There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  John 1:6

In a corner of my bedroom, where I can see him when waking or resting, is a Helzberg Diamonds Teddy Bear.  On his sweater are the words “You Are Loved”. Over his shoulder is a messenger bag. This messenger is bringing me good news that someone loves me.

He reminds me of another messenger, 200 years ago. His name was John the Baptist.

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a messenger to bear witness of the Light that all might believe.”  (John 1:6.7)

John was not the Light, He was not the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. He was the messenger. When asked John told them he was “the voice crying in the wilderness to make straight the way of the Lord” (John 1:23).

John went before Jesus and prepared others for Christ’s appearance. He told the people of God becoming man and how much God loves us.

He was the messenger.  My bear reminds me  that I am loved, not by the diamond company, but by God. And this particular messenger just happens to be a teddy bear.

I received this in an email so I can’t credit the author. I liked it and wanted to share it with you.

Top 10 Predictions No Matter What Happens in the World

1.  The Bible will still have all the answers.
2.  Prayer will still work.
3.  The Holy Spirit will still move.
4.  God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5.  There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6.  There will still be singing of praise to God.
7.  God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8.  There will still be room at the Cross.
9.  Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.
and God approves this message!

ISN’T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CHARGE

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.    ~ Ecclesiastes 4:12, NLT

October is Pastor Appreciation Month.  I am not certain that one month is enough time to say “thank you” to my pastoral staff, but it is a beginning. How do you thank a pastor? A pastors life is public. Bystanders see him at the local Walmart and watch how he speaks to other shoppers,his comments to the checker, the way his disposes of his cart. A day in the park playing with his children becomes a center of discussion for all as to how he interacts with his child, even how he throws a ball.  Each speaking engagement becomes the center of conversation and critical review over lunch. “What do you mean he has family obligations? I am sick and want him here now” becomes the shout when a personal need arises.

And what about his wife and children.  A group of children are playing, all running and shouting and acting alike. How often do you focus in on the pastor’s child and comment about how “wild that pastor’s child is”? Ever do that?  Do you watch to see where the pastor’s wife is sitting and what she is wearing and how she is speaking to those around her?  Where are you when they are in need of emotional support?

How often do you stop and say “thank you” ? If you haven’t yet, perhaps you could take a moment to write a note telling your pastor of how you have been encouraged by his presence, his life and his words. Maybe you could send along a gift card for dinner at a local restaurant offering a chance for relaxation. 

Lift your pastor in prayer.  I pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy…   (Colossians 1:11 NLT)

Thank you God, for Doug and the pastoral team that teach me each week. These people encourage me to keep my eyes focused on You alone, not on them. I thank you for their strength and courage to stand up as a representative of You each day. I pray you will give then the endurance and patience needed, and give them joy.  They have been a blessing to me and demonstrated your love.

Say a prayer for your pastor today. Thank your pastor for stepping out for God.

Click the picture for a pastoral gift idea.

Click picture for another gift idea.

In an effort to expand my reading comprehension and enjoyment I joined a bookclub. One of the first books read was “ The Shack “.  I found it very interesting, though there is an extremely sad portion I wanted to avoid (because I avoid sad situations) but while tragic it was not gory (as it would have been had today’s tv or movie writers done it). 

I came away with one exciting revelation from this fiction novel; God wants a relationship with me. The others in the group all came away with the same thought and we thoroughly enjoyed the book and the way it protrayed this relationship. The Shack is a fiction novel and we read it as such.

I was surprised, then, when I started reading reviews on the book.  It seems people are reading this book as “The Gospel” instead of fictional “The Shack”.   The story tells of Mac going to a shack where tragedy struck his family. Here he meets God in the form of large black women named ”papa’.  As separate characters you also meet Jesus and the Holy Spirit. While three separate characters they also appear in relationship as one. 

Author WIlliam P. Young takes us through an inviting weekend where he speaks directly with God and gets close to Him, talking about all kinds of things. He asks many questions.  He develops a close knit relationship with God. It is this that God desires most.

This book should in no way be considered a replacement of the Bible. It is an interesting read, but as my friend Fawn Brents says “If you want to know what the Bible says, read the Bible, not books about the Bible”.

I recommend the book as a fictional novel, just like the “ Left Behind ” series. While story ideas may come from an interpretation of the Bible, they are novels written for reading entertainment.  I do, however, disagree with Eugene Peterson who endorses the book with the words “this book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his”.  Sorry, Mr. Peterson, but with all due respect, it is not of that caliber.

So my recommendation: read it make up your own mind as to the authenticity or fictionality of “The Shack”. 

Other reviews of this book may be found at:

Christianity Today dot com

Christianity Today Blog

Breakpoint dot org

The Shack Mackenzie Allen Philip’s youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation, and evidence that she might have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later, in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment, he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack’s world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant The Shack wrestles with the timeless question, “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?” The answers Mack gets will astound you, and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You’ll want everyone you know to read this book!

My favorite wacky holiday (though I do not claim it to be wacky) is National Teddy Bear Day.  A national day set aside to especially enjoy our teddy bears. This year it is September 9.

Here are a few “Teddy Bear Day” activities for you:

at Crosswalk dot com you can find this e-card to send

at A Kids Heart dot com there are many fun activities and printable color pages

About dot com offers a list of things to do to make the day filled with fun

e-How author AuntPhyl has prepared some wonderful ideas to celebrate the day.

You are never too old for a teddy bear. So grab your favorite and spend the day enjoying the love and comfort he/she has to offer.

Remember, too, there is One who loves us even more than our teddy bear does.  Jesus Christ.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of San Francisco we found this Japanese Tea Garden, a quiet setting of beautiful flowers and greenery.

We walked on paths through beautiful flowers and streams.

That’s my hubby.   ReedyBear

There was a sign telling us to follow the path through the garden

And a statue of Buddah to guide those following his path

And through all the beauty I was reminded of the One who created the rivers and streams, the plants, flowers and trees.

The One true path to heaven, Jesus Christ.

“Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  John 14:6

I have had the pleasure of spending a few day in the San Francisco area.  There is so much to see. I don’t know if my pictures and descriptions can do it justice but I plan to give it a try over several postings.

To start out the trip my knitted teddy bear “Purl” helped pack my bags and jumped into my carry on so she wouldn’t be left behind.  She was excited when over the past 2 days we visited not 1, not 2, but 3, yes 3 Build A Bear Workshops.   In each she was able to purchase another accessory for herself and view the latest fashions. I know she will go back to the bears at home and brag about her visits.

Because I am unable to walk any distance comfortably hubby bear pushed me and Purl across the Golden Gate Bridge in a wheelchair. We went 1/2 way then turned around and headed back. It was windy, and cold (remember I left Kansas City at 100 degrees the previous day) but we completed the walk. It was a great adventure.

Purl posed at several stops along the way. 

A recent news report commented on the number of suicides by jumping from this great bridge.  We saw several of these Crisis Counseling phones along the path.  Sometimes it is easy to dwell on hopelessness when it appears everything in your life is failing.  It is important to remember there IS hope. His name is Jesus Christ.  “For God so loved the world He gave His only begotton Son, that whoever believes will have everlasting life.”   John 3:16.

There is much more to see. 

Until next posting,

God’s there, listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it.   Psalm 145:18 MSG

I am enjoying the pleasant summer weather sitting on my deck, listening to the birds, viewing the majestic beauty in the trees and flowers around me. 

My husband is current working in San Francisco where he looks out to view the glorious San Francisco Bay.

Separated by half a county we can share pictures of our view and tell stories via email, instant messaging and phone conversations.  We can keep in touch throughout the day.

We can keep in touch with God all day, too.  He’s listening. We don’t need a cell phone or a computer.  Just start talking. Tell Him your thoughts of the fantastic view He has provided as you walk along a sea shore or tree lined street.  Ask for help with a personal problem. Just talk.  That’s what prayer is, talking to God. You don’t need a fancy location or the latest gadget. God is listening. What are you waiting for? Start praying.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  Mark 16:16

Palm Sunday 5 generations sat excitedly in the pew as my grandfather, age 96, was baptized. It was encouraging as we tried to explain to my 3 year old grandson why that man dunked grandpa in the water. Everyone laughed at his concern but we used the opportunity to discuss Jesus with him.  (see the baptism video on God Tube)

There is only one way to heaven. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)  There are no magic crystals, you cannot be good enough, you can not give enough to get to heaven. You must accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Period. In obedience you will be baptized. In obedience you will follow Him.  “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”    Romans 6:4

Today there are many who are trying to teach shortcuts, saying you can make your own set of rules.  These are false prophets and will lead you down the wrong path. Jesus warned of this in Matthew 7:15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”  

There is only one way.  Just before warning of the false prophets Christ told the people to “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

For more information on entering this gate check out Billy Graham’s Steps to Peace With God.