Guest Post - A Work In Progress

Today I'm sharing a post from my dad.

A Work In Progress

By Stephen Van Nattan
Edited by Mary E. Stephens

That is what we are. When a person hears the Gospel, understands it, and confesses faith in Jesus Christ, a process starts. No one ever was made perfect the instant they were born again.

1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

"Perfected" in this text means COMPLETE. The cup is empty, and it is filled in time. The yarn is woven by grandma's hands, maybe for many days, and eventually the sweater is completed.

So, how do we keep the process going forward and not stop and live an unfinished life?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

There is NO WAY you can arrive at Christian perfection in a moment of time. It takes a lifetime for most of us. We must stop this clever trick of using this fact to explain our slowness and sin as we move through the process. If you know you are not making progress toward perfection, you are backslidden. You need to repent and get back in the race with the rest of the saints on their way to perfection.

But, there is a caution here. I will illustrate.

Ed had been born again for years. He loved the Lord and participated in leadership in his local church., Ed also smoked. He was one of the few people who smoke in moderation and not in addiction, and smoking was a pleasure to him, not a burden.

Ed was walking downtown, and a lady from his church came along with her young son. Ed always removed his cigarette and held it to the side instead of smoking while talking to people. The lady and Ed chatted for a while, and as they parted, the young son told his mother, "Mommy, it must be OK to smoke, Uncle Ed smokes."

The boy considered Ed a godly man. When Ed heard the boy's words, he was smitten deeply. He decided on the spot to stop smoking if his choice would cause a boy to violate the teachings of his mother. Ed quit cold turkey never to smoke again.

That is how we are perfected. The key is that Ed was ready to be taught by the Holy Spirit. When the scene played out, which was clearly planned by God the Holy Spirit, Ed did the right thing and moved on to perfection.

Are you teachable? Can the Holy Spirit arrange for you to have a life experience, or read some text from the Bible, and you will at once see God talking to you and move on to perfection?

That is exactly what the Apostle Paul is talking about here:

Philippians 3:12-14 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Get this straight please...

1. The great Apostle clearly did not consider himself a completed (perfected) work. Stop parking in front of your failures.

2. Follow after. Grab ahold (Apprehend) of the life God offers you just up ahead.

3. Keep PRESSING toward the mark. This is Paul using the public games of Rome again. The prize is perfection, and it is a race to be run to win it.

Again, are you teachable? Are you still running the race? If you do this, you WILL reach the prize one day. We are not talking about sinless perfection, a doctrine of devils taught by some. We are talking about arriving where God wants you to be.

One last question we have to answer: How do I know when I am perfect the way the Bible teaches?

Jesus answers:

Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

As long as you have something you need to deal with in your life in order to be like God, you are still a work in progress.

So, you will never be as perfect as God in this life. What does this mean? It means you will never stop running in this race until you are in the presence of God.

Don't stop now, please.

Don't worry. Anything you do not get right now will be taken care of by Jesus:

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Guest Post - When We Are Sick and Fearful

Original artwork by Carl Larson

When We Are Sick and Fearful

by Stephen Van Nattan

You have been having a hard time getting your breath for some time. Finally, you go to a specialist who does tests. The verdict is that you have a malignant growth in your lungs, and you have three to four weeks to prepare to die.

This is the experience of a good friend from a Bible study I teach. What will I tell her from God's Word to try to help her deal with fear of dying? 

And, let me hear no pious rubbish talk about the Christian not fearing death. God gave us fear to help us stay alive and avoid danger. We certainly have hope regarding eternity, but the physical, mental, and emotional experience of walking out the back door of this life is fearful. The way to deal with this fear is to seek comfort in our Bible and our Lord who showed us how to die.

Thus:

Here are some Bible verses to bring comfort and encouragement to those who are sick and fearful:

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗱’𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗱’𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴

Jeremiah 30:17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord.

Psalm 103:2-3 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.

James 5:14-15 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗱

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalm 56:3-4 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.

𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

May these Scriptures provide comfort and remind those who are sick and fearful of God's love, power, and presence.

Do you know someone who needs to read these Bible texts?

The Arrogant Patriarch - by Frank I. Snyder

"The Angry One" by F. Hodler

Here is an article I found online and published here in 2016.  At the present time - 2024 - I feel that it is again a much needed and timely reminder as many are embracing such men and women in the church context as well as in public life and politics. 

I received permission from the author to republish and distribute it as he is very burdened about this problem and trend in the Lord's church.  I am thankful for his generosity as I also feel there is a great need to get the word out. I have already published it at the Home Maker's Corner, but decided to copy the article in its entirety here too.

This article goes well with the post on "Spiritual Abuse and Those Who Crave It", and I would add that there are a good number of pastors who sadly fall into this category of the arrogant patriarch as well.

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The Arrogant Patriarch

by Frank I. Snyder
Original article.

Over the years I have met a generic person. I know this sounds a bit strange and the term “generic” may be a bit confusing, so let me explain. A generic person is not one person, but a kind of composite of people who share characteristics or traits. So this person is a composite of certain traits in people. These people are not all the same. They are different in many ways but they do share commonalities.

This person is ageless. One would think that this person would typically be “old” simply because we expect some of these traits from older people. Surprisingly, though, the people that have fit this generic description are not confined to the older generation. They are often younger people. Perhaps that is why they have caught my attention so readily. They have not been what most folks would typically consider “old.” I have witnessed these traits in people as young as 15. Most of them, however, have been between 17 and 55, the majority in their 30’s and 40’s.

This person is also genderless. I have witnessed these traits in both men and women. I will concede, however, that most of the ones who have evidenced these traits have been men. But please understand that I refer to this person with masculine pronouns more for convenience sake than to imply that these traits are only witnessed in men. Hence I have called this person the “the arrogant patriarch”.

The traits of the arrogant patriarch are as follows:

A confidence in his own intelligence: I do not mean to imply that he is intelligent. He may be very intelligent. But what defines him is his belief in his intelligence. Sometimes he is neither intelligent nor educated but still believes he is intelligent. Along with this comes a certainty about his views and opinions being correct.

I have encountered this phenomenon in a man with a PhD from Harvard and a man that was illiterate. The PhD, a professed born again Christian, questioned the biblical account of Creation and other accounts and justified abortion to the 9th month gestation. The illiterate man insisted to me that the Bible was full of errors. When I challenged him to show me one, he left the room. Then his wife whispered to me that he could not read. But that did not stop him or the PhD from rendering an absolute opinion. These folks tend to have an opinion about most topics. He is so certain and confident about his viewpoint because he believes in his own intelligence.

The student /teacher dynamic: This trait is more felt than easily defined. But the subtle idea conveyed by him is that he is the teacher (or should be) and you are the student. He may not actually say that he is the teacher and you are the student. He is not necessarily abrasive. He just acts like he is (or should be) the teacher. It is connected with his belief in his intelligence. Some folks will readily accept him as the teacher simply because they are swayed by his manner. He believes he should be in charge and acts like it. This in part leads to the next characteristic of the arrogant patriarch.

The tendency toward conflict with others: Conflict comes with others because he tends to act upon his belief in his own intelligence. He believes that his viewpoint is the correct one and his decisions are the best. Therefore, it is only natural that others should do what he suggests or do things as he would do them. Any other way is deficient. When conflict with others arises because of this, it is not his fault. Other people are just too sensitive, or are jealous or threatened by his superior giftedness. The problem always resides in others. It could not be in him.

The inability to follow: This guy is often perpetually unemployed or he is in business for himself. The reason for either circumstance is that he just cannot work for someone else. If he has a job, he is often in conflict with his superiors or disdainful of them. In a church situation, he is someone that has difficulty recognizing the leadership authority of a pastor (Hebrews 13:7, 17). Typically, he embraces the plurality of elders viewpoint in church governance, not because he believes it is biblical, but because it fits his personality. Complete equality in authority means less infringement on his independency. The truth is he is no more in deference to a plurality of leadership than he is to one leader.

One such man with whom there had been persistent issues in a local church was asked if he could follow the pastor’s leadership. His reply was, “A man is not a pastor because he says he is. He is a pastor if he is pastoral.” And who determines if he is pastoral? The patriarch. He was saying that if the pastor met his expectations, (the only correct criteria), then he would recognize his leadership. The problem is that all pastors have flaws and given enough time, the patriarch will find them. It is his justification for ignoring the counsel of a shepherd and following his own judgment. In his mind, he does not need pastoral leadership.

The tendency to pontificate about one or select Biblical topics: Often this person “goes to seed” on some area of theology or biblical interpretation. Often he becomes an expert on some biblical topic such as prophecy, family living, evangelism, election, living by grace or the nature of the church. It really does not matter what the topic might be, for he has mastered it. He is an expert and people who do not agree are ignorant or willfully rebellious against what he knows to be the truth. He outguns those who are ignorant of or not as studied in areas where he is a specialist. He rarely will deal with someone as studied as he. This, of course, confirms his belief in his opinions and ultimately his superior understanding.

A desire to limit exposure of his family or comrades to only his views: This trait appears virtuous as certainly all family heads, leaders and loyal friends should desire to protect those close to them from error. But this goes further than that. For when a family member, friend or loved one begins to be swayed by opinions other than the patriarch’s, he will often begin to resent the intruder’s influence. He will take steps to withdraw his family or friends from opinions he deems to conflict with his leadership. He will pull his child out of a class, require his family to sit only with him, or withdraw his family and go to another church. Sometimes no church is good enough because, to him, they are all in error or bound by unbiblical traditions. So he may form his own “church” where he is the pastor and where people can get the truth. If he stays in a church, he stays on the perimeter of involvement so as to retain control of information. This person will often home school / home church his family so as to “protect” them. But it really is not about protection of his family. He is protecting his patriarchal position.

A condescending attitude toward the opposite sex: If a man, he treats his wife or women in general not just as the weaker vessel but as the lesser vessel. If a woman, she tends to regard men as generally stupid and needy and takes a condescending attitude toward them. A man tends to think of most women as inferior beings by design and regards his role not just as protector but as director. Whether a man or a woman, this person tends to want to control the partner either by force of will or manipulation – all of this because of a basic belief in his superiority and of the partner’s inferiority. This is not to say that the patriarch does not love or care for the individual. He very well may love them. He is still manipulative and controlling.

These are seven common characteristics of this generic person that I have referred to as the arrogant patriarch. If you are one of them I am sure that you will not have kindly thoughts toward this writer. If you are not one of them, beware. You could easily become such.

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Micah 6:8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Worth Repeating - A Short Thought on Depression

Due to some very hard sayings recently be John MacArthur regarding depression, I thought this post from 2019 would be a good one to repeat today. I have made some edits. When I first published it, if I remember correctly, I requested permission from Mr. Edwards to use his Facebook post, which I appreciated. 

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In around 2006 my dad had started through a time of really serious health problems which triggered a deep depression that lasted several years. His body was so covered with eczema that he literally looked like a burn victim. I cannot imagine the pain and itching he endured. This seemed like a topic that I wanted to address today instead of the usual celebrations of the day (Father's Day here in the U.S.) because my dad has a tender heart for those with these types of struggles. Maybe someone needs it.

Psalm 142:5-7 I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

This is written by a pastor whose Facebook page I used to read sometimes. I appreciated his ministry on Facebook very much for awhile and found much there that was thought provoking and encouraging. This particular one is an important reminder that depression is not a sin. While I do believe in some instances it can be caused by devil possession, as in the case of King Saul in the Bible, or from sin, like King David in Psalm 51, there are many people who are suffering for other reasons. One is simply this - it is the cross they are given to carry because God intends to minister to others through them.
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I feel very strong about the post I'm about to make, and it's about DEPRESSION. Depression is the most disabling disease in all of North America, and second in the world.........and it's growing. A couple of overwhelming symptoms are: 1. Detachment - from family, friends, and everyone else. You can be in a crowd, and still feel alone. 2. Guilt- you feel no one really loves you, and no one cares, and the world would [a] better place if you were not in it. You feel like a burden to your family, and you feel like you're making their lives miserable!!! Remember, depression is a sickness. It's not being demon possessed or crazy, but a disease. If you handle it recklessly, or ARE HANDLED recklessly, it makes it worse. I know [because] I live it, and I'm GLAD!!!! I've been able to reach out to, and help people that, according to their own words, wouldn't be here today [otherwise]. God has allowed me to suffer from depression for a purpose, that's far bigger than myself. I've been able to show, and teach others that there is LIFE and HOPE , after and during depression. The fulfillment I've experienced, by being able to help others, is worth the criticism. Others don't get it.....and you know what......I hope they never have to learn the hard way!!!!! God bless you all!!! I love all y'all !!!

Craig Edwards 

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My thought:

Whenever I hear someone say that Christians shouldn't be depressed or have anxiety, that they shouldn't need any medication for it, and that all they need is the Bible, I feel sick. It scares me for them because I know how God chose to teach me the hard way, and it has been the hardest and longest lesson I probably ever had to learn. When I was young I had the idea that only people who "weren't right with God" had depression or things like that. It was definitely not something I learned from my dad. As long as I can remember he showed compassion and kindness towards people with depression and similar struggles. I, however, was very self-righteous about it. The Lord took me through some very hard times to show me the folly and vanity of my thinking. These times sometimes recur for me because it's a lifelong illness for me, as I now know.

Friend, please don't judge others in things you don't understand like this. If God decides to make you go through it in order to correct your puffed up thinking, you will suffer things you really don't want to suffer. I say that with deep personal conviction because He did it to me. I don't wish that lesson on anyone. I would much rather that Christians show compassion and kindness to one another, even in things hard to understand.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another...

If you are dealing with depression, PTSD, an anxiety disorder or anything similar, I really encourage you, as always, to get help. Ask God to lead you to people who will help you, not hinder you, in learning how to live through and beyond these difficult health problems. You need encouragement, not judgment. You very likely need a doctor. Remember Matthew 9:12, But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. There are many causes for both depression and anxiety and related conditions. With time and effort and the leading of the Lord, you will find ways to help yourself - and others, as Bro. Edwards talks about - because we don't live unto ourselves as Christians. God has a purpose for your suffering, something that He wants to do through you as you learn to carry this cross to His glory.

Romans 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 

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Originally published here June 16, 2019.
Painting by Edmund Charles Tarbell.

Engaged! - A Word Study

Guest post
by Stephen Van Nattan

March 9, 2024

2 Corinthians 1:19-22 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Verse 19 tells us that God never says "No" when talking to us about our salvation. Once we believe in Jesus Christ, and confess him before men, God never again says NO to us.

Verse 20 tells us that "YES" and Amen, which is a word of total agreement, is what God says to you about your confession of faith in Christ.

Verse 21 Tells us that it is God who decided, before the foundation of the world, that he would accept and keep you once you confessed faith in Christ.

Verse 22 Here is the word we want to see to find good hope. First God sealed us. A seal in Bible times was red wax melted onto a document and the stamp of some official pressed into the hot was before it hardened. No one but the recipient had the legal authority to open the document sealed this way. No one can break the seal of God on you. It is official.

Continue Reading.

The Lord Tends His Garden - Guest Post

Note: For anyone wondering why there isn't a resurrection post this weekend, please know that we look to the Jewish calendar, rather than the Roman Catholic, one to determine when Resurrection Sunday should be observed. Passover is not until April 22nd, so my resurrection posts will be on the weekend of April 28th. :-)

John 15:1-5 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The Lord Tends His Garden

The vine of impatience is overgrown,
The weed of self will is making shown,
Poison leaves of distraction tempting and fair
Choking fruit of my heart, and leaving spots bare,

Come and tend Your garden...

Continue Reading.

Guest Post - The Parable of the Lavender

The Parable of the Lavender

By an Anonymous friend
2023

Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Editor's note: Sometimes one of the hardest things we have to deal with in life is being content where we're planted. It is so easy to look back at some place in the past where we think life was better, or to look at someone else's life and think that it is better. It can be a real temptation to imagine, when things are hard, that we would do better in a different situation, a different location, different circumstances than where God has us.

 

A friend of mine was struggling with just such discontent when the Lord prompted her to think about this parable. She is not a gardening expert, so some of the flowers don't necessarily grow together normally, but I think you can still get the message.

 

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

   

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Once upon a time, God planted lavender in a garden and she thrived. She grew and flourished and loved her neighbors - the beautiful smelling rosemary and the hydrangea with her giant purple blooms, much larger than her own. Each morning their master would come smell lavender and hydrangea and pick a few sprigs from rosemary for his meals. Daily, lavender, rosemary and hydrangea would talk of the ways of God and encourage each other to stand up tall, soak up the sun and be the best they could be to delight the God who planted them there and bring their master joy.

As lavender settled into this routine, she began to notice the plants in the field across the way.  It was much greener over there - a far contrast the the browns that surrounded her. The papyrus, marigold and blue iris were surrounded by deep greens and tall horsetail. What diverse colors they had! Surely she could plant herself in that field and serve God there - after all, they were all once together and so close. They were family whom she dearly missed each day of her life. She remembered vividly their beginnings long ago in the greenhouse and did not understand why God separated them.

Continue Reading here.

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More Lessons from the Garden.

Guest Post - Stewardship

Stewardship

by Steve Van Nattan

The favorite sermon topic of the average Baptist preacher is stewardship. Of course, this short sighted preacher has only the offering plate in mind, and he always hammers the sheep to pay their tithes. Some even use Faith Promise, a totally unbiblical concept, to convince us to pay our tithes forward in the form of vows based on the gifts of God we do not yet have. "Take therefore no thought for the morrow..." [Matt. 6:34] Ever hear that from someone? God holds you responsible for ONLY what you have now. [Also see: 2 Cor. 8:11-14]

So, what is involved in stewardship?

In terms of everything God made, the part we can see and live in, stewardship involves Space, Time, and Matter. How we use these three is the bedrock of stewardship, that is, whatever part of the whole universe God has given to me to control and use. This is a rather large piece of stuff to try to conceptualize, right?

But, a simpler way to deal with the topic is in these three resources which God gives us all, whether much or little:

Time, money, and energy. 

I suggest you take your share of these resources into the laboratory of your mind and soul for examination. For the next week, end your day with a quiet time, and list the ways you used your Time, Money, and Energy, and how much of it clearly was for the benefit of Jesus Christ. Write it down.

Do not make lofty goals for a week. Do the self-examination. Then the next week, look at your previous week, and every evening decide one thing you will do different the next day. It may be to stop by and visit some old lonely saint. It may be to take another Christian out for coffee or lunch. It may be to vigorously watch for a homeless person and see that they have a good lunch, either with you, or deliver it to them.

The notion that tithing is the beginning and end of stewardship is cheap stewardship, and it asks very little of you.

You see, stewardship is so often about doing to others, and the money is the resource that makes it possible. Our time we must also factor in and make space for the deed to play itself out. It is cheap stewardship to hand a ten dollar bill to a homeless person. What is a noble use of my resources is when I invest all three, time, money, and energy to meet someone's need.

I Peter 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

In this text we see no money in stewardship, at least a minimum of cash. What we see is that we are given gifts from God to use to minister to others, both the saved and the sinners. Those gifts are always one or all of the three: Time, Money, or energy. And, God does not expect the same amount of energy from me as he does from you. Verse 11 is the Energy aspect. God may give you lots of energy or ability. I must not use you as my model for ministering. But, I must be a steward of the energy He has given me.

Are we so busy, or plain selfish, that our home is seldom used to entertain the saints? Peter commands us, "Use hospitality." Time, Money, and Energy may mean leaving an evening open, buy some good cuts of beef, and invite some struggling saints to your home for fellowship. It simply all depends on who has the preeminence in your life, Jesus and his people, or YOU?

How about those college students in your church who are far from home and may be lonely? If you have them over, I suggest you also invite some older extrovert senior in your church who loves Jesus so that the students can mix up and learn about the old ways from the past. Ask your senior friend to prepare a short Bible devotional to end the evening.

Jesus does not only give you resources based on your need. He also gives you gifts based on what you did with what He already gave you. To see Him teach this, read Matthew 25:14-30.

Enough said. Now, go be a good steward, not for me, but for Jesus.

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Editor's Note: Some of us have limitations - physical, financial, mental, time - that seem to make it harder to do these things. Some may actually have been tricked into believing that if they don't have money to give there isn't much they can do or that money is the only thing that really counts. Some preachers will even belabor the idea of "giving till it hurts," implying that if you don't you lack faith. But, that isn't what the Bible says. In fact, the church in Corinth gave themselves before they gave their money. 2 Corinthians 8:4-5 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Have you ever stopped to consider what the health of the body of Christ would look like if Christians gave themselves to God's work before they gave their money? I have a feeling it would be a lot better than it generally is at present.

Maybe you should ask the Lord to help you use your imagination or to stretch yourself a little. Set aside some time and energy to phone a Christian lady who could use encouragement (can't we all?) and just talk. Take the time to send out some Bible verses or Christian poetry in texts or email to ladies you know. Ask someone what you can pray for them this week, and then make sure you do it. Buy one or two extra items to give to someone in your church or neighborhood who is struggling to make ends meet. Pray extra for your friends on social media who are going through hard things. Give some flowers from your garden to someone. Send snail mail to someone. Share the bounty of your garden or fruit trees. Use the wakeful hours of the night to pray for others. 

Your list may have things that apply to your God-given abilities very specifically, but whatever the case, there are things you can give beyond the offering plate. There are many ways we can be better stewards of our time, energy, and resources. We just need to ask the Lord to help us find them. 

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 

Guest Post - Social Media - Why Jump Ship?

My sister-in-law wrote this last year and gave me permission to share it. 

Editor's Note: This issue about social media and jumping to alternate, sketchy services to make a point over politics happened in 2021, but it is something that Christians need to think about soberly and wisely.  One service some Christians were going to and supporting at that time ended up in the midst of criminals, filth, and others who were looking for freedom from the law and decency, not freedom of speech to say right things. Please consider my sister-in-law's useful observations on the matter and ask yourself this question: Why am I really on social media in the first place, and should persecution or opposing political views change that objective?

Continue Reading.

Guest Post - No Doctrines Are Changed?

 

A discussion by Will Kinney on the subject of doctrines that are changed in other translations of the Bible, making them of none effect or outright making God a liar.

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[Edited. Used under permission granted to my dad, Stephen Van Nattan.]

I often hear those who criticize the King James Bible and defend the multiple modern versions say: "Well, no doctrines are changed in the different versions." But is this true?

There are presently well over 100 different English bible versions available to the general public and none of them agrees with the others in both text and meaning in hundreds of verses. This is easily proved and well noted by many atheist, Muslim and Bible basher sites on the internet.

Which of these different bibles is really the inspired, inerrant words of God? Or have the complete, pure, inerrant words of God been lost in the shuffle and God has failed to preserve His words as He promised? Is it true that "no doctrines are changed" in the various conflicting versions?

Some Christians say, "Well, only the originals were inspired." Since we don't have any of the originals and nobody knows what they really said, how can we then say the Bible is the inspired word of God? Shouldn't we say the bible WAS the inspired word of God?

I and thousands of other Christians believe God has kept His promises to preserve His words and He has done so in the King James Holy Bible. In general terms the overall state of textual evidence and ancient versions is overwhelmingly on the side of the King James Bible readings as opposed to such versions as the NASB, NIV, RSV, ESV, and ISV.

Continue Reading.

Worth Repeating – Are You Warming or Chilling the Lives of Others?

 

Psalms 91:2-4  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

By Marsha Burkholder, February 2014

This seems to have been one of the coldest winters I remember in Austin since we moved here over 30 years ago. Most of the Austin winters have always been too mild for me. I tolerate the heat of summer and love the cold of winter. There are some Austinites who do not share my enjoyment of this winter weather. Of course, if I had to work out in the cold or lived in an area where the winters were much colder and longer in length, I might not feel as enthused about winter.

Some of the things I enjoy about winter are sleeping under thick blankets, wearing sweaters, basking in the warmth of a fireplace, coming into a warm, cozy house, drinking hot chocolate with melting marshmallows and in the rarest of Austin times having to stay home because of inclement weather. I guess when I look at what I like about winter, it looks like I like it most when I’m doing things that will keep me warm. These thoughts made me think of a quote I read:  “This cold world needs warmhearted Christians.” Indeed, this world is a spiritually cold place. I don’t enjoy its kind of coldness; however, it gives us Christians an opportunity to be someone’s spiritual blanket, sweater, fireplace, heater or hot chocolate. That unsaved person we meet at the grocery store, the school, the work place, etc. who seems to be chilled to the bone, burdened with the cares of this world needs our smile, our encouragement and most of all our witness of the Savior and His wonderful salvation. Even that saved person who may be going through a wintry time in his life is in need of our warmth.

I’m reminded of an old saying that something “warms the cockles of my heart” i.e. brings joy and warmth to the innermost part of a person. Only Jesus can bring that kind of joy and warmth.

Christians can become cold when they stray from the Lord’s warmth. In that state, we cannot give off the warmth to the unsaved who are truly the coldest of all. When one is cold, it doesn’t do him any good to shake hands with someone who has cold hands. When one is cold spiritually, there is the same effect on another.  Psalm 34:8 says, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” God’s provision of salvation, His daily provisions and love are truly warmth for the cold in heart. May those around us never feel spiritually cold from having been around us but desire to know the One Who keeps us spiritually warm.

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Editor’s Note: It is amazing how much a kind word and a cheerful smile can improve someone’s day and warm their heart, and it usually costs us nothing more than the effort. Even more importantly, we need to point others to the only true source of spiritual warmth and light – the Sun of righteousness with healing in his wings… Malachi 4:2

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Originally published here Jan. 2015.

Listening to God's Voice with Your Feet In Motion - Guest Post

Here is a thought from my dad, Stephen Van Nattan, about listening for God's leading. Often times we have to be moving before we hear His voice telling us which way to go.

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THAT VOICE 

Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Scott McNealy — a co-founder of Sun Microsystems said this about decision making: "It’s important to make good decisions. But I spend much less time and energy worrying about 'making the right decision' and much more time and energy ensuring that any decision I make turns out right."

In Isaiah above, we see that there are times we "turn" to the right or left. So, how do we make sure that, when we "turn," we end up making a decision that, as McNealy said, "turns out right?"

1. Do not stop your progress in life by standing still..... take a turn and keep in motion. The captain of a ship cannot steer a ship that is not in motion. You will not hear the voice behind you if you are dead in the water.

2. But, be very alert to hear if a voice tells you to go another way. That is how to make sure your decisions turn out right. Scott McNealy seems to be alone in the task of making sure his decisions are the right ones. You are never alone with Jesus Christ. 

So, in terms of knowledge, do not hide in a corner and shut out everything around you. That will get you no knowledge upon which to act in wisdom. Keep looking for knowledge, BUT, listen for the voice behind you that says, "Click out of there my son, that knowledge is rubbish and will only destroy your peace and fellowship with me."

We had to leave our work with Sudan Interior Mission in Ethiopia in 1974 because of a Marxist coup. Christian Ethiopians were being accused of being the friends of Imperialists, and the mission decided to quickly downsize from 300 missionaries to 12. National Christians should not have to suffer persecution for being the friends of Americans. Only for being the friends of Jesus Christ. 

We were among the first to leave. We did everything to get ready, sold most of our possessions, and moved to the mission headquarters to wait for a flight back to the USA. But, we could also move on to join another mission somewhere else in the world and continue being missionaries. We were in motion but also wondering if we might hear the voice of God behind us.

The word got to George Machamer of Gospel Furthering Fellowship in Kenya, the next nation south of Ethiopia. My wife and I had grown up in Kenya as kids when our parents were missionaries in the region. George Machamer took it upon himself to send us a letter inviting us to join the GFF at once and move to Kenya to help in the work. 

There was that voice, and it came in the mail like a voice out of the blue. We then moved to Kenya and became part of the work of the GFF.

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My comment:

As many of us focus on giving thanks to God this week, consider some ways that He has led you in directions that were a surprise - maybe they even seemed scary or disappointing at the time. Can you look back, as my dad does, and thank Him for taking you away from something and to something else? We don't always know the reasons this side of Heaven, but we can often know that it was definitely the Lord who led us. 

Maybe you are stuck in your life at the moment and don't know where to go next. How can you start to move forward? By doing even the most basic right things commanded to Christians in scripture. This will open up the way for God to direct your steps to where He wants you to go, or perhaps to something He wants you to do right where you are.

Psalm 85:13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. 

Even though we sometimes feel like we have no idea what we should be doing or where we should be going, with His voice behind us and His righteousness setting us in His steps, we have a great deal of guidance. As it has been said, if you don't know what God's will is for you, do the things that you can clearly see from scripture are God's will - pray, study His word, testify of the gospel, be part of a local church fellowship, grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus, do good to all men, etc. And keep moving forward, even if it's "only" in these most basic things. The voice of the Lord will lead you in the bigger matters as you go. 

As we have some big decisions looming ourselves at the moment, I'm saying this to myself as much as anyone.

And just in case we forget how powerful God's voice is:

Psalm 29 

A Psalm of David. 

Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.
The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. 

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 

Worth Repeating - A Thanksgiving Meditation by Martha Snell Nicholson

THANKSGIVING MEDITATION

Since man apart from God is but an abnormal creature, our greatest joys, our deepest satisfactions, come in our relationship to Him. So I thank Him this Thanksgiving season for sins forgiven, for a great High Priest touched with a feeling of my infirmities, for the privilege of being a tool in His mighty hand, for His guidance, for His ear that hears my prayers, for His arm on which to lean, for His precious Word in which He speaks to us explicitly, and for the blessed, blessed hope of His soon coming!

I thank Him, more than all else, for utter safety. In the past I have known what it was to be afraid, but now I know that I am entirely and perfectly secure. I feel that I have come into a safe harbor. Nothing, absolutely nothing, not my own deeds nor those of others, not the works of devils, not circumstances, not so-called fate -- nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. Pain, sorrow and bereavement can come, shattered nerves and body can be my lot, death can even put my body in the grave; but whatever comes, it passes first through His tender hands, and so I can love it because it comes from Him!

Nothing can keep me out of heaven. I am as safe now as though I were already there. Just these few hard years to live, these few burdens to bear, and then to be forever with Him, our daily portion glory beyond infinite glory! Thankful? My cheeks are wet with happy tears. Why He gives all this to a poor creature like me I do not know -- but I know that I shall need all eternity in which to thank Him for it!

by Martha Snell Nicholson 

Romans 8:35-39  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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First published here Nov. 2015

Reader Comments - Dealing with Laziness and Low Motivation

Reader's Question:

I’ve been reading your blog and I currently work part time, but because of the virus, I am not technically working right now and this time has made me realize how lazy I am. I don’t want to be this way and I’m trying to change, but I feel the saying is true that old habits die hard. Do you have any tips on how to stop being lazy and get down to homemaking? Any advice would be appreciated.

Answer:

I struggle with the issue of laziness in a somewhat different way because I have some chronic health issues that affect my stamina and ability to accomplish things. In my situation I tend to feel like I'm not accomplishing enough, but when I push myself too hard I often end up with a temporary injury, a migraine or abnormal exhaustion which then forces me to slow down or even stop for a day or more. Sometimes for weeks. Finding the right balance for not feeling lazy and also not overdoing things is challenging sometimes. This is very frustrating, but it also gives me a somewhat different set of issues to deal with. For that reason, I asked my friend, Elisabeth M. to answer this question because her experience comes from a healthy person perspective. :-) I think her advice can be used by all of us in whatever situation we find ourselves battling laziness, lethargy or lack of motivation. (I'll add some more observations farther on.)

Here's what she wrote:

Continue Reading.

Guest Post: Truth or Fact?

Today I am sharing a short, but cheering, thought related to the power of the resurrection and the Lord's ability to change facts with His truth. This item is posted at The Home Maker's Corner. It is written by my brother, Dan, and used with his permission.
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Truth or Fact?

Are these two things mutual? Immutable in their connectivity? From a humanistic perspective, we would ascertain that they are indeed always linked. From that humanist perspective we therefore tend to stray quickly into the realm of unbelief.

Here is an example of Truth not being equitable to "fact" which I would like you to ponder on.

Continue Reading Here.

Thoughts from Hymns - Sweet Rest

Graphic property of Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose.

Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him...

Here is a good thought from a hymn. It was posted last year by Stephanie at the Enchanting Rose. I hope you will be encouraged and learn some useful things, as well as enjoying her lovely photographs. :-)

Sweetly Resting

This post also reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:

"Faith is rest, not toil. It is the giving up all the former weary efforts to do or feel something good, in order to induce God to love and pardon; and the calm reception of the truth so long rejected, that God is not waiting for any such inducements, but loves and pardons of His own goodwill, and is showing that goodwill to any sinner who will come to Him on such a footing, casting away his own poor performances or goodnesses, and relying implicitly upon the free love of Him who so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son." Horatius Bonar

Also a quote from another hymn:

Jesus, I am resting, resting,

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

Jean S. Pigot

I Love Homemaking...

Here is a fun and thoughtful list of reasons to love homemaking, especially if you can be a full time keeper at home. I first published this on the Home Maker's Corner years ago and I do not know for sure where I got this list or who Laine is, but I hope you enjoy reading it. There are many privileges to being a full time homemaker. I find it somewhat provoking that some women are offended when we value them like we should. Hopefully this will inspire others to see that this is a valuable and useful "career choice." ;-)

I Love Homemaking... - by Laine

Book Review - Far from Rome, Near to God

"Young Lady Reading" by Mary Cassatt

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Here is a book review my husband wrote back before we were married and which I previously published on The Home Maker's Corner.

Those of us who have lived our lives under the ideal of freedom of thought and belief, may find it hard to understand the bondage that accompanies the belief system of the Roman Catholic Church. In modern times and in some places that church has conformed herself to the environment and so some people now think that it is changed and that there is more freedom and truth there than there once was. The reason for this is that the ways of a harlot church are to conform herself to people's expectations in order to deceive people into joining her. The scripture says, speaking of a strange woman in Proverbs 5:6,  Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. This book shows that, though there is an outward appearance of freedom and liberty now in some ways, the bondage is still there. If some Catholics don't feel its power, or manage to escape it, it is either ignorance or because they are not fully subjected to her most dangerous doctrines.

Not long ago I talked to a lady who grew up in the Roman Catholic Church and in a community dominated by it in Massachusetts. She confirmed the power to bring people into bondage, even in the U.S. and in modern times. As a girl and young lady, she realized something was wrong and as soon as she could leave it, she did. She spoke of it as one would of a great escape. And indeed, it is.

Please don't be fooled into thinking that these things are no longer an issue or that it has changed. The fact that it appears to have changed while maintaining its power, core doctrines, and hierarchy only proves that there is great deception there. I really recommend this book for anyone who is in doubt of that.

Far From Rome, Near to God

Testimonies of Fifty Converted Roman Catholic Priests
Edited by Richard Bennette and Martin Buckingham

Rated: Useful - for distribution to people in Catholicism or ignorant of the bondage and futility of the Roman church. Encouraging for believers.

Guest post by Peter Stephens

...I have read part way through it, reading a little every night. It is encouraging to read the testimonies of salvation and it is interesting to meditate on the common threads of them. The men who were saved consistently started their pilgrimage by fearing God (or at least hell and purgatory) and doing the best they could to earn their salvation. Because of their R[oman] C[atholic] background they each decided that the “priest” was the ultimate example of holiness and good works (or at least their parents thought so). They each became trapped in the bondage of the RC system for many years but were never satisfied for they saw the hypocrisy of Catholicism. They all knew that their good works were not enough to save them from their sins. But by the grace of God they learned the fallacies of their ways. I am reminded of Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” And every one of the priests left the “church” of Rome.

Nobody is tricked into salvation. Nobody is surprised into being saved. Nobody has earned their salvation. Those who have been born again have sought the Lord and believed his Word and the finished and perfect sacrifice of our Jesus on the cross of Calvary. What a precious gift our Lord has given us!

This book may be purchased at Amazon. Or at this Christian book seller's page.
[These are not affiliate links.]

Guest Post - Thoughts On Losing A Pet

Stealth in his bed.

My Texas brother and his wife lost one of their kitty cats last weekend after a shortish illness. It was very sad. They did not recognize the symptoms that he had until it was too late to save his little life and he died from what was likely a bacterial infection.

My brother, Mike, wrote about it on his Facebook page, and he gave me permission to share it with my readers here. I found it thought provoking as well as encouraging.

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by Mike Van Nattan

So this week we lost one of our kitty's. His name was Stealth and he more than lived up to that name. His ability to walk around without you knowing he was there, or hopping up on the counters without a sound hoping you didn't notice long enough for him to get a few sniffs of whatever was there.

But most importantly, we lost a buddy and a friend. He was the cat that pushed us to move, to get out more, and be more adventurous. The more we took him out, the more he wanted. Being on the water was so natural for him. He was part of the reason we came up with the idea that is now RV Fishing Adventures.

The experience of his death really hit home for me though. I've had a lot of critters through the years, cats, dogs, hamsters, gerbils... but though most of them have died while I owned them, I was never present at the exact moment they died. In this case, I was actually there when his little heart stopped and felt his warm body start to cool down while I sat there and cried.

Then as I sat there, it suddenly hit me why this was so traumatic for me: There is no "hope" in this death. It's all over. He's gone **forever**. His death was a stark picture of what eternal death is like and as having been a Christian since a child, this was a foreign concept for me!

The Bible doesn't promise us anything in regards to animals. A lot of people like to think their critters go to heaven, but this just isn't in the Bible. For me, I've been a Christian most of my life. It seems I've always had a hope for things above. When my grandpa and grandma died, it wasn't death, it was translation. I knew I would see them again someday. There was hope and therefore comfort in their passing. This is what the Bible teaches us for those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation.

But for animals, there are no promises of another life. For animals there is no hope. They are just gone. This is likely the most disconcerting thing about the passing of our late "Stealth Kitty". I will never see him again. There will be no more early morning sessions of him trying to crawl on me while I'm sleeping. There will be no more sleeping in the recliner with a "heating blanket" on my chest. No more nose bumps by a cold nose when you were least expecting it. All of him is gone. Never more to return.

Except the memories. We do have many memories made with the little goober. The pictures here show just a tiny little bit. But we really are glad we did so much recording through the few years we had him.

So why all the depressed talk? Because to me this is a sobering reminder of why I believe in Christ Jesus. Why I believe for those creatures who have souls that there is an afterlife. And why I believe it is so important to know Christ and believe that Christ saves sinners like me.

Yet, not just that, but also that those who do not believe will not simply disappear like my cat, but will go on living eternal death. The Bible teaches that the soul of man doesn't cease to exist. It goes on in either eternal life, or eternal death. The choice is ours to make.

If you're reading this and this bothers you, I encourage you to grab a Bible and read the Gospel of John. The whole thing. Yeah, it's long, but an hour or two of your time is worth it compared to a million years of anguish.

When you get to John 20:31, you'll need to make a decision about what you believe. The verse says: "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." If you can't believe what is written in the book of John, then you too will have no hope of eternal life.

But for those of you who do believe John 20:31, you have an hope that will surely endure. One that will be fulfilled one day. For your loved ones that believe there is an awesome promise of being reunited with them. In fact, there is some indication they are watching us go through our lives.

I pray this is useful to even one person today.

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Psalm 92:4 For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. 

My comment: We may have a lot of gladness and pleasure through the works of God's hands in the creation of animals for our enjoyment. But, let's not forget that people are not like animals. When we die we do not cease to exist. We go to heaven or to hell. There is no in-between or alternative place. This is why Today is the day of salvation if you are not born again.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 

Stealth on the kayak.

Stealth with his buddies, Shadow the Kayak Cat, and my brother, Mike.

Guest Post - Jesus Is In the House

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

My friend, Marsha Burkholder, our former pastor's wife, shared this item in the church newsletter a few years back (March 2015). She has kindly told me that I am free to post any of her articles here.

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Jesus Is In the House

At some point during my teenage years, I read the following poem, and it made me think about many things in my life. It has been a poem that has had more impact upon my life than almost any I can remember. It had been a long time since I had seen it. As I was looking through a book the other day, I saw it and wanted to share it in my column this month. I'm sorry that I could not find the author. [Editor's note: It was written by Lois Blanchard Eades.]

If Jesus Came to Your House

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two --
     If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do?
Oh, I know you'd give Him your nicest room -- this honored Guest,
     And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best;
And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there,
     That serving Him in your home is joy beyond compare.

But -- when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door
     With arms outstretched in welcome to your Heavenly visitor?
Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in?
     Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been?
Would you turn off the television and hope He hadn't heard?
     And wish you hadn't uttered that loud, nasty word?

Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out?
     Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?
And I wonder -- if the Saviour spent a day or two with you,
     Would you go right on doing the things you always do?
Would you go right on saying the things you always say?
     Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?

Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace?
     And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?
Would you sing the songs you always sing, and read the books you always read?
     And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?
Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you'd planned to go?
     Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so?

Would you be glad to have Him meet you closest friends?
     Or would you hope they'd stay away till His visit ends?
Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on?
     Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know the things that you would do
     If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you!

Of course, the Christian has the Lord Jesus indwelling his earthly house all the time. 1 Corinthians 3:16, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" We would do well to remember that, and be aware of those things we have in our lives that quench the Spirit and hinder His work in our lives.

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Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.