of her. I selfishly failed to realize that I have been given so much and my Lord expects, umm….no…not expects, but REQUIRES great things from ME. Yes, much has been given, I think I’d better get busy; I have a lot to do.

He is waiting....waiting...with Hope.

~Tracy Frederick

She needed hope. I saw her eyes were filled with pain as she turned her head away trying to gather herself. But she just couldn't bear the burden that was on her heart any longer. She turned to me with tears flowing down her cheeks and let me see the pain and guilt she was carrying. She told me about her struggles and how difficult it was to not let the world pull her family away from God. She talked about how she let the world take up her family's time and then, without her even realizing it, they had neglected their Lord completely. She said she just let them get too busy. She was riddled with guilt. She needed hope. Everyone who knows her knows her to be a sweet, kind and caring person, someone who is always generous and willing to do whatever is asked of her. But, she had fallen prey to one of the best tactics Satan has right now- the busyness of the world. She had let her Lord down, she had put other things first, second, third...and her Lord last. She needed hope. She needed to know that He would welcome her back. She needed reminding that as a child of God, her Lord died for her so that she could have that hope, that she can fall at His feet, express the pain she is feeling, ask for forgiveness. She needed reminding that we all fall short, but if we will repent, He is quick to forgive (I John 1:9). She needed to know that if she repented, gets to start again. She gets to lay her guilt aside and begin again with her Lord whose lovingkindness is beyond our comprehension.

She, unfortunately, is not alone. I  find myself getting up early and rushing out the door before I realize I haven’t planned my day around my Lord, but the obligations of the world that are weighing on me. I am reminded of when the Israelites were in captivity in Babylon and our God was longsuffering with them as they merged with the nations around them. He sent prophet after prophet to warn them to stay strong, but the busyness of the world and the daily activities the nations around them enticed them. They did not seek out those who were faithful, they did not fill their hearts and minds with the word of God, they slowly, step by step surrounded themselves with those who were practicing things that were ungodly. Soon, they were drowning in their sin and probably, like this dear woman I described earlier, didn’t see how quickly it happened. But, our Father was kind and allowed them to fall into slavery to wake them up. Yes, it was a merciful act for the Israelites. It woke them up to the reality that was their lives. However, not everyone survived it. Some never repented and received their reward.  One thing is for certain; as the sun came up this morning our God is merciful and is waiting for us, patiently to unbusy our lives. He is a God who is near, who fills the heavens and the earth (Jer 23:23-24).  He is longsuffering. “ But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth” (Ex  86:15). It is this hope that she needs. It is the hope that I need.  He is waiting…...

So, what is the WORST that can happen? Really...

~Tracy Frederick

Our daughter was a very smart little girl. She walked very early, talked in complete sentences when she started speaking, and was reading long before she entered kindergarten. I say all of that to let you into a little insight into her personality. She seemed to be a 30 year old in a 3 year old body. That meant that she worried quite a bit, and her tender heart was always at risk of breaking because of how someone was mistreated, or the possibilities of something happening that she could not control. In an attempt to help her learn to cope, I would always ask her: What is the WORST that could happen? That always ended up with us talking through the worst case scenarios, (some of them pretty comical) and eventually coming to understand that actually there was really nothing all that serious to worry about. Our discussions always went something like this: Ok, so what if you don't make a 100% on the spelling test and they kick you out of 1st grade because you aren't perfect? God still loves you so much that He gave His only Son just for YOU. Or: Ok, so what if you fail the exam and have to drop out of school and end up working at a fast food restaurant for the rest of your life? You still get to go to heaven, right? Or: Ok what is the WORST thing that can happen if you never meet a godly man to marry?You can still do amazing things in the work of the Lord teaching other children to follow Him, and you are still in a saved state and still get to go to heaven, right? wohoo! 

I admit that I am a worrier and my daughter gets it from me. My husband’s faith is so deep he can see the most important part immediately. He can brush off the problems and rest easy, I on the other hand have to have a good talk with myself and remind myself that whatever I am worrying about is really not that bad. I have had some health issues recently and have had to have a couple of surgeries and several “procedures” that have left me pretty frustrated. But, through it all, I have been encouraged by my sisters who are dealing with so much worse each and every day and continue with dignity and grace. They remind me: So, what is the WORST that could happen? I never rollerblade or exercise by jogging again (yeah, that didn’t happen before either)? I am unable to shop at Wal Mart for hours on end? Or I have to go through more surgeries for years? ….Nah, that’s not so bad. After all, I am in a saved state and I get to go to heaven! wohoo! Paul said it best: "...I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content" Phil 4:11.

I hope those words bring you comfort too. I hope, dear sister that if you are struggling in your life, if you have physical ailments that have plagued you, or you have financial worries, etc. you too can finish that sentence with confidence (Acts 2:38) in knowing that the worst is not so bad (Mt 6:25-34) because the best is yet to come. I mean, seriously, what IS the worst that can happen?