THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

November 1, 2023

LIFE IN THE FOLD

I have been thinking about, "Why is my relationship with Jesus, and my faith, so important to me?"

If it were just about religion or attending church, it wouldn't have any worth or meaning to me. If it were about following a bunch of rules, then it would be wearing a heavy yolk around my neck without a purpose. If it were about trying to be good enough, it would be an unattainable goal.

My parents took my sisters and me to church, where we all faithfully attended as a family. That was an important part of my upbringing and I value the things I have learned and the fellowship and friendships made by belonging to a church.

But my parents didn't just leave our spiritual teaching to the church. They both had a relationship with Jesus and lived that out in our home. We prayed before meals. Before bedtime each night we would gather, as a family, in the living room and all kneel down and pray. So prayer was a priority to my parents, and they showed the value of that to their daughters.

It was also in how my parents acted when we were together, as well as outside the home. They treated others with respect and showed kindness to others. Our home was the place where my uncles liked to stop by if they passed by during the day, knowing that they were always welcome to come inside and eat whatever food Mama may have prepared. If we weren't home, they knew that they were still welcome to come on in and eat any leftovers that may have been in the fridge or on the countertop.

Daddy showed it in his work ethic and honesty. For several years he hauled rock, which was used to build fireplaces or adorn the exterior of homes. Contractors liked using him, because they knew when they ordered a full load of rock, they would get a full load! My sister and I had to help him at times and a full load covered the entire bed of the flatbed truck, was four layers high, and Daddy would have us round them up in the middle; because he never wanted anyone to think that he was cheating them. He went above and beyond what was expected. And he was picky about the rocks! They had to be a certain thickness and flatness so that they were usable. When we unloaded, we had to unload "pretty side up" to make it easier for the contractors to use them.

I also learned the value of prayer from my parents. During the last few years of Mama's life, she suffered greatly from the colon cancer. There were nights when the pain would be so severe she was unable to sleep. Daddy would call my mom's sister and her husband to let them know; regardless of the time. My uncle would then call my mom's other siblings. Within half an hour or so, our house would be filled with uncles and aunts who would come down and pray until the pain eased and Mama was able to sleep. That happened numerous times! They would come at their bedtime or in the middle of the night or whenever needed, without complaint, and would stay until God answered and Mama could fall asleep.

When my mama passed away, I learned what it meant to have the Holy Spirit as my Comforter. I was devastated and filled with grief! As a fifteen year old teenager I felt as if my heart was broken in two. I remember lying on the couch, early morning, on the day of Mama's funeral. I was angry at God for not healing her and for taking her from me and our family. I remember struggling with the thoughts that I could walk away from God right then, and was momentarily tempted to do so. I knew the kids in my class who drank and partied and knew who to go to should I choose to live that lifestyle. I had all of those conflicting thoughts going over and over in my mind. On the table at the end of the couch was my Bible. I opened it up and it fell open to Matthew chapters 6 and 7. I began reading, knowing that I was at a pivotal place in my life. After reading those words of scripture, I remember praying, "Okay God, I choose to follow you! I'm angry and don't understand, but I know that should I turn my back on you then I'll never see my mama again, because she is with You. I don't want to risk turning away from my faith and dying without You in my life!" I never told anyone in my family about my struggle at that time, because I knew that they were all grieving and going through their own personal struggles. I am so thankful that I chose to hold fast to Jesus and not walk away!!

Throughout the years I have had struggles and times of failing and of going through some tough circumstances. My life has been blessed, but hasn't always been easy or without hardships. Over and over again I have seen the provision of God in so many different ways! He has met my needs financially when I had very little, He has given peace in the midst of struggles, He has brought joy during times of grief, He has cared for me and protected me and I know that He is always with me.

I cannot imagine my life without God! It's not only about what He does for me and what He gives me personally; but He has created a big beautiful world for us to enjoy. Look at the sky when you are driving; especially in the mornings or evenings. It's not something scientific or nature that paints the sky and makes it so gorgeous; it's God. Psalms 19:4 says, "The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world." God shows Himself through his handiwork through the beauty of the skies!

Jesus is my closest friend. He is there for me day and night; and I can talk to Him at any time. He's there when I'm lonely, sad, heartbroken, sick, struggling, stressed, excited, blessed, in need, joyful..... He is there when I can't fall asleep or wake in the middle of the night. I can tell Him my most personal, intimate secrets and He still loves me and wants a relationship with me. When I'm sick or hurt or in pain, I can call upon Him and He's there with me. He can heal, take away pain, or walk with me throughout the sickness and pain. Regardless, He never leaves me!

He loves me so much that He was willing to leave Heaven to come to live on earth in human flesh. He loves me so much that He was willing to die in my place, so that I could have forgiveness of my sins and be cleansed. He loves me so much that He calls me His bride and wants to spend eternity with me!

My relationship with Jesus helps me get through life during my days upon earth. It gives me purpose and peace and someone whom I can talk to through prayer. He is someone whom I can lean upon and trust and who is with me 24/7. I depend upon Him and He makes my life so much better! If I only trusted in myself, my life would be a mess and the internal struggle to try and be good enough or kind enough to make major life decisions by myself would be overwhelmingly stressful.

I also have the promise of what to look forward to in the future! Being in heaven with God for all eternity!! No matter what happens on this earth, I have something to focus upon. I know that when this life ends, that's not the end.... it's only the beginning of something too wonderful for words!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Genesis 11:3-4 tells about many of the descendants of Noah. They began building a city, and in it, they started building a tower to the heavens. Tradition says that was so they could reach God. That didn't please God, so He gave each group a different language, so they would scatter over the whole earth. That wasn't the way to reach God.

While Jesus was on the earth, there were powerful groups of priests who spent most of their time debating and discussing the Laws of God. They thought by following a long list of rules (many of them didn't even come from God at all), they could reach God. Again, that isn't the way.

Others have tried to reach God through rituals, sacrifices, and the like. But those aren't really the way to reach God. It's true that many scriptures say that God desires obedience from us. He does. But He desires obedience from our hearts, not as a roadmap to heaven.

Jesus said bluntly, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) He also said that the most important commandments aren't really from the Ten Commandments, but the Ten Commandments come from the: 1) Love God with all your heart; 2) Love others as yourself.

James 2 explains it well, that salvation requires love, faith, and works together. And it makes sense. If we truly have faith in who Jesus is, we can't help but love Him. And if we truly love Him, we will want to do the works He asks of us. And loving God, we can't help but love those He loves, that is, everyone, and will want to show that love however we can.

ON THE MENEWE:

Chili

Brown ground beef, sausage and onion together; drain.

Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir in chili seasoning.

Add beans, Rotel, and crushed tomatoes.

Simmer for about 20 minutes.

It is better if you can let it sit for several hours or make it a day ahead, to give the flavors time to meld together.

*Note: As with any recipe, you can make this your own. I used Jimmy Dean Maple sausage, just to give it a hint of sweetness. I also used fresh garlic instead of garlic powder. You could use Ranch-style beans, or two different kinds of beans, or whatever kind of beans you prefer in your chili.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

A few mornings ago my nephew's son was telling me that his daddy was 37 and his mama was 36... he was 5.... then he asked how old I was. I told him that I was 58. He said, "You're almost 100!!" His dad was standing there and said, "Son, she's only a little over halfway there. She has a long ways to go before she reaches 100." Not sure he believed his daddy, but the way he was looking at me! I'm sure to a 5 year old, 58 sounds really, really old!!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

The devil wouldn't be attacking you so hard if there wasn't something valuable in you.

Thieves don't break into empty houses. - unknown

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org