Nothing New

That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9 NASB

Ecclesiastes says there is nothing new under the sun. Reflecting on this verse it came to me that the greatest story ever told has already been written. Anything I write has already been spoken of in the Bible. It overflows with history, romance, murder, poetry—endless genres. This could make writing feel as pointless as trying to forge a tunnel to the center of the earth using a toothpick. So why do we as Christians, feel God has called us to write? It's true, to find a totally original thought is futile. 

Nevertheless, God has given a desire to share His love through the written word. He has also given each of us varied life experiences, a different arena and group of influence. He made individuals with unique voices to tell our story in a way that no one else can. Our words may reach hearts that God has made ripe for our particular message. They may whisper hope to a soul that is desperately seeking to be understood. We share our praise and joy through the gift of our thoughts put on paper.  Our story could provide direction that leads others to know Christ. Thus, He makes all things new. Old things are passed away when He makes a new creature in Christ.

While it's true," there is nothing new under the sun,” when we yearn for our words to bring Him glory, He will put a new song in our mouth. Psalm 40:3

Father, through communion with You, give us inspiration to share Your words telling of Your great redemptive love for all. Amen.

©2015 Bonnie Mae Evans

 

GOD DRIVEN

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19b-20 (NIV)

The traffic situation in my neighborhood had me upset about the way people were driving. Grumbling and fuming, I pulled into the drive-thru at a local fast food place and ordered a breakfast sandwich. I mentioned my coupon for a free entree to the woman who took my order. As the cars merged from two order lines into one, the young man in the other lane tried to wave me on. Realizing he ordered before me, I signaled for him to go ahead. Arriving at the window and handing them my coupon, they told me that the man ahead of me already paid for my order.

In stunned surprise, I blurted, “Wow! Bless that young man, and God bless your day, too.”

 My irritation with the rude drivers had been so intense, but God now clearly blessed me in a very different driving situation. I had a strong sense of God’s presence at that moment. He revealed Himself in the kind gesture of a man unknown to me. 

 In the verse above, James writes about being a good listener and waiting before we speak. Then he brings up that little matter of anger. He cautions us to be slow to become angry because it will hinder the righteous life God desires. What a wake-up call!

 Father, thank You for the reminder to be slow to anger, and thank You for blessing us through the people around us.

 © 2015 Diane E. Hussey

JESUS, OUR RESURRECTOR AND ADVOCATE

Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him" John 11:36 (NIV).

Jesus wept. John 11:35 is the shortest sentence in the Bible. Jesus wept over the death of His friend, Lazarus. It was a very human emotion. Many wept in Bethany, including Lazarus' two sisters, Mary and Martha. They could not understand why Jesus lingered before coming as soon as He learned Lazarus was ill. Jesus' heart for mankind gleamed through His tears. But, He had a purpose for delaying His arrival. He knew that if He waited, the end result would glorify God.

Thinking of my five relatives who passed away within the last three years, my mother and sister were Christians, but I do not know the heart of our son, nephew, and great uncle. Only God knows. They will always remain in my prayers.

But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father---Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1John 2:1b, 2.

When thinking of the sacrifice Jesus made, feelings of humbleness fill me to the point of tears. I am sad and remorseful but, at the same time, happy. Jesus' love for me is an assurance that I will see my mother, sister and son again, and that brings me peace.

Father Jehovah, thank You for Your gift of love, our Savior, Jesus Christ, for without Him, we would be lost. Amen.

(c) 2014 E. Bonnie Ryan

A PORTRAIT IN THE SNOW

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in darkness and your gloom be as the noonday Isaiah 58:10 (ESV).

The winter so bold and brutal forced itself upon the land. A bird perched himself on the snow covered bush outside my kitchen window. The bird kept looking towards the window and finally settled himself on the window sill. He was in search of food as the snow blanketed the ground several inches deep.

I crumpled bread and scattered the morsels over the snow covered landscape. The cold caused me to perform this task quickly. Within seconds, I felt the sting of winter’s touch, but warmly enjoyed the effort. After several minutes, an assortment of birds came for the sustenance. They were creating a collage of pecking colors over what appeared to be snow clouds from heaven. Some flew away after finding the unforeseen piece of bread. Others stayed near to engage in the unexpected feast. They kept coming as if something sacred had inhabited the land. It was an honor to feed these feathered treasures. The bread was a blessing to them and the act of giving them bread was a blessing to me.

In this act of giving, I witnessed a slice of heaven stirring outside my window. It was as if God had stretched his long, loving arm from a window in heaven to a window in my heart where even the smallest acts of kindness become a celestial scene—A PORTRAIT IN THE SNOW.

Lord, thank you for giving me hands that can bless. When I do so, my eyes and my heart, witness Your majesty.

© Kimberly Clayton 2014

ARMS WIDE OPEN

The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27 (NAS)

As soon as my son came through the door I knew something was wrong. He had suffered a huge disappointment after months of hard work towards a specific goal. It seemed there was no justice. He was hurting and angry. Although his frame towered over mine by almost a foot, I longed for him to come, fall into my arms like when he was a little boy and let me comfort him. I wanted him to talk to me and pour out his troubles so I could share his burden. He did not. He suffered alone in silence—well, not completely alone—for I suffered in the next room, separated by walls, but with him just the same. My heart throbbed with his pain. 

In the midst of anguished prayer for my son, I suddenly had a very clear picture of how my Father in Heaven must feel when I am hurt, discouraged, angry or sad and choose to struggle through without coming to Him. Even more than I desired for my son to take confidence in me, my Heavenly Father longs for me to come, fall at His feet, and pour out my troubles and heartaches. On a micro scale, I felt His grief when He sees us suffer and toil needlessly under the weight of our problems. Unlike me, He has the power to heal broken hearts and redirect shattered dreams. He can take the fragments of our lives and weave them into His perfect plan. All we need do is bring them to Him in exchange for His peace and comfort.

Father, Thank You that when life hurts, Your arms are always open wide. Amen.

© 2014 Bonnie Mae Evans

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

The King said, “Hang him on it!” So they hang Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Than the king’s fury subsided. Esther 7:9b-10 (NIV).

I was told a story about a man who wanted to rent a pavilion for a certain Saturday. The problem was that it was already rented out to a woman. This man was outraged and demanded that he get his way.

So the park attendant called the woman and asked if she would be willing to change the date. She changed her event to Sunday.

Well, that Saturday it rained all day. Sunday it was sunny and a perfect day for a picnic. What goes around comes around.

A similar story happens with Esther. King Xerxes elevated Haman giving him a seat of honor. Haman had a great hatred for the Jews, in particular Mordecai, Esther’s uncle.

Mordecai would not bow down to Haman which angered him. Haman persuaded the king to issue a decree to destroy the Jews. 

When Esther heard this, she risked her life by going to the king uninvited. She requested that Haman and the king come to her banquet.

At the second dinner Esther pleaded for her people. She also revealed that Haman was the person responsible for the plot to annihilate her people.

When the king was deciding what to do about Haman, one of the eunuchs told the king about the gallows Haman had built by his house on which to hang Mordecai.

The order was given, Haman was to be hung on the very gallows he built for Mordecai.

Lord, Help me to always do to others what I want done in return.   

© Dawn Sexton 2014

WINTER ARTIST SONG

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them food in due season Psalm 145:15 (ESV).

As you sketch the days of winter with your gentle, giant hands   

The lines grow long, liquid like on a blank and dismal land.

If you can perceive life without, you can perceive life within.               

For winter is a whisper of wants and hidden needs

Like a crow flies into an empty nest to find the secret seed.

So deep into the darkness I will delicately drift

To meet the hidden places from which I’ve always missed.    

In these depths there is a landscape of mountains and valleys low

Where stillness begins stirring and an endless story, unfolds.

In the colorless terrain is where my faith shall rise

Like mountains touching tinted, pink, and purple skies.

The voice of angels near blanket me with grace

And so my spirit glows with embers of His face.

We think, the winter, a cruel, and barren time

The simple lifeless line of charcoal, cold, and gray.

But in minimalistic form God creates a template stage.

Life longing for itself, is life longing for His truth.

The root of loves eternal flame burns deep, and lingers long

In this entrancing mystery, I found a sweet and ceaseless song.

For I was sitting among the fires, of my souls infinite delight             

Embracing the presence of His instrumental light.

My heart beat ablaze, the wisdom of His love.

On the cross, flames of forgiveness, rise over tainted snow.

I’ve learned, when to still the waters, and when to let them flow.

When silence enters me, and I no longer linger on

Let His eternal peace be the power, that ends this winter song.

Lord, let the “barren” winter reveal Your unadorned eternal truth.

(c)  2014 Kimberly Clayton