The Light

Picture by Caprice Miller

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  - Psalms 119:105

This picture is a sweet reminder of that time of year that so many love - Christmas.  Beyond the crowds, activities and shopping, there is the beauty that we see everywhere we look.  It seems that our world becomes a spectacular spectacle of sparkle and splendor.   Some even experience the phenomenon that Dr. Seuss’s character, the Grinch did when his heart grew 3 sizes from the joy and love he heard coming from Whoville.   And in the midst of it all is the reason for the season – the celebration of the birth of our savior – The Messiah – Jesus Christ.  That makes it even more appropriate to have such beautiful lights on display.  After all, He is the light of the world.  (John 8:12)  What a blessing that we can read about His life in the pages of the Bible.

The Bible – God’s Word – is, for lack of a better word at the moment, amazing.  It truly is the greatest story ever told.  For many, though, it can be a confusing collection of stories with lots of difficult to pronounce names and strange occurrences of plagues, talking donkeys, and miraculous healings.  But if we take a closer look we will realize that there is a single thread that runs through the entire document.  It is the story of the Creator of the universe who desires to have a relationship with His creation – humans – us.  In the beginning we see how He actually walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden.  Can you imagine how amazing that must have been!?  But as it always does, sin caused a separation from God.  Throughout the Bible we see evidence of God unfolding a plan for that separation to be closed so that we could be in relationship with Him.   Jesus was actually the plan all along for us to have a full access relationship with our Creator.  Full access to God through Jesus - that reality of truth can be overwhelming at times if you allow yourself to really take it in.   How does this even work?  Thankfully, God’s word is there to assist us in our walk with Him by providing lessons and truth in the Bible for us.  Like David attested to, God’s Word provides “…a lamp to our feet and a light to our path” as we walk with Him each day. 

Today, if you haven’t before, take a closer look at God’s Word and the truths and lessons He has given us in it. Let it take hold of you.  Ask God to reveal something new in it that you may have not noticed before.  And thank Him for the plan from the beginning to send Jesus to bridge that separation for us.   

Prevent "Bugscuffles"

Picture by Caprice Miller

^“27Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze. 

²⁸ A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.”

– Proverbs 16:27-28

What pleasant thoughts to start off with. Scoundrels and troublemakers are not really the sort of personalities we enjoy being around. They tend to be the ones in the midst of scuffles.  And if they are really unpleasant people, it could become a real “Bugscuffle”.  (Yeah, I did it.  I worked that word right in there.  Caprice’s definition was “bug fighting.”  Sounds like that could be vicious.)  But seriously, chances are you may have encountered someone like this.  The sad reality for some though is that they don’t even realize they create the trouble and strife that they do sometimes.  They seem to become involved in one relational issue after another and yet never realize the common denominator of these situations is…well…them.  And then there are those real “bugscuffle” types.  They know exactly what they are doing when the cure for their boredom is just to create an atmosphere of, you guessed it, trouble and strife.  Oh what a path of destruction they leave behind them.

It can be difficult to understand the thought processes of these types of people.  Most of us find it a much better life to live when it’s harmonious and we all get along to the best of our ability.  It is unfortunate though that the activities of causing strife and troublemaking are found in every area of humanity, even Christ followers.  It’s interesting how the enemy seems to use people to his advantage and to their demise.  He knows how to identify our personal weaknesses and use them as tools to wreak havoc in the lives of those around us.  Those left in the path of destruction are also usually the very ones who are actually trying to encourage us in life, if we allowed them too.  Before we know it, strife and trouble have been created, walls have been built between people and another relationship is damaged.  Chances are the person responsible is still wondering “What just happened?”  There may be a part of that person who really doesn’t want to be the cause of strife and trouble, but for some reason, they couldn’t control themselves.

This is the reason why we are warned time and time again about the plans of the enemy.  We are told in John 10: 10 the purpose of the enemy – “…to kill, steal and destroy…”    We are also told that Christ came so that we “…may have life and have it abundantly.”  An abundantly life isn’t one full of unnecessary strife and trouble that leaves damaged relationships along the way.  An abundant life is one that strives to encourage others and has uplifting relationships.  Abundant lives tend to be those that avoid the “bugscuffles” because that just interrupts the joy in life that should be experienced…in abundance. 

The enemy will use any opportunity to cause strife and trouble.  We have to be aware of this in order to not allow ourselves to be unwittingly used as a tool of relational destruction. Be on guard today and don’t allow the enemy to kill, steal and destroy the joy in your life and the joy you could help another experience.  Instead cause others around you to wonder why you won’t join in their “bugscuffle” party.  In other words, live the abundant life Jesus offers.  Perhaps you’ll have the opportunity to share your joy and The One it comes from.  

Let It Shine

Picture by Caprice Miller

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” – Matthew 5:14-16

In case you couldn’t tell, this picture shows an illuminated image of the American Flag – “Old Glory” as Caprice said.  How appropriate that is glows.  After all, this has been the symbol of hope and freedom for countless individuals in this country and around the world.  Brave men and women have fought and died for what it stands for.   It’s a symbol that can evoke so much emotion.  When we pledge allegiance to it and sing The National Anthem as it flies proudly, chances are, you’ll get that catch in your throat as you feel a tear well up in your eye.   As proud Americans we say “This is OUR flag! Let her shine.”   People are drawn to hope.  The opportunity of freedom and prosperity are the hope that Americans have and that draw millions of others to this country also. 

Hope and freedom were not new ideas when this country was formed.  It is what people long for.  We search for it in the next “new deal”, the next relationship, the next “fix”.  The reality is that it is right in front of those looking for it, but they don’t even realize it.  It’s as though they are trying to maneuver around in the dark trying to find a source of light.  Jesus is that source of light that so many are searching so desperately for.  In the verse above, we are reminded that we need to be that source of light for the world.  As Christians, we are not to hide our light under a bowl – we are called to let that light shine so that others can see God through us so that they are drawn to Him. 

My pastor’s wife, Lisa Young, recently gave a great illustration of how many of us seem to have a dimmer switch that keeps our faith from glowing.  We turn it up at the right times when we’re at church or around our other Christian friends, but we turn that dimmer switch down when we are in the “real world”.  We should always remember that it is in the “real world” that our light should be glowing at its brightest.  Our lives should be a beacon for those who are searching for hope and freedom.    This is what we have been given in Christ and it is not to be put under a bowl, but it is to be shared with the world.  Let’s be proud of what Christ has given us and declare, “This is my faith!  Let me shine for You.”  Let the light of Christ shine in you today so that those wandering around in darkness can see Him through you. 

Learning from the past

Picture by Caprice Miller

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1

It’s no secret that Texans are a proud crowd.  We have a history of persevering and thriving in spite of adversity.  Our history is very important to us.  We understand that we need to remember how we have come to this point.  The mural in this picture reminds us of how the city of Ft. Worth came to be.  It was a major point along the Chisholm Trail where cattle were being transported between Texas and Kansas – A.K.A. – Cattle Drive Texas style.  This is just one way that Ft. Worth displays their history proudly so everyone can be reminded. 

The past is fascinating in so many ways.  You may have noticed how popular it is to research family genealogy.  Besides the interesting stories it may produce, knowing where you came from can be beneficial.  True that it may be a little disturbing finding out that your great, great, great grandfather was a stagecoach robber.  But for others it could be encouraging to find that your ancestors were key figures in the advancement of our country.  You just never know what you can learn from the past.

That is what the verse above talks about.  If you read in Hebrews 11 just prior to this verse, the writer goes through a list of Biblical icons reminding us of the faith that brought them through the circumstances they went through.  On this side of history it is easy to see what the outcome would have been if they had not trusted and stepped out on faith in God.  Sure God could have worked through another, if He chose to, but these were the ones chosen and they had faith to follow His direction. 

What a history to look back on and learn from.  So many times we go through circumstances and feel as though we are the only ones who have ever endured what we are going through.  But the pages of the Bible are full of people who went through something quite similar.  That is one of the great things about the Bible.  It tells us the raw and real of the story.  We can learn from the mistakes of these icons as well as their triumphs.  We can see God’s hand in their lives as well as the grace and mercy He provided them.  Still today, He offers the same to us. 

Many times we can get lost in our own past.  This can be especially true if the past is one of bad choices and circumstances.  What do you think would have happened to some of these Biblical icons if they had gotten stuck in their past?  Moses could have labeled himself as “not good enough” and never lead the Israelites out of Egypt.   David could have thought of himself as “just a shepherd boy” and never have stepped into his anointing to be the next king of Israel.   The list could go on.  The point is that they looked to God instead of their past and circumstances and allowed God to use them in mighty ways.  He is still doing that today.  Everyday lives are transformed from the “what could have been” to “what God can do”.   Allow Him to turn your eyes away from the past so you can look to Him.  Take the lessons needed from the past and move forward to the amazing future God has for you.  Take that step of faith to let Him lead you in His direction for your life and know that there is a huge crowd cheering for you.