Fear Not

Well, it’s the day after Thanksgiving, which means that in the United States of America, it is somehow officially or unofficially the “Christmas season.” However, when Christmas comes to mind for me, it’s actually more than Black Friday shopping (which should make us all very "afraid") or Thanksgiving turkey dinner leftovers. It’s easy to see why Charlie Brown, the character in the classic Charles Schultz comic strip, was depressed about the secularism and commercialism of Christmas (if Charlie Brown could see us now!).  In the renown TV production, A Charlie Brown Christmas, the confused Charlie Brown listens to Linus tell him what Christmas is all about as he quotes from the book of Luke in the Bible:
    

"'And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.'"

In elementary school, we always recited this passage from the Bible. Forty years ago it was expected that we would recite it, and it was an integral part of our Christmas celebration! Never could I have imagined how things would change in my lifetime. Quoting the Bible has gone from being expected to not being allowed and even shunned. I took so much for granted—especially those words, “Fear not; for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people…” Jesus was and IS that JOY!

Life without Jesus…unimaginable! It is with Him that we have victory over all the evil and wrongdoing in this world and more importantly, we have victory over death in Jesus Christ.

“Fear not” and “fear nothing” … the victory is in Jesus, and this gives hope that brings joy. It has been said that sorrow is not the cause of not having joy…unbelief is the cause of not having true joy…We can have JOY now with Jesus Christ as our personal Savior knowing that when He comes again, we will know the perfect and undefiled joy of the Lord—forever!

Copyright 2013 Dr. Donna Earl Bridges

FALL in Empty, "Leaf" Full

   

Artists must surely envy the beauty of the northeastern mountains in the Fall. During my last visit there, the backdrop of color swept the horizon with golden yellow, burnt orange, and burgundy red. Atop Belknap Mountain, God's presence was clearly visible and audible. This glimpse of God's glory was evident as my daughter and I had not arrived empty, we had arrived "full" anticipating how God would reveal his will as we prayed, read his Word, hiked, and visited special places (without cell phone or internet service). One such place was the Route 104 Diner displaying the inspiring sign: "Fall in Empty, 'Leaf' Full." Returning from a day trip to Vermont, convinced that we were famished, we applied the literal interpretation as we ordered lunch at the quaint diner. Recounting God's good gifts, we marveled at how he gives so freely to us. When we come to Him empty, He fills us with promises and assurances from His Word. As we fall on our knees and cry out to Him, the response is full of His grace and mercy. As believers in Jesus Christ, answers in challenging circumstances are revealed; His presence is known through his Holy Spirit. We can even feel full, but as we listen and obey His truths, He can fill us even more. Unable to fathom the mighty works and gentle spirit of our LORD, He fills us up with the goodness of His grace as we desire to know Him.

When we returned to our South Carolina home, we created and displayed a sign with a modified motto to which the diner had introduced us, "Fall in full, leave 'fuller,'" on our pantry door as a daily reminder not only of God's provision of good food but also, and more importantly, as a provision of God's amazing grace in our lives--giving us JESUS and the promise of eternal life for all who trust in Him as Lord and Savior!

With deep inexpressible gratitude, today I thank God for saving me and giving me the gift of an eternal perspective!

"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things."  ~Ecclesiastes 11:5

Lord Jesus, fill me with your spirit when I feel empty and especially when I think I am full. Thank you for your grace--for giving freely. Allow me to accept it fully with a grateful heart although I cannot possibly fathom the depths of your works.

© Copyright 2013 Dr. Donna Earl Bridges. All rights reserved.

Gifts of Grief

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
                                                      ~ I Peter 5: 6-7

When someone close to you that you really love dies, you quickly discern from desirable submission or undesirable coercion what is important in life! Grief has a way of “teaching” us how to recognize the good that happens as a result of suffering great loss. It is also a “counselor” as priorities are often reassessed and even reordered. Suffering and evil are omnipresent as we live in a fallen world—nothing is perfect on this earth. Comforting is the knowledge and understanding that a Holy, Sovereign God can use every situation for an even greater good bringing glory to His name. When a loved one dies, it seems impossible that God could possibly use this great loss for good—missing the laughter, the hugs, the experiences, the joyful moments—seeing the empty chair at the dinner table and setting one less place setting…but God can and does use especially the most sorrowful and broken circumstances to draw us to Himself. If we are honest, is it not the times that we face trouble, or illness, or pain that we cry out to God? Isn’t it then that our prayers become more fervent? Even those who don’t pray every day will often ask others to pray for them in a time of desperate need—sickness, job loss, difficult circumstances, broken relationships! We all draw near to God and desire His presence with greater intensity during any trial. For this reason, grieving loss can be a beacon in the darkness bringing us to the LIGHT—Jesus Christ! This is a much bigger picture than small human minds can fathom. Grieving a great loss focuses our minds and hearts on what is really important! We have to go places and do things we may not want to go to or do in order to get us where HE wants us to be! God uses our losses to bring brilliance beyond measure to our lives in much the same way a jeweler molds, holds, and uses an opal stone which has no color or shine of its own—only in the hands of the craftsman does it take on color, shine, and brilliance!

 

God uses trials in our lives to mold us and shape us in ways that otherwise would not be possible giving the gift of incomparable eternal rewards!

Going through a difficult time? Ask Jesus to come spend the day with you—read His Word aloud and tell Him the desires of your heart. He already knows you better than you know yourself.  Draw near to God, and He promises to draw near to you!

 

© Copyright 2013 Dr. Donna Earl Bridges. All rights reserved.

     

All God's Children

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”   

                                                                          ~ I  John 3:1

 

Psychology books, child advocacy groups, and Christian writers have a great deal to say about children concerning their developmental stages, how children should be protected, and guidelines for disciplining children. Without question, children are to be protected, loved, “discipled,” and regarded as a blessing from the LORD.

 As believers in Jesus Christ, we are God’s adopted children. We are all members of the “family of God.” We are His children—some of us 5 years old, some of us 25 years old, and some of us 75 years old or even older. When we accepted Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior of our lives, God adopted us as His children with all of the rights and privileges including a full inheritance as heirs to His kingdom. How amazing to think about this heritage which supersedes biological heritage or genetic patterns. There are no class distinctions, no cliques, no favorites, and no social status. We all inherit all the rights and privileges as full heirs to God’s kingdom. God is our perfect Father!  He protects, provides, teaches, guides, and cleanses us from all unrighteousness and is faithful and just to forgive us when we ask Him.

 

What greater gift in life than to know that everyone who calls upon the name of the LORD and accepts the free gift of salvation is God’s child—now and forever!

 

Prayer

Almighty God, how privileged we are to be called “children of God.” You are the perfect Father. Thank you for calling us and choosing us to be your children, heirs to Your kingdom, and thank you for your amazing grace—giving us the free gift of salvation. How blessed to have a perfect Father and be heirs to God's eternal kingdom living with that eternal perspective now!

                                                                                        
                                                                                   
                                                                                                   Copyright 2013 Dr. Donna Earl Bridges

Reflection of Humility

 "God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.” ~Genesis 1:16 (NIV)

The only natural satellite on earth, the moon is in “perfect” timing in its rotation with the earth. With the exception of the sun, it is the brightest object in the sky. Evidence of the moon having intrigued humankind throughout history is well documented. It has been recognized across cultures, languages, and human interests. It has been romanticized as well as poeticized, and the beauty of its reflection unleashes the artistic admiration in almost every human being. Man has embraced the lack of its gravity and “walked” on the moon. The Bible mentions the moon as playing an important role in God’s magnificent creation and as a significant descriptive sign “appearing blood red” (which it does during a total lunar eclipse) in the book of Revelation detailing Christ’s second coming.

As captivating, illuminating, and stunning as it is, the moon is an unremitting reminder of ultimate humility! For the moon, as bright and beautiful as it is, has no light of its own without reflecting the sun! Its creator who set the sun, moon, and stars in the sky is the source of its light…giving a glimpse of the glory of an awesome God. As believers in Jesus Christ, we bear the mark of humility to a great God who knew us before time and all of creation. Psalm 8:3-4 says, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” We are not here to be seen or heard or fulfill our own selfish desires. We are here to praise and bring glory to a sovereign God.

As a reminder of God’s mighty, glorious handiwork, the moon exemplifies the humility of reflecting LIGHT! Just like the moon without the sun, we have no light of our own without Christ. Walking humbly in His strength and not our own personal power gives freedom from pride, arrogance, and self-defense allowing us to glorify God in all things!

Our God IS an awesome God!    HE reigns!

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” ~James 3:13 (NIV)

 

Copyright 2013 Dr. Donna Earl Bridges

 

Running the Race

How did this happen? After all, my only motive was to be as healthy as possible by practicing good nutritional habits and exercising regularly. I had wanted to do this for some time, and it seemed the time was NOW. When a close friend asked to join me, that was even better…accountability is desirable! This friend, however, is a friend of “ideas,” and somehow we decided it would be “fun” to sign up to run a 5K in the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot—easily convinced that the fellowship would provide opportunities to connect and share with others (knowing I wouldn’t say “no” to that)!                               

So, the training ensued with Day 1 ushering in thoughts of desperation—surely, I was going to exit this earth after running “how far?” … four tenths of a mile! This was not looking (or feeling) promising. Each day, sheer determination led me to run a little further although the pace was certainly slower than any tortoise of yesteryear. Surprisingly, new goals and new milestones continued to be set each day until I noticed that I was actually looking forward to “the run.” Rain or shine often dressed in layers for the Fall coolness that now presents in the foothills, I have been committed. Yesterday, I was caught in heavy rain, and as it poured on me, stinging especially my arms and face, I continued to run the last mile. Cold and drenched from head to toe, my shoes squeaked in the back door where my 19-year-old daughter did not resist snapping a photo and posting it with glee to her facebook page. With very special, heartfelt praise, she commended me for my dedication saying, “well done, Mom!” 

 

It is refreshing and rewarding to note the progress, to know there is growth and improvement, and to anticipate the actual 5K run early Thanksgiving morning….I am definitely looking forward to being there with others who are running the race. The Turkey Trot is only ten days away so the intensity and duration of my training needs all I have to give in these days ahead!

More importantly, and significantly, I consider the race that is set before me as a Christian. It is the desire of my heart to run the race that is laid out before me—to live the life that God has given me—and to FINISH THE RACE—strong in the Lord! With a longing heart, I desire to hear the words, “Well done…good and faithful servant!” taking delight in being with my Savior.  MARANATHA

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.       ~Hebrews 12:1-2

 

Copyright © 2013 by Dr. Donna Earl Bridges

Mental Belief or Personal Intimacy

When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus said,
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself."    ~ Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)

Pondering thoughts and choices that we all have...

                          ALL of our decisions that we make today affect tomorrow...

Being busy? OR Being purposeful?...
Short-term pleasures? OR Long-term differences?
Social media? OR Real life experiences?
Surface relationships? OR Really caring and loving?
Pleasing me? OR Pleasing others?
Hundreds of Facebook friends? OR Genuine friends to listen and care?
Instant gratification? OR Lifelong fulfillment?
"Freedom" of non-commitment? OR The ULTIMATE FREEDOM of commitment?
Receiving love? OR Giving love?

Whether we all ponder these thoughts is an unanswered question...

               What we CHOOSE is a deliberate decision that we make whether we THINK about it or not...

Our amazing God created the human mind so intricately complex...no one can understand it! It is powerfully at work! As significant questions arise in our thoughts, it serves us well to ponder these thoughts and to take action. It is convicting to understand that taking "no action" is really a conscious choice that is in practice life-directing, life-changing action. In response to some very thought-provoking reflection, there was a time in my life that I realized that I KNEW that I KNEW that I KNEW--but, I didn't really KNOW! This moment IS life-changing...coming to an overwhelming passage in our circumstances where our "program" of belief is changed forever into "personal" belief. To believe is to commit not in terms of the world's definition of commitment but abandoning all that is not related to personally believing. In personal belief, the greatest choice we can make is to walk with Jesus Christ and make Him Lord of our lives. It is a conscious choice to accept the free gift of salvation and to choose to grow in personal intimacy with Him.

Oswald Chambers writes in My Utmost for His Highest, "I find that faith is as natural as breathing, and I'm staggered that I was so stupid as not to trust Him before." 

We all have choices to make in life and one of those choices is to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior and to walk and grow with Him. The world is enticing and seductive, and not to make a decision is to not choose JESUS and eternity with Him!


Jesus?     OR     False beliefs and illusions and ultimately death?


"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."     ~Philippians 4:8  

Copyright 2013 Dr. Donna Earl Bridges

Loads of Laundry

Loads of Laundry

 

 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the LORD as a reward. It is the LORD Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24

In C Squared, also known as College Cottage and appropriately “named” by my university college freshman daughter, we have somewhat of a division of labor. It is my job to gather, sort, wash, dry, and iron the laundry. Her job is to put it away (which can take on different meanings at different times!)…. Recently, she and I were having what we call a “murmuring heart” day. I had commented that the loads of laundry seemed infinite—sorting, washing, and starting over again with only a brief glimpse of an empty washer and dryer. Both of us were having a “complaining moment” mentioning the huge tub of towels and our disproportionate disenchantment. Following some discussion and each of us asking forgiveness for our lack of gratitude that had manifested as heavy sighing, we were given grace to complete the tasks at hand doing our best. Later, with time to reflect, I thought about how God gathers His flock—US—gently leading and empowering each one to use the talents He has so graciously given. Surmising that it is best not to let the dirty laundry pile up, the same principle is at work in our lives. Vigilance is required to “gather” by reading God’s Word, “sorting” by listening with sensitive ears, “washing and drying” by immediately taking our thoughts captive, and “ironing out” the wrinkles as we ask forgiveness and continue on life’s earthly journey. Folding or molding and placing us where we can be used as empty vessels to work for Him fosters peace and a sense of accomplishment that comes from doing our best for the Master.

                                                

Dear God, we pray that today and every day, we will do EVERYTHING you have for us with joy and gratitude for your glory! 

Whether it is “loads of laundry,” listening to a friend, doing a job we might not “really” like, studying, cooking gluten-free, diligently practicing music, or ministering in your name, I pray to do it with all my heart—working for you, my Master!

Copyright © 2013 by Dr. Donna Earl Bridges

God's Love

 

 

Gazing at the multi-colored landscape and fiery pink sunset in the foothills of North Carolina fosters gratitude to our awesome, one and only true God! What marvelous wonders to behold…what joyful pleasures to be in the presence of God amidst His creation. The herd of deer congregating last night only feet away from the back door, the Canadian geese changing formation in today’s early morning sky—the sounds of honking to spur the lead goose in their flight! What simple pleasures reminding us of the profound beauty of God’s handiwork, His greatness, His incomparable power! To KNOW Him is to love Him and to love Him and call him “Lord” is an indescribable gift! As we rest in the arms of Jesus and His love, we can be certain that HE, and HE alone, will satisfy our longings…

“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”    ~Psalm 17:8

                                                                                                  Copyright 2013 Dr. Donna Earl Bridges

In The TIME We Have

It’s hard to believe that this is Week 45 in the year of 52 weeks! WOW! Time has a way of passing so quickly. Grandparents tell us that it appears to pass even more quickly as we get older…The adage, “time waits for no one,” seems to bear more truth as we continue our earthly journeys. There have been countless “popular” songs about time, and one in particular mentions “bottling time” and “making time last forever.” As believers in Jesus Christ, we can’t really save time, and we can’t make it last forever. We can, however, be certain of the promise that we will spend eternity with Him forever. That eternity begins now as we eagerly await the Lord’s return. It’s important to take frequent inventory of how we are spending our time. One of my favorite demonstrations of this is taking a two gallon jar and trying to place as many rocks as possible in the jar. Big rocks, small rocks, gravel, sand, and water are set aside. To get everything in the jar, the only way that it will all fit is to put in the “big rocks” first. Any effort to put in the sand, water, or small rocks first will not leave room for the big rocks! When Jesus Christ is our ROCK, he is first in our lives…HE is our first love! As we journey, we love others including our family in Christ, our husbands, wives, children, parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends—these are “big rocks” in our lives. Often tempted to put in the “stuff” that so easily usurps our time stunting our personal spiritual growth—the tyranny of the urgent if you will—does not leave room for the “big rocks.” There is actually no way to get the “big rocks” to fit if the small rocks, gravel, sand, and water are placed in first. If you try this, you will see that it is a great demonstration both literally and figuratively!

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand…all other ground is sinking sand!

 

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. ~Matthew 7:25-26

 

Copyright 2013 Dr. Donna Earl Bridges

 

             

Hand-Tailored Grace

The misty, early hour of dawn was most certainly an unlikely time to spy the rare find of a four leaf clover. It has been estimated that there are 10,000 three leaf clovers to every four leaf clover. But, there it was nestled among literally hundreds of its kind. However, it was distinctly different. It was a reminder of the "hand-tailored" grace of God. An extra leaf defined its uniqueness and despite it being surrounded by others that appeared the same at first glance, this special little clover had something more! Joyfully delighting in the discovery of a four leaf clover created a smile of wonder and amazement. As believers in Jesus Christ, we have not only "something more," we have "everything"--the Holy Spirit of God in us. Unlike that little clover, green and vibrant today with its rare and special feature of an extra leaf, we will not wither or fade. So as we journey, wonder and amazement are ours beyond comparison reminding us that God's grace is unique to each of us. He knows us by name; He knows our circumstances; He knows the needs and desires of our hearts. The grace that God gives is exquisitely "hand-tailored" for each of us!

Ephesians 6:24

"Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love."

 
 

THANKING YOU GOD FOR YOUR "HAND-TAILORED GRACE!

 

Copyright 2013 Dr. Donna Earl Bridges

Real Stuff or Fluff

"Real Stuff" or "Fluff"

In today's culture, this is not a popular topic even among those who claim to be Christians. A quick glance at the weekend newspapers lists literally hundreds of choices for "worship" and "Bible study." Some entertaining; some liberal; some imparting false truths to appeal and appease....Those with a passion for the "real stuff" are often ridiculed as narrow-minded or thought to be self-righteous prigs often lacking happiness or humor or fun when nothing could be further from the TRUTH. The truth in God's Holy Word is very clear on this topic--as authentic followers of Jesus, we are to love the Lord with everything in us--our heart, soul, mind, and strength. As much as our human selves may desire or even dare to think we deserve to be happy all the time and that life is about having fun, fitting in, getting approval from others, and pursuing our own ambitions and desires, the Bible specifically teaches meekness, humility, sacrificing "self," and hungering and thirsting for righteousness! The world view that many hold is saturated with false beliefs and deception--a fairy tale which even Merriam Webster defines as "a made-up story usually designed to mislead...a story involving fantastic forces and beings...in which improbable events lead to a happy ending." A glance through TV channels and the frenetic pace of facebook and media steal the time and rule the mind to the point of not being able to even think REAL thoughts. The world has plenty of "made-up" stories to mislead us from the truth. When we place our faith in "improbable events" hoping or wondering if there will be a happy ending, our lives become meaningless. Some are even deceived in to believing that being busy and having hundreds of "electronic friends" will fill the emptiness (ironically that they don't even notice). With Jesus Christ, there is no uncertainty that there will be a happy ending for all who believe and accept the free gift of salvation that God offers...those who believe and trust in the Lord will spend eternity in heaven...living happily ever after! The Bible is clear about this absolute TRUTH. Why trust the "fluff" of the world designed to mislead and full of empty promises? when you can choose...  

...what is REAL !

 

 

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light."   Ephesians 5: 6-8 

 

Copyright 2013 Dr. Donna Earl Bridges