“Do Not Fear”

Song-writing has been my love in later years of my life, and I am so blessed to have a family willing to sing the hymns that the Lord has helped me to compose!  This is indeed one of the best blessings of my life, and I praise Him for it as this new year begins!

I am convicted of the need for all of us to have the Word written on our hearts.  I love the current songs that our young people sing that have much scripture in them, because I believe singing scripture is one of the best tools we could use to commit scripture to memory, as well as touch our hearts!  I imagine the early church sang the Psalms frequently and wouldn’t it be inspiring to be able to hear them singing them?! One of the greatest joys we can look forward to in eternity is to sing and to hear the music of the Lord and His heavenly host!

It’s been my blessing to write a number of praise songs that contain scripture, but none so beautiful yet as some I referred to that the youth are singing in camps and devos all around the country.  And to illustrate how strongly I believe this is impacting our young people’s lives I want to share an amazing story from a camper a few years ago at Camp Blue Haven.  I would love to give more details of this inspiring story, but space won’t allow that. But this incredible true event in the life  of a young man from the area of Nairobi, who came to Blue Haven a few summers ago from the Houston area, tremendously shows the value of scripture being sung!

Our son, Michael, is the director of Camp Blue Haven, and he and his family make that their home for the summer months.  In one session this particular year Michaels attention was drawn to a tall, rather silent and intense youth who came with a church group from Houston. Toward the end of the session Michael sought time with him and this amazing story emerged.  The young man said he lived in the Nairobi area, and he was a troubled and troublesome kid in a desperate poor environment.  His dad (I believe) gave up on him and arranged through a church to send him to Texas, where he hoped something good would come to him.  But when the young man got to Houston, in a home there, even though he was in a Christian environment, he got into too much trouble and was sent back to Kenya.

 This was during a period  radical Islamist terrorists were on a siege in the Nairobi area, and were actually going through the country and killing students and anyone who would not renounce their Christian faith.  When this young man got back to his home and this terrorizing was happening, he told Michael he fled to the country to try to find safety with his aging grandparents. Of course, he said he was definitely looking back at the golden opportunity he had been given, but flaunted, wishing he could undo that and be back in Texas!  He and his grandparents kept getting word that the terrorists were getting nearer to their area, and finally he heard that the school he had attended there only a few days had been invaded and most of the students and teachers had been killed.  He told of his grandparents taking him into the safest place in their little abode and all of them hovering together in terrible fear, for the marauders were getting closer to them.  He said, “my grandfather looked at me and said, “If you know any scriptures, or prayers, now would be a good time to share them with us.”  The young man said he couldn’t think of a scripture but he thought a song he’d learned in Houston with the youth contained scripture, and he began to sing the song “Do Not Fear.”  Those words are taken from Isaiah 43:1f-3, and the beautiful melody brings God words to life in these words:

“When you pass through the water, I will be with you,
 And the waves, they will not overtake you.
 Do not fear, for I will be with you.
 For I am the Lord, your God!”

Incredibly, the terrorists did not find him and his grandparents.  But, even more incredibly, God took a great hand in rescuing this young man and giving him another chance!  In a very short time following this, somehow his father arranged for someone to fly in and pick his son up, and return him to Houston!  When arriving there, he made a serious commitment to the Lord, and that is how he was blessed to experience a Christian camp in the beautiful New Mexico mountains.  Michael said his demeanor was one of gratitude for what the Lord had done in his life, and he lived out a tremendous daily  change of heart in all he did.

God’s word is so powerful!  Our young people must, must be led to get it into their hearts!  Their songs of scripture praise is for sure one way to accomplish this, for them and for all of us at any age!

Prayer:
O Lord, God in Heaven!  You are awesome, faithful, and true!  You love us and our children more than we know how to love them!  Your Word is active and alive and so able to convict hearts!  Thank you, Lord!  Bless those who put your scripture into beautiful songs that capture the hearts of our youth and all of us!
Save us, O Lord, from the wrath that may come on this earth, by your compassionate mercy and grace you gave us in Jesus Christ!  Bless all those in your kingdom here who labor to help turn hearts toward You and be saved!
In Jesus Name!

Jan McCoy

Merkel, Texas

Turning the Page....With Hope

My family had the dubious privilege of knowing going into 2011 that it would hold some challenges for us. We started the year with me living in a house that we were trying to sell while my husband worked during the week 200 miles away, joining us on weekends (for the record -- not much happens in the housing market in the winter). We were grateful for the job, as 2010 had blindsided us with unemployment and uncertainty.

There was the selling of the house, the buying of a house -- and if you’ve transacted real estate lately, you know that is not a stress-free endeavor -- relocating all of our belongings, and getting our teen children moved and enrolled in new schools. Besides the general emotional upheaval such a move takes, there has been financial drama as the economy continues the Tilt-A-Whirl ride. To sum it up, 2011 has left our family a little worse for the wear.

As 2012 launches, I am eager to turn the page. A fresh start is waiting. I frequently turn to Jeremiah 29:11 to be reminded that God holds my future, but I just realized that it says He wants to give me hope, too: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (emphasis mine)

God understands how powerful hope is. Sometimes it’s all this world has to offer us -- hope of a better world later.

I can’t know what 2012 will bring. But I know Who will be walking beside me. May I be fully surrendered to His will that I may bring glory out of each circumstance -- whether it look like opportunity or obstacle.

“But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” Psalm 71:14

I pray that your 2012 is a rich time of growing deeper in our Lord, filled with hope, and joy and peace:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Sarah Stirman

McKinney, Texas

Purpose

"For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5: 14-15 

As a sophomore in college, at Abilene Christian University, playing baseball was the primary way I found value in my life. Growing up, I found my value related to sports, as I grew up in a “sports” family – It was our lifestyle.  My father had been an athletic director and a head coach in several sports.  Naturally, when I received the opportunity to play college baseball, I jumped at it.  I started out in Wharton, Texas, at Wharton County J.C. and I struggled for two long years. After that, I was looking to bounce back in a major way.  I was lucky and got an opportunity to play at Abilene Christian University.  It was what I had hoped for – a new beginning.  Again, baseball was the way that I found purpose in my life.

It didn’t turn out like I had imagined it would.  The longer I played the less my heart seemed to be in it.  I remember having several long discussions with my roommate – about life, sports, God, etc.  He was an awesome man of character – I learned a ton from him (more than he’ll ever know).  We often talked about “we reap what we sow” during our talks about how Jesus Christ could impact our lives and even our baseball careers.  Personally, my motivation had always been self-centered and about me – I wanted to be the best.  But I was now facing the end of something I had depended on since childhood to get the affirmation I craved.  Little did I know that through it all the Holy Spirit was calling me.

Through Christ, I found a greater purpose for life.  As God turned my heart toward pleasing Him, I found something greater to motivate me – not only in life but in athletics. With my life and game transformed, I ended my baseball career on a high note at ACU.  It was there that I made Christian friends and began to again grow spiritually and learn about the love of God. Before, I had been motivated by my selfish desires for attention and the favor of others. Now I knew the love of God and began to be “compelled” by His awesome and indescribable love.

I’ve known many people both in and out of sports whose driving forces in life are greed, fame and empty pride. Those, unfortunately all lead to an empty life. We don’t always win in life, and the world seems to only love us when we are on top of our game. Then they are ready to either forget us or condemn us when we stumble. But God’s love is different…He loves us “even while we are sinners” (Romans 5:8) and He loves us “with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 3:31).

What compels you in your life? Are the cheers of the crowd the only compelling reasons you play the game? Or, is the pure, everlasting and incredible love of God going to be the wind that fills your sails? My prayer for my children and all who read this is that we would come to know how great God’s love is for us and that He desires only good things for us regardless of our performance. The freedom we have in Him allows us to move forward in spite of our failures when we are compelled by the love of our Father in heaven.  

Father, we love you.  Thank you for Jesus and for the sacrifice that was made for us.  Thank you for your love and mercy.  It’s through Jesus we pray…Amen.

Casey Dacus 

Graham, Texas

Shalom

Today’s word is Shalom, commonly used now by people of Jewish faith as a greeting or farewell; and meaning, “Peace”.  Shalom is the Hebrew word meaning “the complete state of well-being, fulfillment, prosperity, peace”.  I can truthfully say I have never used this term as a greeting or farewell, and I would get a strange response if I did use it in Texas.  Perhaps, “Shalom, y’all” would raise fewer eyebrows.  I do enjoy the concept of God’s promises for our lives that provide for us a complete state of well-being, fulfillment, prosperity and peace. We can remember in any trial we encounter:

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

God has promised that if we love and trust him, he will protect us, provide for us, answer our prayers, and assure that good things will result.  We may become impatient while waiting for those good things.  It is imperative to continue to trust that God is in control and will grant peace or “Shalom”.  We may think that the result we want in a particular situation is God’s purpose, but that may not be the case in our lives.  People do not wish to experience difficult situations, but those trying times help us learn to deal with the variety of unexpected encounters that will occur.  Whatever God’s purpose for us, it is good because God is good.  I believe that and will cling to that during easy days and desperate days to come.

“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” Nahum 1:7

Dear God, Please grant shalom for my life as I accept your purpose for me.  In Jesus name, Amen

Sherilyn Svien

Stephenville, TX

New Calendar

I bought a new calendar planner.  I like it.  Each week starts on a Sunday . . . as it should and does.  A lot of new planners start each week on Monday and then tack Sunday on as the last day of the weekend.  So, I am pleased with the proper order this calendar provides.

It is also clean.  No stains, no tears.  It cries out possibilities. As I transfer birthdays, however, I notice last year's calendar is a mess.  So stained . . . so full of markouts.  There were so many emergencies that changed everything. So many plans did not work out. The whole thing is embarrassing.  I made a little progress, but I see I'm basically the same old me.

And I need help.  Divine intervention.  I know what David meant when he said, "Create in me a clean heart..."  And I am glad the Lord said, "Behold, I make all things new."

So as I fill in this new calendar;  as I make solemn resolutions to do a lot better this year . . .
    I would really like to put first things first.
    I would really like to finish what I start.
    I really need that new heart God can make.

All my old calendars look the same.  Maybe this year; yes, maybe this year.  "Behold, I make all things new."

Dear God,
    You are exempt from time.  You have never made a mistake.  You are always holy.  I praise you. I also beg you to help me.  I am so sorry for the sins I have committed.  As I look forward to this new year, I want a new me to face it.  Please, create in me a new heart, oh my God.  Please give me the wisdom to make the right choices this year.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Paul Shero
San Angelo, Texas

Happy New...What?

It’s that time of year again.  We say goodbye to one calendar year and welcome a new one.  It’s been 360ish days since we did this last.  Went fast, didn’t it?  Once again we find ourselves in that small window of time giving a nod to the wisdom of Socrates:  “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Do you remember the movie The Bucket List?  It came out a couple of years ago (I think).  As movies go, it is loaded with life themes.  You could spend a year at Starbucks talking with your coffee buddies about the one-liners, conversations and experiences that happen in this movie.  Simply put, it’s one of those movies that makes you think about your life.  Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, both terminal with cancer, come up with the “bucket list” – a list of things they want to do before they die.  And, what a list they come up with.  It’s the kind of stuff you do if one of you is a gazzillionaire!  But, off they go into the wild blue yonder of adventure.  They take their spectacular list and check"em off one at a time.  Along the way they share perspectives of life, hopes, dreams, and regrets, and they do it acutely aware that time is in short order.  The movie is loaded with laughs.  But I think it is one Socrates would have watched and enjoyed talking about.    

We don’t like to think about our mortality.  It’s…well…morbid.  We prefer the “now."  So…for the time being, let’s give the inevitability of our own mortality a rest.  In fact let’s not presume 2012 will happen in its entirety.  Sound a little weird?  Perhaps unsettling?  Behind all the parties, Times Square celebrations, and cute conversations about what we plan to do differently in 2012 is the defining reality of the biblical view of time.  Scripture says “time” is in the Father’s hands.  It was Jesus who said, “Be on the alert.  Watch!”  The apostle Paul talks about fighting off sleep and staying awake “in the Spirit."  We often talk about making a difference with our lives or mapping out all the things we want to accomplish in our “lifetime,” all the while assuming that we will have the presumed 70-80 years (and then some) to get it all done.  But, that is not the consciousness that should frame our perspective of life…of bucket lists.  We have the “now."  The window of December 31 – January 1 isn’t big enough to contain it.  Why?  Simply because the now affects every day we are given to live on the planet.  And, that takes Socrates’ familiar adage off the list marked “pithy things to think about on New’s Years Day” and puts it on the “everyday” list.

What does 2012 hold?  God knows.  And, He is the only One who knows.  More importantly, how do we need to surrender ourselves to His calling and purposes for the days that are ahead…however many they may be?  If we think about our lives from a truly Christian perspective a good time to start “the examined life is worth living” would be….well…when?   So what’s on our list “today?"

Father, bless us with an acute awareness of your calling of us today.  May we live “in the moment” every day as your servants.  Bless us with everything we need to be instruments in your hands every day that you give us in 2012.  Through Him who is the same yesterday, today and forever….amen.  

Randy Daugherty

Stephenville, Texas

My Psalm, Too!

Sometimes we may be feeling so many different emotions all at the same time.  Some are joyful and happy with glimpses of fear and sadness.  Sometimes the holiday season brings a whirlwind of emotions for many people.  Perhaps they are feelings of thanksgiving for the precious time shared with loved ones and feelings of sorrow for those who are no longer with us.  Perhaps it’s the bittersweet feelings parents of adult children have when its time for their children to return to their own lives.  Life itself can create an emotional rollercoaster for us to ride.    As individuals given souls and a spirit of love, we may struggle with these varied emotions. 

Recently, I read Psalm 86.  It is a prayer from David.  At that particular moment in time, this psalm gave words to all of my feelings.   I ask that you read it slow, as it is a conversational prayer with our Father; the one being that is supreme and has the power and the authority to work in our lives.   In some ways, it’s a challenge – to live in accordance to His will, to have a heart of a servant and to glorify God in all I do.  I found such comfort in David’s words even though they are thousands of years old – maybe you will too. 

Psalm 86 (NIV)

Hear me, LORD, and answer me,

for I am poor and needy.

2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;

save your servant who trusts in you.

You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord,

for I call to you all day long.

4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord,

for I put my trust in you. 5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,

abounding in love to all who call to you.

6 Hear my prayer, LORD;

listen to my cry for mercy.

7 When I am in distress, I call to you,

because you answer me. 8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;

no deeds can compare with yours.

9 All the nations you have made

will come and worship before you, Lord;

they will bring glory to your name.

10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;

you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, LORD,

that I may rely on your faithfulness;

give me an undivided heart,

that I may fear your name.

12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;

I will glorify your name forever.

13 For great is your love toward me;

you have delivered me from the depths,

from the realm of the dead. 14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;

ruthless people are trying to kill me—

they have no regard for you.

15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;

show your strength in behalf of your servant;

save me, because I serve you

just as my mother did.

17 Give me a sign of your goodness,

that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,

for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me. 

Michelle Tittor

Grapevine, TX