The Bible Says …

            I have been more blessed than most people in that I have grown up in a family of great faith.  My father, Charlie Grier, set a beautiful example my entire of life in simply believing that God is certainly able to do what He promises.  In spite of this, there are many times that my faith has wavered.  I knew what the bible said but had trouble believing always that a miracle would occur when all circumstances screamed ‘impossible!’  This year I have been challenged to simply ‘believe God.’  I was impressed with the following article from The Bible Friend.

HE CAN

“He…hangeth the earth upon nothing.” Job 26:7

            “In looking to God for deliverance of any kind, we are prone to try to discover what material He has on hand to work on in coming to our relief.  If we are praying for financial help, we are apt to look over the community to see if we can think of any one whom the Lord might influence to lend us some money.  If there are no apparent probabilities in that direction, we find it difficult to believe for hard cash.

            “If it is employment we need in order to insure the continuance of our bread and butter, we make diligent inquiries in the industrial centers, and if we find that the shops, stores and factories are more than full handed, it is pretty hard work to be hopeful that we are going to get work.

            “If we are ill and our physician is at a loss to know what next to try in order to alleviate us, it is not at all easy to convince ourselves that we are going speedily to recover.

            “It is so human to look and crave for something in sight that will help the Lord out.  In time of need, if we can only find a little something for God to begin on, we seem so much better satisfied.  To need a sum of money and not be able to think of a friend a man or a monied institution from which it might be obtained, gives a dark background to the scene.

            “To need work, and to find that throngs of others as needy as yourself are also idle, makes the human outlook very dark.  To be in bed day after day, feeling no better, but rather worse, doctor’s bill increasing, business suffering and patience giving out, make a situation in which relief does not seem very probable.  The trouble is, there does not appear to be a single human prospect to begin on.  The outlook is all liabilities with no resources to help out.

            “Now, to God’s child, what is the real situation?  Is there nothing but liabilities?  Much every way.  Are there no resources?  Yea, thousands, millions, billions, trillions!  Where are they?  Above you, below you, around you.  Earth and air are full of wealth untold.  You can’t see it, eh?  You don’t need to see it.  Keep your eye on him.

            “Just think a moment.  It is not at all necessary for you to see any help in sight, nor is it really necessary for God to have any relief on hand.  He does not need anything to begin on.  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  What did He make them out of?  Nothing, absolutely nothing.  When the earth was made what did He hang it on?  Nothing.  Pretty satisfactory earth to be made of nothing, eh?  Remember, not a scrap of anything was used to make it.  “He…hangeth the earth upon nothing.”

            “It hangs all right, doesn’t it?  Very well, then.  A God who can make an earth, a sun, a moon and stars out of nothing, can supply all your needs, whether He has anything to work with or not.  Wonderful, isn’t it?

            “Trust Him and He will see you though.”

-Gospel Tract Society, Inc.  The Bible Friend, Jan-Feb 2010, p.1

 

            When we feel circumstances crowding us, we need to look at people like Fanny Crosby.  What a beautiful lady!  This little blind girl wrote the following poem at 8 years of age!

BLIND BUT HAPPY

By Fanny Crosby

 

O what a happy soul I am!

Although I cannot see.

I am resolved that in this world

Contented I will be.

 

How many blessings I enjoy

That other people don’t!

To weep and sigh because I’m blind

I cannot, and I won’t.

 

Ibid p.4

            How do we go from doubts to joy?   Stella Adams suggests a beautiful method in the following poem.

 

THE ART OF PRAISE

By Stella Adams

 

Too often we are weary

With all our trials and strife

But, praising our dear Savior

Will bless and gladden our life.

 

Like sunshine drives out darkness

So praise can scatter doubt

Just keep on praising Jesus

Rejoice, sing out and shout.

 

Praise is the cure of grumbling

God dwells in the courts of praise

Praise is the tune of angels

Let it brighten all your days.

 

Yes, praise will bring you blessings

Will make your heart revive

Will lift your heavy burden

And cause your soul to thrive.

 

A praising man is easy

To live with every day

Then, let us practice praising

To drive the clouds away.

 

This world is fully of sorrow

And happy men are few

So learn the art of praising

In everything you do.

 

When your days are trying

And when your spirit is glum

Just keep on praising Jesus

And Satan will succumb.

 

The devil can’t stand praises

He hates a thankful heart

Praise will bring deliverance

Let’s master this great art.

Ibid p. 4

                My sister, Dee, and I used to have so much fun playing when we were children.  We grew up loving Jesus.  We each had to come to a point of personally talking to Him and accepting His forgiveness but I cannot remember a time that I didn’t love Him!  Our parents told us how that Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  They told us that God loved us and adopted us into His family.  They shared Phil. 4:19:

“My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

We were excited!  If our God was King, that made us princesses!  How fun is that!  It became our favorite game for most of our childhood. 

            Another thing my parents did was lead us to pray for the poor.  Can you actually be poor if you pray for the poor?  I don’t think so.  We didn’t have a lot of money but that didn’t seem to matter.  Our home (though sometimes very humble) was warm and clean.  We always had food to eat.  There was abundant love to share.  Mother was a seamstress and kept us clothed attractively.  We didn’t have to be embarrassed.  Sometimes they were ‘hand-me-downs, ‘ but by the time mother was through, you’d never know it!

            I knew that my Father in Heaven was the one with all the money and that He’d give us what we needed whenever the need arrived.  I had a beautiful and secure childhood as a result.  I have wondered at times how different life would be for all of us as adults, if we could wrap our minds around the abundance that God gives us rather than the things we think we need and be truly grateful. 

            If we feel poor, we are poor.  I love the beautiful story I read a couple of years ago about a child’s faith.  It seems that the single, poverty stricken mother would gather her two children around her at night.  She would put her one blanket over the three of them and they would huddle next to the chimney to get what little heat they could from the combined chimney and body heat.  One night her daughter said to her mother after their evening prayers while huddled together for the night, “Mommy, I feel so sorry for those poor children who do not have a blanket and warm place to huddle!”  They prayed together for the poor.  Was she poor?  I think not!  She merely didn’t have much money.

            God gives a lot of beautiful promises for those who care for the poor.  I love the way the Complete Jewish Bible gives Psalms 41:1-2:

“How blessed are those who care for the poor!  When calamity comes, ADONAI will save them.  ADONAI will preserve them, keep them alive, and make them happy in the land.  You will not hand them over to the whims of their enemies.”

 

            Being rich involves much more than mere money.  Someone once said:  “No matter how great our need, the divine resources are never exhausted.”  What is our need?  Our God will supply.  Were you deserted by your parents?  “Even though my father and mother have left me, ADONAI will care for me.”  Ps. 27:10. 

MEDICINE CHEST

For the BLUES …………………………………………………………..Read Ps. 27.

For an EMPTY PURSE………………………………………………….Read Ps. 37.

If DISCOURAGED about work……………………………………..Read Ps. 128

If people seem UNKIND to you,………………………………….Read John 15.

If you are losing CONFIDENCE…………………………………….Read 1 Cor. 13

If you cannot have YOUR OWN WAY…………………………..Read James 3.

If you are all OUT OF SORTS…………………………………………Read Heb. 12.

For a TRAVELING COMPANION…………………………………….Read Ps. 121.

 

UNCLE BEN’S QUOTEBOOK (Harvest House Publishers c1976)  p.62

 

            If we want to have a life filled with abundance, we need to find the Abundant Life in Christ.  It is actually exciting to discover all the beautiful promises God gives us in the Bible.   Perhaps the following poem by Lois Anne Williams expresses best the riches of God!

I sat and gazed in silence

At the azure sky overhead.

In the glory of that moment,

A simple prayer was said.

I thanked God for all the grandeur,

For His beauty everywhere,

I praised the Great Creator

As I sat in silent prayer.

I found an inspiration

And a peace within my soul,

I took the time to worship

And I felt myself made whole.

-ibid p.245

           

A Child of the King

By Har­ri­et Bu­ell 1877 (Music by John Sumner 1877)

 

My Father is rich in houses and lands,
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
His coffers are full, He has riches untold.

My Father’s own Son, the Savior of men,
Once wandered on earth as the poorest of them;
But now He is pleading our pardon on high,
That we may be His when He comes by and by.

I once was an outcast stranger on earth,
A sinner by choice, an alien by birth,
But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down,
An heir to a mansion, a robe and a crown.

A tent or a cottage, why should I care?
They’re building a palace for me over there;
Though exiled from home, yet still may I sing:
All glory to God, I’m a child of the King.

Refrain

I’m a child of the King,
A child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior,
I’m a child of the King.

            I realize I had a rich beautiful childhood filled with love and one that not everyone has experienced.  I also have had a wonderful marriage with the love of a find husband, along with loving children, grandchildren and a great-grandchild.  Not everyone is this blessed and I know it.  However, if you are a child of the King, you are rich and, no matter what your past, you have a glorious future.  You are truly rich!

 

 

“You make me know the path of life; in your presence is unbounded joy, in your right hand eternal delight.”  Psalms 16:11

 

            I think most of us like to have ‘fun!’  We may decide whether to do this or that according to which would be more fun.  My father wrote a short story about ‘fun’ that is quite startling.

IT’S A LOT OF FUN!

By Charlie Grier

 

Janie was 15 and she was excited. Her parents had just moved into a house on the right side of town. Now for the first time in her life she could hold her head high, and perhaps, even become one of the popular kids in school.

It was exciting! She could have a lot of friends soon, and maybe even participate in sleep-over parties.

The first day in school went just great. She made new friends and even got a date! She thought. “I want to be popular and I’m going to be now, because I just got a date with the star of the team!”

She did have some problems to deal with.  Her parents had said she was too young to date so she had to figure something out.  She decided to tell them that she was visiting a girl friend.  They wouldn’t know the difference.  She had not been in the habit of lying to her parents, but this was different.  That date was important to her and they just wouldn’t understand.

Well the pizza was good and the party was great but before the evening was over Henry was half drunk and was starting to show it.  Then to her surprise and horror everybody was smoking dope and Henry had already had had two joints when he made his first pass at her.  This was not what Jeanie wanted at all, and she fought him off with all the strength she had.  By now she had thought it through.

Her first date was not what she expected at all.  Henry’s kisses were now meaningless and even repulsive.  He wasn’t interested in her — only in her body!  She detested him!  And she no longer wished to be popular.  She wanted to be back with her family, going to church, reading her Bible and living for God.

“Take me home!” she demanded. “I want to go home!”

Henry was filled with rage!  He cranked the motor and stepped on the gas.  She begged and pleaded with him to slow down, but angrily, he drove faster and faster!  They were taking the curves on two wheels.  Then there was a big flash! “Please God, we’re going to crash, help us!”  It was too late.

Jeanie didn’t remember the force of the impact.  Everything suddenly went black.  She felt someone remove her from the twisted rubble.  She was placed in an ambulance.  She learned there were two cars involved.  Then she passed out.

She again awoke in the hospital.  They gently informed her that Henry was dead.  “Those in the other car?” she inquired, fearfully.

“They are dead, also,” she was informed.

Again Jeanie prayed, “Father forgive me.  It was all my fault.  I’m sorry I lied to Mom. I didn’t mean to do anything wrong. I only wanted to have fun. Please forgive me. I’ll never do it again. I want to live for you.”

But Jeanie didn’t recover from the accident.  She is living for God alright, but she is now living in Heaven with her beloved parents — those in the other car were her own Mom and Dad!

Young people, I wrote this story especially for you.  Jeanie and Henry are fictitious characters, but the story I told has happened over and over again, in slightly different ways.  It will probably be repeated in scores of other lives within the next twenty-four hours.  My heart goes out to the youth of our day, because I was young once myself.  I wish I could do something to help you.

It’s good to have fun.  We all need it.  But not all fun turns out to be funny.  Before you take a rash step of any kind, think it through, and pray about it.  It may not be what you want, after all.  The only thing that saved me from a life of ruin and despair is the Lord Jesus Christ. Make Him King of your lives.

-End quote

 

MY JESUS, I LOVE THEE

By William R. Featherstone

 

My Jesus I love Thee,

I know Thou art mine,

For Thee all the follies

Of sin I resign;

My gracious Redeemer,

My Savior art Thou;

If ever I loved Thee,

My Jesus, ’tis now.

 

 

JOY NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY

By Dwight L. Moody

 

            In the second century, they brought a martyr before a king, and the king wanted him to recant and give up Christ, but the man spurned the thought.  The king said:  “If you don’t do it, I will banish you.”  The man smiled and answered:  “You can’t banish me from Christ.  He says He will never leave me nor forsake me.”  The king got angry, and said:  “Well, I will confiscate your property and take it all from you.”  And the man replied:  “My treasurers are laid up on high; you cannot get them.”  The king became still more angry, and said:  “I will kill you.”  “Why,” the man answered, “I have been dead forty years; I have been dead with Christ; dead to the world.  My life is hid with Christ in God, and you cannot touch it.”  And so we can rejoice, because we are resurrection ground, having risen with Christ.  Let persecution and opposition come.  “Your joy no man taketh from you.”

-God’s Treasury of Virtues (Honor Books, Inc. OK c1995) p. 73

 

 

“FAITH IS believing what God says simply because it is God who says it.” unknown

            I was given a book this year, “Praying God’s Word” by Beth Moore.  The Lord touched me with the second chapter “Overcoming Unbelief.”  Beth writes:

            “God seems to work in themes in my life.  You know what I mean.  Every sermon, morning devotional, and Christian radio program all ‘coincidentally’ speak to me about the same subject for an uncomfortable length of time.  I’ll even get a card in the mail from a Christian friend I haven’t seen in ten years and—you guessed it—she’ll share a good word on the exact ‘theme.’

            “Soon after my fortieth birthday, everywhere I turned I heard a message on ‘belief.’  I’m humiliated to admit that I became somewhat annoyed not to be hearing more on the subjects I really needed.  After all, I already was a believer, and if believers don’t believe, what on earth do they do?

            “Several weeks passed, and I still didn’t get it.  Finally one morning even Oswald Chambers had the audacity to bring up the subject in that day’s entry on My Utmost for His Highest.  I looked up and exclaimed, ‘What is this all about?’  I sensed the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart, ‘Beth, I want you to believe Me.’ I was appalled.  ‘Lord,’ I answered, ‘Of course I believe in you.  I’ve believed in You all my life.’  I felt He responded very clearly.  Adamantly.  ‘I didn’t ask you to believe in Me.  I asked you to believe Me.’

            “I sat very puzzled for several moments until I was certain that the Holy Spirit had faithfully shed light on my pitifully small faith.  I sensed Him saying, “My child, you believe Me for so little.  Don’t be so safe in the things you pray.  Who are you trying to keep from looking foolish?  Me or you?’

            “I don’t mind telling you that my life changed dramatically after God interrupted my comfortable pace with the ‘theme’ of belief.  Some of it has been excruciating, and some of it has been the most fun I’ve had in my entire Christian life.  I have a feeling this is one theme I probably will run into again and again in the course of my journey.  Why?  Because without faith it is impossible to please Him.  In other words, you and I will be challenged to believe Him from one season to the next, all of our days.  And if we have even half a heart for God, He’s likely to shake our perimeters and stir up a little excitement.”

-Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word (B&H Publishers TN c2003) p.34-35

           

            My birthday was January 2^nd and we were at our son’s home with family to celebrate.  I asked if I could read a part of this book and read the above portion.  I told them how this passage had been stirring my heart to believe God more.  I, too, have believed in God all my life but there is a difference somehow.  It is one thing to believe ‘in’ God and a totally different thing to simply ‘believe God!”  I was challenged to ‘believe’ that what God said He would do, He would do.  I liked God’s statement to Beth: ‘Who are you trying to keep from looking foolish?  Me or you?’

            I opened up my first gift.  It was a purse with great big words, ‘BELIEVE’ on the outside!  Then I received a number of other inspirational & loving cards and gifts including another Beth Moore book on King David.  I think God is challenging me to ‘believe’ Him more and He is challenging you also, my dear readers.

            Let’s take a moment a look at a few things God asks us to believe.  Put your name here.

1.      He is my shield and protector (Ps 3:3; 5:12; 18:2)

2.      He answers my prayers (Ps 3:4; Ps 5:3; 6:9)

3.      He helps me sleep (Ps 3:5; 4:8)

4.      He created me for His pleasure  (Rev. 4:11)

5.      God is a tower of strength in times of trouble (Psalms 9:9)

6.      God gives me food  (Ps. 22:26; 23:1)

7.      God forgives my sins (1 John 1:9)

8.      God created everything and nothing is too hard for Him  (Jeremiah 32:17)

9.      He loves me! (John 3:16)

10.  He delights in me!  

a.      “How great is ADONAI, who delights in the peace of his servant!” (Ps 35:27) 

b.      “for ADONAI takes delight in his people,” (Ps 149:4; Isa 62:4)

c.       “…those sincere in their ways are his delight.”  (Prov. 11:20)

d.      “…those who deal faithfully are his delight.”  (Prov. 12:22

11.  God will help us delight in Him!  (Isa. 58:14)

 

                Have you ever declared out loud, “God delights in me”?  Try it for it is true!  You say, “But I have done wrong!”  He exclaims:  “Come to Me and I will forgive you and make you clean.  Then we can have delightful times together.”

God Knoweth Best

-Unknown

Precious thought, my Father knoweth,

In His love I rest;

For whate’er my Father doeth

Must be always best.

Well I know the heart that planneth,

Nought but good for me;

Joy and sorrow interwoven;

Love in all I see.

 

Precious thought, my Father knoweth,

Careth for His child;

Bids me nestle closer to Him

When the storm beats wild.

Tho’ my earthly hopes are shattered,

And the tear drops fall,

Yet He is Himself my solace,

Yea, my Friend, my all.

 

Oh, to trust Him then more fully,

Just to simply move

In the conscious, calm enjoyment

Of the Father’s love;

Knowing that life’s chequered pathway

Leadeth to His rest,

Satisfied the way He taketh

Must be always best.

-The World’s Best-loved Poems (Harper & Row 1927) p.382-383

 

 

            One thing I love about Minnesotans is our toughness!  We’re rather an unusual breed but I love it!  No one lets a little cold weather slow us down – we just put on more clothes and off we go!  There is a resilience and strength that I see around me that blesses me.  I have had people tell me when they visited that they enjoyed the way we take care of one another up here in the Northland. 

            God has commanded us to be strong and courageous.  He also tells us to love one another and be an encouragement to each other.  I like what Joan Clayton from New Mexico wrote on this subject in a recent article.

BUILD EACH OTHER UP

            “Bible Thought:  ‘Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man’ (Colossians 4:6 KJV).

            “Criticism causes fear, aggression, and defensiveness!  We rarely apply criticism to ourselves.  Even so called “constructive criticism” leaves a lot of doubt in our minds!  Wouldn’t it be too wonderful if we were all like Barnabas?  We can be.

            “The father of the Prodigal son did not meet him with berating and criticism…only forgiveness!  Stephen did not defend himself, nor hold any malice.  On the cross, Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them.’  What if Jesus had said:  ‘When you get everything perfect, then I will love you?’

            “Praise and encouragement enable people to meet their goals.  People that we sometimes criticize are what we might be under their circumstances.  Let us refuse to criticize.  Let us hold our tongues.  We can do so much more with praise and encouragement.  Praisers, not criticizers, bring men to Jesus!

            “I have heard all of my life that ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.’  That statement is absolutely false.  Words destroy much worse than bruises.  Withhold criticism.  Instead, give praise and encouragement.  Build each other up!

            “Hymn:  ‘Love One Another.’  Dear precious Lord, help us to put a watch over our mouths.  May we only say things that build up and encourage.  In Jesus’ beautiful name.  Amen.”

-Joan Clayton, Portales, NM (The Bible Friend Dec. 2009) p.3

 

A FATHER’S KINDNESS

 

            “Busy in his study a minister was preparing his sermon for the coming Sunday.  He reached to the shelf at his side for a book, and then remembered that he had left it downstairs.  His little daughter was playing in the bedroom, and he called her.  She came, running, eager and delighted at the thought that Papa needed her.  He explained carefully where she could find the book, and she went gladly, returning in a moment with a book which he saw at a glance was the wrong one.  But he hardly looked at the book as he took it and laid it on the table.  He looked only at the eager face of his little daughter, wreathed in smiles.  Gathering her close to his heart, he kissed her and said, ‘Thank you, darling.’  And when she had gone back happy and contented to her play he went quietly for the book he needed.  I think I should like to listen to the sermons that man would preach.”

-God’s Treasury of Virtues (Honor Books, c.2995) p. 209

 

            Many of us are not experiencing the love and caring of this godly man listed above.  In fact, even though many put on a brave face, there is a lot of people in pain among us.  I wonder what life would be like if we all tried to say a word of encouragement to someone rather than a critical one.  An unkind word could have crushed the beautiful child in the story above but loving kindness from her father blessed her instead.

            The holidays are over and everyone is counting their shekels to see if there’s enough left to make it through the bleak cold winter months.  Even though the faces of our fellow men and women may be brave, is fear and pain griping their hearts?  Let’s determine to spend some time deliberately trying to encourage one person each day.               

DROP A PEBBLE IN THE WATER

By James W. foley

 

Drop a pebble in the water:

Just a splash, and it is gone,

But there’s half-a-hundred ripples

Circling on and on and on,

Spreading, spreading from the center,

Flowing on out to the sea.

And there is no way of telling

Where the end is going to be.

 

Drop a pebble in the water:

In a minute you forget,

But there’s little waves a-flowing,

And there’s ripples circling yet,

And those little waves a-flowing

To a great big wave have grown;

You’ve disturbed a mighty river

Just by dropping in a stone.

 

Drop an unkind word, or careless:

In a minute it is gone;

But there’s half-a-hundred ripples

Circling on and on and on.

They keep spreading, spreading, spreading

From the center as they go

And there is no way to stop them,

Once you’ve started them to flow.

 

Drop an unkind word, or careless:

In a minute you forget:

But there’s little waves a-flowing,

And there’s ripples circling yet.

And perhaps in some sad heart

A mighty wave of tears you’ve stirred,

And disturbed a life was happy

Ere you dropped that unkind word.

 

Drop a word of cheer and kindness:

Just a flash and it is gone;

But there’s half-a-hundred ripples

Circling on and on and on,

Bearing hope and joy and comfort

On each splashing, dashing wave

Till you wouldn’t believe the volume

Of the one kind word you gave.

 

Drop a word of cheer and kindness:

In a minute you forget;

But there’s gladness still a-swelling,

And there’s joy circling yet,

And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort

Whose sweet music can be heard

Over miles and miles of water

Just by dropping one kind word.

-The Bible Friend, July 2009, p.4

 

 

 

            ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEAR’S

By Charlie Grier

 

‘Twas the night before New Year’s and all thru the earth

The people were seeking for pleasure and mirth –

While down in their hearts was the ill-concealed fear

That world-wide catastrophe lingered quite near.

 

The more the earth shrinks the more complex our borders.

Must cultural improvement bring on new disorders?

The higher our standards the more discontent –

I racked my poor brain to see what it all meant?

 

Then out of it all there came clearly the hunch

To save this old world I must put in MY punch!

No longer down-grading what other folks do

The plain path of duty is MINE to pursue!

 

I can’t stop the war, but I CAN stop the feud

‘Twixt me and my neighbor, my wife and the brood.

The financial ills of this world I can’t solve,

But MY OWN obligations I’ll meet with resolve!

 

The Leaders of State may continue to blunder –

The selfish and grasping continue to plunder –

I’m against many wrongs, like corruption, and war,

But this year I’ll ask myself, “WHAT AM I FOR?”

 

The church may not meet with my highest approval

But I will not ask for the Pastor’s removal.

The faults of my neighbor are easy to see

But this year I’ll ask myself, “WHAT ABOUT ME?”

 

New decade unfolding, a new year begins –

Who knows what we’ll face before it all ends?

We never will master the world’s problems grim

Until grace has MASTERED the monster within!

-Homespun Poems (1973)p.20

            Today is New Year’s Eve!  It is hard to believe that another year has gone by.  As we reflect on 2009 and consider the future of 2010, many people will be making New Year’s Resolutions.  

             I was reviewing some of Charlie Grier’s New Year’s articles and I found something interesting in his article for 2003.  Perhaps He found the secret!  He made some very inspiring resolutions for that year.  In 2003 Charlie was 97 years old.  Let’s take a look at what he desired to do.

MY GOAL FOR 2003

By Charlie Grier

1. I want to pray more, and with increased faith.
2. My resolve is to go to bed on time, eat properly, and give my body every possible advantage in order that I might continue to do service for the King.
3. I am naturally impatient.  I will try to take one day at a time.
4. I will separate worries from concerns.  I need to be concerned, but I must not worry!
5. I will live within my budget, avoid credit cards, and trust God for my needs.
6. I will carry my Bible, or a good book, to read when I am delayed, or whenever occasion affords.
7. I will try to see the funny side of every adverse situation, realizing that if I can’t laugh throughout the year, I may not live throughout the year.
8. I am resolved not to give up when the going gets rough, aware of the fact that “if God be for us, who can be against us.”

-Endquote

            I can tell you that he did keep his resolutions that year!  I watched him continue on under unbelievable odds.  The doctor said his heart was too weak to last more than a few months back in 1995.  He preached on his 100^th birthday!  Why?  It was because he trusted in His God to give him the strength to go on and be a blessing.  He loved God with all his heart.  His humor was awesome.  He became patient and took one thing at a time.  He learned how to operate the computer at age 90!  I believe his secret was his love for his God and for his fellow man.

            I think one secret to having a Happy New Year is found in Philippians 3:13-15 where Paul tells us to take the past and put it behind us and to reach for the things God has in store for us with eager open hands. 

 

I LOOK NOT BACK

By Annie Johnson Flint

 

I look not back; God knows the fruitless efforts,

The wasted hours, the sinning, the regrets

I leave them all with Him who blots the record,

And graciously forgives, and then forgets.

 

I look not forward; God sees all the future,

The road that short or long, will lead me home.

And He will face with me its every trial,

And bear for me the burdens that may come.

 

I look not round me; then would fears assail me,

So wild the tumult of earth’s restless seas,

So dark the world, so filled with woe and evil,

So vain the hope of comfort and of ease.

 

I look not inward; that would make me wretched;

For I have naught on which to stay my trust.

Nothing I see save failures and shortcomings,

And weak endeavors, crumbling into dust.

 

But I look up – into the face of Jesus,

For there my heart can rest, my fears are stilled;

And there is joy, and love, and light for darkness,

And perfect peace, and every hope fulfilled.

 

            When we put things behind us and look forward to what Jesus has for us, we find a brand new beginning.  One of the things I love about New Year’s Day is the illustration of what God has for His children.  We mess up.  We go to God and He forgives us and cleanses us.  Then He gives us a brand new start!  New Year’s Day is for me an example of God’s Brand New beginning.  “Putting those things behind, I press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus.”  May this year be a new beginning for all of us! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

           

Have you ever noticed how many feasts God originated?  How many times were His people told to remember God through a feast and exchanging of food as well as gifts for the poor?  I love it!  Jesus said to His disciples at the last supper that He would not eat with them again until they ate together in the Kingdom.  Have you thought about what that means?  It means we will eat food in Heaven with Jesus (and ladies – not get fat!!).  Now that is super cool!

Through this season Ken and I have remarked how much we have enjoyed it.  We have had Christmas instrumental music quietly playing softly in the background and we have decorated and made simple plans.  But the quiet sitting and thinking about the goodness of God has blessed us immensely.  The sweetness of the Presence of God is awesome!

Tonight is Christmas Eve.  Let’s spend time remembering and celebrating the day when Christ was born as a human being.  Whether this is His actual birthday is immaterial!  This is the day we celebrate His birth!  Oh let’s spend some time this night in worship of our Wonderful God!

O Holy Night

O Holy Night, The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Till He appeared, gift of infinite worth!

Behold the Babe in yonder manger lowly,

‘Tis God’s own Son come down in human form:

[REFRAIN]

Fall . . . on your knees . . . !

O, hear . . . the angel voices . . . !

O night . . . divine . . . !

O night . . . when Christ was born,

O night . . . divine!

O night, O . . . night divine!

O day of joy, when in eternal splendor

He shall return in His glory to reign,

When every tongue due praise to Him shall render,

His power and might to all nations proclaim!

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn,

Let’s thrill to the name of Jesus this night!  God became man so He could redeem a sinful people.  What a God! What a King!  What a Savior!

THE NAME OF JESUS

By A. B. Simpson, D.D.

GLORY to the Name of Jesus!

Once it stood for sin and shame;

Now the songs of earth and Heaven

Join to bless that glorious Name.

PARDON through the Name of Jesus!

Free from guilt, and fault, and blame,

We may stand beloved, accepted

As we come in Jesus Name.

VICTORY through the Name of Jesus!

Once for us He overcame,

And we conquer sin and Satan

Only in our Captain’s Name.

POWER through the Name of Jesus!

All His power our faith may claim,

God will work His wonders through us

When we use that mighty Name.

HEALING in the Name of Jesus!

How it thrills our suffering frame

When we learn to take from Jesus

Life and healing in His Name.

TELL abroad the Name of Jesus,

‘Round the world His love proclaim

Till earth’s saved and ransomed millions

Join to praise the Savior’s Name.

GLORY to the Name of Jesus!

Once it stood for sin and shame.

Now let all in earth and Heaven

Join to bless His glorious Name!

Have you ever thought about what you could give Jesus for a present on His birthday celebration?  The following poem was written by Romana Waller as a very young girl and found its way into GRANDMA GRIER’S SCRAPBOOK.  She gave permission for Charlie Grier to put it in his book of poems.

A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR HIM

By Romana Olson Waller

Tonight I am thinking of Jesus,

As I look at this beautiful tree,

And wonder just what I can give Him

Who has given so freely to me.

I’m counting my treasures all over,

And am wondering what He can use;

In loving a Person so dearly

It is really a problem to choose.

I wonder what really would please Him

And just what should my gift for Him be?

God gave HIM to us – oh! – I wonder,

Do you think He would like to have ME?

I’ve hands that will work for Him gladly,

I have feet to run errands of love,

And lips that can tell of a Savior,

Who came down from His home up above!

My heart – it will love Him forever!

There are souls I can help Him to win!

Tonight I am giving – yes, giving myself

As a Christmas present for Him!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the

mercies of God, that you present your

bodies a living sacrifice…” Rom 12:1

-Homespun Poems by Charlie Grier, Family & Friends (1973) p.28

I have also wondered what I should give Jesus for His Christmas Gift.  Here’s my poem.

A CHRISTMAS GIFT

By Marvine Scott

What can I give You, my Wonderful Lord;

Once a small baby so sweet and adored,

God of all Universe, Creator and King.

This is Your Birthday – Oh, what can I bring?

I give you myself, Lord – every last bit.

I give you my home and all that is in it.

I give you my husband and family to start

But I wish for a present to give joy to Your Heart!

TO give money to others – You must first give to me.

The sky is the limit, Lord, what do we see?

There are missions and missionaries, churches and staff

Or we could give to a child so that child could laugh.

Dear Jesus, I wish You a Happy Birthday.

May others find You is what I really pray.

May Christians draw close and grow in your grace sublime.

I know what I’ll do, Lord.  I give You my time.

I love this poem by Annie Flint.  How well she describes the normal problems in our everyday life.  Statistics tell us that this is one of the worst times of year for depression and the temptation to return to unhealthy methods of relieving our problems.  How do we deal with life especially during this busy Season?  Let’s take a look at how Annie does.

I LOOK NOT BACK

By Annie Johnson Flint

I look not back; God knows the fruitless efforts,

The wasted hours, the sinning, the regrets.

I leave them all with Him who blots the record,

And graciously forgives, and then forgets.

I look not forward; God sees all the future,

The road that short or long, will lead me home.

And He will face with me its every trial,

And bear for me the burdens that may come.

I look not round me; then would fears assail me,

So wild the tumult of earth’s restless seas,

So dark the world, so filled with woe and evil,

So vain the hope of comfort and of ease.

I look not inward; that would make me wretched;

For I have naught on which to stay my trust.

Nothing I see save failures and shortcomings,

And weak endeavors, crumbling into dust.

But I look up – into the face of Jesus,

For there my heart can rest, my fears are stilled;

And there is joy, and love, and light for darkness,

And perfect peace, and every hope fulfilled.

This is all fine and good but Who Is the Christ of Christmas?  How can we do what Annie does?  Let’s listen for a minute to our beloved Charlie Grier as He describes to us the answer to this very question.

Knowing Who He Really Was

By Charlie Grier

In a distant land, on a bygone day,

A little BABE in a manger lay.

But who could tell, as He nestled there,

While Mary and Joseph bowed in prayer,

That here on the hay, with His infant cry,

Lay the Master of ocean, earth, and sky?

And then as He taller and fairer grew –

This lad that all of His neighbors knew

To be pleasant and courteous, brave and strong,

With a cheery smile and a hearty song –

Touched their hearts and troubled their minds,

“Who was this lad so gentle and kind?”

They liked His frank, straightforward ways,

His wisdom and words were beyond His days,

And they paused to watch Him fashion wood

In a manner no other craftsman could –

He impressed them much, as a good boy does

But they never dreamed who He really was!

At last a lock is upon the door –

The Carpenter of Nazareth is no more,

But now, a Man with a “ONE-WAY” sign

Is telling the Truth to all mankind.

He is pointing to that “narrow way”

That leads, at last, to Eternal Day;

And they listen just as they did before

Back in His humble work-shop door.

“Never man spake as he,” they cry –

With new hope gleaming in their eye.

“The strength of Elijah he displays,

But he is unlike him in some ways –

Like Jeremiah, he weeps and warns

While favor from the rich he scorns.

Messiah? – No, he cannot be –

No prophet comes from Galilee!”

And so they turned from Him because

They didn’t know who He really was!

Then He showed His love through mighty deeds:

He healed their sick and supplied their needs –

He cleansed the leper and raised the dead –

The hungry multitudes were fed.

He stilled the storm – the poor He blessed –

He offered pardon, peace, and rest!

His critics cried, “He is too meek –

He tries too hard the lost to seek!

We want a leader strong as steel –

Full of courage, strength, and zeal

To rule the world with an iron rod –

Yet, never once claiming to be God.”

At last united, in Pilate’s Hall

A verdict of “death” was agreed by all.

“Envy” brought charges of trumped-up sin.

“Hatred” shouted “Away with Him!”

God’s angry earthquake shook the sod!

Honesty acknowledged, “This was the Son of God!”

At Christmastide, when men of good will

Seek to worship the Christ child still,

Have you stayed too long in Bethlehem town?

Or, have you followed His steps around

To Jerusalem, and Galilee,

And this angry throng at Calvary?

Have you stood amazed beneath the Cross

And cried, “For ME He suffered loss –

It was for ME He bore disgrace –

Bearing MY sin – taking MY place?”

The message of Christmas is more, by far,

Than the angels’ song, or the Wise Men’s star.

Have you stood at the Tomb in ecstasy,

Where nature responded to Deity

And shouted, “Christ is the Victor now

For He conquered DEATH on Calvary’s brow!”

If YOU are not saved, is it not because

You too, haven’t learned who He really was?

“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, The Son of the living God.  And Jesus answered and said… Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father…”  Matt. 16:16

-End quote

Someone once said, “The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much!”  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we call all fall in love with Jesus this year and spend not only the next few weeks spreading the Love of God to all around us but have it become a life pattern for the years to come?  When we get to know who Jesus really is, we can let Him fill our lives with meaning and joy!  Let’s let the Christ of Christmas fill us and become contagious so that everyone will come to know that same Wonderful Peace, Joy and Love.

THINK BEFORE YOU WEEP

By Dorothy Metcalf, MN

If your arteries have hardened

And arthritis slows your gait,

If your tired blood is stubborn,

Not inclined to circulate;

If your aerobic days are over

And you cannot do the “twist,”

If your time is spent in brooding

O’er the many things you’ve missed;

If you’re constantly complaining

On your rocker or your couch,

If you’re ornery and cranky

And becoming quite a grouch;

Well, if this is your condition

And you get no sympathy,

Then it’s time you started trying

A new kind of therapy.

Though you have your share of trouble,

Think of others with more pain,

Like that fellow in his wheelchair

Who will never walk again.

Take time to write a letter

And while pen is in your palm,

Thank the good Lord up above you

For the use of that right arm.

Try relaxing in the sunshine,

Note each flower, bird and tree,

Then appreciate your eyesight –

There are many who can’t see.

When you tune in television

And each sound is loud and clear

Just think of those who’d give a lot

If only they could hear.

Yes, I’ve practiced what I’m preaching

And I’ve learned there’s joy to reap

If you stop and count your blessings

And just “think before you weep.”

-The Bible Friend (Vol. 106, No 6, July 2009) p.4

One of the things I have discovered in life is that there are always people around me who have it worse than I do.  It really works to ‘count your blessings!’  When we do, we find we truly are blessed people and have much for which to be grateful.  Even if we have had hardship and pain, we can worship our God because He is there to help us through these difficult times.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

By Johnson Oatman Jr. (1856-1922)

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings; name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the LORD has done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings, money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings, Name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God has done.

Count your blessings, Name them one by one;

Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

The month of December is one of the most difficult months for many people.  There is massive depression and disappointment.  People are striving to please their family or are having enormous expectations that are unfulfilled.  It seems to be a time of extremes in indulgence and emotions.   Dad has a wonderful slant on this ‘Strange Season’.

THIS STRANGE SEASON

By Charlie Grier

Christmas is the strangest season

People just forget to reason;

Everyone is buying – spending –

Doing up their gifts and sending

To their friends, both far and wide,

Just because it’s Christmastide.

There is something in the air

Just makes people want to share;

I’ve seen folks accused of hoarding

Buying, giving, and according

To the spirit of the year

Helping to spread Christmas cheer.

What’s the meaning of this season?

Have men really lost their reason?

Or, is it that on this day

In a manger far away

God’s best GIFT to man was given,

Hope of earth, and joy of Heaven!

-Homespun Poems (Charlie Grier 1973) p.29

We have already plunged into this month of frenzy but let’s take time to worship God for Who He is and what He’s done for mankind.  The next few weeks will fly by but we need to see what’s important.  It would be good to emulate Evy Reis’s way of bringing warmth into her life!

CHRISTMAS RECEIPE

By Evy Reis

Take a bit of cheerfulness,

A pinch of laughter, too,

Next take a cup of thoughtfulness

And stir them through and through.

Add to this tranquility,

A verse of “Silent Night,”

That ever quiet we may be

When God sends His holy light.

Gently fold in some tenderness,

A handclasp or smile will do.

Perhaps it could be a fond caress,

Or a rose with a drop of dew.

Set aside a moment while you go

For spices, herbs, a scent of pine . . .

For music and fun, a candle’s glow,

And a star that was the sign.

Now mix and stir and fold again,

Then add some mistletoe,

A bit of faith, and love, and then

Into the oven your cake must go.

Where warmth and affection will combine

To make this cake come true.

Garnish with happiness, truth so fine,

Enough for you and you!

Cut a piece, but save some too

For every day of the year.

Serve with a prayer for peace on earth,

And a heavenly kingdom near.

Christmas Ideals 1966

I find it enjoyable to deliberately be kind to clerks waiting on a frantic public in December.  A smile of appreciation brings joy to their faces and warmth to our hearts.  Praising God each day gives us the peace and joy we need to encourage others.

An unknown author gives us a thought to ponder.

Praising God for blessings

Extends them.

Praising God for troubles

Ends them.

Sunday, 15 NOV 2009

By John M. Grier Jr. (Charlie Grier’s grandson)

“I woke up this evening (I work nights) around 7pm to discover the power was out.  After stumbling through the dark, completely disoriented and finally finding my wife, I discovered the power had been out for a few hours.  I made my way back to the bathroom and pondered my dilemma.  How would I get ready for work?

“I had to shower, get dressed, and pack a lunch, many things that we take for granted every day.  These “modern conveniences” have taken control of our lives and we didn’t even know it was happening!  It was not that many years ago, in the grand scheme of things, that electricity was a luxury, but now it has become something we rely on for everything.

“Take the life of my grandfather, for example.  He was born in 1906.  When he was born, there were production cars being made, but only rich people had one and you rarely saw one.  Electricity was around, but not everyone had it.  Running water was the same way.  Many people, perhaps most people used an outhouse, carried water from a spring or stream and had very little use for electricity.  Clothes were washed by hand; a block of ice, cut from a pond in the winter and stored underground in an “ice house” was the source of refrigeration.

“Now, as I pondered my situation, I came to the conclusion that I could take a bath in a sink, using cold water and would somehow survive the experience, when the power suddenly came back on.  I was saved!

“Isn’t it funny how we take something for granted?  We wake up in the morning (or evening in my case) to an electric alarm clock and take a shower using water heated by a machine, without any thought whatsoever as to how it works or what we would do without it.

“We then make our way to the kitchen for a glass of juice or, as in the case of many of you, a pot or two of coffee, prepared automatically by the machine itself, pick up the newspaper that has magically arrived while we slept, get into our car and drive a distance that would have taken our ancestors hours, if not days to travel, passing through a drive through for our breakfast, which is handed out a window so we don’t even have to get up to get it!  We do all of this without any thought whatsoever as to how it happens or what we would do without it.

“If any one item in our routine breaks down, we have trouble handling it.  What would we do if all of a sudden electricity was no longer available?  Most of our machines would not operate and we have gotten to the point that we could not function without them.  Think about it.  How would you wake up, bathe, have breakfast and make it to work if electricity and gasoline were not available?

“Most of us wouldn’t even try.  What would we do if, after taken away they were never brought back?  Many of us would simply die of starvation.

“Throughout history, life has been a struggle.  The basic things we take for granted today, our ancestors worked all day to achieve.  For example, if you wanted to eat, you had to plant a garden, care for it and eventually you would be able to eat it.  If you wanted it to last through the winter, you had to can the items so they would last.  If you wanted meat, you would have to kill an animal, clean it and then prepare it.

“This all takes a bit more time than just grabbing a steak out of the freezer and slapping it on the grill.  This brings us to the art of cooking.  You would have to gather firewood to cook with and leftovers would not last, because there were no refrigerators.  They may make it to morning, but that was it.  This would dominate your day.  And, tomorrow, you would have to do it again!

“Travel of distances more than a few miles would only happen if it was absolutely necessary.  How would you get there?  Walk?  Perhaps ride a horse?  I don’t know about you, but I am extremely grateful for our modern machines that make life so easy.

“However, a very big question comes to mind.  What have all of these modern machines done to us?  We look at them and begin to think we are intelligent and no longer need God.  Have our machines become our gods?  Or, have we progressed to the point that we believe we no longer need Him or even believe He exists?

“If we lost our vehicles, we would not be able to find work that would allow us to get caught up on our bills and we would lose even more.  Eventually, we would get to a point where we had nothing at all.  Then, we would turn to God and ask him why this all happened to us.

“Many of us at this point would become bitter and wonder why God allowed this to happen, after all, we are basically good people.  The simple answer is that God wants us to rely on him.  We manage our lives without him, and never have time for him, with all of our “stuff”, without realizing that all he wants is to get to know us and for us to know him.  He will meet our needs, if we let him.”

-End quote (condensed)

God is BEFORE me, He will be my guide;

God is BEHIND me, no ill can betide;

God is BESIDE me, to comfort and cheer;

God is AROUND me, so why should I fear?

Uncle Ben’s (c 1976) p.175