The LIGHT (from Cup of Cold Water)

The LIGHT

  "Light" What does that word make you think of when you hear it? Daylight. The sun. A lamp inside your home. The headlights on your car. A  light by which to read. A candle to light your way. So many ways in which light plays an integral part in all our lives.

   As this new year, 2020, rapidly approaches, I want to share a few Scripture verses with you, and a few questions with which to stimulate our thinking.   You see, God has so much to say about the importance of light in the world, especially as it affects our lives as Christians. And if we miss these basic truths we will miss some of the greatest blessings our Father has for us.

Early in His ministry Jesus said, “I am the light of the world! The one who follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8.12) If we believe (rightly) that Jesus’ Spirit dwells in us (aka the Holy Spirit), are we to be lights to the world?

 A related question: Would you want someone following your light?   Hmmm.

  In another place, Jesus said this: “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” (John 12.46)    

"To shine!”  What a calling!  

   OK, just who’s calling is this? The local pastor’s?  How about the elders: is it their calling? How about the ladies who help in the nursery every Sunday morning? Does that include the barber down the street who loves Jesus? Is he/she called to shine as a light?

 Jesus provides the answer. Speaking to a crowd of people on a mountainside, He said, “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5.14)  

  

Hmmm.

Does that “you” mean me?  How about my brother?  My sister?  How about you?  What about the church pianist? And does that you include the person working at the local lunchroom who also believes in Jesus?

  Jesus was speaking to a huge, mixed group of people that day. Some estimates are as high as 5,000! Can you imagine? If only 1% responded positively to Jesus’ message and went on to be “a light to the world…” –that’s 50 souls! 

 Then, when you multiply that by the millions over the past 2 millennia who have heard—repeatedly—the life-changing message of Christ… can you imagine?  Could I?

   But, here’s another word from Jesus. As He was teaching  his disciples, Jesus said, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.” (Mark 4.21)  

  Let’s be honest here. About the only reason someone would do this with a lamp would be to start a fire!  Yet, what do we do?  When it comes to letting our light shine, do we cover or reveal?

  Why is it our natural tendency—at least speaking for myself—to “hide our light,” rather than allowing it to shine?

  A better question: When people see us, or talk with us, who do they see? Our spirit or the Spirit of Christ?  Or is it the same?  Is our lamp burning brightly for all to see, or do we have our light cloaked or covered?

  So many questions!

  

 I don’t know about you, but personally, I am challenged. Am I being the “grumpy bear”  I can so easily be, or is Jesus’ Spirit being displayed?  Am I responding to others as I would wish to be treated, or is my old nature reacting to their words or behavior? 

  Jesus’ standards are always high, yet He always makes it possible for our light to shine brightly!

 submitted by Terry & Patricia Lampel,    

Cup of Cold Water

Thanksgiving... an attitude

(Note: this was supposed to have been posted Thanksgiving 2012... obviously didn't quite make it!)
it’s impossible to be thankful, and at the same time, be grumpy, cantankerous, critical, or ill-tempered… This was  the thought that motivated Johnson Oatman Jr. to write the song, “Count Your Blessings,”  the focus of our CoCW last Thanksgiving, in 2011.

If we were grateful last year, which we were, words are inadequate to tell how much more thankful we are this year!  If all goes according to plan, Patricia will be returning home this Wednesday, enabling us to celebrate Thanksgiving together and at home—praise the Lord!

And yet, as I reflect on this, why is it that we feel our gratitude must be determined by our circumstances? As the psalmist writes on this subject, notice what motivates him:

“I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness

    and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.”  Psalm 7.17

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;

    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
  Let us come before him with thanksgiving
    and extol him with music and song.
  For the Lord is the great God,
    the great King above all gods.”  Psalm 95.1-3 

“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
  his love endures forever.”  Psalm 106.1

 
Ultimately our gratitude, our sense of thankfulness and praise to God, is rooted in who He is, not so much in what’s happening to us. Yet, having said that, there is a place for recognizing and thanking God for what He has done for us as well. In Psalm 30, David writes:

“You turned my wailing into dancing;

    You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
  that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
    O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.”  Psalm 30.11-12

And so, doesn’t it come down to this simple truth:

If we are alive and belong to the Savior, we have all the reason we need to shout our gratitude to the heavens every day… and, if we are not living—well, it just doesn’t get any better! Praising and thanking our God morning, noon and night! 

Won’t that be the most glorious Thanksgiving ever

Thankful For A Scar

Thankful for a scar?   Yes, thankful for a scar!

At this season we frequently are challenged to think of things for which we give thanks. For some, "family"; others "life," "a home," "food" and on the list goes. Many are even willing to give thanks for the salvation so freely given by our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. 

My list would indeed be long this year, however at the very top of my list would be the not-so-beautiful scar that I received this past summer during my brain surgery: ear-to-ear over my forehead! Healing very nicely, thank you; nevertheless quite noticeable.

Watching people react to seeing it is fun. Most, unless they know me well, are discreet, looking at "It" when they hope no one will catch them, especially the bearer. If I let them off the hook and bring it up, they will comment, "Yeah, I noticed." And on the conversation develops.

For me it is sort of a badge of honor, something I never expected but a mark I proudly wear. Why? Because of what it signifies to me.

My new scar is a constant symbol of God's mercy… His personal, unconditional, unfailing love for ME. Can you imagine such a gift?

You see, when I lay essentially dying in that ICU, He looked, saw my condition and reached down and touched me. In so many words He said,  "Terry (and because we are one He included my beloved, my Patricia), I have more for you to yet accomplish for Me. There are yet more people for you to reach, to encourage, to share My Word with.

This scar, this very distinct trough across my head is my keepsake, my souvenir of a difficult time in my life when once again the Father rescued this erring, fallible man. Instinct tells us to hide our scars, to consider them as signs of weakness or problems.

The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 3.20, "Now to Him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think" When we recognize His ever-present working within us for His purposes, it refocuses our thinking.

A question. What was the one infallible proof the disciples used when identifying Jesus following his resurrection? His scars. On His hands, his feet, even his side. Why did Jesus suffer, eventually to bear the scars? To demonstrate the Father's love. John 10.17, "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again"

Do scars actually provide evidence of love? Most definitely! As I reflected on what had transpired while I lay non-responsive all those days, I was overwhelmed with the magnitude of God's love, His unfailing mercy toward me.

Any questions regarding the future? Again, the apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5.24, "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it." For me, this answers the questions.

Don't hide your scars; bear them as evidence that God heals.