INSTRUMENT OF FREEDOM OR HISTORICAL DOCUMENT

The powerful first line of the Declaration of Independence jumped off the page as I reread one of our most valuable documents. When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them.. It eloquently portrays the passion in the heart of our courageous founders. The body of the Declaration continues to enumerate the Colonists’ grievances against King George and declares they will no longer be subject to England’s law and rule. The most quoted and perhaps most misunderstood line is the opening line of the second paragraph: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Unalienable means, not to be separated, given away, or taken away. The United States Government did not give us liberty or life and they cannot be taken away. We need to understand that our rights are bestowed upon us by God they are UNALIENABLE!

As citizens of the United States our most important document is our Constitution. The preamble or opening paragraph of the Constitution states: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. The Constitution consists of 7 articles and 27 amendments. It establishes a form of government, granting the specific powers to the 3 branches of government, defining the governing rights of states and the guidelines under which government will interact with foreign entities. The 27 amendments are promises of our rights as citizens and the guarantee that government will not interfere with those rights. The Constitution is not just a historical document giving us insight into the minds of our founding fathers and an understanding of 18th century culture. It is as relevant to its citizens 223 years later as it was to the patriots in 1787. As long as we remain citizens of the United States, our rights our guaranteed and protected by this valuable document.

As Children of God and Citizens of Heaven, we have been endowed by unalienable rights. We have been given Life. Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. We were only a statue formed by God, then He breathed into us and we were given life. It is UNALIENABLE, no one has a right to take life; not from the preborn, elderly, innocent or guilty. We have been given Liberty. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus proclaimed, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. As the Patriots shed their blood to gain our freedom and the Constitution instructs the government to protect those rights, Acts 20:28 instructs the Ministry to protect and promote the general welfare of the church because it was purchased with “His own blood.” Our Liberty has been purchased by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Finally, God has granted us the right to Pursue Happiness. Psalms 144:15 guarantees, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. Psalms 146:5 states further, Happy is the man whose hope is in the Lord. Benjamin Franklin said, The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness; you have to catch it yourself. Many people forget to include the word pursuit when they speak of the happiness guaranteed by the Constitution, just as many ignore the same word in receiving happiness from the Lord. Our happiness is guaranteed and protected as we pursue God and put our hope in Him.

The Bible is a precious and valuable document it proclaims the sovereignty of God, establishes His government in our life and enumerates all the precious promises that we have a right to as citizens of His kingdom. It is not generational or cultural; the Word of God is still as relevant to your life today as when it was given to “Men of Old” by God. Don’t allow His Word to become just a Historical Document; it is your Instrument of Freedom. Read it again, grab hold of every promise, know your RIGHTS, as a Child of God and be prepared to fight for them. They are UNALIENABLE and Satan has no power to deprive you of the rights God has bestowed on His Children.

JUST TO BE CLOSE TO YOU

My dad passed away September, 2001 and my heart still hurts with longing every time I think of him. Dad’s 74th birthday is Sunday and our family holds the memories of his last earthly birthday dear. All of his kids and grandkids made the trek down to Doniphan, MO with no anticipation that this would be the last time some of us would see him in this world. We sang, laughed, shared stories, wrote love letters, prayed with him and enjoyed just being close to him. This is a great memory, but one of my most precious memories occurred in February 2001. Dad was very sick at that time, so I offered to sit with him while Mom and Steve went to Sunday evening service. For two hours, I listened to the sound of his voice, soaked up his many “pearls of wisdom,” and delighted in just being alone with him. When it was time for us to return to Michigan, he held me so tight, as if he wanted the imprint of his arms and love for me to burned in my memory for ever. There are many days, as the tears flow down my cheeks, I stop for a moment just to remember those arms wrapped tight around me. I am so thankful that I have a Blessed Hope of one day soon gathering together, singing, laughing, sharing stories and feeling those arms holding me close.

This morning, I turned over, wide awake, only to find out that it was 3:20 a.m. I’ve learned not to fight the sleepless nights but to lie there enjoying the presence of God. God is always so real in the stillness of the early morning. As I made my way downstairs a few hours later and entered the room where I like to spend time with God, His presence continued to hover. It seemed as if God didn’t want to let me go about my day, just yet. I knelt down by my chair and began my devotions as always, thanking Him for another day, for keeping us safe through the night, for health and strength. Just as I started to go through my litany of requests, I felt overwhelmed by His love for me. I simply said, “God, you know what I have need of today and I ask that you would grant it.” As I continued to sit quietly in His presence, just listening to His voice, I realized His incredible love for me. The tears began to flow, His love flooded my soul and soon His language filled my heart and lips. I knew my day would begin soon, but for now I just wanted to be close to Him.

There is a worship song that comes to mind that portrays this morning’s experience:

Just to be close to you, is where I want to be
Let me hide myself inside your heart to find my destiny
Every step I take, is one less step I’ll need
To be in Your presence, close to thee

Someday soon I know I’ll see You face to face, sit at Your feet and feel Your warm embrace, but for now, it is enough Just To Be Close To You.

AND IF I BE LIFTED UP

What an eventful month we have experienced this June. North Korea is threatening to launch a missile at Hawaii, Iran is experiencing an uprising that despite their government’s efforts continues to gain strength, and President Obama advances with his mission to bring us level with the rest of the international socialist communities. Last week a senator admits to having an affair with a staffer and this week a governor disappears for a hike in the Appalachians, winds up in Argentina and confesses to having an affair. We learned of the deaths of three famous personalities, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and on Thursday, Michael Jackson. At one time they seemed on top of the world, riding high on life, but in death McMahon was bankrupt, Fawcett suffered the pain of cancer, relationship problems, and has a son in jail, and Jackson’s entire life was such a mess that he existed on a daily cocktail of drugs. Everyone of these devastating life situations are a result of elevating the wrong individual.

I have heard so many ask the question HOW? How can we sit by and watch Iran kill people for speaking out? How can we say nothing while our President destroys what’s left of our economy? How can a governor with a beautiful family, on track to possibly run for President, throw everything away for momentary pleasure? How could Ed McMahon lose his home to foreclosure? How could Michael Jackson waste such a promising life and career? Answer: the wrong person has been elevated.

I am always amazed at the emotional displays attached to coming in contact with people we have set up as “idols.” Every year thousands of fans make a pilgrimage to Graceland to celebrate Elvis’ birthday. President Obama has been given god-like status in the eyes of millions around the world. Obamaites consider his words infallible, scream and faint in his presence and many broke down with emotion at his inauguration. At the announcement of the death of Michael Jackson, thousands rushed to the Los Angeles hospital, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton took the opportunity to get some TV face time, and sales of his recordings hit all time highs. We are elevating the wrong person.

I love the song by Michael W. Smith called, “Be Lifted High.” One line says, “Sin and its ways lead to pain, left here with hurt and with shame.” When we elevate the wrong person, the outcome is only hurt and shame. The accumulation of things no longer satisfies, the fawning crowds leave us empty inside and all the beautiful people surrounding us are not so beautiful any more. It all turns to loss, defeat and sometimes even public ridicule. Oh what a difference when we elevate Jesus Christ.

The song continues, “And I fall to my knees so it’s you that they see, not I, Jesus you be lifted high.” When we get the focus off of ourselves and our desires and elevate Jesus, the hurt, the shame, the feelings of inadequacy, and the pressure to perform all fade into the background and we begin to experience His love, His joy and His peace. Jesus said in John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” If you are feeling like life has let you down and there is nothing that can satisfy the emptiness, fall on your knees and allow Jesus to be lifted up.

POTENTIAL GARBAGE OR GARBAGE WITH POTENTIAL

Do you have friends that are avid recyclers, garage sale junkies or maybe just pack rats? I once read a story about a “pack rat.” She had accumulated so much “stuff” that it took a bulldozer to move her treasures to allow the EMT to reach her dead body. She had magazines stacked to the ceiling; I’m sure they held some great recipes, articles or coupons. There are women and some men who actually warn other drivers with a bumper sticker; “WARNING, I stop for garage sales.” I have to admit I’ve snagged some great bargains that my neighbors had determined were no longer necessary.

Every Sunday afternoon a parade of pickup trucks drive slowly up and down the streets of our neighborhood cruising for treasure. Saturday is “clean out the garage and basement day” and Monday is garbage day, which makes Sunday a perfect “garbage with potential” day. I had a friend who would yell at the “garbage pickers” as they looked through her curbside offerings. In her eyes it was garbage and if it had any value, she would have given it to someone. I, on the other hand, become so excited that someone can use my trash, that I run out to the curb, help them load it and offer them more.

Our great-grandparents understood the value of recycling long before it became a government mandate or politically correct. The Christmas ham bone became flavoring for a pot of soup beans (southern term) or bean soup for you northerners. Potato sacks morphed into shirts and dresses and finally found their resting place in a cozy quilt top. Empty cans were kicked and barrel rings were rolled with a stick. I can feel the earth shaking from all the “grave turning” as we nonchalantly toss out potential clothing, hours of fun for children or delicious pots of soup. Their minds could not comprehend the piles of computers, game boys, cell phones and other outdated electronic devices. But I’m sure given the chance; they would have turned them into the latest gadget our teenagers could not live without.

We have become such a disposable society, that we only see value at the time of purchase. Has this mindset invaded the Christian community when we look at people? Do we only see the value in those who appeal to us and our goals? Do we use people, and then toss them on the garbage heap once they no longer fit into our plan? Perhaps there are even those in which we see no value; the halt, the lame, mentally-challenged, dirty, poor, fat, and ugly or the unborn. Have we forgotten that Jesus came to seek and save those we consider potential garbage? Jeremiah tells the story of turning potential garbage into garbage with potential. Jeremiah 18:44, “And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.” The vessel that had become landfill in society’s eyes was changed into a vessel of value in the hands of the Master Recycler.

A song says, “He looked not at what I was, but at what I could become.” Left to our own desires and short-sightedness, we would have all eventually been left on the “curb of life” mere fodder for the trash pickers. I am so thankful that Jesus looks on the potential garbage of life and sees garbage with potential. Dear God, today, let me see everyone through your eyes, reach with your arms and love with your heart.

HIDE AND SEEK

In the midst of preparing the chicken and rice and chopping the salad, I suddenly realize the house had grown eerily quiet. The running footstep had stilled and the babbling voice attempting to read ABC books had ceased. Caleb, where was Caleb, what was he into now? CALEB, where are you? He had been in the dining room just seconds ago; there were all his books, stacked perfectly in his 2 year old obsessive method. I stepped over cars and “little people” as I made my way to the staircase. CALEB, I called as I looked up to the second level, but there was no smiling little face peering through the banisters. Walking down the hallway toward the family room, I heard a faint sound of breathing. There behind the table lamp stood a sheepishly smiling Caleb holding a chocolate bar from Grandma’s “secret” stash. His little 2-year old mind knew he was holding the forbidden and assumed that a table lamp would provide adequate covering.

Caleb’s behavior isn’t unique; it began with Adam and Eve. Genesis 3:6-9 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.8And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.9Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”

Adam and Eve could not resist the forbidden and man’s formula was set; sin, cover and hide. All through the Bible we find Mankind following this formula. A few years later, Adam’s son, Cain would try the formula and experience the same outcome. Cain became angry with his brother Abel and killed him. He must have tried to cover it up because God told Cain that Abel’s blood called to him from the ground. Then Cain tried to hide behind his arrogance; “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Again, God saw through the inadequate covering provided by Cain. King David, a man after God’s own heart, was not immune from the curse of sin and the solution set forth by Adam and Eve.

It was the “War Season” and David remained in Jerusalem. Boredom became his undoing. He desired Bathsheba and she became pregnant. To cover his sin he sent her home and called her husband, Uriah, home from war to lie with her. Now everyone would assume the baby was premature. Uriah, a dutiful man, stayed at the palace to guard the king. David panicked and tried to hide his sin by sending Uriah to the front line to be killed. 2 Samuel 11:7 tells us, “But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” David’s covering was inadequate and God sent the prophet, Nathan.

I am so thankful that “hiding” is not the end of the story. In every example, soon after man’s sin, God came seeking. God pronounced judgment for the sin and then provided a “God Covering” way of redemption. David had to experience the death of a child but God provided him with another son, Solomon. Solomon became the wisest, richest king that ever ruled. Cain was sentenced to roam the earth as a vagabond for the rest of his life. God also set his own mark upon Cain as a covering and declared that if anyone killed Cain, that person would experience vengeance seven-fold. Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden to fend for themselves and God began the Process of Redemption.

Genesis 4:21 “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.” Genesis provides us the portrait of redemption. Man’s attempt to cover himself with fig leaves was inadequate, so blood was shed by God to provide a warm covering of skins. In today’s world we have become more savvy in our attempt to cover our sins. We sew “fig leaves” of good works, service to our country, charitable contributions, being a good neighbor, kindness to animals, protecting the environment and many other futile methods. Mankind’s formula remains the same, “Sin, Cover, and Hide.” God’s formula for redemption also remains the same, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission,” Hebrews 9:22.

Hide and Seek is a fun game when you are a child. After finding Caleb with the chocolate, I took the candy, gathered him in my lap and had a fun time sharing; my stash has a new hiding place. Hide and Seek can be a lonely endeavor for the adult and the attempt to cover our sin is exhausting. Luke 19:20 tells us “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Jesus Christ came to provide the sin covering for all of mankind. His shed blood reached back to cover Adam and Eve, Cain and David and it reaches forward to cover our sin today. If you are hiding, God is seeking!

CAN I FIND GOD IN YOUR BLACKBERRY?

Dear Church Member:

My life is a mess! I’ve made all the wrong choices, followed the wrong path and I’m not sure where to turn next. A co-worker told me maybe I should try God. I noticed the sign in front of your beautiful church and decided to attend last Sunday. I was really hoping I would find some answers.

The greeters at the door were so warm and friendly. They gave me a welcome packet full of information about your beliefs, programs and church community and then helped me find a seat. I sat directly behind you. It was so kind of you to make sure I had a bible and your lovely smile and handshake gave me hope; maybe this was the place I had been searching for. The service began with everyone praying out loud. I had never heard such a prayer; maybe God would really hear me if I talked to him with all of these believers. The songs and worship made me cry; I felt so close to Heaven. The hardness inside of me began to break; could I finally let go of all the hurt and disappointment that had filled me for so long? Even the announcements and the offering seemed to glorify God. I was thankful that the leader asked everyone to turn off their cell phones because I was so hungry for God and I wanted to hear every word. The congregation stood to honor the reading of the Bible; I think the Pastor picked the scriptures just for me.

I was on the edge of my seat, hanging on to every word when I noticed you grabbed your blackberry. I hadn’t heard it ring but it suddenly seemed so important to you. I looked at you full of concern and said a silent prayer that the emergency call was not bad news. You looked at the screen and smiled as your fingers flew over the keys. Wow, no emergency, maybe there is something to this prayer thing! Then you scrolled down the screen looking at the latest headlines, checked your Facebook page and posted an update. Turning my attention to the speaker, I finally got back on track with what he was saying when another “emergency” occurred. You winked at your friend across the aisle, hardly able to contain your laughter as you replied to her witty comments. Sadly, I walked down the aisle and out the door. Maybe I’ll just buy a music CD and a Blackberry!

Sincerely,
A Searching Heart
Written by Susan Niswonger to make us aware of the hurting people who may be watching us.

AFFIRMED, APPROVED, AND VALIDATED

I remember the first time I heard the word, Affirmed. We had opened a Christian bookstore in St. James, MN. The shelves were stocked with the latest inspirational books and cds and the card rack was loaded with greeting cards for every occasion imaginable. I began to notice that our best sellers were cards of “affirmation.” Since I had never received an affirmation card and the small town we lived in had 7 or 8 Lutheran churches, I assumed it had something to do with a Lutheran religious tradition. One day, I decided to read all the cards and to my surprise I discovered that “affirmation” is something we all crave; Lutherans, Pentecostals, Catholics, Non-believers, everyone!

The dictionary defines AFFIRMATION as “to express agreement with or commitment to; to uphold and support; to approve. APPROVAL was the word that caught my attention in this definition. From the time we are aware of our surroundings we seek for approval. To approve someone is to appreciate, commend, express a favorable opinion; to endorse or validate. The opposite of approval is rejection. Rejection is devastating and destructive. Rejection will destroy one’s dreams, drive to live and ultimately the very person who experienced the personal destruction. I love approval because it VALIDATES me. This brings me to my last word, VALIDATION. Validation gives official approval, substantiation and confirmation to our words and actions. The tiniest baby to the oldest adult desires affirmation, approval and validation and we can find all three in a loving God.

Chapel service had ended and I had begun to minister to individual’s personal needs. After praying with many of the ladies, I glanced over at the one remaining person patiently waiting to speak to me. She began to tell me of different things that were “bugging” her and how she was trying to handle all of them in her troubled life. I listened to her words and began to form the prayer in my mind that I would pray with her. Suddenly, she spoke to me from her heart, “I don’t feel validated!” she cried. Now, we had gotten to the root of her problems and could pray specifically for her need. After talking and praying together, she began to see different ways God is validating her life and her as a person every day.

After many years of attending funerals and talking with grieving people, the most important thing to the family is that their loved one is not forgotten. Again we come back to the word VALIDATION. It is ok to the family that you may have seen the faults of their loved one, they saw them too. It doesn’t matter that you may have had philosophical differences; no two people agree. But do you have a story about their life, who were they as a person, will they be remembered now that they are no longer living on earth, can you validate them? The dead person becomes an extension of ourselves. We will all lie in the same place someday, surrounded by sorrowful friends and loved ones and we need to know that funny stories are being told, that we will be missed, that our live mattered; that we were validated.

In my own life, people may not have always affirmed me or approved of my actions; I can live with that, if I have been validated. I need to know that I have worth as a human being; that my life matters and someone cares about what I feel, think, do and speak. II Corinthians 10:18 reminds us, “For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth." No matter how many awards or accolades we may receive in this life, we are not validated, affirmed or approved until God approves us. My final verse comes from James 1:12, "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." You may feel as my friend at chapel that no one validates, affirms or approves of you. The Word of God tells us that when we become His child, He stamps His seal of approval on us unto the Day of Redemption at which time we will receive a crown of life. NOW THAT’S AFFIRMATION, APPROVAL AND VALIDATION!!!