Burn Out

It looks sad.

You see the portable basketball goal for the little children in the front yard. There is a heap of warped corrugated roofing. Chard lumps of ??? are everywhere. A charcoal wall teeters. The soot-covered chimney weeps for the better days.

In the heart of winter I rode by this same place, as I had many times before. But this day was sad. The red, rotating lights on the fire truck, from the nearby rural volunteer fire department, flashed as the flames blazed from the second story windows. A disconsolate firemen held a dripping hose, having used all the water available. 

In the evening the family picked through the debris, looking for anything. This day was sad.

All this reminds me of a struggle I face frequently, although not alone. John said to "Love not the world, neither the things of the world." (1 John 2:15). Paul wrote Colossians 3:1 to keep seeking the things above. Possessing the possessions, instead of vise versa, is the continuing struggle. 

But when possessions are lost, suddenly, traumatically, as in the case of a fire, those with the proper command of them should be the first to show compassion. When a scene, like the one above occurs, Christians should be first on the scene with help. Now in words, but in deeds (1 John 3:18).

I am completely unsure what I would do in the event of a burn out, but these might be helpful?

• Collect money from friends to add to your sacrificial contribution. It will be days before insurance matters are settle, but this same day they will need clothes, food, a place to stay, etc. Don't let the smoke settle before help arrives.
• Don't offer your home as a place to stay. Insist on it. Cause them to use your home for a few days as they study and consider their options.
• Give them a week with your cell phone and charger. Communications with be in high demand.
• Don't be concerned as to whether they are members of your fellowship or not. There spiritual state is not your concern, but God's. let Him handle that part. As for you, remember Gal 6:10 begins, "As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good to all men....

If you have experienced a traumatic or sudden loss of possessions such as this, or a flood, tornado, etc. would you please add to these suggestions, or revise them. Let us know what did work for you, or what would have been better. PLEASE, teach your fellow readers!

Straight Line

I managed to do it again, and I did it very well.

I'm mowed a straight line across my wide yard.

Not amazed? You should be. My yard is 75 yards wide.

How do I do it? I stare at an object 100 yards beyond where I need to go. I fix my eyes on the object.

As long as I keep my eyes on the object, I can drive a straight line. But the moment I look away, I get out of line.

As long as Peter stared at Jesus, he walked on water. When he looked away and saw the waves, he sank.

Luke 9:51 indicates that when Jesus realized his ascension was approaching, he became determined to go to Jerusalem. Going to Jerusalem would cost him his life. So he 'fixed' his eyes on heaven and he endured the cross.

Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us about 'fixing' our eyes on Jesus. The passage has 2 challenges:

• to put aside the sins that weigh us down,
• to live with patience the life before us, keeping our eyes 'fixed' on Jesus.

If I fix my eyes on Jesus, I will see him:

• overcoming temptation with Bible verses.
• preaching repentance.
• serving the ill.
• telling people how to be happy.
• warning people about following him, and the trouble that will come.
• teaching the extent of our influence.
• indicating the importance of conflict resolution.
• teaching the extreme need to not stumble with sins like adultery.
• urging careful mate selection.
• promoting promise keeping.
• retarding retaliation.
• loving his enemies.
• practicing a non-showy piety.
• praying.
• mastering money.
• wiping out worry.
• showing the self-condemning nature of judging others.
• handcuffing hypocrisy.

This is the author and perfecter of our faith. When I fix my eyes on him, I will walk his straight line.

"Mrs. Stevie"

Mrs. "Stevie": "Where were you at this morning? I looked around the church building and I didn't see you? You should be here, you know?"

Me: "I was here, Mrs. Stevie. I sat back by Ken and Diana. You didn't see me?"

Mrs. "Stevie": Are you 'back-sliding'? (eyes twinkling) "Well, I was looking for you to be sitting in front of me, like  you always do."

Me: "Mrs. Stevie, thanks for caring." (hugging her)

Mrs. "Stevie": "You know I do, and all your kids and your wife, too!"

Me: "I know!"

Conversations like these were a staple of Mrs. Gladys Stevens. A wiry little grin from a caring spit-fire of a woman made her everyone's delight. Everyone appreciated Mrs. "Stevie's" motherly guidance, courage, caring ways, and her twinkling eyes.

I met her at about 77 years old. I saw her at every service of the church. Her  broken hip when she was in her 90s did not stop her. She loved Jesus.

Not many see 100 birthdays, and even fewer stay faithful to God's writings.

• Christians should encourage each other to faithful attendance, "and so much the more as you see the day approaching." She did.
• Moral excellence is a tall order. But she did it.
• Knowing Christ's ways and being able to use it to separate good and evil is a goal for Christians. She achieved it.
• In control under diverse situations is achievable when we concentrate on the ultimate goal. Jesus did. So can we. Look at Mrs. Stevie.
• Everyone wants to 'give-up' and quit at some point. This is not the way Jesus lived, and neither should we. We must persevere if we want heaven. She did.
• Godliness (God-like-ness) is a noble goal for any Christian. Good works are evidence. She was godly.
• And a godly woman is to be valued, trusted, admired for her dedication to work and family. She was.
• Godly women are investors, hard-workers, skilled, generous givers, well dressed and supportive of her husband. She worked hard.
• Godly women make good business people. She was successful.
• Christian women are to be strong and dignified. Stevie epitomized these.
• Christians women take great pleasure at looking into the future. She did.
• Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren can see the Christian woman's wisdom, kind teaching, ambition, and praise her. Stevie's family did.

It has been well said by Solomon, "A woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised."

God wanted this kind woman near him, and took her home. 

Mrs. Gladys Stevens, dead at 102. 

To God: "Thanks for loaning her to us for a little while."

To "Stevie": "Thanks!