4/9/20 4/9/20

Devotions Don’t Let fear Keep You From Sharing God’s Good News

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever puts his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

As Jim stepped into the backyard, he noticed his neighbor Dave muttering as he bent over his lawn mower. "Need a hand?"

Dave glanced up, the frown on his face forbidding. "Blasted machine! Wouldn't you know the warranty just expired."

Opening the gate between their yards, Jim took a look. "I've had experience with this brand."

As they began to work on the machine, Dave opened up about a problem in his life. Jim thought, I know Christ would help, but...I don't want him to think I'm weird." He said nothing.

Six months later Dave divorced his wife, sold the house and moved away. Jim lost his opportunity to make a difference in Dave's life. We have become so sensitive to what others think of us, so used to focusing on how we feel, how others might view us, that we lose what life is all about.

As Rick Warren says in the Purpose Driven Life, "It's not about me!"

God promises provision and protection. He has a host of promises He wants to fulfill in our lives--if we focus, not on what others think, not on our feelings, but on Jesus Christ. He asks us to be other centered, thinking how we might help others. For we are safe only in Christ.

Maybe Dave would have thought Jim strange. But just maybe a word from Jim might have planted a seed that would have turned Dave's life around.

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the many times I have let what others think keep me from standing up for you and being a witness of your grace. Please help me focus not on fear, but to stand on my faith. Amen.

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4/8/20 4/8/20

Devotion The Key to Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins, and knowing holiness demonstrates understanding. Proverbs 9:10 ISV

Wisdom is centered not in human law or ancient writings, though some wisdom can be found here. Experience also helps us on the journey to wisdom. While all these offer a certain knowledge, the deepest wisdom keys in on one central action—choice.

We choose whom we listen to and who and what we follow. If wisdom begins with God, then true wisdom comes from getting to know this God who created the world and us—you and me. If we truly wish to become wise, we need to read God's Word, meditate on His Word and develop a relationship with God's Son—Jesus Christ. It is in following Him to righteousness, holiness, truth that we truly gain wisdom.

What better time to begin to follow Jesus than at Easter that celebrates the One who rose from the grave to offer us new life and hope in Him. That is the wisest choice of all.

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4/7/20 4/7/20

Blog Fear undermines response, our health

***Photo by*** ***Melanie Wasser*** on ***Unsplash***

Recently when Keith and I had hair cuts, a third employee entered apologizing for being late. She told us, she’d been in a line at Walmart when some gunk in her throat made her cough. The lady behind her freaked out, grabbing her phone and had her finger on 911. She wanted this woman who coughed out of line and out of the store.

Frustrated, the woman turned around and said, “I merely coughed on my spit.”

What people don’t understand is that summoning emergency personnel for what may turn out to be nothing, means these services may not be available for that car accident or other emergency situation where minutes may make the difference between life and death.

Trigger-happy responses stem from fear--not merely caution. Fear changes how our bodies deal with stress, actually lowering immunity and setting us up for illness. Certain hormones increase.

In the article “How Fear Impacts Your Health” Health Prep stated,, “... when these hormone levels are constantly being increased, they can have a very traumatic effect on long-term health.”

The article goes on to say fear weakens the immune system. “Another aspect of living in long-term fear is collateral health damage. Individuals suffering from extreme stress or the fear of something may abuse substances to cope.”

Fear leads to searching for escape. March 4, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt took the oath of office as our 32nd president. After taking the oath, he delivered a twenty minute speech, a part of which has been repeated many times over the years. With the Corona virus making its way across the globe causing fear and panic, partly due to the drumbeat of some in the national media, it is time to remind ourselves of Roosevelt’s famous speech.

For those who might pass it off as something from a conservative side of the aisle, I’ll remind you that Franklin D. Roosevelt was a Democrat.“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is...fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.”

Roosevelt understood fear is dangerous. Make no mistake, fear can kill you. Fear increases stress to impossible levels, short-circuiting the protections the body usually has in place to fight off illness or even rational thought in some cases. (Ever been so afraid you freeze in place instead of running away?)

The Bible says the answer to fear starts with God’s comfort and strength as we turn our fear over to Him. 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Isaiah 41:10 NKJV “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

We need to stop allowing the media or our own imagination to freeze rational thinking, replacing it with irrational fear. God is in control, but even if you don’t believe, look at the truth at how many are infected, how many actually die and how many--most--survive.

Use basic, sensible precautions, recognizing that with all outbreaks--this, too shall pass. You can get through this. Choose not to pass on either the virus or irrational, paralyzing fear.

4/6/20 4/6/20

Blog Liar, lunatic or Lord

Easter eggs proclaim new birth, spring heralds a new beginning, but what we all need is not just a celebration, but hope. Easter is about hope, about truth, about love—about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the embodiment of hope, of truth, and most of all of love.

The story is simple yet profound. Because we as God’s creation keep making a mess of our lives, often determined to “do out own thing” even when it leaves us empty and unfulfilled, God made a way for us to have a new beginning.

When the time was right, he sent his son Jesus into the world as a baby—this is Christmas—to experience everything we experience. There was one difference, unlike the rest of us, Jesus chose to always do those things that were good and right. He shared a message of hope, love and forgiveness. He healed the sick, even raised the dead, showing that He was exactly who he proclaimed he was—God.

That was too much for certain leaders in his day. They demanded Jesus’ death, a death that had been foretold hundreds of years earlier. Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection fulfilled so many prophecies; the odds that anyone could have faked the fulfillment are astronomical.

Many believe Jesus is a good man, but not God. Yet, we have three options. Either he was a liar, a lunatic or, exactly what he claimed, Lord. A good man would not try to deceive people by saying, “"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NIV That would make him a liar.

He could have been a lunatic, except his message was simple and clear. He said he had the answer to people’s need for acceptance, forgiveness and hope. He died for his belief. If he deceived himself as well as others, he was tragic, but certainly not worthy of our admiration.

If he was neither a lunatic nor a liar, we have one choice. Jesus was who he said he was, God. We’ve all done those things for which we’re ashamed and for which we deserve punishment. Because he had done no wrong, Jesus was able to do what no one else could do, take on himself the punishment we deserve for the wrongs we’ve done. He died for our wrongs, but more, he rose again, conquering death and hell and sin. Because he lives Jesus can offer us hope. All we need do is to recognize we can’t make it on our own and accept his offer of forgiveness, a new start, a new life with Christ as our friend, our savior, our guide.

Jesus said it best. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

May you come to know and follow Jesus this Easter.

4/2/20 4/2/20

Poetry Two Words that Changes Lives

Two words.
We pass over them,
Maybe, too familiar these simple words.
Yet, we need to consider their power,
Their reality,
Their impact on lives and hearts,
Families and countries.
They are words to savor and share.
Words revealing deep love and care,
Words showing life and love and hope
In an often dark and confusing world,
Words that make a difference
when we believe and heed,
Starting today,
With you, with me.
The two life-changing words?
Jesus saves!

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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. --John 3:16-17 (NKJV)

3/30/20 3/30/20

Blog Jesus Values Each Life—Do I?

Our society has gone from valuing the individual to valuing what each individual can contribute. The further our culture moves away from its Judeo-Christian foundation, the more it tends to devalue human life.

After all, as evolutionists point out, we are merely the product of evolutionary processes with little or no intrinsic value. Some even question whether a human is of more value than a horse or a cow or an endangered tree.

But this nation, and this people, was founded on the belief that we do matter; that God created a world in which every human life has meaning, and each person, regardless of size, age, or physical abilities, has the right to be alive and free.

Over the last couple of decades, human life has become more and more expendable. The news media has reported stories of parents killing their own handicapped children instead of loving and caring for them as long as they live. Others have taken the life of another when they considered the person to be suffering too much. Still others have taken their own life when they could not face life without all their abilities. Life itself seems to be of little value.

What would have happened if these people had given up or society decided they weren’t worth keeping alive and decided for them?

A husband and wife with serious health problems are expecting another child, yet three of their four children also have serious health problems. Today, many would have suggested abortion for this latest pregnancy. But, if that baby had been aborted, generations would never have been inspired by the music of composer Ludwig von Beethoven.

What about a poor, thirteen-year-old black child carrying the product of rape? Surely, this baby should be aborted. What possible future would there be for this child? The future was Ethel Waters who inspired millions by her story, her acting and her blues and gospel music, which included “Stormy Weather” and “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”

Polio paralyzed Walt Davis when he was nine years old. If his parents had decided his “quality of life” meant they should let him die, he never would have become the Olympic high jump champion in 1952, inspiring many.

Often, it is those who have risen above almost insurmountable odds that give us the greatest encouragement and provide motivation to live life to the fullest.

Often it is someone who cares about another with a disability that has led to scientific breakthroughs that end up benefiting any number of people.

Only a people that cares and protects the most vulnerable citizens, will continue to grow because they understand the fundamental truth of being a human—compassion.

Each person is unique and special and should be treated with dignity and worth--regardless of age, location, or health. It is time we stop playing God and realize we don’t know what the future holds for any one of us. It is time we protect the most vulnerable among us by, once more, valuing each human life.

Easter is all about the intrinsic value of life. Jesus believed each of us is so valuable that He came to earth, lived, allowed Himself to be tortured and murdered for us, and rose again to offer us new life. What a different perspective faith in Jesus offers. How can we not follow the One who created and loved us so much He died for you and me?

Happy Easter!

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3/26/20 3/26/20

Blog Prayer Not About ME!

Just about everyone prays at some point. But praying can feel awkward, even for those who believe. However, when we say we don't want to be forced to pray, at any given time or in front of others, if we consider prayer a burden, we've missed the point.

The point is, prayer should never be a burden because prayer isn't about us, about me or you. First, second and always, prayer is a privilege. It is powerful communication with the Creator of the Universe, our Lord and Savior, a privilege that should bring a sense of awe and wonder that we have a right to come before Him. It is a privilege that changes lives, starting with our own. Prayer has positive benefits for the whole person--mentally, emotionally and physically as well as spiritually.

Prayer should bring us to our knees in honor, worship and gratitude. Refusing to bring our worship and petitions before God with others present denies our prayers the power they can have when we join together with others in prayer. We all know there is strength in numbers. It is no different in the spiritual realm. In fact, Matthew 18:20 reads, “Where two or three have come together in my name, I am there among them.” (God's Word version)

When prayer makes us uncomfortable, we need to make sure our hearts and lives are right before God. Sometimes our prayer needs to simply be one of submission, confession and repentance, before one of worship, praise or petition.

No one can force us to pray, and there is a time to speak and a time for silence. But, if we are right before Him, to keep silent, because of our comfort level alone, puts the focus where it doesn't belong--on us, robs God of the praises of His people and withholds blessing as well as a full measure of the power of His presence from those praying.

Prayer isn't about ME but about HE who makes me whole. Prayer is foremost a privilege--not an act of comfort or convenience. God says come and shows us how.

In this manner, therefore, pray:Our Father in heaven,Hallowed be Your name.Your kingdom come.Your will be doneOn earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our debts,As we forgive our debtors.And do not lead us into temptation,But deliver us from the evil one.For Yours is the kingdom and the powerand the glory forever. Amen.Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV

Prayer changes us, changes families and nations. Maybe it is time to set aside time to pray—alone, with family, even via video at this time.

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3/25/20 3/25/20

Blog Dangers of "Jesus Calling"

Right now there is a publishing phenomena going on. It is called “Jesus Calling.” What started as a devotional has become a sensation with all sorts of spin off material for all ages. Churches are using the material. Families are using the material. Individuals are using the material. Authors are copying the style.

The original "Jesus Calling" is a devotional. Many of us use devotionals in our daily quiet time. The purpose of a devotional is to clarify a passage of a given scripture with information and an example and usually ends with a prayer. Devotionals can be helpful in drawing us closer to God while encouraging us to dig deeper into God’s Word.

What makes the "Jesus Calling" devotional different? Most devotional material is written in third person, making clear the writing comes from an author. By their nature, devotionals are based on the author’s understanding of scripture. Devotional authors don’t claim their words as the infallible, inerrant Word of God. The authors hope to lift up, not speak for God.

The author of "Jesus Calling" has turned this on it’s head. She puts her thoughts and concepts into the mouth of Jesus as though He is speaking. While she uses scripture verses to bolster her concepts the impact is that “Jesus” speaks to the reader. Don’t get me wrong, in her preface she is clear to say only the Bible is the infallible, inerrant word of God. Despite this statement, the implication is clear that the “Jesus Calling” devotionals are not only for inspiration, but to be, in effect, conisdered on par with the Bible.

Of course, many are inspired by the material. There is no doubt one can be inspired by the "Jesus Calling" materials. But we are inspired by many things—a beautiful sunset, a movie, a song, interactions with others. I’ve even been inspired by a Star Trek episode. Inspiration can motivate us to do better, try harder, and help us appreciate our lives and faith in a deeper way. Inspiration can be a positive experience even in a secular sense and, often, inspiration can draw us closer to Christ. However...

One problem of "Jesus Calling" is how the material is presented—as Jesus speaking into our lives. This includes using quotes which implies the speaker actually spoke those words. Not so long ago such an approach would have been considered blasphemous. Today such an approach is being embraced by those claiming to follow Christ. It does catch not only our attention but also our hearts.

This material at its core is ME-centered, not Christ-centered. It makes ME feel good.

There is only one inerrant Word of God and that is the Bible. I remember growing up learning about certain Christian offshoots who used another book along with the Bible, considering the two on par with one another. This was considered a path away, not toward, God.

One of the problems with "Jesus Calling" material is that, often without realizing it, Christians are reacting as though what the very human author has written isn’t her interpretation, but the actual thoughts and concepts of Jesus.

This is dangerous to say the least. The situation gets muddied when sharing "Jesus Calling" material with children. When parents can’t seem to separate the Bible from the writings of "Jesus Calling,” how can kids be expected to understand the difference?

The situation is further muddied when individuals, Bible study groups and churches are using materials not to study God’s Word, but to study “Jesus Calling.” If many come to accept "Jesus Calling" speaks for Jesus, what is the next step away from the truth found only in the Bible?

In CS Lewis’s Screwtape Letters, he has the demon mentor tell the underling they don’t have to turn believers completely away from Jesus and his Word, just send them down a related rabbit trail and they will follow that path away from Christ. (My interpretation of Lewis’ words.)

An unexpected consequence of "Jesus Calling" is that it puts into our heads that this material is actually the thoughts and words of Jesus. They aren’t. But that is something to remember when reading the book on a regular basis. It does set us up to follow other rabbit trails away from a firm stand and knowledge of God’s Word. (Not saying it will, but it is a danger.)

If someone spends more time reading "Jesus Calling" than in reading and studying God’s Word, there is a problem. If when a person thinks of a situation and instead of a Biblical application coming to mind, the mind goes to something from "Jesus Calling,” there is a problem.

One needs to ask of “Jesus Calling,” am I mixing up this material with the truth found only in God’s Word? Am I encouraged and motivated to read and study God’ Word beyond "Jesus Calling.” (The author does include scripture one can look up for each devotional.)

Do those bursts of inspiration from reading "Jesus Calling" provide me just enough lift that I am no longer motivated to truly deepen my faith walk by reading the Bible and spending quality time in prayer?

There are serious problems with the "Jesus Calling" approach. The question is will we recognize the rabbit trail in time to find our way back to a faith founded and grounded on the true words of our Savior? Will we use this book without going down other trails, recognizing its limitations, and use it to deepen our knowledge God’s Word?

It is and should be a concern for all who use this material.

Please check out these important resources.

https://www.challies.com/articles/10-serious-problems-with-jesus-calling/

https://www.epm.org/blog/2018/Jun/18/some-concerns-about-jesus-calling-and-thoughts-suf

https://www.gty.org/library/blog/B161024/that-s-not-jesus-calling

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3/24/20 3/24/20

Blog What are You Worth & the Value of Life

What type of society do we have when we applaud individuals and groups that take or advocate the taking of the lives of those unable to defend themselves?

What type of culture applauds the woman who chooses to destroy her preborn child; applauds parents who choose death for their disabled infant or severely disabled child? What kind of people have we become to stand by while relatives and guardians of severely injured or elderly patients get court approval to withdraw from their "loved ones" the basic elements of nutrition and water, relegating these helpless individuals to slow, painful deaths by starvation and deprivation?

As we stand apathetically by while the innocent and helpless are systematically terminated, we herald the belief that not only are some lives worth more than others, but also that the worth of each individual is not inherent. The value of human life depends, then, on the valuation placed on us by a fickle society. Is the cost to keep one alive more than an arbitrary valuation placed upon that person by society? Is the cost of keeping them alive and comfortable more than they are worth?

If society places the valuation, what about you and I? Do we contribute enough to pay our dues to society? For how long? Are economic criteria the best, the only, deciding factor in the decision whether or not to allow a person to live?

As the innocent are sacrificed on the altar of selfishness and the greed of materialism and personal lifestyle, where is the loving, self-sacrifice of accommodating to changing circumstances of birth or illness? Where is love, compassion, the joy of giving? Where is growth through adversity? Where is the inherent worth of a soul?

This is not the time for apathy, but for action. It is the time to cry out against crimes against the most vulnerable among us through letters, votes, action and prayer. If your candidate doesn’t believe in the inherent worth of life, that person won’t value your life either. That belief will be revealed in values and votes.

It is time to once more rejoice in the worth and dignity of each human life, that of the preborn, the disabled, the elderly, mine--yours.

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3/23/20 3/23/20

Blog Bio My house, my home--wherever it is

My father was a pastor. For us that meant we didn’t stay in one location for more than two to four years. How long we stayed and how often we moved depended on when another church would ask Dad to candidate and whether or not my folks felt God leading them to a different church.

My childhood was spent in Canada (my folks drove across a frozen lake in January so I could be born in the US), Minnesota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Kansas and Iowa. In Clitheral, MN we lived in two places: a small house with very little room and a former red brick bank building that stood on mainstreet and still had a working vault. It also had a path out back.

Our Siren, Wisconsin residence was next to the church and held secret passageways. In Wyoming, Dad doubled the size of our home by adding on the old rectangular church building when the church bought the facility of a shop that went out of business and remodeled it for a church. The only way to get from one part of our house to the other was through a connecting back porch.

The Kansas Country church provided a large farmhouse on a farm worked by the members.

Iowa also had a farm-style house next to the church. But none of these houses were ours. In fact, since the church owned the buildings, my folks had to ask permission for changes--sometimes large changes, sometimes to simply add a nail on which to hang a picture.

We moved to Kearney, not for a church, but so I could attend college. My disabilities meant I needed to have family close. After renting, my folks bought a house and I could understand Mom’s joy at being in charge of her own home.

My parents planned to retire in Kearney, but then Mom died suddenly of a stroke. At the time, Dad had been called back to a church in Canada. When Mom died so did their dream. Dad stayed with his church in northern Minnesota, met and eventually married a widow.

When Keith and I married, we rented apartments and then a house. We prayed for a house of our own, but didn’t have the resources until a government program was announced--and we qualified. My contractor brother Paul had wanted to build us a house, only neither he nor we had the financial resources.

But with the government approved loan, Paul was able to build a house specially designed for my disabilities. It is a one level plan with no basement, no stairs, and easy accessibility.

Friends helped us move in in 1979, just before the new year. It was just in time. I finally had a home that was ours. We brought our first child home from the hospital early April.

Today, I look around my home. The design hasn’t changed though it has been repainted, recarpeted, re-sided, had two new roofs--thanks to the weather--and had assorted other repairs.

We raised our children here, our grandchildren have spent countless hours with us on visits. This house has seen us through illnesses, surgeries, birthdays, and too many holidays and celebrations to count. Every nook and cranny holds memories.

I look back with gratitude for those who pushed us to apply for the loan and walked with us through all that entailed. And we still use the heated front walk Paul added as a Christmas surprise. I was also glad when not long after Keith retired, we were able to finally pay off the mortgage and make the house truly ours.

Now that we’re geezers and slowing down, that one-level plan is a blessing. After living in so many places, I am far from moving on from a place that has been a real home for so long. I also look forward to making many more memories in this, a home of our own.

© 2020 Carolyn R Scheidies
Published Kearney Hub 2/23/2020
Read more of my life in my bio The Day Secretariat Won the Triple Crown
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3/20/20 3/20/20

Blog 2007 Minneapolis Bridge Collapse and What We Can learn from Tragedy

An aerial view shows the collapsed I-35W bridge Aug. 4, 2007.

Life goes off the rails of our plans often with little or no warning, Life happens. One of that horrifying and totally unexpected occurrences was the collapse of the 35W bridge in Minneapolis, MN.

After it happened and it made national news, most saw photos and viewed video clips of the massive 35W bridge that collapsed in Minneapolis and followed the search to account for all those who were traveling on the doomed bridge that afternoon. For all the tragedies, there were miracles as well.

My cousin Dwight Nelson lives in the Minneapolis area. He and his family regularly used what he called “perhaps one of the two most often traveled bridges in Minnesota.” August 1, 2007, the 35W bridge, with a 500 foot span that connected the downtown and southern areas of Minneapolis with the northern suburbs and the rest of the city, collapsed during heavy traffic. (The bridge was near where my Aunt Esther lived in a retirement situation.)

Dwight's son, Mark, regularly took that bridge home from work. About the time Mark should have been on the bridge, Dwight got the news of its collapse. For an hour, Dwight tried to raise Mark on his cell phone, but everything was jammed. To his great relief, he found a message on his computer when he reached home. "Heya, I'm alive." Because of road construction, Mark had taken a different route that afternoon.

That was just one of the miracles my cousin experienced that day. Dwight's cousin Dave should have been on that bridge. But that afternoon a co-worker dropped by and started chatting, and kept talking and talking. Dave missed the crossing and the collapse on a bridge he'd used earlier in the day.

Dwight wrote this about his own escape. “I just picked up Mandy, my daughter, at the airport. (She'd been on a mission's trip.) Since we were out looking for a quick snack, we ended up on a freeway connecting to 35W. I was tempted to take 35W home, which would have put us on the 35W bridge. At the last minute, I turned around and took a different freeway home, even though it was probably about 5 miles longer. I am not sure why I did that other than I knew traffic would be bad on 35W. Deep down, I also feel it was God's hand moving us to take a different route home.”

Mandy's friend escaped the collapse by a few minutes simply because she wanted to arrive at the Minnesota Twins ballgame early. Her friend, who realized she’d missed by minutes being on the bridge when it collapsed, was so shook up she left the game. Dwight also told of a stranger who stood behind him at the hardware store who said he would have been on the bridge. It was the way home. But last minute plans with his son took him another direction.

Dwight ended his post with, “I'm sure the stories will go on and on, so many people use that bridge. I am also sure that God leads and directs our lives in many different ways....” Sometimes miracles aren't huge. Sometimes God uses what might otherwise be everyday frustrations and circumstances to change our lives.

God is right here even during times of tragedy like the bridge collapse or dealing with a pandemic. He doesn’t promises roses all the time, but He does promise to be with us, comfort and guide us as we turn to, rather than away, from Him when we go through difficult circumstances.

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3/19/20 3/19/20

Poetry Because Jesus Knows My Name

Jesus knows my name.
Among all of creation,
He knows ME.
Formed me to be
Special in my own way.
Placed His seal of approval on
This body,
This spirit,
This mind,
And called it good,
Called it blessed,
Provides all I need to live,
And grow into
The person,
The individual,
He created me to be,
A person He came for,
Lived for,
Died on Calvary for,
And rose again for.
Because He lives He offers me,
Not only forgiveness,
But also salvation, light & life abundantly,
With Him as Lord, Savior,
Friend and Guide.
All I need do is clutch His hand,
Accept His plan created just for me,
By He who knows my name,
Gave me life,
As I ask Him in, I find I
Like the person I am with Him inside, for
In His loving embrace.
I know hope and peace and life
For today, tomorrow & for all eternity.

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3/17/20 3/17/20

Blog St. Patrick and the Irish

St.Patrick's Day is really not a native American holiday at all, but was imported by the Irish. Still, how many of us, even as adults, take the opportunity on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th, to pinch a friend who "isn't wearing the green."

Surprisingly enough, St. Patrick wasn't really Irish at all. Almost 600 years ago around 400 AD when Rome controlled much of the world, Patrick was born into the home of a noble Roman family who lived in Britain.

By the fifth century Christianity had spread throughout most of the Roman empire, and Patrick's family espoused the Christian faith.

At the time, the Irish often raided the coasts of Britain (and other countries) carrying away goods as well. as individuals to be used as slaves. Patrick became one of these unfortunate slaves when, at the age of 16, he was captured, taken to Ireland and sold.

For a young man brought up in, if not luxury, at least in comfort, herding sheep and being all alone in the mountains without adequate food or clothing was a sore trial. Still, he wrote in his "Confession" (his account of his spiritual journey) that it was up there he began to truly believe in God and to love him. He believed God spoke to him there and helped him endure those long lonely years.

Finally, after six years, he escaped, but it was some time before he was able to return home. Even then he could not settle down, feeling God was calling him back to Ireland.

Hampered by his lack of education, Patrick went to study for the ministry at the monastery of Lerins located on an island off the southeast coast of France. He also studied at Auxerre, France, and under the tutelage of the French Bishop Saint Germanus gaining some of the best learning of the day.

However, when a missionary was to be sent to Ireland, Patrick was NOT the one chosen. Later, when this bishop died in 431, Patrick was given his heart's desire, the assignment to go to Ireland.

He was not content to stay in the few pockets of Christianity already established in the country. Instead, he went to the Druid-controlled north and west. Patrick endured much hardship, but, the people knew he really cared about them. As they came to hear him, many believed.

Eventually he made friends with some of the chieftains whose own sons and daughters came to faith. Because Christianity leaches kindness and justice for all and the importance of each individual, the conversion of the people brought changes to the Irish society.

One example is that many slave owners, after embracing Christianity, freed their slaves. Patrick lived his faith by buying and freeing others himself.

As for the legend about his driving the snakes out of Ireland, no one knows the truth. Still, like many legends, there might be some truth in the story, for Patrick lived a long time and did many good and kind things for the people of Ireland.

As for the Shamrock, one legend has it that Patrick used the green three-leaf clover...the shamrock...to teach the people about the Trinity. This is the Christian belief that God is one, yet three, the Father, the Son (whom we know as Jesus) and the Holy Spirit.

Today, besides his "Confession," and his "Letter to Coroticus", a handbell, said to have belonged to St. Patrick, is kept in the National Museum of Dublin. St. Patrick left much more than these physical items.

Patrick was loved not just because he went to Ireland, but because he taught the people to care about each other. He also taught tolerance between the British and the Irish. Patrick deserves the appellation of Saint. He left a legacy well worth following.. .selfless concern for others rooted in and guided by his faith in Jesus.

3/16/20 3/16/20

Blog politics The “Science” of Evolution

Something from nothing. The earth is founded on the principle of cause and effect, yet evolution theory seeks to create something from nothing. The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that everything is in a state of decay. Yet evolution theory claims just the opposite, that things without added input or energy produce something new and completely different.

Scientists are far from agreement about the theory of evolution, which though in reality a “theory”, is usually taught as proven “fact” in public schools. There are many, many scientists who have followed facts with an open mind and come to the conclusion that the evolutionary theory has so many holes that it should be buried in one of them.

Even many scientists who hold to the basic idea of evolution, realize their theory doesn't meet the basic standards of true scientific inquiry—an open mind and following the facts where they lead.

An evolutionist who sought to mix evolution with theology, Dr. Edwin Conklin, once a professor of biology Princeton University 1908-1935 wrote, “The probability of life originating from accident is comparable to the probability of the unabridged dictionary resulting from an explosion in a printing shop.”

Dr. Dean H. Kenyon, professor emeritus of biology San Francisco State University and a driver of the Intelligent Design movement, wrote, “We have not the slightest chance of a chemical evolutionary origin for even the simplest of cells.”

Dr. Michael Egnor, professor neurosurgery and pediatrics, State University of New York, Stony Brook, who also has come to believe in Intelligent Design, writes, “Darwinism is a trivial idea that has been elevated to the status of the scientific theory that governs modern biology.”

Finally, from Geneticist, Dr. Francis S. Collins, Director National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, said, “The spiritual worldview provides another way of finding truth. Scientists who deny this would be well advised to consider the limits of their own tools.”

Unfortunately, as Ben Stein's 2008 movie “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” so well documented, many scientists who decide that evolution is not valid find themselves ostracized by a scientific community, lose tenure, teaching positions, and are smeared by their fellow scientists who refuse to allow anyone to deviate from the party line.

At its core, evolution is atheistic. No god of any sort is allowed in any evolutionary inquiry. Scientists refuse to examine other possibilities such as what Isaac Asimov, an atheist, wrote about in one of his stories that would explain the Intelligent Design perspective.

His story explained Adam and Eve. They were placed by an intelligent computer from another place starting a new race on earth.

Many who hold to the theory of evolution get furious when anyone questions their findings, assumptions, speculations, or logic. They don't answer with facts, but with put-downs and without even considering any other possible perspectives. And that isn't science.

Even science goes back to this, “In the beginning, God…” Genesis 1:1

© 2011, 2020 by Carolyn R Scheidies
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* Quotes from the book THE DEATH OF EVOLUTION © 2010 Jim Nelson Black

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