My Personal Object Lesson

Yesterday while sitting in family devotions we were reading in Isaiah 51 how God was the one who stretched the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth.  We were about to comment about that when God gave us an object lesson.  There was a low rumble, and then the earth shook and so did we.  It was an earthquake, not an unusual occurrence here.  The timing was exactly right to make us see and feel for ourselves that God was in charge of the foundations of the earth.  I could only be amazed at a God who could give us a personal object lesson to illustrate His Word.  It underscored the fact that the Scripture is living, an extension of the living God.  I was reminded again that God is intimately involved in our daily life.  He wants to make the words on the page of Scripture jump off the page (or shake off as the case may be), and become part of our lives.  I think sometimes I need an earthquake to waken me to that fact.  Sorry for those of you who had to endure any inconvenience my personal object lesson may have caused.

God's Word - My Joy

God’s Word- My Joy 

Oh the joy God’s Word to read;

Diamonds and pearls I daily find,

Stopping there, my soul to feed.

In my heart His truth to bind.

 

Oh the joy God’s Word to hear,

My ear His wondrous Truth to grasp.

Oh spoken word you seem so clear,

And to my heart this Word I clasp.

 

Oh the joy God’s Word to sing!

You bid me come to your embrace;

You shelter me beneath your wing,

Wells up in me a song of grace.

 

Oh the joy God’s Word to live!

And so each day Your Light to shine

And so to those around me give

A chance to see this Savior mine.

   

February 22, 2010

Jeffrey Hill

Startings and Finishes

We are off and running into 2010.  My Dad ran a 5K marathon race on January 11.  My Mom and I did a 4K run-walk race.  I found that it was rather easy over all.  I wanted to run out fast, but my Mom said she would run some, but not the whole way.  She was really pacing herself; I was in a hurry.  She kept talking about the hills at the end.  I wanted to get to them quick, but she would not go fast enough.  Then we hit the hills.  They were not too bad at first for me, so I quoted Scripture to Mom, and helped her make it.  The course leveled off, and I was ready to push it in, but Mom said there were more hills.  Of course, she was right.  At the last hill I was yelling, “Stop!  Stop!”  But, Mom had no mercy.  She started quoting Scripture to me.  She promised we would run in to the goal - probably a half kilometer.  We were heading to the spot where we would run, and there was Dad.  I wanted to run with him.  He thought we might not be able to run the last bit, but we had wisely saved enough energy to finish well.  We were tired, but were able to finish giving our praise to our Maker who knew our bodies well. My Mom kept encouraging me and telling me she was proud of me.  She kept saying “hallelujah” as we ran and walked. She worked with me to help me get to the end and finish strong.   What did I learn?  Finishing well is pleasing to the Lord.  It makes me feel good.  It encourages others.  Thank you, Mom, for helping me finish well by setting the example. I did not tell you then, but I am proud of you, Mama! To God be the Glory.

In The Stable Again

Last week found me again in the riding stable.  As I was praising God with my Christian trainer, my mind was filled with thoughts of Christmas.  I saw the plight of sinners caught in the grip of tradition, business, and vanity, waiting for a way out of the morass.  I thought of shepherds trying to stay warm and keep the sheep in place, doing a smelly, boring job.  I thought about a couple traveling a long way at an inconvenient time, because the ruler wanted to flex his muscles. I saw their worry and exhaustion as they sought shelter where none could be found.

 

Then I saw God leading a poor young couple a long way from home so The King would be born in the right place.  I saw him open the heart of an inn keeper to allow that couple the use of a warm and private resting place in his stable.  I saw angels coming in great joy to lowly, uneducated shepherds to announce the birth of The Redeemer of the whole earth.  I saw shepherds who understood it and ran to see The Redeemer.  How wonderful He was in a stable where they could feel at ease rushing in with their smells and dirt.  I saw a mother and father who obeyed God and allowed God to do this in their lives.

 

Lord, for Christmas this year I want you to give me the peace of the stable, the joy and voice of the angels, the awe and response of the shepherds, the obedience of Mary and Joseph.  Thank you God for Your indescribable Gift.

Miracles in the Stable

A couple of weeks ago I went for my weekly riding lesson at the Crane Riding Stable.  It was a beautiful day – sunny, blue skies, a little nip in the air, trees swaying in a gentle rhythm with the wind.  As I mounted my horse I felt excited.  I knew this would be a good lesson.  We started through our preliminary warm ups.  My horse was in good form, and ready to go.  I was in good form and ready to go.  My instructor gave the word to start the horse running, and the fun began.  We began running around the corral.  I was able to perfectly match rhythm with my horse and we were enjoying a near perfect ride.  I heard one of the staff yell, “Jeffrey, you are doing so great!”  After that I just concentrated on that riding.  I was busy offering this ride as a gift of praise to the Lord God who made me.  It was the most exhilarating ride I have experienced.  I gave it to God and experienced tremendous joy. When we stopped I was surprised to see most of the staff standing watching.  My mom said they gradually gathered with a quiet admiration.  We went on to the routine lesson, and the staff went on to their work.  Later, my former instructor who became a Christian through my non-verbal testimony, talked to my Mom.  She said she had prayed Jesus would come to the Crane Stable that day.  She thought maybe it would happen through the fine weather, but then Jeffrey came and Jesus filled that stable.  It seems it was another case of Jesus using what I was and my limitations to show His astounding glory.  I am humbled and amazed, but, then, this is not the first miracle to happen in a stable.

Amusement Parks and God's Kingdom

This week I had an opportunity to go to a park with my family and some friends.  This park had a portion set aside for an amusement park with rides. I always enjoy these kinds of rides.  This park, however, had some rules limiting rides disabled people could ride.  It was rather embarrassing and disappointing for me.  I know it made my parents angry. It was a form of discrimination.  While I felt frustrated and hurt by this, I determined to rise above this episode and enjoy myself.  As I thought about it I realized those park officials were imprisoned by their prejudice and narrow thinking.  I could choose to join them, or I could choose to be free and enjoy myself as God made me.  I did enjoy my day.  I chose act as an adult who was responsible and dignified all day, no matter what those park officials thought.  I am glad that God does not exclude us on the basis of our abilities or lack thereof.  When I accept God’s gift of salvation, I am not given partial participation rights because of my inabilities.  I can participate fully in God’s blessing.  The only limit I have is my own willingness to fully partake of what God so freely gives me.  Hmm….. Maybe I should choose to act as a responsible, dignified adult in God’s kingdom.

Trust and obey

Recently I took a vacation with my family.  We decided to walk just 600 meters to see a waterfall.  Hmm.... just 600 meters, I could do that.  Then we started encountering the rocky stream that interrupted the path.  At first it was not too bad, but by the third encounter I had to take my shoes and socks off to navigate.  Then my father took charge.  He investigated crossings and rocks himself while I waited.  Then, he told me where to put my foot. He told me when to wait and when to proceed.  He told me where to put my foot. I learned something very valuable.  You have to discern the voice of the Father from all the voices around you, giving you an opinion.  Then you must listen to what the Father is saying.  You have to process the information.  The next step is to trust the Father.  It might look like the rock over there is better for a stepping stone, but if the Father says this one, His choice is always better than my inadequate perception of what is best.  Now comes the proof of the trust and that is obeying the Father.  If I did not take this final action I would still be standing barefoot in icy water.  By doing this I was able to keep my shoes on and safely make the journey to and from the waterfalls.  This was certainly an achievement for me as I still struggle with balance.  It was also a lesson in my faith as I realized my Heavenly Father is doing the same guidance and care of me as my earthly father.  I must follow those same steps to safe navigation of everyday life.  Discern, listen, trust and obey.