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A Home Like That of Obed-Edom

10/13/2015

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       While reading an old journal, I recently discovered that my great-grandparents would end their nightly family prayers with, “Oh Lord, grant that our home may be like the home of Obed-Edom where the ark rested.” Who in the world was Obed-Edom? 

​        I went looking. Sure enough, I found him in I Chronicles, his name sprinkled through chapters 13, 15, 16, and 26...not a "big player," just a very inspirational man who played a small part in the big story of God's leading in Israel.   

            You see, Obed-Edom was unafraid of the presence of God in the ark of the covenant. When a man had just been killed by its mere touch, when the ark needed a place to rest, Obed-Edom’s home was open. When the presence of the Lord, in the ark, left that place; Obed-Edom packed up and moved in order to follow it. His heart’s desire was for the presence of God. 

            Obed-Edom became a musician, and a keeper of the door before the ark. As a worship leader, his ministry was blessed. And the household and family of Obed-Edom were blessed as well. His eight sons and his grandsons, we are told, were also worshipers of the Lord. Obed-Edom’s household, extending now through the generations, was blessed by the Lord yet again. He created a legacy of faith.

            That is our prayer today - for our families and for yours. Oh, that our homes would be like that of Obed-Edom, treasuring God’s presence and His word! When knowing God is the priority, all the secondary things fall into place.

           Remember, dear friends, not to be discouraged by all you feel you must do, or all you feel is undone. Simply look to our great God and Father, and teach those around you to do likewise. Seek His face. Seek His heart. That is the greatest lesson, the greatest testimony, and the greatest treasure you can give your family and friends. 

             Blessed is the home where God and His word are treasured in honest hearts. Wise indeed are the parents who see that their family and their relationship with God are more important than the pressing needs of this world.  

           Like the household of Obed-Edom, may our homes be blessed by the presence of the Lord!

            “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up… You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deut. 6:6 - 7, and 9
                       
            Oh, Lord, help us to keep our priorities straight! Help us to seek Your face and Your presence above all.  We humbly ask the honor of serving you through our lives, and we ask that Your blessing would extend generationally to our children and our children’s children. We humbly pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Blessings,
Cara & Patti

Classic Christianity

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Time is Short...

10/10/2015

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             As a wife, the first part of that verse is a bit hard to swallow. I don’t want my husband to behave as if I weren’t around. But as I see him out the window in the morning sun puttering around the yard doing “Honey-do” things, I get it. My wishes, the comfort we enjoy as we pass time on the deck with an ice-cold glass of tea, the leisurely late suppers, all blessings of hard-earned retirement and an even harder-earned 50-year marriage (all by God’s grace) must take a back-seat to what we can plainly see pouring over the spiritual horizon.

Times have radically and abruptly changed and our priorities must change with it. The scriptures tell us that God created us with a purpose and plan for our lives. Have we so yielded to His leading that we are submitting to that purpose or do the cares and distractions of life, most of which seem important and pressing, subtract us from the purpose we and only we are created for?

Jesus told a man who needed to tend to the burial of his father to let someone else do it – that tells me that when I make my list of priorities I must concentrate my time and energies on the task I was created for, the task that no one else can do exactly as I was called to do it. It is my part in the kingdom.

I recall a time when I was working and busy with a young family. I asked one of my children to start dinner so I could go to their school play that night when I got home from work. As I walked in the door I looked around to a sparkling house, and shining faces as they had worked hard to surprise me by doing a task that needed doing. But, unfortunately, it wasn’t part of the plan and didn’t help move the purpose forward at that moment. I had the bigger picture that they didn’t. I appreciated their hard work and hugged them both with gratitude, but inside I was disappointed that they hadn’t done the one simple thing that would have made the evening go so much more smoothly for us all.

I wonder if God feels that way when I should be writing the books and blogs He inspires and preparing the radio programs He provided, and instead I find a million “important” other things to do. Seeing the huge number of people who read this blog, and the countless number of faceless listeners to the radio program, many from countries closed to the gospel; I gasp with the trust God has placed in Cara and I to minister the Word until He comes.

Brothers and Sisters across the globe are being tortured and killed for their faith in Jesus.We must allow our priorities to be useful tools in His hand as the time is near and there are many who have yet to hear. There are those who God has planned for us to point to Him. We must hurry to fulfill our part.

Holy, Almighty, Heavenly Father, please help me as I surrender everything to You. I am a willing, living sacrifice to be Your hands, Your voice, Your love until You come. In the name of Jesus, amen.
 

Patti and Cara

Classic Christianity, A Year of Timeless Devotions

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October is Pastor Appreciation Month!

10/6/2015

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​         What a great opportunity to bless the shepherd of your local body with thankfulness and love, as we celebrate Pastor Appreciation Month this October!  As your local church comes up with a plan to show your gratitude, here are a few ideas to get you thinking!

1 - Have a card & letter shower: In this digital age, actually getting a physical note is very unique and memorable. It doesn't take much time to jot a note, and a stamp is still not that expensive - if  half your congregation to mails off short notes of thanks or encouragement, think what an impact that would have on your pastor's heart. Awesome! We have even heard of one church that purchased blank cards in bulk and distributed them - stamped - to the congregation. At least one card was sent from each family - wow!!

2. - An after-service potluck picnic party:  We know it's tough to spend money in these days, but what about a potluck lunch? Gather in the social hall, on the lawn (if it's warm enough), or even on tables in the back parking lot - just do it! Each family brings something to share, and an emcee starts the festivities with a prayer for blessing on your faithful pastor. Then, allow one-minute testimonies from a few people (arrange several beforehand just to be sure!) about a time when the pastor really helped them, or something about your pastor that means a lot to them. Take pictures, and upload them to a website like www.shutterfly.com to make a hard backed photo book that will be precious and personalized for your pastor. If you can get someone to write summaries of the testimonies (or write down quick quotes) - they can go in the photo book with the photos. Remember - it really isn't about the food. It does not need to be fancy. One way to go might be a burrito potluck. Some families bring packages of tortillas, others cooked shredded chicken, or ground beef, other bring grated cheese, etc.

3. Honor Pastor's family with special event tickets: Pastors get little time with their families, and many times it seems they are hesitant to take their well-deserved vacations, because of their deep concern for the flock at home.  One way to encourage them to set aside time to make special memories with their family is to plan it for them, and surprise them with that gift in a service this month. If your pastor has a young family, perhaps they would like tickets to an amusement park nearby, and a couple of nights hotel stay. If pastor is older, without children at home, perhaps your pastor and his wife would appreciate a few nights at a lovely resort just a few hours away. The goal is simplicity and peace; make sure the destination is easily accessible and not a burden to get to. By taking up a special offering for this, the cost can be split many ways and not be burdensome to either the church or any one individual family.

4. Coupon Book of Love Gifts: One fun way to honor your pastor that will keep on giving throughout the year is a "coupon book" from the congregation. Ask for volunteers to do things like babysitting, yard-cleaning, car tune-ups, carwashes, and include gift certificates for coffee, movie night, bookstores, etc.

5. From the Mouths of Babes: Get Children's Ministries in on the gift by having each child color a picture for a scrapbook to present to the pastor during service. The front page can be a picture of the church building, and have enough blank space for members to sign around it (even if it takes an extra page or two).

6. Pastor's favorites: Does your pastor have a favorite hobby or even a favorite treat? Ask everyone to bring a small gift to put in a large basket relating to that. We have heard of everything from a jelly-belly basket, to a fly-fishing basket, to a Starbucks-card basket! Our pastors don't spend much time or money celebrating themselves, so this is a fun way to say you are thinking of them.
 
Above all, whatever you do, make sure to express your heart. Truly, a note is best - you would be surprised how little affirmation our pastors receive. Pastors support and counsel their congregations through the worst of times, and whenever there is a conflict or complaint they hear it. Let's change that for this month!  Let's make sure our pastors know how much we appreciate them.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Blessings,
Cara & Patti 
Classic Christianity
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