One thing I was not expecting when I started blogging was how the blogging community is … well, a community! Having followers in other countries was something I hadn’t expected, and I get geeked at the thought of connecting with people all over the world through my writings and theirs. Many of the places I hear from are places I will likely never visit in person, but it’s good to know that distance doesn’t keep us from sharing our ideas and inspiration. I’ve learned a lot in the past year and a half, and I feel as though my global perspective has broadened quite a bit, thanks to you.

I want to ask all of you a favor, because I would like to have a mental picture of how my followers are spread over the globe. Some of you have your location clearly stated on your home page, others are a little harder to figure out. (I just found out that a blogger I assumed was American all this time is actually in South Africa!)

So, if you are willing, please let me know where you are writing from. You don’t have to be that specific, unless you want to be. If you’re in the U.S., you might just tell me what state you’re in. If you’re in another country, you can just tell me what country, or be as specific as you want to be. If you’re uncomfortable posting where you are, feel free to email me (bascha3870@yahoo.com). And if you aren’t comfortable telling me where you live, that’s fine, too. I don’t want to be “creepy,” as my kids would say. I just want to know my blogging community a little better. (I can see myself getting O.C.D. about it and covering a map with little pins showing where my followers are. … Yeah, I’m weird.)

I love dialoguing with people in faraway places, but I also love finding out I have followers who live close to where I am, and that there’s a possibility we might actually run into one another sometime – or meet intentionally.

For those of you in the Great Lakes area of the U. S. or Ontario, if you are anywhere near Port Huron, Michigan, around September 21, I want to invite you to an “author’s event” – a catered luncheon, speeches by guest authors (including yours truly), and an opportunity to meet, ask questions, purchase books, and get said books signed. I attended last year, and the sheer diversity of authors made it a very interesting occasion. (I wrote about the event and about an epiphany I had there in my post “Who’s Prejudiced Now?” – October 12 of last year.) I think I came home with a copy of every book that was sold there. Who knows? If you live close by, maybe you could end up being one of the featured authors next year!

Port Huron is a beautiful town about 50 miles north of Detroit, Michigan, on the shores of Lake Huron (at the base of the “thumb”) and across the Blue Water Bridge from Sarnia, Ontario. It’s also about 60 miles east of Flint, Michigan. The author’s event is at the Griswold Street Baptist Church, 1232 Griswold Street, Port Huron, and will go from noon to 3:00(ish).

If you are near Grand Rapids, Michigan – on the other side of the state – around October 8, consider attending the “Prologue Writer’s Night” at Baker Book House, 2768 E Paris Ave SE. I’ll be speaking at 7:00 about “Harvesting the Stories Around Us.” Following a 20-minute talk, there will be a writing time until 10:00. If you come earlier in the day, you can meet me, as I will be signing copies of my first four books from 9:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. I would love to meet some fellow bloggers, especially ones that I feel I already know! This event was set up by a former student of mine, who now works with Baker Books. I’m sure she would love to meet some of you, and of course, it’s always nice to get together with other writers.

If you are able to attend either of the Michigan events, please drop me an email (bascha3870@yahoo.com) and let me know. I’ll get back to you with more specifics. The people putting on the luncheon on the 21st would like reservations to be in by August 31, if possible.

If you are too far away to attend either of these, of course I understand.

Again, I am thrilled to have such a broad circle of friends – and I do consider many of you my friends. You have shared pieces of your lives with me and allowed me to share pieces of mine with you. Some of us have prayed for one another on occasion, and that is certainly my definition of “friend.”

Blessings, and I hope to see some of you soon.

Annie

PS If there’s a name you like to be addressed by that isn’t in your blogging title, let me know that, too, so I’m not just calling you “hey you.”

PPS. I am Ann, or Annie (or “Mom” or “Nana”), in Kentucky half the year, Michigan the other half. (You can probably guess which half. 😉 )

 

 

 

 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.              Romans 12:21

One of the things I miss about my dad is his self-deprecating sense of humor, which would come out at random times and have the whole room laughing. Or just the passenger in his car.

At the end of a brief visit during my freshman year in college, Dad was driving me back to the airport. We came to an intersection where we had to stop but the cross traffic did not. It was a busy time of day, and cars sped by, with seemingly no one willing to sacrifice a few seconds to let us on. After about five stressful minutes, Dad muttered under his breath, “Come on, somebody …!”

Just then, a black man slowed his car down, smiled at Dad, and motioned to him to go ahead. Dad smiled back, waved a “thank you,” and pulled out. After a moment of silent smirking on my part, I heard Dad mutter in mock disgust, “How’d’ya like that? Forty years of prejudice, shot to hell.”

If my father were alive today, he would be over 100 years old. He grew up in a time and way of life that might be called “racist” by today’s standards, but I have never known a sweeter man. Dad was one of three boys, raised on an “farm” – a large lot with a pond, some chickens, a vegetable garden, and an occasional random creature, such as an orphaned baby bear and an alligator, which wouldn’t have been unusual in Florida, but this was Missouri. (Don’t ask.)

My grandparents had “hired help,” which I’ve come to understand were more like members of the family. My grandmother would discuss dinner options with her cook, who told her it didn’t matter how many chickens they prepared, the boys would eat everything in sight anyway. According to family lore, one day after a rainstorm, the chickens lay around looking as though they had all drowned. The cook told Granny that they weren’t dead, admonishing her to hang them on the clothes line by their feet. Granny followed her advice. Sure enough, after dangling in the sunshine for a while, the chickens dried off, perked up, and began flapping and protesting.

A generation later, my parents had a maid named Vester, who worked for my mom from the time I was about five. (I remember hiding from my sister’s wrath behind Vester’s skirt, and her ordering Susie to be nice to her little sister.)

Vester was the first one in the family to know that Marty and I were engaged. As it was a week before Susie’s wedding, after the initial silent squeals and hugs, she advised me regarding the best time to tell my stressed-out parents. Vester traveled all the way from St. Louis to Michigan to attend the wedding – not as a caterer, but as an honored guest. I will never forget how beautiful she looked in her royal blue kaftan.

Four years later Vester was the first to know that Joanna was on the way, not because I told her, but because she’d had a dream about a child in the woods. When she had asked who it was, a Voice had told her, That’s Ann’s little girl. 

Although Vester was nearly as old as my father, after my mother’s death she kept “working for him” (taking care of him). And Dad took care of her, in the only way he was able in those last years, by giving gifts to her and her family. When he could no longer drive, he gave his practically-new luxury car to her grandson, who was a chauffeur. Vester stood in Dad’s room at the assisted living facility and gave a tearful speech about not waiting until someone’s funeral to give them flowers. “You gave me my flowers today.”

After Dad had passed away, my sister and I kept in touch with Vester and her daughters during her last days. I remember visiting her in her home and seeing many familiar things that I recognized as having belonged to my mother, and even my grandmother. (Vester had more heirlooms than we did!) Her devotion to our family was so profound that my youngest daughter Kelly and I traveled from Michigan to attend her funeral at a church we had never been to, in a part of St. Louis we had never seen, full of people we had never met. Vester’s daughters excitedly introduced us to almost everyone there, and almost everyone we met fairly gushed about how much Vester loved our family. There was no talk of race or economic status, only talk of God, grace, and the devotion of people who genuinely loved one another.

As an adult, I have enjoyed deep friendships with people of different ages, races, religious traditions, nationalities, and backgrounds. I have learned a lot from them all, including that practically every individual I encounter has the potential of becoming a close friend. It keeps life interesting.

I was sharing the anecdote about the intersection with another blogger, and it occurred to me that the black man on the busy street had the answer to racism – kindness! He wasn’t glaring at Dad, pointing a finger and calling him a racist. He was treating him as he himself wanted to be treated. And while admittedly there are people and situations that are too far gone to respond to kindness, attacking a racist is not going to change him, either. Hateful behavior only drives prejudices deeper. (Why do we even have to state this obvious truth?)

What would happen if we treated everyone with kindness and respect, even those we perceive aren’t worthy of it? (Are we worthy?) Who knows, we may see more people’s attitudes change for the better – more “years of prejudice, shot to hell.”

Prayer: Lord, open our hearts and minds to Your image in every person we encounter, and help us to resemble You by loving them as You do, in Your name. Amen.

Teach then to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Deuteronomy 11:19

One of the perks of being retired is being able to spend an extended time in our family summer home, up north and away from the oppressive heat. Of course, this is the season where everyone here has family visiting from the hotter climates, and we’re no exception. Children and grandchildren have filled out house with fun and shrieks and giggles and sand and damp towels. Evenings are different from evenings a generation ago. We have a TV now, and they have their devices, and when we’re all gathered inside for the evening, it’s hard to peel the kids away from the screens. But I have fond memories of nights when their parents were little, snuggled up together in bed or in front of the fireplace, reading our summer books – mainly The Chronicles of Narnia. I think it was about five years in a row we read them each summer. There are seven books in the series, so that was enough to fill our summer evenings with fauns, centaurs, unicorns, dwarfs, Marshwiggles, Dufflepuds, and of course, the wonderful talking Lion, Aslan, who ruled over it all.

I also remember singing to my children as they were going to sleep, and I would often try out my original songs on them. I guess it was inevitable that I write a song about Narnia.

The Ballad of Narnia

Peer inside the wardrobe door, and see what you will find;                                                                 If it be that Aslan calls, you’ll leave this world behind                                                                        And step inside another realm, envisioned in a dream,                                                                    Where fantasies are very real, but not quite what they seem.

Narnia, fair Narnia, O where do you come from?                                                                                   Spoken from the Lion’s mouth before time had begun?                                                                         Narnia, dear Narnia, you seem to call to me                                                                                            To come and be the true creation I was meant to be.

Gaze into the winter skies and see the wonders there;                                                                           The Narnian stars are huge in size, their beauty bright and rare.                                                         And when upon the peaceful snow they shine their friendly light,                                                     Tiny hoof prints tell of fauns who danced one moonlit night.

Hear a tale of long ago, when evil ruled the land,                                                                                        When all of Narnia lay in snow beneath a witch’s hand,                                                                         How children from another realm arrived amid the strife.                                                               The lion Alslan saved the kingdom, though it cost his life!

Narnia, dear Narnia! He must have loved you so,                                                                                          To make himself the victim of more hate than we could know;                                                       Narnia, dear Narnia, now was it worth the pain?                                                                                     He must have known he’d given more than he could ever gain.

Gather up your courage, for there’s danger in the air,                                                                                And all who love the Lion must for battle now prepare;                                                                     It is a war of wrong or right – there is no neutral ground –                                                               And every good and honest creature now is honor-bound.

Take up your sword, dear child, for it is time for us to fight                                                                     The evil forces lurking in the shadows of the night;                                                                               But have no fear – the Lion himself is fighting at your side,                                                             With golden mane a-flying, and his great jaws open wide!

Narnia, dear Narnia! This war’s already won!                                                                                           For Aslan’s royal face is shining like the noonday sun.                                                                        Narnia, dear Narnia! He came to set you free!                                                                                    He’s given death the final blow, and you the victory!

You must go now, back into the world where you belong,                                                                        But Narnia lives within your heart; she’s an eternal song.                                                                 And Aslan will be with you, though he will not look the same,                                                       For here we call Him “Jesus,”                                                                                                                                                               and He’s calling you, by name.*

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Lion of Judah, our Savior – we marvel at Your love for us, that You would give Your life as a ransom for us. However the story is told, it’s still the greatest story of all. Thank You for the privilege of telling the story to our children, and our children’s children. May it always be in our hearts, in every generation.

*”The Ballad of Narnia” copyright 1991 Ann Aschauer

 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.                                                                                                                                                                                                             I Thessalonians 5:11

Sunday afternoon I was at the local yacht club, where the biggest gathering of the year was taking place. The annual brunch was over (I had been at church, so missed that part.), and the races were taking place.

I should probably explain that by “yacht club,” I mean a fenced-in yard with a dock and a building smaller than most houses. There are two restrooms, a mini-kitchen, and a sort of “all-purpose room” with a bookshelf, ping-pong table, and glass case full of t-shirts, caps, and mugs with the yacht club insignia. On the counter there’s usually a pot of coffee. We used to have a phone, but sometimes strangers would call saying “We’re coming into your area Thursday night and need to reserve a slip for our yacht. We’d also like to make reservations for dinner.” Whoever answered the phone (usually a kid in swim trunks) would say, “Um … we don’t have ‘slips,’ but we’re having a pot luck this Saturday …”

There’s no yacht club phone any more. Just a Facebook page.

Sunday I saw people there that I had never met and some I knew well. Others I had met but hadn’t seen in ten or eleven months, maybe a decade, with their kids who had shot up and were suddenly full grown people. They were gathered to race their Sunfish – little sailboats that hold one or two sailors. The boats were crowded together, bobbing over what used to be beach (lots of rain this year), and the race course was on the dry erase board. The races had been postponed the day before due to the weather – or the anticipation of bad weather – but the day had turned out fine after all. (Hey, this is Michigan.) So Sunday there were five races rather than two.

“Wow, that’s a lot of races,” I said to a woman. She looked vaguely familiar, but if we had met, it had been years. After a few more words of small talk I asked her name. She reminded me, and we proceeded to “catch up.” As is often the case with my generation of women, we landed on the topic of grandchildren and the joys of being “Nana,” or “Grammy,” or Meemaw,” or whatever a creative or verbally challenged grandchild comes up with.

At one point we were talking about movies the kids love, and as I told her how my daughter Kelly used to love “Snow White,” I told her about the day I came into the room on my way to fold laundry just in time to see the Prince carrying Snow White off to his castle to be his bride, how the castle was in the sky, and how I almost dropped my basket of clothes as I realized that the whole Gospel was in that story. (For details, see “Snow White: A Parable,” posted September 14, 2018.) I wasn’t sure why I was sharing this, as I didn’t know if she even knew what I meant by “gospel,” but suddenly I saw her face light up.

What followed was for me a little foretaste of heaven, sharing stories with a fellow believer. While the people around us were focused on sails, wind direction, fouls, protests, and who would be first to cross the finish line, we were telling each other about answered prayers and the fun of living a life waiting to see what God does next. It was such an unexpected encounter in that environment that we were laughing at things that would probably not seem funny to an outsider, but the pleasure of having found a “sister” was just too much to contain.

I’m not sure how long we had been talking when my new friend began to tell me something, hesitated, then apparently decided to go ahead and tell me.

“This morning I asked God if He would send me someone, a friend, that would encourage me. – And here you are! We looked at each other, and again broke into happy laughter. “Yes, He does that, doesn’t He?” We were both encouraged.

I proceeded to tell her about the time I was at college doing a short term in a school where I’d arrived knowing no one. During my “devotions” I had asked God to show me who the Christians were so I could have some friendships that would encourage me. Immediately, I’d heard a knock at the door, and a beautiful young lady, wearing a cross and carrying Bible had said sheepishly, “This may sound weird, but would you like to have devotions with me?” She had been missing her roommate, who had always had morning devotions with her, and who’d been away for short term. As this young lady had been walking down the hall in the dorm, telling the Lord her feelings, she’d sensed Him saying, Knock on that door, so she’d obeyed.

We laughed again, marveling at the many ways God fills our lives with serendipity.

Sometimes God answers our prayers with No, sometimes with Not now, sometimes with a resounding “YES!” (I’m guessing those are the times when we’re finally asking for the right things.)  Sometimes our prayers are answered so quickly our heads are spinning.

Sometimes we get to see the answers to our prayers, and sometimes we get to be the answer to someone else’s prayers. I’m not sure which is more fun.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for blessing us with brothers and sisters to encourage, and who encourage us. Although You have risen and are seated at the right hand of the Father, You are still with us. – We are the Body of Christ. Help us to live out this beautiful reality, in Your name, Amen.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.                                                                                                                                                                                                     I Thessalonians 5:11

My fellow writer, Kimberly Bowman, author of Undercover Bag Lady, has read my manuscript for Satan’s Worst Nightmare and had this to say about it:

“Ann Aschauer turns the tables on what many consider the darkest night of the year. Through her unwavering faith, passionate creativity, and contagious enthusiasm, she unveils what bold determination can accomplish in the face of blunt opposition. Bravo!”

Thanks, Kim!

To read my review of Kim’s excellent book, see my post from June 28 – my most responded-to post to date.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for inspiring us to communicate Your glorious truth in fresh, new, creative ways. Thank You for the fellowship and encouragement of other believers. May we continually be encouraging one another to do greater and greater things for Your kingdom, through Jesus Christ. Amen

Honor one another above yourselves.     –  Romans 12:10b

A huge thank you to Perth Girl of “The F Word – Faith, Family, and Food” for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I have enjoyed her posts ever since I recently discovered this blog. If you haven’t already, check it out at:

https://faithfood.blog

The Sunshine Blogger Award is peer recognition for bloggers who inspire, are creative and spread positivity.

Rules for the Award
Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog.
Answer the 11 questions you’ve been asked.
Nominate 11 bloggers and ask them 11 questions.
Inform your nominees through commenting on their post.
Display the rules and the Sunshine Blogger Award logo on your post.

Perth Girl’s questions for Me:

1. Describe yourself in 3 words? If I’m feeling good about myself, “spontaneous, creative, and unique.” If I’m not feeling good about myself, “impulsive, disorganized, and weird.”

2. One interesting thing about you that people don’t know? – (Well, they’ll know now, won’t they? 😉 ) I had a bodyguard for about a week when my kids were little. (Long story.)

3. If you could leave one thing behind that people will remember you by, what would that be? The older I get, the more I realize my life is “ALL JESUS.” As Casting Crowns says, “I don’t care if they remember me, only Jesus.” (“Only Jesus”

But we all do leave something behind, and I’m blessed that I can say that all three of my children love Jesus, married godly believers, and (the two that have kids so far) are raising five more people to be citizens of His kingdom, too! They are my legacy.

4. Name one book you have read more than once? Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus (The testimony of Nabeel Qureshi). I have read it once and listened to the audio at least twice. Through it I came to love and admire a family that were devout Muslims. I enjoyed reading details of debates Nabeel got into with his two best college friends – his Christian roommate and a Buddhist. This book is engaging, enlightening, convicting, and intellectually stimulating.

(Sorry, you said “name,” not “write a review, but you know me … )

5. Have you ever conquered a fear? No, but Jesus has. Without Him I’d still be a sniveling coward in all areas! I used to get nervous about speaking to large groups of people, and even more when there’s a camera running and I know I’m going to be on TV! But Jesus said, “Go and tell,” so what could I do? Fortunately, “He doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.”

6. How many languages can you speak and if ok, please mention them too? I speak English. That may seem like an obvious answer, but it seems these days most Americans can’t speak it properly. ( … said the English teacher …) I also speak some French, although not as fluently as when I was teaching it to kids.

7. What has been the most unexpected thing you have come across in your blogging journey? When I started blogging, I had no idea that my followers would be from all over. I was delighted when I realized they were in faraway parts of the U.S., but then when they showed up from Canada, the UK, Africa, Asia, Australia … I was very surprised – and thrilled.

8. Funniest place you have fallen asleep? Dentist’s office, getting root canal. (Not because the dentist put me out, just because Jesus was there giving me peace. Thank You, Lord!)

9. Road trip or Train trip? I don’t mind road trips, especially when my husband drives, and I love going with my sister on “adventures” in her RV. I haven’t taken many train trips, but I think I’d love it, especially if there’s a dining car, lounge, etc. and I can meet new and interesting people.  😉

10. Favourite Tv show, ever? “America’s Got Talent,” because it includes all kinds of performances, not just singing or dancing. I love watching unknown people perform, especially when they come out looking like “losers,” awkward and unlikely to succeed, then blow the audience away with their talent. I get vicarious pleasure in seeing them vindicated. It also inspires me not to be so quick to judge people and write them off.

11. Would you rather visit the past or the future of your own life? Future, because I already know what happened in the past. I’m excited to see what God still has for me!

I follow quite a few blogs, many of which are great. If I didn’t mention some here, it’s because I have nominated them before, and/or because they have made it known that they no longer participate in these awards. (It IS time consuming… but kinda fun. 🙂 )

Here are my nominees:

1. Perth Girl – //faithfood.blog
2. See, there’s this thing called biology…  –  insanitybytes2.wordpress.com
3. Linda Lee/@Lady Quixote – @ladyquixotelindalee
4. The Domain for Truth – veritasdomain.wordpress.com
5. Loved by the King of kings – @iwillnotbemoved
6. Theology of a Newfoundland Housewife – sallyball8323
7. Bill Sweeney – @billsweeney60
8. fuelfortheraceblog – @fuelfortherace
9. Eva Ngelista – @witnessforjesuschrist
10. floatinggold – @floatinggold

My questions for you:

1. If you were only allowed one last chance to post a message on your blog, what would it be about?
2. If you had an hour and the freedom to do anything at all, what would you spend the next hour doing?
3. Besides where you’re living now, where would you like to live?
4. What is your pet peeve?
5. Who was your favorite teacher, and why?
6. What quality sets you apart from the crowd more than any other?
7. What was the first “secret” you remember sharing, and did the other person keep that secret?
8. Which day of your life, if any, would you like to relive, if you could?
9. What was the most painful experience you’ve ever had that turned out to be a good thing in the long run?
10. What is the #1 thing on your bucket list?
11. Who is your role model?

I’m looking forward to learning more about you!

Annie

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you.'”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Luke 12:20

When my sister and I were having our yearly “sisterly adventure” out West in her RV, we encountered some beautiful sights, some of which in our overactive imaginations presented potentially life-threatening possibilities. During the hours of driving through these gorgeous, albeit hazardous places, we amused ourselves by compiling a list of

                                 LAST WORDS: 

“Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”

“Watch this!”

“How hard could it be?”

“You did get the brakes fixed, didn’t you?”

“This isn’t loaded, is it?”

“Just one more step back …”

“Aw, how cute! Here kitty-kitty!”

“Does this fuse seem a little short to you?”

“Uh… I don’t think that light is the end of the tunnel.”

“Stop nagging! I’m not driving THAT fast!”

“It’s not that long a jump. I’ll make it.”

“This always worked before.”

“What semi?”

“I think I parked far enough off the road …”

“Moose aren’t aggressive, are they?”

“Don’t worry, that bear’s not interested in my sandwich.”

“The fence is to keep the animals in, not me out.”

“I think it’s sturdy enough.”

“The coast is clear – let’s go!”

“Are you sure this is a safe neighborhood?”

“This plant has a great safety record – 28 months without an accident!”

“Ha! I can beat that!”

“Those berries tasted great, but they have a funny aftertaste.”

“I know my way out. I’ve been exploring caves for years.”

“Wheeeee!!! I feel like a circus performer!”

“This ski slope is bigger than the pictures.”

“I’ve had it with this slowpoke, I’m passing!”

“Don’t worry, it’s more afraid of us than we are of it.”

“I’ll be right back. I just want to get a good shot of the canyon without this stupid railing in the way.”

“I don’t usually pick up hitchhikers, but what the heck…”

“OK, what idiot packed this parachuuuu…..   !?”

“You don’ suppose those orange cones mean I can’t go there, do you?”

“What does ‘Verboten’ mean?”

“What’s ‘non-potable’?”

“I think pirates made this drink – check out the label.”

                                    FAMOUS LAST WORDS:

“Not even God himself could sink this ship.”
— Employee of the White Star Line, at the launch of the Titanic, May 31, 1911

                                 NOT-SO-FUNNY LAST WORDS: 

“I know, I should get right with God, and I’m going to do it soon. Right now I’m so busy …”

“I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ ”                        Luke 12:18-19

 

Prayer: Lord, we are so easily distracted by the trivial, the immediate, the materialistic, and the shallow. Our minds are drawn away from the most important things – eternal things. We forget that we are not promised next year in this life – We’re not even promised tomorrow. Help us to draw close to You today, and to encourage one another today, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of us will be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. [Hebrews 3:13] In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

 

“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.”

                                                                                               Revelation 3:17

Kim had worked with the homeless for decades, but recently she took on a “project” that took her more deeply into their world.  Disguising herself as a “bag lady,” she created an alter-ego named “Jean.” For several months this author went out incognito into her city in North Carolina, visiting churches of various denominations, from Catholic to Baptist to Pentecostal, from main-line denominations to non-denominational churches. She documented her experiences and compiled her findings in her newly-released book, Undercover Bag Lady: An Expose of Christian Attitudes Toward the Homeless.

This was a quick-read, even for this notoriously slow reader, not only because it’s not a lengthy book (less than 100 pages), but also because I found it so hard to put down. There was a chapter for each church/denomination “Jean” visited, and I was always eager to find out what she was going to experience the next week. (I was especially interested to see how she was received by the  denomination I belong to.)

For the most part, the way she was treated was deeply disappointing, especially considering that this region is considered part of the “Bible Belt.” Kim very candidly shares her fears about stepping into a different church each week and the devastation she felt from the rejections she received from those who are supposed to the most loving people on the planet.

(This book is convicting.)

Kim also relates some delightful surprises, such as the occasional person who extended great grace amid others’ cold and judgmental stares. She tells of the offers of help and gifts from individuals who possessed the compassion we should all have. She even confesses prejudice on her own part the day she fully expected terrible treatment from one individual based on her appearance, only to be proven wrong by a startling display of generosity.

(This book is inspiring.)

There was irony in the timing of a number of church visits; often the sermon dealt with caring for the needy, “being the hands and feet of Jesus.” Afterwards the congregation would file out, avoiding eye contact with the most obvious “Exhibit A” right in their midst.  I found myself silently coaching the church people –  Come on, guys, let’s think about what the pastor said today. Were you listening? Look around, what do you see?? What should you do???? But more often than not I was disappointed. – >AAUGH!!!<

(This book is frustrating.)

I’ve been praying for years that we would see a great revival in America … and waiting… After reading about Kim’s experience as a “bag lady,” it’s painfully obvious that one of the main things hindering revival is the Church. (What’s wrong with this picture??)  I doubt any revival is going to materialize as long as the Church on the whole is oblivious, if not outright hostile towards the needy. When the compassionate ones are the exception rather than the rule, people are going to have a hard time recognizing Christ in us. And if they can’t see Him in us, where will they see Him?

Jesus spoke of the Day of Judgment, as He will be judging His flock:

“Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did  not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.  …Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.”                                                                                                                                                                    Matthew 25:41-43, 45

Sobering words. (Did we think He was kidding?)

Kim is a dear friend of mine. When we both lived in Michigan, I would go with her and her husband to the Motor City Pride Parade to “love on” the LBGTQ community. The main reason for going was to share Christ with them, but the first objective was to try to undo the deplorable treatment so many of them had received from the Church. Step One is remembering that we are all sinners, and that we are agents of grace only because we ourselves are recipients of that grace. When there’s a sense of humble gratitude, rather than prideful superiority, there’s a much better chance those around us will see the Light and be drawn to it.

I wish I could get a copy of Kim’s book into the library of every church in America, better yet, into the hands of every person who calls himself/herself a follower of Jesus Christ. That being unlikely, I do want to urge anyone reading this blog, especially those who claim the name of “Christian,” to purchase a copy of Undercover Bag Lady: An Expose of Christian Attitudes Toward the Homeless, by Kim Bowman. Read it – you could easily finish it in one or two sittings. Then pass it on or order more to give away. Then act on what you’ve read. Pray about how you can make a difference. (P.S. You can invite Kim to come speak at your church, maybe start a tidal wave.)

What kind of revolution would take place in America if the “Body of Christ” actually started behaving like Jesus? Would we ignite revival?

There’s only one way to find out.

Prayer: Dear Lord, You have said that what we do to “the least of these,” we have done to You. Forgive us when we have been so wrapped up in our own lives that we have passed You by. Help us to remember that we are Your hands and feet. When there’s opportunity to show someone what You are like, may we rise to the occasion, raising others up as we go, in Your name.  Amen

 

“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”                         Luke 10:19

A woman at our church was telling me about some tragic circumstances in her family, and the family members that didn’t have the benefit of the faith that was sustaining her. As two other women came up, she asked for prayer, as she would soon be joining her family for a few days. Rather than say, I suggested we all pray together on the spot, not only because there’s power in agreement, but because when I say “I’ll be praying for you,” I often forget or get sidetracked.

We joined hands and prayed that our sister would be strengthened, for God’s angels to surround her on her travels, that those needing God would be drawn to her, and that the LORD would guide conversations, giving her the right words to say. As I thought of the spiritual vulnerability of her unbelieving relatives, I asked the LORD to bind every demon away from the family.

After we had prayed and exchanged hugs, one of the other women took me aside and said sternly, “We are not allowed to bind demons here.”

I’m afraid I gave her a blank look. Not just because I hadn’t “bound demons,” (I had asked the LORD to.) but also because I had never sensed from the preaching there that we aren’t to engage in spiritual warfare.*

As I was processing what she had said, she continued, “If you read the gospels, you will see that they are very clear about that.” Again, stunned silence. I had been “reading the gospels” for over fifty years, and had seen otherwise.

“That’s a charismatic doctrine,” she concluded, as if that were the final nail in the coffin.

She spoke with such an air of authority that I simply said, “Well, I’ve come to a different conclusion, so I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree.” (See “Mud Wrestling,” June 15, 2018.) This time she was the one at a loss for words, and as the conversation was fizzling, I smiled, said “Have a good day,” and walked away.

This wasn’t the first time someone has said to me, “Scripture clearly tells us…” and gone on to state an opinion that contradicts what I know is biblical. Sometimes the subject is not worth arguing about. But since I consider spiritual warfare of major importance, especially in these times, I think it’s worth while to examine what Scripture does tell us on the subject. When confronted with the enemy of our souls, should we roll over and play dead, or do we fight back? – More importantly, are we able to fight back and win?

In our own power, absolutely not. But when the One with the power over death and hell is backing us up, we have no reason to be intimidated.

So, how much authority are we talking about?  According to Matthew 28:19 Jesus told His disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” [emphasis mine] I’m sure that comes as no surprise to most of you. But has He shared that authority with His followers?

When Jesus sent the Twelve out to preach the kingdom, He gave them authority to drive out demons. (Matthew 10:1, Mark 6:7, Luke 9:1) In case we begin to think that those twelve were the only ones Jesus gave that authority to, there’s another account in Luke 10, where at least once He sent out seventy others (some translations say seventy-two). They were all given authority over the enemy, as well.

“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.'” (Luke 10:17)

Their statement is backed up by the words of Jesus Himself.

“He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the demons are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.'” (Luke 10:18-20)

Please note: That last statement does not negate our authority as believers, it is a statement of priorities. Too many people get so excited about fighting demons that they get out of balance and lose sight of the fact that salvation and the promise of eternal life is by far the greatest blessing. I suspect that these fanatics are a major reason some believers back away from spiritual warfare altogether.

I have yet to find a Scripture saying that the original believers were the only ones endowed with Jesus’ authority. On the contrary, I see in the Great Commission that all of His teachings extend to believers everywhere, and in every era:

“Then Jesus came to [the Eleven] and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. [emphasis mine] And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Everything. Jesus didn’t add,  “… except for that thing about demons, they won’t be able to do that stuff.”

If we obey everything that Jesus commanded, we have no scriptural reason to doubt that we can resist demons. The danger comes when in some way (such as pride or disobedience) we forget our dependence on Him and step out from under His authority.

If we do that, all bets are off. [Acts 19:13-17]

Prayer: LORD, what a blessing to know that You are for us, not against us! Help us to remain in You, so that nothing will hinder You from using us in any way You desire. In Jesus’ name, amen.

* I spoke about this with my Sunday school teacher after class. He said that if any of the pastors had heard me pray that day, none of them would have batted an eye. So apparently the woman was misinformed.

 

“If you, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him?” Matthew 7:11

June was my dad’s month – Father’s Day, his birthday – he even married a lady named June. (Their anniversary is in June.) So I’m dedicating one more post to him today.

Just before flying to St. Louis to join my father for his big 65th birthday celebration, I composed this poem during my morning run. I am now one year older than he was then – Where does the time go???

Happy Father’s Day, everyone.

 

                           To Dad

You told me that God was my Father;                                                                                                   As a child I believed it was true.                                                                                                      I wanted to know what this Father was like,                                                                                         So the man that I studied was you.

Your eyes were so warm and so merry;                                                                                               We laughed all the time as we played.                                                                                        And knowing that laughter’s created by God,                                                                                       He seemed not so stern as I prayed.

You punished sometimes; it was for my own good,                                                                           And I knew that your love was still there.                                                                                    And knowing that’s God’s even wiser than you                                                                                 Makes suffering less hard to bear.

You gave much away, still we prospered,                                                                                             And it was then I decided                                                                                                                That God’s wealth is different from that of the world –                                                                     It’s multiplied as it’s divided.

And so, through twenty-nine wonderful years,                                                                                 I’ve seen what you told me was true.                                                                                              If one who is human can love me so much,                                                                                         I’m confident God loves me, too.                                                                                                      I’ve seen with my own eyes that “God is Love.”                                                                                 I’ve seen His love living in you.

6-10-82

 

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for being a loving Father to us – for blessing us when we don’t deserve it, for comforting us when we need it, for disciplining us when we have violated Your rules, and for forgiving us when we need a fresh start. Most of all, thank You for giving us Your Son Jesus to purchase our salvation when we were spiritually bankrupt and would have been lost forever. We are eternally grateful. In Jesus’ name, amen