Pilgrim's Progress Is Always Relevant

(by Lorie Codispoti)

I remember it as if it happened yesterday.

Like those who remember every detail of a major event, I can recall every detail of the first time I read The Pilgrim’s Progress, by John Bunyan.

I had never heard of the book or the author. Therefore, I had no idea that it was a Christian allegory. There was simply something about the cover of the children’s version that made me think this would be an interesting story to read to my then young children, so I tossed it into our book crate on our weekly visit to the public library. (Some people have book bags, but we checked out so many books at one time that we needed a crate.)

A few days passed before we had a chance to cozy up on the couch for an afternoon read aloud.

It didn’t take long. By the time I got to the part where Christian leaves the City of Destruction for his journey to the Celestial City my voice started breaking up as tears ran down my face. My children thought something was wrong, so I had to take time to explain what I was discovering about this story and how it parallels our Christian walk. From that moment until the last page was read, they knew that when Mommy paused it meant she needed a tissue.

Many years have passed. My children are grown, married, and raising their own children now. But, guess who is still reading about Christian’s journey - and who still needs a tissue when she pauses?

As soon as they were old enough to understand the story, I began reading it to my grandlittles, and explaining its significance to our own lives. I recently purchased a large, and beautifully illustrated children’s version (my new favorite), which has been perfect since all of my grandchildren live far away and our weekly story time takes place over the computer.

(Full disclosure. I have multiple copies of this classic masterpiece. There’s probably a name for it, but I confess that every time I see one that I don’t have, my purse starts to dance. It’s like every version calls out to me from the four corners of the Earth… “You need me!” And, I answer the call with a resounding, "YES, I do!" I may even have more copies of this book than my husband has Bibles.)

In his article, Seven Good Reasons to Read Pilgrim’s Progress to Your Children (https://unlockingthebible.org/.../seven-good-reasons-to.../), author Tim Augustyne writes, “If you had lived a hundred years ago and you were a Christian, odds are that you would have had a copy of Pilgrim’s Progress in your home. This is no longer the case. I would estimate that less than 1 in 10 Christians I know have read Pilgrim’s Progress, and if you’ll humor me for a moment, 99% of Christians I talk to under the age of 30 have never heard of Pilgrim’s Progress.”

If you’ve haven't read The Pilgrim’s Progress, I highly recommend you get your hands on a copy. (But, unless you like reading Old English, you might want to start with an abridged version - or better yet, a children’s version.) Let’s change that statistic to 10 in 10 readers who have read the story of a lowly pilgrim who perseveres through many trials on his way to the King’s city. Why? Because it's our story too.

Don’t let me be the only cry baby in the bunch.

Remember

(by Lorie Codispoti)

The word “remember” is referenced in the book of Psalms more than any other book in the Bible. How fitting.

Psalms is a book of poetry that was often set to music. There are psalms of praise, thanksgiving, lament, and victory. It was written over a period of a thousand years by multiple authors. Every generation is reminded to remember - to go back and recall the greatness of our God and His unending faithfulness in our lives.

Why do we need to remember? Simple: because we forget!

How many times do we read about the children of Israel forgetting God and the devastating consequences that followed? Yet, every time they stopped to remember and repent, God showed up in the most incredible ways. That’s His faithfulness on display.

Sometimes the darkness of a circumstance feels incredibly hopeless.

“I cried out to God with my voice; and He gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; my soul refused to be comforted.” (Psa.77:1-2)

I used to be deathly afraid of the dark. Now I sleep with an eye mask and have no fear. How was I able to do that? By remembering that though the darkness appears to block out all the Light, it is still very much there. All I need to do is take off my mask to see it.

Psalms makes it clear, that the way forward starts with going back.

“I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search… And I said, ‘This is my anguish; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.’ I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember your wonders of old.” (Psa.77:6, 10-11)

Darkness is loud; have you ever noticed that? It screams in its attempt to make you forget and lose your bearings. Darkness can also be loud because it is mixed with our cries for relief.

Darkness screams, but the awesome thing about our God is that He is tuned in to the cries of His children. And when He hears us He does something amazing. His Spirit brings to our remembrance the songs of His presence and promises. And these songs also do something amazing: they deafen the darkness, rendering its influence over us powerless.

The next time you find yourself in a dark place, open your Bible to the Psalms and sing your heart into remembrance.

GloryUsGate.blogspot.com

Cut It Out

(by Lorie Codispoti)

I absolutely love to write, and over these last few years the Lord has used it like a lifeboat, keeping me afloat in turbulent waters. BUT, there is something about the writing process that I really, really, really don’t like. It’s when I begin to edit and find that I have to cut some of my favorite parts. I get so attached to my words, phrases, and paragraphs. And, I assign great value to the time spent researching and verifying the stories I use in many articles. So you can see why the cutting process feels incredibly personal. Cuts are hard, but they are also critically important.

I wonder if the New Testament writers felt this way.

It was the beloved Apostle, John, who noted that, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (Jn.21:25)

How many rough drafts do you think John had? Did he wonder why he had to leave out some of his favorite stories? I can hear his prayer now, “But God, this was such an amazing event. Don’t you want me to at least mention it? I mean, listen to how I can word this story...” Nope! Chop, chop, chop.

You know what though? Life is filled with cuts. We may really like something; it may even be something of great value, but if we trust the One who controls the wind, then we know He has charted the right course for our lives. It’s critical for us to realize that the things we try to save could actually be things that will slow us down, or even sink our boat.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb.12:1-2)

To “lay aside” literally means to cast off. It's a much stronger idea than simply setting something to the side.

Can you hear the voices of those who have gone before us? They're standing on the shoreline, encouraging us to cast off, lay aside, and cut ties with everything hindering our journey home.

The Apostle John may have had much more he wanted to say - many stories he wanted to tell - but He had to rely on God when he put pen to paper.

God makes every cut count. Trusting that each one lightens our load gives us a clearer vision for what lies ahead.

We will have all the time in the world to hear about the amazing stories that we missed. Maybe it’s part of what those on the shore are shouting, “Hurry up! I can hardly wait to tell you about…”

GloryUsGate.blogspot.com

In The Garden Of His Presence

(by Lorie Codispoti)

We may be in the middle of winter, but the Spirit of the living God is more than willing to transport our hearts, no matter the season. Day or night, He invites us to come to the place where His presence dwells.

“I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses,

And the voice I hear falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses.”

When Mary Magdalene came to the garden tomb that day, she was alone and broken. A veil of downcast sorrow enveloped her, and hopelessness settled heavy on her heart.

Like Mary, we may come to the garden alone and filled with anxiety. But we do not walk through the garden alone.

“And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own…”

After the disciples had come and gone, Mary stood outside the empty tomb, weeping. What had brought her to the tomb had now escalated into full blown hopelessness. She didn't know that something exciting was about to happen.

Neither the appearance nor the voices of the two angels that appeared in the tomb could sooth Mary’s heavy heart. But then she heard another voice. At first, she thought He was the gardener. But when she heard her risen Savior call her name it changed everything. She lifted her head and the veil fell off.

“He speaks and the sound of His voice,

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that he gave to me,

Within my heart is ringing.”

She entered the garden carrying an unbearable weight, but she left with a melody that carried her through the trials that awaited outside the gate.

“And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other, has ever, known!”

As we meander through our Father's garden, and drink in the grandeur of His presence, our senses pick up on things that a bleak midwinter camouflages. We are awakened to the sight and sound of unveiled Beauty. Anxiety melts away and carries our burdens with it. Conversing with our Father becomes an uninterrupted flow of clear refreshment, as if it were an endless stream, uninhibited as it cascades softly over the jagged rocks in our heart. The more time we spend, the smoother the rocks become.

Your circumstances may not change when you leave the garden of His presence, but when you hear Him speak your name something deeply intimate and transformative happens. As with Mary, His voice will flood your soul with a waterfall of Hope. This Hope embodies us and follows us outside the gate, where we have the opportunity to share what we’ve experienced and guide others to the garden of His Presence. 

(Note: This piece is the result of pondering John 20, and reading the story of how it inspired C. Austin Miles to write the hymn titled In The Garden.)

GloryUsGate.blogspot.com

Humble Cookies

(by Lorie Codispoti)

Note: The following story/poem packs a humble punch. It's a great example for the point I hope to make below.

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The Cookie Thief (by Valerie Cox)

A woman was waiting at an airport one night, with several long hours before her flight.

She hunted for a book in the airport shops, bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop.

She was engrossed in her book but happened to see, that the man sitting beside her, as bold as could be. . .

grabbed a cookie or two from the bag in between, which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene.

So she munched the cookies and watched the clock, as the gutsy cookie thief diminished her stock.

She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by, thinking, “If I wasn’t so nice, I would blacken his eye.”

With each cookie she took, he took one too, when only one was left, she wondered what he would do.

With a smile on his face, and a nervous laugh, he took the last cookie and broke it in half.

He offered her half, as he ate the other, she snatched it from him and thought… oooh, brother.

This guy has some nerve and he’s also rude, why he didn’t even show any gratitude!

She had never known when she had been so galled, and sighed with relief when her flight was called.

She gathered her belongings and headed to the gate, refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate.

She boarded the plane, and sank in her seat, then she sought her book, which was almost complete.

As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise, there was her bag of cookies, in front of her eyes.

If mine are here, she moaned in despair, the others were his, and he tried to share.

Too late to apologize, she realized with grief, that she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief.

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Humble Cookies

Things are not always as they seem, are they? How often have you been absolutely convinced of something, only to find out you were mistaken?

You may never see “humble pie” (or cookies, in this case) on the menu at your favorite restaurant, but God makes sure that each of His children are aware of the option. It may not be the tastiest choice, but it is a vital virtue for those who desire to walk in spiritual health and wellness.

We live in a world that links greatness to things like prosperity and popularity. Nothing new. History records plenty of examples for us not to follow. And, If we’re honest with ourselves, we will see that each one of us embodies the propensity to chase after this illusively destructive attribute.

The Bible warns us of the dangers of thinking too highly of ourselves. Three of the four Gospels record the story of Jesus’ disciples arguing about which of them would be the greatest in His kingdom (Mtt.18, Mk.9, Lk.9). Each records Jesus using a child as an example of greatness. He said, “Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever HUMBLES (emphasis mine) himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” In that day, children ranked among the nobodies, so for Jesus to use this radical example was both countercultural and unnatural. It still is.

We’re not told how the disciples responded, but if embracing humility gives us a lower, more accurite view of ourselves, then I think it’s safe to assume that they got the message and adjusted their perspective accordingly.

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Mtt.23:12)

Humility is not only a menu item to choose as we feed on the truth of God’s word and grow in our spiritual maturity, but it is also a consequence for those who refuse the option and chose to chase after the greatness defined by culture.

I'm thinking of the example of King Nebuchadnezzar, who exhalted himself and conquered Judah and Jerusalem, sending the Jews into Babylonian exile. According to Daniel 4, he refused to repent and acknowledge the one true God. As a result he was humbled to the point of going mad, losing his royal status, and found wandering among wild animals and eating grass.

Hmm, grass or cookies? I’m thinking cookies.

GloryUsGate.blogspot.com

Ready Or Not

(by Lorie Codispoti)

I never feel ready. For anything. Ever.

Looking back, I didn’t feel ready for motherhood, teaching, or for my children to leave home. Presently, I never feel like my house is ready to receive guests. My suitcase rarely feels ready for a trip (no matter how full it is), and this article won’t feel ready for publication (regardless of edits) when it's due. And, should tomorrow come, I’m pretty sure I won’t feel ready for my grandchildren to be grown and another season of life to pass.

Like a monkey who refuses to get off my back, there always seems to be one more thing I need to do to feel ready.

I wonder if the Apostle Paul felt ready for the trials he faced after surrendering his life to Christ? What about the disciples? Hardship was a way of life for first century Christians, but were they ready for the suffering they would endure after being filled with the Holy Spirit?

Can we really be ready for something, especially when we can’t predict the details of future events? The answer is yes, we can.

Once upon a day, way back in the 1970’s, there was a song titled I Wish We’d All Been Ready (by Larry Norman). It was the sobering lament of a person who realized he had been left behind when Jesus returned, and his biggest regret was that he wasn’t ready.

I’m reminded of the two stories Jesus told about being prepared for future events. The first one contrasts two sets of women who are awaiting the arrival of their groom (Mtt.25). They knew he was coming, but they didn’t know when. The other story is about two men who build waterfront homes. One was careful to build on a proper foundation and the other thought he was fine without one (Lk.6). Both stories point out the wisdom of being prepared.

I think it’s important to distinguish the difference between feeling ready (emphasis on “feeling”) for something and being prepared for it. A surgeon may be fully prepared for a complicated surgery, yet not feel ready for the unexpected things that may arise during the operation.

Being ready is more of an emotional state that has everything to do with confidence. The wise women were the only ones prepared with oil for their lamps, but neither they or the unwise women were ready. Their confidence waned when the bridegroom was delayed, so they went to bed. They were ALL asleep when he arrived. None of them were ready. Likewise, neither of the two builders were ready for a category five hurricane. How could they be; they didn’t know when it would happen. But, one of them was prepared for the inevitable storms that come with having an ocean view.

None of us feel ready for an accident, a sudden death, disease, or a catastrophic event. We may not FEEL ready, but we can BE ready.

One writer notes, “Ready is the outcome of deep knowing.”

Readiness aligns itself with knowing God and having our confidence rooted in Him. I can be ready for the unknown because of the One I know. I’m sure there were times when Paul and the disciples felt like the were not ready for the things they had to endure. But God had prepared each of them for their assignments, and as they pressed on in knowing the God who sustained them their confidence in Him grew. For 100 years Noah worked on building that ark. He had no way of knowing when the rain would start, but he was ready when it started sprinkling and God shut the door.

When I look back now, I realize that while I didn’t feel ready for some of what life brought, God had prepared me.

My house is not perfect, but I’m ready if you’d like to come over for tea. I may discover something missing from my suitcase when we get to our destination, but I’m ready for a trip. My confidence in Him is what gives me the courage to be ready, whether I feel it or not. I don’t need to FEEL ready to BE ready.

Do you hear that, monkey? You’ve been given your marching orders to get off my back and return to the trees where you belong. No more free rides for you!

Don’t be like the man in the song, who discovered too late that he should have been ready.

“Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” 

Be prepared and you will be ready. Build your faith on the solid Rock and keep your eyes open for the day our Groom comes to take us to the home He has prepared for His bride.

GloryUsGate.blogspot.com

At The Gate Of The Year

I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions, but at the dawn of each new year I resolve to reread this favorite little poem & turn it into a prayer (& repost here). I have found it to be a treasure that never loses it’s relevance. It encourages and challenges me as I welcome the new year with the joy that comes from knowing Christ and purposing to trust in His sovereignty. May it do the same for you.

At The Gate Of The Year (Minnie Louise Haskins)

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.'

And he replied:

'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.'

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

(Here’s more on the poem & author… http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/lsehistory/2013/12/10/the-gate-of-the-year-minnie-louise-haskins-1875-1957/ )

Happy New Year to you all!

GloryUsGate.blogspot.com

Glad Gladys & The Lesson She Taught

(by Lorie Codispoti)

I'll never forget that cold, rainy day in December.

The downward spiral of my circumstances had played into my gloomy demeanor, and my emotional reserves had been completely exhausted. I had fallen into a hole of despair and all I wanted to do was run away. So, I did what any self-respecting wife and mother would do; I grabbed the car keys, looked at my husband and said, “Get me out of here!” He was more than happy to oblige since his day had been as equally taxing as mine.

We got in the car and headed out to our favorite little fast food restaurant. On the way out the door I grabbed the small jelly jar that held our emergency money, because this was an emergency.

As we stood in line at our favorite eatery I noticed a tiny elderly woman accompanied by a tall, middle-aged man standing in front of us. They both had a rather shabby appearance with oversized, well-worn clothing and unkempt hair. The volume of the woman’s voice drew the attention, and smirks, of everyone in line. Her friend spoke very little, but smiled attentively throughout their conversation. I felt sorry for the pitiful pair and tried not to stare, but her bubbly voice and cheerful spirit was a magnet for my weary soul.

After her friend ordered and paid for his meal the little woman approached the counter and said to the cashier, “I want the biggest fish sandwich you make!” However, her budget didn’t match her hunger, so she began rummaging through her dirty, worn out purse. Several minutes of searching ensued, and the ire of the growing line behind her was evident. After no avail the woman smiled, looked over at her friend and said, “Well, maybe I’ll just order the smaller sandwich today.”

She went to hand the cashier her money when a quarter fell from her hand and landed next to her foot. My husband bent down to retrieve it for her. My eyes followed him and fixed on something I will never forget. The dingy white tennis shoes on this lady’s feet were wrapped together with silver duct tape.

My heart sank and I suddenly felt very rich with my little jelly jar collection.

After we placed our order, we sat in the booth next to them. We chuckled several times as she spoke to every single person who passed her table on their way to theirs. Her exuberant spirit and thankful heart began to convict me of my attitude and the discontent I brought with me into the restaurant that evening.

(This little lady looked like she had acquired her clothing from a charity bin, and she barely had enough teeth in her head to eat her fish sandwich. Curiously drawn to her captivating demeanor, I surmised that her persona was clearly steps above the poverty line that her outward appearance communicated.)

By this time I had become an unapologetic eavesdropper who shushed her husband whenever he tried to speak.

With a big smile on her face, I heard her tell her friend she was excited about her landlord coming by to fix the holes in her wall. She went on to say that she was hoping to have enough money saved by Christmas so she could buy a telephone and call her children. Not once did we hear her complain about her circumstances. Conversely, she was the happiest person I've ever heard talking about the saddest things in her life. She simply couldn’t say enough about her many blessings.

As I sat there I was reminded of the words the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians while he was under house arrest: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:11-12)

After dinner, my husband and I followed the woman out into the parking lot and asked if we could speak to her. She introduced herself as Gladys, and we told her that we wanted her to know how much her cheerful heart and sweet spirit had touched us that evening. After that, we gently proceeded with, “When we were all in line and you dropped your quarter, it landed next to your shoes. We couldn’t help but notice that they look like they’ve served you really well. We’d be honored if you would allow us to buy you a new pair to replace them.”

You'd of thought we gave her a thousand dollars. Gladys received the money with as much of a thankful heart as she displayed to the cashier when she received the medium sized sandwich she had to settle for.

What I learned that day is a lesson that continues to teach me. You see, the reality is that Gladys’ heart wasn’t the one impoverished that night; it was mine! The more I listened the more I realized that I had misjudged the value of a gift, simply because the wrapping paper was tattered. She had the kind of joy that no covering could contain, and she shared it with everyone who passed by.

We never saw Gladys again, but she comes to mind every Christmas season. In fact, she’s become affectionately known as Glad Gladys to our family, for she chose to rejoice rather than whine about her circumstances. She taped her worn-out shoes together and purposed, like Paul, to be “content in every situation.”

Pass the tape! I want to run my race with that kind of joy and contentment.

GloryUsGate.blogspot.com

Treasure Hunting

(by Lorie Codispoti)

Mel Fisher was known as the world’s greatest maritime treasure hunter. His mantra, “Today is the day!”, fit his visionary persona and in the 1970’s his determination and hard work finally paid off.   

After years of searching and salvaging many shipwrecks, Fisher’s team hit the mother-load when they discovered the Nuestra Senora de Atocha - the richest Spanish ship ever lost in the Western Hemisphere. They recovered many artifacts, but the $450 million dollar booty was estimated to be only half of the treasure that went down with the Atocha. 

We may not be exploring shipwrecks, but every one of us are treasure hunters. We spend our lives searching for the things we think hold the most value. And we’re willing to invest whatever resources are necessary to acquire the things that will make us happy and satisfy our longings. 

Jesus Christ is, by far, the greatest treasure hunter of all time.  He earned the moniker when He paid, with His own life, to excavate us from the depths of darkness and transfer us to His kingdom of light. It’s been over 2,000 years since He came to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10), and His mission continues.

Let’s contrast these two treasure hunters:

Fisher looked for lost ships - Jesus looks for lost people.

Fisher hired the finest, qualified crew - Jesus recruits the unqualified and refines them.

Fisher replaced the sick & weak among his team - Jesus nurses His afflicted flock back to health.

Fisher’s enemies were after his treasure - Jesus offers His treasure to His enemies.

Fisher built a museum with his salvaged artifacts - Jesus is building a kingdom of salvaged lives.

Fisher is to be commended for his discovery, but there really is no comparison between the two when you consider the fact that the value of Fisher’s cache is both limited and temporary compared to the unlimited value of eternal riches found in Christ.   

Jesus told us that the kingdom of God is like a “treasure hidden in a field” (Mtt. 13:44).

We don’t need to embark on a treasure hunt that will lead us to things that hold little to no value. Compared to the treasures of Christ and His kingdom, that field is empty. Why not leave that barren field and set your sites on the riches to be found in our King’s front yard?

“Today is the day!” 

Gratitude's Dress

 (by Lorie Codispoti)

During this time of year, many people attempt to set aside all the difficulties faced since the last holiday season. After all, lamenting doesn’t go with a festive spirit, and sorrow is certainly no friend at the Thanksgiving table. But when we closet our pain in order to put on a happy face, all we really do is change into a costume that allows us to mascaraed our way through an event. After the party’s over, we exchange the pretty dress for the everyday clothes that show the reality of life’s wear and the stains that mark the weariness of our trials.

So, what should we wear to the holidays? Is it possible for heartache and joy to coexist? I believe so.

What we need is an outfit that will showcase Joy without sacrificing the heartache that accompanies real life - something that will present a balance between the fake happy face and the depressed downer.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1Thess.5:16-18)

In this chapter Paul is exhorting the Christians to live in a state of readiness as they await the Lord’s return. And that readiness includes being awake, sober and watchful (vs.6-8). Along with reminding them of their security in Christ (vs.9-10), he instructs them on how to treat one another (vs.11-15). Then he addresses their personal worship (vs.16-22). It’s right in the middle of this section that we read, “in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God…” (vs.18).

You know, I’ve heard a lot of people say that we need to be thankful for ______ (whatever calamity befalls us). That we need to see the thing that causes us pain as a gift. And my response is always the same… NOOOOO!!! I simply cannot thank God for the disease that has wreaked havoc on my body these last few years. To view it as a gift from God? Never! God did not create sickness and disease. He didn’t gift us with the pain and suffering that goes along with a tragic car accident, a fire that crumbles a building and kills innocent lives, brutal wars, violent crime, cancer, etc. That is not the God I read about in Scripture and I simply cannot thank Him for the consequences of living in a broken world.

There is much to be thankful for, however.

Look at verse 18 again. There’s something monumental in Paul’s instruction to the Christian believer… “in everything give thanks.” The key is in that first little, seemingly insignificant, and often overlooked word... "in." Paul isn’t telling us that God’s will is for us to be thankful “FOR” everything, but rather “IN” everything. We all know that right thinking leads to right living, so if necessary, let this truth cause a paradigm shift in the way you interpret life.

Paul doesn’t gloss over hardships. He doesn’t excuse them away or pretend they aren’t there. He’s not wearing a mask to cover up his pain. He’s using the pain to reveal the goodness of God in the midst of his suffering. If you read through his list of perils in 2Corinthians11:23-30 (beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonment, weariness, hunger, etc.), you will find the example of a man who, despite his dire circumstances, on every occasion, finds a Reason to be thankful IN his hard place.

How is that even possible?

The same way it’s possible for the Proverbs 31 woman to joy in the days ahead when her life is filled with trials? The answer is found in her closet, ladies. This woman has chosen to wear a scarlet dress with purple accents made with fine linen. (Vs.21-22)

Did you know that the Hebrew word for gratitude translates to “recognizing the good”? And, the Greek word for thanks finds its root in “grace.” We give thanks to God as a response to His unmeasurable grace poured out to us “IN everything.”

Gratitude is not something we work up. It’s rooted in an Object. Our affection is in response to the One who gave first. He is the Object of our worship and we "recognize the good" in every circumstance. Paul, the Proverbs 31 woman, and us; we all have the ability to lift our heads in praise, not because we’re thankful for the hard things that have happened to us, but because of the only One with the ability to infuse us with a supernatural joy that sees Him as greater and more wonderful than all our suffering.

So, what does Gratitude wear to the party? The most beautiful dress in her closet, of course! The one with the visible stains that have been dipped in the scarlet blood of Christ. The one that does not include a mask to cover the pain. Gratitude smiles at the days to come because her countenence radiates the glory of the One who collects all her tears in His bottle (Psa.56:8).

Your heart may be filled with great sorrow this holiday season, but if the Object of your gratitude is the Maker of your dress, then rest assured, it will not disappear at the stroke of midnight. On the contrary, your dress will become more and more radiant because you’ve chosen to model the beauty of Christ “IN everything.”

Anti-venom

(by Lorie Codispoti)

I’ve never been bitten by a snake (thankfully), but it’s not because we lack an ample supply.

We live in the woods, with a creek running through our property; and we burn wood so there is a large wood pile near the house. It’s an ideal environment for small critters (mice, lizards, birds, frogs, etc.), a delectable smorgasbord for any slithering reptile who decides to make his home near ours.

The reason we have avoided being bitten is simple: awareness and training. Our children were educated on what to look for and how to avoid getting too close when they spotted any snake. Our dog also helped, as he instinctively would put himself between the kids and the snake when he sensed one nearby. I even trained myself to differentiate between their sound and that of a lizard moving through the leaves. (I have really good hearing.) Of course, our methods aren’t foolproof, but we have successfully avoided some really close calls.

The Bible describes Satan in a variety of ways, one of which is the serpent who bit Adam and Eve in the Garden. They were unaware of how deadly this creature was, and rather than avoiding him they got close enough to be injected with his deadly venom.

You don’t have to be a Christian for very long before you encounter the most dangerous creature ever created. While we can (and should) make every attempt to educate ourselves on how to avoid crossing his path, we will inevitably wrestle with the serpent and feel his fangs penetrate our skin. The only hope, at that point, will be anti-venom.

Did you know that, worldwide, two million people are bitten by snakes every year? Ten thousand of those cases come from Nigeria, where people are killed by the venom from the aggressive Nigerian carpet viper. In the United States, Thomasville, Georgia is the place to avoid if you suffer from ophidiophobia (fear of snakes). It’s the rattlesnake capital of America, with local hospitals treating snake bite victims every day. Again, the answer lies within the neutralizing properties of anti-venom, so every year a nearby town has a “rattlesnake round up” where they gather and milk their venom so that it can be used to create an antidote.

One sheep owner wrote this on a post I recently read: “A rattlesnake bit one of my sheep in the face about a week ago. It’s the deadliest snake that lives around here. The sheep’s face swelled up and hurt her terribly. But the old rattlesnake didn't know the kind of blood that flows through the sheep. The sheep swelled for about two days but the blood of the lamb destroyed the venom of the serpent. I was worried but the sheep didn't care. She kept on eating, kept on drinking and kept on climbing because she knew she was alright.” (Jeremy Roop)

For almost a century, anti-venom was created using horse blood, but 40% of people injected would have an allergic reaction, with some even dying. So researchers began experimenting and discovered that antivenin made with sheep’s blood only had a 1% allergic response.

Do you see what I see? The Lamb’s blood overcomes the deadly venom injected by the serpent - and though the sheep may still suffer adverse effects, it’s a temporary condition due to the fact that the poison has been neutralized.

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn.1:29)

Our Savior spilled His own blood, reversing the death sentence rendered in the garden. And for those infused with the blood of the Lamb, there is no need to fear the venom from Satan's bite. “He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters” because the head of the serpent has been severed and all his works destroyed by the finished work of the cross.

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