Our Rights

Recently I read the 10 amendments of the Bill of Rights in the US constitution on factmonster.com. We are given the freedom to worship as we please and live without fear of "unreasonable search or seizure". No one can be punished without due process of law. People must be paid for property taken for public use. It bars excessive bail and fines and cruel and unusual punishment. These are a few from the list.

Further down the page is a version of the Rights of the Child adopted by the United Nations in 1989.

1. Every child has a right to life.
2. Every child has a right to a name at birth and a nationality.
3. Every child has the right to live with his or her parent unless it is against the child's best interests.
4. Special protection shall be given to refugee children.
5. Every child has the right to the highest standard of health and medical care possible.
6. The child has a right to education. The state is to ensure that primary education is free and compulsory.
7. No child shall be subjected to torture, cruel treatment, unlawful arrest, or deprivation of liberty.
8. Children under 15 shall not be recruited into the armed forces.

I am thankful for these rights; I also feel sad and pained for those who are not given these rights or allowed these protections. Much of our political disharmony and intense disagreements today center around some of these rights and many clamor for more laws to grant more rights.  Demanding rights is in vogue, and anger is the expected response when rights seem violated.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, how do I respond to the ager of others? What is a Christ-like attitude?  What do I believe about my rights?  What should my response be about rights that I know are being violated?

Jesus shows us the way to live justly and to be merciful.  He also shows the way to respond to suffering and death when we are mistreated and oppressed. We're living in very uncertain times.  As a society, we've moved away from disagreeing respectfully and helping each other process new ideas and change without judgment and, instead, with lots of grace and patience.  Demonstrating and angry threats may get quicker results on changing laws, but often the new laws bring new rights to some while taking away rights from others. 
 
I don't have the answers to my questions, but I want to live in step with the Holy Spirit and find out how he wants me to respond. I know prayer is always a right response.  I can pray while reading or watching the news. I can pray for those in authority, for God's Kingdom to come to earth, for his will to be done here as it is in heaven.

I pray also that God will lead me when it's time to act on behalf of others.  To have his heart of love for whoever I encounter.  I repent of attitudes that judge who is worthy of grace and justice and who is not. 

God also gives us opportunities to support others who are doing work we may not be equipped for or logistically can't get involved in.  This past week our church hosted Reggie Stutzman from New York City, where he pastors a church in the Bronx and in a community known for it's crime, drug lords and prostitutes.  Reggie told multiple stories of the people he ministers to.  How he showers the drunk who has soiled himself, searches the streets for the 13 to 14 year old prostitutes at early hours in the  morning, to invite them into his van to receive food and prayer, hosts a Thanksgiving meal with his church, to feed hundreds of people just to love them, and so many more heart-wrenching situations.  Reggie's heart is way ahead of mine in genuine love for the least of these and physically being the hands and feet of Jesus. I deeply want to have that kind of faith expressing itself through love.  Galatians 5:6 says that is the only thing that counts.

John 1:12 says, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." 

This is the right that will never be taken away from me. In that right he has called me to work with him to bring heaven to earth. May I never forsake the pursuit of Jesus' heart of love.  May his passion ignite me and take me to places where his tenderness and gentleness break down barriers and send fear to flight. However that may look for me, it may be different for you.  He has gifted each of us for the places he will send us. Come and join me in this journey of learning what it means to love the broken.  Maybe call it social justice, maybe stand for the rights of others, but let's never turn our hearts away from pain or suffering, no matter the circumstances. 

The prayer of this old hymn seems fitting:

Lead on O King Eternal

1. Lead on, O King Eternal,
   The day of march has come;
   Henceforth in fields of conquest
   Thy tents shall be our home.
   Through days of preparation
   Thy grace has made us strong;
   And now, O King Eternal,
   We lift our battle song.


2. Lead on, O King Eternal,
   Till sin’s fierce war shall cease,
   And holiness shall whisper
   The sweet amen of peace.
   For not with swords’ loud clashing,
   Nor roll of stirring drums;
   With deeds of love and mercy
   The heav’nly kingdom comes.


3. Lead on, O King Eternal,
   We follow, not with fears,
   For gladness breaks like morning
   Where’er Thy face appears.
   Thy cross is lifted o’er us,
   We journey in its light;
   The crown awaits the conquest;
   Lead on, O God of might.

Ernest W. Shurtleff, 1888

Response to Mark

We finished our study in the book of Mark. I will carry away a greater appreciation for Christ's love to the world he came to save. He chose 12 to be eyewitnesses and continue his mission after he would leave. How he loved them and mentored them and kept trying to change their understanding of his purpose.  It would not be an overthrow of Roman oppression with promise of government position, but a cruel death that would only make sense after it had happened and they realized the prophecies of old were fulfilled, and that the new mission was far beyond earthly kingdoms.

They were slow of heart to believe it all, but along the way they heard and saw Jesus' compassion for the least of society and learned more about His Father's heart as they heard Jesus' words of truth and training.  They were even entrusted with trial runs at preaching the good news and healing the sick. I am encouraged to see how patient and persistent Jesus was in working with them.  In spite of self- promoting motives, mistaken priorities, irritations of this people-focused calling and ultimate cowardice when the Lord needed them most, He loved them to the end.  He could see the future, the joy set before Him and them.  He hid nothing from them.

I want my eyes opened to his purposes for me.  I want to hear his plans to heal and deliver the hurting around me.  I want to listen for his insights into the future and how I can be ready for whatever is next for me.  I am chosen, too, to go and tell.  He will patiently keep working in me and his love will never end.

Mark Reveals Jesus and My Heart Responds

You came knowing you would leave as suffering Victor.

You gave, knowing not all would receive.

You spoke truth, not afraid of the response
  -judgment to the blinded with warning that could be opportunities for change
  -freedom to anyone who embraced it

You did life so we could see how to live
  -compassion and care for the least of these
  -forgiveness and grace for sin and failure
  -submission to the Father (always and totally) even to death
  -received humanity with its suffering, death, prayers for strength and help, temptations,
    emotions of grief and joy, rejection from friend and foe

You tried to prepare those you had chosen for the future they did not expect.

You loved them to the end, even when all deserted you.

You tasted death so we can live through dying.
You died and we watch amazed
  -tremendous suffering
  -compassion continuing to rule as you cared for your mother, brought the criminal into your
   Kingdom
  -forgave those who killed you
  -refused any help from man to fulfill your final mission
You died and the lights went out.
  -the ground shook
  -the temple curtain split from top to bottom
  -a Roman centurion spoke his worship
You died and His-story was forever changed
You died and love prevailed
-in the hands that tenderly cared for your broken body
-in the tomb provided by an honorable man
-in the hearts of those who grieved

You arose and all is made new for all who believe
You arose and we see your glory
You arose and the future awaits
-with more glory and goodness that we can imagine

My heart is worshipping You!

Over or Still to Come?

Our Bible Study continues in the book of Mark.  Last week we discussed Mark 13 which was entitled the "End of the Age".  This chapter parallels Matthew 24 and the prophecies Jesus makes about the future.

In preparing for the summary talk on this lesson, I was amazed to discover some history of the Jewish temple and how many of Jesus' prophecies have been fulfilled in the destruction of Herod's temple in 70AD. I had always been taught that these passages were for the end times, like Revelation and Daniel passages, and would be fulfilled right before Jesus returns, maybe in the Rapture.  The words  were to be taken as metaphors to us, because we wouldn't be fleeing Judea or coming down from our rooftops or finding safety in the mountains. And like other things in the Bible we make applicable to our present world, this language was for the ones Jesus was talking to, and it would come true for the end times in a way that would be relevant to that present day culture.

Several sources online challenged that thinking as I did some researching.  I first  listened to a youtube sermon by Jonathan Welton on Matthew 24 and then downloaded his book Raptureless. In skimming through the book it was fascinating to discover how many of Jesus' words in Mark 13 were fulfilled in the total destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD.   Josephus, a Jewish scholar who lived during this time period, recorded these events in the Wars of the Jews in 75 AD.  I had never read any of this before.

Just to point out a few prophecies that Jesus gave that were fulfilled in the destruction of the temple.

-not one stone will be left on another
Here's a paragraph from http://www.bibleresearch.org/articles/a11pws.htm:

"The magnificent Temple that Herod had built was completely destroyed as the fires raged inside and out. These fires were so hot that the gold fittings, and the gold gilding inside and on it's outside walls melted and ran into the cracks between and in the stones. During the pillaging of the Temple these stones were broken up to get at the gold."

-many false prophets would come, some claiming to be the Messiah

Several of the New Testament writers warn their churches about false prophets. Josephus mentions a "false prophet" trying to guide the people to safety during the temple burning, only to have those who followed trapped and destroyed.

-Jesus gives specific words about how to flee and where to flee (to the mountains) when the destruction would be imminent

Josephus and Eusebius, an ancient Church Historian, mention that very few Christians, if any, died in the destruction of Jerusalem. They had taken Jesus' words seriously and were prepared to leave quickly. 

-Jesus said in verse 30, ^"Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened".   

The temple was destroyed in 70AD.--  (Interesting fact that the day this occurred corresponded exactly to the day and month of the destruction of the first temple by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon) which would have been about 40 years after Jesus spoke these words.  In the Bible, a generation was marked by 40 years passing.  How like our God of mercy, and not wanting anyone to perish, to wait until the very end of those years. 

These are just a few examples of the ways Jesus' words were fulfilled. Read Welton's book and Josephus to discover more interesting parallels. Not everyone agrees that Mark 13 was fulfilled and some who do, believe the prophecies could still be fulfilled in the future. 

My purpose isn't to convince readers that this is the right way to view end time prophecy.  But I am excited to consider how Jesus' warnings were meant to spare his listeners from destruction.  If this is so, how comforting to me to know the One who knows all things to come, is eager to share with us now whatever we need to live in these times and to be prepared for the future.  Jesus tells his disciples several times that he has told them things ahead of time so they will believe when it comes to pass. "So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time". Mark 13:29

Jesus' words to watch, for we don’t know the day or hour, is a good word to live by all the time. He wants to partner with us in bringing His kingdom into our  everyday world.  He has jobs for us to do, people he wants us to reach with His love and the good news, and none of us knows the length of our days here on this earth.  I don’t want to miss what he has for me, tomorrow, next year, in the future.

Whatever the future holds and however it ends up, we know the Father has it perfectly planned.  

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, what God has planned for those who love him. Love Him well!

December Daze

This lighted picture is a favorite gift I received this Christmas

December is a beautiful time of year for reflection and preparation for the holidays.

It is also a month of tension, overwhelming stress at times and lots of making lists and checking them twice planning sessions. Every year I think I'm ahead of the deadlines and that this month will afford me the pleasure of taking in some local events or having leisurely evenings to listen to Christmas music and sip on rich coffee.

But the extra stops at the store for groceries to make that snack I need to get in the mail the next day, or a last minute gift I forgot I needed-wanted of course- to buy, steals from the time I'd like to devote to idyllic moments of the season. This is small compared to others who are experiencing an illness or death that takes priority over the well planned out schedule leading up to the holiday.

Sometimes stresses mount for me until I'm feeling vulnerable and wimpy.  This season I discovered again how those times of weakness are opportunities for  God's sweet presence to sustain and strengthen me. As I draw more aside to ask for his help and look for his words of peace, he has abundantly poured his help upon me.

Here are some of the words He's spoken to me:

-Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Certain expectations I had set were changed to a more practical approach or a different thought would steer me to do a more simple, doable action and I was so often reminded of that Voice of instruction and loving counsel.

-In one restless night when things felt overwhelming I asked for humor to lighten the next day somehow. It was fun to see how God arranged that to happen and provided a belly laugh hilarity. It was even more encouraging to realize afterward, that I had experienced the Lover of my soul answering a simple prayer.

-2 Corinthians 2:18
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
That was my prayer that day and just reflecting on the whole chapter raised my sights to the glory of the Lord.  The word glory or a form of it is used 12 times in this chapter. I am encouraged as I reflect on who He is and who I am becoming in Him.

-Psalm 16:11
You will make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasure at your right hand.
Again the assurance and promise that I will be directed into what will bring life to me this day. And joy is what sustains me.  His presence is always with me.

-Psalms 51:8a
Let me hear joy and gladness;
How simple a prayer, but how it sets me up to anticipate fun and contentment in the busyness.  Without His joy and gladness I can be dragged into depression and gloom.  Thank you for your joyful heart, Father.  For how you sing over me with joy and how you delight in your children.

More ways He shares His love to me:

The carols of the season have been meaningful and uplifting to listen to-whether by radio, the Pandora station or my collection of CDS I've collected over the years. The messages of hope and the fun lyrics can lighten my mood.  Favorites: the Pentatonix- anything.  If you are not familiar with this a capella group, take a listen.  A CD, Christmas Gaither Vocal Band, has some unusual songs I never heard anywhere else- "Come and See What's Happenin' in the Barn" and "Christmas in the Country".  Then there's country flair, blues and salsa to my CD, Christmas on the Border, with foot stomping music.

The lights that brighten the nighttime bring cheer, and the words and visits with family and friends are like a massage to my soul.

Thank you, Father, for your love poured out this time of year and your sustaining grace to help me embrace it all. Thank you for the everlasting gift of Jesus and his sacrifice for sin that started it all. May you always be front and center in all I do.

Holiday Greetings!

All but 2 of our beautiful grandchildren

Hello to friends and family! Happy Holidays!

I'm taking the internet route to bring you our yearly update. It's virtually the easiest way to communicate.  How did we do life before online conveniences, our cell phones and instant access to knowledge? 

No big changes to report this year, other than I've visited the social security office twice and am making decisions I feel too young to make. Kevin is a few years behind, in fact just a brand new 60s-er. He had a month of celebrations with several small gatherings of friends and a day and overnight with me at the beach along Lake Michigan. It was a late September day with cool breezes tugging at our sweatshirts and jeans and a bright sun warming our backs as we sat in the sand. I had never experienced the Lake with waves the height of ocean crests. It satisfied my sea-loving heart and an extra bonus was having the beach mostly to ourselves. We stayed at a Airbnb with a 15 minute walk away from Warren Dunes. While there, the tallest dune begged to be climbed and we succumbed, in spite of our bodies' protests the entire way up.  I highly recommend a fall time visit to the Lake!

March began with a trip to Virginia to celebrate my Dad's 90th birthday. It was a simple, yet wonderful time with family. We are thankful for the good health Dad enjoys.  He still creates furniture in the woodshop of the retirement community they live in! Anyone need a walker fixed? Call Omar.  He even has a spare for you to use while yours is in repair. Dad freely expresses his love for Jesus and it's a pleasure to be with him and Lena.

Memorial Day weekend brought a trip to CA to visit Austin, Ashley, Rowan(3) and Wesley (1). It was my first visit to CA and we enjoyed a few wonderful days together in the Sacramento area, which included a visit to the Jesus Culture church where they attend. 

July 4th was the highlight of the year as all our children and grandchildren were together for a day at our house. The weather was frightfully hot and foiled some of our plan to be outside most of the day.. But we made use of the outdoor space for bocce ball competitions for the youth and adults and a bouncy house for the younger kids. We hired our neighbors to cater the evening meal of BBQ chicken and fixins' and homemade ice cream. Every kind of bed from sleeper sofa to pack 'n play was put to use for the families who stayed over during that week. I had prepared some meals ahead, and for others we visited favorite restaurants in town. Evenings were filled with fun games of Up and Down the River and 4 Up, 4 Down. Most of the grandkids are old enough to play with the adults now which means a large reach for the dealer to hand out cards to all the players around the big table. What a blessing to be together and I'm thankful for all the awesome people I get to call family!

Josh and Kira have three high schoolers in their household- Brayden, Jill and Elle. Cody, their oldest, has his own place.  Dan and Kristina, our one local family, have one teenager, Aubrey, 12 year old Shawn and 8 year old Rebecca. 

Jodi and kids (Ian 10, Dominic 8 and Noah 3) remained here longer, and I got to travel with them back to Florida for a week. Amanda and Auron (11), Elika (8) and Zane (3) remained for an extended stay for the rest of the summer. Lots of cousin and grandkid time! Dads (Emmanuel and A.J.), came and went as work schedules allowed.

Kevin continues at his job with Tri-State Compressed Air, and I returned to work at the GC Library after my summer break. Kevin devotes weekly time to caring for his parents who live in the retirement village in town. They have health challenges, but keep as active as possible, participating in some of the activities the village provides.

Our church is attracting younger families now, and it is exciting to be a part of what God is doing among us.  Kevin and I hosted a small group this Fall for step parents. I highly recommend any of Ron Deal's materials for how to successfully navigate a second time marriage and all the challenges that go with it, for kids and parents. Ron's message is practical and full of God's grace. 

October found us on another trip to VA where we spent time with Amanda and her family in Williamsburg and a long weekend with Dad and Lena and most of my siblings. Family ties can't be beat!

This month Kevin and I were privileged to be part of a gathering of Schrock siblings in southern Indiana. It is a joy to be connected to Joe's family.  His parents live in a house with 24 hour home care and the care of Joe's sister who lives nearby. 

Aside from these highlights, life is full of the usual work schedules, visits with friends, and learning more about trusting in and surrendering to our Lord Jesus Christ.  It's a lifetime adventure.

The Lord bless and keep you;  the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face to you and give you peace. Num. 6:24-26

Our love,

Ruth and Kevin

November Reflections

I'm reflecting over the last month and here are some things to note that were significant or things I learned.

Thoughts on sleep:
Does anyone else find it hard to get to bed to sleep the recommended 7-8 hours a night.  I'm in bed a decent time, but the allure of  quiet moments to do what I want to do , trumps the need to get a good night's sleep.  It's finally time to catch up on emails on my phone, or follow those Pinterest notices that put suggestive thoughts into my head. I have time to browse on Amazon and put things in my cart-there's always a reason to shop-birthdays coming up, time to replenish supplies...And the Google searches to satisfy some question that I didn't have time to pursue earlier.  Of course, several links later I am head deep into some article or blogger's expressions. As I turn off the light to go sleep the stimuli of whatever I was doing won't go away and I lie with eyes closed begging for slumber to overtake me. I listen to the grandmother's clock in the next room chiming away each quarter hour of those necessary sleep benefits, and I berate my delinquency.   You'd think I'd learn to ward off those temptations and actually obey the adult voice of wisdom. I keep working on this one.

This month finished up an 8 week step-parenting small group we hosted. I highly recommend any materials from Ron Deal. He has worked with a myriad of remarried families and knows those of us in that category very well. Be prepared to sniffle through some of his sessions as his gentle spirit offers hope and needed encouragement. Step parents are prone to rejection and conflict, children suffer through great losses from their past, and marriage the second time around slides right over the honeymoon stage looking for the merry-go-round, but instead lands on the teeter totter. Ron's assurance of God's mercy and forgiveness, the rewards coming for the non-quitters and his practical steps to navigate the sea of opposition will provide balance for the  journey. Rewards include giving children a positive view of a marriage that thrives and endures. Success comes over time, giving each family member the time they need to accept their circumstances and warm up to those that call them family.

Tis the season.  I am so thankful for online shopping!  No lines to wait in, post office visits, or miles to drive to find just the right gift. Plus I can review the items before I buy them. Best money spent ever,  paying a yearly fee for Amazon  Prime. It still is a challenge to keep stress and anxiety at bay, while I choose each Christmas gift for each person and to plan far enough ahead to mail out the packages for the things I don't buy online. I'll be finished by the end of November this year and that feels good.

I took online shopping to a new level this week. National news declared the Wednesday before Thanksgiving not only the worse traveling day of the year, but the worse grocery shopping day of the year. I decided to give the local grocer a chance to prove their delivery efficiency as I clicked the grocery list items into my virtual cart. The process of selecting groceries was smooth and, oh, so easy. The first delivery is free and the added 5% tip seemed reasonable for the convenient service.  It rounded out to a good experience- pros outweighed the glitches of which there were two. I chose the delivery drop off time; the driver came an hour too early. Glitch number one.  Kevin happened to come home from work early that day, so someone was here to accept the groceries, but he had no clue of my smart shopping. When the doorbell rang he peered inconspicuously through the blinds to identify the car in the driveway. It wasn't familiar and few things can make my husband more disgruntled than a solicitor or survey taker. He had decided to ignore the door.  Thankfully, the driver didn't give up easy (they need to wait a full 10 mins. he later explained) and finally, Kevin decided to find out who had arrived. There stood a young man carrying sacks from the grocery store and an insulated tote bag.  He must have the wrong house; nope, the address checks out. Then it must be a mistake; nope, Ruth's name is on the order. Now convinced, Kevin brought the groceries into the house and set them on the counter, wisely waiting to put them away until I could confirm their correctness. When I later emptied the sacks I discovered the second glitch--regular chocolate chips instead of minis.  I can live with that. Avoiding grocery cart side-swiping in a crowded store and long lines at checkout was a win for me.  I will try it again, soon.

November is the colorful month outdoors. This year I added color to my grooming with nail strips from Color Street.  My daughter hosted a Facebook party and I indulged, for myself, and knocked off some Christmas gifts. Check them out.  I'm not in for time-consuming maintenance of nail care.  That's why I like Color Street.  It does take time to learn how to apply the color, but it is fairly long- lasting once on your nails, and it only requires regular acetone to take off the polish.

One last thought:  My Bible Study in Mark is getting me more acquainted with Jesus and his mission, not just during his life on earth, but for us in 2018. It took a long time for the disciples to understand that Jesus was the Messiah and then to accept that this would mean something far different from what they were expecting. Jesus kept revealing himself to them and showing them God's heart of love for people. His miracles demonstrated his mission to set captives free and bring life to those in need. All along he planned to groom these chosen men to continue the work he had initiated. And that's still his call and desire for each of us who follow him. Those who repent and receive his life pass it on until all have heard the good news. Are we listening in order to understand more of the one we follow? So we stay on the path and not give in to temptation to stop off and stay at Good Enough, or take the short cut the devil offers. Do we welcome his download of love to give to the needy around us? Am I serious about losing my life for his sake, which means not gaining the world?  I won't set my sights on pursing the world's wealth, importance or acceptance. Even when it would be so much easier to let society influence my beliefs.  Only by staying immersed in His Word, being filled with His Spirit, communing with other Jesus followers and praying for His help will we be able to stand firm to the end.

I wish you a joyous December!

13 Days in Ferguson-a book review

Seeing, hearing and experiencing the tragic event of Michael Brown's shooting and the riots that followed from Ron Johnson's eyes is exciting and sobering. After five days of protestors marching, violence, looting and vandalism following the shooting in Ferguson, Ron, captain of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, was called in to restore peace.

This memoir shows the conflicted emotions of a African American policeman caught in the middle; in the middle of an angry community of his own people and the local police. Told with in-the-moment-emotions and play-by-play actions, we see the heart and actions of a man who was overcome with responsibility, yet willing to stand for what he believed was right and what he believed would bring a different kind of resolution than sheer force and dominating authority. Ron believed he was guided by divine wisdom, even though he was filled with doubts and the results for peace did not come quickly.

The writing is fast-paced and told in the present tense. I have gained a better understanding of life for African Americans.  I am awed by a man who hasn't let the pain of his own past create anger and partiality, but rather to increase his ability to see individuals in the midst of mobsters and victims. Ron's courage to make decisions that put him at odds with his officers is truly heroic.

I'm thankful Ron Johnson was on assignment in Ferguson, August 2014. He was led to listen and to identify with the protestors. He challenges all of us to change our point of view.
"See people as people...abandon labels...we have to keep reaching-until our hands are no longer empty...until we can hold on to each other."

This book was given to me from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.