One Single Life/Just One
“For I could wish myself to be cursed by Christ so that my brothers and my kinfolks in my own family could be blessed” (Romans 9:3 RKJV).
It must have been a deafening silence that day in Rome at the Coliseum. A hush filled the air like no other. From a mere holy hermit in the desert to the unbelievable gladiatorial games in Rome this man would soon transform an entire nation by his act of courage and love for others. While most of the audience sat there bleeding in their own hearts for more blood and death this little holy hermit sat there stunned by such a slaughtering of human life. Having felt called by God from his desolate abode in the desert to sit midst 80,000 roaring fans, historians tell us Telemachus leaped right into the arena in between two raging gladiators. He was immediately tossed aside. Even the crowd began to stone this innocent nobody. But the little holy hermit insisted they not kill one another; so he jumped in between these fighting gladiators again. At the command of the emperor came the flashing swords in the sunlight from the gladiators. Telemachus was dead. Now his blood was spilt upon the floor of the great Roman Coliseum. But from that day forward Rome was changed. Never the same again! As word spread across this mighty nation about this holy man dying for the sake of human life and dignity, there were never again any gladiator games.
One person can make the difference in life. It doesn’t take an army. It doesn’t take thousands upon thousands. It doesn’t even require a Super Power. Not really. Just one. One, single person like Telemachus, or David Livingston, or Mother Theresa, or Nelson Mandela, or a poor Galilean Preacher can transform mankind, a church, a whole nation, and even the world. Look what this Apostle did for Christendom.
Friends with the Best,
Jason D. Lloyd
Your Little Tent
“The cloak that I left in Troas with Carpus, when you come please bring it with you…” (2 Timothy 4:13 RKJV).
Unless you have lived in the north you can never appreciate a cloak. Especially when it is very cold, when the wind is howling and the snow is trying its best to get down your collar. It is a vestment of necessity. No wonder Paul is urging Timothy to bring that cloak. In the Roman prison he was going to be very uncomfortable without his cloak during winter’s darkest nights and coldest days. In this day a cloak was much like a little tent that opened up at the top for your head to go through, and formed a circle of heavy cloth around your body. That cloak must have been something, too. Here is God’s greatest missionary throwing this garment upon him as he walked about the prison and shared his infamous story how God changed his life on the road to Damascus when he personally saw the Light that shined around him. Goodness! What a scene!
“Bring my cloak.” Life has its necessities. Some things you just can’t go without. They are inseparable for your life to be complete. They are the “basics.” Without the cloak there’s no comfort. However, with the cloak is that soothing, warm, cuddly feeling.
God wants to be your cloak of comfort for life. Your little tent! He wants to throw His mighty, unfailing arms around you. Around your soul. Around your mind and heart. He wants to comfort you—this why the Christ made us the promise, “It is expedient that I go away. For if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come unto you. But if I do leave you, I will send him unto you” (John 16:7 RKJV).How interesting words are. Comforter comes from the old Latin terms: con and fortis meaning strong. But it also means a wool or woolen wrap about you: a scarf or cloak. So today you can go out into the cold…with your cloak, your Comforter. Just think all day today, you are never alone.
Friends with the very Best,
Jason D. Lloyd
Aging with Grace
“I have been young, and now am old, however, I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor her/his seed begging for bread” (Psalm 37:25 RKJV).
It was getting late. Night time had fallen. My wife and I were driving downtown. It was especially dark, too. We had had dinner with our son. We had to go back by the office to pick up her car. As we were scurrying along through the city streets suddenly we both looked up and our headlights were shining in the face of a very elderly gentleman. He had to be a hundred fifty at least (exaggeration, of course!).He was right out in the middle of the street; a bit late for such an old person. I stopped immediately. He never turned his head our way. Slowly, methodically and carefully he trudged right on across this intersection. His silver grey hair almost matched his silver aluminum cane. He looked quite frail and weak to say the least. Every step honestly looked painful to us. But somehow with a bit of movement and a determination the elderly gentleman made it across the street by the grace of God without being run over.
I, too, am getting older. With aging you see things so much better I think. I have fun with aging myself. Recently an elderly person referred me to another elderly person, however, when I made the call she had given me her own number. Ever do that? I have, too. Hawaii is home to more 100-year-olds than any other state in America. Out of 1.2 million population, 263,000 live to be over 60.And for every 100,000 people in the Islands, 20 live to be more than 100.Last year alone, an elderly person died there who was 112 years of age.
The Psalmist realized as he looked over his shoulder and saw so many fleeting years of yesterdays that God had never abandoned anyone who sought His face. He captured for us a great truth in this life. For those who know God and serve Him and worship Him and adore Him, “they are never forsaken, nor are their seed begging for bread.” He will not forsake you either. NEVER!
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
No Tomorrow!
“Boast not yourself of tomorrow, for you know not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1 RKJV).
In one of the Rocky films (III) Apollo Creed is attempting to bring Rocky back through a hands-on training program. However, Rocky Balboa is used up in the ring as a fighter; at least he thinks so in his own mind. As I remember his wife and others are looking on in hopes of his return. As he and Apollo Creed are running upon the beach with the ocean in the background, Rocky just doesn’t have it in him to go on. Finally, he turns to Apollo, once his famous opposition and says sheepishly, “Let’s do it tomorrow.” And defiantly the great Apollo shouts back in anger at him, “There is not tomorrow!”
Life with all of it vicissitudes and exigencies is a day by day choice. Each day is a 24 hour opportunity or it is lost. There is so much one can accomplish in a day. One idea, just one idea can make or break a company, a church, or a life. In fact, lives are changed forever in just a day. But we must live as though, “There is no tomorrow!”
I love that scene as Simon and his brother, Andrew, are doing their fisherman business at the Sea of Galilee. And this man comes along one day and starts talking to them. Obviously we don’t have all the conversation—just a gist of what occurred. But somehow in that conversation with this man that day, their life, and the lives of countless others were changed forever. Looking them in their eyes this man said unto them, “Both of you come after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17 RKJV).And they went after him.
As you run along your own beach today remember: Each day is a gift. Yesterday is gone. As you unwrap today expect the best. Remember who you are—a child of the King. Count your blessings. Say a prayer. Enjoy life. Love life. Read a book. Paint a picture. Plant a seed. Make every day special. ‘Cause it is. “There is no tomorrow!”
Basking in His grace,
Sarah Li Kim
That Burning
“And they said one to another, ‘Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures’” (Luke 24:32 RKJV)?
I remember so well this road of stone, this pathway to Emmaus. This couple returning hopelessly from Jerusalem to their home had totally given up on God.The Jesus they thought would redeem Israel was now crucified. Their heads were down and their hearts were low as they traipsed along their way to their village called Emmaus.
I remember touring this area of Israel and long to see it again this fall when I return with a group who will visit the Holy Land. It is pastoral. It is unique. It is a perfect backdrop for this occurrence in the life and teaching of our Lord.
Religion is a burning of the heart. As William Booth once declared, “I want my religion like my tea; I want it hot!” These men met the risen Christ on their road home. As he expounded to them the word of God and shared with them the knowledge and wisdom of the Almighty they had no choice but to be “burning in their heart.” No wonder Pascal once wrote, “Men despise religion; they hate it and fear it may be true.” How many times in one’s life do you meet the risen Christ going back home to your village? No wonder they exclaimed, “Did not our hearts burn within us…?”
That burning is priceless. It can’t be bought. It is a living experience like no other. It is a spiritual fire. “Christ in you, the hope of glory!” (Colossians 1:27 KJV).Has he come your way today? Has the spark begun? Around this Man there is always feverishness. He is heaven’s heart warmer. As you get closer to Him, your heart will begin to change its temperature. And a blaze will begin. That burning within!
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
Flee Back
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 KJV).
Growing up on the coast of Southeast Texas I remember on a number of occasions when we sought refuge from threatening hurricanes approaching our little city. We went to buildings that would withstand the awesome wind force and imminent flooding. It is no wonder that the word, refuge, comes from two Latin terms, re, meaning “back,” and fugere, meaning “to flee.” This is exactly what the Psalmist envisions here. He knows that God is where he can “flee back” to safety and comfort. We can “flee back” and grab on to His mighty, omnipotent hand of strength.
In our unsettled world today people are dealing with more and more safety issues. Recently we saw on TV a man mugging a lady who was a hundred years old. He slapped the poor old soul in the face and took her purse away from her. It was caught on a store’s video camera. That same spirit of darkness is ever present with all of us in this age. Sometime when you feel the most vulnerable, knowing that others want to bring you down, remember who is your true refuge—‘cause you can “flee back” to him no matter who wants to harm you or hurt you. And even more importantly He is a “very present help in trouble.” How present? Whatever you are facing this week, however high the hurdle or deep the dilemma, you have that austere assurance and confidence that God is right there with you—-all the way. Or, as our Lord taught:
Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.(Matthew 11:28 RKJV).
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
Not Alone
“Keep it up, and don’t let anyone intimidate or silence you. No matter what happens, I’m with you and no one is going to be able to hurt you. You have no idea how many people I have on my side in this city” (Acts 18:9, 10 TMV).
This very encouraging note came to the great missionary one night in a vision from the Lord. It is interesting when you think about how emphatic the Lord is when He declares to Paul that, “You have no idea how many people I have on my side in this city. ”I think this is something we all tend to forget. There are other people in the army of our faith. While you and I may feel alone at times fighting an uphill battle, it is just the opposite. There are many other people committed to Christ and living out their faith and pledge to the Savior. Just like God consoled Elijah of old when he felt so alone, “Yet I have left myself seven thousand more prophets in Israel.”
A number of years ago I interviewed Coach Bill McCartney, the former CU football coach and one of the founders of Promise Keepers. As we sat together at the Buffalo Café in Boulder one day I was totally arrested by this man’s incredible relationship to Christ. He quoted scripture in conversation as though he had memorized the entire Bible. I have never met anyone so filled with God and so in tune with the word of God. When I say the scriptures flowed out of his mouth, I mean that in every way. His Bible knowledge was absolutely astounding to me. I know I have never met any pastor or minister with such a command of scriptures. But even more importantly his excitement about Christ and what he felt the Lord was calling him to do was the most paramount. As I sat there looking into the eyes of this great coach, I was also reminded just how the Lord has all kinds of people on His side in the city: doctors, lawyers, ministers, teachers, engineers, coaches, etc. “You have no idea how many people I have on my side in this city.” And we don’t. Do we?
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
“YOU” Series (1) God’s E-mail
“For whoever shall save his life shall lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:25 RKJV).
St Patrick is known for establishing Christianity in Ireland around the fifth century A.D. Many people get “the pinch” on this day for not wearing the color green. It is emblematic of Shamrock Green, the color in the Ireland flag and symbolic of their nation; known by many as the Emerald Isle because of the green vegetation throughout the Irish domain. Sounds like St. Patrick lost his life for Christ so others could find it.
You and I establish our own Christianity and faith day by day by the character and influence we exhibit. It adds up to losing our life for Christ so others might find it. That we ourselves might find it! Never think for once that people are not watching you. You are God’s e-mail to the world around you every day. People watch people. Children watch and observe us adults. Do not kid yourself, every action and choice you take is a re-flection of the God within you, and the compassion of Christ that you exude to others. It’s never the big, grandiose things that count most, no! It is those little insignificant decisions that you make that tell people about the genuiness of your faith and commitment to the Lord. You can’t hide your faith—it shows for good or for bad.
I think it was Socrates who once penned the lines, “The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world is to be in reality what we appear to be. ”I must ask myself, “Am I?” And what about you? You, too? Do not forget who you are. You are a very special gift from God to this world. There is only one you. Only one. And I reiterate, you and I are God’s e-mail to those around us each day that we live. What are people reading about today? From you? From me? From us?
For the loving Light,
Elizabeth J. Lloyd
“YOU” Series (2) Miniute-by-minute Friend
“Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following after you. For wherever you go I will go; and where you lodge I will lodge, too. Your people shall be my people. And your God shall be my God. Wherever you die I will die with you. There I will be buried, too. I pray the Lord will allow this and even more, unless death should parts you and me” (Ruth 1:16, 17 RKJV).
Surely a very morose spirit had come upon this lady named Naomi. Ruth’s mother-in-law had lost her husband and two sons. She was now ready to retreat back into her country of Judah into the city of Bethlehem. Moab was no longer home for Naomi. She was drawn to where she had come from among her closest kin. An unusual hush had fallen upon her home. Her two daughter-in-laws were urged to go on with their own lives and leave the sorrows behind that had come their way. There’s just something about these poetic words from Ruth. While Orpah went back to her own people in Moab, the Bible tells is that “Ruth clave unto Naomi.” I sense a Messianic portrait in these lines of Ruth. Our Lord will not leave us either! No matter what the circumstances are. Wherever we go, lodge, dwell, whatever people or country we choose, He will be our God and King. Wherever we die, or wherever we are buried He will be with us until the end of the road.
You can have this personal, intimate friendship with the Lord. He is not an aloof God. Some “divine being out there!” Some mystic spirit in space. He is a minute-by-minute Friend in your chase of life. You can talk to Him. Run to Him. Lean upon Him. Seek His wise counsel. Get on His schedule. Tap Him on the shoulder. And He will always be accessible. He never wants to be away from you. You are the gem of His world. You are His richest asset. Everything about you He is concerned with. He never wants to be away from you. He cleaves to you. He desires your fellowship and kinship. He wants you to touch Him. Embrace Him. Adore Him. Visit Him. You are not just the apple of His eye; you are the very heart and soul of His being. That’s why He made you—and died for you. You are His everything. He cleaves to you, too. What a song! What a poem! Imagine such inseparableness.
Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: where thou diest, I will die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
For the loving Light,
Elizabeth J. Lloyd
“YOU” Series (3) The Pipeline
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set upon a hill that cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14 RKJV).
Water is a huge battle today out West. Currently there are all kinds of legislation affecting where the water goes and will go from the Great Divide (i.e. The Continental Divide).From the Canadian Rockies down through the Colorado Rockies and beyond to the South the watershed flows either east toward the Atlantic, or west toward the Pacific. With so many people currently moving west into the desert like Las Vegas, water is becoming “gold” to those who want to continue to develop such cites out West. A 66” pipeline traveling some 50 miles serves hundreds of thousands of people in Aurora, Colorado and in the Colorado Springs area. As the water flows from the Rockies it is diverted going south and north to accommodate the population of these growing Colorado cities.
When I think about one person and his/her importance to the kingdom of God I cannot help but think about a giant pipeline. You and I are the conduit for light into the world. It is through you that God shines His Light upon others. You carry the hope. The water to the thirsty. The light to those in darkness. Compassion to those who know no love. Your life is God’s treasure. Your voice, the very tone of your voice itself, touches the hearts of those around you each day. You may not realize the incredible power of your influence or character, but God does. Albert Schweitzer once said, “Example is not the main thing in influencing others—it is the only thing.” You are God’s way of pointing people back to Him. You are His messenger. His news for the day. You carry His mail. And someone is waiting today to hear what you have to say. What an opportunity!.....to shed more Light.
For the loving Light,
Elizabeth J. Lloyd
