Our God is a good God!

"My God is a good God, yes He is, My God is a good God, yes He is!

This afternoon this little chorus came to mind, and I sang out loud to God, remembering this amazing truth.

"He picked me up and He turned me around and He set my feet on solid ground.

My God is a good God, yes He is, My God is a good God, yes He is."

Life is hard, we all know that.  If my own life isn´t challenging enough, I look around, read the news and ache for the suffering in so many hearts and homes.  It is hard to believe and live life based on believing God is a good God. My emotions come and go, like the ebb and flow of the ocean tides.  Sometimes I´m up excited about life and what God is doing.  However, all too often I´m frustrated, discouraged and weighed down under a cloud of anxiety and doubt.  My circumstances may not be so difficult, but frustrations with my commitment to the Lord, of trying to “perform” for others and living up to what I think God expects of me, bring discouragement.  I struggle with anxiety, living one day at a time.  I desire to let go and let His pace envelope me, not condemn myself for being a "lousy" Christian.  Last week Pastor Armando spoke to our little group out at Camp. It is a walk of faith, he reminded us.  He shared with us about his own faith crises and how God spoke to him. 

"Jesus said the gates of hell cannot prevail against His church, The Lord showed me that who am I to think I can damage His kingdom work?" 

God is sovereign and works through us, and sometimes in spite of us.  Our critics claim we depend on a crutch, that this faith business is ridiculous.  Is it?  The alternative of not having faith is worse.  Many Bible passages leap out at me.  Studying God´s word brings comfort, challenge and encouragement. 

Abide in Jesus; He is the true vine…  Nothing can separate me form His love...for a time you will have sorrow, but your sorrow will be turned to joy...we are to expect persecution and suffering (ouch, that does scare me!) yet the Counselor, the Holy Spirit will come to you and help you, show the way to keep your form stumbling. (Gospel of John chapters 14, 15,16)

More than anything, I want to beware of a "dangerous loss of memory".  That's where the Israelites failed miserably. They “tested God, complained, did not believe, rebelled, spoke against God, did not trust, did not believe, were unfaithful, tempted, limited, provoked..." (Psalm 78)  In spite of this, God was roused to compassion, misericordia, freed them from their oppressors, forgiving their sins, not just once, but time and again.

Jesus calls us His friends, if we obey His commandments.  May my Lord give me the strength to obey.  "Looking back and thanking God for past blessings can equip us to face the future with confidence...we should trust God, remembering His deeds and thus leading us to obedience."(Encounter with God devotional by Scripture Union).

These past couple weeks I´ve been anxious, worrying about the future and doubting God will continue to supply all my needs. It is hard for me to trust God and have faith in this area.  As I was praying, I thought of the silly mutts we have in our house.  They are always anxious for meal times, often begging well before it is time.  What if one of them was to look at the bag of dog food and think,

 “It looks like food is getting kind of low.  I hope our owners remember to get more.  What if we run out?  Will we go hungry?  Oh my, I sure hope they buy more soon!”

Pecas in particular was fond of eating everything and anything in sight.  Since we rescued her form the street many years ago, she never lost the habit of eating garbage, like she was never convinced the next meal would really come along.  Don´t I act like that when I worry about God´s provision for the future?  Of course we always make sure our four legged friends have enough to eat, sometimes too much!   Jesus reminds us that if we, being imperfect, know how to give good gifts to our children (or pets!), our Heavenly Father will certainly give good things to those who ask Him.  He also tells us not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6)

I decided to make a list of all His blessings over recent months, years.

1. My bills are paid and I´m not in debt.

2. There is food in the house, I´ve never gone hungry due to lack of funds.

3. Full tank of gas in truck.  God has kept this vehicle running in spite of; robbery, major engine overhaul, various repairs many, many trips and lots of kilometers racked up!

4. I am in good health and thankful for insurance that covers wellness visits.

5.  I share a lovely home with two precious sisters in the faith (and our dogs!).

6. God has always provided my needs, and many of my wants.

7. "Let not your hearts be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 6)

8. I have a godly heritage in both my parents, and a brother and his family who faithfully serve the Lord.

9." Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you." (I Peter 5:7)

10. “My God will supply ALL your needs according to His riches in glory." (Philippians 4:19)

11. I´m privileged to be part of two countries and have friends around the world.

12. For over twenty years I have been in full time Christian service.  God has kept and preserved me through many challenges and joys.

13. I live in a place that allows freedom of worship without fear of being killed or hauled off to jail.

14.  God´s grace is greater than all my sins!

15.  I can talk to God anywhere, anytime about anything and be sure He hears and will respond.

The list could go on, and on.  When I learn to focus on one day at a time, count my blessings and leave the future to Him, peace comes. I still ache for those suffering and wonder when God´s promises don´t seem to be fulfilled.  Through prayer, persistent prayer, I am thankful we can come into God´s presence, trusting Him to work in others’ lives.  Now, instead of worrying, I am excited to see how God will provide for me and those for whom I pray.  We do walk by faith, not by sight.  Yet God sometimes graciously does give sight, so we can see Him at work and be encouraged, praising and glorifying His name.

Indeed, God is a good God, yes He is!

Freckles (Pecas) 

Hello friends!  My name is Pecas, (Freckles in Spanish) sometimes I´m called Pequitas (little Freckle face) and sometimes they call me “Pecaminosa” ("little sinner")…now why would they say such a thing? Maybe because in my youth I was a rather mischievous?! Now I´m old and a bit overweight, but I can still defend myself, especially when my cousin, Kiwi, bothers me.  Today´s youth just don´t know how to respect their elders!  It´s been a long and good life and I thank my Creator for so many blessings and His goodness to me.

My life hasn´t always been so full of such rich blessings.  I was born in Mexico City.  As I grew up, I was always being scolded me for my pranks.  I loved making holes in the yard, playing with the toilet paper, chewing on books and looking for ways to escape from the yard.  What´s wrong with that?  Don´t all puppies do such things?  Life was such fun, so many adventures to live.  But everything was about to change and later I was sorry for all my mischief.

One day my family put me I the care and we travelled to a place that had lots of cars, people and these big and noisy things that flew over our heads.  The car stopped and I jumped out quickly to explore.  I didn´t realize that I was getting further and further away from where my family was.  I was having too much fun playing with the other dogs, smelling such exciting odors and eating all the fascinating left over food  lying around.  After a while I was tired and decided I´d head back to the spot where the car was.  Where was it? Where was my family? I was lost! Had I been abandoned? I was frightened and exhausted.  What should I do?  I finally found a somewhat quiet corner and fell asleep. 

I awoke later hungry and sore.  I began investigating my surroundings dodging the cars and trying to hide from those noisy machines that passed through the sky. There were advantages to freedom, no one scolded me or prevented me from eating what I wanted when I wanted.  I could go wherever I felt like without any restraints.  However, the food I found to eat was smelly and yucky, I soon tired of sleeping on the hard pavement or finding a dirty patch of grass to sleep on.  I missed my comfy bed and the loving caresses of my people.  I began to hunt desperately for my family, looking longingly at the cars and the people who were hurrying back and forth.  But nobody paid attention to a poor, dirty white cocker with freckles on her nose and brown patches on her back.  Some even shouted at me and kicked me.    

The days passed and I became weak and sick.  My long, beautiful white fur was dirty, matted and full of mud.  My ears hurt all the time and I started sneezing and having trouble breathing.  I wanted to sleep and never wake up.  How long could I survive?

One chilly morning I approached a car with several people in it.  I looked at them, pleading with my big brown eyes, desperate for help. 

They looked at me compassionately. 

“Poor little thing.  How in the world did she get here to the airport?  Was she lost or abandoned?”

My heart began to beat faster.  Maybe, just maybe these kind folks would help me.

“Poor mutt,” said one of the ladies. “She´s sick.  We can´t leave her here or she´ll die.  Let´s take her home.  Surely we´ll find someone to adopt a pretty little dog like her. “

Was it truly happening?  Were these kind ladies really going to rescue me?

“You´re right,” said the other one.  “We´ll tie my belt around her and put her in the car.  She needs a name. I can´t take a creature home without a name.”

“She has lots of brown freckles on her nose.  We´ll call her “Freckles.”

And so it was that with my new name I was taken to their home and met their other dogs, my new cousins.  I was so tired that after I ate a delicious supper of real dog food, I slept for almost an entire day!

A few days later a visitor came to our house.  It was love at first sight! I rolled over on my back so she could rub my belly.  She was smitten.  She adopted me and took me to her house to live.  She loved me very much.  She took me for walks every day and gave me yummy food to eat. 

My new mama still took me every day to visit with my cousins and aunties (the ladies who rescued me) while she went to work.  I still created a lot of mischief, especially when I was alone, I was afraid of being abandoned again! But even though they scolded me, I was always treated with love and affection.

Ten years have gone by.  My cousins have now passed on to that place where all the good and beloved dogs go, and someday soon I´ll catch up to them there.  Recently life gave an unexpected turn when my mama and aunties not only share me, “Freckle face” but also the same house!  How wonderful to all be together, to be safe, loved and protected.  Yes, it has been along and interesting life.  Thanks to my creator for His goodness to me! 

(Our precious Pecas recently joined her cousins in that place where all the beloved pets go.  She is greatly missed and fondly remembered, not just for her mischievous pranks, but for all the love and joy she brought to her household.  We are thankful for the many years we had to enjoy her.)

Rebeca

Rebeca February 2015

 I remember when I first met Rebeca's mother, Liz.  A vivacious, full of life and love for the Lord lady, I was drawn to her at the start.  She was leading the Evangelism in Depth for children's ministry and I began to help her in the work.  We became good friends and I prayed with her during her three year courtship with Jacob.  I joyfully attended their wedding and eagerly waited with them as they desired to have a child.

One day I was visiting Liz and Jacob at her mother’s house.  In the kitchen she handed me a large envelope. 

“What’s this?”  I asked.  "Open it," she insisted with a large smile.

  I opened the envelope and was confused at first at what seemed like fuzzy photos.  I quickly realized that it was the ultrasound of a baby!

 "If it's a girl", she told me, “we’re going to name her Rebekah Meyerend, after you!” she chanted gleefully.   On August 9th 2002, Rebeca Gaspar Ortega was born. I was so blessed the first time I held the precious child.  However, when Rebeca was just two years old, cancer took the life of our beloved Liz.  

Jacob moved in with his mother and older sister and they helped him raise Rebeca.  Although her mom was gone, God provided her with a loving family to surround her and her she and her daddy were very close.  I kept in touch with the family, visiting them often.  Rebe always loved to play tag and other games in her grandma’s garden and it was quite a challenge to keep up with the rambunctious child.  Her mom and grandma made sure she was active in church.

Shortly before Rebeca's 11th birthday, her aunt Irma called me with news that left me numb.  Jacob had cancer and it was spreading fast.  My heart sank.  Could it be possible?  Was Rebeca to be left an orphan at so young an age? I spoke to Jacob and he sounded weak and tired.  When I saw him a few months later, he was stronger and encouraged that the chemo was helping. He was determined to do all he could to be around for Rebeca.  Having drifted away from His relationship with the Lord after Liz's death, he was again praying and attending church on a regular basis.  He was ready to go if that was the Lord's will but very much wanted to live.  We all prayed for a miracle although the doctors didn't give much hope.

On May 30th I got a call on my cell phone from one of Rebeca's cousins.  Jacob had died earlier that evening, his suffering was over.  I hung up the phone in shock and the tears started to flow.  I couldn't believe it, it just couldn't be. I pulled myself together and took the midnight bus to Mexico City and arrived at about 5.a.m.  Liz's sister Martha picked me up at the bus station and took me straight to the funeral home.  Jacob's family was present as well as Liz's mom and sisters.  Rebseca was asleep, stretched out on a couch.  I couldn't bear to look at Jacob's body; I wanted to remember him as he was.

Later that morning his earthly tent was laid to rest next Liz, the love of his life.   I was asked to share a few words and spoke from John 14. "Let not your hearts be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions...I go to prepare a place for you...I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also." (verses 1 to3).  We miss him so terribly, but we cling to the hope that we will all be together one day.    

Rebeca commented, “I’m going to be buried right there, between the two of them”.

  “Oh sweetie,” I replied.  “You’re going to grow up, get married and have many children.  Then you’ll be buried next to your own husband.”  She wasn’t convinced. I returned home the next day with a grieving heart for my beautiful namesake and her family.

Just recently I took the trip again to visit her.  As usual, she wanted to play and kept me running, this time after a soccer ball.  She told her aunt she didn’t want to grow up, but wished she could stay a little girl.   I praise God she remains in the same home with her godly grandma and auntie.  Her mother’s family also continues to be involved. I believe wholeheartedly that God has a special plan for her life.  Why He chose to make her an orphan before her 12th birthday, only He knows.  I do know that He has not abandoned her and I look forward to seeing the woman she will become.  May God pour His grace and favor on her life. 

Rebeca and Rebekah, February 2015

 

Rebeca and Jacob 2013

Read the Bible for Yourself

Recently an article appeared in a local newspaper under the faith section.  The pastor who wrote the article had some good points.  She insisted that we need to read the Bible for ourselves, not just go on hearsay, listening to what others have said.  However, as I read through her article I became increasingly alarmed.  She shared passages out of Genesis to prove that if we truly read though the Bible, we'll understand that God does not discriminate against those who chose to live an alternate lifestyle, that we are to accept and celebrate those who chose to wed members of the same sex.  I wrote back to the reverend sharing my understanding of Scripture, from one who has read it for herself many times. 

I read with interest your article in Saturday’s paper, “Don’t let anyone tell you what the Bible says, read it for yourself.” I add a hearty “Amen” to that, which our pastor says means, “I agree.”  How quick we are to judge another or rely on hearsay when so often we neglect the lecture of God’s Word for ourselves. So often I run into people who claim to know God, but rarely if ever open His book and examine it for themselves.  Even so, being the sinful human creatures that we are, we need to ask God's Holy Spirit to illumine our reading that we may understand it and apply it to our daily lives.

I was glad to read that although you were tempted to “skip” your reading through the Bible this year, you went ahead and opened it anyway and God showed you something new.  Yes, He did create light out of darkness, and His desire is to shine His light into our hearts, that we may declare HIs praises to another. (I Peter 2:9)

Here our agreement ends.  I  ask, what Bible are you reading? Is yours different than mine? Has something been changed or altered to the Word that generations of people have found comfort and conviction from? The same passage in Genesis 1 that explains how God brought something out of nothing, how He made light to shine out of darkness, is the very same God who creates man and woman in His own image and blesses them.  The woman was made out of man, from his side to be equal with him but not the same. In chapter 2 verse 24 God says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and they shall become one flesh.”  You’re right, we do not like to take the Bible literally and yes, we all fail sometimes in the application.  Does that make His ways less true?  HIs purposes, His original design have changed because mankind wants to bend the rules and say it doesn't apply to him or her?

Perhaps we need to examine Scripture further on to see if this holds true in other places.  Just recently was reading in Romans chapter 1 and was struck by the harsh words here.  Yes, God is loving and merciful, but He does and will bring judgment on those who defy His commandments.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them.”  The passage (when you read it for yourself) continues onto talk about God's hatred of those who worship the created thing, idols, instead of Him.  He will not share His glory with another.    The Apostle Paul continues, “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves…For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even the women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature…Likewise the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in the lust for one another. “

Words from God Himself.

In chapter 2, "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for whatever you judge another you condemn yourself...But we know that judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.” (Romans 2:1,2)

I am not able to judge, condemn you or anyone who choses an "alternate lifestyle."  However, it is my responsibility to share God's word so that we can be saved form His wrath.  God wants all to repent and come to the knowledge of Him.  We know He loves us, for He made us in His image.  But He is grieved and angered when we chose to ignore His laws and do things our own way.  I urge you and your congregation to read the Bible again, for we cannot, should not, pick and choose the passages we like and want to obey.  God also tells us in the Sermon on the Mount that whoever breaks one part of the law is guilty of breaking it all. (Matthew 5:18)  That is why Christ came, so that we could be saved by His grace and mercy.  Please do not despise the riches of His grace that leads us to repentance.

I too, am a sinner saved by grace.  I know God is love (I john 1), and for that very reason I pray my life is honoring to Him.  I pray that you will continue in your lecture of the Word this year, that you will read with an open heart and receptive to the Holy Spirit as He helps you to understand.

Listen to your mother!

     After a wonderful vacation with my brother and his family,mom and I were on our way.  I was driving and mom was the guide.  Before we left I asked her, teasingly, if she knew the way home.  Of course she did, she's the "directioneer" of the family, I'm the one that's always getting lost! After a few minutes we came to a crossroads, without consulting mom I turned right.

"No dear, we need to go straight, then we turn right." she told me knowingly.
"It´s fine, mom, didn´t you see the arrow that pointed east?  It´s this way."
"No honey, I don´t think so.  We have to go west and then to the east."
"Well, we´ll see." I said as we continued down the road.  I was a bit uneasy, maybe she was right? Mom kept quiet not wanting to argue with me.  We chatted pleasantly all the while looking for signs to direct us towards home. Suddenly we saw a sign, for a toll both!  On our way to the resort we didn't pass a toll both.
 "See, I told you we should've gone straight.  We didn't pass a toll.  Do you have money to pay the fare?  I've got about 30  cents."
I groaned.  I didn't have any cash either, I'd spent it all during the week. I hadn't even had  enough to put in the Sunday offering.  What to do?  They wern't going to accept a credit card to pay the fee.
"Let me look in my wallet just in case.  Maybe I missed something." I said.
 I opened my wallet and checked all the corners.  Praise  God, there folded over in a side pocked I found a wrinkled $5.00 bill.  We paid the toll and asked directions.  Sure enough, we had to return the way we came, meaning we had to pay another toll! Forty five minutes and $4.50 later we returned to where made the wrong turn.  This time I listened to my mother and eventually made it  home safe and sound.
     I learned a valuable lesson...always listen to you mother! I also reflected on
my relationship to God. I go through life, sure I know what I'm doing, not asking His direction.  When things go wrong, I realize I should have listened in the first place.  God in His mercy and forgiveness always provides a way out, even though I have to go back to where I started.  Thank God for His love and patience!