Becoming One

     This past weekend, we made a trip to see our Son and his family in order to celebrate his birthday. Trips like this are always a blessing since we spend time with family.  On the way home from having our dinner out, our Grandson Aiden asked everyone to tell a story about an embarrassing event that happened to us.  I started out by relaying an event that took place early in our marriage when my husband and I went on a camping trip to Canada to see his father and two of his friends who went fishing.  We rented a VW camper which was perfect for the two of us.  At the time, we lived in Ohio so the trip was a two day trek.

Our beautiful family

     Being tired when we arrived and getting used to cooking on a tiny stove in the camper was a real challenge for me.  I do not remember what started it, but somehow my husband and I got into a disagreement.  I was upset and attempting to fry a steak at the same time while arguing with my hubby.  When it was done, I put it on a plate and set the plate on a chair so I had room to cook another.  At some point during the argument, I decided to sit down and promptly sat on the steak.  This brought gales of laughter from my dear husband after he saw what I did.  Of course, I burst into tears of embarrassment and when I went to reach for a tissue, a black jumping spider popped up making me cry even harder since it frightened me.  Well, my husband took me in his arms and comforted me, and we both started laughing at the whole incident.  To be honest, I cannot remember a thing about the argument....only the laughter over what I had done.  This was just an early adventure in our learning to become one in Christ.
     Next week, we will celebrate 48 years that we have been married.  It seems like only yesterday that we said our vows to one another.  Four children, 21 years of home educating them and 11 grandchildren later, we have grown together as we have served the Lord, but marriage is not easy.  It takes effort (100% on both sides), commitment, loyalty and faithfulness in order to mirror the love of Christ towards His church.
     Jesus was asked about divorce by the Pharisees.  It was common in his time and even more so in today's world.  In Mark 10:2-9, this discussion took place: " 2And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” 3He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” 4They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” 5And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,a 8and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”  Matthew 5:32 expands on this.  "But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."  This was a high standard that the Lord set, but God's standards are much different from ours.  His plan has been to use the family as a means of bringing godly image bearers into this world who will witness for His glory and honor.
     Today, however, we see gender bending, and all sorts of distortions to God's plan according to His Word...the Bible.  This is our authority for living, marriage and raising our children, and Jesus made it plain to the Pharisees.  Is it easy to be married?  Can it last?  I would answer that by asking another question, "Can we do anything in this life and succeed without God?"  Certainly, He has to be at the center of any marriage.  He gives the strength, courage,
and ability to hold two people together.  He, alone, has the wisdom to help us raise children, and if we want them to be fulfilled in life, we must teach them about Christ according to the Bible. We cannot be blown about by every wind of doctrine that the world concocts as acceptable.  There is only one standard by which we can find real peace.
     I remember asking my mother if her love towards my father had changed since they were married.  She wisely answered that yes, it had. She told me it was deeper than ever before.  The thrills and chills stage had passed but the loving, abiding more meaningful love had come.  I believe this is what the Lord desires for us to grow in, but without Christ at the center, it would not be possible.  He is the glue that keeps marriage together.  He helps us when we are up to our ears in dirty diapers and a sink full of dishes all the way to the end of our days here on earth.  Two becoming one is an incredible journey when Christ is in the middle.  Selah!

Standing Firm

A Ghost Crab on St. George Island

     As I looked through my pictures from our family vacation, I came across one that made me smile. Good old Mr. Ghost Crab who lives on St. George Island made his unexpected appearance under my husband's beach chair and refused to move.  He was a good sized fellow as Ghost Crabs go with a nice sized claw which none of us wanted to experience.  We moved some things under our canopy to give him a way to escape and picked our feet up as my daughter in law used a "boogey board" to make him depart.  A little nudge sent him running sideways (their usual method of running) near my son's sandal.  For some time, he sat there looking at all these intruders around him.  Eventually, he disappeared likely digging another hole in the sand around us.
     Later in the day, I saw two good sized Ghost crabs fighting over territory.  One crab found another too close to his hole and chased him away.  It was a sight to see, and it got me to thinking.  Near our canopy on the beach was a big old hole.  I suspect that our visitor came to chase us out of his territory as he did not want to move until urged to do so.  Here we were much larger than he by a country mile but that did not stop his attempt to drive us away from his home.  I have to hand it to God!  His creation has a lot to teach us about taking a stand.

Running for cover by a sandal

     In many of his letters to believers, the Apostle Paul wrote to encourage them to stand firm in their faith.  Ephesians 6:11 says: "Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."  Here we are warned to watch out for the schemes of the devil, but with the full armor of God, we will be ready.  Then, in verse 13 of the same chapter, we read:  "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."  Being ready for the day of evil is why we are wearing God's armor.  He does not ask us to fight but to take a stand just as the ghost crab took a stand.  The crab was defending his home.  We are to stand to renounce the schemes of Satan and his lies that try to undercut God's Word.
      When I think about standing, who could not think about David and Goliath.  Everyone was afraid of this giant who was the champion of the Philistines, but he made fun of the God of Israel.  While the soldiers would not go out and fight him, David had the courage to take his sling and a stone to fight him.  He took a stand for God's honor and glory.  Goliath was certainly much bigger and more intimidating than David, but David plus God made a majority.
      Another example is the Prophet Elijah.  He stood against Ahab and the prophets of Baal.  It was no small thing to invite all the people to gather for a demonstration of who was the real God in heaven.  Elijah had faith in what God would do, and indeed, he succeeded.  The prophets of Baal tried everything to get their false god to light their sacrifice, but nothing worked.  Elijah even poured water on his sacrifice and all the stones around it; yet God instantly devoured the sacrifice and the stones.  Because Elijah took a stand, the people knew who the true God of Israel was that day.
     While we may never have to face a giant or 400 false prophets, we still live in a very contentious society where Scripture is twisted to make certain activities seem legitimate and lies pass for truth.  People call evil good and good evil in our present age.  The value of human life is diminished each day, and others believe we can control the climate though we did not make the earth, the seasons or anything on the earth.  This is where we have to take a stand for the truth of God's Word.  He has called us to stand firm fully clothed in His armor.  The battle belongs to God but the victory is ours through our Lord Jesus Christ.  It requires courage in the face of the world's opposition but we know that in the end, the Lord will reward those who remain faithful.  If a Ghost Crab can face down six adults larger than he is, we certainly can stand in the power of God to face the schemes of the devil.  Selah!

My Refuge

     Family and friends have often inquired as to why my husband and I drive 8 hours to reach St. George Island for a family vacation.  I smile and say it is "our happy place".  Located in the panhandle of our long state, this barrier island is known as "the forgotten coast".  White sand beaches, beautiful ocean panorama, and our favorite little sand crabs make this place unique and special in my heart.  Surprisingly, many Floridians don't know where St. George is located because we are a state filled with many lovely beaches.  However, for my husband and I, it is a refuge of sorts.  A place where our souls drink in the quiet beach that we have come to visit for many years.
 
   In reality, I think everyone has some special place they enjoy making a retreat to from time to time.  My in-laws loved a special fishing camp in Ignace, Ontario Canada that they went to for many years.  Certainly, it would not have been the only place to go and get away but for them, it too was a sort of refuge from the every day pressures.
     While vacation spots are much loved places to slow down, there is one Refuge we have with us all the time and everywhere we go and that is our Lord Jesus Christ.   One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 32.  David wrote this beautiful Psalm to contemplate sin, confession and forgiveness with the Lord.  Vs. 7-11 read:
    " 7You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

8I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
or it will not stay near you.

10Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.
11Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!"


There is no better description of God's tender care and love for us than this.  He is our hiding place where we can run any time of day or night.  He is our "shalom", our blessing, our deliverer, and He preserves us from trouble.  David knew this all too well for there were many occasions when he turned to the Lord in time of need.
     Furthermore, the Psalm assures us that the Lord will instruct us, counsel us and guide us by the power and indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  What a comfort for us!  When Jesus ascended to the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to live and dwell with those who believe.  While friends may let us down, the Lord will stay with us forever.
     Unlike the wicked who will experience sorrow for their sins, those who come to God in full repentance will know His love.  This kind of relationship is special and it reminds me of how my earthly father would always make room for me to sit in his easy chair at night with him while he watched the news.  God has time, room and love for us who follow Him.  That is why we can call Him our refuge.

Cape St. George Lighthouse

     On St. George Island, in the middle of the 28 mile long barrier island, stands the Cape St. George lighthouse.  It is not the original which was built in 1833 and then rebuilt in 1845.  Once again, it was claimed by a hurricane and had a third rebuilding.  The structure lasted 153 years before the Gulf of Mexico claimed it again.  Now, it is not a working lighthouse but a replica of the one that for many years provided light for mariners to show them the way home.  For Christians, our lighthouse, our refuge is found in the Lord Jesus Christ.  He points the way home for us as we walk in this world.  Let us never forget that He longs to fellowship with us daily and in our busy world, He provides the place of rest we need.  Selah!