Start at the Wall!

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I am the vine; you are the branches. ...Apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Some things are so obvious, they should be automatic. Like this one: When a piece of equipment won't turn on, start at the wall.

One of the experiments my team worked on required three pieces of equipment. We built the first rough prototypes and, after we got each piece running OK, we scheduled the first test of the whole system. 

We set the whole thing up - all the cables it looked like a pile of yarn the cat tore up. kind of like behind your TV or computer. 

Remember, there are three engineers standing around the rack; that's important to the story.

One of us turned on the power strip and two pieces hummed to life. A green power light and lots of flashing lights. One unit just sat there, mocking us quietly. 

We scrambled into action. We moved the rack away from the wall and checked all the cables that connected the system; everything looked good. We checked the wiring in the misbehaving piece, A-OK.

Unfortunately, none of us looked down to the power strip. Finally, a team member glanced down and saw the problem: the silent unit wasn't plugged in. We all laughed in embarrassment and plugged it in - Wallah! It worked!

It's a proven fact: a machine won't work without a power source.

How many of us struggle through hard times or with difficult decisions without tapping into our power source?

We look at our circumstances and feel powerless and overwhelmed. We look so together but know one knows we're a wreck inside. 

When we face hard decisions, we balance all the pros and cons but uncertainty lurks inside. 

Are we plugged into our power Source? 

Only Jesus can provide the wisdom we need. Only Jesus can strengthen and empower us to stay upright in the hard days.

How do we plug in?

• God'sWord
• Prayer
• Our dear Christian friends
• Praise and worship

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When we feel weak and overcome by life, start at the Wall. If our connections to the Vine are strong, we can hum to life through trials and challenging decisions. 

Check your power cord and plug it in!

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Reflect the Son!

God made two great lights--the greater light to govern the day

and the lesser light to govern the night. Genesis 1:16

We know the moon only reflects the sun's light. It seems to shine brightly, but that's an illusion.

What does the moon really look like? The image through a telescope during a new moon, when the sun's rays are blocked, is not a pretty picture.

It's rough and pitted. Cold and harsh.

Isn't it amazing that God chose to use the sun's rays to cloak an ugly moon in beauty?

The wonder of this miracle becomes even more amazing if we catch a glimpse of our true selves when we're not cloaked in God's light - the light of Jesus.

We're soaked in sin, through and through. We're surrounded by darkness. Isaiah 64:6  says we're uglier than filthy rags. We're smellier than our pet's poop. That may make us smile, but God is repulsed.

Yet, even though God sees our ugliness, His great love refuses to leave us there. He chooses to cloak us in the beautiful righteousness of Jesus, His Son.

Through Jesus' death on the cross, our sins are forgiven.

"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Isaiah 1:18

We are cleansed, made pure in His sight.

Jesus took on our sin and covered us in His righteousness!

What an astounding transformation! From repulsed to loved. From ugly to beautiful.

God chooses to fill us with the light of His Holy Spirit and to cloak us in the brilliance of His Son. Our filthy rags are cleansed and we shine with the beauty of God's grace.

Let your mind fill with the wonder of it. Let your heart swell with the joy of it. How can we not shout and sing God's praise! Praise Him for the miracle that He chose you to bathe in His glory.

You are chosen. God's beautiful light awaits you. If you're still standing in darkness, reach out to Him and ask for the Light of His Son.

Photo, sun and moon: Shiva Velchuri

Outside the Box!

Bummer!

When I went to the Christian Writer’s Conference in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in May, I was super excited, and a little apprehensive. You see, I took my “baby,” the new Bible study I’m writing, to show to a few agents, editors, and publisher types.

Here’s what they all said: This is amazing, so imaginative and innovative! I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s great, BUT…

It seems that publishers have a box that defines what a Bible study should be like, and a box that defines fiction, and one that defines nonfiction. My wonderful, imaginative study was outside the boxes.

Bummer! The roller coaster that took me so high at their complimentary words brought me crashing down in the end.

I dragged myself home, with a pouty face, and began to whimper in Daddy God’s lap. Then I heard Him whisper:

“It’s OK, Sherry. I do my best work outside the box.”

As I looked back through Scripture, and my own life, I saw what He meant.

Remember parting the Red Sea? If you were to ask all the wise men and scientists, they would have said that was impossible.

Nature doesn’t work that way. All the laws of science and physics forbid it.

But, God worked outside the box and saved the people of Israel from Pharaoh’s army.

Have you heard of Rahab? You have to go to the book of Joshua, in the Bible, to hear her story. She was a prostitute in the city of Jericho – yes, a prostitute. And yet, because she believed in God, He used her to give His people victory over Jericho and to lead them into the Promised Land.

God used a prostitute –  that’s outside the box!

The examples go on and on:

• God transformed Paul, a zealous Christian-hater, into a man who told millions about Jesus.
• God chose Timothy, an inexperienced young man, to lead one of the most important churches in New Testament times.
• God chose me, an engineer who worked at NASA, to write Bible studies.
• He chooses you, calls you, and uses you.

But, above all, He chose to send His only Son down from Heaven to walk on the earth and to die for all of us so our sins can be forgiven and we can become His children.

Now, that’s outside the box!

The next time someone says to you, “That will never happen – it’s impossible!”,

Think about the Red Sea. If God wants it done, it will be done.

When your thoughts condemn you and you think God can’t use you because of your past,

Remember Rahab. God can use anyone who believes in Him.

If you’re scared because you think you’re totally unqualified to do what God’s asked you to,

Look at me. A fifty-something engineer can write Bible studies because God enables me to do it.

So, what about my new Bible study? If God wants it published, it will be. If He has another purpose for it, then that will happen. It doesn’t matter what anyone says because…

God does His best work outside the box!

Is there something God calls you to do that seems impossible? Will you trust Him?

When has God worked outside the box in your life?

Christmas - Just One Word: Jesus

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." John 1:14

• The powerful Word who spoken into blackness, "Let there be light."
• The glorious Word who filled the temple with fire.
• The tender Word who spoke to Mary and Joseph.

This power, glory, and tenderness became flesh and walked among us.

I love these beautiful truths expressed by Ruth Rosen of Jews for Jesus:

"How amazing that God became less, in order to be like us...
so that we could become more like Him."

"It is said that a picture paints a thousand words.
And yet, with just One Word, God painted a thousand pictures."

God's light come to earth, now shining in His children.

How have you experienced God's light in the 2014?

Jews for Jesus  Mission Statement: We exist to make the messiahship of Jesus and unavoidable issue to our Jewish people worldwide..
I've been blessed to support them for over 30 years.

Photo credit: Names of Jesus

The Cones We Wear

 

This is not a favorite verse; it's a favorite story. But, as I read it today, I felt convicted!

 

 

She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."  Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment. Matthew 9:21-22

 

I love this story. The woman had been bleeding for several years and the doctors couldn’t heal her. Her faith in Jesus was so strong that she pushed her way through the crowd to touch Him. Jesus immediately turned to her, spoke to her tenderly, and healed her.

 

There are many reasons to love this wonderful story but, as I read these familiar words, I see myself mirrored in the life of this woman. Jesus loves me so much that He died for me. He embraced me, a filthy sinner, and healed me. Even more, He was willing to take the risk of being identified with me, His enemy.

 

What risks did Jesus take as He ministered to this woman?

• A Jewish man would NEVER speak to a woman in public. To do so would bring him ridicule. But Jesus didn’t seem to care about that did He?
• To be touched by a woman who was bleeding, even without his knowledge, would render him unclean for seven days. Unclean! The Son of God unclean? Jesus didn’t seen to care about that either.

What does this have to do with poor Ruby? As I looked at her sad face, peering out of the cone, I was convicted about the cone I wear every day.

 

Who did Jesus relate to day by day?

• Common people.
• Poor people.
• Sinners and taxpayers.
• Prostitutes.
• Women caught in adultery.
• Lepers.
• Young men possessed by demons.

What about today’s Christians? Who do we relate to on a daily basis?

 

Our activities center around the church. Our friends are all Christians. We live within the safety of people just like us.

 

When was the last time I deliberately reached out to someone I view as “lower” as I am? Someone I judge as being a bigger sinner than I am?

• A homeless person.
• A prostitute.
• A person with AIDS.
• A homosexual.
• A person in prison.

We have tunnel vision, peering out of our cones. We only associate with people who pass our “standards.”

 

Jesus’ love for His people far superseded desire to cling to social moirés.  

 

I have to ask myself: What about me?

It’s Free!

 

For it is by grace you have been saved,

through faith--and this not

from yourselves,

it is the gift of God--

not by works, so that no

one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

 

You young’uns might not remember this song.

 

Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin.

 

From way back in 1971

 

I thought of this song when I saw these stairs in Grand Central Station in Washington D.C.

  

"There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold

 And she’s buying a stairway to heaven."

 

What a scary idea!

 

Can we ever buy our way to heaven?

 

What can we use to pay the price?

• Doing good things?
• Helping others?
• Going to church?
• Believing that God is real?

Can we ever pile up enough good works that we can buy our way to heaven?

 

Salvation and the hope of heaven are wonderful gifts given to us by God through the love and sacrifice of His Son Jesus.

 

He gives it to us because He loves us beyond what we can imagine.

 

When we stumble, we know that God won’t throw us out.

 

When we have bad days, we know God won’t reject us.

 

What precious confidence we have that we don’t have to buy God’s love.

 

 

We don’t have to earn His grace.

 

We don’t have to pay at the gate of heaven so He will let us in.

 

God’s love and grace are free because Jesus paid the price on the cross. We only have to accept it.

 

Heaven is free because Jesus was resurrected from the dead.

• We can't do anything to buy it.
• We can’t do anything to earn it.
• We can’t do anything to lose it.

God does everything!

 

 

 It is free!

 

What joy and confidence does it give you that your stairway to heaven is free?

 

Photo credit gold coins: yuiyizhuravov 

Be a Spark!

Photo Credit: Kelley Bozarth via Unsplash photos

"The people living in darkness have seen a great light." Matthew 4:16

What an absolutely breathtaking picture!

A spark in the darkness.

Jesus is the spark that awakened our hearts and drew us to Him.

Ever wonder how many people you meet each day are walking in darkness?


Some stumble in the blackness of sin and need the light only Jesus can bring.

We might be the spark that catches their attention and fills them with the hope of a way out.


Some try to find their way through depression or sorrow.

A smile, a kind word, even the question, "How can I pray for you?"

These can lift the gray fog a bit and light a match of joy.


Many, as I did for so long, struggle with worthlessness. I felt

Unloved.

Unnoticed.

Insignificant.

You have no idea the spark that is lit by a compliment, a brief conversation that means nothing to you but all the world to them, a word of gratitude.


Such small things can bring a person to Christ, lift a heavy heart, or restore a sense value and purpose.

We might never see the results of our brief encounters but we will be blessed by knowing we touched someone with Jesus' heart.

I challenge you: Watch for opportunities to be the spark in someone's day.

Josh Wilson - Pushing Back The Dark




When has God blessed you with an encounter that lit a spark in your day?

What's Your View of Jesus?

Courtesy Madllen

They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! " "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the King of Israel!" John 12:13

In the message on Palm Sunday, my pastor said something I’d not thought of before: The same people who shouted “Hosanna to the King of Israel” were shouting “Crucify him” a few days later.

Hmmm…I’m afraid I recognize myself in the crowd.

You see, the crowd had a vision of what Jesus should be. He was a king who was coming into Jerusalem to deliver them. Drive out the Romans, deliver them from the oppression of Rome, and restore Israel to the glory it had known in the time of their greatest king, David.

It quickly became apparent to them that Jesus wasn't who they thought he was. He didn't plan to deliver them from Rome. He didn't plan to restore Israel.

Kings don’t allow themselves to be arrested. Kings overthrow Roman rule instead of submitting to their scourging and mocking. Jesus didn't meet their expectations so they were angry to the point of wanting him dead!

What is your vision of Jesus?

I admit that I want a Jesus who does what I want.

• He meets all my expectations.
• He delivers me from any hardship that comes along.
• He overthrows those who try to defeat me.
• He rules in glory and restores me to joyful life I've always wanted.

I’ll sing his praises at the top of my voice:

"Hosanna! " "Blessed is he who has saved me and promises me a wonderful life!" "Blessed is the King of my heart!"

And then something happens.

• My heart breaks when a family relationship is strained.
• I panic when an unexpected bill comes in.
• I’m stunned when I lose my job.
• I’m overwhelmed by a tragedy: a sudden death, an unfaithful husband…

Wait! Where’s my Jesus?!

• He can snap His fingers and everything will be perfect again!
• He can show that family member that he’s wrong.
• He can drop a pile of money in my lap.
• He can protect my job
• He can protect my loved one and my marriage.

He’s not what I thought He would be. He’s let me down.

Anger, disappointment, even blame.

Am I so different that that crowd who shouted, “Crucify him!”

Praise the Lord! Jesus is beyond all that I can want or imagine.

He’s purpose isn't to give me a happy life.

His purpose is to yield to mockery and scourging.

His desire is to be obedient-even to death on the cross.

Hid goal is to free me from the grip of sin and to spend eternity with me.

My expectations fade from sight and all I can do is shout “Hosanna!”

How has Jesus exceeded your expectations?

Do You Speak Greek?

I love listening to mockingbirds! They perfectly mimic the songs of every bird in their area – a kaleidoscope of melodies.

Every chirp and warble is unique. The blue jay doesn’t have a clue what the robin’s saying. The dove’s song is like Greek to the sparrow.

Made me wonder: is our “Christianese” a bunch of gibberish to nonbelievers?

Are we speaking Greek?

When I wrote my Bible study, Storms of Life, I wanted to put the plan of salvation in the first chapter.

So, I wrote this:

Each of us has sinned and rebelled against God’s laws. But, because of God’s great love, He sent his only Son to be crucified and buried, to pay the penalty for our sins. After three days, He was raised from the dead and promises eternal life to all who believe in Him.
If you confess your sins and accept Jesus as your Savior, He will forgive you and give you eternal life.

I followed this with a nice “if you believe in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, pray the simple prayer written below and receive His gifts of forgiveness and eternal life.

Sounded great to me.

Source: Deposit Photo, william57

Thankfully, a close friend said, “I wasn’t raised in church and I assure you that a nonbeliever won't understand a thing you're saying!”



So, I tried again:

Do you have any idea how much God loves you? I know, you’ve messed up a lot, we all have. We’re all guilty of sin; we all face the death penalty. But God loves you so much that He set in motion a plan to save you from death.

He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth to live a normal life – just like you. But Jesus didn’t sin - He lived a perfect life. Even though He was sinless, Jesus agreed to die – to die in your place. After He died and was buried, God used His great power to raise Jesus to life again. Jesus returned to Heaven and lives eternally with His Father.

If you believe that Jesus died for you and ask Him to forgive you, He will erase all your sin – forever! If you believe that He was brought back to life, He will give you eternal life. When your life ends on this world, you will join Him in Heaven.

How’s that? Is that better?

Remember: At one time we too were foolish… Titus 3:3a

Keep your words simple, so that the “foolish” may believe.

When did you believe in Jesus?

If you haven’t asked Jesus to forgive you and to give you eternal life, I pray that you will do it now. Then tell a friend who goes to church and ask them to take you with them.