My mother passed away in February and I’ve been amazed at how much I’ve missed her, although the person she had been, that I grew up knowing, had long since departed. Still I find myself wishing I could tell her something I thought of today or tell her something the grandkids did that would make her smile. But, I would not bring her back to this world for anything. She is completely at rest; no more pain or suffering. I think of her with daddy, her mom and dad, other family members who’ve made the trip ahead of her and almost envy her. She will get to see my firstborn, my son Billy who died when he was a year old. I look forward to seeing him again.

My youngest son and his wife are leading a group of teenagers on a mission trip to Uruguay for 2 weeks in June. Ellie, my granddaughter, will stay in Nashville with friends while they are gone. I’ll be able to spend some time with her and that is always a joy.

Oh, and I think there is a family reunion planned for the end of the summer.

I would like to spend some time with Will and Neil, but that will have to be worked out. Maybe it will.

And then there is always work; friends; church, and then more work. All in all I’d say that there’s a lot going on in my world. That should make mother happy for she always said idleness bred discontent. I’m very content.

Grams

After mother settled in, she seemed to do OK. She made some friends and joined them in the common area where they talked and watched everything that went on. She called it the “gossip corner.” The family began to feel like this was going to work. Then things began to change.

She came to my house for Thanksgiving and seemed to enjoy herself. Then there was Christmas at Mary’s. Mother wasn’t doing well then at all. A sense of foreboding settled over all of us. She was going down, fast, and there didn’t seem to be anything we could do to stop it.

January came and her last hospital stay. She was in renal failure. Mother refused to eat. She was through living. She was tired. She was ready to go home. When we left the hospital, hospice took over the management of her case. Death was not too far down the road and with each step, his pace increased.

Nothing any of us brought for her to eat tempted her. She would eat a few bites, but that was all. We visited with her as often as we could, although mother wanted one of us with her all the time.

The staff at Green Hills Health and Rehab Center were very good to mother and our family. The hospice nurse kept a close check on her and also kept  our family informed of her condition. Then on February 20, 2010 mother suffered a major stroke. She died three days later.

During those last three days, several members of the staff, the hospice nurse, the hospice chaplain, and some of her friends at the nursing home told about coming to mother’s room just to talk with her because it was so peaceful. One man even said he’d come in her room when his work was caught up and just sit by her bed. There was just something about her room that gave them all a sense of peace and calm. The hospice nurse and chaplain told us that they had learned a lot about dying when the patient was one of faith.

Mother was a simple woman. There was nothing fake about her. She cared for her family; she had been a faithful and loving wife and mother. Her family was her responsibility. Times were not always easy and she did without so we could have. Mother portrayed a dignity of spirit that was often misunderstood, but was genuine nonetheless. Even in death, the calmness, peace, and dignity of spirit that was my mother showed through.

Today, mother is talking with my dad; she’s once again held her oldest grandson, visited with Aunt Mae (oh what a time they all are having!), and spent time with friends. Most of all, she’s met her Savior face to face. She is alive, happy, and well. As my sister’s grandson said, “I bet Maw Maw is running all over heaven on two legs”!

Would I bring mother back if I could? No, not at all. I miss her, but I am so happy for her and thankful she no longer suffers. She lives because He lives!

Grams

Legs pulled up under him, the old man sat quietly on the sand. The waves rolled gently toward him, tugging at his toes. To the passing observer, he was just an old man enjoying a moment in the sun. But, he was more than that, much more.

John slowly got to his feet, brushing sand from his robe. The low rumble in his stomach told him it was time for lunch. After a short nap he’d come back and watch the sun slide into the sea.

His home was a small island called Patmos. He did not see his family and close friends anymore, but he didn’t mind. He chuckled to himself. He had not known he was such a troublemaker. The emperor had exiled him here in an effort to squelch the spread of Jesus’ followers. Somehow John knew man’s efforts would not stop the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The hardest part of his day had become the walk back up the hill to his cottage. It wasn’t very far but the pain in his knees made it seem longer than it was. Someday soon that would no longer be a problem. The anticipation of a new body and being at home with his Lord and friend brought a smile to his lips.

John finished eating the bit of baked fish left from his last meal. He’d have to do something about food for tomorrow, but right now he just wanted to lie down. He spread out his sleeping mat and settled down for his mid-day nap. These were becoming more frequent and necessary. He had finished the writing and had sent it by courier to the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. When one’s work is finished, it’s a good time to rest.

A gentle breeze ruffled the edges of John’s robes, but he didn’t seem to notice. He turned toward the open door where he could catch the glint of the sun’s rays as they danced across the water. It was a quiet time, a gentle time. It was a good day to go home. Well, why not? Slowly John’s eyes blinked, he let out his breath, and smiled. He was home.

Faithful to the end.

I enjoy reading the ESV translation of the Bible. It has a feel or cadence if you will of the KJV, but with simpler wording. For some reason, I am able to gain a greater understanding of difficult to understand Scriptures. One such Scripture is in Jeremiah 10:5a.

The prophet Jeremiah is describing for the idolatrous Israelites the futility of worshiping idol gods. He says they are like “scarecrows in a cucumber field.” That phrase caught my attention and has stayed with me for several days. I couldn’t help but wonder about the significance of those words?

My first reaction was: I’ve never seen a scarecrow in a cucumber field. Cucumbers grow on vines, on the ground, and are practically hidden from any birds flying over, so really there’s no reason for a scarecrow to be put in a cucumber field. It would be completely useless. Ah! The light came on. The worship of idol gods, regardless of the form or substance they may have, is totally and completely useless; as useless as a scarecrow in a cucumber field.

Jeremiah is reminding his people that they are wasting their time and efforts in trying to appease gods who are powerless, useless, non-effective. Why spend time in a futile endeavor. There is only one God, creator and Lord over all the earth. It is to Him we owe our allegiance and devotion. He is the only one who can help in time of need. He is the only one who can save from the dominion of sin and bring us home to live with Him when our time on this earth is done.

Worship of Jehovah God is not useless or futile. Our God is NOT a scarecrow in a cucumber field.

Grams

]]> http://www.gramswrites.com/?feed=rss2&p=198 0 http://www.gramswrites.com/?p=194 http://www.gramswrites.com/?p=194#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:36:17 +0000 Grams http://www.gramswrites.com/?p=194 An endless stream of worshipers poured through the gates; the rich and poor came from lands near and far and Jerusalem welcomed them. The cool, crisp air of an early spring crackled with the squawk of merchants; men, women, children, and animals jostled each other as they made their way through the narrow streets. A sense of expectancy enveloped the city.

It was time. It was time to remember the steadfast love of a holy God, the Maker of all mankind. It was time to pay homage to the God of all the earth for it was He who had redeemed His people from Egyptian slavery so many years in the past. Because of blood applied to the doorposts of Jewish households, the firstborn in that house lived. Since that time each year God’s chosen people celebrated the Passover, Israel’s most holy week.

It was time. God’s plan for His Son was near its completion. Underneath the excitement of Passover week, forces gathered for its climax. Envy and jealousy consumed the hearts of the Jewish religious leaders and they had decided upon a course that would forever doom their souls, yet at the same time bring deliverance to the entire human race. Jesus of Nazareth, who claimed to be the Son of God, must die for He had turned the hearts of the people. The scribes and Pharisees did not intend to lose their position with the people or with the Romans.

It was time. At the end of the Psssover week, evil forces were defeated. The plan designed to retain control worked to bring total and complete freedom for all who believed Jesus was truly the Son of God. The crucifixion was past. Hell’s smug shout of victory remained only a whimper.

It was time. Jesus stood on the Mount of Olives. It was the last time He would be with His trusted disciples here on earth. He looked them in the eye, gave them a job to do, prayed blessings upon them, and said all that needed to be said. Slowly He ascended back to His Father. It was time.

Grams

The oxen strained against the weight of the loaded wagon. Just over the hill water, feed, and rest. But for now, the oxen stepped into the yoke, responding to the lash of the whip as the driver flicked it across their backs. Relentlessly, they plodded on; just a little farther and they’d be home.

Now put yourself in the place of the oxen. You say, “No way.” But consider this:  “These things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts. They stoop; they bow down together, they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity. ‘Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save’” (Isaiah 46:1a-4 ESV).

God is confronting Israel, once again, through the prophet Isaiah about their propensity to idolatry. It seemed they would never learn. In this Scripture God says the Children of Israel are like weary beasts and the idols are as heavy burdens they struggle to carry. They are weary and miserable, toiling their life through with no relief from the terrible weight they carry. In essence, God says they have become captives to the burdens they bear.

But God comes right back with the assertion that He has carried them from before their birth, from the womb, even into old age. He declares He made them and He will bear them up; He will carry them.

What a contrast! Oh the freedom that is ours if we simply unyoke ourselves from whatever it is that is strapped to our backs and climb up into the arms of the gentle Shepherd. He will carry all who will come to Him.

The stallion stops and sniffs the wind. Turning quickly, he gallops across the plain, his mane glinting in the brightness of the mid-day sun. His mares race after him. No one rides their backs; no one has harnessed them to a wagon or a plow. No toil; no worries; no troubles. Just complete freedom.

Which had you rather be–the ox, a beast of burden, or the stallion enjoying the unbridled freedom of the open range?

Grams

I use the term little because when I compare those things that occupy my mind to the plan God has and is working out in my life, it is too much about too little.

Does God expect us to be organized, logical, practical, etc.? About some things. The rub comes in when we try to apply these processes to God. He can be organized, logical, and practical; creation proves that, but that’s another topic for another day. However, God is often disorganized, illogical, and impractical when it comes to guiding the lives of His children, or so it can seem. And that is what makes faith the only element that will hold it all together.

Am I still a thinker? Do I tend to view life from a logical and practical standpoint? I’m afraid so. But has my faith grown? I’d like to think it has. All I know is that I’m able to put my life as it is now and what it will be next year in the hands of God with complete assurance that He is in control; He loves me like no other ever has; my days are written in the palm of His hand and there I am content to reside.

Grams

The same thing takes place for the evening services with one difference. After that service is over, everything has to be dismantled, stacked together, and carried out to vans, trunks, and trailers to be stored so we can meet in seven more days and do it all over again.

Is it tiring? Of course it is. Can it be exasperating? Absolutely, if you let it. Do people’s tempers get short? They could, but I’ve not heard that yet. You see, Cane Ridge folks are on a mission; they have set a course toward a goal and have no plans of looking back with regrets, backing up, or sitting down.

Sunday, April 5, 2009, Cane Ridge FWB Church will break ground on the property where we will build the first building of the new Cane Ridge FWB Church! What an exciting time that will be. Scores of us will ride by the property as the building begins to take place just to see how much progress has been made. As the the building takes shape the excitement will mount until one day we drive by and it is almost complete. Just a few more finishing touches and then we can move in. On that day, the glory of the Lord will fall and just as the Children of Israel stepped up the bank of the Jordan River to take possession of Canaan, Cane Ridge Church will take possession of the land and building God has given us with the task of conquering new territory for Him.

Are we up to the challenge? We’d better be. God does not do things halfway and He doesn’t expect His children, His warriors, to fall victim to that attitude either. So, we march on; we work; we give; we pray; we encourage; we remain faithful and the God of heaven and earth has promised never to leave us. He will finish the work He has begun.

Come see what God is doing at, and with, Cane Ridge FWB Church!

Grams

Lately I’ve been reading the minor prophets, not because I’m such a theologian, but because I was curious. Beginning with Hosea, I’ve just finished Habakkuk. I can’t say I understood everything I read, but I did get enough to understand that regardless of the time period the prophet was writing about, they all seemed to have one thing in common. God was displeased with His chosen people and judgment was soon coming unless they repented. The thing is, if anyone ever got the point, they didn’t hang on to it for very long. The next generation invariably picked up where their parents and grandparents left off. Oh, there might be a momentary sorrow because of the hard times they were in, but nothing lasting, nothing genuine.

It has always intrigued me how closely paralleled the moral decay of western civilization is to that of Rome in its last days. But in reading about the Children of Israel, the parallel continued. My conclusion is that man is inherently evil and if left to his own inclinations will wreak havoc on all around him.

While problems abound because sin abounds; while people search frantically for a way; any way just so there is one, they turn a blind eye to the only solution available to them. Just like Israel did; just like Rome did; just like mankind has done since God removed Adam and Eve from the Garden, man has refused to listen to the God of heaven and earth.

The pat Christian answer is always that we have the answer, and we do. But how do we get people to look our way, to listen to what we have to say? I think I found the answer in the last verses of Habakkuk. He says, basically, that if the fields are bare, if there is nothing to eat, if there is no way to make a living, if all is lost in this life, still he will rejoice in the God of his salvation. What would make a greater impression on the lost world today than God’s people relying totally on Him, on His care, and rejoicing because of Him and His great salvation? And that’s the difference. We may go through the same hard times; we may lose our jobs, our homes, our retirement, but this is not the end. We can rejoice in the God of our salvation!

Grams

One of my dearest friends has recently gone through a terrible ordeal. Even as I write it is not finalized, but there are some positive signs and the end is drawing near. Yesterday she and I talked and she read a Scripture from Mark where Jesus said if you believe you will receive it, it will be done. She told me that tomorrow, which is today, that she fully expected the Lord to do something unusual, even miraculous. I agreed to pray with her, as have scores of others. She would not be denied. She grabbed on to the altar of our Lord, the God of heaven and earth, and she did not let go. Today, God did something unusual, against all odds, humanly speaking.

This lady’s faith is not show or talk; it is real, the genuine article. To say she has had a profound affect upon my life is an understatement. If nothing else, I have witnessed first hand that God does listen to His children; He will move mountains; He does care that we suffer, and He provides a way where there seems to be none.

This kind of faith is the kind I saw lived out in the lives of the older generation, the generation of my father. Those old pioneer saints took God at His word and acted upon it. We don’t see that kind of faith very much in this present generation. I count it a great honor to know someone who asked God for the impossible and He delivered.

Grams