Devotionals for the Heart: Vanity

Vanity Plates: Inspiration or Indictment?
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

One of the most thrilling experiences of my life was catalyzed by a bumper sticker. It asked a simple question, “What ever happened to the dreams of your youth?”

I passed the car and began cataloguing some of my youthful dreams that I had allowed to slip into the recesses of my mind. By the time I arrived at home, I had chosen one to fulfill. Skydiving. I did it.

Recently, I was similarly riveted by a vanity license plate, on a car. It simply read “NMYHRT!” I don’t know what the driver had in mind when she chose that tag. My mind immediately began searching for cognates in my memory. Songs from youth began to resonate in my mind. There’s within my heart a melody…”, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart…”, But the song that goes, “Lord, I want to be a Christian, in my heart…” resonated in my being. My car became a sanctuary as I rehearsed those songs in my mind.

Later in the day, I thought about the biblical line in Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) that says, “For as a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” Building upon that refrain, I remembered a paragraph that I had memorized from the book by James Allen “As a Man Thinketh.” The quote was, “The outer conditions of a person’s life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state…Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.”

Flowing from that stream of consciousness, I then reflected on another biblical line from the Gospel of Matthew 12:34 (KJV). It says, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” It means that what ever thoughts reside in the recesses or forefront of your consciousness, will eventually be manifest in your speech, deeds and maybe even subconscious/reflex actions.

I then remembered a line that my father reiterated in my youth when he exhorted me to clean up my room. He would say, “People can tell a lot about your character by looking at your horizontal spaces and your closet.” My suits, sport coats, pants, shirts and ties are hung in an orderly manner. The suits and shirts hang from light to dark, left to right and my shirts similarly. Old clothes in good shape are donated.

Recently, I found a suit and a few shirts that had small holes in them. Moths? I discarded them. My desk, well, I know where everything is, most of the time. Regularly, I must clear my desk, file what is important and discard what is not.

All of this ruminating was prompted by those 7 characters on the rear bumper of a car. Now I think, was it inspirational or indicting? I think both because it forced me to think about my thought life and how badly I need to attend that closet. What is on the horizontal spaces of my consciousness? What is on yours?

If what is in my heart is reflected by who I am, what I have and if what I am experiencing is the product of my thoughts, I have some work to do. We all do.

Join me in a new quest! Let’s examine and if necessary, reorder the closet and horizontal spaces of our interiors. Discarding old, tattered or destructive mindsets may give us more spiritual and emotional energy.

Embracing and exploring some of the ideas and dreams that lie as eggs in the ovaries of our souls, may restore fertility, verve and productivity in our lives.

Enthusiasm is catalyzed in the uncluttered soul. What’s in your heart?

~*~
Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Columbia Union College (WAU) in Takoma Park, Maryland. He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees–a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.

Devotionals for the Heart: Time

Reflections on Time

A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

Key Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1 and 1 Timothy 4:12

While traveling home on a plane recently, I listened to a playlist from the 80s. I can’t escape the fact that that was my era of preferred music.

The song “Time Keeps on Slipping Into the Future” by Jackson Browne came on. That song was soon followed by Teddy Pendergrass singing “Wake Up Everybody”. Can you hear them? While grooving to “my tunes” and feeling nostalgic, I realized that I don’t live there anymore. Time has slipped into the future.

I thought about where life had taken me. I thought about what I have seen, what I have done, what I have achieved and acquired. Time has treated me pretty well. But, time is not up yet. There is still life to be lived, work to be done, people to help, things to do and places to go.

I looked out of my window to the sky, not for inspiration, but just to see the sky and the clouds. The tracker said that we were moving at about 350 miles per hour. I thought, my how time flies.

As I peered out of the window at the tops of puffy white clouds and blue sky around us, the verse from Ecclesiastes 12:1 leapt into my mind. “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them”. It occurred to me right then, that I am younger right now than I will ever be. I need to value this time, cherish my freedom and invest my health and substance in things and people who matter. You do too.

Yes, we are younger than we will ever be, but we still have ideas and goals that are noble and meaningful. Some friends may say “Why now? You are retired already and old”. Immediately, another verse of scripture popped into my mind. “Let no man despise thy youth…”. “We are younger than we’ll ever be. Don’t despise our youth or allow anyone else to do so!” “Why not? Why not now? Why not me? Why not us?”

James Allen wrote in his book As A Man Thinketh, the following paragraph. “All achievements, whether in the business, intellectual, or spiritual world, are the result of definitely directed thought, are governed by the same law and are of the same method; the only difference lies in the object of attainment."

How we think influences what we believe and what we can achieve. I subscribe to optimism and recommend it to you. Whatever your station or circumstance in life, you can choose optimism or pessimism. One strengthens and ennobles, the other enfeebles. 

Remember that God is infinite, omnipotent and all knowing. Enthusiasm is the abode of divinity. It is where impossibilities are made kinetic and improbabilities are realized. You are younger now than you will ever be. What will you do? Where will you go? Who will you help? 

I close with an old poem about momentum, possibility, and enthusiasm:

Tis The Set Of The Sail – Or – One Ship Sails East

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

But to every mind there openeth,

A way, and way, and away,

A high soul climbs the highway,

And the low soul gropes the low,

And in between on the misty flats, 

The rest drift to and fro. 

But to every man there openeth, 

A high way and a low, 

And every mind decideth, 

The way his soul shall go. 

One ship sails East, 

And another West,

By the self-same winds that blow, 

'Tis the set of the sails 

And not the gales, 

That tells the way we go. 

Like the winds of the sea 

Are the waves of time, 

As we journey along through life, 

'Tis the set of the soul, 

That determines the goal, 

And not the calm or the strife. 

~*~

Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Columbia Union College (WAU) in Takoma Park, Maryland. He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees–a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.

Devotionals for the Heart: Silence

Silence
A devotional by Glynis Becker

“My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.” ~Psalm 62:5-6 (NASB)

Silence can be a hard commodity to come by in this day and age. I don’t know about anyone else, but when it comes to either finding a place to sit in silence or the ability to shut my mouth when I should, neither is easy.

One night during our last family vacation I fell asleep listening to a mediation app while wearing a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. I’m not sure how long I slept but I woke up, suddenly, in the dark, heart racing, terrified. It occurred to me later how much we use our sense of hearing to orient ourselves and when I awoke in an unfamiliar place with no background noise, I had no sense of connection to anything and it was a terrifying feeling.

So if we, consciously or not, use noise as a natural orientation to the chaotic world around us, isn’t it possible that God uses our intentional silence and stillness to orient us better to His?

I understand that for many people who have hearing disabilities silence is not a choice. Though, I think physical silence is only one aspect of what David addresses in this psalm. Getting our bodies and voices to settle down is one thing, but obtaining a quiet spirit and a settled mind is something else.

Raise your hand if the minute you decide to pray or meditate, a thousand new ideas that have nothing to do with prayer or meditation immediately flood into your thoughts: Don’t forget to put bread on the grocery list. I need to get through all those papers on my desk at work. What should we do about next summer’s vacation? 

Anyone else? Please tell me I’m not the only one!

I think that silence — physical, emotional, or mental — is so opposite our nature that finding it can only come as a part of seeking God. Notice in this verse, how David is actually addressing his own soul and commanding it to “wait in silence for God only.” He even spells out why he knows he should do this: “for my hope is from Him.” 

When we, like David, wait in silence with quiet minds and quiet lips, we will find connection with Him. In turn, that connection with the Lord gives us hope, another commodity in short supply it seems these days.

Find a moment or two to be silent before God. For most of us, this will take effort, but ask Him to help you. I believe every time we sincerely seek Him, with an honest heart and a open hand, He will meet us exactly where we are. And it will always be a blessing.

My Prayer: Father God, settle my heart today in silence, so that I can hear You and feel Your presence. Allow me to see Your hope in my life and in the world around me. And give me opportunities to share that hope with someone who needs it. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio: 

Glynis Becker writes fiction, devotions, and screenplays. 

She is a wife, mother of teenagers and a part-time administrative assistant.

In her spare time she likes to read, try new recipes, crochet, and cheer on the Minnesota Vikings. 

You can find her at www.glynisbecker.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: Diaries

I’m Just a Diary Kind of Girl!

A devotional by Tammy Karasek

Diaries. Journals. Thought Keepers. Whatever it is you call the book in which you write things down for keeping, do you have one or have you ever had one? Is it something you love doing or something you loathe?

I’ve always been one to write things down. I love keeping track of things, planning things, list making and recording the details of life. Give me a stationery store or bookstore that carries writing implements and I’m in bliss. I see journals and want a new one even though I just bought one a month ago. Pens and markers—oh my! My hubby constantly says, “Don’t you think the drawers of pens and markers you have is quite enough?”

I quickly respond, “No. I don’t have this one!”

Recently I was perusing through some of my journals and I recalled the diaries I used while growing up. You might remember, the small books about the size of your hand with a little lock and key. I so wish I had kept them. For some reason, I threw them away when I moved out and got married. I remember a friend from school that would receive a new diary every Christmas started on January 1st and remained diligent through the entire year. We laughed about it one day while we were in college many years ago, and she told me she had every diary she’d received since elementary school and was still in the habit of filling them in every year. I wonder if she still has those diaries now. I also wonder if she still keeps a diary. If you are reading this my friend Ms. G, do you?

I do wish I still had some of mine from my youth. I’m sure I wrote about silly young girl stuff and it would be fun to read about the stuff that rocked our world at that age. You’ve got to admit they would probably be hilarious.

As I’ve aged, my diaries that are now journals have become deeper and richer. Sure, I still record details of life, but more so, I’ve recorded growth and lessons. 

I’ve written about God’s faithfulness to me even when I might have been a little less faithful to him with my impatience in waiting for an answered prayer. I’ve been honest in writing where I’ve needed a little conviction and correction to turn a different path. I’ve emptied my heart out onto those pages during struggles, loss and difficult seasons. I’ve logged lots of lines of praises to the One who is so worthy of our praise.

In Scripture, there are several places where we are instructed to write. One of my favorites is found in Proverbs 7:2-3 (NIV) which says,“My son, keep my words... Keep my commands ... write them on the tablet of your heart.” 

We are told to keep God’s commands and to write them on the tablet of our hearts. One of the ways I do this is by writing them down. When I copy the Scripture into my journal, the process helps me in memorizing it. It’s that repetition we all need of seeing it again and again. I love reading through old journal entries and seeing the Scripture that was speaking to me at that season of life. It’s also a great reminder to see where we have grown and things we have made it through.

So what about you, are you a keeper of thoughts? Do you enjoy the process of writing down the lessons you’ve learned, dreams and wishes, special times or seasons of your life? I’d love for you to comment below and share your thoughts whether you love writing in a journal or you’d rather volunteer for a root canal!

As for me, give me a writing instrument and something to write on and I’m a happy girl. Well actually, just give me the pen and I’m sure I’ll find something to write on!

~*~
Author Bio:

You’ll find Tammy seeing humor and causing laughter in every aspect of life. Tammy’s past filled with bullying and criticism is the driving force of her passion to always encourage others and share with them the Reason to smile.

She’s been blissfully wedded to her college sweetheart, Larry, for 36 years, mom to their grown daughter, Kristen and wrapped around the paw of a little puppy named Hattie.

She’s the President of Cross N Pens Christian Writers and a member of ACFW. She will be published in the 2018 Divine Moments book – Cool-nary Moments.
~*~
Connect with Tammy:
Blog - http://www.tammykarasek.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/tickledpinktam
Email - tickledpinktammy@gmail.com

Thankful Thursday: My Renewed Thoughts on Prayer

“Don't ever stop living for Jesus. The extremely hard days, the beautiful days and everything in between is worth it. It's eternally worth it.” ~Heather Lindsey

It's Thursday and I'm thankful for my renewed thoughts on prayer. 

Sometimes, troubling situations hit you so hard that you wonder, “What’s the point of praying about it anymore?”

I was there, at that point earlier this week and decided to call a Christian prayer line. 

I told them within my first few sentences, “I don’t see the point of praying about this anymore. Nothing’s changing!”

The call specialist did not condone my complaints. She simply said, “Well why are you calling asking for prayer if you don’t see the point of praying about it?”

She got me with those words and I paused. My mind swirled, my emotions raged and finally after like five seconds I realized that not praying about this situation was not a good idea.

“Well I still want someone to pray for me,” I finally said.

Have you ever been there? So deep in a dire situation that you felt like all hope was lost? Sinking so low that you don’t see the point of praying anymore? What’s the point of praying to God to fix a troubled situation if He’s not going to answer your prayers? Especially if it is a situation you’ve taken before the Lord for many years, if not decades?

Oh, but don’t you know? Hope is always part of the picture when you believe in God and trust Him with the outcome.

We may not always understand God’s methods but we can trust His heart. God wants what is best for us and He always hears our prayers, every single last one. Rest assured, God has not forgotten. He’s not ignoring you (Isaiah 65:24). He’ll never leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5) and He’s working it all out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). I believe this to be true because I’ve seen God move in my life and work miracles before, so I trust Him to answer my prayers according to His will. Meanwhile, I know God will give me peace in the process.

There’s a beautiful song performed by Annie Herring. “The Master’s Hand” is the title of song that I want to share with you tonight. This song is a source of encouragement for me and I’ve played it on repeat for the past week. How I found it must be by God’s grace because before two weeks ago, I’d never heard of Annie Herring. But I am so glad that I know her work now. See how God moves? He’s watching out for you even before you know you need Him. He did this for me two weeks ago when I first heard “The Master’s Hand.” God knew I’d need this song this week so He led me to it.

My soul is soothed by the beautiful message about holding onto the Master’s Hand. Annie is talking about God as the Master who holds your hand through every difficult situation in life. The song is about being able to endure whatever comes your way because you are in good hands—the Master’s Hands.

I hope you were encouraged my thoughts on prayer and I hope the sweet sound and lovely lyrics along with Annie’s soothing voice will encourage you to keep praying, keep trusting, keep believing in God.

Love,

Alexis