Feeling Forgotten - Martin Wiles

Suddenly, the angel of the LORD appeared to him as a blazing fire in a bush. Exodus 3:2 NLT

The deed had been done, as ugly as it was, and now I was feeling forgotten.

Marital breakups are never easy. No matter who’s at fault, the breakup can leave each partner feeling forgotten. Mine did. My aloneness was intensified when many of my professional friends suddenly left as well. Perhaps they didn’t know how to respond. Maybe they thought I needed time to gather my thoughts. Some may have been embarrassed to associate with me since our profession looked unfavorably on divorce. Only one or two checked to see how I was doing. 

I suppose Moses felt the same. When he killed an Egyptian who was beating one of his fellow countrymen, I imagine he thought he was doing the right thing. But when the king discovered the murder and placed a death sentence on him, he knew differently. Fleeing to the desert, he met a priest, married his daughter, and spent the next forty years tending sheep. In a split second, Moses went from the palace to the poorhouse and from being surrounded by hundreds of people to living with sheep.

When feeling forgotten, I try to remember that feelings don’t always mimic reality. Moses had a spouse, children, a father-in-law, and neighboring shepherds. I had community and church friends. I felt forgotten because my situation in life had changed, and because a few had chosen to cool our friendship.

But even if others forsake us, God never will. He didn’t leave Moses, and he didn’t leave me when my spouse did. He was as close as he had always been. The feelings of loneliness merely kept me from feeling his presence.

Though my situation made it difficult, I tried to surround myself with spiritual encouragers. People who would remind me of God’s promises, who would call periodically and check on me, and who would hug me and tell me everything would be okay. These people forged friendships that I still cherish today, many years after I felt forgotten.

When you pass through times that make you feel forgotten, remember God is always near.

Father, when I feel forgotten by others, remind me you always walk by my side. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing. No one escapes life's hurts, but we can move beyond them to hope and healing. 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.

Ham and Cheese Rolls

 

Ingredients

1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

(8 oz) thin sliced cooked ham

4 oz thin slices Cheddar cheese cut into 4 strips

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F.

Separate the dough into 8 triangles.

Place one piece of ham on each triangle; place two cheese strips down the center of the ham.

Fold in the edges of the ham to match the shape of the dough triangle.

Roll up each crescent, ending at the tip of the triangle.

Place the tips down on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 15 to 19 minutes or until golden brown.

Immediately remove from the cookie sheet. Serve warm.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing. No one escapes life's hurts, but we can move beyond them to hope and healing. 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.

Transformation Killers - Martin Wiles

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Romans 12:2 NKJV

 

We were on the precipice of a breakthrough when I heard those infamous words: “We’ve never done it that way before.” Transformation killers. 

 

Every church I’ve led wanted transformation of some sort. I witnessed it before accepting the position, but the key leaders also saw it. 

For one, it was size. They had dwindled to thirty-five people. Young adult families with children had moved away. The church needed new programs. At the next church, a new building lay on the horizon for some. The current one had deteriorated. Bats filled the belfry. No bathrooms existed upstairs. The next church was steeped in traditions that were killing the church's future. 

 

As the other leaders and I attempted to enact the changes necessary for transformation in appearance, attitudes, and attendance, we were often met with resistance: We’ve never done things this way before. We can’t afford for people to leave. How will we pay for it? Are we large enough to support this program?

We All Need Transformation Sometime

 

Churches periodically need transformation because those of us who go there need transformation. Instead of conforming to the world's destructive attitudes and evil actions, Paul says we should transform or renew our minds so that it reflects Christ’s thoughts.

Watch the Transformation Killers

 

Discouragement, fear, unforgiveness, and pessimism are all transformation killers. Naysayers will always be present when transformation lies on the horizon. Their lists of reasons why transformation can’t take place can be lengthy, but they are all designed to discourage enthusiasm, whether they realize it or not. Discouragement can spread like a raging wildfire and bring pessimism with it. Both will kill excitement.

 

Fear is sometimes behind transformation resistance—fear of change, fear of the different. But God isn’t the author of that spirit. He gives a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Belief, faith, and trust will drive away the fear of transformation.

 

Unforgiveness will also kill transformation by preventing us from working together to make it happen. It can be old feuds or conflicts between personalities.

 

Give God any mindset that keeps you or your church from being transformed.

 

Father, renew my mind daily so my actions will move me into the areas of transformation you desire.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing. No one escapes life's hurts, but we can move beyond them to hope and healing. 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.

When Dogs Are Coons - Martin Wiles

For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it. Ephesians 5:8 NLT

 

A deep growl reverberated from the terra cotta pipe extending under our driveway. But when dogs are coons, I get a little confused. 

 

I was a middle school student living in Jackson, Tennessee. As a couple of neighborhood boys and I played in my front yard near the road, we suddenly heard a deep growl from a roadside pipe. I quickly called Mom, and we all began calling what we imagined was a dog stuck in the pipe. When the calling didn’t work, we tried a little food to entice this frightened little pup. What emerged wasn’t a pup, though. We all stepped back when a raccoon walked out.

 

According to Paul’s philosophy, no one should mistake a child of God. Before Christ, we are sinners under God’s condemnation. After receiving Christ’s forgiveness, he fills us with the light of his love. As a result, our growls should make it clear to everyone that we belong to the Lord. But some things can lead others to mistake our identity.

Watch the Lifestyle 

Mistaken identity will occur when I’m out of step with God’s plan for my lifestyle. I was there during my teenage years. I was a pastor’s son who didn’t want his friends to think he was a goody-two-shoes. So I lived as they did, and, sadly, most of them never knew I was a Christian. A holy lifestyle will always give away who we are, but a wicked one can disguise our identity.

Watch the Gifts

Our identity can be hidden when we don’t use God’s gifts. All believers have one, and many have more. Using our gifts helps others see whom we belong to.

Watch the Focus

 

When our focus is off, others will also misidentify us. Just as I can’t see clearly when I remove my glasses, I also hide my identity when my priorities are out of focus. What’s important to us reflects who we are to others.

 

Falling in love with Jesus and relishing that relationship helps others identify who we are. Don’t let fear, rebellious living, or misplaced priorities hide your identity.

Father, help me shine my identity brightly to others.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing. No one escapes life's hurts, but we can move beyond them to hope and healing. 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.

Age Doesn’t Matter - Martin Wiles

Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. Psalm 92:14 NLT

I couldn’t imagine what a sixty-year-old person was doing in my college classroom. I soon found that age doesn’t matter. 

 

Eight years after graduating high school—and finally succumbing to God’s call to enter full-time ministry—I enrolled in college. I wasn’t excited about attending a traditional college where most of my classmates would be newly graduated high school students. Fortunately, I found a college that accommodated people in my age category who were also entering ministry. 

But when a retirement-age student walked into the classroom, I couldn’t help but wonder why God would call someone that late in life. For a person in their late 20s—as I was—a person in their late 60s was near dead. Now, that I am near that age, however, I no longer hold the same opinion. 

Age Is Relative 

 

Attending college with some older students taught me the truth of what the psalmist wrote. Age is relative and doesn’t keep anyone out of God’s service. Even now, I have a Canadian friend who is in her 80s and in a nursing home, but still writing for God.

God Has No Requirement Age

 

In God’s work, there is no retirement age. Some places of employment might require us to retire at a certain age or after we’ve worked a certain number of years with their company, but God never will. He offers the best retirement plan, but he’ll never ask us to retire early, or at all.

 

Age brings certain limitations, but it never takes away all possibility of serving God. He always has something we can do that will trump any physical limitations age may place on us. If nothing else, we can pray or send a card of encouragement to someone. We could even find someone to mentor in the faith.

 

I plan to eat right (well, most of the time) and stay in good shape so I can serve God with vigor for as long as possible. Then when it comes time to enjoy his retirement plan, I can die satisfied—knowing I did all I could for as long as I could.

 

Don’t let age—along with its limitations and ailments—keep you from serving God.

Father, thank you for the years you give me to serve you. Encourage me to give you my all until I take my final breath.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing. No one escapes life's hurts, but we can move beyond them to hope and healing. 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.

Potato Salad

  

Ingredients

6 Potatoes (Boiled and Mashed)

        

½ Teaspoon Mustard

½ Cup Sweet Pickles (Diced)     

¼ Cup Onions (Diced)      

 

3 Boiled Eggs (Diced)

                      
                    1Tablespoon Mayonnaise                              

Salt/Pepper

 

Directions

Mix all together.

Add more mayonnaise if needed.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing. No one escapes life's hurts, but we can move beyond them to hope and healing. 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.

Known by the Markings - Martin Wiles

You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. Matthew 7:16 NLT

The excitement over my first killed bird quickly turned to disappointment.

My cousin lived on my grandfather’s farm and introduced me to dove hunting. Of all the birds flying around, I wondered how he could distinguish a dove. “Look for curved wings,” he said.

One day, Dad and I were invited on a dove hunt. Now in the middle of strangers, I wasn’t sure if I’d bag any birds. After a few misses, a single dove came directly toward me. These were the easiest shots to make. I aimed carefully, pulled the trigger, and watched the bird fold and fall to the ground. Proudly, I walked over to retrieve my prize. But when I reached for the bird, I noticed I had killed a mockingbird, not a dove. Obviously, I needed more training in recognizing the markings. 

Jesus made it plain that his followers would have markings—things that would distinguish them from others and make them stand out.

Unconditional Love

Among the markings was unconditional love, the ability to love like their heavenly Father, and the ability to show love consistently, regardless of how others treated them in return.

Kindness

Kindness should also mark us. Empathy for others should exude from our veins. We will inconvenience ourselves to convenience others.

Servant Attitude

A further mark is a servant attitude. Just loving isn’t enough. A desire to put love into action and obey the second greatest commandment drives us.

Abundant Joy

Abundant joy also invades our lives. Regardless of circumstances, we have a smile that radiates from the inner peace of knowing God controls our lives.

Patience

Patience is a further virtue we’re working on. When others treat us harshly or unjustly, we tolerantly endure.

Crowd Control

As Jesus’ followers, we have also learned crowd control. Not how to control the crowd, but how to control ourselves so we don’t have to follow the crowd to find contentment.

Make sure your markings are evident for everyone to see.

Father, mark me with those traits that show others I belong to you.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing. No one escapes life's hurts, but we can move beyond them to hope and healing. 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.