Time

As Bostonians mourned the loss of life and limbs, of lost security in their city, shocking news of death and widespread destruction from a small Texas town broke our hearts once again.  A devastating, senseless crime against humanity and a tragic, lethal accident overwhelmed a nation.

At the time of the shattering news, our son & I sat in a hotel room far from home and dear loved ones.  Our surroundings that week, were among people looking for answers and cures to the diseases that plagued a loved one or self. As our hearts broke for the many, many families suffering great losses in Boston, in Texas and across the nation, the gift of time we are given occupied my thoughts.  How quickly all we know today can change in a heartbeat, sometimes our last.

A passage in Luke came to my mind.  Luke 17:26-29:   

Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of  the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

That fateful day as families attended the Boston Marathon; no one could have known how their lives would be forever changed-apart from those involved in the atrocious crime.  Texas First Responders kissed their children and spouse goodbye one final time.

Across the globe, people are dying-caused by violence, disease, accidents, natural disasters and age.  Time is coming to a close for people.  One day Jesus will return and all time will end.

The God of mercy and grace convicted my heart.  Today may be the last morning I awake-He may return or my life may abruptly end.  I must be wise with the time He gives.  How much time do I spend in kingdom work, in day to day activities that have no eternal value?  My priorities need to change.   

Ephesians 5:14-17:  

This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Merciful Father in Heaven,

Grant comfort and peace to all who have been devastated by death and destruction.  Thank You for stirring my heart.  May I be Your instrument this day.  Father, give me eyes to see eternal things; give me a heart on fire for the lost; making the most of the opportunities You give, and the time that remains.   Thank you, Jesus, for the eternal hope You give.

In His name, Amen.

Mischelle Oliver

Stephenville, Texas

A Lesson from Plants

It is Spring again with the testimony of abundant wildflowers and the green, new growth of trees and grass. 

Have you ever considered life from a plant's 'perspective'?  I know it sounds silly and maybe even political as an environmental point of debate.  I do believe in being eco-friendly as this is our only place to live.  But my point is trying to view life as a plant, (i.e. flower, weed, bush, tree, etc.), might see it.  We are familiar with the phrase "bloom where you are planted."  That could mean your family, job and/or community.  But from a human perspective we might change our circumstances by 'moving'.  We can leave families, jobs and communities.  A plant MUST 'bloom' or thrive where it is rooted.  It is immobile.  A tree cannot run away from predatory insects, change location because of drought, seek shelter from wind, hail or storm, or even evacuate because of a raging fire.  A plant MUST adapt, endure and thrive in a permanent location.  The amazing thing is...they do!  We have all seen trees scarred by woodpeckers, fires, human graffiti, storms, etc..  We've seen their contorted trunks or limbs as they search for sunlight.  We should be impressed that the results of their determination and endurance are displayed every Spring. 

We could learn something of true faith and trust from plants.  Jesus said "why are you worried about clothing?  Observe how the lilies fo the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.  If God so clothes the grass of the field...will He not much more clothe you?"  Jeremiah said "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.  And whose trust is the Lord.  For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream.  And will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit." 

Maybe we should try to view life, with all the droughts, storms and fires, from a plant's perspective and trust in God.

Have you ever considered how many times Jesus used seeds, grass, plants, trees, etc. in His stories?  A thought to be considered another time.--

Doug Burns

Stephenville, Texas

Blood Soaked Jacket

My dad’s favorite past time undoubtedly was quail hunting.  He shared his passion for hunting with many other fanatics young and old.  However, it was common knowledge that to really hunt birds it took dogs.  Without a dog to share the experience – it just wasn’t bird hunting.  So, we had many bird dogs during my childhood years and while my brother enjoyed the immense pleasure of going on the hunt… my mother received the ultimate gratification of preparing and cooking the quail and,  I got the delightful experience of eating lots of yummy quail and loving on all those bird dogs.

Her name was Ruth and she was my dad’s favorite and most loyal companion of all the dogs.  Ruth was an incredibly smart, petite pointer that consistently fixated on the target and never took her eyes off it.  But one cold fall day my dad had taken some friends along with my brother to his family’s ranch for a hunt.  The home place as we called it was way out in the boonies.  The ranch land had rugged terrain with lots of shinnery and a deep canyon running through it.  It had been a magical day of hunting and watching the dogs point and work together.  The sun was starting to set and another blissful day of hunting had come to an end.  My dad began calling the dogs up for loading.  Dad called for Ruth but she was no where in sight.  He called again and again and then as the sunlight began slipping past the horizon he was forced to make an unbearable decision.  He had to leave without her.  Before leaving, my dad, took off his hunting jacket and laid it on the ground where he had first let the dogs out earlier in the day.  Then they drove away without Ruth.

The next morning after what seemed like an endless night, my dad frantically raced over to the spot where he had left his jacket.  Curled up on that old hunting jacket  was a tiny white ball.  It was Ruth!  She had found her way back to the familiar scent of my dad’s jacket.  Words cannot express the joy my dad experienced after being reunited with his prize dog.  

I am reminded of the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:3-7:

 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it."  

God tells us He is most concerned about the one who has wandered away and is lost, distraught, rejected, and without hope.  He meets us in the place to which our sin has brought us.

God has laid down His jacket that allows us to find our way back home to Him and it allows us to feel His love.  Our sins separate us from God and the only way to avoid being separated from Him is to lay in the warmth of the blood soaked jacket that He has left for us through his son Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Is there anything that is keeping you from listening for God’s call for your life?

Thank you God for being our Father, our Shepherd, and our rescuing Angel.

Carla Henson

Tuscola, Texas