Saturday, May 31, 2003
God forgives me repeatedly!
I will have to admit that I am human. Don’t think that I am making excuses, I am just explaining to you that I am human. As a human I am quite capable of doing things that are wrong and I am capable of doing them quite wrong.
As a human, in need of forgiveness, I can take heart in the fact that God fogives me every time I come back to HIm.
Awesome concept!
Awesome God!
-John Roe
-Nehemiah 9:7 (LB)
“You are a God of forgiveness, always ready to pardon, gracioius and merciful… full of love.”
Friday, May 30, 2003
How does God forgive?
The forgiveness of God is a mystery to us. How a holy God can on His own inititive forgive us is beyond our comprehension – But He does. No matter what you bring before Him, He is willing to forgive you. If you don’t believe it, just try it! He forgive instantly!
-John Roe
-I John 1:9
“If we confess our sins to God, He will keep His promise and do what is right. He will forgive our sins and make us clean from all our wrongdoing.”
Thursday, May 29, 2003
God has forgiven you completely!
You can’t buy forgiveness.
You can’t bargain with God.
You don’t try to bribe God.
You don’t have to beg God.
You are forgiven by God and you are forgiven completely. All of the stuff in your life that you have done wrong, and all the good stuff that you haven’t done is all forgiven. Completely wiped out! Gone, gone, gone! Live in the forgiveness of God and quit beating yourself up for things that God has aready forgotten about!
-John Roe
-Colossians 2:13-14
“He has forgiven all your sins, He has utterly wiped out the evidence of broken commandments which always hung over our heads, and has completely annulled it by nailing it to the cross.”
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
God is always looking for people who are willing to serve Him with all their hearts. In fact, it is His desire that we all serve Him with all our hearts. Today I wondered what the world would be like if everyone served Him with all their hearts? Then I considered what would things be like if all Christians served Him with all their hearts. Breaking it down further I considered what things would be like if just all church leaders served Him with all their hearts. And finally I thought, “What would things be like if even all the pastors served Him with all their hearts?”
Then the question came to me, “Does anyone serve Him with all their heart?”
The answer is yes but unfortunately it appears quite obvious to me that the number could be greater. People are so prone to serving creation, including themselves, that people have little time, energy or passion left to serve the creator.
Serve God wholeheartedly and you will have a whole heart!
-Lyn Sahr
-Isa 40:28-31 NIV
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Tuesday, May 27, 2003
Given the option of suffering, I choose no suffering.
Given the option of pain, I choose no pain.
Given the option of sickness, I choose no sickness.
Given the option of sorrow, I choose no sorrow.
Given the option of death, I choose death!
Why do I choose death in God’s timetable? Because you can’t go to heaven unless you die!
-Lyn Sahr
-Eccl 3:1-2 NIV
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
Monday, May 26, 2003
Today is Memorial Day in the United States. This is the day we remember those who have given their lives defending our freedoms. For many people, it only means a three-day weekend and time for fun. But when you think about the many people who gave their lives so that we can maintain our freedoms, it is a sobering thought. We have been hearing in the news about those who have died in the latest war. I’m sure their families would want us to take a few minutes to honor the ultimate sacrifice given.
I would encourage you to take a moment today to remember the many men and women who died so you can live in freedom. But I would also like to encourage you to remember the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross over 2000 years ago. Because He went to the cross and paid the price for your sins, you can live free from sin. The price has been paid for you-all you have to do it accept it.
On this Memorial Day, remember those who have fought for your freedom, and if you know a veteran, take the time to thank him or her for serving our country. But I would encourage you to take another moment or two and give thanks to Jesus for buying your eternal freedom on Calvary.
-Ardis Rivera
-Galatians 5:1 NIV
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Sunday, May 25, 2003
It is very easy to let other people get you down. The world has no clue what it really means to be a Christian. There are people that go to church who don’t understand it. I have heard all sorts of reasons for attending church. They range from being an attempt to gain God’s favor to being a way to set a good example for their children. But, I think of Jesus’ words to the church at Laodicea. This church was told that it was lukewarm and that Jesus would spit it out of His mouth.
I grew up hoping somehow to make it to heaven by doing all the right things. But I felt that way in ignorance. Now that I know better, I don’t want anything to take my focus off Jesus and what He has for me. I want to serve Him with everything I have. Sometimes I hear people say that I must be crazy, but I would rather stand before Him and be able to say that I gave it everything I had, than to have to say that I preferred taking the cautious route, not accomplishing anything for the kingdom.
We need to be careful what we say about someone. We can’t know how God is dealing in another’s life. And we also need to be careful how we react to things we hear. The devil would like nothing more than to get Christians to tear down other Christians. And let’s face it–that type of behavior is noticed by those outside the church. Instead, let us hold each other up in prayer. We need to know we can depend on each other. There are people who are dying without Jesus. We need to band together to reach the lost, and not to tear each other down.
-Ardis Rivera
-Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Saturday, May 24, 2003
Memorial Day Weekend is upon us here in the U.S. A time that many people just look at as the kick-off to the summer season. For a lot of people this weekend is a time to head to the campground or lake, and relax with the family.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the reason for Memorial Day. Many years ago the president of our country declared a day of remembrance for those who had given their lives for our freedom here in America. How easy it is to forget the sacrifices of men and women in the numerous wars fought on our shores and abroad, from World War II, the Korean War, and even to Gulf War II (as it has been called by cable news channels).
Veterans all over the country, we also give you a salute this Memorial Day as well, for a job well done, fighting an enemy in countries many of us had never heard of, enduring conditions that many of us would not believe if you told us.
This Memorial Day, take a break from the fishing, the camping, or whatever activity you might be doing and remember why we have the freedoms we do in the United States of America! And while you’re at it, thank a veteran (or the family of a veteran) for their sacrifices.
God Bless America!
-Garrett Novak
-Joshua 1:9 NIV
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Friday, May 23, 2003
God determines the slope of the mountain you must climb in life. But many people set their own incline and make life much more difficult that it was intended. Some are so foolish that instead of walking the gentle incline God has prepared for them they gather the rock climbing equipment and try to scale a cliff that doesn’t need to exist. I call it our “approach to life.”
I have realized in my own life that God determines the path that I must walk and my call is to walk it, not change the incline. But some people make life much harder than it was meant to be and spend most of their energy climbing the imaginary wall burdened by all that “climbing equipment.”
So what are the walls? Well, when you start piling up sin in your life it mounts up after awhile and becomes a wall that has to be climbed over day after day after day. Suddenly the incline we walk is straight up and heavy.
So what is the “climbing equipment?” It is the guilt of past sins that motivates us to continue to punish ourselves resulting in insurmountable burdens. Again, the gentle slope of the mountain God has prepared for us is turned into a rock climbing expedition.
So what is the answer? The answer is Jesus. His result is forgiveness and grace so we can walk the gentle slope of the road of life without guilt.
Where there is guilt, love is hard to find!
-Lyn Sahr
-Jude 24-25 NIV
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy- 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Thursday, May 22, 2003
I have use for a pickup and I have been looking for an old cheap truck because a nicer old truck isn’t in the budget. Yesterday I went to see my “Friendly Banker” and asked him to sell me this old dirty, rusty repossessed pickup they had in the back for $100. He laughed and said he wanted $2,000. We had a good laugh together, each of knowing that the truck was not worth what either of us said. My price was ridiculously low and his price was ridiculously high. However, in our laughs we realized we probably weren’t close enough in value to make a deal. I don’t think the truck is worth anywhere close to what he thinks it is.
As Christians it can be puzzling to look at other Christians and how they live their lives, an indicator as to how much or little they value their faith. It’s hard to understand how people can value God and the church, yet contribute so little of their time and resources to the ministry. The measuring of a spiritual person is not measured by what they have but what God has of theirs!
-Lyn Sahr
-Rom 2:7-8 NIV
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
Wednesday, May 21,2003
When a young bride walks down the isle her husband looks at his beautiful bride with eyes of love. They bride gazes at her handsome husband with eyes of love. Many say, “This is a marriage made in heaven.” Then after a few short years “hell” takes over!
So how is it that that one couple never loses this great love and in fact, it gets greater. Zig Ziglar, a famous motivation speaker and Sunday School teacher, could not understand this mystery. He asked God, “Why is it that when I look at my wife after over 40 years of marriage that I see her more beautiful now than when she was a bride in the prime of her life?” One day God answered him and said, “Because now you look at her through my eyes!”
My prayer today for each of you who are married is that you would seek to see your wife or husband through God’s eyes. That’s the only way they stay beautiful for a lifetime. These kind of marriages never die, they just love away to eternity!
-Lyn Sahr
-Jude 20-21 NIV
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
The world wants to see the face of God, but only of He smiles on them. The problem with many people today is that they live in guilt, rejecting grace and imagining (Listening to the devils voice) that God is angry with them.
I want you to know that God is not angry with you. He loves you. So if you feel that you don’t live up to the standard of God (the scriptures), you’re in good company. Throughout the entire history of the world not one single person born of woman or created by God has lived up to “the standard” except for Jesus Himself.
Grace is not rooted in anger but tender, compassionate love. In other words, God understands and loves us!
-Lyn Sahr
-Rom 3:23-25 NIV
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Monday, May 19, 2003
A Tribute to Our Senior Saints
An old hymn once spoke to me,
In words of long ago.
How God had changed the heart of man,
And cleansed it white as snow.
But then I heard of harder times,
Only to sing again.
There shall be showers of Blessings,
Not if but when!
And when I could hardly stand,
I clung to that old tune.
And leaned on His everlasting arms,
When no one else would do.
When I was so rejected,
Tears were all that I could see.
I found a friend in Jesus,
He’s everything to me.
I heard the sounds of winter,
And saw the tracks of time.
I sang the wondrous story,
It brought me through just fine.
When my faith seemed distant,
My soul sings perfect parts.
When I in awesome wonder,
Oh my God, how great Thou art.
And little do they know,
And certainly they don’t see.
I have a friend in Jesus,
He’s everything to me!
This generation may forget,
Burdened so with cares.
When the roll is called up yonder,
I’ll be there.
-Lyn Sahr
May 19, 2003
Sunday, May 18, 2003
In the town where I live, this is typically the weekend for high-school graduation. I remember my high-school graduation. I thought that I was leaving the best behind and that I would never fit in in college. Looking back, I didn’t really fit in in high-school either. I grew up as a good kid, and was in church almost every time the doors opened, yet I didn’t have a personal relationship with God. So, at school, I didn’t fit in with the true Christians and I didn’t fit in with the party bunch either. So, why was I afraid of leaving it behind?
Anything that is familiar is comfortable, even though it may not be the best for us. All of life involves change and God doesn’t want to leave us where we are comfortable. He wants to stretch us and to teach us what it means to step out in faith. He doesn’t do it to make us uncomfortable. He does it so we will learn to trust Him more and more. So, if God is moving you into new areas, relax. Realize that He knows what is best for you. He will not lead you astray, but He will lead to what is the best for you.
-Ardis Rivera
-Exodus 15:13 NIV
In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.
Saturday, May 17th, 2003
My wife and I attended a Christian concert just a few weeks ago and one of the songs we sang talked about “the main thing!” In fact the chorus (that we learned and sang back to the singer) was…”the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing!”
Now, many believers would say that’s a pretty watered down song, the lyrics don’t even make sense. But as we stood singing the words, I couldn’t help to think, is Jesus Christ my main thing, and am I keeping him the main thing in my life weekly, daily, hourly? And each time we sang the chorus I thought what happens when I let other things fill the spot reserved for Christ, and they become my “main thing!” It could be my job, my family, my need (as a guy) to be somebody in life, something other than Christ could become my main thing and then there I am, on the busy interstate of life with everyone else, not on the narrow road with Christ driving the vehicle.
What’s your “main thing” today? Is it Jesus Christ? Or is it something else? Is your “main thing to keep the main thing the main thing?”
-Garrett Novak
-Prov 3:5-6 NIV
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Friday, May 16, 2003
Have you ever thought about how much God loves you? Think about it. We all know that He loves us and because of that great love, He sent His Son to die for us. I once heard a sentence that I have never forgotten. God not only loves us—He likes us. He wants to spend time with us. What do you like to do with good friends? That’s the kind of relationship God wants to have with us. He wants us to feel good about just sitting with Him, talking with Him, and maybe at times, just sitting with Him and not saying anything. He wants to be the friend you go to with your problems—the one you go to first, not after you realize that no one else has any idea how to help you. He wants to be your best friend.
But friendship is a two-way street. If, in a friendship, one person is the one always making the effort to keep in touch, the friendship may die because it needs to come from both sides. God will never walk away from us, but have you moved away from Him? Do you seek Him, do you love to talk with Him (and listen to Him)? Do you desire to be with Him?
We all know that God loves us, but it is easy to forget that He really takes pleasure in us. Sure, He is sad when we fall, but He picks us up and encourages us on. But today I am picturing Him jumping up and down, telling all the angels in heaven, “Look, there is my friend and he (she) wants to spend time with me. Isn’t that great?
Take some time today to spend with your best friend. You won’t regret it.
-Ardis Rivera
-Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Thursday, May 15, 2003
Some of the most devastating words that come out of peoples mouths is, “I hate you!” These are words, like all words, that cannot be retracted.
Some of the most powerful words that come out of peoples mouths is, “I love you!” After all, no young girl ever kissed a boy who said, “I hate you!”
But the most powerful love is God’s love and He wrote in a love letter to each of us to tell us of this might love. We call it the Bible. If you really want to learn the difference between love and hate, read the scriptures and watch love come alive in your life.
A little speck of God’s love, praise God, is still stronger than a pile of hate!
-Lyn Sahr
-Ps 108:4 NIV
For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
The love of God is as big as we allow it to be! It is not restricted by God as He is a lover of our soul and His love is outrageously poured out, even to the point of the death of His one and only Son. God’s love is only restricted by the vessel in which it is poured in to, you and me. So take the cover off your life and allow God to fill you with His outrageous love that only the Heavenly Father can give!
-Lyn Sahr
-Luke 15:11-32 NIV
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27’Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'”
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
Love is priceless whether you have it or not. If people don’t have love, they will pay anything to get it. If people have love they will pay anything to keep it. But the interesting thing is that even if you don’t love God, He loves you. And you don’t have to pay anything for God’s love. He loves everyone. And God has enough love to go around. Why people reject Him is quite perplexing. Love, the very thing people are so desperate for, is who God is!
-Lyn Sahr
-John 3:16 NIV
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
-1 John 4:16 NIV
God is love.
Monday, May 12, 2003
Evil comes in different colors,
But none is quite so black.
As the cheating wife or husband,
Who refuses to look back.
And see the wounded spirit,
Of the soul mate of their life.
And the shattered dreams of children,
Who know what’s wrong and right.
But the cheating mom or dad,
Think little of their sin.
They’re wrapped in self-indulgence,
And rotting from within.
The decay of sin will triumph,
And kill the sacred vow.
They made in joyful bliss,
Before church, God and all.
And when the final gavel falls,
A decrement of divorce.
They tell the cheaters lie,
“Our marriage ran its course.”
Tell that to your loved ones,
Perhaps they will believe.
But your children and your spouse,
Have perfect eyes to see.
Yes, God will forgive you,
But you will live with pain.
To know you lost family,
To an act of selfish shame.
So think hard before you cheat,
Don’t even get a start.
Or you will walk through life,
With a scarlet ribbon on your heart!
No one can replace them,
The love of your youth.
You may not like to hear it,
But it’s the gospel truth!
-Lyn Sahr
May 12, 2003
-Prov 5:18-23 NIV
May your fountain be blessed,
and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
A loving doe, a graceful deer–
may her breasts satisfy you always,
may you ever be captivated by her love.
Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress?
Why embrace the bosom of another man’s wife?
For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD,
and he examines all his paths.
The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him;
the cords of his sin hold him fast.
He will die for lack of discipline,
led astray by his own great folly.
Sunday, May 11, 2003
Today is Mother’s Day in the United States. It is a day when mothers receive special treatment in many different ways. It is good to honor our mothers today. But as I was thinking about this, I was reminded of several women in my life who never were mothers and yet they had a huge impact on my life. I know of several women who dedicated their lives to teaching other people’s children, whether in school or church, but never had children of their own. I still remember how the teacher I had in the first four years in school would encourage me to practice the piano and actually gave me a big stack of her own music (most of which is so difficult that I will never play it). I keep that music as a special remembrance of a very special woman even though my children can’t understand why I would want such old music. Of course I also remember when she made me stay in from recess to work on long division because I just couldn’t grasp the concept. I finally understood it with lots of help form a very patient woman. I remember being asked to sing and play at her retirement party. And when she died, there was an emptiness in my life, even though I was in high school by that time.
I’m sure you can think of at least one such woman. Maybe today would be a good day to send a letter or a small gift to one such person, just to let her know what her life meant to you. You may never know how much it could mean to that one very special person that has come to your mind right now. I know that if I could, I would love to talk to Miss Anderson one more time.
-Ardis Rivera
-1 Timothy 5:1-2 NIV
Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
Saturday May 10th, 2003
Several years ago while in college I wrote a paper for an English composition class entitled “Thanks, Mom!” I still have the paper somewhere in a box, but after several moves cannot find the original. The assignment gave me the opportunity to tell my mother thank-you for things she had done for me during the first 20-years of my life.
Now, nearly 15 years later, as another Mother’s Day approaches, I think back about the things that my mom did for me once more, and add on the things more recent too. And it seems that no matter how old I am, my mother still is there with a listening ear, words of advice, or a nugget of wisdom from God’s word. In fact, when people ask me where I was born, I smile and say—“by my mother!”
Instead of sending another “Hallmark” card this year, why not come sit down and come up with your own “thanks, Mom” note.
And by the way—“Thanks Mom!” Your love, dedication, and Godly example have helped mold me in to the man I am today!
Your son, Garrett
-Garrett Novak
-Isaiah 66:13 NIV
As a mother comforts her child,
So will I comfort you;
-Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”-which is the first commandment with a promise- “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Friday, May 9, 2003
Several months ago the nation was startled by a video of a young mother who was beating her small child in the back seat of her vehicle in a parking lot. She was portrayed as a terrible mother and, most certainly, her actions would indicate that she was. It was disturbing watching this out of control mother batter her poor innocent, defenseless child. Yes, she had a choice, she made it and the nation watched in horror.
But I can’t help but wonder what the nation’s response would be if we videotaped a live abortion and played it on the six o’ clock news. Strange thing, this word “choice.” When it comes to convenience we choose not to look.
Today I pay tribute to the mothers who made the tough choice, the right choice, God’s choice and gave their child life!
-Lyn Sahr
-Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”
Thursday, May 8, 2003
I was born in an unwed mother’s home in Saint Paul, Minnesota. I always tell everyone, “But that was just so I could be near my mother!” My mother, being a young northern Wisconsin girl, pregnant and living in the stigma of being pregnant out of wedlock worked very hard during her stay during her pregnancy. She scrubbed floors, did laundry, cleaned and had kitchen duties. From what I have been able to gather, although it was a Christian facility, she was not really treated with the loving Christian support that a frightened young woman away from home for the first time needs. I never remember her mentioning anything about Bible studies, spiritual guidance or loving housemothers. They just worked long hard hours. So when I encounter a situation of a young pregnant girl I always think of my mother and I try to treat her with the loving kindness that I would have wanted my mother to receive.
This mother’s day I would ask that you remember the young mothers who are pouring their lives, hearts and souls into trying raise a child alone. Perhaps a kind gift of food, a gift certificate or an invitation to dinner would be in order for those who are trying so hard and whose children are not old enough to honor them. What a difference you could make!
P.S. When young struggling mothers can’t see Christ through the kind acts of Christians or the church, how will they see Christ? James says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…” (James 1:27 NIV). I believe that this includes young mothers raising children alone.
-Lyn Sahr
Wednesday May 7, 2003
My day started with a ministerial meeting. The chairman asked each pastor to share some special thoughts about their mother with the group. One by one each shared special memories of their mother. There were two things that were quite evident. The first was that each pastor had very special memories of their mother that made a big impression in their lives. Secondly, there was a flood of emotion on each pastor’s face as they began to share. It reminded me of the tremendous love that people have for their mothers and how irreplaceable a mother’s love is. What would people do without mothers? They’ll find out after their mother is gone!
My mother passed away six years ago and when she died it left a big void in my life that I am now convinced is irreplaceable, not only for me but everyone who loses their mother. Enjoy and honor your mother this Mother’s Day. She is a gift from God.
-Lyn Sahr
-Eph 6:2-3 NIV
“Honor your father and mother”-which is the first commandment with a promise- “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Tuesday, May 6, 2003
Who should be raising children? Some would say that day care centers should be raising children. Others believe it is now the role of the public school system. Are we to leave it up to Hollywood with television, movies and video games? No! What then about Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other civic organizations? No, although they do good things they can’t raise children. Even the church can’t raise children. And it is not the responsibility of our neighborhood or community to raise children either. If none of these are able to raise a child what does it take?
It doesn’t take a village to raise a child when they have a great mother!
Praise God for Great Mothers, especially older grandmothers and mature mothers, who are an example to younger mothers.
Being a great mother is a choice, the right choice!
-Lyn Sahr
-Titus 2:3-5 NIV
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Monday, May 5, 2003
There is very little comfort to a child knowing that her or his mother is a good woman if she is only a good woman to other people and not her children. One of the greatest responsibilities that a mother has in this world is for the future, both temporal and eternal, of her children. However, in this world filled with broken hearts and broken homes it is easy for mothers to become self-centered, caring for only themselves and their own personal gratification. Thus, abandoning their children spiritually, emotionally and sometimes physically. A mother who isn’t directing her children toward God is often driving them away from God. Perhaps Jesus saw the future when he said not to hinder the little children from coming to Him.
-Lyn Sahr
Matt 19:14-15 NIV
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
Sunday, May 4, 2003
Sometimes, I think God has quite a sense of humor. He has been teaching me that I need to trust Him to provide for me. In less than one week, there were two instances when I thought the bottom was falling out because some money hadn’t come in, and He came through. The funny part about it is that the money came in, in each case, a day or two later than it would normally come in. As I was thinking about it, I could almost see Him smiling (maybe laughing) and asking me if I am starting to get it—that He really will provide for me.
There are things in each of our lives that God wants to teach us. And I hope that I’m not the only one who doesn’t always get it. I am so grateful that I have a loving God who is concerned about me and who wants to be my Savior, my friend, my provider, and whatever else I need. I have to also thank Him for the small delays in the past couple of weeks. They tested me because I had to acknowledge that only He could decide when the answer would come and trust in Him. They proved to me that He is never late in responding, at least not according to His timetable.
What is God trying to teach you today? Do you feel that He is not responding? He will always respond, perhaps not the way you want, but He will always respond. He may delay His answer to test us, but He will always answer and the answer will be for your good.
-Ardis Rivera
-Psalm 25:1-5
To you, O LORD , I lift up my soul;
in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you
will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse.
Show me your ways, O LORD ,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Saturday, May 3, 2003
I’m sure you’ve seen the sign “It’s hard to soar like an eagle when you are
surrounded by turkeys!” In other words, our circumstances form our attitudes.
As a believer we are called to follow Christ and seek his attitude and give him every “turkey” situation in our lives. No matter where you are today, you can choose to be like those around you who complain about life constantly, or you can choose to take the high road with your attitude.
Chuck Swindoll writes, “Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. We are in charge of our attitudes.”
So where will you stay today? On the ground with the turkeys, or in the air, soaring with the eagles?
-Garrett Novak
-Phil 2:5 NIV
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Friday, May 2, 2003
Today I visited a town that I hadn’t been to for several months. I was amazed at all the changes. The house I owned five years ago has been sold for the third time. New houses, apartments, condos and office complexes are being built on land that was never used for anything before. It is amazing how things change. And so many businesses have come and gone. Change, change and more change. It seems never ending. Some call it progress.
It caused me to consider two things. First, I am thankful that my mother and my grandmother could be counted on to never change or lessen their love for me. If anything their love grew over the years. I could count on it.
Secondly, God’s love never changes and is the one stabilizing factor in every believer’s life. God will never quit loving you and you can count on it!
-Lyn Sahr
-Rom 8:37-39 NIV
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thursday, May 1, 2003
In a few short days we will celebrate Mother’s Day. This will be my sixth Mother’s Day, without my mother. Needless to say I miss her and would love it if we were able to spend Mother’s Day together. But the good news is that I will be able to spend eternity with her.
As I pause for a moment I reflect of how fortunate that I was. My mother always made me feel loved and wanted. Whenever I went to see here she made me feel like I was the most important person who had ever existed on the face of the earth. Now I know that she didn’t love me any more than my brother and sister but she had a way of loving me that was real. She always set everything else down and inconvenienced herself for me but never made me feel that I was inconveniencing her.
God is a great mother! Although He is clearly our Heavenly Father He provides us with a love that, in His infinite wisdom, He passed on to mothers. When I think of my mother I see a lot of God in her. Interestingly, when mothers look a their children they also see a lot of God in them!
If you want to see the love of God in flesh, look at your mother!
-Lyn Sahr
-Isa 66:13 NIV
As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;
