From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.  Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6: 67-69

In the scene above, there had just been a mass exodus of followers of Jesus.  Jesus addresses His closest disciples, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” which seems to imply Jesus was checking to see if they too had doubts.

Sometimes, if I’m really honest – I mean the type of deep down honesty that rarely finds its way out of the darkness of my soul and into the light of day – I have to admit that there times I question my faith.  Yes, I grew up in the church, attended literally thousands of Sunday school classes, heard just as many sermons, sang in the choir, and followed the prescribed “Christian” path.  I went to a Christian college, married a pastor, and even went into ministry myself.  But, even so, there are times when questions, fears, doubts and uncertainty seep into my spirit.

One thing that helps me most during times like this is the fact that I’m not alone in my experience.  In Psalm 13:1-3a, David cries out in anguish to God, “How long, O LORD?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?  How long will my enemy triumph over me?  Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.”

From prison, John the Baptist sent his own disciples to Jesus with one question, “Are you the one who was to come or should we expect someone else? (Matthew 11:3)”

If these great heroes of the faith expressed question and doubt, it should be no surprise to us that we, too, may wrestle with similar questions and experiences.  One thing I am learning is not to fear the questions, but rather to acknowledge them, embrace them, and then take them to the best source I’ve ever known for answers, Jesus Christ himself.

What do you get when you have 7 friends, Biaggi’s Italian Restuarant, Bath Junkie, Starbucks, candy from Fresh Market and then have everyone spend the night?

The MOST AWESOMEST BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER! That’s what!

We’re gathered today, just as we have gathered before, to remember those who served, those who fought, those still missing, and those who gave their last full measure of devotion for our country… One of those who fell wrote, shortly before his death, these words: ‘Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own. And take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.’ Well, today, Veterans Day, as we do every year, we take that moment to embrace the gentle heroes of Vietnam and of all our wars. We remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give, and we remember those who were prepared to make that sacrifice if it were demanded of them in the line of duty, though it never was. Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause… Our liberties, our values, all for which America stands is safe today because brave men and women have been ready to face the fire at freedom’s front. And we thank God for them. - Ronald Reagan

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. — Romans 12:2

Some of my friends tease me about my so-called obsession with electronic gadgets. One of my favorite purchases of recent years was my noise-canceling headphones. I use them whenever I’m traveling by airplane. These headphones actually quiet much of the noise generated by the jet engines. The manufacturer suggests that noise cancellation reduces the stress and fatigue associated with air travel. The science behind the noise cancellation is that the headphones have microphones that monitor outside noise, then process those sound waves and generate into the headphones opposite sound waves, which cancel out the unwanted noise. It really, really works! When I use the headphones, and the jet noise is quieted, I am amazed how you can still very clearly hear the voice of someone speaking to you from the next seat.

This noise cancellation technology reminds me that in our relationship with Christ and our interaction with the Scriptures, we have a noise cancellation system. When we study and apply God’s Word to our lives; when we passionately pursue Jesus’ Lordship daily, the noise of the world is quieted and we can hear Him clearly. Sure, you still know the noise is out there, but the level of the roar is reduced. But, when we ignore these basic disciplines, the noise of the world increases and can become deafening – and our lives suffer because we no longer hear God’s word.

Jesus didn’t intend to remove us completely from the noise of the world with its temptations, hurts, injustices and evil. No, rather He intends to protect us in the midst of these dangers – effectively canceling the world’s noise – to a point where we can hear and respond to God’s Word and our lives can be lived joyfully and effectively for Him.

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Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice! — Philippians 4:4

“There is a joy which is not given to the ungodly, but to those who love Thee for Thine own sake, whose joy Thou Thyself art.  And this is the happy life, to rejoice to Thee, of Thee, for Thee; this it is, and there is no other.”
—  The Confessions of St. Augustine

I’ve never been a person who has had a hard time being happy.  In fact, most of the people who I know are pretty optimistic and glad with their lives.  If you think about it, in our contemporary culture in the United States, who wouldn’t be?  We live in one of the greatest countries in human history.  We are at the top of the world when it comes to materialistic blessings. Most of us live pretty healthy lives.  We have access to cutting-edge medicine and scientific techniques that have lengthened our life expectancy to over 80 years.  For most of us, we will live our lives without feeling any sense of want.  Our jobs provide the necessary resources to put food on our tables and nice roofs over our heads.  This country provides us with immeasurable freedoms and choices.  We can travel at will…eat anywhere we can afford…visit historical and natural attractions in order to expand our knowledge of our environment.  Bottom line:  no wonder we’re happy!

It’s important in times of joy and abundance that we remember to give credit to Whom the credit is due.  As the Bible says, “every good and perfect gift comes from God.” (James 1:17)  God is the source of our joy.  God is the Creator of happiness and peace.  In fact, everything that you and I experience in this world that is good is ultimately an expression of the God Who brought it into being.

I love the two quotes at the top of this devotion. In the Scripture passage from Philippians, the Apostle Paul tells us to rejoice, not in circumstances or even the blessings that we have, but in the originator of all good: God!  There is really no one else or nothing else that gives us the opportunity to enjoy life, from the air we breathe to the beauty that surrounds us daily.  In every gift, in every situation, in every relationship, in every experience and person who brings a smile to our face, the blessings we receive all come from the very hand of God.  Today, rejoice IN THE LORD!  Give credit to Whom credit is due!

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He called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said- “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34

I recently read of a man who bought a hotel in Spokane, Washington. There was only one problem: The hotel’s restaurant was the big moneymaker, since the bar grossed 10,000 dollars a month. But the new owner wasn’t going to keep the bar. It’s not that he wanted to impose his own views on other people, but as a Christian he chose not to run a business subsidized by alcohol sales. The hotel manager argued with the new owner that if guests couldn’t drink they would be out the door to a competitor. He also gave the new owner some convincing statistics showing that he couldn’t make it financially without the bar. The owner listened politely and closed the door to the bar. He had to stick to his convictions. That manager promptly quit.

The owner remodeled the hotel lobby and turned the bar into a cozy coffee shop. In the first couple of years of business, food sales went up 20 percent and room bookings were up 30 percent. Still, profits weren’t what they could be if the bar were open. But the hotel owner’s reply was, “Beliefs aren’t worth much if a fella’s not ready to live by them!”

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” Psalm 33:12 (NIV)

Devotion:

Tomorrow, November 4^th, millions of Americans will have the opportunity to elect new leaders of government. If you live in the United States, I encourage you to be among them and exercise your right to vote. I encourage you to vote for both your national and your local leaders.

While the Bible does not command us to vote, it does command us to be good citizens wherever we live. One way we can be a good citizen, honor God, and assist in guiding our nation is by voting.

As a woman, I’m honored to take part in determining the direction of our nation. Before the 1900’s, women in America were not allowed the privilege to vote, and in some countries they still cannot. I look at voting for our leaders not only as my citizen’s duty, but also as a privilege millions of people in the world do not have.

I take my right to vote so seriously that in 1992, while nine months pregnant and restricted to bed rest, I had my mother drive me forty-five minutes to vote in the presidential election. I allowed nothing to stand in my way of exercising my right to vote. Eight days later, I gave birth to a healthy little girl - to whom I hope to pass on my political passion for voting.

There’s no doubt about it, voting is both a duty and a privilege. However, I realize that some people won’t take the time and trouble to vote because they don’t believe their ballot will make much of a difference. That’s not true. Statistics show that many elections have come down to only a handful of votes.

What would happen if most people felt that their vote didn’t really matter and didn’t bother to vote? It would mean that our country’s future would be decided by only a few of its citizens— who perhaps don’t hold the same convictions as yours.

Deciding whom to vote for can seem a daunting task. But voting is easier once you and I pray about it, and seek out good information about the candidates and the issues they address. The fact that there is moral haziness in politics these days indicates our need to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance when examining the issues as well as the candidates.

November 4^th is a day of opportunity for America. It’s a day to stand up for what we believe in. It’s a day to voice those beliefs and be heard. It’s a day to take the time to vote as we honor our Christian heritage, and bring glory to God. For “blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!”