Christian Counseling & Educational Services

As the July 4 weekend approaches I always find a mix of emotions swirling in my heart and mind. While I rejoice over the great gift of freedom we have as Americans, I also recall the year when my mother lay dying. Instead of celebrating our nation’s independence, I was praying for God to set her free from the bondage of sickness, disease, and dementia. God answered that prayer on July 6, 1998 so today marks the 10th anniversary of her death. May I share with you some thoughts that I shared at her funeral?

It made me laugh when I read that there are more collect telephone calls made on Father’s Day than any other day of the year. No matter how old they are, it seems children desire to connect with their dads on his special day to honor him, express their appreciation, and to let him know that he’s being remembered—even if he does have to pay for it! Most dads don’t mind, though. They’re just glad to hear from their kids.

It’s vacation time! Now that schools are out, people are packing their bags and leaving home for those precious days away from full schedules and the normal routine, and heading to the beach, the mountains, or the homes of relatives.

Here in the U.S. this weekend is set aside to honor the brave men and women who have served in the armed services and fought for our country. We remember the living and dead, those who served in years gone by, and those who currently wear the uniform of the United States military.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

As we celebrate Mother’s Day here in the United States, we pause to remember, honor and thank God for mothers. They have an awesome job! A mother comforts, guides, instructs, encourages and comes along side to help. She’s a chauffeur, a cook, a coach, a disciplinarian, and a whole lot more. Being a mom requires wearing many different hats, but most women are good at that.

What a thrill to KNOW that my Redeemer lives! Jesus Christ is just as alive today as He was right after the resurrection. In fact, He is just as much alive today as He was before the crucifixion, and even before He came to earth and was laid in the manger.

What difference does it make whether we serve a living God or one made of stone? Isn’t it just a practice we believe in? Is it a crutch to help us along our way? No! Absolutely not!

In a matter of one short week, Jesus went from riding triumphantly into the city of Jerusalem being hailed as a king, to hanging in humiliation from a wooden cross with angry mobs shouting around Him, having been betrayed by one of his own. Through it all, He never ceased to honor His Father. How did He do it? How is it possible to go from the position and pomp of a king, to the railings and rejection as a criminal and still successfully glorify God?

On Valentine’s Day isn’t it fun to dig through a bag of those little candy hearts that have the words printed on them? They say cute little things like “SWEET�, “CUTE� or “HUG ME�. But the one that I like the best says, “YOU ARE MINE!�

Isaiah 43 gives a beautiful picture of God saying those exact words to His beloved children of Israel. Even though they had wondered away from Him and He had to discipline them, He declares, “Don’t be afraid! I made you and I will take care of you. You are mine!� Then, as their loving Father, He gives them the promise of His presence, His protection, and His provision through it all.

It was good to see Jackie again. I haven’t seen her in several years so running into her at the store was a delight. Always upbeat and praising the Lord, she brightens any day. We chatted a few moments, catching up on the years, and when she turned to leave, she threw her hand in the air and proclaimed, “Remember, this is the year of new beginnings!� With a wave she was off, leaving me with words of hope that flooded my weary soul.

In preparation for the arrival of the new year, last December 31, I encouraged each of you to prayerfully find and claim a specific promise from God’s Word for 2007. I suggested that you write that verse on cards and place them where you would easily see them and read the verse daily, and even memorize it, if possible. Some of you told me that you did that at the beginning of the year. So how did you do in the months that followed?

My year held more surprises than I could ever have imagined. Some of them were good, and some of them were heartbreaking, but the thing that kept me going was the promise God gave to me at the beginning of the year. It’s the promise of His continual presence written in Exodus 33:14.