While growing up in rural North Georgia, I knew a bit about my local area but naïvely assumed that people and places in the larger world were similar to those in my world.

But after graduating from high school, I moved from the mountains to attend college in the central portion of Georgia that had a very different landscape. Later, my husband and I traveled throughout the United States, Canada, and a few of the Caribbean islands. As we also vicariously traveled around the world through print and audiovisual media, and then the Internet, I gained a greater understanding of what the world is like. To my astonishment, it is so much larger and so much more diverse than the small area where I was born.

That process of exploration and learning reminds me of connecting-the-dots puzzles. The more dots you connect, the more recognizable the big picture becomes. In like manner, I started where I was born and moved on from the familiar "here" to one astonishing "there" after another. The people groups and places I’m continuing to learn about have been there for a long time, despite my lack of awareness. Such gradual illumination fills me with ever-increasing wonder.

Similarly, the Gospel story has been slowly, yet consistently, revealed to me. As a child, and for many years later, I knew little about the Bible, which contains the stories of the triune God and His dealings with all the diverse people living in the physical world He created, as well as how we will live in the hereafter — in the world He also has created and over which He will reign forevermore.

But through the years, I’ve been privileged to learn more of the Gospel story. For example, just recently, I listened as Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth connected even more of the dots in the Gospel story. 

 https://www.reviveourhearts.com/podcast/revive-our-hearts/the-incomparable-incarnate-christ/

Yes, there is more, so much more, to His story than the familiar stories and songs and dramatizations of the birth of Christ on which we focus on at Christmastime. Although that awesome portion of His life is an essential part of the story, it is not the true beginning of His life. He, like God the Father, has always existed and will always exist. Thus, there’s more, so much more, to the story of who He was, who He is, and who He will always be.

Since I’m eager to learn more and more about Him and believe more deeply and confidently in all that He is and does, I benefit from reading the entire Bible, which contains the larger story. As I read and reflect on various passages, including one of the apostle Paul’s prayers that’s found in the first chapter of the book of Ephesians, I receive insights to include in my prayers. For example:

I bow before You -- the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory __ and humbly ask You to give me a spirit of wisdom and of revelation that will provide true and ever-increasing knowledge of Jesus. I ask You to continue to enlighten my heart, so that I will know more and more about You and about the glorious hope and abundant riches Your boundless power and grace give to those who believe in Jesus.

I make these requests not only for myself but also for others. Enable us to know You, the triune God, more and more fully so that we might truly love You and worship You with glad and grateful hearts, always eager to share with others what we have come to know and believe about You.

Glorious Freedom

Photo courtesy of artist Kathy Barlow and
photographer James Magnus

When I first saw this photo, the thought "Symbols of Freedom" popped into my mind. Indeed, they are. 

That thought reminded me of a deeper understanding I'd received several weeks ago while reading the 8th chapter of the Gospel of John. When I came to verse 32, I noticed that the translators of that particular version had capitalized the word Truth, something I'd not seen in other versions. 

So, I read the verse again (and the one preceding it), in which Jesus said, "If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free" (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition). 

Indeed, the more we know the truth (what is right), which He taught, the more we know Him (who is the personification of all truth). After all, He clearly said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me" (John 14:6, AMPC). 

He is the One, the only One, who can set us free from the tyranny and guilt of our sins and give us a new and abundant life--now and throughout all eternity.

No Greater Joy

Both my daughters have careers that involve working with people all day long. Since they live and work in counties outside the one my husband and I live in, I rarely know any of the people in their workday world. Yet, I like hearing the gist of some of their experiences.

I’m always thankful to hear about situations that went well for my daughters. But even when they talk a bit about some of the difficult people they’ve had to deal with, I’m always thrilled to know about those times my daughters responded rightly (that is, in a Christ-like manner).

Upon hearing about such situations, I immediately think of what the Apostle John wrote in a letter to “the beloved Gaius.” 

After hearing that Gaius was “walking in the truth,” John said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4).

Yes!

Don't Look Back--or Around!

"No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

--Jesus (Luke 9:62, NKJV)

Amy Carmichael* points out that Jesus says looking back, not turning back. (There is a huge difference, isn't there?) When we look back, we can't plow a straight furrow. In other words, we "mess up." 

The devil knows that. Thus, he continually tempts us to look back at our past sins, at our worthlessness, at our failures, at the things we want but do not have, at the things we once had but no longer have, at the "good life" others seem to be living.... 

We must NOT let our thoughts linger on those kinds of things. Instead, we must read God's Word daily and keep our minds focused on the truths it contains (rather than on the devil's lies) as we continue to move forward, fully committed to doing His will.

*author of Thou Givest...They Gather

The Encounter

I wrote the poem below after reading the Bible passage (John 4) that tells about what happened centuries ago when Jesus came to a certain town. I urge you to read it for yourself and to believe, as the woman and the other villagers did.

I took this photo during a musical presentation at a local church.

Jesus came to my town one ordinary day

And really surprised me with what He had to say.

He told me who He was and all I’d ever done,

So I believed Him when He said He was God’s Son.

I told all my neighbors, “You need to meet Him, too!”

And we invited Him to stay a day or two.

As He spoke, we realized all He said was true.

Many believed in Him—way more than just a few.

The encounter with Jesus changed many a life,

Though the plain truth He spoke often cut like a knife.

I’m glad He spoke with me one ordinary day

And completely changed me with what He had to say.

Everyone can tell I’m truly a “happy girl”

Now that I know and love the Savior of the world.

To know Him is to love Him, and I surely do!

And there's more good news: He loves ME—and also YOU!

Believing Mirrors

In Finding Water: The Art of Perseverance, author Julia Cameron writes about the importance of having what she calls “believing mirrors” in our lives. By that she means, trusted friends who encourage us by speaking the truth to us when we're being tempted to believe lies about ourselves. For instance, when we’re bingeing on negative thoughts about ourselves, believing mirrors tell us the truth about ourselves rather than agree with the distorted view we currently have.

For example, if we think our writing is no good, a believing mirror might say, “You’ve put a lot of time and thought into this work, and you have some really good stuff here! If you’ll do a little more editing, you can make your words shine.”  

Believing mirrors see the potential in us. But instead of using flattery to lift our spirits, they speak the truth—in love. Thus, they’re honest, yet never cruel. When we don’t like the “me” we see in our mirror, when all we can see are our flaws, we can turn to these believing mirrors who will help us see a more accurate image of ourselves by pointing out some of our good features.

However, the truest mirror is the word of God, which was penned by many truth tellers who lived in centuries past. The words they wrote, under the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit, are the truest words of all. The more you and I know those truths (like Ephesians 2:10), believe them, and then base our thinking and our actions on them, the more accurate a picture we'll see of ourselves. As more and more truth dwells within us, the more hopeful and confident we become. And...we become better believing mirrors for those who turn to us in search of truth and comfort.

Take It In; Live It Out

As I journal, read the Bible, read devotional and self-help books, listen to podcasts by various Christians and self-help experts, watch TED Talks, etc. I receive an abundance of insights about how to live life better. However, I'm overwhelmed by all that I should think, feel, say, and do differently.

Having too much to focus on, I generally end up applying few, if any, of the principles that were presented to me. I'm like the person described in James 1:22-25, the person who looks into a mirror, sees the truth about what needs readjusting, but chooses to walk away from the mirror without dealing with problem areas. How smart is that???? 

Although I take in far more insights than I live out, I could experience BIG changes in my life if only I'd choose at least one "flaw" and apply the truth from God's Word to it. Even though I may not have the time or wisdom to do everything I'm shown every day, I'll certainly benefit from choosing to do at least ONE thing differently--and consistently.

How about you, Dear Reader? Do you need to learn to incorporate more of God's truths into your life? Will you choose at least one truth and start living by it? Will you begin to do it today? Will you continue to do it tomorrow and the next day, and...?

Father, thank You for revealing

truth upon truth, precept upon precept.

I humble ask You to help me "live it out."

Amen.

Let the Light In

I felt my way around the foot of the bed and then across the room to open the plantation shutters so that light could enter the unfamiliar dark bedroom where I'd slept. As I noticed how easily and quickly the light flowed in, I thought about how even a little bit of light made a huge difference in my ability to see where I was and to move around safely. The light was available. All I had to do was let it in!

I also thought about how much better life is for you, Dear Reader, and me, when we open our minds and hearts to the light of truth. Regrettably, all too often we stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the truth and/or let it permeate our lives. We foolishly try to make sense of our life, of our world, while stumbling around in the darkness, without the benefit (and the blessing) of the light that is given to everyone who believes in Jesus. How different our lives would be if only we'd turn to Him and experience the truth of what He said centuries ago: "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness" (John 12:46, NASB). His light is always available. All we have to do is let it in!

Have To?

I remember well an insight I received while reading a blog post many years ago. The man who had written the words that were burned into my heart and brain the moment I read them had no idea the impact his words had on me. (Thankfully, I did get the opportunity to tell him, much later on!)

In the post, he wrote about what was going on as his brother battled cancer. He wrote, “I have to do [thus and so] for him today.” But the writer immediately corrected himself, saying, “I get to do [thus and so] for him today.” I don’t recall whether the writer explained the huge difference in “have to” and “get to” but I saw it and resolved to avoid saying (and feeling) that I “have to” do this or that. For example, instead of saying, “I have to unload the dishwasher,” I will learn to say, “I get to unload the dishwasher.”

Now, that’s not a job I look forward to, but by changing from “I have to” to “I get to” my attitude shifts from negative to positive. Saying, “I get to” reminds me to be thankful for so many things: that I have dishes to use, that those dishes were filled with food and drink, that family members and I enjoyed meals together as we “dirtied” the dishes, that I have a dishwasher, that I have clean (and hot) water in which to wash them, that I am physically able to do household chores, that I am living in my own home….

Dear Reader, do you see how what appears to be a simple word change makes an ENORMOUS difference in our attitude? If you do see it, then resolve with me to banish “I have to” from all conversations.

Open my eyes that I may see

Glimpses of truth thou hast for me.

~Clara H. Scott, 1895

Undiscovered

To myself I am only a child playing on the beach, 

while vast oceans of truth lie undiscovered before me.

    ~Isaac Newton