One of the earliest Sunday school stories I recall hearing is the one about David and Goliath. David, shepherd boy, who comes up against the gigantic warrior, Goliath. And with just a slingshot and a few little stones.

What a hero! He zaps the enemy in one fell blow, straight to the head.

Here’s the story, from the Bible (17th chapter of 1st Samuel): Then he took his (shepherd’s) staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand...David said to the Philistine(giant), "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied...This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down ... All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." ..Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. So David triumphed ...without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

The stones David selected were smooth. Not big, heavy boulders. Small stones that had been continually washed by the river waters. They were more fit for use against the enemy than rougher, larger, more rugged stones.

David knew. He had spent a lot of time outdoors, by himself, taking care of the flocks of sheep for his father. And he’d had plenty of time to practice with his slingshot. He knew how to do it.

In our journeys, as we are constantly washed by the waters of life, we too become more smooth. More fit to be used. As I was thinking of this, I coudn’t help but think that it would be good for me to quit struggling so often, and just go with the flow.

Smooth stones are good.

Visiting the Skidaway Island Church was something I did each time we vacationed in Savannah. This year it was necessary for me to attend the early service - 7:45. I set my alarm the night before, but it malfunctioned and I awakened quite late. "Well," I thought,” I can still go to church; I will just be tardy." When I arrived the church was full and I had to sit in the back pew. I didn’t like being back there at all -for I felt alone and separated from the others who were worshiping .A carpeted area behind the body of pews did separate me physically, but this isolated feeling was one I had not experienced before. Then communion was served. In my prayer time as the others partook, I began to have a change of heart.

I allowed the Holy Spirit to work in my spirit, and the feelings of separation began to shed. I listened to each benediction after other folks partook at the altar, and the words infiltrated my heart. How could I allow an emotion, and a few feet of carpet ever dictate the way I felt about my relationship with my Lord and the Body of Christ.? Ridiculous, I know, but I experienced it for a short while this morning. Praise God I had a quick turn around and knew the Father was embracing me within a short period of time.

If spiritual isolation attacks you, remember God’s Word promises us that NOTHING can separate us from His love. Feeling it or not is not the issue. He is WITH us, IN us and FOR us…all the time; everywhere. What a loving and marvelous God we have!

Adultery already violates God’s standards. “You shall not commit adultery”(Exodus 20:14).

The penalty for adultery was death. “If there is a man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, one who commits adultery with his friend’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death” (Leviticus 20:10). The New Testament adds these solemn words, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). The Old Testament penalty reflects the awesome spiritual reality.

At the same time, “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17). Jesus did not condemn. He did not condone the woman’s sin either. “Sin no more.” Salvation means new life. God removes guilt and the propensity to sin. God also provides a new bent of heart. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (Romans 8:1).

Everyone has their own unique reasons for their belief in God. What matters is not WHY we accept Jesus Christ in to our heart, but what is moreso significant is WILL WE?

As the young man above so aptly pointed out, it only makes sense to not take a gamble with our spiritual welfare. I don't know about you, but I care about myself too much to want to be in misery. I have tasted both evil and good, and while flirting with ungodliness may initially SEEM appealing, it is like biting in to an apple that SEEMS fresh and crisp on the outside, but the inside is rotten and full of worms. The same thing happens when we reject God, and embrace a sinful lifestyle. Things may go smoothly for a time, but the end result of ungodliness is always destruction, if not in this lifetime, then the next, for one day we WILL have to be accountable for our life here on earth.

Can you imagine it? “I've got a pair of nose hair
clippers--and I know how to use Îem!” Or how about, “Stand back or I'll trim your nose hair within an inch of your life!” I don't mean to be tacky, but it seems to me that any guy who would try to hijack a plane with nose hair clippers would just be too stupid to be a threat to anyone’s security. Wouldn'tthis be the kind of guy who would actually listen when the flight attendants give instructions in the fine art of seatbelt buckling? “Insert what? Where?” I have to tell you, I'm just not afraid of this guy.

I also know there’s nothing to fear when I fly because I know that Jesus is with me. But wait a minute. Didn'tJesus say, “LOW I am with you always”?

Don'tworry. I really do know exactly where Jesus is. He’s right here in my heart. And as complicated as it may sound, at the same time he’s in my heart, I'm tucked safely in his hand. Ephesians 3:16-17 says, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith...” Christ is dwelling right here in my heart.

And Jesus himself said in John 10:27-28, “My sheep listen to my voice...no one can snatch them out of my hand.” How could I feel any safer than the security I feel when I'm nestled in his all-powerful and ever-loving hand?

The next verse in the Ephesians 3 passage reminds me “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Excuse me, did that say high?

I also feel so much safer about flying now that I know I'm safe from any and all rogue nose hair clippers. The guy who got stuck in security ended up donating his clippers to the cause. We call him “Fur Nose” now.

The cruel cross at Calvary, the spear that pierced His side,
A crown of thorns on His head, so brutally was placed,
All of this done willingly, so that in faith we can abide
I look forward to the day, I can thank Him face to face.

Face to face I’ll see my Savior,
Face to face He’ll welcome me home,
With His nail scarred hands He’ll hold me,
Safe in His arms forevermore.

Every thing I have, I freely give Him,
All my shame, my sin, and my disgrace,
Assured in the promise that He forgives my sin,
I look forward to the day, I can thank Him face to face.

Face to face I’ll see my Savior,
Face to face He’ll welcome me home,
With His nail scarred hands He’ll hold me,
Safe in His arms forevermore.

I am always amazed when I think of the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross for me, and it is with great anticipation that I wait to be held in His arms.

I can’t tell you how to act
I can’t tell you how to be,
All I can tell you , is what
God has done for me.

I can’t tell you how to feel,
I can’t tell you how to talk,
All I can tell you , is how
God has changed my walk.

I can’t tell you how to think,
I can’t tell you how to pray,
All I can tell you , is that
God is there every single day.

I can’t tell you there’s no hurt,
I can’t tell you there’s no pain,
All I can tell you , is that
God remembers and knows your name.

Through all the hardships we endure,
Through all the joy and sorrow we survive,
All I can tell you , is this, that
Jesus is Alive !

Each year, at holidays, seems like the same thing comes up time and again with one of our relatives. No matter how hard I try, sharing, honest intimacy, and vulnerability seem impossible.

This past holiday season it dawned on me that if my life were a circle, this person would be a dot on it. Perhaps there would be a thick concrete wall between me and the dot, but she was just one person. All the rest of the people in my life would be represented by the infinite number of dots that make up the entire remaining circumference of the circle. And there would be no walls between me and all of those dots.

This was a very cool revelation. So, there's a wall at one tiny
intersection. Deal with it, "take the best and leave the rest".

I was thinking about this and found myself humming, "and the walls came tumbling down." An old gospel song about when the walls came down at Jericho.

I thought about the great city of Berlin, Germany. Berlin had a wall dividing the east and west sectors of the city after the war. Not too many years ago that wall was torn down. Now the city is a thriving place again, enjoying its unification.

When Christ was crucified, He died as a ransom for our lives; He was the living sacrifice. As He atoned for our sin(s), the wall came down between us and God.

No walls! Thank you, Lord.

When I became a bride, many years ago, I received some authority in life just by being wed. I could call any repair man or delivery person and get service just by the fact that I was Mrs. Jimmie Smith. I received credit cards with him as primary holder, but with full authority for me to charge to my hearts’ delight! Although my husband earned the money, I was able to apply it to meet the needs of our family and house hold, for he trusted me to take care of these things. I had the delegated power in these areas, and it gave me authority.

The body of Christian believers is called, in the Bible, the "Bride of Christ." We have been given the power of our groom, Jesus himself, to take authority over things out of kilter in this world. He told us in Luke 10:19 that He gave us authority to stamp out the powers of the devil-demons, evil spirits and all his cohorts.

The value of our say-so rests on the power that is behind it. Jesus is behind our authority. Jesus told us whatever we bind or loose on earth, the same will happen in heaven! The Holy Spirit prayed through Paul that we all (Christians) might have wisdom, understanding and authority over the demonic powers and the problems they create. They work with evil and constant manipulation of men’s minds, and we must put a stop to it!

So when satan raises his ugly head, with lies and whispers temptation in our ears or that of our family, we need to invest the influence which belongs to us, given to us by Christ. We need to break the powers of the devil, casting them out and demanding they never return, just as we have been commissioned to do. It doesn’t matter whether you feel like you’ve got this ability or not. Authority has nothing to do with feelings. It has everything to do with exercising and applying it to the situation at hand.

When we accept what belongs to us- this authority- we will enjoy the
victory Christ has for us. What a privilege!

Once God embraces us in love, are there grounds for divorce? The Bible puts the question differently. “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:36). The answer to this rhetorical query is negative. Nothing can sever the bond of love God establishes with us.

Earthquake like upheaval rocks our lives. Teachers, parents, coaches, or employers unmercifully apply pressure. Circumstances relentlessly chase us from one duty to another. We lack adequate food and clothing. We are forced too quickly into perilous decisions. We even have close encounters with death. How does the helter-skelter of life affect the bonds of God’s love? “In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). God continues to hold us by the hand.

Besides, don't these people understand how difficult it is to plan that one good hair and clothes day of the quarter to land on the same day as the photo shoot? Everyone knows you that before a photo shoot you have to endure three weeks of salad. Only salad. And a good hair day? That’s more complicated to predict a solar flare. You never know when the perfect, photo-worthy hair day is going to pop up.

I reluctantly agreed to have the new photo made anyway, even though I cheated for two and a half of the three salad weeks. I knew it wasn't going to be easy when the day started with a hairdo that reminded me a little of Einstein’s. Oh well, at least I'll look smart, I thought.

The photographer asked chatty questions about my family as she arranged my shoulders this way, my head that way. She put my right arm in, I put my right arm out, but at least I fought off the urge to shake it all about.

When I mentioned my five kids the chipper lady tried to offer a compliment: “Wow, you look pretty good for a person who’s had five kids.” What did that mean? Could she just have easily said something like, “Wow you don't look half bad for a person who’s been plastered by a giant cement truck?”

I made a mental note. Next time I have to get a new photo made I'm taking a friend along for moral support. I have friends who could've taken this girl (in the most loving, Christian way, I'm sure). It’s always good to have a friend in your corner.

If you're experiencing a bit of a lean friendship time, let me encourage you to invest some time in developing one or two. Proverbs 15:17 says, “Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.” I think that means that a photo shoot with no friends can be compared to three weeks of salad, but having a friend along is better than an all-you-can-eat buffet with a build-your-own sundae bar.

Everyone needs a good friend. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls for he has no one to help him up.”

Good friendships don't develop without work. Everyone who wants to have a good friend must become a good friend. We need to learn to love others with the unselfish, self-sacrificing love of Christ. Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

We become a good friend to another when want the best for that person, even if it means we're called to sacrifice our own needs and desires. Romans 12:10 instructs to “Honor one another above yourselves.” We're instructed to love with a Jesus kind of grace and with his kind of humility and patience. Ephesians 4:2 says, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

“Bearing with one another in love” means being a loyal friend and learning to repeatedly forgive. Colossians 3:13tells us to “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” And Proverbs 17:17says, “A true friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”(TLB)

We need to develop “photographic memories” regarding our friends’ needs, yet keep the ability to snip up an offenses, forgiving without reservation,without even hanging onto the negatives.

As for my publicity photo, let’s just say I'm not exactly ecstatic over the negatives on that one either. And I'll probably be living with them for another ten years.

One afternoon I was sitting outside in the swing relaxing, enjoying the nice weather, when I heard a very distinct sound coming towards me. Clop-clop, clop-clop, clop-clop, clop-clop. Horse hooves on pavement - there's something romantic to me about that sound. I looked, waiting to see the horse, and soon an older gentleman riding in his horse-drawn buggy passed in front of my house. We waved to each other and for a moment it was like I was transported to a different place and time. For a few moments, life slowed to a quieter, simpler pace, and as I watched him pass, my heart ached for a moment at the beauty of this simple sound.

Not too far down the road, a young kid came riding toward the buggy and exchanged greetings with the driver. He then turned to follow and brought his bike up along side of the horse. He asked the man, "Are you supposed to be doing this? I mean, like, is this legal?" The man simply replied, "I sure hope it is, 'cause here I am doin' it!" This answer seemed to satisfy the kid and soon after, he turned around and headed back in the direction he had been taking.

"Is this legal?" Something as simple as taking a nice afternoon buggy ride, that was common practice 100 years ago, could quite possibly become illegal at some point in time. Isn't that sad? The simple, quiet, steady pace of life that our grandparents and great grandparents enjoyed is eroding away. Swept away by the hectic, over-scheduled, "fast food" lifestyle that we currently live in, those days have become stories the grandchildren hear about and soon will just be history. I bet they never dreamed we would go this far. This far away, that is, from what's truly important in life - family, friends, integrity, God.

Thankfully there is something that does not change. Something that is ever constant, ever present, ever true. That's God. He DOES NOT CHANGE. The ever constant, ever present, ever true I AM. Even if a day comes that man outlaws the reading of God's Word in public and even in private for that matter, His Word WILL NOT CHANGE. This is what we base our faith upon.

Isaiah 55:11
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Amen!

In "The Green Mile," one inmate has magical or supernatural powers (one would expect such in a Steven King novel/movie) and the inmate brings a pet mouse back to life for a sweet old (if a little crazy) condemned man, hinting that there is life beyond the Chair for repentant criminals. The inmate feels the pain of everyone so intensely he is compelled to help them.

On one discussion board about "The Green Mile," one person said, "If you want to see a movie that really portrays the essence of a man who was given a gift by God, felt the pain of the world constantly, did miracles and was willing to die in innocence, it's "The Green Mile." Another bulletin board poster wrote, "Stephen King's character John Coffey [J.C.-get it?] is brilliant. And then you have the guards who must fulfill the Pontius Pilot role [killing Coffey] so reluctantly because they know the truth."

But as I thought about the resurrection theme, I also wondered if it is appropriate to think about Jesus living the life of a condemned person, like those on death row, since he knew that he would end up being executed by the state. As young as eight days old, when Jesus was taken to the temple to be blessed by the elderly prophet Simeon. Simeon tells Mary and Joseph, "And a sword will pierce your own soul, too" (Luke 2:35). It is a theme that was pointed in Isaiah in the Old Testament: "He was pierced for our transgression ... and by his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 54:5). Jesus starts hinting at his execution overtly in his last week on earth. If one looks at the overall sweep of the Old and New Testament you see that God's plan is centered on his son, Jesus, for saving humanity after Adam and Eve ruined Paradise by exercising free choice.

According to at least some biblical scholars, it is clear that the timing of Jesus' death is planned during the Passover observances to make it very obvious to the whole world that Jesus is the sacrificial lamb. Even the hour of death points to that role. The tradition in Old Testament times was for the high priest to kill the lamb at the 9th hour of the day (three in the afternoon) which is when we observe Christ's death on Good Friday. You will recall that in the Jewish tradition, the lamb was used during Old Testament times to cover the sins of humanity. So Jesus is the Passover lamb.

Now, if all of this is too gory and too simplistic (how can people even believe this stuff about God?) bear with me. As one biblical scholar, John Piper, senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis; put it sharply, "If you ask who killed Jesus, God did." If you feel that is too "abusive" or sadistic, we must be clear that if we believe Jesus and God were one, then it was also God who suffered deep emotional and physical pain as he gave up his life through his son Jesus on the cross. God suffered all of it with Jesus.

But that was not the end of God's plan. If it ended there, we would have a lot more questions to ask. The end is really the beginning-the whole point of the plot. Suffering and death are demolished for Jesus and for all of us who believe, through the resurrection.

Yes, it takes a leap of faith to believe in the resurrection. But the Christian religion is a fraud without the resurrection. If you believe in God at all, wouldn't you rather you stake your life on believing that God Almighty has something in mind for our immortal souls after our brief span of time on this earth is done?

Can you still smell the vinegar we added to the dye tablets every year to color Easter eggs? The trickiest of all was to put a pin prick in the ends of the egg and blow it out, then dip it. I never could do that.

It is ‘the season’. At stores all over our city there are ready made, pre-put together Easter baskets, of all sizes and kinds, on display. They are beautifully arranged and wrapped with everything in them from chocolate-covered-marshmallow-peanut-butter eggs to small, soft cuddly bunnies to tiny digitalized computer games.

Although it’s spring and the weather’s gorgeous, nonetheless not long ago I found myself in a blue funk. No major crisis, nothing seriously wrong. Just out of sorts. I thought perhaps I had taken on a few too many projects. I seemed to be feeling overwhelmed by ? - those nebulous things that float around in the background.

Something, or Someone, triggered my memory, and The Basket came to mind. It has always worked, so, immediately I envisioned it. As always, it was at the foot of the cross. Just sitting there, empty. (Funny, it is always empty.) As quickly as persons, projects, situations, upcoming events came to mind, I put them into The Basket. Whatever came to mind, in it went.

Soon the thoughts slowed down, then there was nothing more to put in. “At least not for now,” I thought. I actually felt lighter, physically. “Amazing!” I said out loud to myself, even though I figured that is what would happen. And the attitude. It turned right around.

Last evening I read a magazine article which prompted me to give my basket a new name. It was about anxiety, and it said we can feel overwhelmed, tired, etc etc because we are carrying around stuff we don’t need to shoulder. It was based on a bible verse I have known for years. The first half is don’t worry, don’t fret, don’t be anxious. The second half is, tell God your definite requests and be thankful for everything He has done for you.

From now on, I’ll be putting my “stuff” into the Philippians Four-Six Basket. Then I can get on with the second half of the verse!

The day was cold, so I stood behind the window in our foyer, watching my husband as he helped our grandson ride his new tricycle. There was a slight incline in our driveway toward the street, and Jimmie would stand behind the trike, gently pushing it with his foot. Our grandson would turn around at the top of the hill, pedal a little, and take off down the hill as fast as he could! I held my breath as he headed for the rose bushes, thorns and all. Tanner called out,"papa, papa...help! My husband ran over, grabbed the handlebars, and steered him in a safe direction.

Isn’t this just what God is willing to do for His children? He is available to us- in any kind of emotional weather. It can be in a time of calm, a time of storm, when our hearts are cold and feel broken, or in times of joy. He is willing to aid us up the hill of life- gently pushing us to make the grade. Then, if; on the downward roll, things get out of control we need only to call out," Abba, Abba, help me!" He will; no doubt about it. He loves each of His children so much- that’s you and me- that He will come to our aid when we ask Him to. What a loving Abba- how blessed we are.