Verse and Message (Wednesday, October 31, 2007) October 31, 2007

Hello Friends!

Today I couldn’t help but share an interesting and timely message brought to me by a dear sister in Christ, Kelli Ryan.  I edited portions of the message and I added some fun graphics for your enjoyment.  If you are not familiar with the history of Halloween, this might shed some light on the well-known “spooky” holiday upon us.  I hope you will receive the true hope from this message if you will recognize that “shadows” cannot exist without the TRUE LIGHT shining through! No need to put on your masks to hide and protect yourself from the evil spirits when the most powerful Spirit, Jesus Christ, is inside you!

Smiles In Him,

Susie Mc

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HALLOWEEN MESSAGE

by Kelli Ryan

Got candy? 
  
HALLOWEEN > noun …. the night of October 31, also known as the Eve of All
Saints Day.
  
…so, if it’s about all the Saints ….what’s so spooky?????

From a Brief History of Halloween in America by David W.
Machacek, Ph.D. …..

Historically, the Celts believed that on the last day of the
year (sometimes referred to as the Celtic festival of Samhain or
All-hallows Eve or even, as we have seen, the Eve of All Saints
Day), the recently dead returned to visit the living. Those spirits who had
been treated kindly in life and in death could be counted on for
pleasant company, and it was common for families to set a spare place
at the dinner table to accommodate their unseen guest. Offerings of food
and treats kept the spirits happy. But woe to those whose abuses left
sour feelings among the departed. These were haunted by ghastly
apparitions, ominous noises, and unexplainable feelings that someone
was waiting for them in the shadows.

Of course (Dr. Machacek continues), the belief that spirits were
present on Halloween made this a perfect opportunity for mischievous
youngsters (of all ages) to play pranks on their family and friends.
Giving treats to these youngsters appeased the spirits of both the
living and the dead, thus, averting any mischief to which they might be
inclined.

With the help of clever marketing, Halloween in America became a
children’s holiday and “trick or treating” a ritual in which small
children received pieces of candy for being “so cute!” 
  

I would much rather entertain children on the eve of All Saints Day than ghastly ghosts or spooky spirits!  In fact, it was Pope Boniface IV in about the Seventh Century that named November 1, All Saints Day, as a time to honor saints and martyrs in possibly an attempt to replace that Celtic festival of the dead mentioned above.  November 2 was later named All Souls Day which was a day to honor the dead.

So, let’s see, there is listed the Celtic Festival of Samhain
(pronounced sow [like cow]-in) or All-hallows Eve (a/k/a Halloween),
All Saints Day and All Souls Day. ….stuff of
graveyards!  Speaking of graveyard stuff, we do
have a connection already to such stuff!  Yep!…but it’s not ghastly
or spooky!  It’s very comforting, in fact! …..

Acrostic:

G – GHOST! ….the HOLY, that is!

….the third member of the Godhead (…the Trinity – the 3-in-1…)
a/k/a the HOLY SPIRIT!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?  For you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

R – RISEN! …. is our Savior!  (I serve a Risen Savior! …. just like
the song says!)

Matthew 28:5-6 

And the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified, He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.  Come, see the place where He was lying.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

A – ALIVE! …. is our Lord!  (…He’s in the world today! …. as
that song sings further!)

Acts 1:1-3

The first account I composed …. about all that
Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up, after
He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the Apostles whom He had
chosen.  To these He also presented Himself alive, after His suffering,
by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty
days, and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.

V – VICTORY! ….over death!  (VICTORY in Jesus! ….as that other song
rings out!)

John 16:33 

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

1 John 4:4

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

E – ETERNITY! …. life after the graveyard stuff! ….where will you
spend yours?

Heaven or Hell?  The only two choices available. …and if you DON’T
accept the only way to get to Heaven (believe that Jesus died on the
cross for our sins, was buried and raised from the dead on the
third day, just like it was prophesied – see John 3:16 and 1
Corinthians 15:3-4 again – simple as that and requires nothing …. that’s
NOTHING…. else) then you choose HELL (…simple as that!).  My pastor
once even referred to Heaven as HOTEL HEAVEN – do you have your
reservation made in the Lamb’s Book of Life?

Revelation 3:5

He who overcomes shall thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels. (See also John 14:1-4, again)

The GRAVE! …. and UP FROM IT, He arose (Mark 16:5-16)! …. seated at
the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19) …. just waiting for us on

What better time to celebrate LIFE than on what has also
been referred to as the Day of the Dead … Halloween! 

Happy Eve of All Saints Day! …..I like that one the best!
  

Thank you Kelli, for such an interesting and hope-filled message!

Yall be careful out there, and never forget to put on your Armor of God!

Susie Mc

Verse and Message (Thursday, October 18, 2007) October 18, 2007

Isaiah 25:8 (Today’s New International Version)

He will swallow up death forever.  The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove His people’s disgrace from all the earth.  The Lord has spoken.

  

John 6:47
I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.

  

Psalm 116:15

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to go to the Church of the Highlands campus in Tuscaloosa.  I haven’t been to Tuscaloosa since February of 2003 when we buried my grandmother. 

She was buried just a stone’s throw away from Bryant-Denny Stadium at the University of Alabama next to her husband who passed away in 1946.  She was 104 years old when she went on to join him. 

While in Tuscaloosa, I had planned to go visit her grave, incidentally five days after her birthday.  When I located the place where she had been buried, I studied her tombstone. I noticed the date of her death was not indicated.  I pondered for a moment.  Then I realized the significance of this observation.  My Nanny is alive – she doesn’t reside in the cemetery.  Her spirit never died. That’s right, she rose to meet her Savior when she said good-bye to this world. 

After I spoke to my mother about the graveside stone that was missing Nanny’s date of departure, she explained to me that it’s very difficult to work with the city regarding the option to obtain the tombstone from this very old cemetery and go through the process of having the date engraved. My Nanny made sure that her name and her birth-date were engraved on the stone beside the name of her husband so many years before.  Therefore, we didn’t replace the stone when she went on to be with the Lord. The plan was merely to add her end date…even though it wasn’t the end for my Nanny.   

The cemetery had sold all the burial plots many years ago.  No one is able to purchase a plot for burial in that cemetery anymore.  If there was room, I bet there would be quite a few Alabama fans that would pay a pretty penny to have one of those spots.  If my Nanny’s spirit was still there, I know that she would roll over in her grave every time she heard the Alabama Fight Song in the nearby stands, as she was a HUGE AU fan.  She even received the honor of Ms. Auburn at the annual AU vs AL game day event at the nursing home where she lived.

Well, there may not be enough room for another in that cemetery, but we know that there is plenty of room up above, where our Father is preparing a place for us.  And, the cool thing is that we don’t have to pay for our mansion in the sky.  It was paid for us at Calvary. We simply have to accept His Gift and tell others about the beautiful plan of Eternity that our Father designed for us through His Son Jesus Christ. We can also be certain that our names will be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life — for that delicate detail will not be overlooked. IF we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, there won’t be any “red tape” in the City with streets of gold, in order to have our names engraved in that beautiful Book.

I hope that this message provides some hope for those of you grieving the loss of a loved one. When you are no longer in this world, don’t you want to be remembered in jubilant celebration of how you lived your life and the way you spent your time while you were here?

To conclude, I wanted to share the following link to a brief movie that I have sent before called “The Dash.”  It’s something to think about while we are still on this journey.  We should anticipate our journey with great joy, while making the most of each day God has set aside for us to live here on earth. Leave a beautiful legacy….our Savior left a priceless legacy.  Get your Kleenex. 

http://www.thedashmovie.com

God bless you all,

  

Susie Mc

Verse and Message (Friday, October 12, 2007) October 12, 2007

Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

  

Daily, I look forward to a “positive quote” from a brother in Christ, Josh Beck.  He and his wife, Tanya have become dear friends of mine through our involvement in the running community.  They both have been receiving my verse and message for some time now, and recently, Josh started sending me a positive quote each day.  This week’s quote inspired me to write today’s verse and message.

“Some things you have to do every day. Eating seven apples on Saturday night instead of one a day just isn’t going to get the job done.”

  

– Jim Rohn

According to Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary, the term “cram” means to “to pack tight” or “to prepare hastily for an examination.”

In addition, “balance” is described as “stability produced by even distribution.”

At Church of the Highlands, we are reading the Bible over the course of a year. Pastor Chris Hodges encourages us to read the scheduled verses each day.  The plan is to read a portion from the Old Testament, a portion from the New Testament, in addition to reading a Psalm and a Proverb. 

Many times I have found myself rushed and unable to feed on Scripture for this daily regimen.  When I first failed to stay on task, my “Type A” personality tried to play “catch up.”  I read so much at one time that I became drained and overwhelmed…… I was unable to absorb and meditate the way God desired for me, because I was cramming His Word as if I were preparing for an exam the next day. 

God is not in a hurry, and He doesn’t want us to rush through His Word as if it were some kind of speed-reading contest.  We cannot properly retain the details from Life’s Instruction Manual if we don’t chew on it and meditate according to His design.

So when I read the quote from Josh, I couldn’t help but reflect on the lesson I gained with the “One Year Bible” plan. Therefore, my goal is to do my best to focus on Him by studying His Word and spending quality time with Him at the beginning of the day.  If I get sidetracked and don’t manage to fit in the quality time desired, I will restart the following day instead of cramming it all in before bedtime and beating myself up, because I failed.

I wanted to share a writing I reflect on at the beginning of each day that truly provides His perspective. 

One day at a time-

This is enough.

Do not look back and grieve

over the past, for it is gone.

And do not be troubled

about the future, for it

has not yet come. Live in

the present and make it

so beautiful that it

will be worth 

remembering. 

Anonymous

I have learned that just like it is pointless to eat seven apples in one day as opposed to the balanced “apple a day” suggested, I cannot cram prayer, God’s Word, or any precious moments of this Gift called Life.   

I find that when I start my day off with the Savior, supernaturally, items on my agenda that seem impossible to accomplish somehow balance out. 

So, don’t look in the rear-view mirror, don’t rush ahead…..simply relish in the journey, by taking in the Bread of Life.  Now that makes for a beautiful balance!

BEAMING WITH BALANCE IS A BRIGHT OPTION!

  

WE CANNOT CRAM WITH CHRIST!

  

PEACE WILL BE THE PERCEPTION WHEN WE PROPERLY PRIORITIZE!

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Friday, October 5, 2007) October 5, 2007

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

  

Job 38:2,4

“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?”

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.”

   

WHY?  WHY ME?  WHY THIS?  WHY IS THIS HAPPENING GOD?  WHAT ARE YOU DOING GOD?

We have all asked these questions.  In fact, we do a good job at asking questions……..but is God obligated to answer our questions? 

Absolutely not, but He hears every prayer and every cry of desperation, and He will answer in His time.

I recall a show called ZOOM on public television when I was a pre-teen. 

I cannot shake the familiar introductory tune to the show that the teens would sing: “Who, What, Why, Where, When, and How, and Whom in what way?”  I don’t remember what the show was about…but the jingle stuck in my head forever! 

Often we ask questions.  It’s ok to ask questions.  God wants us to learn.  We cannot learn if we don’t ponder.  However, many times we ask the wrong questions.  And, furthermore….it’s interesting to consider that most of the time, we are not really looking for the answers. We want God to pull us out of the particular circumstance or event that has caused us to raise our questions.  We don’t necessarily want to know exactly WHY or HOW….but, we do want out and and we want our solution NOW! 

If God answered our questions at precisely the moment we inquired and if He always answered our questions exactly how we wanted and/ or expected, we wouldn’t be given the opportunity to grow in the faith He so desperately desires for us. We would become addicted to expecting His answers and would become weak in our faith.  It’s not a game…God is simply not interested in our comfort but building our character…(The Purpose Driven Life..Rick Warren).  He wants us to be compelled to trust Him even when we don’t understand.  He wants us to depend on Him completely even when it doesn’t make sense.  He doesn’t always answer with YES or NO…. many times His answer is WAIT! “There are purposes that you cannot perceive or comprehend.  You may never understand–at least in this life–but you must never let go of your faith.” (Dr. James Dobson)

We don’t deserve His blessings….we don’t deserve His grace…..we don’t deserve His answers to our painstaking questions.  I think if there was anyone who had the right to question God it was Job……but ya know what?  We don’t have rights according to the Creator of the Universe.  If we all woke up each day and moved forward with the attitude to relinquish our rights….we would be filled with a lot more peace…and freedom would be our friend.

When we remember that God is in charge, and when we finally humble ourselves to recognize that God is God and we are not God……life would be a lot less confusing and chaotic, and the supernatural peace that transcends all understanding would be ours, if we would only accept it. 

WHY ASK WHY?  

(I think that is from a beer commercial…but it’s pretty clever anyway.)

Accept what you cannot change……

Pray for the King’s perspective, and remember….

His Amazing Grace is sufficient!

*I have a question*

Where are you today with Jesus?

  

That’s the most important question!

SUSIE MC