Dependable God - Martin Wiles

I am the Lord, and I do not change. Malachi 3:6 NLT

I was as dependable as the newspaper I delivered.

Among the several jobs I had as a teenager, delivering newspapers was one. Since I delivered the state paper, I delivered to customers who were widely separated. This required getting up early to complete my route. Fortunately, I was a responsible teenager. I set my alarm clock for 2 a.m., dressed, and headed for an abandoned gas station where I picked up and assembled my papers. From here, I drove several miles to my first stop. Although I didn’t have hundreds of customers, my route required around two hours to complete, giving me about an hour to sleep before I had to get back up for school. When I got up, I often asked Mom, “Did I run my paper route?” Regardless of my feelings or the weather, I delivered my papers.

Pagan gods were often fickle. Undependable. They could grant a bountiful crop. Or they could sit back and watch the humans sweat and then send a terrible storm or dry spell that would completely wipe out any potential crop. So those who worshiped them thought. In contrast, the one true God the nation of Israel worshiped was different. He was consistent and dependable. 

God is also dependable in delivering salvation. Not only does He tell what is wrong with humanity, but He also promises a solution. We are sinful. If not delivered from those sins, we’ll pay eternally for them. On the other hand, we can accept what God has done on our behalf by believing in Jesus Christ. When we do, God promises to deliver salvation. And he does every time and to every person who seeks it.

Love is another of God’s dependable traits. He loves unconditionally. Regardless of how we treat him, he will love us. His love won’t overlook our transgressions should we choose not to repent, but he will continue to love even when he expresses it through his holy wrath.

God’s guidance is also dependable. We can rely on him to provide direction no matter our circumstances. God enjoys helping those he has created and loves. He has our best interests at heart and will willingly guide us into a bright future when we follow his plan.

Lean on the God who is dependable. Don’t depend on other things that will disappoint you.

Father, when all else fails me, I am confident you never will. 

I invite you to try my book Grits, Grace, and Grands. If you have grands, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Energized - Martin Wiles

For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:13 NLT

He needed energy, but I had nothing for him.

I had watched Henry’s gait since he entered the building. His appearance was the usual for most students when they first arrived at school: not enough sleep, a late ball game, staying up beyond curfew. Henry fell into this category with unkempt hair, sluggish steps, and a blank stare, but on this particular day looked more drained than usual. As Henry approached my class later in the day, his first words were, “Can I call my mom and see if she will bring me an energy drink?” Without something, he was sure to fall asleep in class.

These days, as age begins to take its toll on my body, I sometimes feel like Henry: I need energy. I can’t do the things I once did—at least not at the same speed. Bones ache and joints creak. Although I eat healthy--at least most of the time--exercise, and take daily vitamins, I am not the man I once was.

Paul seemed energized. He proudly stated he could do anything, and he wasn’t such a young man when he said it. But his energy didn’t ensue from an energy drink, exercise, vitamins, or food. His energy came from God.

Even when my physical energy wanes, God will give me the spiritual energy I need to continue doing his work. I hope one day to retire from my profession, but I never intend to retire from God’s work. What I do for him might change, but he will energize me to do something until I take my final breath.

The power Paul had—and the power available to all believers--comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit takes up residence when we place our faith in Jesus Christ, but the power comes through being filled with the Spirit, which is not automatic. We must crave for God’s Spirit to consume us. We do this by allowing our bodies to be a holy temple and confessing to God that we desire to be all we can for him. Staying in His Word, prayer, service, and fellowship with other believers proves we’re serious about the request.

Let God’s Spirit energize you for the work God has called you to.

Father, I ask that you energize me with your Spirit so I can do the work you’ve called me to accomplish. 

I invite you to try my book Grits, Grace, and Grands. If you have grands, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Cherry Surprise Cake

 

Ingredients
1 BOX YELLOW CAKE MIX      

1 CAN CHERRY PIE FILLING

4 CUPS MINIATURE MARSHMALLOWS

Directions
SPREAD MARSHMALLOWS IN THE BOTTOM OF A GREASED 9 X 13 PAN.

PREPARE CAKE MIX BY DIRECTIONS ON THE BOX AND POUR OVER MARSHMALLOWS.

SPOON CHERRY PIE FILLING ON TOP OF CAKE MIX.

SMOOTH OUT EVENLY OVER BATTER. 

BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR 40 TO 45 MINUTES.

THE CHERRIES WILL SINK TO THE BOTTOM, AND THE MARSHMALLOWS WILL RISE TO THE TOP AND FORM A THIN BROWN TOPPING.

I invite you to try my book A Whisper in the Woods in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Too Many Words - Martin Wiles

The talk of fools is a rod for their backs, but the words of the wise keep them out of trouble. Proverbs 14:3 NLT

Sometimes, when I think I’ve said a lot, I realize I’ve said very little.

The assignment was simple. Students were to write a short paper detailing three things they felt strongly about. When they finished, I collected the papers and re-distributed them to their peers to check for grammatical errors, redundancy, and wordiness. 

One young lady approached my desk. “Doesn’t this sentence say the same as the previous one?” she asked.

“It does,” I replied.

A short time later, she returned. “Doesn’t this sentence say the same thing, too?”

“Yes, it does,” I said again.

With a confused look and a sigh, she whispered, “But that only leaves one sentence in the entire paragraph.”

I shook my head and smiled, then gathered the class’s attention. “Class, life lesson. Sometimes, when we think we have a lot to say, we have very little.”

The student, whose paper was in question, laughed, but I was convinced.

Many are the warnings God gives throughout the Bible with outright instruction or by example about the potency of our words. Taking into consideration those warnings, and noticing that I have two ears but only one mouth, I’ve concluded it’s better to listen more than I talk. I’ll learn more, stay out of trouble, and develop healthier relationships.

The classroom exercise also reminded me of how crucial it is to choose carefully the words we write or speak. Since wordiness and redundancy are rife, we must ensure the ones we give out are worth listening to. Saying the most in the fewest words is challenging and requires forethought, but it is possible.

Since people’s attention spans are growing increasingly shorter, speaking or writing with as few words as possible is wise. Otherwise, we’ll lose those to whom we think we have something to say.

Words also reflect our character—the people we are on the inside. I have a sneaky suspicion the young student was attempting to take a shortcut. Since I require a minimum of five sentences in a paragraph, they were shooting for the goal rather than thinking about that which they felt strongly. However, a student with a watchful eye foiled their attempt.

Make sure the words you deliver are worth listening to. 

Father, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight—and pleasant to others.

I invite you to try my book Grits, Grace, and Grands. If you have grands, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Accepting Rejection - Martin Wiles

He did not retaliate when was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 1 Peter 2:23 NLT

Accepting rejection is never fun.

Peer pressure is a part of growing up. As a middle school teacher, I’ve watched the lengths students will travel to be accepted—especially new students who want to fit in. Parents spend extra money so kids can have name brand clothes or the most popular tech games. New students sometimes completely change their personalities, trying to become the person they feel their peers want them to be. I watched one student overdose on an over-the-counter drug just to get attention. Some who have no interest in sports play anyway. Others make poor grades just so they won’t be made fun of for being smart.

The only perfect person who ever lived also faced rejection. But Jesus didn’t retaliate, change his personality, or try to become someone else to fit in. He accepted rejection as a part of God’s plan.

Rejection is worth the cost when the cause is admirable. Jesus’ cause was worth everything he had to undergo. He was going to die for our sins. His death would usher in a new existence for those who accepted him as God’s perfect sacrifice.

As a believer and Jesus’ representative, we should expect rejection. And I’ve received it. During middle school, in fact, I was rejected and laughed at by some because of my moral values. I wouldn’t let anyone copy my homework—which I actually viewed as important. I figured if I suffered through the agony of doing it, the lazy students could as well. Nor would I cheat simply to make a good grade.

With God’s wisdom, however, we can process our rejection. If we're rejected because we follow Christ, we can depend on God’s strength to help us accept the rejection—regardless of how much it hurts.

When rejection comes, we can also be assured that God will never reject us. In the scheme of life, the reasons others reject us are often trivial. Our ultimate acceptance must come from God—even if it means being rejected by everyone else. When we're accepted by God, our purpose in life will become clear and our joy will be complete.

Think about whom you seek acceptance from, and at what cost?

Father, remind me that following you is worth any price I might have to pay.

I invite you to try my book A Whisper in the Woods in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

The Uncomfortableness of Change - Martin Wiles

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster; to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

The fish landed on the ground and flopped around, and I waited to see what would happen.

When I was a young lad, my grandmother taught me to fish, and I fished regularly until life got too busy. When I fished with my grandmother, we did so in a small wooden—and then later, aluminum—boat. If I went with my brother or by myself, I stood on the bank.

More than once, I had a fish fall to the bottom of the boat or on the bank because the hook was barely engaged or because the fish slipped from my hands as I removed the hook. As soon as the fish hit the ground, it flopped around. It was out of its normal environment. Instinct told it that if it didn’t return to water, it would die. Sometimes, the flopping was so intense that the fish actually flopped back into the water. Most of the time, it simply died.

In a verse that had immediate application to Israel but future meaning to anyone who chose to follow God, God assured His people that He had good plans for them.

Israel’s future was bright. Unfortunately, they didn’t always share God’s vision. Like a fish out of water, they flopped around, desiring what wasn’t best for them.

Being out of water makes a fish uncomfortable. Change has occurred. Rather than succumb to what’s ahead—being cooked and eaten—the fish yearns for what it has always known.

God’s plans often make us uncomfortable, too. I call it change. Instead of giving in and following what we know is a good plan, we often flop around like fish out of water until we fall back into our normal traditions or customs—where we feel comfortable again.

When God presents us with His plan, our only choices are to move ahead—kicking and screaming, flopping around—or to forge ahead with excitement and belief that where God is leading is better than where we are. A journey we can only take by faith.

God’s plan usually makes us uncomfortable, but our responsibility is to believe that His plan is preferable to ours and will always lead us to a brighter future. And it will. His plan is for our good, not disaster.

Think about how you are responding to God’s plan.

Father, give me vision to see the good plans you have for my future. 

I invite you to try my book A Whisper in the Woods in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Chicken and Rice Perlo

 

Ingredients

7 BONELESS/SKINLESS CHICKEN BREASTS

2 CUPS MINUTE RICE

LARGE CARTON OF CHICKEN BROTH

1 STICK OF BUTTER

SALT/PEPPER

½ TEASPOON GARLIC POWDER

½ TEASPOON ONION POWDER

16 OUNCES SOUR CREAM

1 CAN CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP

Directions 

BOIL CHICKEN IN WATER, BUTTER, SALT/PEPPER, GARLIC, AND ONION POWDER UNTIL TENDER.

REMOVE CHICKEN FROM BROTH, SHRED, AND RETURN TO BROTH.

ADD REMAINING INGREDIENTS AND SIMMER ON LOW UNTIL RICE IS TENDER.

I invite you to try my book A Whisper in the Woods in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.