FINISH THE RACE YOU STARTED

“How-ever, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me─the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24 (NIV)

As a ten year old, I entered a race requiring me to put a raw egg on a tablespoon. The task. Get to the finish line without the egg falling off the bowl of the spoon.

Standing at the starting line with several other children, the gun goes off and I head for the finish line. Holding the spoon as steady as possible, I was determined to make it first to the end. As I grew closer to the finish, I noticed that there were three others in front of me. I stopped, turned my spoon upside down and watched the egg bounced to the ground, cracked open, than seeped into the grass.

When I looked up, all three kids lost their eggs just before crossing the line. To my horror, the three kids behind me went on to claim the prizes. I was given a task and failed.

Paul considered his life worth nothing if he did not finish the race God had given him. His task was to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.

As we think about Easter, we see that Jesus finished the task that was given to Him. He finished the race by hanging on the cross, then was raised three days later. He could have ended the suffering at any point, but He chose to finish.

Lord, help me to see that You are always there. When I am given a task set by You, help me to finish the race and not drop the egg.

©2016 Dawn Sexton.

THE RESURRECTION LILY

Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. John 11:25 (KJV)

Last spring, my daughter gave me seven Resurrection Lily bulbs. I planted them. Weeks later, long, dark leaves emerged. After a few weeks, they began to die, disappearing into the ground. During summer, long, sturdy stems came through the soil, sans leaves. Lovely lavender-pink blossoms emerged at the top of the stems.

Once the leaves died into the soil, the lily was resurrected and bloomed beautifully. This flowering habit coincides with Jesus' death and resurrection. He rose to adulthood (the leaves) and began His ministry preaching the Gospel of God's Kingdom. Three years later He was crucified and laid in a tomb (the leaves die back to the soil). After three days Jesus was resurrected (the emerging of the sturdy stem and blooming of the lily flowers). He remained for forty days, spreading the light of His love and truth to His disciples and those who would carry the Word after His ascension to Heaven.

The beautiful flowers last seven to eleven days before they drop off the stem. Jesus' Word lasts forever.

Beneath the soil the bulbs slowly multiply until there are many where one was planted. Jesus' Word multiplies from one believer to another until it spreads around the world. In Matthew 24:35 it states, Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, who loved us enough to die for our sins. Thank You for His resurrection so that we may live with You forever. Amen.

©2016 Evelyn B. Ryan

ALWAYS THE SAME

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day and for ever.” James 13:8 (KJV)

After attending the funerals of two deputies who were killed by a senseless act of violence, the lives of the family of these brave men will never be the same. I will never be the same.

It was heart-warming to see the community rally around the families. Visiting the place of the shootings and the sheriff office, this became clear as the flowers, balloons and stuffed animals continue to accumulate by the door of the restaurant and the sheriff’s car.

The viewings were from morning to evening for two days. This allowed the community to come at their convenience to express their condolences. Officers came from far and wide to offer their services. To see so many policemen and firemen gathered in one place, overwhelmed my heart.

As we witness the changes to the families’ lives and the sheriff station, we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus’ love never changes. Jesus remains constant.

The two deputies are home with Jesus. Jesus is home with each of us. He lives in us and never changes. He is there to help us through the changes in our own lives.

Tomorrow brings new challenges. We do not know what the future holds. What we can take comfort in is that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and for all the tomorrows to come.

I will say my prayers for the deputies’ family and ask Jesus to give them comfort and strength to continue. Today, I take comfort in Jesus as well.

Lord, You are my constant, even when I am ever changing. Help me to be steadfast in Your love, grace and strength.

©2016 Dawn Sexton.

THE THIN BLUE LINE

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (NASB)

Once again officers responding to a call in the line of duty have laid down their lives protecting others. Our hearts are broken. A community is mourning and families are hurting . . . aching, trying to comprehend the unbelievable void. Many questions are left unanswered.

We look to God and beg to make sense of it all. Human understanding only takes us so far. In these times we must stand on what we know to be true. God is good—all of the time and He absolutely, unreservedly, deeply loves us. He is weeping with us, but it does not end there.

Long ago, he knew this day would come, so He prepared a way for us to be one with Him and experience His comfort and peace. He wanted us to know complete assurance of His unfathomable love.

Thus, He did the unimaginable. He allowed His precious son, Jesus to be nailed to the cross for our redemption. He knows crushing grief. He was there as the thin blue line of Jesus' vein was pierced by nails driven through His flesh to the wood of the cross. The blue line poured forth red as His blood ran down to cover us and wash away all our sins.

Police officers stand as the thin blue line that protects society from evil and chaos while on this earth.

Jesus erased the line that separated us from God eternally. Forever we can rejoice in His presence—no more fear, pain or death.

Thank you Father, for all of the brave ones who stand to protect us while on this earth. Thank you, that Jesus crossed that line and opened Heaven. Amen.

©2016 Bonnie Mae Evans

DAFFODILS

May those who sow in tears, reap with shouts of joy. Psalm 126.5 (RSV)

A large field of bright yellow daffodils, near my friend’s home, totally mesmerized me. Their brilliance caused me to desire them. Although I lived in a suburban area, on quarter acre property, I could make room. My friend gave me a bucket and a shovel and I filled that bucket with daffodil bulbs.

The next day, at home, I dug up the ground all around our token flowering cherry tree, and also around the front of our house.  I was ready for my own yellow breath taking brilliant experience.

Next year, spring arrived, but no flowers. Masses of green stems grew—same result the following year. More things went wrong. The flowering cherry tree died. Things went from bad to worse. My husband said he wanted “out.” I wanted to put him “out” with the dog, but he had more permanent plans.

Despite the personal drama, the dead tree needed to be replaced. A landscaping company came with a new tree, and they dug a huge hole and took large wheelbarrows full of earth to the back woods and scattered it.

That spring, the negative changes in my life: lawyers, divorce, heavy finances and relocating, overwhelmed me. Although I wouldn’t miss my meandering husband, he was never home anyway, I would miss my home—the house I watched being built. That made me cry. I prayed, “Lord give me strength.”

Feeling consumed with grief, I decided to walk around my home to say good bye to the property. Lo and behold, the back woods glowed with bright yellow daffodils. I felt God telling me I would move and grow and bloom elsewhere. He was right.

Dear Lord, You are my Living Hope. Nothing is impossible for you. Amen

© 2015 Lois Gosley

PRECIOUS REMINDERS

You shall put the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of memorial for the sons of Israel, and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for a memorial. Exodus 28:12 (NASB)

 As far back as I can remember, my grandmother proudly wore a silver charm bracelet. The happy tinkling sound could be heard throughout the house as she went about her day.

She lovingly called it her grandmother's bracelet. Encircled evenly around it, in order of birth were boy and girl profile heads. Each held an engraving with the name and birth dates of me, my sister, my brother and my cousins. The last to be added among the shining links holding us all together, was my brother, the youngest of the family.

My grandmother was very proud of all the grandchildren represented on her bracelet.

Often times, I noticed her gently fingering each head as she sat quietly. She was praying individually for each one of us as she slowly rotated the chain around her wrist. The charms served as a visible reminder of the children she held dear to her heart.

In Exodus, God gave precise instructions for Aaron's ephod to be made using stones inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Attached to the front of his shoulder piece—up front for everyone to see, they were visible reminders that God held them dear.

When we are dedicated to serving the Lord, our daily presence in this world will be a precious  reminder of God's love for all mankind, as others see Jesus written all over our lives.

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that when others view my life all they see is You.  Amen.

©2016 Bonnie Mae Evans

MOVING ADJUSTMENTS

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise. Ephesians 5:15 (RSV)

Moving from the south end of Maryland to the north changed my world. Living close to Washington, D.C. exposed me to government workers, who gave the impression they were always in a hurry. While on the road, “Me first” was their motto. Horns were constantly blowing.

My new home on the northern end of Maryland, is farm country. People appear friendlier, more easy going, and fewer horns blew. They even permitted you to merge left by leaving an opening, versus, racing up—daring you to go for it.

Arriving at the new locale, many chores swamped me, namely, getting a new bank, address changes, and joining a new church. Keeping my priorities in order was a challenge. I prayed to walk like the wise not the unwise.

One day while approaching a red light, a line of cars with fluttering purple flags attached to the drivers’ doors, crossed my path. Must be a funeral. I stopped to wait until the cars passed.

While observing this procession, I noticed the cars had exuberant mourners, hanging out their windows, hollering and waving their arms. They must be really glad this person is gone!

Horns started to blow behind me. Local folks were not as respectful. They expected me to crash a funeral line! At this point, I checked the small “funeral procession” closer. I realized the now relaxed purple flags said “Ravens,” a football team, not funeral flags. (Gulp!)

It was a good reminder to get my priorities in order, and not walk like the “unwise.”

Dear Lord, forgive me for giving attention to unnecessary things. Help me to keep my eye on the good and not the noisy. Amen

© 2015 Lois Gosley