So Used to the Dark

    Early one morning my two youngest sons and I headed off to the eye doctor. They were anxious and excited – wondering if they would need glasses, and asking a million and one questions about what was going to happen.

   Together we sat in the waiting room. Together we went in to see the doctor. As he worked through the process of checking them, he turned off the light and shined his smaller light so my eleven year old could see the projected light on the wall. That left my seven year old and I sitting “in the dark.” Our eyes adjusted the dim lighting, when all of the sudden, the doctor reached over and flipped the switch – sending a flood of bright light back into the room.

   “Whoaaa,” said my youngest, “I got so used to the dark . . . “ he trailed off, rubbing his eyes. He had gotten so used to the dark he couldn’t stand the light.

   There in the eye doctors the Holy Spirit made His application. So used to the dark . . . he couldn’t stand the light. The enemy of our souls has also been called the “angel of light.” He has lots of practice at deception! Often he leads us into “gray areas” that head us into the dark . . . and before we know it, we can’t STAND the light!

   Keeping a love for the Word of God, communing with Him, and fellowshipping with those who love the LIGHT will keep us from getting used to the dark! As His Spirit lives in us, He can give us those gentle warnings that keep us from “getting used to the dark.”

   

Take it with You

“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

John 12:46

The "Inside" Mark

     With great anticipation we loaded up to go birthday shopping. We knew where we were headed – and were excited about the coming results! An engraved keychain – complete with an engraved PICTURE was what we were wanting.

    We made it to the store just fine, talked with the proprietors and gave the gentleman our flash drive. Now, for the waiting. It took a little time to get something like this accomplished, so, while we waited – and in between customers – the proprietors wife and I had delightful chats. She made most of the jewelry they sold in their store, and her creations were beautiful – and interesting.

    During one of these conversations she began telling me about sterling silver. Being from Columbia, gave her a delightful accent. She very emphatically told me that true sterling silver always had a mark on the INSIDE. If it didn’t have the INSIDE mark, it wasn’t true sterling – no matter what the advertisement said, or any sales person tried to tell you.

    “In my country,” she continued, “we always look for the inside mark.”

    Right there in the store – birthday shopping – it hit me. As followers of Christ, we are also citizens of another country! Citizens with an INSIDE mark!

    The precious blood of Jesus changes our hearts – and our citizenship! Being crucified with Christ marks us with the Cross. His resurrection power leaves the stamp of eternal life – and the indwelling of HIS Holy Spirit engraves Christ likeness deeper each day.   

    “Oh, God help me be STERLING! True blue – engraved with the inside mark of YOU!”

By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

Take it with You

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Philippians 3:20 & 21

On the Search

On the Search 

   Not long ago our family was coming from Indiana to Virginia for a visit and a birthday party! Late one night – or should I say early one morning – some of them arrived. We laughed and talked in spite of the hour, and then everyone crashed, getting ready for a couple of big days of celebration to come.

   Early the next morning preparations began. Some of us were in the kitchen; some of us were in the yard when my husband’s parents arrived. Those of us in the house gave our hugs and welcome’s and kept on working. I had just started to wonder if my husband knew his folks had arrived when I saw his mom scurrying through the door. “Had to go out and see my son,” she said. I realized what had happened. She had seen him – where he was – working on a lawn mower. She didn’t wait for him to finish, come in, clean up, and give her a proper hug and welcome. She walked across the unmown, dew laden grass, out to our shed to see her son!

   For the next few days the scene didn’t leave my mind. The Holy Spirit was reminding me through this everyday incident of the grace of our matchless, seeking, Savior! He is on the search! The plight we find ourselves in is no match for His mercy. No excuse holds back the pursuit of His love. No dilemma is too big for His grace.

   In fact, He left HEAVEN in search of each one of us. His search took Him to an old rugged Cross where He shed HIS blood for our sins. He doesn’t wait for us to become all proper and clean on our own. We can’t! It’s His blood that washes us and makes us clean! His arms are open – ready for the hug! Will you receive His love today?

   And to those of us who know Him . . . He wants us to join Him on the search . . .

By:Janene Dubbeld/FGG

Take it with You

“For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” Luke 18:11