Verses from Mama

Hearing God speak one Bible verse at a time.

Ordinary Pumpkins Transformed

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2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.” 

Sometimes a little bit of light makes ordinary things special! Twinkle lights strung from the rafters of an old barn create a romantic atmosphere. Christmas bulbs encircling a typical evergreen bring delight to people of all ages. And a candle lit inside a large orange pumpkin produces big smiles.

 This weekend was packed full of activity. John-Keith and Naomi came from Boston to visit and we spent a lovely time celebrating the autumn season with family and friends. Our Harvest Party, a square dance, and some great family time kept us hopping. When all the hoopla was finished, the kids took the leftover pumpkins and created a family of jack-o-lanterns. The smiling faces of the mama, daddy, and baby pumpkin lit up as the candles inside them gently burned – an ordinary vegetable given new life because of a light within.

Those who receive Jesus as Savior are transformed in a similar way. Our earthly bodies are filled with the Holy Spirit who shines His light through us to the world. The Apostle Paul says that God’s children are like ordinary earthen vessels containing the greatness of the power of God. We struggle with infirmities and difficulties just like everyone else, but we have the ability to overcome and share the message of the gospel with great power because God works in and through us. In this way we cannot take any accolades for ourselves. Our weaknesses prove that the power we possess is from God.

As the years go by our physical bodies will deteriorate as they do for everyone with age. But we do not need to lose heart. The inner light provided by the Spirit of God will shine brighter and brighter as we allow Him to fill us. Despite our frailty we will someday see how God has used us to illuminate the world that lives in spiritual darkness.

Ordinary pumpkins are transformed when a light shines brightly within. So, too, an everyday man or woman, boy or girl who has Jesus living within brightens a dark world with the light of God. Let God shine through you and allow Him to make ordinary you something truly beautiful and special!

Love,

Mama

Victory Prediction

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1 Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Life is filled with a variety of experiences – some good and some bad. But wouldn’t it be great if you could always be assured of a positive ending?

It has been a fun high school volleyball season in our small town. Abigail’s varsity team has had a great season. We look forward to watching the bump, set, spike sequence played out time and again. The thrill of the diving digs, the powerful kills, and the formidable blocks keep us yelling our support.

Yet even in the midst of their success there have been disappointments. Recently the team pulled out an convincing victory against a strong rival team. Unfortunately, only one week later, they came up just short against one of the league’s strongest teams. Even after giving that latter game every ounce of strength and mental will power, the final few points remained elusive.

Life also has its shares of exciting wins and frustrating losses. We have moments where events seem to flow smoothly and our spirits soar on eagle’s wings. Everything works together and our efforts yield a satisfying win. Other times the day starts wrong and gets progressively worse. Difficulties pepper our attempts to succeed and we just can’t pull out the win.

Whatever your experience may be don’t give up! Despite the ups and downs of life God’s word tells us how the game is going to end. Thanks be to God! In Christ we will have the final victory. Even in death, the worst tragedy of all, we can be assured of a win, for those who know Christ as Savior will rise from the grave to live forever.

Volleyball’s regular season is coming to a close and the sectional tournament starts soon. It’s a fresh start for all teams throughout the state. A string of strong play can yield a championship, or one bad game can mean the end of the season in this single elimination series.

But one thing is certain for each one who trusts Christ. You can live your life with the full assurance you will be on the championship team in life! Enjoy the confidence that God gives His children – the confidence of a sure victory!

Love,

Mama

Growing Up To Spiritual Maturity

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Hebrews 5:12 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God and you have come to need milk and not solid food.”

It has always amazed me how fast babies grow. When each of you was born you weighed anywhere between 7-10 pounds. While you were pretty healthy sizes for newborns, you still seemed so tiny to me. Yet within a couple of weeks you each outgrew your tiny clothing and I was forced to purchase larger sizes. That’s what babies do – they eat, they sleep, and they grow! If this is not the case, then you know something is wrong.

The writer to the Hebrews used this example to explain that we as believers also need to be growing. The Jewish Christians who were reading this letter had heard all of the elementary teachings of Jesus, and now the author wanted to teach them deeper things. But there was a problem – they weren’t growing spiritually like they should have been. These men and women again needed to be reminded of the basics and were not ready to move on to meatier teaching. By this time in their spiritual journey they should have been teaching others but they were still infants themselves.

This was a dangerous situation for them, and it is for us, too. If a person is not moving forward in the faith, growing and gaining strength, then he or she is at risk of falling away. As we learn more we gain greater insight into what is good and what is evil. We recognize truth and can more easily discern lies Satan wants us to believe.

Just as a growing baby is always moving forward learning to hold up his head, to crawl, then walk, and talk until he becomes an adult, so we must be progressing in our knowledge of God and the ability to trust Him. This takes much diligence on our part. Reading our Bible daily and praying and asking God for understanding is spiritual food that will nourish our souls and help us grow up in the Lord.

It’s been 25 years since my first baby was born and I am glad to say my 8-pounder is now 6’4 and over 200 pounds. I guess he has been eating well!! The rest of you have grown a lot, too. But the next question is:  how are you doing with your spiritual growth? Let’s make sure we move past drinking milk to eating heartier fare. Press on to spiritual maturity, and let’s see where you go from here!

Love,

Mama

God’s Secret Service

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Hebrews 3:12-13 “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” 

Every person needs someone to watch over him or her. No matter how old or strong or wise or grounded in the faith a person seems to be, there is always the risk of temptation’s gaining a foothold. This is the way it will always be while we live on this sinful earth, and this is why the writer to the Hebrews tells his readers to watch out for one other.

Recently I read the book Mrs. Kennedy and Me, by Clint Hill. Mr. Hill was one of the secret service agents assigned to Jacqueline Kennedy during her stay in the White House as first lady. Along with learning about the fascinating life of one of the world’s leading ladies, I was extremely amazed at the precautions taken to protect her and her children from those who might want to injure her and even the press who sought to invade her privacy. Over time Mr. Hill came to know and understand the first lady’s temperament and desires. He spent hours upon hours in her presence always keeping an eye open for any trouble that might be lurking around the corner.

While I think it would get pretty old and restrictive to be constantly guarded by a secret service agent, it is important for us as children of God to be watchful of one another. Accountability is of utmost importance when it comes to preserving our faith and integrity when it comes to living God’s way. We have an enemy who constantly seeks to destroy us through deceit and doubt. By isolating us from other believers he has a better chance of being successful.

When we meet together on a regular basis and look out for one another we are able to intercept trouble before it has time to do damage. Through prayer, encouragement, and gentle words of affirmation or correction we can strengthen and empower one another to remain firm in faith and to resist the wiles of the devil. We can walk with each other through adversity and provide a helping hand and strong shoulder to lean on when life gets hard.

Mr. Clint Hill of the United States Secret Service remained with Mrs. Kennedy until the end of her time as first lady and even a year beyond. His watchful eye and careful preparations protected her during all hours of the day and night. He was there with her the day President Kennedy was shot and immediately jumped on board the vehicle to help her when she faced the worst day of her life.

How much more should we as fellow Christians keep a watchful eye on each other? Our enemy is real and seeking to kill and destroy our faith. We are all subject to his deceitful tactics. So keep your eyes open for anyone who might be falling away. Encourage each other and cheer one another on. We are in the secret service of the King of Kings, and somebody’s life might just depend on us.

Love,

Mama

Front Page Headlines

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Psalm 93:1a “The Lord reigns, He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and is armed with strength.”

Throughout the years the daily news has provided fodder for the daily ritual of reading the newspaper. The black and white newsprint picked up at the local store or delivered directly to the house has enlightened many to world events and local news. Births, deaths, and other activities fill the columns. And in a small town especially we rejoice and grieve, give and share, and laugh and cry with each other in the daily experiences of life chronicled in those pages.

With children in school it has been especially fun to read the articles related to sporting events. Abigail’s volleyball team has done so well this season. After a big game it is exciting to grab the newspaper and read the reporter’s view of the game. The words become even more special if your name is mentioned in the column. Those articles deserve to be cut out and hung on the fridge!

Recently while reading Psalm 93 I couldn’t help but think about how great our God is. He is far above and beyond what any human being could imagine. His name, His attributes, and His feats all warrant the front page headline of any newspaper.

Our Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. He firmly established the world and it cannot be moved. He is the King whose throne was established long ago and He reigns from eternity and onward.

All of creation lifts up His name. The seas lift up their voices. They pound the ocean sand with mighty applause to express their praise of all His works. The Lord on high is mightier than even the strongest hurricane and powerful wind. His laws stand firm forever and utter holiness adorns His house. How great is our God!!

Tomorrow if you receive the daily newspaper, peruse the headlines. There will be much to consider. But when you are finished, pick up your Bible, read Psalm 93, and listen to the words about our God! Read about Who He is and what He has done. See His name in the front page headlines of Scripture and rejoice. Hang these words on your fridge for all to see because this great and mighty God is our Father and we belong to Him.

Love,

Mama

 

How Valuable is Your Stuff?

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Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will he not also with Him freely give us all things?”

A good portion of my job deals with people’s stuff! I don’t mean that I am dealing with people who have specific issues in life, but with people who own a lot of stuff. In other words – chattel, material goods, personal property – STUFF!

Regularly our company will receive a call from a person who has to liquidate some or all of his or her belongings. Sometimes this person has moved and needs to downsize. Other times there has been a death in the family and the unneeded or unwanted possessions must be disposed of in a timely matter. Business liquidations, divorces . . . you name it. Our crew responds to these calls by going to the home, boxing up the items, moving them to our Event Center, and on a specific day selling the items at auction. In just a few hours all the stuff is gone!

One by one the items are sold and the purchase price is determined by the amount that the bidders are willing to pay. Some items bring a decent amount of money while others, such as box lots of household goods, bring a small sum. Often it is easy to predict how much a certain piece will sell for – but every once in a while something crazy happens, and an ordinary item will sky rocket in price. Two or more bidders will volley back and forth until it sells for much more than expected.

Why does this happen? Occasionally it is because there is some sentimental meaning to the purchase. Family members or friends will join the bidding war hopefully to acquire the piece that reminds them of a loved one or special experience. The memory or feeling of the bidders and the price they are willing to pay determines the worth and value of the item.

There is a spiritual bidding war going on in the world today. Satan, our enemy, desires to acquire the soul of each human. This liar tries to keep our price down by constantly reminding us of our unworthiness: “You are failures and worth less than a box lot of stuff,” he whispers in our ears. But the truth of the matter is that all humanity was made in the image of God and this makes us valuable to Him.

Falling into sin tarnished us, but God loved us so much that He was willing to pay the highest price to buy us back. He did not spare His own Son, but sent Him to earth to die in our place and to purchase us back with His blood. What we look like, what we’ve done, or what we’ve accomplished is of no consequence. To God we are not just stuff to be discarded, but people of inestimable value.

How valuable is your stuff? While our company can’t guarantee what your items will sell for, I can tell you this: you, God’s creation made in His image, are very valuable and of great worth! God made the highest bid when He sent His only Son to purchase you with His blood. And nobody can top that bid!

Love,
Mama

 

My Couch Potato Days

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Hebrews 4:9 “So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.”

Being a couch potato is not a good thing – usually. But there are times when we need and benefit from extended periods of rest. These times can refresh us physically, but they can also give us opportunities to de-clutter our minds and reprioritize our lives.

Three weeks ago I had surgery on my foot, and, consequently, I was forced to become a couch potato. While there have been some hurdles to overcome in this situation – boredom, muscle atrophy, and general immobility – there have been many benefits. Sometimes we must be forced to rest from the whirlwind American life. In my time of forced inactivity God has reminded me that an attitude of rest should be characteristic of a Christian’s life whether I am on the couch or living life as usual.

Hebrews 4 reminds us of the failure of God’s chosen people to enter His rest. Their disobedience caused them to forfeit their opportunity. After years of wandering in the wilderness, all adults, with the exception of two, died in the wilderness and only those the age of twenty and under finally arrived at the Promised Land.

The chapter goes on to speak of another rest – one in which we can all enter if we are obedient to the Lord. My recent couch potato life gave me time to consider these different types of rest that are available for God’s children every day.

  1. Stopping Work – Americans tend to applaud those who work the hardest and the longest. These people are considered successful and committed. They are up for the raises and promotions. But God calls us to stop ourselves intentionally on a weekly basis and rest. Christians must keep this time of “Sabbath Rest” if we want to experience the best that God has for us.
  2. Refreshment – Taking time to rest from our work creates space to rejuvenate our bodies and our minds. We then have the ability to enjoy our family, friends, and other gifts from God. The joy of life fills us as we take a break and just breath.
  3. Spiritual Realignment/Worship – Times of solitude can serve to focus our minds on God. A quiet walk allows us to hear the birds and view creation with an eye to the greatness of the Creator. Jesus took time to get away from the constant pressures of the crowds to speak to His Father. We, too, should get away to worship and refocus our hearts on the One who made us and loves us.
  4. Freedom from worry and anxiety – Resting in the Lord is giving Him all our cares and concerns. Daily we should be bringing our anxieties to Him in prayer and leaving them with Him. He promises peace and rest to the burdened souls who come to Him with an attitude of trust.
  5. Letting go of human control – When we strive to control all areas of life, we are not resting. By relinquishing our desire to manipulate everything we will receive great peace. In order to do this we must understand that God is the ultimate authority. He has power over everything and He loves us greatly. Nothing that  happens to us that has slipped through His fingers unnoticed.
  6. Death – We can rest from our fear of death by accepting and trusting in God’s plan of salvation. For the believer the best is yet to come. When we leave this world behind we will experience the ultimate rest from our labors. We will live in heaven – a place where there are no tears, no pain, and no sorrow. This is the final rest to which we are all called.

I am about at the end of my couch potato days for now. Slowly but surely I will be returning to the regular rhythm of life. But I want to remember – and I want you all to experience – the daily abiding rest that God offers to all of His children. Cultivate this attitude in obedience to God’s commands, couch potato or not, and you will be blessed!

Love,

Mama

See Dictionary of Biblical Imagery edited by Ryken, Wilhout, Tremper, & Longman III for more on this subject.

Forgiving and Forgetting

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Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

“When you wake up from the anesthesia you will not remember anything that happened during the surgery.”

Dr. Fox spoke these words to calm my fears about my impending foot surgery a couple of weeks ago. The assuring thought filled my mind as the nurses wheeled me down the hospital hallway. Then the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room staring at my bandaged foot and wondering how three hours had passed so quickly. If only other kinds of painful situations could be forgotten so easily.

Living in a fallen world as we do, there is no one who will escape painful moments. Sin causes each of us to be hurt and to hurt others with our words, actions, or lack of action. Sometimes the pain is inflicted unintentionally when our motives are misunderstood, and other times the pain is caused by an act of malice intended to harm physically or emotionally. While these often unavoidable circumstances create wounds that deeply scar our hearts, the path to healing is found in forgiveness. God says that we should not let bitterness and wrath infect our heart, but instead be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving of one another.

When we choose to forgive one who has harmed us we set ourselves free from bondage. This does not mean that the wound is not real, but it keeps our heart from developing a deadly infection that will only make the pain worse. We must release the anger and bitterness through forgiveness because this is what God has done for us. By dying on the cross for our sins, Jesus Christ purchased our forgiveness and restored our fellowship with God. By forgiving others we release the hold they have on us, and we allow God to begin the healing process in our wounded hearts.

If we are to forgive others the way God in Christ has forgiven us, we must consider what that means. Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” God chooses to forget our sin when we receive His forgiveness. But what about us?

Forgive AND forget! This is hard to do! If we choose to forgive someone who has harmed us, how do we forget the injustices we have suffered? It is not easy to let go of painful experiences and our minds often hold these memories forever.

I do not know of any kind of anesthesia that can cause us to forget our painful experiences completely. In response to different triggers, these injustices will sometimes come back to our minds. But I have found a way to aid in the forgetting process. As an unwanted memory flows through uncontrollable channels into my mind, I have made it a habit to debilitate the camera roll of events. I immediately stop and ask God to help me in my moment of distress. I don’t focus on future occurrences of the memory, but only on the present moment. In this way I redirect my thoughts, choose to let forgiveness win, and ask God help me in the forgetting process. I remind myself that He understands what I experienced and has everything under control. By trusting Him in the moment He moves me forward in the healing process.

My foot is progressing nicely after my surgery. Dr. Fox did an excellent job and I am very appreciative of her kindness, knowledge, and skill. I am also glad I have no recollection of the pain involved in the process.

It’s not quite as easy when it comes to other kinds of hurts, but I am even more thankful that God has the power to heal my heart. By trusting Him completely moment by moment, He will help me to forgive AND forget just as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven me.

Love,

Mama

Slavery Is More Prevalent Than We Think

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Hebrews 2:14-15 “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.” 

Photo taken at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio

What does it feel like to be a slave? Most of us have listened with horror and disbelief to history lessons spelling out the indecencies that men have inflicted on one another. In America the mistreatment of African-American people has been a huge blot on our country’s timeline, and those involved experienced much emotional and physical grief. The repercussions of this slavery are still being felt today.

In more recent history sex trafficking has come to the forefront as a major source of slavery. According to Wikipedia, “The selling of young women into sexual slavery has become one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises in the global economy. The United Nations reports that 4 million people a year are traded against their will to work in one or another form of servitude.”[1][2]

These and other forms of slavery have something in common. They are all connected to the sinful nature that man inherited from our first parents. Every person has the capability of giving this type of treatment to others because we ourselves are enslaved to our own sin problems.

“Me?” you may say. “I have never been a slave and I don’t know what if feels like!”

Has someone who is suffering from low feelings of self-esteem ever treated you unkindly? Have you tried to find relief from pain in worldly pleasures? Have you carried guilt like a ball and chain around your ankle and rehashed your mistakes over and over, wishing you could have a redo? Does the thought of death – yours or a loved one’s – create terror and lock your heart in a prison of fear?

These are only some of the enslavements that sin brings into our lives. Each and every one of us has been held in the power of another because we are human. Addictions, anger, bitterness, discouragement, anxiety, loneliness, perfectionism, stress, and prejudice are some of the prisons that hold us captive to our emotions and direct our mistreatment of others.

Slaves need to be set free to thrive! God knows this and did something about it. He gave His only Son a human body and sent Him to break us out of our prison. Through His death He removed the power that our captor, Satan, had over us so that we could be free from the sin slavery that ruled our lives.

All of the things that bind us can be removed by the power of God’s Son, but we have to want it! Sadly many slaves either do not want to or don’t know how to be free. They keep returning to their captors to endure the same suffering over and over when it is not necessary.

What does it feel like to be a slave? If you think clearly about your life, you will know – we have all been there in one way or another. The real question is: What does it feel like to be free? Really free? Come to Jesus and find out! If the Son will set you free, you will be free indeed!

Love,

Mama

Three Generations of Sheridan Auctioneers

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John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Three generations of Sheridan auctioneers is no small feat. When Grandma Sheridan enrolled Grandpa in auction school forty years ago he may not have realized that one of his sons and grandsons would follow in his steps. But none of these accomplishments happened automatically. They were the result of decisions, planning, and hard work.

Over four decades ago, after much dreaming, Grandma Sheridan enrolled Grandpa in the Knotts School of Auctioneering. For many weeks Grandpa traveled to Chillicothe, Ohio, where he spent hours each Thursday evening taking classes and learning this trade. Over the following months he trained under the best in the business and spent hours perfecting his chant as well as becoming a successful businessman (actually, Grandma helped with the business part!).

In 1995 Dad decided to join the Sheridan auction business, but he did not automatically become an auctioneer just because his father was one. Dad travelled to Missouri Auction School where he spent the required hours taking classes to become certified. After a yearlong apprenticeship, Dad also became a full-fledged auctioneer, and has spent the past two decades years using this gift to help people with their personal property and real estate needs.

This summer Nathan also made the decision to begin his auctioneer journey, but neither was he able to have an easy entrance into the field. Having a grandfather and father in the business did not preclude his need to go to school and get certified. He made the decision, paid the fee, and in June of this year he also attended the Missouri Auction School with an apprenticeship under Dad.

Three generations of Sheridans, but each one had to make the decision and put in the time to become an auctioneer. No one was able to slide in under the table because of past family connections or experience.

This is the way it is with the family of God. A person doesn’t become a Christian just because their father or grandfather made that commitment. They do not gain entrance into heaven because of someone else’s decisions. Each person must recognize their sinful nature and come to God on their own. When a person understands their personal need for a Savior and calls on God for forgiveness, He promises to answer and make them His child. At that moment they are born of the Spirit and have entered the Kingdom of God.

Auctioneer parents don’t automatically produce auctioneer children. It takes a decision and a lot of work. In the same way Christian parents don’t automatically produce Christian children. Each generation needs to come to God on his or her own in order to enter His Kingdom.

While I don’t expect you all will become auctioneers, I trust that each and every one of you will become part of God’s family. But it doesn’t happen automatically. That decision is up to you!

Love,

Mama