The Gift of our Words: the expression of our hearts!

Though we have all heard the expression, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” but what does that mean?  For me, it’s when I see something so lovely, so heart-warming, and so delightful that it moves my hearts beyond verbal expression.  We hear people trying to express themselves after an event as “that’s beyond description,” or “I just can’t find the words.”

I was recently thinking about words.  The words we hear and the words we speak.  The word itself is a one syllable collection of letters that carries meaning: W O R D S.  Our words can carry a tremendous weight in and of themselves.  They can bring joy, encouragement, and delight; but they can also transmit disappointment, discouragement, disillusionment, and destruction.

Words can either be a “construction zone” or a “demolition site.”  The elements of our speech that proceed from our mouths have the potential to deliver affirmation or devastating criticism.  It’s not just “what we say,” but “how we say it” that can bless and strengthen the heart of another, or demoralize them in a split second.

Words convey expression from our hearts.  There is one collection of words that may be seldom used, but words with a message that are tenderly and longingly sought after; and those are the words I LOVE YOU.  

Sadly, I have often heard people share that their parents rarely said those words to them.  They knew their parents loved and cared for them, but the parents found it difficult to let the words proceed from their lips to their children.  Often culture, background or how people are raised can squelch that loving expression.  

I think back to the many people who have encouraged, instructed, corrected, and loved me during my life.  They stretched my character to grow and think about others ahead of myself.  People who have accepted me, just as I am (warts and all), and loved me beyond measure, seeing potential in me that I never comprehended in myself.  

God has used such a carousel of delightful people to bless my life here on earth.  He has orchestrated a “lifetime array” of circumstances, during which I have been introduced a wide variety of people who loved, taught and mentored me.

At the end of last year, I wanted to express to a few precious friends how “grateful” I was that they had been part of my journey through time here on earth.  Their lives touched and enriched me in ways they probably never realized.  My heart and life have experienced such nourishment, enthusiasm, encouragement, correction and joy because of the many “ways and words” these people have shared and have made a profound impact upon my heart and life.

The last few weeks I’ve experienced encouraging comments from five friends that related to a few short responses I gave them in a text.  I was delighted to affirm each person, but was surprised with their “appreciative comments” on how I phrased my affirmation.  What an awakening to me again reminding me that how we craft our comments and conversation can not only be helpful, but sometimes life-changing by giving others a fresh perspective.

Our lives “impact and influence” others around us.  I was especially thinking of the impact of our words!  We deposit positive and life-giving joy and encouragement to others, not just by “what we say,” but “how we say it,” and sometimes, by what we choose “not to say!”

For me, I struggle inside when I’m around “opinionated” people.  And I need to be careful here, because my own mouth and tongue can “motor” around on that highway expressing unsolicited opinions. 

No need to take notes, but let me share how God addressed something ugly in me a few months ago.  My scripture reading that particular morning (Proverbs 29:11) is presented in a few translations below:

  • “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” RSV
  • “A fool utters all his mind:  but a wise man keeps it in till afterwards.” KJV
  • “A fool lets it all hang out; a sage quietly mulls it over.”  Message

Oops, you might be saying, I’m not a fool.  Well, God seems to call a spade a spade.  Or on a clearer note, He calls sin … exactly what it is, sin.  Sometimes our words can be categorized as words that proceed from a foolish tongue.  

My eyes caught on the word fool.  I didn’t want to linger there, but God was kindly pointing out that there was a better way to handle people and circumstances in life.  There was a boomerang affect when I read the rest of the verse.   “… but a wise man holds it back.”  Holds WHAT back? 

At first, perhaps like you, I wasn’t fond of the word fool.  God loves us “just as we are;” but He loves us too much to “leave us there.”  I wondered what a wise man holds back or refrains from.  Yes, part of that verse (in other translations) uses the word anger.  But He’s not just referring to holding in the wrong kind of anger.  Anger is an emotion for sure, but anger most often is reflected in our WORDS and WAYS with others and towards others.

Here’s a verse that addresses the formula for “holding back our words,” and I’ve memorized this verse to help me watchful with what I say. 

“The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.”   Proverbs 15:28

If you’re convicted in any way here, please get in line behind me on this one!  Let’s learn together.  What captured my thinking was this:  this applies to not only anger, but anything that’s “on your mind.”  It wasn’t long before the word “opinion” came into view.

So often if I have an opinion about something, I feel it needs to be “let out of its cage.”  After reading this verse in Proverbs 29:11, I looked at the bottom section of my Jeremiah Study Bible where there’s a further explanation of the meaning of certain verses.

I mentioned my “discomfort” earlier when I’m around opinionated people (who seldom see themselves this way); I was blown out of my socks when God’s arrow fell right on my turf.  I can be opinionated too.  Yes, it even hurts as I express this in writing for all the world to see, but it was true many times of me.  

So, I committed the verse to memory to help ward off the temptation of voicing what “I think about a topic” without an invitation to do so.  My new trains of thought are to:

“Zippa da lippa.”   Or perhaps, “Engage mind before stepping onto the accelerator of my tongue.”  Just because I have an opinion doesn’t mean it needs expression.  I’ve found that we “seldom, if ever, have all the facts about a matter, anyway.” 

Here’s what Dr. David Jeremiah has pointed out in the Jeremiah Study Bible on that verse:

“Many things are better left unsaid, and many opinions are better left unspoken, not only for the sake of others, but for the sake of one’s own well-being.”

So, in summary, I’m choosing to continue to study “how to answer” as well as “how to not answer.”  How about you?  Our text book on this should be the Bible, not the dictionary.  Just in the book of Proverbs alone, there are numerous verses that teach a willing student how to interact and connect with others in a “grace-filled” manner. 

Jesus was a “Master communicator,” and He longs for His children to enlist in His “communication class” as willing students.  I’ve been in His class for a few years now.  If you feel uneasy in this area, I would love to have you join me, so I don’t feel that I’m the only one in this “Carefully Crafted Communication Class.”

If you’re not certain that God has a lot to say about this area of our “speech,” I have a 31-day challenge for you.  Since there are 31 chapters of Proverbs, there’s a chapter for every day of the month.  When you’re reading each chapter (s l o w l y) circle every word that appears that refers to speech, words, lips, tongue, etc.  You get what I mean. 

Perhaps you’ll be as shocked as I was.  But then again, how marvelous that God would want to not just challenge what we say and how we say it, He offers a “free education” so we’re more effective with His Word and ways with others. 

“The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.”  Proverbs 16:23

Oh, that our words and opinions be filled with expressions of encouragement, sound counsel, and filled with grace.   Will you join me in “cutting the kindling” so only goodness is ignited.

“Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.”  Proverbs 26:20

Before I “stop writing” (ha ha ha), let me share a moment I had while in my car with another driver on the highway of life.  I don’t recall the exact details, but suffice it to say that I made a poor judgment in a parking lot.  I was made painfully aware that my judgment wasn’t the best.  How do I know that?   The driver gave me a piece of his mind that he couldn’t afford to lose.  His words and hand gestures just about tore me to pieces.  

Wouldn’t you know I was knee-deep in this “verbal response school,” and when this man’s words came bulldozing out of his mouth, I felt buried.  He got out of his car and headed towards me.  This gave me a moment to draw a quick breath of prayer and God brought to my mind Proverbs 15:1.  

I can only give credit to Jesus for literally filling my mind and heart with the words in that verse that I had memorized. Once he was within ear-shot of my voice, I found myself apologizing for my error in judgment.  Yes, you read that correctly.  I apologized!  I told him I was in the wrong and so very sorry.

By now, I probably have your full attention, and you’re wondering how this turned out.  Right?!  My comment literally took him by shock and surprise.  He didn’t know whether to eat a banana or crawl back into his car.   Once he gained his “composure,” he gently said something like, “Oh, oh, that’s okay.”  Then off we travelled in our separate directions.  I’ll never forget the power of God’s word in that automobile scenario.

“A soft word turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.” Proverbs 15:1

Remember, our words are either a “construction zone” or a “demolition site” in the lives of others.  Let’s be wise and positive in our speech, building others up and offering grace to them as God is building His character in them, as well as us.

Years ago, Ruth Bell Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham, saw a sign by the road: “End of Construction—Thank you for your patience.”  Smiling, she remarked that she wanted those words on her gravestone.   

EVENTS AT THE MEDICAL LAB

I gave more than blood!

It was an early morning that day, and even the sun hadn’t come up yet.  This day’s routine required leaving the house earlier than usual because I had an appointment with the people who draw blood at our local medical laboratory.

That ordinary procedure developed a life of its own that day.  Like me, I hope you often discover what we often refer to as “ordinary events” of life can sometimes spring into unexpected joys.  Our connection to God allows us to rest in the truth that:

“A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. 

How then can we understand their own way?”  Proverbs 20:4

His ways lead to His purpose, and many times we will never understand the path before us.  

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.”  Isaiah 55:8

So, when you and I feel lost or can’t see a way forward, these verses can bring an unexplained deep peace which is not of this world, but directly from God.

At the time of this writing, we were still living with COVID restrictions, and in self-isolation mode.  So, when I venture out, I need to adorn my face with a blue mask.  Honestly, this morning that would be a marked improvement to my appearance. 

Sadly, the worst part of this “mask-wearing protocol,” is that you can’t tell if someone is frowning or smiling.   However, after looking into the mirror, I have discovered that if you put on a really enthusiastic smile, your eyes kind of enlarge and light up.  At least that’s my story and I’m sticking with it. 

Having a shower and dressing for this appointment was quite simple.  All I had to do was just show up and stand in line, of course six feet (2 meters) from the person in front of me.  I was there promptly at 8:00 am when the doors to the Lab opened for business.

A lab attendant hurried out the door with his clipboard and pen and proceeded to ask all the COVID questions necessary to allow anyone to enter the facility.

I was ready with my “all no’s” to their questions.  The lineup wasn’t a lengthy one, and so within 10 minutes I was hunkered down inside the facility waiting for my turn to be sequestered to a chair, ready for the “ready, aim and fire” by the gal with the needle.

Yes, the personnel are very clever in how they try to trick you and disguise what’s going to happen next.  To distract you, they begin to ask you questions, like:  what’s your name, date of birth, and then suddenly your arm is strapped with a tourniquet.

I really don’t mind needles, just so long as they’re going into someone else’s arm.  My needle apprehension began to emerge, and I looked away while she did her little prick.  This gal’s “administration of the needle” wasn’t bad:  but I’ve had some in the past that when they inform you that you’re about to receive the prick, you never feel it.  Now that’s what I call a “good day” and an “excellent poke.”

All went well and I was glad that … it was over.  As I was about to leave, the people at the front desk told me that I could obtain the lab results by looking on line.  They gave me the website and the instructions (which seems a little blurry to me); but they were very pleasant, and being no need to hang around, off I went. 

We don’t live far from this lab, so I was home in ten minutes.  After being home for a while I began thinking about the lab staff’s kindness; and with the COVID protocol and restrictions they have to deal with together with the lack of patience and complaints of some people, the thought arose in my mind that a letter of thankfulness might be nice.

But I was home now and I wanted to relax. Well, you can imagine Who would not allow me to unwind just yet.  Before long I found myself drawn to my computer; and before I knew what hit me, I was writing a “letter of appreciation” to the Lab personnel.  It only took me a few minutes to strike the keys on the keyboard so that hopefully 15 or so people at the lab could have a better day at the office after receiving my note.

So, off I went to deliver my “expression of gratitude.”  I soon found myself about to stand in the lineup for a second time that morning, a line which had grown considerably since I was there earlier.  The man who was interviewing each patient saw me approach the line, and I felt I should let him know that I wasn’t in line again for questioning; but that I just wanted to give the lab staff this “letter” from me. 

I was startled when he asked me to “stay right where I was.”  I remained in position and he quickly left me and all the others as he rushed inside, my letter in hand.  He returned moments later with an unusual look on his face.  As he came close, as close as he could without violating the distancing rule, he said these words.

“We have never, ever received a letter like that.  I’ve just read it and it’s now being circulated around to all the staff.”

This man’s face looked as if he was about to break into tears.  I told him that in a season like this with all that we’re going through, I felt they all needed to know that what they were doing was really important, and I appreciated it very much.  It was a “well-deserved letter of gratitude.”

Off he went, reminiscent of a school boy with a new candy bar.  I can honestly say I felt the Lord’s pleasure in my own heart all the way home.

As I reflected about my “ordinary way” in my visit to the medical lab, thoughts came to me of the many ways God has provided for me, through others, and I never took advantage of the “practical way” I could express “thanks” to them.  Oh, how we need to have the lens of our eyes cleared so we can see others like God sees them.

Proverbs 11:25 “A generous soul will prosper,

and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”

I felt joy way down to my feet.  I’m learning to carry a few blank cards of stationery with me when having access to doctors, dentists, or the general public serving me.   They need to know that what they do and how they do it is “important.”

And best of all, you won’t even need a stamp if it’s your personal delivery.

WHO MIGHT YOU WANT TO ENCOURAGE on your next “ordinary outing?”  Go ahead, make someone’s day…. with your words of kindness and appreciation.  Be the love of Jesus, to them.  They might just find Him for themselves.

TELEPHONE TREASURES

During our short lives, God orchestrates many cameo appearances of people who walk in and out of our lives.  Often our interactions are brief, and we can’t connect with everyone, but we can make a difference in the lives of a few.

Each interaction allows for laughter, hope, care, love and a listening ear.

It’s funny how ideas and promptings come to us, and it is not uncommon to be reluctant to implement them.  My heart and mind have been drawn to “practical little ways” to interact with someone – let them know that I was thinking of them.  It is these ideas that become the “shoe leather” of our walk.

Like me, have you wondered if someone is thinking of you during their day?  This is a big world and people are busy with their own lives and responsibilities.  However, it’s critical to occasionally let others know that they are important to us.

So, how will they know we’re thinking of them and their

welfare if we never phone them?

If we’re alert and perceptive, we can see a blessing being displayed and distributed person to person.  On occasion I have put God’s blessings into framed categories to better identify where to look for them. 

There’s an art and challenge in developing that practice because God’s ways are not our ways.  He shows up in the most surprising ways and incredible places.

His touches of love, kindness, thoughtfulness, care, comfort and provision, explode in the most “practical of settings” which most of us miss if we aren’t looking for them.

How often do we often attribute a sunrise, sunset, rainfall or gently falling snow to just the weather!  Or perhaps a hummingbird, butterfly or a bee circling and cuddling a flower and call it nature.

Those familiar with the Bible and many of the historical events mentioned therein, we can recall specific events like the parting of the Red Sea which were HUGE.

 However God still intervenes and touches lives in what may appear tiny but are actually huge!

In our everyday practical living, we can easily miss many opportunities to either “see” or “be” a blessing simply because we don’t pause and consider that God is at work.

I think God wants to lead us into adventures of blessing others, but we often don’t recognize it at first glance.  I’m glad He’s into repeating things, aren’t you, because I seldom catch on the first time.

I observed many lovely qualities in my mother.  She has gone “home to heaven;” but her passion for outreach is etched in my memory.  Though she felt her life was quite ordinary, and appeared so – on the surface. 

Soon after marriage, we moved away – far away – to a different country – Canada.  The very cold winters in Calgary were ideal for homesickness to set in.  But every week God warmed my heart through my “mailbox!”  My mother wrote me a letter once a week for 30 years – to let me know she was thinking of me. You may think I’m foolish, but I have kept all those letters as a visual reminder of God’s tenderness to my heart and life.

When was the last time you wrote someone to let them know they were “special to you?”

Mom’s letters were a powerful example of how God uses us in simplicity to touch the lives of others.  Yes, I enjoy email, and the internet can be very helpful, but I still yearn for a personal touch – a hand-written note saying, “I’m thinking of you.”

When considering simplicity, I’m grateful how God used Alexander Graham Bell to bless others.  If you’ve never read about Bell’s life, you would be amazed at how the telephone was invented.

My dad loved to grocery shop.  He knew nearly all of the prices of the items in their local supermarket and their specific shelf location.  His friend, Stanley, would pick up my dad almost every morning and they would drive to the large grocery store nearby.

This daily routine provided exercise for their legs, heart and billfolds.  They knew all the names of the cashiers as well.  They turned their excursions into family gatherings.

Stanley’s wife had died many years earlier, and he felt quite alone.  The “grocery runs” with my father became a weekly social pattern.  What impressed me was that my mother would phone Stanley “every morning.”

It wasn’t to arrange for a pickup of my dad, but just to say “hello,” and see how he was doing each morning, or perhaps inquire as to what he had for dinner the prior evening.  My mother would phone Stanley every morning, and she had so faithfully for over 25 years – even after my dad died.

In 2006 due to health challenges, my mother came to live with us in Washington State.  We had prearranged for an Ohio phone number to be incorporated into our phone line so she could conveniently call her friends in Ohio – including this “friend of my dad’s” every morning for almost three years.

During this time, it was my delight to care for my mother in my home, and I continued to see her exercise this “touching outreach” to my dad’s friend who was alone. 

While caring for my mother, my energy and focus was limited to my home and all its responsibilities.  There were many times I felt a bit lonely, but God used my mother’s pattern for reaching out and touching others to spur me on to a new outreach. 

Her legacy was about to begin a new journey for me.  The morning that my Mom went “home to be with Jesus” was the first morning that I began to phone Stanley myself.  My calls to this dear man went on for another four years.

The morning before he died, I was able to pray with him on the phone.  The telephone had become a “touching tool of outreach.”

In those times of being alone, God helped me see that I could be a source of love and joy to another, simply by phoning people every day just to say hello and check in on them.  My calls seldom went beyond 5 minutes.

God introduced many others to me whom I felt that He wanted me to begin regularly contacting by phone.  Some were caregivers, widows or widowers, or –singles facing medical or physical challenges, or simply someone who was alone.  These calls have brought me joy as I entered their lives through the telephone.

Many of friends, with whom I would connect, have gone home to heaven, and I miss them terribly.  But every year God continues to give me one or two new people to phone daily – just to say hello and ask about their lives, and how to pray for them.

I’ve found it profoundly meaningful to “forget about myself,” and to invest just a few minutes each day enjoying people and letting them know that they are loved and thought about.  Yes, each one has been, and continues to be a “treasure.”

Do you know someone that has perhaps lost a loved one, and is alone a lot and needs a tender touch via your cell phone?  Let’s update our “contact lists” with those to whom God leads us to touch on a regular basis.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

 Matthew 6:21

                   Our friend & treasure….Stanley

A SKATING ELEPHANT

Not long ago, my husband and I were reminiscing about funny things that occurred when we were younger.  So, sit back and relax as I invite you into my parents’ kitchen in Columbus, Ohio.

My husband and I lived in Canada at the time, but several times a year I would fly back to visit my folks in Ohio.  On one of these trips, we were sitting together in the morning at their kitchen table enjoying each other’s company.

My dad went outside, probably to take out some trash or have a tour of his tomato garden.  Whatever, the reason, he was gone longer than expected.

My mom and I just continued chatting when, all of a sudden my dad burst through the front door with an incredible announcement.

“Come out and look!  You won’t believe what I just saw.”  My dad was quite a jokester, and I agreed to join his invitational adventure.

Proceeding from the kitchen, through the living room, and heading towards the front door, I asked, “What did you see that was so incredible?”

He kept repeating, “It’s amazing.  There’s a skating elephant in that big semi-truck parked across the street!”  By now, I thought my dad was losing it.  Sure, he was creative, but I thought this was surely stretching the facts.

Yes, I saw the huge semi-truck, but couldn’t see how an elephant could be connected to this huge carrier parked just across the street.  Their home was very close to the interstate entrance, so access to a service station was a fairly easy maneuver for trucks wishing to refuel.

I had stepped off the front porch and glanced to the right to get a more detailed look at the printing on the side of the large semi-trailer.  Yes, I saw the truck, but still couldn’t make a connection.

By now, my dad was acting like a six-year-old little boy.  He crossed the street to get a closer look on the sign.   Ordinarily a person wouldn’t even need a pair of glasses to see the huge words colorfully displayed on the truck:

TARRA – THE SKATING ELEPHANT

We both just stood there star-crazed and in total unbelief.  A few minutes later the driver appeared with an enormous bucket of water.  Perhaps he had been very thirsty, but this bucket was beyond large … it was HUGE.

My dad couldn’t get the words out of his mouth fast enough, “Is there really an elephant in your semi?”  “Yep, that’s right sir.”

We both looked at each other in disbelief and immediately surveyed the “sign” which indicated her talent and skill.   My dad asked, “Can the elephant really skate?”  The driver’s reply was again in the affirmative.

My dad and I must have looked like six-year-olds that just got free cones from the ice cream guy on a bicycle with a freezer in the front.  Do you remember that from your childhood?  If not, it was before your time. 

In the summer, a guy would ride throughout the neighborhood with a small portable freezer at the front of this bicycle, selling various forms of popsicles and ice cream bars.  Often The Entertainer – a Scott Joplin tune – would play loudly and repeatedly as he pedaled his bicycle, attracting every child in their neighborhood.

Back to the elephant story.  The driver told us a little about this huge elephant, and how she was trained to skate.  She had been known known around the world, and this semi-truck was delivering her to her next theatrical event.

This occurred many years ago, and I think we only saw part of this priceless princess elephant’s legs while she stood in her BIG air-conditioned limousine (semi-truck).

By now, my mother had come to the porch and was absorbing all this from a distance.  My dad and I walked away from the truck, shaking our heads in disbelief.

We shared our eye witness account with my mom; and she could tell by our expressive animated description as borne out by the sign on the semi-truck that it was all for real.

Here’s a clip from the internet about this famous elephant:

Tarra, the world’s only roller-skating elephant.  Soon after moving to Ojai, California, Tarra became the world’s only roller-skating elephant.  Her celebrity took her around the world, always with her owner Carol, and her family in tow. 

Tarra is a wild-caught Burmese elephant.  She was three months old when an exotic animal broker sold her to an animal collector in California, who put her on public display at his tire store.

Carol and Tarra met in 1974 when Tarra was not even a year old and Carol was a 20-year-old college student studying exotic animal training and management at Moorpark College in southern California.

Carol immediately became Tarra’s volunteer caregiver and, eventually, her legal guardian.”

Coming back to reality, as I thought about this true-life event, I got to thinking about the “impossibility” of my dad’s proclamation.

It became clear as I pondered this scenario, how many times have I read in the Bible about how God is a God of the impossible?  How many times have I doubted his character of goodness, holiness, love, mercy, forgiveness, power and majesty?

Let me bring you to the incredible verses in Luke 1:37 and Matthew 19:26:

Luke 1:37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Matthew 19:26 “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

This event brought me back to the Scriptural truth about the God I serve.  At first, I doubted my dad’s announcement regarding this impossibility in front of their home.  However, it was possible and it was true. 

In that same way, I need to transfer this trust to my heavenly Father – that He has plans for my life and yours that would dwarf ours, if we would just believe Him.

There is no task, situation, problem or challenge that is impossible for our God to address.  He is the God of what might seem humanly impossible, but … not for Him.

I love how Dr. Tony Evans often shared a phrase in his sermons – it’s this:

Faith Is Acting as if God is Telling the Truth!

MY UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

Deep down in our hearts, aren’t we all yearning to “feel special,” “be special,” and feel like our lives are significant to someone?  Have you, like me, ever entertained the thought: “Does anyone really care to know me?   Do I matter to anyone?  Am I  just scenery down here for people to glance at?

What would you and I feel like if your Prime Minister, President or King of England asked you to come to their home for tea or a latte?  Let’s get honest here.  I’d be thrilled out of my socks.  If they gave me a date and time and provided free transportation, I’d be days trying to figure out what I’d wear, wouldn’t you.  I mean after all, it’s not like you’re popping in to your local grocery store or going to the doctor.  We’d want to look our best, wouldn’t we?!   It’s not required that we buy something new, but we’d want to look our best while we’re in “their company” or in “their presence.” 

Well, guess what — there is some One who loves us and brings “significance to our lives.”  It’s our CREATOR-GOD.  His name is Jesus.  And He personally designed each of us in someone’s womb.

My mother adopted me at two years of age.  Between the ages of three and five, I was taken to Sunday School. 

I was learning to be social around other children, and I was introduced to who Jesus is.  You see, that was the first time I heard about Him and why He came to earth.

At about five years of age, my mom remembers seeing me just outside the door in the backyard looking up and she heard me saying: “I know You’re up there; I just can’t see you.”  After Sunday School was over, I was escorted to church.   Even though I was young, I remember one lesson she taught me.  It was to be “quiet.” 

One particular Sunday she told me that I was quiet all right, but my body was moving.  I kept turning around and smiling while quietly entertaining the people behind us. 

Soon, I was re-positioned out of the pew, down the aisle, and outside the church where we had a “firm, but gentle hand-to-bottom” sermonette about how to behave in church.

I was in church most of my growing up years, attended a catechism class, and baptised as an infant.  But around age 20, I didn’t feel the need for church.  God was distant, and I felt very unconcerned about my life.

A next-door neighbor shared two significant truths.  One, she told me the truth about Santa Claus (that he wasn’t real) when I was five years old.  My mother was not impressed!  The second and most astounding truth was that she “accepted Jesus Christ” as her personal Savior and that she had become a Christian.  What was that she was talking about?

What I found incredible was that my neighbor and now close friend, never set foot in a church.  And here she is telling me, a (former) church-goer and Sunday School attendee…that I wasn’t a Christian.    My response to her comment was: “I’m a Christian too because I believe in God and, I’ve been in church most of my life.”  That’s all you need.

She countered with a verse I was not prepared to hear at all.  She quoted a verse that read: “You believe that there is one God, good!  Even the demons believe that – and shudder.”  James 2:19

Let’s get real here.  I knew that Satan wouldn’t be in heaven; but yet He and his demons still believe in God?   If he believed and wasn’t destined for heaven, what’s the missing piece of information here?  It was shocking to hear a non-church attender share that.  What my friend was not privy to is that I was so “afraid to die.” Not realizing my fear, she shared another verse that seemed to remove all the slats I was standing on: “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.  Hebrews 9:27

Sin, I never liked that word (still don’t), but the truth is that “sin is in all of us.  We’re born with a “sin nature in our DNA.”  It’s like a cancer that we can’t get rid of ourselves.   In all honesty, I found it difficult to admit that I was a sinner. I used to make fun of Christians who even used that term.  But God knows all the facts about each of us.

It’s like God finally broke through my hard heart.  I knew I was the awful term…a sinner.   And I knew I needed His forgiveness and a fresh start in life.

Weeks seemed to pass and during this time relational events in my life turned sour.  It seemed like life was crushing in on me.  God used those events to show me I was not living the life He had planned for me.  My friend’s words began to marinate in my thinking for weeks.  

One Sunday morning I decided to turn on the television, and wouldn’t you know, I came across a pastor sharing all these truths.  Within minutes, I realized afresh that I was a person who needed Christ and His offer of forgiveness for all my sins and a “fresh start” in life.   It had been over twenty years since I looked up. 

I got down on my knees and admitted I was a sinner like everyone else.  I shared that I didn’t measure up to His holiness.  I believed Jesus died for all of my sins and I wanted Him to come into my life and make me His child.  I wanted a fresh start in life…like being born all over again.  My life has never been the same.

None of us know when we will draw our last breath.  But by accepting what Jesus did on the cross…dying for our individual sins, taking the punishment from God for those sins…and offering us complete forgiveness for everything; by this one act on the cross, He made it possible to be made “right with God.”

So, you see, Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection “paid in full…your death penalty and mine.”  That’s the EASTER GIFT that’s been given, but needs to be received  –  and that’s our part.  We don’t have to “do anything” to be right with God.  It’s BEEN DONE!   Why not take Him up on His offer!  It’ll be a decision that will make a difference for your eternity too.  Each of us must decide before we die here…and this will determine where you spend your eternity.

Receiving Christ means that when we draw our last breath here…our next breath is in heaven.  Then, we begin living forever:  no pain, no sin, no sorrow, no more good-byes.  All perfection, joy and pleasures forever, like God intended in the first place.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  John, chapter 14, verse 6

“In this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins.  Everyone who believes in Him is freed from all guilt and declared right with God.”  Acts, chapter 13, verses 38 & 39

HUNTING DOWN LOST DOGS

It is a joy to reach out to our neighbors, for a variety of reasons.  One being that neighbors are close by and are often a wonderful source of help in an emergency. 

We were living in Southern California, and our homes were situated on a relatively short street.  In that climate people are often outside more than any other area of the country.  We loved living there and felt very comfortable in this new ared.  Being newcomers, we also began learning the names of our neighbors, their children and their pets.  I pray for these people on Thursdays.  You may wonder if prayer makes a difference.  Yes, it does, for many reasons – including remembering names. 

In this little story, God was orchestrating a new adventure on behalf of our neighbors two doors down.  God wanted to let them know that having a relationship with Him comes as a package of caring from others.

Being visible and available in your front yard regularly offers many open opportunities for friendship.  A woman who lived a couple of houses away from us appeared at our front door one evening.  After a brief hello, she asked me if I could do her a favor.  I had no idea this might lead, but I agreed with the stipulation of “if I could help, I would.”

She began sharing her need.  Since it was around Christmas time, and she and her husband had purchased a puppy for their two children.  At this point of the conversation, I couldn’t imagine how I could be involved, but it didn’t take long to be included in her dilemma.

She had made arrangements to pick up the puppy the following evening, and needed a “housing arrangement” with someone who would care for this little furry critter.  If you know me, you know that I love animals, and puppies are very high on my affection index.  Of course, this “hotel arrangement” would only be needed for a few hours. I thought about the challenge as she was describing his size. 

I didn’t see this as a problem and after all, I could enjoy this little bundle of enthusiasm for a few hours before he was to be introduced to his new family.

The following evening, I readied our kitchen ready for his rambunctious arrival.  He remained in my boarding house for about two hours … just enough time for him to get accustomed to my scent and my tone of voice.  Soon, the woman picked up this furry bundle of energy and took him to his new home….just two doors down.  Aaah, all was well.

This little energizer bunny seemed to enjoy his new family and often they would walk him past our home each morning and evening.  Every time they went past our home, and I was visible, his entire body would shake enthusiastically.  He must have remembered that my kitchen was his first “adoptive home” in the neighborhood.

One day while I was out front in my garden, this little dog scurried past me like lightning down the street all by himself.  Because I love animals, I noticed that he was on his own and this was not good.  He was so tiny and alone, I did not even want to think of the possible outcome.  

I offered up a quick “Help me to catch this dog, Lord.”  I called out his name and he remarkably came back running towards me.  I drew a big breath of thanksgiving and carried him to his own home.  The family had no idea of his disappearance.

This escape artist repeated his adventures frequently in our neighborhood.  This wee furry ball discovered happiness in disappearing, and wouldn’t respond to his owners.  However, if they were able to locate me, I could call out and he would respond and return to sound of my voice.  I soon became the “fetch-that-dog lady.”

One day they asked me why the dog would come to me and not to them.  The man of the house had observed that whenever I went looking for the dog and called out his name, he would respond and bound back happily in my direction.  I paused, and shared with him that I had prayed and asked the Lord for His help.  It took several more times of my intervening retrieval before they began to realize that God really cared as I had told them.

A few years later we were about to move to another part of the country.  This couple arrived at my front door with a little gift.  I thought it was appropriate to open it immediately as they were standing there and seemed excited to see my reaction.  Secretly I thought this package was too small for a furry surprise, so with nervous anticipation I hurriedly opened the gift to see what was in the package.  It was a Willow Tree “Angel of Prayer” figurine. 

They wanted me to have this as a reminder that they remembered that prayer makes a difference, and that God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives. For that matter God delights in every small detail of our lives.   

Psalm 37:23  “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. 

He delights in every detail of their lives.” nlt

I think of this family whenever I view the little figurine on my bookcase.  It’s a reminder to me too, that God knows and cares about our every need.

YES, WE ARE ALL LIKE SHEEP

These events took place in an airport lounge area.  My husband has more air miles accumulated than you could imagine.  And because I’m his wife, I have some access to some of his perks.  One advantage is that I can relax and snack at the airline lounges in various airports.

This particular moment began at 6:20 a.m.  As I approached the line up, there were about twenty-five people ahead of me waiting for the lounge to open for the day.  At first, I couldn’t understand why the crowd, then realized that the club doesn’t open their doors until 6:30.

At 6:30 a.m. sharp, a well-dressed employee opened the doors to the entry.  My fellow travelers all sauntered in what seemed at lightening speed.  The “first-in-line” customer walked right past the elevator to a side door.  He seemed in a real hurry and; as he proceeded through the door, the rest of his “follow-suit clients” were right behind him.

This scene seemed odd to me because the elevator was right there and empty.  There was only one floor “up” to the Maple Leaf Lounge, but no one seemed interested in taking the fifteen-second trip in the comfort of the elevator.

I was towards the end of the line and I “assumed” the front guy knew what he was doing by avoiding the elevator and walking up some twenty-six plus steps.  Maybe he knew the elevator wasn’t working?

So, just like the rest of the travel gang, I took the stairs like everyone else.  Some were huffing and puffing at that early time of the morning in their climb; but I just couldn’t figure out why no one took the “convenient elevator.”

After about forty minutes, I needed to proceed to the gate for my outgoing flight.  The lingering “elevator dilemma” was still fresh on my mind.  So, I stopped to ask the receptionist/agent if the elevator wasn’t in operation this morning.  She stated it was in perfect working order.  You can guess my next question.  I inquired as to why she thought all the people didn’t use the elevator, but climbed up all those stairs.

She laughed out loud and suggested that the first person in line probably thought that he’d arrive faster than all the others if he ran up the stairs.  And, so you can now see the Biblical illustration in the book of Isaiah, chapter 53, verse 6. 

“We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way…”

If you know anything about sheep, they aren’t the brightest animals in the pasture.  Actually, they’re really stupid.  If one sheep decides to walk over a cliff, the sheep behind him moves in the same direction….regardless of the consequences.

I’m laughing right now as I think of the scene.  All of us in line were all “thinking and rationing adults,” and we couldn’t miss the fact of the glaring elevator that was there for our convenience.

I was probably sheep #25 in the line-up, and yes, I knew that the elevator was there for our ease of entering the club, just one short flight upward.  But did I stop and THINK?  NO, I made as assumption that the first man knew the best route to upstairs.  I was WRONG!

After my conversation with the receptionist/agent, I laughed all the way to my departing gate.  I too followed the “front man” thinking he knew best.

I can’t help but wonder: if you were behind me, what route would you have taken?

GOD REMEMBERS Even Years Later

This story is true and took place a number of years ago.  It’s a story of our wedding day.  If you’re married, you may look back and remember details about your day very clearly.  For some, it may seem like blur!  I mean that kindly, but our nervous system may have erased some elements of the event.  

We were married in a church that could hold about 500 people.  Because our wedding was an open wedding, our friends, family and church family could all attend this occasion.  There were about 300 people present.

Every detail was handled beautifully and personally by a number of friends.  One detail you may find amusing is that I rented my wedding gown for $10.  Yes, you read right.  My desire was for a very expensive satin dress.  When viewing price tags, I made a “practical decision.”  I was only going to wear this dress once and I found no use in spending big dollars on a wearing-it-once attire.  As I look back, it was the smartest decision of the day.

In making plans for this special day, a friend of mine suggested a popular photographer in Columbus, Ohio.  This business came with a pristine reputation of thirty-two years.   WHAT COULD GO WRONG?     P L E N T Y!

Around 5:00 p.m., the photographer appeared with all his gear and lights…ready to “capture” all the activities of the evening.  I was fully occupied downstairs with the wedding attendants preparing ourselves for our grand entrance.

At 5:30 the organist began to play as people were entering the church sanctuary.  6 o’clock was the assigned time for my dad and I to share the red-carpet aisle for the “walk down the aisle.”

All of this went very smooth!  After the ceremony, while people were busying themselves with refreshment downstairs, my husband and I, along with parents were summoned for photos upstairs in the sanctuary.

A wonderful time was had by all!  A few hours later, we left for our honeymoon.

ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER………………. the photographer contacted us advising that the photos of the wedding were ready to be viewed, and we were to look them over and decide which ones we wanted to keep and have prepared in a wedding album.

ARE YOU READY FOR THE SURPRISE???

Here we were, all ready to “re-live the event” and “choose our favorite glimpses” of our wedding day!  I’ll make this short and sweet.  There were six (6) photos of the aisle.  No one in the aisle, just the carpet.  If that wasn’t enough, when it came to close ups, our eyes were dotted with what resembled black pen marks.

Are you as shocked as we were?  We couldn’t believe it.

All of this pointed to one detail which we were not aware of.  The photographer showed up “drunk.” 

Needless to say, we were in immediate touch with the photo studio; however, the photographer never got back to us.  The only summary of this disappointing situation was we were offered a 75% discount.

So, as we look now at the few photos, it’s just a disappointment -with two people, dressed for an important event, with “black ink-dot eyes.”

YEARS LATER………….2026

A dear friend called my husband to announce she had a SURPRISE for us.  She asked us to choose week that we would both be available for about four hours.  A date was chosen, but we were told nothing, except to be ready for her to pick us up (with our little dog) and we’d be in her care for about four to five hours.

The day arrived and she drove us into the city of Vancouver, B. C.  We couldn’t have imagined what was coming next on her agenda.

She parked the car and as we exited the car, I was asked to close my eyes as she escorted us up a flight of stairs.  At the top, we were greeted by three employees of this WEDDING STUDIO.  

Our female escort took us to a room where we were told that we were both having a “wedding do-over.”   This included someone restyling my hair, then off for makeup and then my husband went off to one area, and I entered an area where there were at least 500 wedding dresses.

Before I knew it…..I was surrounded by all styles of wedding gowns.  I was instructed to choose one and then that would be the one I’d be wearing for the next one and a half hours.

What a flurry of activity.  After I was dressed, I came out to see my husband in full attire of black and white…..fit for a king.  Another employee came into view….it was their photographer and his assistant to stage us in dozens of areas and poses.  Even our little papillon dog was included towards the end of the photo shoots.  

It was at this time when it dawned on me that all this attention to detail, makeup, dressing and photos and the like, it was as though God “remembered all those years ago” and the disappointment we both felt, and was SURPRISING US BEYOND BELIEF.  God had planned His own photos…. years later…to surprise our hearts.

 As the photographer was taking his shots, it was all I could do to keep from tearing up.  We both were overwhelmed and reminiscent of what God did to remind us of His enduring love. 

A LOVE THAT REMEMBERED!

Thank you to our anonymous “friend” whom God used to encourage us in a beautiful and memorable way.   The photos remain a treasure to us.                                            

      

A CITIZEN AT LAST

My husband and I have MOVED, TRANSITIONED, RELOCATED and been “transplanted” numerous times.  For those of you who have followed our friendship close up, you’ve often shared about the why’s and the need for purchasing new address books to keep up with us. 

I laugh as I write this; but being transplanted is not just an adjustment physically.  It’s more than loading and unloading boxes. It’s leaving behind everything familiar in order to face the unknown.  It’s a kaleidoscope of emotions!  If you’ve moved a lot, you know first hand that the uprooting of our personal roots doesn’t feel comfy! 

It’s like moving a long-term garden bush in your yard to a new location.  A few days after the “upheaval,” it looks sick and sad, like the leaves are depressed and wilting.  That’s a fine-tuned description of what people may feel and look like weeks after a transplant of their home.  It’s not always a pretty picture, but it’s a reality.   The plant is to beautify your yard for you and others to enjoy.   

We moved one and a half years ago from Arizona to Surrey, British Columbia.  If you’d have had a close photo of me (inside my frame), the above “bush illustration” was me.  Unlike many of our moves, we were moving back to an area that was very familiar.

What the books and people may not tell you is that when you “go back” to a former culture, city or neighborhood, in a very real sense, it’s not the same.  Friendships usually move on (without you), and you need to reconnect or connect in a new way.  This can often bring on “grief.”  That may surprise you.  But it’s true.  It’s grieving the relationships and comfortableness that was and moving on to what is and what will become.

“Realize that God places us where we are, to prepare us for

what He wants us to become.”

“After the Boxes are Unpacked,” by Susan Miller

Most all God’s work in us is to “move us out of our comfort zones.”  In the flesh, we DON’T like that!   It’s realigning our lives, interests, habits, and day-to-day living in a new way.  Another honest comment is that we don’t like change.  Often positive people engage the word “ADVENTURE.” 

The dictionary or thesaurus can shed some light on that word “adventure.”  Here are just a few:  Venture, journey, undertaking, exciting activity, risk, escapade, exploration.  Add the word ….boxes, tiredness, stress and moving truck (U-Haul was our go-to truck) and that packages (couldn’t help but use that word) it all together.

AS A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST, WE CAN’T GROW AND MATURE IF WE

REMAIN IN OUR COMFORT ZONE

Let’s tell it like it is…. we prefer the predictable, the way we’ve done something for years, and parish the thought that God might have other plans.

Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”

This is a biblical proverb emphasizing that while humans make plans, God ultimately determines their path.

I’ve adopted this phrase from all our moves and to me, summarizes “transition” this way. 

God has designed you to

“live out His plans and purposes”

in your life.

Prior to our “MANY” moves, God has prompted me to think this way: 

“Dianne, let’s get going on My Plan…it’s the best and wisest.” 

Love, God

My husband and I married in the United States. Transition #1 He was originally from Scotland, immigrated with his parents to New Zealand, and God moved him to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  Canada, I’d seen it on the map, but had never been there.  Transition #2, I acquired the status of being a LANDED IMMIGRANT.

We did travel over 2,000 miles from my home town to Calgary, but Landed Immigrant sounds more distant, don’t you think.   I was to remain in this status for some years.

Then, the big day came when my status was now elevated to PERMANENT RESIDENT.  Gosh, that sounded more profound and home-going than my last reference title.  I’ve been a “permanent resident” now for twelve years.

I’ve always held to being an American citizen.  But since we are now back in Canada, and observing their laws and requirements for citizenship, I thought perhaps it might be a good idea to look at becoming a Canadian citizen.

A person needs to reside in Canada for approximately 1,080 consecutive days (within a five-year period).  And…..I’ve done that!  Yeh!  The laws in Canada state that I could now apply for citizenship.  In October of last year, I applied and sent off the forms, etc.  It could take up to two years.

February 3, 2026 I received a TREMENDOUS EMAIL FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA stating that my application for citizenship was approved and that I was being invited to take the……

OATH OF CITIZENSHIP

on February 18, 2026

I was “thrilled.”  Yesterday we looked over all the information and I will become a citizen soon.  We’re doing it on-line rather than in person.  It’s a two-hour appointment, beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 1:00 p.m.; and I’ll be sitting firmly and with smiles at my computer – ready to take the “oath!”

Can you catch the enthusiasm here??  Now I will have two “earthly citizenships.”   But let me add the GREATEST DELIGHT which occurred many years ago.  It was when I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.  

Through difficult circumstances in my life-journey, I was brought face-to-face with that term “sinner.”  I never liked the word, still don’t…. but I qualify as I was never able to live my life without sinning in some way, before a Holy God. 

I came to grips with the fact that none of us can enter heaven and the presence of God because heaven is a “perfect environment” and we aren’t perfect.  On our own, we don’t meet the “entry qualifications” God has set.  I used to think that I was pretty good until I realized my good doesn’t meet God’s standard of good or perfect.

Sin is in all of us!  We have to be changed…but it’s a change that we cannot do for ourselves.  It’s God’s love, grace and favor that offers to change us.  But … the critical thing is, He won’t change us if we’re not willing.  He’s a gentleman and will never force His way or will upon us.  That’s the bad news.

But God knew all of that before it ever happened and He made a wonderful provision to get us back “in the good books” as they say.  Getting us back to what God had first intended. 

God, the Father is a Spirit (we can’t see Him) but He wanted each of us (all mankind) to know what He is like.  So, God came Himself, dressing Himself in flesh and blood, that’s Jesus Christ (God, the Son) to take the punishment our individual sins deserve, so we could be forgiven and accepted into His family.  His death on the cross paid the “death penalty” for each of us.

Romans, chapter 6, verse 23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Gifts aren’t earned…they’re to be received.

John, chapter 1, verse 12: “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

IT’S ADOPTION….AT ITS FINEST

God dressed Himself with skin and bones and entered our world.

 Jesus is “God…with skin on”

CHRISTmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ…God becoming a “human,” yet still Divine.   I wanted and needed forgiveness a thousand-times-over.  How about you?

The moment I responded to the invitation given by God, and received what Jesus had done for me, I BECAME A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN.

I’m grateful for both of my citizenships down here on earth; but my decision to respond to the greatest invitation ever given, by God, gave me ETERNAL CITIZENSHIP WITH HIM.   I didn’t need to apply, complete forms, meet the standards (which I never could), be on earth a certain amount of time, be on a waiting list and show up for a “oath of citizenship.”

Philippians chapter 3, verse 20: “But our citizenship is in heaven.”

I just admitted I sinned, needed a Savior Who would “qualify me,” accepted His payment for my sins and I WAS ACCEPTED…. I WAS IN…..I BECAME A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN & A CHILD OF THE KING.

WHERE IS YOUR CITIZENSHIP WHEN YOU LEAVE THIS LIFE ?

RELATIONAL PRIVILEGES

With the last couple of “posts,” you may be assuming that I’m a “frequent flyer.”  That assumption would be wrong.  In fact I seldom fly, I still prefer the automobile.

Because of my husband’s travel for his job, he has accrued thousand upon thousands of air miles.  I call him Mr. Mileage Plus! But with these air miles, he has access to the various airline clubs at many airports throughout the United States and other countries.

On those rare occasions when I’m on a flight, because I’m Mrs. Mileage Plus, I can assume the privilege of enjoying the comfort of these dining delights.  I say that because regardless of the time you enter a particular airline club, there are a variety of cuisines to dine on. 

The relaxed seating is comfortable, along with showers and restrooms available to freshen up, as well as coffee machines with every possible combination of choice and milked foam-height on your latte or cappuccino.

On my recent flight to visit a friend in Portland, Oregon it dawned on me, as I ate my scrambled eggs and toast using my husband’s “air miles perk,” I wouldn’t have been allowed to have access to this lovely club, if I wasn’t using Peter’s “ACCESS CARD.”  

His privileges were obtained by flying over two and a half million miles over the years to accrue the required miles to obtain his status as a “Mileage Plus Platinum” status.  I did nothing and wasn’t qualified to enter the Airline Club.  It was only because I was married to him…. that “his perks became mine.”

When a person surrenders themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ and accepts Who He is (the Savior of the world), what He did on the cross for them (taking our place and receiving God’s punishment for our sin), and why only Jesus could qualify as a perfect sacrifice receiving this glorious Gift of God…. making him or her a “child of God” and in a relationship with this living Savior.   It is only then, that all that is now available to one of God’s kids…………is available to them.

People often think that they’re pretty good and will be allowed to enter heaven and all it’s joys, pleasures and living forever with unending treasures of the Kingdom of God.  It’s a false hope, because God is not only loving, but He is Holy.  And most of His creation feel that their “good deeds” are going to qualify them for heaven.  Only the true God is “good.”

That means absolute perfection with not a taint of sin.  None of us qualify.  You might be better acting than your neighbor, in your book.  But God holds the entry book.  It’s called the Lamb’s book of Life.  It’s a record book of all the names of the individuals who have accepted what Jesus Christ did on the cross for them, taking their deserved punishment for offending the perfect and Holy God.

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  Romans 3:23

“For the wages/payment of sin is death. “Romans 6:23

There is none righteous, no not one No one understands; no one seeks for God.  Romans 3:10-12              

“No one is good – except God alone.”  Mark 10:18

Jesus’ death on the cross paid the debt for my sin.  He met God’s perfect requirement to pay for “sin.”  I had nothing to do with it.  It’s His heaven and only perfection can be there.  We could never qualify because we were born with a sinful nature that’s like cancer.  It’s a sinful-cancer that we cannot hide from or eliminate from our lives.  His death took care of the “death penalty” we deserve.

And so, as I thought about this privilege of being allowed in the airline club, I was allowed in only because of my relationship with my husband.  He earned the right for the privileges at the club and I could only enter because of his earned “access card.”

In a similar way, Jesus paid it all for me to be allowed to be called God’s child and have all the privileges and access to Heaven for all eternity.

YES, JESUS PAID IT ALL….AND ALL TO HIM WE OWE.

Jesus declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  John 14:6

JESUS IS OUR ACCESS………….TO GOD THE FATHER

AND A HEAVENLY DESTINATION

Why not make sure you’re in the “Guess Registry Book”

And you do that by calling on the Lord to be saved.

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13