Election year

I am amazed at how little truth we hear in our world, especially in a campaign year. We have been inundated with campaign claims and promises in every town where we stop and can watch TV. Everyone from the presidential candidates on down to the local council candidates have promised to stop the war, end unemployment, improve schools, increase medical benefits for seniors, and protect social security. Yet it is obvious that no one, not even the president, can accomplish these feats alone. Of course each of them has promised to do these things without raising taxes, except on the wealthy. We listen to the various speeches and then wonder if the TV reporters heard the same speeches because their reports are so distorted. I can assure you this problem is not isolated. It happens everywhere.

So what can we do as those who want to make well-informed decisions, and as we exercise our right to vote? We have to search for the truth, and that means work. Unfortunately, we are not safe in simply deciding to support those who claim to be Christians. Christian politicians can tend to be single-minded on one issue. So we know how they will vote regarding abortion or homosexuality, or gay marriage. However, can we trust them to vote wisely on other issues such as social security, economy, and the war in Iraq? Should we put them in office because they will vote right on certain issues? I can’t answer that for you. You must make that decision for yourself. All I can tell you is having the opportunity to vote at all is a privilege and I believe it is a God-given blessing. Have you researched the issues? Have you listened to any of the campaign speeches? Do you know your chosen candidate’s record as an employee, an employer, a politician, a spouse, and a parent?

I would end this by saying “See you at the polls,” but Glen and I will be using absentee ballots this year. Be faithful. “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one” (Ezekiel 22:30, TLB).”When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability” (Proverbs 28:2, TLB). Marilyn Heavilin is counselor-in-residence during our summer season, as well as an author and speaker

More QTWG

One of the most basic things we need to grow in love, grace and truth is quiet time with God. No matter how busy we are -and let’s face it, most of us are busy and at times stressed beyond ourselves. Quiet time with God is therefore critical. Our souls and spirits languish for lack of His care and love. We need Him!!

We want time with Him and yet, more and more there seems to be less time in a day to do the “have to” stuff, let alone the “want to.” So what happens? Little by little, the “have to” pushes out the “want to” and before you know it your “want to” time with God becomes “have to.” Without notice, QTWG becomes one more thing to check off our mental or literal “to-do” list. And yet, in spite of that, we are distinctly aware of something missing. We are weak when the source of all strength abides in and near us. Let’s choose today to keep God first in our hearts and lives so we can get to know Him more.

I’ll put it like this: Whether you are married or not, most of us have been in love. Our hearts have swooned over and been captivated by the attention and love of a man. There is nothing on earth like it. God knew exactly what He was doing when He brought man and woman together, making them one. There is a completeness that can exist in the bonding that is a taste of true intimacy.

Do you remember that feeling? Do you remember all the changes you went through to be with your man? You’d arrange your day a hundred different ways just to be with him. And if you couldn’t be with him in person, you were definitely connecting with him by phone. Ya’ll know what I’m talking about, don’t you?!And when you knew he was “the one,” nothing in your day would keep you from him if it was in your power to control it. Do I need to say more? Selah….”

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.” ~~Psalm 34:8-9

But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. ~~ Isaiah 40:31-32 My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. ~~Psalm 62:5-6 — Stephanie Paul is Director of Addiction Recovery for Women’s Ministries at America’s KESWICK

I AM WHO I AM

When Moses asked God His name, God told Him I AM WHO I AM.

Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?”

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.'”1

When Christ came ~ God in the flesh ~ He identified Himself as I AM. Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”2

I AM WHO AM made 8 “I AM” statements:I am the bread of life.3 ..I am the light of the world.4 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.5 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 6 I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.7 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 8 I am the true vine… 9 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.10 I AM makes me think of God in the perpetual present.

Be blessed today. Remember I AM WHO I AM is the same yesterday, today and forever. 11 Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK

1 Exodus 3:13-142 John 8:583 John 6:384 John 9:55 John 10:96 John 10:147 John 11:258 John 14:69 John 15:110 Revelation 22:1311 Hebrews 13:8

Convicted!

I just finished reading Dina Seaton’s Victory Call entitled “Flying Fish” in which she recites the story of a friend who was speeding so fast that her Flying Fish (symbol of Christianity) came right off her car. I then started thinking about Marilyn Heavilin’s Victory Call this same week in which she ended with the statement, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

Boy, do I stand convicted. Not because of my speeding, but because I really do wonder if I were arrested would I be convicted on the preponderance of the evidence (see, I do watch Judge Judy) that my life belongs to Christ, and I am a new creature because He lives in me and motivates what I say, and think, and do.

How easy it is to have that old spirit of mine rear its ugly head in my life every day. I wake up late, so I’m running late to get to work, so I’m impatient with the person driving oh-so-slowly in front of me. As he turns off, I honk my horn loudly at him to express my displeasure at him. Stupidly, I feel so much better because I let him know how bad his driving was. I get stuck in the slowest line at the grocery store and shift impatiently from one foot to the other as the person in front of me unloads 20 items in the “10 items or less” lane. You know how it works – you don’t need to say a word (OK, maybe a loud sigh). The impatient, angry attitude can be tangibly felt.

And then I go to prayer meeting and sit in absolute hypocrisy, praying with my group, that God will give me opportunities to share Christ and His transforming work to those with whom I come in contact.

Well, guess what? God did just EXACTLY what I asked Him to do. He gave me opportunities, and I failed to make the most of them. Not only would no one I met be able to convict me of being Christ-like, there was nothing in my attitude to make them even WANT to have what I have.

My prayer before God and you all today is that I will be convicted AND more importantly, CONVICTING, as I go through my day. “God make me the witness to my co-workers, acquaintances and friends that you are the One who gives me joy, peace, and victory over the actions in my life, and that they will KNOW I am a Christian because of the preponderance of the evidence.” Lynn Randall is the Director of Human Resources at America’s KESWICK

Hell – revisited

Last month I wrote a weeks series on the topic of a literal hell. It has been very interesting to me to hear the comments, both negative and positive, mostly positive. It is incumbent upon me to perhaps clarify what I was trying to communicate that in some ways I may have failed.

I am NOT suggesting we become rude, Bible-thumpers that people flee from when they see us coming. I am NOT suggesting we move on ahead of God and take things into our own hands and speak over people to get them to hear the truth. I am NOT suggesting we become like bulls in a china shop. I AM suggesting we embrace God’s will and work so we are prepared to speak truth at every opportunity and to persuade people not trample them. I like what Henry Blackaby said in “Experiencing God,” pg 13 ~ Jesus watched to see where the Father was at work and joined Him.”

But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father has been working until now, and I have been working…’ Then Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.'” John 5:17, 19-20

So, all that to say, may we never run ahead of God nor lag behind but walk with Him prepared to speak every time He opens the door of opportunity. May we speak truth from a heart of passion for lost souls. Diane Hunt is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK

How Great is our God

Recently, as part of our daily staff prayer time, Bill Welte has challenged the team to come prepared with Scripture that extol Who God is. Not what He, but Who He is. It has been an exciting journey as each morning I go through my mental database thinking of Scriptures I can bring to the group to share. I find that even my preparation time is a time of worship and I begin to be overwhelmed with God. Let me share some of the recent scriptures I selected:

Our God is a Jealous God:Exodus 20:4-5 You shall not make for yourself a carved image-any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God,

Our God is the Ancient of Days:Daniel 7:9-10 I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire; A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened.

Our God is the Great I AM:Exodus 3:14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.'”

Our God is a Consuming Fire:Deuteronomy 4:24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

In my meditation, I recalled a song by Chris Tomlin, “How Great is our God.” I love this song. I make a joyful NOISE when I sing. Here is the Chorus: “How great is our God, Sing with me How great is our God, and all will see How great, how great is our God.”So, come on friends, sing with me How great is our God. — Diane Hunt is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK

WHEN YOU’RE IN LOVE IT SHOWS

On our recent Spring Ladies’ Day, apparently the look on my face was not one of joy or happiness. I was walking over to the Activity Center, and Bill Welte was at the Front Door greeting people as they arrived. As I walked up to him, he opened the door for me, and in his inimitable way, said, “Smile!” I was startled, and said something offhand to him and went in. But the thought of that brief encounter kept coming back to me the entire day – and many times since then.

I remember dating a guy for a number of years and being very much in love with him. It didn’t “work out,” but on various levels I still love him. And when I think of past times together, or even think of him now (although he lives in Florida these days), I smile. Then, and now, because I loved John, the very thought of him made me smile.If, on the human plane, love makes me smile, how much more should my love for God not light up my face – have me grinning from ear to ear?

But, obviously my love for my Lord was not uppermost in my thoughts that day in May when Bill challenged me to smile. We, as a group of ladies, were about to be encouraged by our speaker to embrace all that God has to offer us – His wonderful salvation, His amazing plan for our lives, and His boundless love. Any one of which – and taken together – should have brought a smile to my face. “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” (Psalm 146:5) But, sad to say, that was not the case that morning.

Now, I don’t think the actual word “smile” is found in Scripture, but the words “joy,” “happy,” “gladness,” and “laughter,” to name a few, are all there. And WHEN I am happy and glad, I generally have a smile on my face. So, ladies, I say to you and to myself, smile like you are head over heels in love with your Savior. Let your – and my love – for Him show on our faces to everyone we meet, because when you are in love, it makes you smile. Lynn Randall – is Director Human Resources at America’s KESWICK

Road Kill

One thing I do not enjoy about riding my bike is road kill. I have seen two flattened snakes, two small birds, one skunk and something that I think was a squirrel! These nasty corpses got me thinking. I really think I have killed off an attitude, a sin, or a habit but then it rears its ugly head once again. It really wasn’t dead after all. It’s just been hanging out to the side. Maybe it was injured and crept away but it wasn’t dead.

Sometimes it’s dead, all right, but I let it lay around and I keep looking at that disgusting thing lying there. I know that the “thing” is dead. For real dead, gone, paid for at the Cross of Calvary but I resurrect the “thing” and allow it to live in my mind and thoughts. Do you? Why? Why do we give life to what Christ says has died? Do we really believe our sin is forgiven, dead and gone?

In “The Gospel For Real Life,” Jerry Bridges writes: “This is what God has done for us. He has blotted out our sins, removing them from His record. He has done more than wipe the slate clean. He has thrown away the slate!”

“For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:11, 12

“He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19

How much “road kill” are you resurrecting? If it’s not really dead then kill the thing. If it’s dead then don’t look, don’t linger, for goodness sake don’t get a stick and start poking at it! Jesus paid a great price; let Him come remove it! — Kathy Withers is on staff full-time at the Keswick Book and Gift Shop. She is married to her husband, Dave and has two adult children. Kathy is active in her local church. Her passion is the Word of God and encouraging women to dig deeper into the truths of the Bible.

HUMILITY … AND HOW I (HAVEN’T) ACHIEVED IT!

About three weeks ago, a fellow staff member here at KESWICK, Lynne Jahns, spoke to a group at one of our monthly Breakfast Network meetings. Her topic…humility. I remember sitting there before she started, thinking to myself, “That’s a really tough one.” But she was wonderful, approaching it, not so much from humility as an attitude of servanthood, but as an acknowledgement that if God wasn’t the central focus of what she did and why she did it, anything at all that she did (even to serving here at KESWICK) was done from the wrong motivation and perspective. I can only say she hit w-a-a-a-y to close to home.

Being at America’s KESWICK has proved to be a challenge for me in a lot of areas in the two years or so that I have been here. And one of those areas has been in that of humility. When I came to KESWICK, it was from a position I had held for nearly 20 years. I came with all my credentials and had plaques all over my office walls letting everyone know I had “arrived.” I came here thinking, “Boy, are they lucky to have ME!” Was I in for a surprise! Yes, I was appreciated but I wasn’t the center of attention and soon discovered that life did not revolve around Lynn Randall. I

‘m still learning that, which is, of course, part of what prompts me to write this. I am a “people person.” I thrive on being around people and love to interact with them. And as I do, I find it so very easy to pick up their praise or compliments for what I am doing and attribute it to me and fail to acknowledge (at least to myself) that whatever I am able to “do” here has not so much to do with my abilities, but with how I choose to serve God with whatever abilities and skills He either has given me or allowed me to learn. Pride sneaks in so easily and I find myself being flattered by other’s praise. But it isn’t about me, or what I “bring” to KESWICK.

As Lynne Jahns pointed out so wisely, it is about my heart’s right attitude before God. If I am flattered at all, let it be because God has given me gifts and abilities that I am able to use for His glory – not my own praise. Proverbs 6:16 and 17 says, “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination to Him: a PROUD look….” Galatians 6:14: “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

Dear God, today I pray that you will make me humble before you and break down my prideful heart. Whatever I am able to do is because of You and not because of myself.And keep this prayer in my heart every minute because it is SO EASY for me to forget. Lynn Randall is Director of Human Resources at America’s KESWICK

Sex & the City

Last night I found myself glued to the TV channel that was reporting on the red carpet premiere of the movie, in where else? NYC! So…what was I doing watching this? I wanted to see what everyone was wearing! That’s right, the Prada, the Calvin Klein, it got me…I admit it! Then something else got me. The announcer said: “You should see NYC. The streets are crammed with people, the crowd is six blocks long!” All waiting to catch a glimpse of the stars, those in the film and those going to the premier.

This was almost as big as Oscar Night! I must confess this, too; I enjoy seeing people all dressed up and looking great. It’s fun. But I also must confess I often wonder what’s inside. What’s inside their head? What’s going on in their life? What are they thinking? Kimora-maybe you’ve heard of her? The woman has a gold toilet seat and the bowl itself is Italian marble! I say we melt that seat down and go feed some of the folks Homeless in the City! Don’t misunderstand. I have no problem with her being a billionaire, but I got sucked into that show, too.

How else would I know about the toilet? Oh, sure at first it was just the commercial, then it was the first five minutes, then it was the whole show. I/we can be easily distracted and lured into discontent. So let me name it. It’s called envy and covetousness. My point- finally! Before I/we get ready to throw the first stone, we’d do well to recall the rest of what Jesus said; “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

Can I really say I’m past admiring the riches of this world? No.Lord give me the victory in that, not that I can’t look or appreciate but keep me from crossing the fine line of envy, covetousness and discontent. And, Lord, when that temptation does come, help me to put on thankfulness, contentment and truth. For I am the daughter of a KING who owns the cattle on a thousand hills… You make the sun to shine on the righteous and the unrighteous. For what can the enemy lay before my eyes that is of more worth than the gift of eternal life You have freely given me and offer to all who would believe?

Something to think about: What have you set your eyes on that is better than what His hand has given?”For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 — Dina Seaton serves on staff in marketing and also as a staff writer and speaker. She is the mother of one son, John, who is 13 years old. She is currently working on completing her first book, “Do It Again LORD…Do It Again!”, a collection of interviews that will excite your faith.