GPS for life

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

I became quite intrigued with our son's Global Positioning System (GPS) during our recent road trip to visit family for the Christmas holiday. Touted as working in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, I confidently attached the portable navigational device to the windshield of our SUV.

From my perch on the front passenger's seat, I had a bird's eye view as the 3-D photo gadget mapped our location in real time. The apparatus displayed the terrain and logged our vehicle's speed, miles traveled, hours of moving time, and expected time of arrival. Voice activated, we received turn-by-turn spoken directions with the actual name of streets, e.g., "In .3 miles turn right on Hambletonian Drive." When we inadvertently took a wrong turn or intentionally chose a different route, the satellite powered gadget quickly recalculated our location. And while appearing to be rather demanding at times, it called out directions to help us get back on course.

God's Word is the incredible navigational tool that helps us travel through each day of our life. Like no other book this world has ever known, the Holy Bible is completely trustworthy. It is the only book authored by God (2 Timothy 3:16-18; 2 Peter 1:20-21). It shows us how to know Him, how to live, and how to receive eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).

I am continually awed that we have direct access anytime day or night to the life-changing wisdom to help us safely steer through each day's obstacles and opportunities (Psalm 119:33-40). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Bible's messages of encouragement and hope and godly counsel help us make wise decisions. And complete with examples of those who experienced personal failures, turned back to God, and began to follow Him again, its reveals God's heart for mankind (Hebrews 11).

Thankfully, at just more than 1,993 miles and with only a few wrong turns, our holiday road trip across six states was without incident. As you move into 2011, dear friend, I pray your journey will take you into a deeper understanding of our loving Savior (Psalm 111:10). Through His Word may you stay on course with utmost confidence and discover how you can live a complete and joy-filled life.

Blessings dear friend. Happy New Year!
Faithfully Following

Photo: Amazon.com

Frantically Fluttering

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

The hummingbird darted into our garage through the open doorway, and it quickly became obvious that the little bird was totally disoriented amidst a sea of freshly painted white walls and ceiling. As fast as it zoomed in one direction, it frantically turned and zipped in another looking for an escape. The bird's long, straight and very slender bill made it appear as if a quiver of arrows was being shot throughout the room. The hum made by its rapidly beating wings echoed all through the otherwise quiet, empty garage as it hovered in mid-air.

Backwards, forwards, up, down. My husband kept his eye on each movement the bird made matching its rapid, frenzied flight pattern with his characteristically steady, deliberate pace. With straw broom in hand, he gently worked at guiding the little hummer in the direction of the open doorway. At times the space between bird and man was all but nothing that my husband could see its tiny chest throbbing from its rapid heartbeat.

After what seemed an eternity, the bird finally caught sight of the way out and it whizzed out the door's opening as swiftly as it had entered. We cheered as we watched our freed captive soar into the open air. And then we stared in horror as we followed its tiny body plummet from the sky.

Concluding that the strain of its release had simply been too much for the little guy, my husband slowly walked across our neighbor's yard to where it lay on the ground. Kneeling down next to the bird, he reached out his hand to touch the white tips of its rounded tail feathers. Suddenly, the bird perked up and flew off once more.

Too many times I'm like that little hummingbird--anxious, frazzled and afraid of what might happen next. Caught up in a sea of emotion, I flit in one direction and flutter in another. I bump my head against the proverbial brick wall, even to the point of exhaustion, before dropping to my knees and asking for help. Still God is faithful.

"The eyes of the Lord are everywhere" (Proverbs 15:3) and nothing escapes His attention. That includes you and me, dear friend. Jesus said, "Even the very hairs of your head are numbered" (Matthew 10:30). When we ask Him for help, God's response is always based on His perfect knowledge of us and our situation.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6-7). My friend, let's trust Him with our anxious concerns.

Blessings, dear friend.
Faithfully Following

Tribute to a friend

Joanne E. Sampl
November 28, 1961 - August 20, 2009

"Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem."
Zephaniah 3:14 (NIV)

Until I received the phone call informing me that my friend had died, I stubbornly prayed for her complete healing. I was on my knees many days pleading to our Lord God with words barely audible through my sobs.

With my eyes shut tightly and the telephone pressed firmly to my ear, I listened to Michael's words, "Joanne is with the Lord now." All I could reply was, "So. I guess it's finished then."

Joanne Sampl was my dearest girlfriend. According to my pea-sized brain -- borrowing a phrase from author and speaker Sharon Jaynes -- I believe Joanne died way too young. She was only 47 years of age.

Once asked by his teacher what the definition of a friend is, a young boy replied, "It's someone who knows what you're like and they still like you." That description fit Joanne beautifully. She knew me, and she still liked me.

Joanne moved into the house across the street from my home seventeen years ago. Our becoming friends was rather unique as with the exception of the first year of our friendship, we never lived in the same state, much less in the same town. The framework that linked our lives was formed through handwritten letters (yes, using cursive writing), telephone calls, and e-mails. The added times we spent together during summer vacations, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, and an occasional retreat stamped our relationship with a 'face.'

Her two boys and my son and daughter often watched us in amazement. They wondered at our skill to talk for hours at length and carry on, at minimum, three different conversations at one time. Thankfully, our husbands understood. Girlfriends. Enough said.

It's been a little more than two years since I learned of Joanne's diagnosis of cancer -- a day I remember as if it were yesterday. We cried together in that phone call and I remember informing her quite adamantly that dying was not an option. After all, what would I do should she die. She was my best friend. In her quick-witted humor and not one to let such a self-righteous, self-serving comment pass, Joanne responded, "Oh, yes. That's right. It is all about you, isn't it."

During one of our last conversations, we talked about her greatest disappointment in dying. Joanne's comment, "I won't get to experience future grandchildren with Michael," led us to consider more deeply what happens when a person dies. Will she be able to see her grandchildren from heaven? Encouraging me to dig for an answer, Joanne assigned me the task to research our question.

With God's Word in hand and Christian teachers at my side, this is what I learned: I don't know if Joanne will be able to see her grandchildren from heaven. But, this is what I do know.

By the grace of God Joanne realized she was a sinner in need of a Savior. (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23)

Jesus Christ, the One and Only True Son of God, loves sinners. He died for our sins and rose again from the dead. (Romans 5:8; Acts 10:40-42)

Joanne knew Jesus is her Savior; He alone is the Way for eternal life in heaven. (Romans 10:9-13; John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9)

Heaven is a real place. (John 14:1-3; Acts 7:56; Hebrews 11:9-10; Revelation 21:1-2)

Joanne understood heaven is her eternal home; and the instant she died, her soul was in the presence of our Lord God. (Matthew 6:20; John 14:1-3; Romans 8:38-39)

There is no sadness in heaven; and while Joanne's mortal body rests in the ground, her eternal soul is in a condition of unimaginable peace and joy, a splendor the likes of which we cannot imagine, much less describe. (Revelation 21:3-5; 1 Corinthians 2:9)

Time on earth is not like time in heaven. One day Jesus will return in glory to earth and Joanne will receive a new body that's perfect, healthy, and without disease. (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 2 Peter 3:8; Philippians 3:20-21)

I am grieving the death of my dear friend. But my sorrow is not without hope because there is one thing of which I am absolutely certain. By God's grace I, too, am believing Jesus died for my sins. When He returns one day, our Lord will bring with Him all who have died believing Him. I look forward to that grand reunion with loved ones who have died in faith. (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

Author and speaker Mary Southerland writes, "For the believer in Jesus Christ, heaven is the heart and soul of our faith. It is reality! For the unbeliever, heaven is a dream, a wish."

Yet, I miss Joanne. Part and parcel of grieving, this pain will gradually pass. Our relationship was such a beautiful gift from God; and as the days and months go by, I will continually discover the influence of her friendship on my life. In fact, when all is said and done, I realize Joanne's final "assignment" was more for my benefit than for her's. Even in her dying, she knew how to encourage me. "Take it to Jesus, Bon." she'd say. "Take it to Jesus." For now, I don't have all the answers; but some day I will know. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

My friend, what about you? Eternity is but one breath away and it's either heaven with Jesus or hell without. Those who trust in the redemption won by Christ our Lord pass from death to life. Not choosing Jesus is choosing hell; there are no other options. (Revelation 20:11-14)

By the grace of God, will you today recognize that you, too, are a sinner in need of a Savior; confess your sins before Jesus; and trust that in His love He saves you? (Romans 10:13)

Should we never meet this side of heaven, let's plan to meet on the other side.

Blessings, dear friend.
Faithfully Following

PS If this is the first time you've confessed your sins before Jesus and received His gift of forgiveness, I am celebrating with you! Please don't walk this new journey of faith alone. For your relationship with Jesus to mature it is important to remain in His Word daily, become involved with a Bible-teaching church, and receive encouragement from fellow believing Christians.

What dwelling?

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty...You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

(Psalm 91:1, 5-6)

Coming up the lower level stair steps I greeted my husband at the kitchen door, “Hey, hon. You’re home early today.” His response was not what I expected, “Well, I guess I’m going to be home for a while. I lost my job.”

Not again! Barely out of boxes from our most recent move just seven months earlier, we could hardly get our arms around what had happened. So we put our arms around each other...and in the promises of our Most High God.

Psalm 91 became my source of encouragement and assurance during the next months. Frustrated I constantly fought fears and doubts about my future—“Dwelling? What dwelling? Lord, I really am thankful for every place we’ve lived and each house you’ve given us. But, Father, seven moves in 16 years is a lot and I’m weary. I’m worn out from picking up, packing up, and starting over. I feel as if I’m constantly living in ‘temporary’.”

Rich in metaphors and speaking of physical as well as spiritual safety, Psalm 91 promises deliverance from every type of danger. Nothing can touch those whom God protects. We’re assured rest if we dwell in the Almighty’s shadow (v. 1) and protection from harm and disaster if we make the Lord our dwelling (v. 9-10).

Sixteen months since losing his job, we’re settling in our new physical dwelling—new job, new state, new community, and new friends. Spiritually, I continue to stay firmly entrenched under His shadow. I realize life isn’t all roses. If it were, verse 15 would have no meaning, “He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.”

Blessings, my friend.

Faithfully Following