SACRED DRIPS

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19 (NASB)

Joy bubbled up from my heart and found itself in a big smile on my face. Drips and splashes led from the steps of the baptistery down the hall to the dressing rooms. Mopping the floor following the baptism of two more precious people, the droplets appeared holy and beautiful too me. I felt exceedingly blest to be a part of this ministry and share in this hallmark day in their lives.

I treasured the damp side of my face and sweater after the big “welcome to the family’ hug as they climbed the steps leaving the water. Marveling at this centuries old act of faith symbolizing our oneness with Christ through His death, burial and resurrection, I glanced back at the ripples in the crystal blue water, amazed once again at the miracle of changed hearts.
 
I thought of the incredible foretold gift given to John through the privilege of being the one called to baptize Jesus. He was so in awe of the honor that he did not feel worthy. He tried to decline saying that Jesus should be baptizing him instead. Jesus, knowing John’s heart, understood his feelings and gently explained it needed to be carried out in this way to “fulfill all righteousness.” John understood and humbly followed through. How he must have treasured the memory of those precious drips and splashes that ran from that most holy and sacred head.

Dear Father, I thank You and praise Your Holy name that today, over two thousand years after Jesus was baptized, we are still carrying out this ceremony of obedience in remembrance and oneness with Christ. Amen.

© 2016 Bonnie Mae Evans

I SEE

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (KJV)

Recently I had my eyes operated on to remove the cataracs. They were slowly closing in my world, making it appear dark as if a curtain had been drawn over it. My world truly appears brighter now.

I cherish my sight and thank God for it. Eyesight is like the windows to the world. Without it we would never see the beauty of God's creations, color, flowers, our loved ones faces, the heavenly lights of day and night, or a baby's sweet smile.

So often, when terrible things happen, I have wanted to be like an ostrich and bury my head in the sand so I would not have to face the unpleasantness that reaches out to envelop me.

Thank God, we have Someone that knows our heartaches, our inner pain, the losses we bear. God gave us His perfect Son, Jesus, to listen to our pleas in our times of sorrow. We can hold to His unchanging hand and He will lift us out of our dark despair. Jesus died to set us free from the world's chains of sin.

As clearly as I see now, it will still be like a dark veil until we witness Jesus' triumphant return in all of His glory. Then the world will be illuminated by His brightness.

Father God, thank You for allowing me to know You. Thank You also for my eyesight to be able to see Your beauty all around me. Amen.

© 2016 Evelyn B. Ryan

MY BUCKET LIST

The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 2:17 (NASB)

My bucket list reads more like fantasy than reality.

Spend the night curled up next to a sleeping leopard, gazing up at a starry sky from a bed of rainforest ferns.

Swim to the center of the ocean and float wherever the current takes me without fear.

Leap, arms outstretched from the highest mountain peak and feel the exhilarating rush that almost takes my breath away.

Walk alone at night, slipping through moon shadows unafraid.

Live to a ripe old age with strong bones, body and mind and then die peacefully in my sleep after a wonderful evening in the company of a happy, healthy, Christ-loving, well-adjusted family.

There's just one problem. My bucket has a hole in it!

The reality is, fear, sickness, injury, death, dissension, and depression take away the joy and possibility of checking those desires off my list.

The world is flawed. Sin entered. There's a snake in the garden.

Fortunately, God saw our plight and by grace through Jesus, provided us with a new, holy bucket filled with a plan for a way back to Him and our perfect eternal home.

So, I'm exchanging my holey bucket and making a new list.

I think it will contain seeking the fruit of the Spirit, pursuing lost souls and growing in a deeper knowledge of Him until the day He calls me home or returns.

And somehow, I think there just may be enough time in eternity to curl up with a leopard after all.

Father, thank you that Your Heavenly plan for us is so much greater than our selfish and frivolous earthly desires. Amen.

©2016 Bonnie Mae Evans

FINDING HOME

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6b (NASB)

Something is missing. It’s not quite right. It’s here somewhere, but I cannot find it. Was it in the house in Arizona or the one in California? No, it was not in either place. Did we lose it when we sold Mom’s house in Kansas? No matter where I search, I cannot find my home.

In reality there is no family home to which I can return, but I’ve spent my life yearning for a place to belong. Looking for a nice house or one that can be fixed up might satisfy my longing, but no matter how hard I work on earthly structures, my expectations have never been fulfilled.

Most of us have a deep longing for home. We may want to return to our family home as we recall the warm, loving memories of a certain place and the special people who lived there.

God’s children also long for home, but eventually we realize that we are unable to find our true home in this fallen world. Jesus tells us there are many dwelling places in His Father’s house (John 14:2-3). He promises to prepare a place for us and return to take us to be with Him. Because our Savior is preparing our home, we can rest assured that it will be more beautiful and welcoming than any home we can imagine on this earth; in Your presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11b).

“Look, there it is:  the new heaven and the holy city. My Father’s throne is up ahead, and Jesus is with Him. I am home.”

Thank You, Father, that our longing for home will be satisfied when we live with You in Your house.

© 2016 Diane E. Hussey