A few days ago something happened at work which gave me an idea for a post. I wrote it down and stuck the paper in my purse so I wouldn't forget. I try to do this as soon as I can because ideas pop into my head throughout the day.
Thinking about the incident on my way home, I realized there was more than one way to look at what happened - more than one lesson to be gained. Many situations are like that. It's like the old phrase - "two sides of the same coin."
Reflecting on that phrase led me to another train of thought -- oddly enough -- about that phrase. So when I pulled into my driveway- before I ever got out of the car - I pulled coins out of my purse. I rummaged around until I found a penny, a nickel, a dime and a quarter. I wanted to look at all of them.
My curiosity was piqued. I never really thought about it before, but I wanted to see the motto "In God We Trust." I wanted to know if those words were printed on the same side of each denomination. Most everyone probably already knows this, but just in case -- "In God We Trust" is on the 'heads' side of all the coins.
So there I was sitting in the car looking at the money in my hands as if I had never seen it before. And yes, the two sides of each coin are different -- but part of the same coin. Each one presented two very distinctive views -- and yet both views were of the same object.
Life is like that. Circumstances - events - situations - are like that. Decisions are like that. These are all intertwined with one another. The decisions we make lead to consequences and events occurring in our lives. Circumstances and situations bring us to decisions we must make.
If we trust in God, we will present a totally different view of ourselves to the world than if we do not trust Him. When we trust our Heavenly Father our lives will reflect that trust (or faith). We will think and act differently. With our faith intact, the life events we face are easier to endure. Those around us will see our peace and our perseverance.
Trusting in God will lead us to serve Him. We will seek to know Him. We will learn to love and obey Him. Others will see our good works and glorify our Father. When we show our love for others they will get a glimpse of God's love for mankind. Our unspeakable joy and constant hope is the surest sign of the confidence we have through Christ.
That's the best side of what our life can be. When we have no trust or faith - when we don't share our joy and our hope -- when we don't live our faith with good works through love -- well then that's the other side of the coin isn't it?
It is our life -- our choice. We have the power to make that decision. We can choose to trust in God -- or well we can decide not to. We all have one life - God gave it to us. He created us. But we still have the power to pick our side.
"Those who know your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." (Psalm 9:10 NIV)
"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation." (Psalm 13:5)
One more:
" Many are the woes of the wicked but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him." (Psalms 32:10)
Show the best side of life.
Christ above all things,
Robin Whitley
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Monday, July 3, 2017
Icing On the Cake
It was Friday night. Another wonderful week at Maywood Christian Camp was almost in the books. All the sermons were preached -- all the Bible classes taught. Throughout the week many surrendered their lives to Christ. It was a busy week full of fun and spirituality. Our directors do a great job of balancing the two.
We waited at the pavilion for our evening activities to begin. I looked over to see a dear friend with tears in her eyes. I thought something was wrong, so I quickly walked toward her only to discover these were tears of joy. Her grandson was about to become a Christian by putting on Jesus through baptism. Martha had been praying about this for a while. She was so happy and proud for him!
I smiled and said, "Well, this is just like icing on the cake!" She laughed through her tears and we hugged each other tightly. It is always great news when someone decides to become part of God's family. The news is even sweeter when it is someone you already know and love.
The night just kept getting better. Another of her grandsons and one of her nieces made the same decision to obey the gospel call. It was truly a glorious night for God's kingdom!
Later, I wondered if my "icing on the cake" statement was somewhat frivolous or somehow inappropriate. Those young people made a very important decision which I hope will affect the rest of their lives. It was not my intention to make light of that in any way.
But on second thought, maybe it's not such a frivolous analogy. After all, the Master Teacher compared faith to a tiny mustard seed and the kingdom of heaven to a lost coin. He used familiar objects to teach valuable spiritual lessons.
Now let's think about "icing on the cake." Have you ever watched a young child eat cake? Most of them go for the icing first, eating all of it off the top. Some children eat only the icing and never touch the cake. Why? Well -- one reason could be that the icing is the sweetest (and for many the best) part of the cake.
This is why I no longer feel the comparison was frivolous. Because you see, the sweetest and best part of Maywood Christian Camp is bringing precious souls to Christ. That is why adults choose to give a week of their vacation to serve as counselors or cooks or Bible class teachers -- for the growth and glory of God's kingdom.
Christian fellowship is wonderful. Watching young children make friendships for a lifetime is heartwarming. Our camp friendships are important to us adults, as well. Learning to be a good sport and sharing in good clean fun with one another create special memories that stay with us forever. This is good stuff. This is our cake.
The spiritual side of camp is still the best part. We are privileged to see young people begin their spiritual journey as new Christians. We are honored to watch their growth in Christ from year to year. We study with them and we pray with them and we are thankful for God's saving grace.
The young people I am with during the week at camp teach me as much as I ever hope to teach them. They have tender hearts ready to love. They have strong hands willing to serve.
Knowing the other staff members are just as dedicated to help these young people grow in Christ is a great encouragement to me. So when I witness a baptism ... when I see another life surrendered to the Savior... well it really is like icing on the cake for me. It is the best possible icing on the most delicious cake!!
There are various ways to serve God. Many other works bring glory to Him. All kinds of different events bring young people to Christ. God blesses each work meant to honor Him - whether for the young or the young at heart.
So much can be done to make a difference in God's kingdom. He can use us in the most wonderful ways if we are only willing! In the context of service -- there are lots of cakes out there -- and many flavors of icing.
God made us all with different personalities and talents. I challenge you to find your icing on the cake!
Christ above all things,
Robin Whitley
We waited at the pavilion for our evening activities to begin. I looked over to see a dear friend with tears in her eyes. I thought something was wrong, so I quickly walked toward her only to discover these were tears of joy. Her grandson was about to become a Christian by putting on Jesus through baptism. Martha had been praying about this for a while. She was so happy and proud for him!
I smiled and said, "Well, this is just like icing on the cake!" She laughed through her tears and we hugged each other tightly. It is always great news when someone decides to become part of God's family. The news is even sweeter when it is someone you already know and love.
The night just kept getting better. Another of her grandsons and one of her nieces made the same decision to obey the gospel call. It was truly a glorious night for God's kingdom!
Later, I wondered if my "icing on the cake" statement was somewhat frivolous or somehow inappropriate. Those young people made a very important decision which I hope will affect the rest of their lives. It was not my intention to make light of that in any way.
But on second thought, maybe it's not such a frivolous analogy. After all, the Master Teacher compared faith to a tiny mustard seed and the kingdom of heaven to a lost coin. He used familiar objects to teach valuable spiritual lessons.
Now let's think about "icing on the cake." Have you ever watched a young child eat cake? Most of them go for the icing first, eating all of it off the top. Some children eat only the icing and never touch the cake. Why? Well -- one reason could be that the icing is the sweetest (and for many the best) part of the cake.
This is why I no longer feel the comparison was frivolous. Because you see, the sweetest and best part of Maywood Christian Camp is bringing precious souls to Christ. That is why adults choose to give a week of their vacation to serve as counselors or cooks or Bible class teachers -- for the growth and glory of God's kingdom.
Christian fellowship is wonderful. Watching young children make friendships for a lifetime is heartwarming. Our camp friendships are important to us adults, as well. Learning to be a good sport and sharing in good clean fun with one another create special memories that stay with us forever. This is good stuff. This is our cake.
The spiritual side of camp is still the best part. We are privileged to see young people begin their spiritual journey as new Christians. We are honored to watch their growth in Christ from year to year. We study with them and we pray with them and we are thankful for God's saving grace.
The young people I am with during the week at camp teach me as much as I ever hope to teach them. They have tender hearts ready to love. They have strong hands willing to serve.
Knowing the other staff members are just as dedicated to help these young people grow in Christ is a great encouragement to me. So when I witness a baptism ... when I see another life surrendered to the Savior... well it really is like icing on the cake for me. It is the best possible icing on the most delicious cake!!
There are various ways to serve God. Many other works bring glory to Him. All kinds of different events bring young people to Christ. God blesses each work meant to honor Him - whether for the young or the young at heart.
So much can be done to make a difference in God's kingdom. He can use us in the most wonderful ways if we are only willing! In the context of service -- there are lots of cakes out there -- and many flavors of icing.
God made us all with different personalities and talents. I challenge you to find your icing on the cake!
Christ above all things,
Robin Whitley
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