June 2008
It wasn’t hard to get in touch with
the joy of the Lord on Mother’s Day
when the chaplain prayed for our mothers.
My Mom’s presence came to mind as
I imagined her in the presence of the Lord.
I knew that “…in His presence
is fullness of joy”1,
and “…the joy of the Lord is
my strength.”2
I expect this same strength that comes from
the joy of the Lord to take me right on
through Father’s day this month.
My Mom & Dad
My childhood wasn’t dysfunctional,
as society defines many families today.
My mom and dad were wonderful parents, who
cared for their children’s every need.
I was a happy child growing up with many
fond memories. I shared some of these in
the past view. My fondest memories were
shopping with mom and fishing with dad.
They are both with the Lord now, and I think
of them every day. I know that one day we’ll
be together again in heaven. What a day
of rejoicing that will be.
I had every opportunity to succeed in life,
but because of my own rebellious ways, I
rejected my parent’s dream for me.
I turned out to be irresponsible and lazy
during my college days, and not willing
to work. I remember the day when my parents
begged me not to leave home for California,
but I wouldn’t listen. They knew what
was best for me. I have shared how I went
from basement of life to the penthouse,
because of the finished work of Jesus Christ
in the link California
Dreamin’
A Father's Love
It is more difficult to understand God’s
love, when the love of an earthly father
is missing. Many times the love of an earthly
father is so contrary to God’s love,
Who “…showed His great love
for us by sending Christ to die for us while
we were still sinners.“3 Some earthly
parents are more prone to punishment than
love. We expect our Heavenly Father to be
that way. It is not that we won’t
experience the consequences of our sins,
but He delivered us from the eternal punishment
through the death of His Son. 4
The Psalmist David encourages us to: “Sing
praises to God and to His name! Sing loud
praises to Him who rides the clouds. His
name is LORD - - rejoice in His presence!
Father to the fatherless, defender of the
widows - - this is God, whose dwelling is
holy. God places the lonely in families.
He sets the prisoners free and gives them
joy. But for rebels, there is only famine
and distress.”5
For those of us who are no longer rebels,
“… rejoice in our wonderful
new relationship with God - - all because
of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for
us in making us friends of God.”6
The lack of love from an earthly father
may still hurt, but knowing the love of
our Heavenly Father gives us peace. We experience
His rest and love like we have never known.
“For we know how dearly God loves
us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit
to fill our hearts with His love.”7
Looking For Love
As a volunteer, my dad labored over nine-hundred
hours building a new Methodist church in
Copeville, Texas. I watched my dad dig twenty-foot
deep post holes for laying the foundation,
then work raising the walls and steeple.
My mom was the church treasurer, plus she
worked with a group of ladies cleaning the
building and serving the community. We attended
all the services, Sunday schools and vacation
Bible school. I was baptized at the age
of twelve, but I wasn’t born again,
so my heart wasn’t filled by the Holy
Spirit. I didn’t know the love of
God.
As often said, “I was looking for
love in all the wrong places.” Recently,
I heard a woman on a PBS program, in all
seriousness, say: “I felt this way
growing up, knew my friends would accept
[love] me more if I excelled in sports,
dressed the best, drunk the most and drove
the fastest. When I moved to California,
it became, if I took more drugs or if I
had more sex. Later with the peer pressure
of the Manson family, I felt I would be
accepted, if I pleased Charlie by carrying
out his orders.
I failed to realize the unconditional love
of my parents, so I ran from them, fearing
failure. I felt they wouldn’t love
me if I failed their expectations. Fear
is a great motivator to sin. It causes people
to lie, cheat, and trust in things that
cannot help. 8 I medicated
myself with drugs and worldly things, which
blinded me to their love and to God’s
unconditional love. I was dependent on the
love of people, places and things, instead
of a personal relationship with God and
a total dependency upon His love. I hadn’t
received the finished work of Christ at
the cross and baptism of the Holy Spirit.
God loved me - - no matter what! The love
of God casts out fear.9
Pure Motives
The Apostle Paul says, “The purpose
of my instruction is that all Christians
would be filled with love that comes from
a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere
faith.”10 I
believe my parents served God with love
that came from a pure heart, a clear conscience
and sincere faith. They rejoiced to see
my salvation before their homecoming with
the Lord.
How pure are your motives? I pray they
are changing as you reflect on God’s
word. 11 I spoke of
the motive for looking for more bodies from
the Manson family crimes in the last
month’s view. I agreed that justice
must be carried out at all cost, but at
the same time called for an examination
of our hearts to find our true motives for
looking. “For God has not given us
the spirit of fear, but of power, and of
love, and of a sound mind.” 12
It has been reported that a three day search
took place at the Barker Ranch in the Panamint
Range, beginning on Monday, May20, 2008,
and lasted throughout Wednesday. There were
no human remains found, because there were
no more murders. Hopefully this search will
put all rumors to rest. “Police say
they don’t know of anymore associated
with Manson who was reported missing after
the arrest.” (CNN – Behind
the scenes: Body hunt at Manson Ranch,
CNN.com, May 2008).
Let us pray for those who have lost loved
ones who have never been found around the
world. There are millions of people suffering
great tragedy in these days of turmoil.
Our hearts go out in great compassion to
those who are suffering, remembering Jesus,
our great High Priest, Who is “…touched
with the feelings of our infirmities.”13
Let us comfort others as we have been comforted
by the Holy Spirit. “All praise to
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He is the source of every mercy and the
God who comforts us. He comforts us in all
our troubles so that we can comfort others.
When others are troubled, we will be able
to give them the same comfort God has given
us.” 14
Here's A Prayer For You:
Our Father in Heaven, blessed is the Name
that demonstrates Your love. Jesus is the
love of God manifest in the flesh. Oh, grant
we may know Him and the comfort that comes
from our relationship with Him. Comfort
us in our troubles and bless those who are
suffering in these difficult times. We know
it will get worse soon, but trust that as
your word says: Many are the troubles of
the righteous, but the Lord, our God, delivers
us from them all. You are our faithful Father;
deliver us in our time of need. You are
to be praised at all times, in Jesus Name.
Amen.
Scripture References from the New Living
Translation:
1 Psa. 16:11
2 Neh. 8:10
3 Rom. 5:8
4 Rom. 5:10
5 Psa. 68:4-6
6 Rom. 5:11
7 Rom. 5:5
8 Zeph. 3:13
9 1John 4:16-19
10 1Tim. 1:5
11 2Cor. 3:18
12 2Tim. 1:17
13 Heb. 4:15
14 2Cor. 1:2,3
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