LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!

Yesterday brought about five inches of the heavy, slippery stuff—the kind that forced my attention to the tracks ahead of me and my hands to remain glued to the steering wheel as I wended home from vending at a craft fair. But all the way home on that treacherous road, my heart overflowed with thanksgiving for God’s wondrous beauty of trees draped in clean, cottony softness. Choosing to thank Him in the storm always makes the journey shorter and more enjoyable.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

Living With Thanksgiving in the Moment

For some of you, Thanksgiving Day has come and gone. Regardless, I hope that for you, every day becomes a day of thanksgiving. When we live in the moment, accepting each day and hour as a gift, it becomes easier to be thankful for what we have. Perhaps that’s why the pilgrims were able to set aside a special day for thanking God—though they had suffered greatly that first, harsh winter. Perhaps that’s why the apostle Paul, who suffered more than most others through repeated beatings, shipwrecks, and imprisonments, never ceased to thank and praise God. He viewed his sufferings as opportunities rather than as deficits.

It’s not easy to “live in the moment with thanksgiving” while our knee aches. Rather, we tend to commiserate about the stupid accident that caused our knee injury, or about the dim outlook ahead. It’s not easy to be thankful when our emotions run rampant over someone’s offending word. We’d rather think back to other offenses to justify our anger, or think ahead to the miserable loss of that person’s friendship.

Living with thanksgiving in the moment has great value. It can change our attitude to one of expectation that God is with us and will help us overcome whatever problems we face. It enables us to see life as a gift rather than a coincidence or stroke of luck. It brings unexpected blessings.

In other words, living with thanksgiving in the moment with God helps us to take our eyes off ourselves, to gain a new perspective of life. All these benefits bring health and healing to our body, soul, and spirit. We smile more easily and more often, which in turn causes others to smile—others who also may have little to smile about. I have no doubt that our thanks puts a smile on God, too.

Perhaps we can liken the habit of giving thanks as a discipline—a habit we can form and practice “in the moment” through daily communication with God. Here are three reasons to daily thank Him:

“…for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Lord, we thank You for all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.

GRACE

Grace is what it’s all about. God’s grace is mind-boggling. To think that He never forsakes us, loves us in spite of our sins, and faithfully provides us with His strength and power. Now that’s something to be thankful for during this special time of year—and every day no matter what we’re going through.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

It Takes Grace

Kids do it all the time. They run barefoot and unthinkingly onto Mom’s clean floor, leaving muddy tracks for her to clean up. If we don’t like dirty floors, sometimes we have to resort not only to clean the floor, but to wash their feet. We need to teach our kids proper behavior, but our love should compel us to look beyond the dirty floor and dirty feet.

Foot washing is a symbol of humility and servanthood. Some churches practice the ritual even today. Perhaps we all should. We’d be following Jesus’ example when He washed the feet of all His disciples—including Judas. He took a towel and lowered Himself to His knees, just as a slave would have done for his master.

Jesus meant His literal example in the metaphoric sense, too. When we humbly serve others in any way, we serve Jesus. “‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them … ‘Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

Humility is often viewed as a character weakness. What strength do we exhibit by giving up or walking away or showing our “wimpy” emotions? Humility, however, is a purposeful act of love shown by placing ourselves beneath another to meet their need. It’s being the first to apologize. It’s giving a hand up to the guy ahead of us in the race at the expense of winning. It’s turning the other cheek rather than retaliating when someone criticizes us.

Humility and servanthood are what Jesus expressed when Judas betrayed Him, when His own people killed Him, when Peter denied Him. He humbled Himself before unclean lepers, an immoral woman, and the demon possessed—for the sake of their healing. For the sake of His Father’s love and grace.

It takes grace to wash someone’s spiritually dirty feet. It takes grace to keep from scolding or criticizing them for leaving muddy tracks on our pristine self-image. It takes grace to look at them with the eyes of love and compassion. A friend of mine, speaking about a crude co-worker, said, “It’s not my job to wash his mouth out, but to wash his feet.”

Lord, by the power of Your Spirit, give us the grace to see beyond the flaws into the hearts of others, as You have done for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

WEATHER OR NOT

With winter approaching quickly, sometimes I think it would be nice to be able to hibernate like the chipmunks and bears. Just kidding. I love most winter days. God lavishes us with His beauty in all seasons. May your holiday season be filled with thanksgiving to our Creator and Savior in and for everything—even the monotony of cloudy days and the intensity of blizzards.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

Fattening Up

The way our resident chipmunks are eating, you’d think they’re wondering if it will be their last meal. Bears, too, are focused on fattening up with high-protein and fatty foods before they head for their hibernating holes.

Sometimes we humans stuff ourselves with food, too, and with pleasures—as if we might lose out before dying. But what if we knew with certainty that today would be our last day on earth? Would we act differently with our parents, spouse, children, and grandchildren? Would we speak different words to them? How would we treat those we disdain or despise? Would we make amends for our past offenses?

What choices would we make regarding our money? Spend it all on fun and fancy things? Give it away? Hide it so certain others could not benefit from it? What about food and drink? Would we indulge ourselves, like the critters preparing for hibernation, knowing our last meal was imminent? Would we regret not fulfilling our Bucket List, or not spending more time with our family?

We all have the option of “fattening up” on anything we choose. Our selfish choices are endless—and worthless in the end. The Bible says: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

The Bible is filled with ways we can spend our last days. Once we know Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, getting to know Him better is a priceless, meaningful way to live out our lives. If we fatten up on His Word and obey it, we won’t miss out on His greatest gifts of love, joy, and peace now and forever. Fattening up on God’s Word will help us toward that end.

“You do not know what will happen tomorrow,” James 4:14 tells us. “What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

James continues: “Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:8) Seeking Him in the Word will help us not only to know Him better, but to trust and love Him.

Lord, help us consider each day as our last so the love, peace, and joy You’ve given us will be evident to everyone we meet. Give us the desire to fatten up on and obey Your Living Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

THE LIVING WORD

These rocks came into existence when God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit fashioned the world. We are blessed in being able to learn about His creation and salvation through the Holy Spirit’s enlightenment and through His written Word. May we never take advantage of such a blessing.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

The Book of Books

After hundreds of years, the Bible is still the best-selling book in the world, having survived banning, burning, and booing. That’s miraculous. Dwight L. Moody, the famous Chicago preacher, wrote these words on the flyleaf of his Bible:

“This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of life, the doom of sinners, the happiness of believers. Read it to be wise. Believe it to be safe. Practice it to be holy. It gives light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the soldier’s sword, the Christian’s chart. Here Paradise is restored: heaven is opened and the gates of hell described. Christ is its theme, our good its design, and the glory of God its end.

“It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, a river of pleasure. It is given us in life, will be open in judgment, and remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with it. The Bible sets forth two things—the cross and the throne.

“The Old Testament points toward the cross. The Gospel tells the story of the cross. The Epistles point toward the throne. The Revelation tells the story of the throne.

“The Old Testament tells us what sin leads to and ends with the words: ‘Lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.’ (Malachi 4:6)

“The New Testament shows the way out of sin and ends thus: ‘The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.’” (Revelation 22:31)

In sales, the Bible has beat out the Koran, A Tale of Two Cities, and The Da Vinci Code. Even the Harry Potter books can’t compete. Nor can Mao’s Little Red Book, second in sales of between eight- and nine-hundred million copies. By comparison, between 2.5 and 6 billion copies of the Bible have been sold.

The Bible is popular because its words are God-breathed. “For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Jesus is called the Word of God.

Lord, thank You for Your Living Word that sustains, encourages, and teaches us. Let us never take it for granted or fail to avail ourselves of its power. In Jesus’ name, amen.

ALL CREATURES LARGE OR SMALL

The variety of sizes in God’s creation is astounding. Some moths, for instance, are smaller than our little fingernail. Others, like this Luna moth, dwarf many of the flowers on which they land. Bald eagles dwarf the chickadee. Oaks stretch way beyond a lowly blueberry plant. A tidal wave swallows the seaside ripple. No matter the size, each has a purpose in God’s world. We see His love in the big and the small alike.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

The Right Size

The bigger the antlers or pelt, the better a hunter’s buck or bear will look in his “bragging room.” The bigger a foodaholic’s dinner portion, the more enjoyment. The taller the alcoholic’s drink, the better. Stores now sell bigger cans of beer and bigger cups of cappuccino. Let’s face it; size matters for many of us.

Some parents encourage their children to acquire the biggest and most. On Halloween, for instance, they drop off their kids at the end of a well-populated, city block and pick them up after they have filled their pillow cases with candy.

Smaller size matters, too. Technologically, we can talk, text, hear music, watch the news and weather report, and find our way while traveling—all with a palm-sized device. Even pets are bred for a smaller size.

I enjoy reading in bed, but the older I become, the more uncomfortable it is for me to hold a book up for long. Perhaps it’s time to buy a small, lightweight e-reader.

Size matters. Are we ever satisfied with the size of our house, our body, our paycheck? Don’t we all, at some time or other, avoid getting the short end of the stick, so to speak? Is anything ever the perfect size for us?

Sometimes we may even think God is the wrong size for our situation. We may decide He’s too small to answer our difficult needs. We may believe He can’t find us when we get lost in the bog of life, or won’t find us when we purposely go where sin and evil reside. Or we may decide He’s much too big for us puny, insignificant creatures.

The truth is, God is big—much bigger than we can imagine, but not too big. He sees all and knows all. He is more powerful than the earthquake and volcano, the flood and the tornado. Yet He reaches down to us with His immeasurable love and mercy. We don’t have to rely on the size of anything to gain His peace. We don’t have to change His size to fit our needs. He’s the right size for everything.

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life … nor height nor depth … shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Lord, may we never view You in a size of our own perception. Help us grasp the truth of Your immeasurable love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

COLOR ME PURPLE

A friend told me leaves turn red, orange, and yellow, but never purple. I found several purple leaves this fall. Did you? By now, however, most fallen leaves are brown and disintegrating. Saturday I did see some trees still dressed in their brilliant hues as I traveled to Crivitz to give a talk at the public library. Crivitz is near the town of Peshtigo, which is situated on Lake Michigan and which lost 1,500 people to fire the same day of the Great Chicago Fire during the logging days. They certainly experienced vivid colors that day, but not the kind we like to see.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

The Colors of God

A riot of autumn colors brought out my camera. Everywhere I turned, I saw a snapshot of God’s character. All the colors of the rainbow are evident in Autumn, and they’re the same hues evident in the Bible.

The rainbow colors that paint our world with beauty come from God’s light, which He created at the beginning of time. During creation, God proclaimed the light as “good.” From His light come the rainbow colors that show His glory.

The colors we see in the natural world have spiritual meaning, too. The color red, for instance, represents the sacrificial blood of Christ. Isaiah 1:18 reads, “’Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’” Christ willingly took our sins upon Himself that we might be cleansed as white as snow. When we see the blood-red maple and sumac leaves, we are reminded of Jesus’ supreme sacrifice for our benefit.

The brilliant oranges of autumn signify several things: praise and passion, joy and power, fruitfulness and harvest. My mind automatically leaps to thoughts about the Holy Spirit when I see orange. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus’ followers as tongues of fire. The orange flame of a God’s Spirit-fire burns hot in our hearts when we allow it.

Our northern poplars and birch shimmer like gold coins on a sunny day. Gold is the color of God’s holiness which shines in our hearts as He releases His strength and energy to us so we can produce His good works. “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22)

The green of conifers contrasts richly with the changing colors of deciduous trees. Green is the color of plant life and speaks of growth. In spiritual terms, it’s called sanctification. God would have all of us “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)

The blue of the sky reminds us of heaven, from which Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins and in which we will someday spend eternity with Him, if we have surrendered ourselves to His perfect will.

If we hunt for them, we can even find purple leaves in the fall. The color purple symbolizes Jesus’ royalty. He forever wears the crown and robe of righteousness and majesty and power.

Lord, we thank You for the rich variety of color in autumn which reminds us of Your love for us. Help us to learn more about You through Your marvelous gifts of nature. In Jesus’ name, amen.

STORIES

Did you hear the story about the chickadee that ate from my niece’s hand? Such a simple act gives us a lesson in trust. We love to hear stories and we love to tell stories. The best stories told are those that lift up Jesus and point to His marvelous love. May your stories bring glory to Him.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES by Sally Bair

Maturity and Fruit

I attended a writer’s workshop recently and was surprised and encouraged by the number of published authors in my age group. These writers, like me, had set out not only to tell their stories but to sell their stories. Telling and selling both require desire, determination, and dedication to succeed.

Seniors and younger people alike can be encouraged by those who have gone before us. Perhaps many of us subconsciously, or consciously, feel an inner pressure to share our wisdom before it’s too late. There are so many good stories to share—stories that will not only entertain, but will teach and encourage future generations.

I have felt that inner pressure to share my stories with others. Having been a writer for many years has given me an advantage. But there are people who are hesitant to preserve their stories because they “didn’t live an interesting life,” or “don’t know how to write well enough,” or “don’t want to be an embarrassment to the family.” That’s why I’m now offering memory-writing workshops for anyone, no prior writing skills necessary.

Stories are big in God’s view. Without the Old Testament stories about spiritual heroes such as Abraham, Noah, and Elijah, we wouldn’t know about faith. Without Jesus’ parables and Paul’s letters, we wouldn’t mature in our faith.

Our stories don’t have to be big and important. Big or small, or seemingly insignificant, our stories can have the same effect on our families and succeeding generations that Bible stories have on our faith. Memories often stir our hearts, causing us to want to share them with others. That’s how it was with David, who wrote in Psalm 45:1: “My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.”

We have only so many years left. So, why not write our stories now, while we can? There’s no telling how they can bless someone who’s hurting or stumbling or seeking meaning about life.

Lord, thank You for Your wisdom that’s meant to be shared through our stories. Grace us with the desire and ability to pass them on to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.