Stupid Car

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250460_126543917494105_1708293533_aThere is nothing like driving a car where you must hold your head just right,  tap on the door twice and kick the tire once to be sure the door will open.    That’s what I felt like I went through recently.  Recently another driver hit my vehicle making my car undriveable.  The door was wrecked leaving a gap where rain and other things could enter.  I had to drive Gaylon’s car to North Carolina and then two more weeks until my car was fixed.

Gaylon has an older Lexus but it drives great. The door lock system is enough to make a woman speak in tongues of which the Spirit is not in control!  The remote won’t open all doors.  The key will not open all doors.  The back passenger side must be manually done.   Gaylon even told me if I ran into a problem to manually unlock the passenger’s side and climb over to the driver’s side.    It’s just all messed up.  I was afraid  to drive Tucker anywhere for fear I couldn’t get him in or out of the car.    Finally, I just did everything manually so I wouldn’t have to remember when to kick what!

I was so glad to get my car back, but I ended up laughing at myself.  In three weeks I had developed a habit of doing things manually and for a few days, I found myself doing that with my car.  I had a perfectly good remote and lock system, but what I practiced for three weeks became a habit in my life.

I listen to people who seem to never grow spiritually.  They remain angry, unfulfilled, lukewarm and a host of other things.  All too often I have found that they have quit spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible reading,  worship attendance, praise and just being faithful to practice what the Word teaches.

I am beyond convinced that the lack in one’s spiritual life is frequently due to letting habits of the faith go by the wayside.   I am now using my remote again because I retrained myself to do it, and I am much happier with my driving experience.    In your spiritual journey, if you are slapping the door, kicking the tire and just plain frustrated, maybe it’s time to develop some healthy spiritual habits. You might be surprised how quickly they become ingrained in your life.

“So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.”  I Peter 1:5-9 (MSG)

Remember the Duck

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545528_128427177305779_267397737_aHer name was Mary. That’s not really her name but we shall call her that.  When I met Mary, she appeared shy, troubled and nervous.  As a matter of fact, when I would try to talk with her she could not even look me in the eye.

Mary became part of our church, and said yes to my invitation to walk with me sometimes.   Over time Mary began to open up to me.  She told a tale of how she had been unfaithful to her husband.  He had found out about it,  and  Mary ended the relationship with the other man..  In just a few weeks Mary realized she was pregnant.   The timing raised a question about who the father of the child was.   Mary’s husband became enraged and forced her to terminate the pregnancy, and she had never been able to move beyond the guilt.

I began to talk with Mary, sharing with her scripture showing the total forgiveness of God, His love and acceptance.  Mary understood what the Bible said.  She understood that God had forgiven her.  The problem was that Mary had never forgiven herself.  Mary felt she should be punished for the rest of her life and that she was not allowed to ever be happy after what she had done.  I wish I could tell you that Mary was able to move on, but  Mary never could forgive herself.

Many are stuck today because of something in their past.   Struggling under self-condemnation is not the way God wants us to live.  Stop replaying in your mind the old recording of your sin, which stirs up guilt, but instead replay the truths of God’s Word.   God says in Romans 8:1, 2, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”    God says in Ephesians 1:6 – “He has made us accepted in the beloved.”   Rehearse these promises when the recording in your mind goes off.    As you take hold of His forgiveness and release your guilt, you’ll walk out of that jail of self-condemnation into the joy of abundant life.

The story is told of a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with while out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target.  Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma’s pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day Grandma said, “Sally, let’s wash the dishes.”  But Sally said, “Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen.”  Then she whispered to him, “Remember the duck?” So Johnny did the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, “I’m sorry but I need Sally to help make supper.”   Sally just smiled and said, “Well that’s all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help.” She whispered again, “Remember the duck?” So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally’s he finally couldn’t stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.  Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, “Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.”

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done that the devil keeps throwing  up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.); whatever it is, you need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He’s just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you.  The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets.  You don’t have to be a slave anymore.  Be free!

It’s Time To Turn The Page

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It’s the morning after the election, and I have been very contemplative.  I challenge us today to turn the page.  It’s where we are in the story.  I openly admit I had hoped for a different outcome and I based my vote on a great concern for the moral decay of this country, which is embraced and pushed by a liberal thought process.  I base those thoughts on what I believe the Word of God teaches, and the hundreds of conversations I have with people across this country.  I have seen what has happened to people as a result of this decline which has gone on for years, not just the last four years.   Moral decline has destroyed many nations, or at least they no longer resemble who they once were.

I have seen many Facebook posts, many have been encouraging,  some have been discouraging and some have been embarrassing to see God’s people say some of  the things they say.  The question is: what shall we do now?   Most say we need to pray for our country and for our leaders.  God’s word absolutely teaches us that in 1 Timothy 2, but we only seem to emphasize the first part.  I Timothy 2:1-4:

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Paul is instructing Timothy, who is a pastor might I add, to make sure prayer has priority.  Paul said first of all pray,  and prayer is “others” focused to bring about change in lives.    The purpose as stated in verse four is that all will come to a saving knowledge.  In between is that we are to live lives of godliness and holiness.   And, it also says this is pleasing to God.  I want to be a woman that pleases God.

I just want to give a few thoughts.

  1. I have seen so many people post:  we need to pray for the USA and our leaders.  Posting is not enough. We must actually pray daily, and at times, hourly based on what we see happening.  Will you turn the page?
  2. Will you make a sticky note or index card and put within your vision and pray for the leaders, the nation, godliness among God’s people and the salvation of those we agree and/or disagree with?
  3. Can we honor God by no longer using derogatory terms to describe those in office?  Even if  we think it’s true, when we use the world’s language  and attitude, we often stop the process of getting to verse 4 – that all will be saved.  I am not saying embrace that which should not be embraced.  I am saying all of us can speak the truth in love, speak it firmly without wavering and yet use language becoming to a child of God. Trust me how often I have to pray like David in Psalm 141:3 – “Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.”  I even deleted some comments I made on Facebook posts last night because I asked myself, “Is that becoming to God?”
  4. It is not enough to pray, though we pray we must.  Faith without works is dead.  It is time to evangelize and disciple instead of just praying, just reading the Word daily, just enjoying good services, etc.    We must be patient when God places people in our path.   They need the Lord and they need time to grow up in Him.
  5. It is time to stop accusing each other of not being “Christian enough” for how someone voted.  I understand where people are coming from,  but God is the one who will judge people’s vote.
  6. Things must fall in place for end time events.  I don’t know the timeline, but I do know things will go downhill before the coming of the Lord. Read the book.
  7. Take time to read the stories in the Old and New Testaments.  God’s people were constantly in hostile environments, yet they thrived in the Spirit.  They  aw miracles, God’s divine intervention and people added to the Church.  It’s a time to thrive in the Spirit if we truly say God is on the throne, He is in control and He is our King.  God will come upon us through His Spirit to do great exploits in difficult times.  Think of Moses, David, Paul, and others.  Daniel was the poster boy for a bad political environment, yet God heard His prayer and allowed Him to used greatly.    They thrived and did great exploits without having the world’s approval or a good political climate.

So my question is:  Will you turn the page today? Will we take our anger, disappointment and discouragement to the Lord?  Will we allow Him to encourage and refill us?  I want to be like Isaiah and say, “Even in the year when Uzziah died, I ALSO saw the Lord.”    As a woman who lost a son, which is so painful I can’t even describe it for you, I can say, “Even in the year Bryan died, I ALSO saw the Lord.”  I saw that He is high and lifted up.  I saw that He is still on his throne.  His train was so big it filled the temple.  In other words, “His robe was way bigger than any other king’s robe.”  He is the King of kings.  He is big.  He is on the throne.

Today if you are disappointed or discouraged, I hope you will take a look at Him again and see how big He is.  I pray you will turn the page because the story is not over.

I Am Here To Testify

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409570_150152488466581_2020083291_aAs of midnight, the year 2012 will be in the books.  It will be history.  The Bentons will never be able to forget the year 2012.    At the beginning of the year we rejoiced at the news that two grandsons would be joining the family.  Each of our sons would now have their own child and each was happily married.  That is so fulfilling as a parent – to see your children happy and productive!  Then, the bottom seemed to fall out.  The call that would change our world came on the morning of February 11, 2012 when we learned that our middle son Bryan had passed away suddenly and the cause was unknown.  Talk about a world crashing down around you!  We will never forget the year 2012 when we added two precious grandsons and lost a son. The height of joy and the depth of pain.

I have used our life experience throughout the year to encourage others. That is/was sincere.  While the pain has been severe and real, God’s strength has been amazing.  With new meaning we sing the song, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”   Yet, I have written little about the days and nights that gave no peace and no rest.  There were plenty of those.  Sometimes when we speak of the strength and peace of God, we say it as though we have no pain, sleeplessness or anxiety.  I am honest enough to tell you that has not been the case for me.  There have been buckets of tears.  There is the ongoing pain of Bryan not meeting and enjoying his beautiful, active son.  There have been times the pain of loss, and the overwhelming heartache of watching my whole family suffer was almost more than I could bear.  Has that changed my testimony?  Not for one minute!  My testimony has not changed  and my faith has not been shattered.  I am here to testify!  I am here to testify He is with me.   I am here to testify His grace is sufficient.  I am here to testify that He is still God when I have no answers and no solutions.  I am here to testify that He has never left me nor forsaken me.  I am here to testify that His provision has been with me.  I am here to testify!

As we approach 2013, I invite you to lean upon His omnipotent arm.   “You have no need which from His infinite supplies cannot be met.  There is no stone of difficulty in your pilgrimage which His might cannot remove.  You have no burden which His arm of power cannot bear, and no perplexity which His wisdom cannot guide.  In a word, you have no condition to which Christ our ever-present God is not equal. In faith and humility make practical use of your Savior’s divinity; and when all that is merely human has failed, broken like a rope of sand, dissolved like a passing vapor; or has pierced your hand like a shattered reed, then take hold of this precious truth, and say, “My Savior God is with me in all the boundless resources of His Godhead, why then should I fear?”

And to that I am here to testify!

It Must Be True! I Read It On Facebook

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59687_173221299493033_20182026_nI definitely have a love-hate relationship with Facebook.  On the one hand, I love having the ability to quickly get in touch with old friends, new friends and family.   On the other hand, I am not a fan of the endless boxes of sayings causing Facebook to now look like a field of billboards.

However, the thing that drives me  silly crazy  at times, are posts that are continually re-posted as fact  and are fiction.  Rather than take the time to dig a little and see if the things are true, people just mindlessly repeat what they have been told by another.   Below are a couple of examples, but I won’t put the whole post to save space.

  1.  To all my FB friends, I want to stay PRIVATELY connected with you. However, with the recent changes in FB, the public can now see all activities in any wall. This happens when our friend hits “like” or “comment”, automatically, their friends would see our posts too. Unfortunately, we cannot change this setting ourselves because Facebook has configured it this way. Only you can do this!!! …. FALSE
  2. EVERYBODY SHOULD READ THIS!!!!!!!!! WARNING: Some knew about the red light on cars, but not Dialing 112.   If an UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put his lights on dial 112 to check authenticity.  I never knew about the 112 Cell Phone feature.     Speaking to a service representative at Bell Mobility confirmed that 112 was a direct link to State trooper info. So, now it’s your turn to let your friends know about “Dialing, 112… NOT TRUE and might actually cost you valuable time or harm.    In the USA you must dial 911.

I could go on and on with amber alerts, toxins in your refrigerator, posts about the First Lady, etc.   The interesting thing is that once in a while the claims are true.    So how do we know what is true and what is not?  It simply takes a little digging.

This so translates over to the Christian realm.  Over and over phrases, words and slogans are passed off as truth from God’s word and they aren’t truth at all.   We are living in serious times and we need to know what the Bible says.    How do we separate truth from fiction?  It takes a little digging ON OUR OWN and not just repeat what a preacher or friend said.

 Here’s truth:

Romans 10:9-If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Philippians 4:19-And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:37-39-No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How do I know these words to be truth?  Because I did a little digging and found that God Himself had the words penned for my benefit and my victorious living.  Stop depending on others to break it down for you.  Yes, there is a time to listen to a sermon, read a devotion or read a book, but that must never replace digging for truth ourselves.

In the above reference about dialing 112, the sad thing is if a person is in danger and they follow this, it  could cost them valuable time or even their lives – all because people continue to repeat what is not true.  Too often we believe the lie rather than  dig a little to find the truth.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”  Hosea 4:6   SELAH

Through The Desert

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I have been to Arizona and California many times.  While on those trips I drove through some real deserts.   While in Egypt I traveled through one of the largest deserts I have ever seen.  I know there are some people who love the desert but I am not one of them.  It is desolate, dry, sandy terrain, and hot, hot, hot!   This goes on for miles and miles and miles and miles!  Did I say it goes on for miles?  Amazingly at night, cold winds will often blow.  One can enjoy snakes, scorpions, lizards and all kinds of lovely creatures.  Ah, the desert – such an appealing place!  Not really, but on my journey to a destination I found myself in desert places.

Some of us are walking through the desert right now.  Oh, we are not literally walking on hot sand and encountering snakes and scorpions, but we still are in a desert place.   Perhaps you are in a dry, hot place with occasional cold, miserable winds.  It goes on for miles and miles and miles and seems to never end.   It can be such a lonely place.

In the Bible there are many who experienced the desert or wilderness including Jesus Himself.  I seriously doubt any of them volunteered to be there!  Yet, over and over, these great men and women of faith allowed their deserts to become defining moments in their lives.  God spoke to them in the desert!   God sustained them in the desert!  God provided for them in the desert!   God used the desert to prepare them for even greater use!   The hard place became a God adventure for them.

Do I want to be in the desert?  NO!  But, God certainly allows it from time to time.   When we find ourselves there, trust Him that it will become a God-adventure, a place where He will meet you, a place where He will speak.   Trust Him to make it life changing and spiritually empowering.   Allow the Holy Spirit to make it a defining moment of growth.

You will walk out of the desert one day.  How do I know? The Bible says “They were not thirsty when he led them through the desert. He divided the rock, and water gushed out for them to drink.”  He led them THROUGH.  He did not leave them there.

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

I’ve Been Hurt

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530231_179581688856994_333658795_n“No one is likely to experience real church life without times of hurt, disappointment, or rejection. Those who overcome these by growing in love, patience, forgiveness, etc., can make huge strides forward in their spiritual lives. Those who allow hurt, frustrations, or disappointments to dictate their courses will likely go from defeat to defeat, shipwreck to shipwreck, until they resolve to be over-comers instead of being overcome by these things.”  – Rick Joyner

If you are in a local church, and I hope you are, you will experience both joy and pain at the hands of other believers.  Raise your hand if you have been blessed by others in your church.  Now, raise your hand if you have been hurt by or disillusioned with others in your church.   When we experience the hurt part, there is a tendency to run and never darken the door again!

I know many people who have turned away from the church after painful experiences.  I understand, more than I wish I did!   Yes the church is filled with brokenness and imperfection, but I  am still  convinced that the local  church is the primary means of forming believers and setting them on a pathway to spiritual maturity.

I must admit that I have been hurt by the church and I have hurt people in the church.  I’ve tried to learn from my mistakes and be a healer and not a “hurter”.

Be careful about assigning to God the “mess-ups” of His children.  God did nothing to you, people did!  Don’t give up on the church!  Please don’t.  I think there are many grace-filled, caring, loving and forgiving people in most churches. Seek them out. Spend time with them. If you have really made an effort, and cannot find them, then find another church.   God thought the church was a good idea.  I want to be a part of anything that has been blessed and created by Him.  Don’t give up on the Church!  Even God is often pained by its behavior yet He doesn’t give up on His  Church and for that I am grateful!

It Might Be Time For A RE-MINDER

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166730_182789265202903_1206918220_nI love dividing words to really grasp their meaning.  Words like nothing, NO THING.  Nothing is impossible with God – and NO THING is impossible with God.  Today I am focused on remind, RE-MIND.  Our thoughts lives can wreak havoc on so many levels.   As a child of God, when our minds are bombarded by thoughts that do not line up with the Word of God, we must RE-MIND.

When someone or the devil puts the thought in your mind that, you are nobody, it’s time to RE-MIND with what God says. God says you are His child and none of His children are nobodies.   1 John 3:1 (NIV) “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

When you are tormented with the thought that you are not going to make it, it’s time to RE-MIND:   Philippians 1:6 “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

When your head is saying you have sinned so badly, God is finished with you, it’s time for a RE-MIND-er:  Psalm 103:  “Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons ALL your iniquities…”

When your mind is saying, the doctor can’t do anything else, RE-MIND with Psalm 103:”Bless the LORD, O my soul,  And forget none of His benefits; Who heals all your diseases.”When your thoughts are filled with, “God does not hear my prayers.”  Let’s do a RE-MIND:  Jeremiah 29:12: (NIV) “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”

What is your mind saying to you today?  The Word is filled with RE-MIND-ers.  It might be time to get the Word of God out and RE-MIND yourself who God is and who you are!

Set The Tone

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A young man stepped to the podium to sing a solo in the morning service.   I sat there on the front row, and along with the congregation, awaited a song that would cause us to look heavenward.  Oh boy!  The music was in one key and he was in another.  He left the music way behind and nothing fit together. Instead of causing up to be lifted heavenward, we all wished he would hurry and finish,which he did, way before the background music!

In a conversation I learned that the man loved to sing but was tone death.  He wanted us to be receptive but the wrong tone killed the whole thing.    The problem was not the message but the tone.  Tone has to do with using different elements: volume, speed, pitch of voice, body language and gestures, etc., to name a few.

We are in a time when we have to boldly stand for truth.  BOLDLY!   I refuse to accept what the Bible does not accept.  I understand everyone is not going to like my stand or agree with me. What I don’t want to do is add fuel to the fire by my tone.    We live in a time of too much anger and hostility.  Couples scream and yell at each other.  Politicians berate one another.   Christians “tell each other off”.   Facebook posts are often rudely stated.  People are quick to give the middle finger of fellowship.  Parents declare that the only way their children will listen is if they yell.   (By the way, that is only true if you conditioned them that way.)   God is saying to sing in one key and we sing in whatever key we want.  We have a tone problem.

I don’t want to be an angry, ugly, red-faced, condescending, name-calling, arrogant child of God.  I want to stand boldly for God.  I want to have the best relationships I can.  I want to be a good communicator of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I might be rejected but I don’t want it to be because of my tone.    I want to set the right tone.  How about you?

SELAH

“A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.” – Proverbs 15:1

EN-couragement

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I recently spent three nights in a motel in Columbus, OH.  My schedule made it necessary to arise and shine early each morning!  I would go down to the breakfast room at 5:30 to get my anointed cup of coffee and read over my message.  There were two women who stocked the breakfast area, and they told me their day started at 4:30.   As I watched hotel guests eating breakfast, very little thought seemed to be given to these women.  It was not a “limelight” job.  God spoke to me to bless them daily with words of thanksgiving and praise and I did.  The last morning I felt God leading me to bring them a gift of thanksgiving.  As I placed it in their hands, I thanked them for a job well done.  I thanked them that I had fresh coffee so early in the morning.  They begin to grin and you could almost see their shoulders lift up.  I could see them in the back room, and as we say in the south, “they were tickled pink!”   I honestly think I was more blessed than they were.

We often think of great ministries or ministers as those who stand up front, those in the limelight.  I have certainly known great men and women of God who have gifts requiring them to stand in the limelight.  But, there is a ministry that is so needed in life today, and it’s a great ministry that all of us can do.  Don’t even take a spiritual gift test to see if you have it!  It is the ministry of EN-couragement!

Everyone, from babes to senior citizens, needs EN-couragement. To EN-courage is to put courage into someone. To DIS-courage is to take courage out of them.   You don’t have to go to seminary to have a great ministry!  Be an EN-courager!  Today speak a kind word; tell someone you appreciate them; say thank you to your boss; tell that nurse how much you appreciate her care;  tell a child how glad you are God made them; post on someone’s Facebook  complimenting them.  If you will look around today, you will have many opportunities to have a great ministry – the ministry of EN-couragement.

Show the love of God by being an EN-courager.  Make a point of putting courage into your spouse, your children, your friends, the clerk checking you out at the grocery store, the teller at the bank, the single parent and countless others.  Be a blessing today through .  Go out of your way to do it, and one wonderful thing that happens, is that in blessing others you will be blessed yourself.

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life …”  Proverbs 10:11