Verses from Mama

Hearing God speak one Bible verse at a time.

An Auction Discovery – Bad News Or Good News?

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Numbers 32:23 “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord, and you may be sure your sins will find you out.”

There are always two perspectives to consider and two sides to every coin, so listen carefully because I have some bad news and some good news.

The bad news is that more often than not our indiscretions are remembered longer than we expect. Yesterday we held an auction containing some interesting primitive antique items. After the sale was over I walked around the Event Center to lock all the doors. While making my rounds a small brown card lying on a chair caught my eye. I stooped to pick it up. It was a reprimand written to a local dairy farmer for failing to comply with dairy regulations. The card was a notice to the farmer that his license for selling milk was being revoked. The year was 1939.

I can only imagine the embarrassment and hardship this brief notice must have created in the life of this farm family. But life goes on, and over time the violation and all it entailed were probably forgotten . . . until last Wednesday! Yesterday the infraction resurfaced, though I am sure the offending farmer never dreamed this small card advertising his oversight would show up again so many years later.

We may be intrigued by this piece of local trivia, but how many of us would like our decisions and actions of today brought to light many years later? Young people often post immature and inappropriate rants and photos on social media, never realizing that those foolish comments may come back to haunt them later. Potential employers and prospective marriage partners (or parents of prospective marriage partners) may judge you based on these indiscreet posts. These things never go away and you can be sure that even those written thoughts you think you’ve hidden will eventually be found out.

But there is some good news. When a person chooses to make wise decisions and do things in an appropriate manner, these will also trickle down to posterity. A stellar example today may become the turning point in the life of someone from a future generation. An act of kindness will make an impression on someone who will be encouraged to follow you example. A wise decision may help establish your future success. People are watching your every move.

So think long and hard before making decisions or acting unwisely: how you handle yourself today may somehow show up at auction eight decades later. And whether that’s bad news or good news depends on you!

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

 

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

Whatever Happened To The Good Old Days?

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2 Timothy 3:1-2 “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy. . . ”

Whatever happened to the good old days?

Regularly I am reminded of times past as I prepare for upcoming antique auctions. This week one of our featured items is a checklist reminder. This old time memorandum is painted on a wooden board and uses pins to mark the pantry items which were running low. While taking photographs for our website I came across this gem and was surprised to see how few items were represented on the list – twenty-seven to be exact. Times sure have changed!

Life was simpler way back when and people were satisfied with much less than we are today. Grocery stores are now supersized and things once considered conveniences are now necessities. This trouble follows us into almost every area of life. We never seem to have enough, and more is always better. Satisfaction and thankfulness are things of the past.

These human characteristics are disturbing but they shouldn’t be surprising. Hundreds of years ago the Bible predicted that this would happen, and as time goes on things will get worse and worse. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy and the list goes on. We can already see that these things are true all around us, and our media, our commercials, and our lifestyles encourage it.

As God’s children we should search our hearts to see if any of these destructive behavior patterns have slipped in. Our lives should be completely opposite from the world’s ways and emulate the life of Jesus. We should love others more than we love ourselves. We should love God more than money. We should be humble, kind, obedient, thankful and holy. These are what make us stand out from the world and brightly shine our gospel light.

Whatever happened to the good old days? The days of short, uncomplicated grocery lists are gone forever. There are so many things to choose from – more than we could ever need. But don’t be surprised when you still regularly meet people who are not grateful. A lack of thankfulness, along with many other ungodly attitudes, is only going to get worse as time goes on. Just make sure, as God’s child, these characteristics are not representative of you.

Love,

Mama

Help Wanted – All May Apply

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James 2:1 “My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.”

img_4173_3110x2074We live in a prejudiced world. Though our country has worked hard to eliminate discrimination in its outward manifestations, no one can erase the sinful tendencies of the human heart. Watching our words carefully is not enough. There must be a heart change. God is not a respecter of persons and those who belong to Him should not be either.

Working in the auction business I often come across some interesting memorabilia. Monday our team spent the day recording and photographing items for an upcoming online auction. There were numerous old advertising signs. One that intrigued me reminded me of the discrimination that was prominent at one time in our country. The sign read, “Help Wanted – No Irish Need Apply.” That was a shocker for a family with the name of Sheridan. Who would have been so prejudiced to hang a metal sign like that outside their door?

We may think that we have come so far, but the human heart is still desperately wicked. We may pride ourselves on acceptance, but deep down we all carry thoughts and attitudes about others that are not pleasing to God.

James told his readers to watch out for discrimination. He warned that if two men came into their church assembly, one with a gold ring and fine clothes and the other poor and disheveled, not to pay attention to the one and ignore the other. They were not to be judges of outward appearance only as this would prove their evil motives. God looks at the heart and has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of God, which He promised to those who love Him.

There are many ways to disguise discrimination in the church. We must search our hearts to see if we have greater respect for those who are in executive positions over those who have blue-collar jobs. Do we encourage full-time church workers or foreign missionaries more than those who are living a committed Christian life before unbelievers in a hostile secular work environment? Are we drawn towards those who have advanced degrees or a large paycheck? These are forms of discrimination that our Father dislikes.

God is not a respecter of persons. He searches hearts to see who is completely committed to Him. His thoughts towards all His children are more than the sand on the seashore. And He died for each and every sinner regardless of race, skin color, financial security, church position, clothing type, or higher education.

God has put out the call for service to everyone who believes in His name. All in the body of Christ are loved! All are needed! All are wanted! And you can be assured that all God’s children are welcome to apply!

Love,
Mama

Fluorescent Minnows & Wild Cat Blood – Don’t Take the Bait!

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1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”

If you want to catch a fish you need to use bait!

Fish Bait 2I don’t know much about fishing, but the few times I’ve tried the rod, reel, and bait were crucial to my success. Night crawlers were the usual type of lure for me, but this weekend I received an education on the numerous different types of baits that can attract a variety of fish.

We arrived at the Indian Lake Bait and Tackle shop early on Saturday morning. The store was going out of business and we were called to sell out the inventory. After setting up our auction computers, I took some time to peruse the numerous baits and lures that lined the wall. There were fluorescent minnows, worms, caterpillars, colorful hooks, and even a bag of Wild Cat Blood. There were bobbers, nets, rods, and boxes to hold glowworms, mealworms, softcraws, leeches, shad guts, and more. I was amazed at the wide variety of items, all for the purpose of luring fish to the hook.

I am very thankful I am not a fish! It sounds like a very dangerous life with all the avid fishermen in the area. But the human race also lives a dangerous life. There are various types of baits that lure us into a death trap. The Bible calls these attractions the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life.

Though these attractions may look enticing, they are not of the Father. They are of the world and are the bait of the evil one. So keep your eyes wide open and be aware. These lures are not only for physical acts but also internal thoughts and attitudes.

The Lust of the Flesh: Selfish or greedy cravings to satisfy one’s physical desires outside of the will of God. For instance, we live in a world where sexual impurity in thought and action is a constant struggle, and sex outside of God’s plan for marriage is rampant. The movies are full of it, the computer corrupted with it –  temptation is everywhere you go. Beware of these types of lusts. Stay clear of this lure!

The Lust of the Eyes: The desire to acquire all that we may see. Every day we are confronted with bigger and better stuff. It is easy to be drawn into the trap of materialism. We see what others have and think we will be happy if we only have the next thing. We become dissatisfied so easily with the blessings we have as our eyes are constantly drawn to the bigger and better. Beware of being obsessed with the things you see. Stay clear of this lure!

The Boastful Pride of Life: The inward or outward pride in possessions or status. Humans tend to want to build themselves up. Especially in America the need to be “#1” is emphasized. Often we do this by putting others down and exaggerating our importance. Beware of thinking of yourself too highly than you should. Stay clear of this lure!

No matter who you are, these enticements are a constant danger. The one who thinks he is free from the pitfall of these lures should take heed. Fish are caught with all sorts of bait.

So take heed. When you are least expecting it the fluorescent glowworm that attracts your attention may just be hiding a dangerous hook!

Love,

Mama

 

Falling Prey to Bad Advice

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1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lust; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”

IMG_0417One of my favorite parts of auctions is the people. Everyone is so different and I enjoy interacting with them, hearing their stories and learning from their experiences. The differences, not only in looks, but also in personality are what lend a special beauty to the world around us.

Thinking back over the years I can recollect numerous memories of colorful men and women who have intrigued me, given me a good laugh, and even stretched my understanding of the English language.

It took me quite some time to figure out the answer to the question a man dressed from head to toe in fringed leather asked me a few years ago. Swaggering up to our check-in table, he leaned his lanky frame forward and asked where the nearest peach tree was located. Speechless, my mind sought to understand why this stranger to our parts would need a peach tree. Maybe the horse I imagined was tied up outside had a special taste for peaches?

After a few more leading questions I finally figured out his specific need and pointed him in the right direction for the nearest “pee tree” or bathroom as most of us would call it. What a laugh we all got!

Recently I met another man whose take on life troubled my heart. This well-dressed older gentleman approached the table during an auction. I could tell by his attire and boastful comments that he had lived the high life in all ways. As he engaged me in conversation I got a glimpse into his values that were so different from my own.

He shared some worldly wisdom he had given to his son. “Son,” he said, “when you look for a woman, look for one who has a boatload of money.” Apparently his son took him up on that advice. Thinking he must be joking I responded, “Well, there are some things worth more than money.” I was flabbergasted when shaking his head and turning to leave he said, “No, I don’t think so!”

My heart was heavy as I watched his gray head move away. His love for the world and the things in the world was obvious. He had spent his life seeking for pleasure and meaning from temporal things that don’t last. I doubted he was truly happy.

Jesus’s disciple, John, gave his spiritual children different advice. He warned them, “’Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lust; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.’”

All the glitz and glimmer that the world offers – money, fame, sex,  power – play a siren song that still capture hearts and minds even today. These things can only be enjoyed for a short time, but end in pain and death. The ruler of the world’s system is opposed to God and no one can serve two masters.

The earth is inhabited with many interesting people. Love them as Jesus does, but don’t fall prey to bad advice. The world and all its pleasures will pass away, but the one who does the will of God will live forever.

Love,

Mama

 

Found Treasure Worth More Than Marbles

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2 Timothy 3:15 “. . . from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

MarblesThe phone was ringing off the hook last week! We were selling a glass decanter of old marbles and it seems they were very desirable. Calls from all over the country came in to inquire about the condition, size, colors, quantity, and age. Just a jar of glass spheres – but so special. I couldn’t wait to see how much they would sell for.

Auction day rolled around and the crowds were record breaking. The facility was full of hopeful people and beautiful antiques, but I only wanted to know the selling price of one thing – the marbles.

The auctioneer started his chant. The clerk was poised and ready. Bid spotters scanned the crowd and manned the phones for the absentee buyers. The race was on! The bidding passed $1,000 and continued to climb while everyone held their breath in anticipation.

The gavel came down as the featured jar sold for the astounding price of $2,200!

Oh, how I wish I had the box of colorful aggies that Uncle Chuck and IIMG_0023 played with as kids at Great-Grandma’s house. Who would have ever dreamed this child’s plaything would bring so much?

I never could have afforded to buy such an expensive item, but guess what?

The other day I found a better treasure in the bottom of a box lot left for the trash after another auction. What I found was more precious than fine gold and sweeter than honey. Underneath the other miscellaneous junk were two worn Bibles. I grabbed them and took them home, giving one to a friend and keeping the other for myself.

IMG_2562These two copies of God’s Word were overlooked by those who had their eyes on other “fancier” things. But for me this was the best find ever! Within the worn pages are words that can make even the youngest of children wise about God’s plan of salvation. There are directions for living life to the fullest. There are warnings about the evil one who seeks to kill and destroy. Each word is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that God’s children may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I am still reeling over the great price that someone paid for a glass jar of antique marbles, but as far as I am concerned I got the better deal!

I wouldn’t trade God’s ancient and living words recorded in the Bible for a whole truckload of old marbles.

Love,
Mama

P.S. To see a video of Dad selling these marbles, click here.

Another Reason to Struggle

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2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
 
Dad auctioning children’s artwork.
There are many reasons that God allows trials into our lives. Sometimes we suffer because we or someone else has sinned, but that is not always the case. We know from the Bible that Christians will suffer painful trials on this earth as a result of being a child of God. When we identify ourselves with Christ, there will be times when we will be misunderstood and mistreated just as He was. Difficulties also sharpen us and help us to grow in our faith. But there is another reason that we may suffer.

As we struggle through temporary troubles on this earth, God gives us His real and compassionate comfort. He promises never to leave us and He gives us the grace to make it through our struggles as we keep our eyes focused on Him. On the other side of our trials, or sometimes even in the midst of them, we will have the opportunity to encourage others who are enduring their own personal struggles. In sharing our experiences and the comfort we have received from God, we may be able to help sustain the weary one with the Scripture as well as with empathy and practical help.

Monday night Dad and I attended a fundraising event for the Children’s Miracle Network. Dad was the auctioneer for the event and was charged with selling six pieces of children’s artwork to help raise money to support this good cause. One of the special guests was Jack Nicklaus, perhaps the most successful professional in the history of the game of golf. He and his wife Barbara were attending the event to raise awareness as well as to encourage the children who have gone through so much pain because of their medical problems and subsequent treatments.

Jack and Barbara Nicklaus sponsoring event.
Jack and Barbara explained that the reason they have spent so many years and so much money to sponsor this cause is because of something that they experienced many years ago. Their young daughter was having trouble breathing and kept passing out, so they took her to the hospital and found that she had swallowed a crayon.

As the doctor’s tried to remove this foreign object from her tiny body, the crayon broke into small pieces and parts of the crayon migrated into her lungs, causing them to nearly lose their little girl. Miraculously she survived. Jack and Barbara were so grateful that they have dedicated many of the following years to encouraging and helping other parents and children who are going through medical tragedies.

Miss America 2015 even showed up.
How much more can a child of God who has experienced very difficult circumstances encourage and strengthen others with his or her sympathy and understanding? Not only can we offer our support, but we can also share our faith in what God has done and can do?

Nothing is wasted with God. Everything we experience comes through His loving hands and He is there with us the whole time, encouraging and strengthening. As we feel His presence and sense His strong arms holding us in these times, what a wonderful blessing it is to unite with others in similar circumstances and share our encouragement with them.

When you are going through a difficult time, look to God and ask Him for His compassionate comfort and mercies. Then look around and see who you can help as a result of the encouragement God has given to you. You may be just the one who gives another sufferer the strength to look up.

Love,
Mama

Estate Auctions Tell All

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I Timothy 3:10 “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings . . .”
 
What will people learn about you when you die? Those who don’t know you will make suppositions about who you were by what you leave behind. I have learned that estate auctions tell all.

Working for an auction company, we very often deal with estates. Someone will call our office to inform us of the death of a family member or friend and employ our services to come take care of the “stuff” they have left behind.

Depending on the situation our team will spend days, or even weeks, going through the deceased person’s home, organizing the items that will sell at auction, discarding the trash, and donating clothing and other such items to charities. It is truly amazing what you can learn about someone just by looking at their belongings.

There are some who collect all sorts of antiques and primitives. These people often had a love for history and discovering the stories behind the old-time memorabilia. Others were horse lovers, which we surmise by the old leather bridles, saddles, and equine paraphernalia that our staff dug out of their barns. Still others are coin or stamp collectors, cake decorators, seamstresses, or artists. Many were very particular about their belongings while others left their stuff scattered around and in disrepair. Whatever the case, what is left behind is very telling.

Paul, in writing one of his final letters to his spiritual son, Timothy, reminded him that he knew all about Paul’s teachings, his way of life, and his purpose. When Paul died there wasn’t much in way of possessions to be found. He didn’t put much stock in “things” because he knew that his real home was not here on earth but in heaven with the Lord. He spent his life as an itinerent missionary telling others about Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.

What Paul left behind were at least thirteen God-inspired letters explaining spiritual matters to all who came after him. He left behind a testimony of faith that endured great suffering. He left behind encouragement that in the midst of trials God will deliver. He left behind the message of salvation from sin through the Lord Jesus Christ for all who would believe. All of what was left shows what kind of man he was and what he lived for.

Upon arriving home from today’s estate auction I looked around our house and wondered what people will find when they come to pack up my stuff. I glanced over the stacks of books by my nightstand and stopped to dust some of the china teacups in the cabinet. These are two of the things they would find, but what would be the auction goers final suppositions about my life?

What will people find out about you when you die? It will be evident – because estate auctions tell all!

Love,
Mama