A Great Lesson on Stress

(The following, with minor adaptations, is used with permission from the Pleasant Grove OFWB Church Newsletter, January 2014) 

A young lady confidently walked around the room with a raised glass of water while leading a seminar and explaining stress management to her audience. Everyone knew she was going to ask the question, “Half empty or half full?” She fooled them all. “How heavy is this glass of water?” she inquired with a smile. Answers callout ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you’ll have to call an ambulance. In each case, it’s the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.”

She continued, “…and that’s the way it is with stress. If we carry our burden all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won’t be able to carry on.

As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we’re refreshed, we can carry on with the burden – holding stress at bay a little longer.

So tonight, put all your burdens down and sleep well. If they await you tomorrow, you will be refreshed and able to meet their challenge. Better still, give them to God…His arms never get tired! 

Marvelous Mansion

Recently I had the opportunity to tour  "Christmas at Biltmore" at the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC. It is considered to be the largest privately-owned residence in the world.  An insufficient description of the visit would have to include the words magnificent and breath-taking.  Of course, decorations for Christmas were everywhere. Fireplaces glowed with flames that warmed the  visitors. Choirs and musicians wafted beautiful music throughout the mansion.  Gorgeous Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes adorned every room with thematic ornaments and colors. The staff was knowledgeable, attentive, and courteous. The 2-hour tour took in about one-third of this palatial 175,000 square foot estate.

There is coming a time however, when even this sublime abode will take on the appearance of a meager mountain dwelling.  The residents of Biltmore, the Vanderbilt Family, will seem as paupers in comparison to the One who is preparing not one, but multitudes of mansions in a place more lovely than the NC mountains...it's called HEAVEN!  The Master of that place will be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ Himself.  Serving Him will be, not a staff of employees, but a family of brothers and sisters who have chosen Him as Savior.  Our stay with Him will last, not just a couple of hours, but will stretch from millions of years of praise and admiration into an eternity of service and love for our Lord and one another. Vanderbilt's block and mortar home will pale in comparison to heavenly residences aligning crystal golden streets and jasper walls in a city that will be 1,500 miles wide, deep and high.  The entrance will be fitted with the most elaborate gate of solid pearl man has ever seen.

If you ever have the opportunity, visit the Biltmore Estate, and if possible go at Christmas.  It will be a wonderful experience.  The cost is a little expensive, but well worth the price.

And by the way, those lovely sights of Heaven...for you they are FREE! The admission price was paid some 2000+ years ago.  To reserve your ticket, give Jesus a call, from your heart. Invite Him to be your Savior. How?  Like this..."Jesus, I believe you paid the price for my sins and I ask you to come into my life. I now receive you as my Savior and praise you for the gift of eternal life. Amen."

Welcome my friend, to the greatest mansion ever  -  the place called Heaven!

You Did A Good Thing...Today

Imagine a group of church folks returning from delivering meals to a few needy families during the holidays. The conversation might have sounded a lot like this.

"Isn't it a wonderful feeling to know that we have given some family the joy of a great Thanksgiving meal? Did you see the smiles on their faces when we walked in with all that food!  It does my heart good to know that this family will go to bed tonight with stomachs that are full and satisfied...and there'll even be enough left over for tomorrow.  We did a good thing today, didn't we?"

Yes, you did a good thing "today."  Their hunger will be satisfied, and the fact that today someone thought of them will bring some additional comfort.  But when the leftovers are gone and the holiday is done, who will be there to encourage them.  When our lives return to normal, and the caring spirit of the season hides itself in daily routine, who will deliver the life-giving bread to those in need? Every day God gives us the opportunity to share His great love.  More people are starving spiritually than physically, and we, as Christians have the responsibility to deliver to them the Bread of Life through the water of His Word.

Don't ever stop caring for the physical needs of others. Keep bringing the meat and potatoes to the table.  It shows God's love working through you.  And, everyday proclaim to the spiritually hungry how they can be fed with a love that never leaves them empty and nourished with living water that flows from a never-ending Fountain.  Have a blessed holiday season, and don't forget to give thanks.

Another Day

It had been a very rough day.  Ministry had turned to politics, relationships had gone sour, miles and miles of traveling had netted few, if any positive results. Even pulling into the driveway at home, evidence of turmoil surrounded the scene...a water hose spewing its contents on soggy ground, kids screaming at each other, the back door left open providing high-cost heating to the 40 degree day and the open refrigerator doing the opposite in the kitchen, on the floor a solid reminder of our new four-legged family member, and almost every light in the house burning brightly. Not exactly the day I had hope for, but at least it's almost over!  In my mind I declared, "God, I'll give you thanks as soon as I can find something to be thankful for."

Maneuvering my way to the den, I dive backwards into my recliner, turn-up the gas logs and the TV and immerse myself in the closing moments of a vintage episode of "Walker, Texas Ranger."  Then it hits me. As I watch Walker kung fu his way through 5 or 6 villains and then run to the waiting arms of his sweetheart, I discover two things...I am thankful that I am not on the receiving end of his powerful blows, and, that when the battles of my day are over, I can run to the waiting arms of Him who not only is waiting for me, but has been guiding my footsteps all day.

I have survived another day. Safe in the comfort of my home, I am thankful...very thankful for His presence. Weariness leads to a brief pre-supper nap (after all, I've seen this episode before).  I awake a little refreshed.  I lean my head back, looking skyward and say, "Thank you, Lord for your love and mercy. And thank you, Lord, that tomorrow I get to do it all over again."

Lamentations 3:22-23  (KJV)

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
23 

Keeping Life Simple

To many, the title is a misnomer.  How can life be simple?  The question is sometimes difficult to answer.  Let’s describe a typical day for an average young couple. 

Wake up, shower, prepare breakfast, get the kids ready for school, leave for work, pick up the kids, take them to various rehearsals and athletic practices, stop at the grocery store, cook supper (eat at different times and places in the house), wash dishes, do homework, clean kitchen and house, make the beds, wash clothes, fold the towels, watch the 11:00 news, go to bed!  And each of these daily tasks carries its own set of procedures and protocols.

So how do we simplify our lives?  First of all, understand the importance of all that you do, but find time to include the exercise of quiet.  Down time, alone time, me time, time out…whatever you choose to call it, make sure your day has several periods when the world is locked out, and it is just you, your thoughts, and your God.  Remember, the strength you have to live as you do comes from Him.  His desire is to refresh you often as you seek Him and His guidance.  In these moments, express your thankfulness to Him for strength, health, family and your God-man relationship.  You will return to the daily grind with a relaxed, more simple outlook on life.

Psalm 46:10  "Be still and know that I am God..."