FREE Things

Not too long after I purchased my Amazon Kindle e-reader a few years back, I discovered an online book club called BookBub.  When I signed up for the FREE service, I listed my favorite genres of literature along with my email and immediately began receiving a daily email with a list of potential books that I might enjoy reading… at very discounted prices.  After a while, I also noticed that they would regularly offer FREE books as well!  Then, following a hunch, I went onto to the Amazon website and learned that they list the FREE Kindle books that anyone can purchase for their connected e-reader.

Well… if you’re anything like me, then you probably don’t mind taking advantage of FREE offerings… Am I right?  So, while I still occasionally purchase eBooks, the vast majority of the books I now read are the FREE ones that I’ve downloaded.  Anytime I see a FREE offering that looks promising, I download it. Then in case I don’t like it, I simply delete from my Kindle library... which has enough books downloaded to it, that it would probably take me a couple of years to read them all!

And… while we are on the subject of FREE things… did you know that your Bible is stuffed full of FREE offerings that are available to you and me through our personal relationship with Jesus?  YES, IT IS TRUE!  And they are there for the taking!  All one has to do is to know what they are and how and when to activate and/or receive them into your life.

Philippians 4:4 in the Remedy Bible Translation tells us that these FREE things, be they blessings, strength, ability, wisdom, heath or financial stability… and much, much more, constitute the underlying reasons that we can and should,

“ Rejoice in the Lord always, and Again I say, Rejoice!”  (Philippians 4:4 - KJV)

The modern Remedy Bible details the workings of this verse and further expands our understanding by teaching us to,

“Revel in the Lord and in ALL that he has FREELY given you. Yes, rejoice in the Lord and IN ALL HE IS and (IN ALL He) PROVIDES!” 

And the key to KNOWING what all those FREE things are and how to RECEIVE them, is in the depth of yours and my personal relationship with the Lord… through our daily interactions with Him in His Word! 

The Lord has many times likened the workings of my personal relationship with Him to that of my relationship with my late wife Piper.  Throughout the 48 years that we were together, there was hardly ever a week that went by where I didn’t learn something new about her… and that happened because we made the time on a daily basis, to enjoy each other’s company.  Many times, it was a slow walk around the neighborhood, a ride in the car to the supermarket or simply a few quality moments alone as we got ready for bed.

And that is the same way that you and I get to know more of the intimate aspects of the Lord, what pleases him… as well as what does not… and to learn of the special things that He has provided for us as His children.  Colossians 1:27 explains that,

“God wanted his people throughout the world to know the glorious riches of this mystery-which is Christ living in you, giving you the expectation of glory.”        (God’s Word  

The two important words in order to best understand Paul’s point here, are the words “KNOW” and “GLORY.”  “To KNOW the glorious riches of this mystery…” is talking about having an intimate and deeply personal knowledge and understanding of the mystery that Paul describes as… “Christ living in you, giving you the expectation of GLORY.”  With GLORY defined in Thayer’s Greek Definitions as “God’s GOOD and POSITIVE opinion of YOU.”

When the understanding of that verse hit me yesterday, I couldn’t help but to HOOP and HOLLAR and scribble in my notes “If that doesn’t give someone a reason to REJOICE always… then I don’t know what will!”

When Piper’s negative health diagnosis came to light, there were a few individuals, who in their personal pain for Piper’s situation, took out their anger on me and said some very hurtful words… but you know… although it surprised me and stung at the same time… their opinion of me didn’t really matter… because I KNEW through my intimate and deeply personal relationships with both my wife and my Lord… that they BOTH had good, positive, supportive and loving opinions of me! 

And it was THOSE OPINIONS that got me through the roughest of times during the last eight years of Piper’s life… and to be perfectly honest… It is STILL the important opinions that has gotten me through every day since she went home to be with the Lord!

So YEAH… I like FREE things!  I enjoyed the FREE things that my wife and I shared with each other… and likewise, through my intimate and personal relationship with the Lord, I continue to enjoy the FREE things that He regularly shows me during the time that we make for each other… each and every day... for His opinion is the one that is most important to me!

So… do you want some FREE things… Then I think that you know what you need to do!

Have a terrific weekend!  Our weather has been absolutely gorgeous this last week… and I am loving it!  Be blessed and enjoy the FREE things that God has for you… and then share that info with others around you!

As A Reminder...

Have I ever mentioned that my wife Piper was a very JOYFUL person?  Okay, Okay… I supposed that I have let that be known… more than just a few times.  I’d be tempted to say that I’ve probably said it “more than a thousand times” but I can hear my wife’s sweet and tender voice saying inside my head, “JIM! Don’t Exaggerate!” …as I had been known to go a little over-the-top when telling a funny story…

But it is true… and she is one of the best examples that I know, of a person who truly lived the principles of her heart.  When she said something with that big, contagious smile on her face, there was never any doubt and or confusion as to what she said!  She also carefully chose the words that she used in order to best convey the love and encouragement that she was desiring to express.

I thought about that trait of hers this morning when reading from the Apostle Paul’s second epistle to the church in Corinth.  In the closing verses of the letter, he reminds and encourages his readers saying,

“Finally, brethren, BE JOYFUL, secure perfection of character, take courage, be of one mind, live in peace. And then God who gives love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11 – Weymouth)

A few of the other translations, including the King James Version, use the word “farewell” or “goodbye” in place of the term “BE JOYFUL.”  But I believe that this is an incorrect translation from the Greek.  In fact, all three of the literal translation Bibles that I have, translate Paul’s words as “REJOICE!”

I point this out so as to state that Paul, like my wife, was very precise in the words that he penned to the early Christian churches.  Over the years, I have heard different Bible teachers negate the powerful truth that Paul was expressing in his letters… and especially in the introduction and closing of them, by explaining that the choice of his words were simply general greetings, salutations or closing remarks… and not to be taken as anything else.

Both Peter and Jude along with Paul, told the readers of their epistles that it was important for them to,

 “remind you about what you already know,” *

and I believe that this is exactly what Paul was doing here, as well in the conclusion of many of his other letters to the churches.  As we discussed in our last blog post,** “BE JOYFUL” or “BE REJOICING” was a personal lifestyle choice of Paul’s and a major theme that is threaded throughout all of his epistles and is especially highlighted in the book of Philippians… which, once again, was written during one of the most difficult times in his life.

It makes perfect sense therefore, that Paul would want to take one last opportunity, at the conclusions of his letters, to remind the churches of what he termed in Philippians 4:12-13 as “THE SECRET” declaring,

“I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’M TRAINED IN THE SECRET of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power (or in agreement with his theme for the entire epistle, one could insert ‘Christ’s explosive JOY’***) infuses me to conquer every difficulty.” (The Passion Translation) 

So, as you can see, Paul wasn’t one to waste his words.  And just as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says that “All scripture is inspired by God and is beneficial…” he made sure that what was beneficial for us to know, was repeatedly stated in order for us to put it into current, active and daily usage in our lives!

So, what did he keep remining us?  And therefore…Do you know and live “THE SECRET” in your life?

Have a great weekend, and as you do… Keep BEing JOYFUL and keep EXPECTING God’s BEST… and then… let His BEST and your JOY ooze all over everyone around you!

 

*See: 2 Peter 1:12 / Jude 1:5 - God’s Word ©

**http://pjberruto.blogspot.com/2023/09/be-rejoicing.html

***Throughout the Bible there are comparisons make between the JOY of the Lord and His strength – for example: Nehemiah 8:10 / Romans 15:32

BE - Rejoicing!

 Be*

[ bee; unstressed bee, bi ]

 VERB

·       having the state, quality, identity, nature, role, etc., specified:

·       to occupy a place or position:

 

I have recently found myself being drawn back to the Biblical book of Philippians.  It, along with the New Testament books of Colossians and Ephesians are my favorite books in the Bible and throughout the years, have rotated back and forth in order of top preference to me!

One of the most interesting… and I must say “EXCITING” and unique aspects of this letter was that it was written during one of the lowest times in Paul’s life, when he was confined in a dingy jail cell while waiting for the final decision of his case… which most likely would be concluded with his death.

Now, you’re most likely wondering how I could possibly consider calling the background of this letter as “EXCITING!”  Well… you’d have to read the letter to understand… and when you do read this letter, you’ll quickly realize that it is the most cheerful, joyous and encouraging letter to his readers that Paul ever wrote!

I have heard it said that “The book of Philippians is Paul’s personal manifesto on how to live a life full of joy.”**  In every chapter you’ll repeatedly find the words “JOY, REJOICING” or “BE GLAD” as the Apostle speaks of and describes the attitude of his life and encourages his followers to BE the same!

The one verse that seems to sum up the entire book is found in Philippians 4:4 where Paul simply stated,

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” (KJV) 

My current favorite version of this profound statement is from the modern Passion Translation Bible, where the translators help the reader to understand Paul’s intent and thereby allow for an easier practical application of the verse by saying,

“BE cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let (your) joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One!” 

But the simplest and most accurate translation of the verse that gives the clearest language to Paul’s meaning, is found in the Kenneth S. Wuest New Testament, Expanded Translation where he wrote,

“BE rejoicing in the Lord always. Again I say, BE rejoicing.”

I say the ‘clearest language’ because of the emphasis on the words “BE Rejoicing”…for therein is Paul’s clear intent on the meaning of and life action that he is trying to convey to us, his readers.

You’ll notice from the definitions of the word “BE” on the title of today’s post, that “BE” describes the lifestyle of the one who “occupies the position, the state, the quality, the identity, the nature, and the role specified” …which role in this case, is to “BE Rejoicing!”

Robertson’s Word Pictures tells us that the ancient Greek word “REJOICE” that is used throughout the book of Philippians, is a “Present Active Imperative” which in the original Greek, “is a command that is expected to be followed not only once, but as an ongoing process.”***

My late wife Piper was a perfect living and breathing example of the point that Paul was making throughout the book of Philippians and of this verse in particular.  In the 48 years that we were together… beginning in high school, almost 53 years to the day today… I would be hard-pressed to remember a time when she was without a smile on her face, an encouraging word emanating from her lips and a special JOY that originated from a deep conviction of the love of Jesus Christ.

She, like the Apostle Paul, was proof that such a lifestyle could actually exist in today’s topsy-turvy world.  But that doesn’t mean that it is an easy lifestyle to maintain.  It takes lots of practice, lots of time spent in fellowship with the Lord in His Word, a positive and supportive circle of like-minded friends… and sometimes daily – or even moment-by-moment decisions to “BE Rejoicing” …in the midst of any situation or circumstance that should arise throughout your daily life.

I’ve personally learned that to “BE Rejoicing” helps me to think before I react to adverse situations, keeps me in a peaceful state of mind and body and assists me in thinking, saying and then doing the right thing at the right time (most of the time…)!

So… what do you think about all that?  How are you at “BEing Rejoicing” at all times? 

I think that we could all improve at this… But as far as I am concerned… If God, through the Apostle Paul says that it is possible… then – I can do it… for as the above Passion Translation explains: “we are united with the Anointed One!”  And then a few verses later Paul also reminds us that:

“We can do everything through Christ who strengthens us.” 

You know?  It’s really pretty straight forward when you think about it.  It is a way of life that the Word tells us to live… and then goes on to teach us HOW to DO it and HOW to MAINTAIN it in our lives!  Isn’t God Good!

Have a great rest of your short work week, and as you do… “BE Rejoicing” and let God’s BEST direct you and pour through you unto others!

 

 

*Oxford Online Dictionaries/dictionary.com

** Introduction to “Be Joyful” by Warren W. Wierbe / Published by David C Cook -         Second Edition 2008

*** https://www.ancientgreekkeyboard.com/grammar-practice/present-active-imperative-verb-endings.html

FRESH!

FRESH!

When Piper and I first moved to our new home in the countryside near the small but growing town of Fuquay-Varina in North Carolina, we did the majority of our grocery shopping at the Super-Walmart located in one of the newer shopping centers in the city.  But one day, on the way to get our hair cut at the local Great Clips, I noticed another grocery store whose chain I had heard of before… but had never been in one.  So, the next time we needed some groceries, we decided to give the big Kroger store a try… and I must say… when we walked in… I was in for a big surprise!

Going through the big sliding doors, we were instantly captivated by the largest, brightly lit, attractively displayed and seemingly unending selection of the FRESHEST looking fruits and vegetables that I had seen in quite a while!  I was so enamored by the sight before me, that I may have even wondered aloud to Piper, if the field workers were outside the store unloading the FRESHLY picked harvest from trucks at that very moment! 

Needless to say… from the day forward, we split our grocery shopping into two trips.  One to Kroger’s for their FRESH fruits and vegetables and the other to Walmart for all our other grocery needs.  We were saddened latter on when the parent company of Kroger decided to close all the Kroger’s stores in our area and convert them into the more upscale Harris Teeter stores.  We had shopped at the Harris Teeter located at the other end of town and were happy with that store as well.  The problem was that they closed our more convenient Kroger location while they renovated the store and it didn’t reopen until just before I moved to Oklahoma.  

The memory of the strong reactions that I experienced, almost every time we walked into the FRESH produce section of that Kroger store in North Carolina, came back to me one morning this week when I realized how much that reaction is similar to my walking through the Word of God… just about every time I study my Bible… first thing each morning!

You know?  I can’t ever recall a time when either Piper or I grew tired or bored with God’s Word.  It has always been FRESH to us!  I remember when someone asked me if Piper’s diagnosis had shaken my faith… and I was a little stunned by the question!  For my immediate answer was absolutely NOT!  In fact, if it did anything, it drew me deeper and closer in my personal relationship with the Lord… for if I ever needed a FRESH empowering in my life, it was right then and there!

Today marks the fifth anniversary of Piper’s homegoing and I continue… with an even greater dedication of purpose… to sense the excitement and adventures that await me when I open my Bible (or Bible Study program) early each morning.  Yes, my entire life was turned upside down when she went to her well-deserved heavenly reward, and I am still adjusting to that loss to this day… but my God hasn’t changed (see: Hebrews 13:8) and neither has my strong faith in Him and the truth of His Word.  After all, it was our unwavering trust in His Word that brought us through every aspect and event of our lives up to and including where I am today… sitting here in my study in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma!

II Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that,

“All Scripture is inspired by God, and is beneficial for teaching, redirecting, correcting and training—to promote character transformation— so that the man (and Woman) of God may be PERFECT, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”    (The Remedy/KJV) 

This verse perfectly explains the daily anticipation and expectation that awaits me when I travel through the various adventures within the pages of God’s Word.  Paul told his young protégé Timothy, that the Word of God is the Almighty’s instructional handbook that is available to you and me so that we “may be PERFECT” and “thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

The first definition of the Greek word translated in the King James Version as “PERFECT” is to be “FRESH” and also implies being “complete” and “having the special aptitude for given uses,” (Strong’s and Thayer’s)

Therefore, when I complete my morning Bible study each day, I am FRESH and/or as the popular idiom says, “loaded for bear!”  Meaning that “I am ready for anything, prepared to fight and/or able to overcome any challenge”* that awaits me that day!

I don’t know exactly why it is… but I love FRESH fruits and vegetables.  Maybe it’s because I was raised by parents with green thumbs who enjoyed growing FRESH vegetables as well as picking FRESH fruits from the branches of the over 14 trees, I counted one time in our family’s front and backyards… not to mention the big vegetable gardens Piper and I had when our kids were growing up!

So Yeah, I got excited when I walked into the large and colorful produce section at that Kroger’s store in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina… just like I get excited and highly EXPECTANT when I sit down to enjoy a FRESH serving of the Word of God each morning!

Is that similar to the way that you experience the FRESHNESS of the Word of God in your life?  I sure hope so!

I hope that all of you here in the USA are all having a wonderful Labor Day holiday… and I pray the same thing for those of you who live in others places in the world!  I had an interesting and (rather long) conversation the other day, with an Amazon Customer Service Supervisor who was located in Georgetown, Guyana!  It was fun to interact and share life with someone in another country… it gave me a FRESH perspective about life in South America!

Be blessed and enjoy the FRESH perspective and empowerment that regular time in the Word of God gives to you!

 

*“Loaded for bear” idiom meaning / merriam-webster.com

Take Your Daily Vitamin!

I may have told this story before, but years ago, when I was in the beginning stages of my work career, I gained employment as a part-time Sales Clerk in the Sporting Goods department at our local Sears department store, while attending Santa Rosa Junior College. 

My memories of the five years that I eventually spent there are quite pleasant.  I made many friends amongst the other part-timers (a good many of them in my age group) and with the older, full-time, seasoned workers.  I also enjoyed interacting with the customers, helping them with our products and sharing a laugh or two along the way.

There was one time in particular though, that I remember when my laugh was not shared by the customer.  It was in the early summer months of 1972 when a customer marched up to me and irritably handed me a plastic air mattress.  She proceeded to tell me that she had bought the air mattress the previous summer for 99 cents and when she went to inflate it again this year (after the previous summer’s usage), she discovered a leak and was demanding her money back.

Well… I am not sure why… but it just hit me as being very funny and I looked up at her and said, “Well… what do you expect for 99 cents?” 

And like I alluded to… she did NOT see the humor in my statement, so I quickly informed her that I would refund her purchase and went on to explain the reasoning behind my response to her*… while I filled out the prerequisite return slip (with a smile on my face) for her to take to the Customer Service counter right next to our department.

As she huffed away, I remember thinking that she and I had different intentions and attitudes about the purchase and realized that my explanation went right over her head!  But never-the-less, I got a good laugh over it and was able to enjoy the story with my co-workers for days to come!

That particular memory popped up again in my thoughts as I studied a portion of scripture found in Hebrews 4:12 where the writer explained the reasoning behind the Word of God and declared that,

“God's word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God's word judges a person's thoughts and intentions.”  (God’s Word ©) 

It was the last part of the verse that specifically caught my attention with the idea that “God’s Word judges a person’s thoughts and intentions”

A quick glance at the Remedy Version really brought the meaning home to me personally when it stated that the Word,

“also diagnoses the true INTENTIONS, ATTITUDES and PRINCIPLES of the heart.” 

Since that experience as a college student working at Sears, I’ve repeatedly learned that many individuals have different Intentions, Attitudes and Principles than I do… even some of those that are close to me!  This realization became vividly apparent to me when Piper was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. 

Through lots of confusion and frustration that drove me to my knees in prayer, I slowly became aware that even though certain people SAY that they have the same kind of faith that I do and think that they understand me… it doesn’t necessarily mean that their experiences, understanding and personal conception of their faith and their view of life… is just like mine!

Through the regular study of God’s Word (as our verse implies) I began to get insights into the heart of people and gain the ability to discern some of the more advantageous ways in which to successfully communicate with the people that Piper and I were interacting with. 

I started to see how certain words, subjects and verbal or visual attitudes could adversely affect our conversations.  I learned to avoid certain subjects completely, to keep some of the information I needed to share as positive as possible… and at times (many times in fact)… to just to keep my mouth shut and smile!

The Lord had instructed me early on after Piper was diagnosed, to saturate her in the Word.  My initial thought was that this was to keep us focused on God’s abilities, on His miracle working power, to build our faith and to increase our stamina and joy. 

What I didn’t realize until a few years into our journey, was that it was also so that He could teach us the right social-interaction and behavioral skills to successfully navigate through this intense time in our lives… both for our good and the good of those who also played a part (whether willingly or unwillingly) in our adventures in faith!

So you see, that regular study in the Word of God is not only necessary for the training and growth of a person’s spiritual side… but just as importantly… for the natural side of men and women and boys and girls as well!  The Word is the all-in-one Daily VITAMIN for the whole person!

I take my daily VITAMIN… How About YOU?

Have a great weekend!  We are FINALLY getting a break in the outrageously hot temperatures we’ve had for the last few weeks with temperatures in the 90’s today and 80’s for the next few days following!  I hope you can do something FUN this weekend… and as you do… share some of the JOYS of living in God’s BEST with the others around you!

 

 

*At the time I was recalling all the inexpensive air mattresses that my parents would buy for me and my siblings each year for our camping adventures… and without fail… the mattresses would never last the week or so that we were gone!  Between sleeping on them by night and floating down the river on them by day… the last day of the vacation was inevitably slept in our sleeping bags with nothing but the hard ground under us!  So, I actually thought that the customer had done really well, if the mattress had lasted one whole summer!

Shades of Silver...

My wife and I started talking about the possibility of us getting a new car back in 2008 while I was attending Bible college out here in Oklahoma.  I had sold my Camaro before we moved from California in order to help finance our new adventure and figured that we could share my wife’s Suburban during our temporary stay in Oklahoma.  Then after being here a few months, a new friend from school and his wife prayed and decided to give us one of their cars.

At the time it seemed like a gift from heaven and all was great for a few months until I came out after school one afternoon and discovered that the Suburban would not start… you have to understand that except for one warranty covered item during the first few months after we had purchased the truck new in 1998, that the vehicle had NEVER gone to the shop except for new tires, brake pads, oil changes and the California smog inspections.  It had been an indestructible and dependable transport for Piper and the four kids as well as for our many trailer towing vacations… and every load in-between!

But after that first episode, which turned out to be an in-tank fuel pump, it seemed like one of the two cars was down for the next two years!  So, in that state of mind we began to talk about and look at new vehicles.  I had been thinking about a sports wagon similar to the Mazda 3 hatchback and discussed it with a member of my team at work who had a similar model.  Piper and I even went out to a local dealership to check one out… and that was the plan until both of our cars went down at the same time and we had to rent a car until the Suburban was fixed…again!

Well, low and behold, it was following a snow storm in early December of 2008 and the only car that the National Rental lot had available was a bright red Mustang!  We ended up driving that car for almost a month… and fell in love with it!  From then on, the focus of my research was on Mustangs.  But… with Piper’s worsening health and the majority of our finances going in that direction… the Mustang dream… was just that… a dream… a FAITH dream.

Many years and a couple of states later, that dream began to take physical shape in the form of the 2009 Mustang GT Premium convertible that we purchased online from a specialty dealership in Richmond Virgina and had shipped to us in North Carolina in the fall of 2015.

By that time, I had seriously been researching and looking for a Mustang GT convertibles that fit my specifications, desires and requirements from all over the country for about six months.  This particular car checked all the boxes except that it had an automatic instead of a manual transmission, I wasn’t sure of the exterior color and it was a little higher than the price I had set… but it had the difficult to find red leather interior, the right rims, extremely low milage and looked like a brand-new, showroom quality car.  So, we prayed, got the okay and scooped it up!

I had never been drawn to silver colored cars, but this one was called Siver Vapor and was darker in shade in that it could almost be called grey… which is how the dealer had it marked on the key tags for the car.  And well… when the transport pulled into our apartment parking lot… any doubts instantly evaporated… to us, the car was simply gorgeous!

That car was a breath of fresh air to me in the midst of the very trying circumstances of Piper’s worsening condition and the outside influences that I had to deal with.  For us, to hop in that car and drive away with the top down… enjoying the nuances of the sounds, sights and smells of the countryside… along with the mesmerizing rumble of the twin tuned, chrome-tipped exhausts… was an experience like, as Piper had underlined in her old NAS Bible, where Peter exclaimed,

“…joy inexpressible and full of glory!” (I Peter 1:8 – NASB)

I learned a lot about the power of God’s GRACE during those days in the rural countryside of North Carolina.  I learned to forgive others and to give my frustrations and confusion to God.  I learned not to judge other’s behaviors when I really knew nothing about what was going on inside of them.

I learned to “Gird my mind for action…”  - GOD’S ACTIONS of LOVE - and to,

“Keep sober in spirit and to fix my hope (or expectations) completely on the GRACE to be brought to me at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 1:13 – NASB)

That car became a vivid example of God’s GRACE shinning forth to me as my world turned upside down.  Every time I looked at it, I was graphically reminded that God’s GRACE is not Black and White, but beautiful, shimmering metallic shades of Silver… like the silver locket that I gave as a first gift to Piper in High School some 45 years before our move across country.  My love for her and her love for me was always reflected in that locket which she wore throughout our dating and marriage days… and it always symbolized the loving and gentle GRACE of God for us… whether we deserved it at any given time or not!

In Ephesians 1: 7-8, the Apostle Paul characterized the GRACE of God and its power working in our lives and described it as,

“…the cascading riches of the superabundance of GRACE that is already powerfully working in us, releasing within us all forms of wisdom and practical understanding.” (The Passion Translation)

And so, even though we only owned that car for a relatively short period of time and decided to exchange it for a car that would fit Piper’s new custom wheelchair, it still is a living memory in my heart of the sweet, tender but yet bold and powerful GRACE of God who loves us unconditionally… and that by which I too learned, to love even the un-lovely with the unconditional love of God… in the midst of ANY circumstances that life sends our way!

Always remember… That God’s GRACE is never Black and White, but sweet, soft, forgiving, and beautiful shades of Silver!

Have a GREAT and GRACE – FILLED week!  I went out earlier this morning to quickly trim a bush and came back inside less than a ½ hour later soaked to the skin!  Whew-ee!  Welcome to a wonderful Oklahoma summer!

Phony-Baloney!

 phony-baloney

[ foh-nee-buh-loh-nee ]

---

Noun:  nonsense; baloney.

Adjective: nonsensical; foolish.

 

I have found myself in a whimsical mood the last few days, and especially so when in the midst of my morning Bible study/Coffee time with the Lord… which in itself is a little unusual, as we have had a round of early (read that: ‘Very Early’) morning thunderstorms for at least a week running now.  And if you have a big 65 lb dog like mine who gets quite nervous and shakes with the streaks of lightning, booming thunder and heavy rain pelting the roof… then you know that even with a little sedative… he still needs me to stay up and comfort him! 

Thus… I’ve been less than energetic and alert when I sit down in my study with my coffee, Bible study program and notepad.

But a funny thing kept happening every time I got into the midst of my study time… and maybe the exhaustion has something to do with it… but I found myself getting energized with a CHEERFUL expression on my face, and an EXCITED and HIGHLY EXPECTANT feeling building up inside of me!

One of the standby verses of scripture that I have been writing down and studying for a few weeks now, is in Romans 1:16-17.  I mentioned this verse in a post at the end of last month and how it talks about the gospel of Christ as being “the power of God unto salvation for everyone of us who believe in it…” and reveals the righteousness of God through our personal actions of faith… and sums it up by stating that “the just shall live by faith.”  (KJV)

What’s interesting is that the meaning of “shall live” in the original Greek, defines “a life alive with cheered, excited and highly expectant feelings.” (Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary)  No wonder I’ve been quickly elevated into a whimsical mood!

Then, in the midst of that whimsical mood, I turned in my continuing study of “living by faith” to James 2:17 in The Passion Translation and read,

“So then, faith that doesn’t involve action is PHONY.” 

And I immediately burst out laughing, quickly reverted to my childhood and started rhythmically singing: ♫ PHONY-BALONEY! ♪ PHONY-BALONEY! ♫

The Message Bible supports this implied foolishness, or as the Oxford Online Dictionaries defines as “a lack of good sense”, by making the statement:

“Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is OUTRAGEOUS NONSENSE?” 

Who ever said that God doesn’t have a sense of humor… and in the midst of the humor, He makes a very strong point in demonstrating the folly of those who say that they believe in the Word of God, will even recite some meaningful verses that have to do with their need… but then… take no action that would demonstrate the confession of their faith.

The next verse further explains the Apostle Paul’s teaching, by simply declaring:

"Show me how anyone can have faith without actions. I will show you my faith by my actions." (James 2:18- Good News Bible)

I think that the good Lord will use humor as secret weapon that allows Him to prove a point to a believer, that they might not ordinarily be open to hear…

Personal point in view… As I was gleefully singing my little child’s gotcha verse “Phony-Baloney”, I began to review the different people that I have witnessed over the years who talked a good story… but… for whatever reason… didn’t have the understanding, or possibly the personal revelation of God’s love for them, or maybe lacked the confidence to take an action based on their confession of faith in God and His Word…

But then it hit me hard… and I straightened up in my chair… and got really serious… because I saw myself doing the same thing at different times in my past! 

GULP!  Not real funny then!

So, while I can’t really judge anyone else… I can and should look at myself and admit to the faults of my past… but then also see the great strides that I have made and the lessons I have learned as I have sought to:

“Love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind.” (Matthew 22:37 - God’s Word © personalized) 

You know… at times I enjoy a good bologna sandwich with a slice of cheese on white bread!  It brings back pleasant memories of my childhood and the loads of fun I had… But it wasn’t much fun when friends occasionally told me that I was being a “PHONY-BALONEY” when I made a statement concerning something I said I could do… or something I said that I believed in… and didn’t prove it by my actions!

As an adult… and especially as a Christian adult… I work diligently to assure that the words I speak are clearly supported and demonstrated by the actions I take in response to those words!  I want to set a good example to those around me and also let the Lord know that I am serious about my relationship with Him!

How About You?

It looks like we might get a little reprieve from the early morning storms for the next few days!  I have a roofer coming out to check out a few water dribbles I spotted coming through a ceiling AC vent… (situated right over the bathroom sink… thank God!)  The nice thing is that the summer storms brought quite a relief to the triple digit temperatures we were having! PTL!

Have a great rest of your week, and as you do… EXPECT GOD’s BEST and think about the PHONY-BALONEY’s in your life… while seeking to get your walk in tune to your talk!