Someone has said that Influence is the most potent factor that accompanies life. It is something we all exert, although some exert more influence than others. We actually exert a twofold influence -- the conscious and the unconscious. We do our greatest work (either for good or bad) in the realm of unconscious influence because we all accomplish more in what we are than by what we say or do. So we will no doubt accomplish as much with our radiations as we will with our exhortations.
We remember that it was Stephen's radiations (his face shone like an angel), rather than his exhortations, that brought Saul under conviction and led to his conversion.
We are making the world better or worse by the life we live. We are either a blessing or a blight; someone is sure to be lifted by our righteousness or contaminated by our unrighteousness. What kind of an influence are you exerting? A good influence is like loosing a white-winged dove that will be the messenger of love and good will, but a bad influence is like letting go of a black-winged bat.
Someone said it this way: "Oh, influence, how solemn! Oh, influence, how awful! Oh, influence, how momentous!"
I like this story regarding Influence by William Barker:
"A youthful giant slouched into an Illinois schoolroom one day after school. The teacher, Mentor Graham, looked up and recognized the young husky standing there awkwardly as the new young buck who had recently moved to town and who had whipped the daylights out of all the local toughs. Graham looked up and down the six-foot-four inches of muscle and ignorance before him and offered to help him read and to lend him a few books. No one remembers Mentor Graham nowadays. He was one of the quiet men, but his pupil will be remembered for a long time. His name was Abraham Lincoln!"
Monday, May 13, 2019
Friday, May 10, 2019
Happy Mother's Day!
To meet the many demands of motherhood, it is so important to begin the day with Jesus. I like the little quote that says, "If a day is hemmed in prayer, it is less likely to unravel." I also love this one: "Every morning lean thine arms awhile upon the window sill of heaven and gaze upon thy Lord. Then, with this vision in thy heart, turn strong to meet thy day." As Mothers, we must keep ever before us the vital importance of prayer and obedience to God. According to Proverbs 31, this kind of Mother is invaluable. The Scripture says her price is far above rubies; no quantity of precious stones can be equal to her worth!
There is great joy in being a Mother, but there is great responsibility, also. Sometimes there are tears, heartaches, and sorrows, but I believe some of life's greatest joys come from being a Mother! I wonder what the Lord would like to do with the little ones you hold in your hand today, dear Mother? Nothing is impossible with God! I think of Moses -- how his Mother hid him as a baby, and then made a little ark for him and put it out on the water --how Pharaoh's daughter found him, spared his life --and later God used him to deliver His people out of Egyptian bondage. As Mothers, may we realize anew that God has given us the secret weapon of prayer, and throughout His Word, has given us wonderful examples of the power of prayer.
I believe that, as a Mother, our responsibility for our family never ends, even though the children may be married and gone from home. I think of Judah when he was pleading for Benjamin; he made quite a long plea, ending with -- "How shall I go up to my Father and the lad be not with me"! That tugs at my heartstrings, and makes me want to fall on my knees and pour out my heart to God for my children and grandchildren. Mothers--perhaps we need to be more like the prophet, Jeremiah, weeping day and night for the salvation of our families.
Mothers--we are the heart of the home -- the glue that holds the family together and makes the home a haven of peace and love and joy. Sometimes your load may seem overwhelming, but God has promised His grace will be sufficient for the needs of each day. Perhaps we can think of our children as little gardens that God has given us to oversee. We want the best soil for our little gardens, which we might think of as the instructions in God's Word. Then we need to fertilize our gardens with daily prayer.
In this little Blog, I have put a lot of emphasis on prayer, but I believe that godly, praying mothers are greatly needed today. We are busy, and sometimes feel almost overwhelmed with the cares of life, but I believe Jesus would like to burn into our hearts this mystery -- that the most important work we have to do is that which must be done on our knees, alone with God, away from the bustle of the world.
In closing, I want to share this beautiful poem, "The Builder", by an unknown author. I pray that it will speak to the heart of every Mother and deepen our desire and longing to be Mothers of prayer!
"A builder built a temple; he wrought it with care and skill --
Pillars and doors and arches, all fashioned to work his will.
And men said, as they saw its beauty, 'it shall never know decay.
Great is thy skill, O builder! Thy fame shall endure for aye.'
A Mother built a temple with infinite loving care,
Planning each arch with patience, laying each stone with prayer.
None praised her unceasing effort, none knew of her wond'rous plan.
For the temple the Mother built was unseen by the eye of man.
Gone is the builder's temple -- crumbled into the dust;
Low lies each stately pillar; food for consuming rust.
But the temple the Mother built will last while the ages roll,
For the beautiful unseen temple, was a child's immortal soul."
Happy Mother's Day to each of you, with a special wish for the Mothers' I hold in my heart:
My daughter, Paula
My three daughter-in-laws: Barb, Jess, and Mandy
My granddaughter-in-law, Brittany
There is great joy in being a Mother, but there is great responsibility, also. Sometimes there are tears, heartaches, and sorrows, but I believe some of life's greatest joys come from being a Mother! I wonder what the Lord would like to do with the little ones you hold in your hand today, dear Mother? Nothing is impossible with God! I think of Moses -- how his Mother hid him as a baby, and then made a little ark for him and put it out on the water --how Pharaoh's daughter found him, spared his life --and later God used him to deliver His people out of Egyptian bondage. As Mothers, may we realize anew that God has given us the secret weapon of prayer, and throughout His Word, has given us wonderful examples of the power of prayer.
I believe that, as a Mother, our responsibility for our family never ends, even though the children may be married and gone from home. I think of Judah when he was pleading for Benjamin; he made quite a long plea, ending with -- "How shall I go up to my Father and the lad be not with me"! That tugs at my heartstrings, and makes me want to fall on my knees and pour out my heart to God for my children and grandchildren. Mothers--perhaps we need to be more like the prophet, Jeremiah, weeping day and night for the salvation of our families.
Mothers--we are the heart of the home -- the glue that holds the family together and makes the home a haven of peace and love and joy. Sometimes your load may seem overwhelming, but God has promised His grace will be sufficient for the needs of each day. Perhaps we can think of our children as little gardens that God has given us to oversee. We want the best soil for our little gardens, which we might think of as the instructions in God's Word. Then we need to fertilize our gardens with daily prayer.
In this little Blog, I have put a lot of emphasis on prayer, but I believe that godly, praying mothers are greatly needed today. We are busy, and sometimes feel almost overwhelmed with the cares of life, but I believe Jesus would like to burn into our hearts this mystery -- that the most important work we have to do is that which must be done on our knees, alone with God, away from the bustle of the world.
In closing, I want to share this beautiful poem, "The Builder", by an unknown author. I pray that it will speak to the heart of every Mother and deepen our desire and longing to be Mothers of prayer!
"A builder built a temple; he wrought it with care and skill --
Pillars and doors and arches, all fashioned to work his will.
And men said, as they saw its beauty, 'it shall never know decay.
Great is thy skill, O builder! Thy fame shall endure for aye.'
A Mother built a temple with infinite loving care,
Planning each arch with patience, laying each stone with prayer.
None praised her unceasing effort, none knew of her wond'rous plan.
For the temple the Mother built was unseen by the eye of man.
Gone is the builder's temple -- crumbled into the dust;
Low lies each stately pillar; food for consuming rust.
But the temple the Mother built will last while the ages roll,
For the beautiful unseen temple, was a child's immortal soul."
Happy Mother's Day to each of you, with a special wish for the Mothers' I hold in my heart:
My daughter, Paula
My three daughter-in-laws: Barb, Jess, and Mandy
My granddaughter-in-law, Brittany
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Mother's Day!
When we say the word, "Mother", it brings a flood of loving memories to our hearts. I am very thankful and blessed to be able to say with the Psalmist -- "I have a goodly heritage". I thank the Lord that I was privileged to have a mother who instilled in me a love for God, His people, and His Holy Day!
Mother taught me obedience -- respect for others -- to be truthful -- and the value of a loving family. She showed me by her example the importance of God's Holy Word -- to read it faithfully, to love it, and to obey it!
Mother was a wonderful cook -- a friend to all -- a great encourager; in short, a wonderful mother and wife.
I thank the Lord that I had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home filled with love and peace and happiness!
I consider being a Mother (and now a grandmother and great grandmother) one of the greatest joys in life, but it is also one of the greatest responsibilities! To realize that God has entrusted to our care a never-dying soul should cause us to daily seek His face for wisdom and guidance. I love the sweet story in the second chapter of Exodus where Pharaoh's daughter came to bathe at the river and saw the little ark holding baby Moses. My favorite part is in verse 9 where she said to Miriam --"Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages." To me, this is such a lovely picture of Jesus asking each of us mothers to train our children for Him, and He will reward us with joy and multiple blessings as we endeavor to do our best!
I love this little poem entitled, Mother's Altar: "Many years ago I knelt and bowed my head in prayer upon a checkered apron as my mother stroked my hair. I have knelt at many altars of wood, of gold, of stone; but that gingham-covered altar is the sweetest I have known." It is certainly true that the value of a loving mother cannot be overestimated. "Who taught my infant lips to pray, to love God's Holy Word and Day, and walk in wisdom's pleasant way? My Mother!"
The importance of prayer cannot be over-emphasized! Hannah is a great example of a praying Mother. In half of all the verses about her in I Samuel, she is praying and her prayers produced one of the great heroes of the Bible -- her son, Samuel.
I read the story of a merchant ship named the Star of India which survived collision, a mutiny and a
terrible cyclone on 21 trips around the world. Her cargo included coal, timber, sugar and salmon, but more significant than these was the human cargo she bore carrying immigrants to New Zealand. Over 400 people would pack the airless steerage compartments and tiny wooden berths for four months on the tossing sea. Those brave souls that sailed on the Star of India risked everything to begin a new life. They were committed to facing the dangers and enduring the hardships in hope of making a safe harbor.
As mothers, God has placed in our care the precious cargo of our children, and we are on a journey also. We, too, will face some storms -- some sacrifice -- some self-denial -- but there is never a place to give up -- and if we will pay all the price to make it in to the safe harbor of heaven with the family in our hand, it will be worth a thousand times more than all the hardships of the journey! Amen! God bless you!
Mother taught me obedience -- respect for others -- to be truthful -- and the value of a loving family. She showed me by her example the importance of God's Holy Word -- to read it faithfully, to love it, and to obey it!
Mother was a wonderful cook -- a friend to all -- a great encourager; in short, a wonderful mother and wife.
I thank the Lord that I had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home filled with love and peace and happiness!
I consider being a Mother (and now a grandmother and great grandmother) one of the greatest joys in life, but it is also one of the greatest responsibilities! To realize that God has entrusted to our care a never-dying soul should cause us to daily seek His face for wisdom and guidance. I love the sweet story in the second chapter of Exodus where Pharaoh's daughter came to bathe at the river and saw the little ark holding baby Moses. My favorite part is in verse 9 where she said to Miriam --"Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages." To me, this is such a lovely picture of Jesus asking each of us mothers to train our children for Him, and He will reward us with joy and multiple blessings as we endeavor to do our best!
I love this little poem entitled, Mother's Altar: "Many years ago I knelt and bowed my head in prayer upon a checkered apron as my mother stroked my hair. I have knelt at many altars of wood, of gold, of stone; but that gingham-covered altar is the sweetest I have known." It is certainly true that the value of a loving mother cannot be overestimated. "Who taught my infant lips to pray, to love God's Holy Word and Day, and walk in wisdom's pleasant way? My Mother!"
The importance of prayer cannot be over-emphasized! Hannah is a great example of a praying Mother. In half of all the verses about her in I Samuel, she is praying and her prayers produced one of the great heroes of the Bible -- her son, Samuel.
I read the story of a merchant ship named the Star of India which survived collision, a mutiny and a
terrible cyclone on 21 trips around the world. Her cargo included coal, timber, sugar and salmon, but more significant than these was the human cargo she bore carrying immigrants to New Zealand. Over 400 people would pack the airless steerage compartments and tiny wooden berths for four months on the tossing sea. Those brave souls that sailed on the Star of India risked everything to begin a new life. They were committed to facing the dangers and enduring the hardships in hope of making a safe harbor.
As mothers, God has placed in our care the precious cargo of our children, and we are on a journey also. We, too, will face some storms -- some sacrifice -- some self-denial -- but there is never a place to give up -- and if we will pay all the price to make it in to the safe harbor of heaven with the family in our hand, it will be worth a thousand times more than all the hardships of the journey! Amen! God bless you!
Monday, May 6, 2019
Monday Musings!
My heart is full of Praise and Thanksgiving on this lovely Monday morning! The sun is shining so beautifully, and reminds me that the heavens declare the glory of God!
Yesterday was a wonderful day in the house of the Lord -- singing God's praises---worshiping Him in the beauty of holiness---and gaining new insights from God's Word through the messages of my pastor. How wonderful it is to be a "Child of the King"!
As we begin a new week of living for Jesus, our thoughts turn to Mothers, who we will be honoring next Sunday if Jesus tarries. It has been said that Mother is the heart of the home, and if you have been blessed to have a godly mother who takes you often to the throne of God in prayer, you are rich indeed!
In Joshua 24:15, we read: ". . .But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord". I like this little quote by an unknown author:
"The beauty of the home is order; the blessing of the home is contentment;
The glory of the home is hospitality; the crown of the home is godliness".
I also like this song published in 1846:
"Happy the home when God is there and love fills every breast,
when one their wish, and one their prayer, and one their heavenly rest.
Happy the home where Jesus' name is sweet to every ear,
where children early lisp His name and parents hold Him dear.
Happy the home where prayer is heard, and praise is wont to rise,
where parents love the sacred Word and all its wisdom prize.
Lord, let us in our homes agree this blessed peace to gain;
unite our hearts in love to Thee, and love to all will reign." Amen!
Yesterday was a wonderful day in the house of the Lord -- singing God's praises---worshiping Him in the beauty of holiness---and gaining new insights from God's Word through the messages of my pastor. How wonderful it is to be a "Child of the King"!
As we begin a new week of living for Jesus, our thoughts turn to Mothers, who we will be honoring next Sunday if Jesus tarries. It has been said that Mother is the heart of the home, and if you have been blessed to have a godly mother who takes you often to the throne of God in prayer, you are rich indeed!
In Joshua 24:15, we read: ". . .But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord". I like this little quote by an unknown author:
"The beauty of the home is order; the blessing of the home is contentment;
The glory of the home is hospitality; the crown of the home is godliness".
I also like this song published in 1846:
"Happy the home when God is there and love fills every breast,
when one their wish, and one their prayer, and one their heavenly rest.
Happy the home where Jesus' name is sweet to every ear,
where children early lisp His name and parents hold Him dear.
Happy the home where prayer is heard, and praise is wont to rise,
where parents love the sacred Word and all its wisdom prize.
Lord, let us in our homes agree this blessed peace to gain;
unite our hearts in love to Thee, and love to all will reign." Amen!
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
We still Miss You!
The family and I are missing you today, sweet Papa! It is hard to believe it has been four years ago today that we followed the hearse to the cemetery -- but how wonderful to know that you had already taken your flight past the sun, moon and stars -- up to where the golden bells were ringing to welcome you to the joys of heaven! I'm sure if we could see you today, we would find you still shouting "Glory!" just outside your mansion door where you are living by Glory Boulevard on the Hallelujah Side!
After four years, our hearts are still flooded with sweet memories of the years we enjoyed together serving our wonderful Lord and sharing the joys and sorrows of life. After four years we still miss you greatly, but the children and grandchildren all spoil me very much, and I am blessed! But I still miss you -- I miss hearing you pray -- I miss your wise counsel and your leadership -- but I am endeavoring, by God's help and grace, to build the Ark according to God's perfect pattern, and I want to meet you in that City where they need no sun---just inside the Eastern Gate with the family in my hand!
I haven't heard your voice telling me you loved me for many days; but, perhaps, if you could speak to our family today, you would say these words by an unknown author, entitled: "If Tomorrow Starts Without Me."
"If tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me -- as much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too;
But if tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready, in heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for -- so much yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays -- the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had.
But when I walked through Heaven's gates, I felt so much at home,
When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden Throne,
He said, 'This is eternity, and all I've promised you'.
Today your life on earth is past, but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last,
And since each day's the same way--there's no longing for the past.
So if tomorrow starts without me--don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me--I'm right here, in your heart."
After four years, our hearts are still flooded with sweet memories of the years we enjoyed together serving our wonderful Lord and sharing the joys and sorrows of life. After four years we still miss you greatly, but the children and grandchildren all spoil me very much, and I am blessed! But I still miss you -- I miss hearing you pray -- I miss your wise counsel and your leadership -- but I am endeavoring, by God's help and grace, to build the Ark according to God's perfect pattern, and I want to meet you in that City where they need no sun---just inside the Eastern Gate with the family in my hand!
I haven't heard your voice telling me you loved me for many days; but, perhaps, if you could speak to our family today, you would say these words by an unknown author, entitled: "If Tomorrow Starts Without Me."
"If tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me -- as much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too;
But if tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready, in heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for -- so much yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays -- the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had.
But when I walked through Heaven's gates, I felt so much at home,
When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden Throne,
He said, 'This is eternity, and all I've promised you'.
Today your life on earth is past, but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last,
And since each day's the same way--there's no longing for the past.
So if tomorrow starts without me--don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me--I'm right here, in your heart."
Monday, April 29, 2019
Showers of Blessing!
Sometimes after a dry spell, the Lord will send a wonderful shower of rain. It is such a blessing, for all the dust is removed from the air -- everything smells clean and refreshing -- the sun shines and makes the raindrops glisten on the grass, the trees, the flowers!
It is kind of like that spiritually, also. Our church just had a week-end revival, and the messages of the evangelist challenged us to dig deeper and climb higher to new heights -- to plant our feet on higher ground!
In Isaiah 44:3, we read: "For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring."
In Ezekiel 34:26, we see: "And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing." Praise the Lord!
I don't want to settle for a few raindrops -- I need a refreshing shower -- even an occasional downpour!! So I want to keep my umbrella handy as I walk with my Lord---trusting Him, obeying Him, walking with Him through the sunshine and the shadows--and drawing ever nearer to the heart of God!
It is kind of like that spiritually, also. Our church just had a week-end revival, and the messages of the evangelist challenged us to dig deeper and climb higher to new heights -- to plant our feet on higher ground!
In Isaiah 44:3, we read: "For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring."
In Ezekiel 34:26, we see: "And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing." Praise the Lord!
I don't want to settle for a few raindrops -- I need a refreshing shower -- even an occasional downpour!! So I want to keep my umbrella handy as I walk with my Lord---trusting Him, obeying Him, walking with Him through the sunshine and the shadows--and drawing ever nearer to the heart of God!
Friday, April 26, 2019
Upon the Mountain Top!
The Bible tells us that Jesus went up into a mountain to pray, and that He took Peter, James and John with Him. In the 9th chapter of Luke, we read:
"And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elias: who appeared in glory . . .But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw His glory, and the two men that stood with Him.
Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias."
It must have been wonderful to be up there on the mountain with Jesus, but they could not stay there on the mountain top -- they had to come back down! It made me think of the mountain top experiences I have enjoyed this week as God's people from all over the nation, and several other countries, gathered in Dayton, Ohio for another International Holiness Convention! It seemed we were on the mountain top with Jesus as the Bible College Choirs sang, the men of God preached holiness, and the saints shouted the victory! But we couldn't stay up there on the mountain of blessing -- we had to come down, and return to our places of responsibility in our local churches.
But my heart is blessed and encouraged when I remember that the God on the mountain is still God in the valley!! Praise the Lord! If we will bless the Lord at all times, trust Him, walk humbly with Him, love Him, and give Him everything -- one glad day we shall "enter gates of Pearl to walk on streets of shining Gold in that City where they need no sun"! And -- we'll Never have to come down!!
"And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elias: who appeared in glory . . .But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw His glory, and the two men that stood with Him.
Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias."
It must have been wonderful to be up there on the mountain with Jesus, but they could not stay there on the mountain top -- they had to come back down! It made me think of the mountain top experiences I have enjoyed this week as God's people from all over the nation, and several other countries, gathered in Dayton, Ohio for another International Holiness Convention! It seemed we were on the mountain top with Jesus as the Bible College Choirs sang, the men of God preached holiness, and the saints shouted the victory! But we couldn't stay up there on the mountain of blessing -- we had to come down, and return to our places of responsibility in our local churches.
But my heart is blessed and encouraged when I remember that the God on the mountain is still God in the valley!! Praise the Lord! If we will bless the Lord at all times, trust Him, walk humbly with Him, love Him, and give Him everything -- one glad day we shall "enter gates of Pearl to walk on streets of shining Gold in that City where they need no sun"! And -- we'll Never have to come down!!
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