IT'S AN EMERGENCY!

My current binge of watching episodes of "Mindless Chatter" involves the medical field.  It is no secret among those who know me well that I have endeavored to get my M.D. through Dr. Goggle, various laymen's books including a Nurse's Guide to Drugs, and medical soap operas on television.  I keep waiting for my diploma to arrive, but so far no one has recognized my vast medical knowledge.  Dr. Son-in-law literally rolls his eyes back in his head if I dare try to enlighten him with my medical wisdom.   HEY---I KNOW THINGS!

 

The show I am currently watching sometimes focuses on the ER (in England they call it A & E--SEE I know things).  In one short 40 minutes everything bizarre and life threatening  imaginable will happen.  Last night it was a broken baseball bat which had impaled a woman and was sticking out of her chest.  The night before it was a typhon arriving with a mudslide (crushing and suffocating) and THEN a church bus evacuating those stranded was blown over and wrecked right in front of the ER-(that was convenient).  I have not been sleeping well--perhaps the adrenaline rush after watching an hour of this fast paced--action filled show could be part of the cause???  At any rate---I have seen more action on these shows than I can imagine in my wildest moments.  My career as a CPA had one client throw a file at me and some clients jump my case like I wrote the tax laws that created their tax burden, but that was about all the action (the long hours are another subject).  There were NO emergencies in the world of taxes -well except the failure of some to anticipate and plan for where the money would come from to pay said taxes.  I even had a sign that said it for me in my lobby (a little tongue in cheek but a lot of truth)

SO I once asked my dear Godly friend, Dr. Dale, if all the action you saw in those ER shows really happened when he staffed the ER.  As only Dr. Dale could, he gave me that look out of the corner of one eye with his eyebrow raised and a little grin and said, "Yes, but not all in one night.  You see it all--but it is spread over years."  I miss that dear man greatly.

So it is with life---we all have moments of suffering--physically and emotionally--but usually (I will say some do seem to have it piled on) over decades.  We WILL suffer in this life.  Their will be illness, death of loved ones, accidents, and that is only the tip of the iceberg.  The road to sanctification passes through great and small trials of various types.  BUT we have a faithful Father who never leaves our side.  I can testify of countless times I have told Him, "I can't do this without Your help."  He has never failed to uphold me, love me--stand by me.  I am so thankful and, though the road gets bumpy and can be steep---God always walks with me--encourages me--teaches me--and is never surprised or caught unaware.  Such a comfort--and with each incident in life---my faith has deepened.  What a great God we serve.

"Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be frightened,

and do not be dismayed,

for the Lord your God is with you

wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

FINALLY IT'S FRIDAY'S WORD OF THE DAY

 

My next door neighbor and sweet friend gave me this word as we worked on a project for the hood.  God has so blessed me with sweet neighbors in the hood.  Over the past four years, it has slowly become home after many years of never really feeling like I had a home.  I look forward to the deepening feelings of how really special this place I am planted is over the years to come.  As with most things, it has become special because of the relationships with my neighbors.  With the deepening of relationships, the roots that hold me here are becoming more firmly planted.  God is our faithful provider for all we need.  

When we were talking about the word, the neighbor told me this ~

"We (it's a couple next door) decided a long time ago that if God was so faithful to us, we would be faithful to Him by being a part of the community of faith He placed us in."  (Hoping you also have like minded neighbors.)

They are newer Ruston residents having spent their entire lives in a community about an hour down the road.  Moving to Ruston to be close to family, they quickly dived into a local church and became active.  Without hesitation, they not only joined Sunday School (for all of you young people that was the pre-cursor to small groups), but also began volunteering within the church.  Their faithfulness to the local church is outward evidence of their faithfulness to God.  

Exactly what is faithful and the quality of faithfulness?

remaining loyal and steadfast.

The definition of faithfulness contained this word ~

 fidelity

which is 

faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief,

 demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support

As I thought this over, it dawned on me the word which is most important is

continuing

which would mean   ~  continuous  ~  as in without break or pause.  How easy it is for me to think I have done my hours of service this week, I have worshipped, I have written my check, read my daily Bible reading, and prayed.  It all sounds good---no great.  BUT is it continuous?  What am I doing with the remainder of the hours in my day?  Is God always present in my sub-conscious?  Where are my thoughts throughout the day?  I am fairly certain none of us can claim to be consistently faithful.  The world gets in our way as we seek to be faithful.  What we can be absolutely 100% certain of is 

Thank God, His faithfulness is not dependent upon our faithfulness.  God is faithful---continuously.  AMEN!

"Your unfailing love, Oh Lord,

is as vast as the heavens;

your faithfulness

reaches beyond the clouds."

Psalm 36:5

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