Red Herring

(Revised October 2015)

So many beliefs we cling to are based on bias perceptions, comfortable personal beliefs, and erroneous interpretations.  I recently became aware of a red herring in my life.  Believing one of my prescribed medications was no longer having its desired effect, I began researching the medication's history, side effects and the dangers of its long term use.  To my astonishment, I learned that many of the medication's adverse side effects, which are compounded when toxic levels are reached, are the same as the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.  Due to the medication’s side effects and health risks, and physical signs indicating my body had reached toxic levels, I decided to wean myself off of the medication.  Now I have to ask myself; which debilitating physical reaction is a result of MS and which are reactions caused by the medication?  The true battle is with MS but I had been distracted from my battle with MS by the adverse effects of the medication.

When we follow a red herring we lose our focus.  I recently saw an example of following a spiritual red herring in a story I had received via an email forward and which I want to share with you (for confirmation of this event visit. http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/practice).

A disgruntled viewer recently wrote the following to the ABC television network.

From:  Coach Neugent

To:      ABC Network

My name is James Nugent.  I wrote to ABC (on-line) concerning a program called 'THE PRACTICE.'  In last night’s episode, one of the lawyer's mothers decided she is gay and wanted her son to go to court and help her get a marriage license so she could marry her “partner.”  I sent the following letter to ABC yesterday and really did not expect a reply, but I did get one.

My original message was:

“ABC is obsessed with the subject of homosexuality. I will no longer watch any of your attempts to convince the world that homosexuality is OK.  THE PRACTICE can be a fairly good show, but last night's program was so typical of your agenda.  You picked the 'dufus' of the office to be the one who was against the idea of his mother being gay, and made him look like a whiner because he had convictions. This type of mentality calls people like me a 'gay basher.'

Read the first chapter of Romans (that's in the Bible); and see what the apostle Paul had to say about it.  He, God and Jesus were all 'gay bashers'. What if she'd fallen in love with her cocker spaniel? Is that an alternative life style? (By the way, the Bible speaks against that, too.)”

-- Coach Neugent

Here is the reply that Coach Neugent received via the ABC on-line webmaster:

How about getting your nose out of the Bible (which is ONLY a book of stories compiled by MANY different writers hundreds of years ago) and read the declaration of independence (what our nation is built on), where it says ' All Men are Created equal,' and try treating them that way for a change!

Or better yet, try thinking for yourself and stop using an archaic book of stories as your lame crutch for your existence. You are in the minority in this country, and your boycott will not affect us at ABC or our freedom of statement. 

Coach Neugent’s second response to ABC:

“Thanks for your reply. From your harsh reply, evidently I hit a nerve.  I will share it with all with whom I come in contact.  Hopefully, the Arkansas Democrat Newspaper will include it in one of their columns and I will be praying for you.”

Signed Coach Neugent

Note: Wouldn't Satan just love it if people stopped using the Bible for a crutch?”

According to the investigative website “Snoops” the responses to Coach Neugent from ABC did not come from an authorized ABC official but were “the product of an overzealous employee overstepping his authority.”.. To review a full report of this event, visit http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/practice

My response to the forward:

Dear Coach Neugent,

I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother and, most importantly, a follower of Jesus Christ.  I have been a Christian for over forty years and during that time I have studied the Bible and have deepened my spiritual intimacy with Christ.  It may seem ironic but I have found that the more I learn from the Scriptures and increase my spiritual intimacy with God, the more I realize there is much more to learn and to understand.  I do know that God is perfect and infallible.  God’s word is also infallible but our understanding and interpretation of His word is not.  We have to guard our hearts and minds against legalistic and self-righteous mindsets as we interpret God’s word or we risk becoming like the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’ time; spiritually dead, self-righteous, arrogant, unmerciful and unloving.  I invite you to watch a video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezQjNJUSraY.  It is not my intent to sway your opinion, but to encourage you to seek an open dialogue with Christ on the subject of homosexuality.

The spiritual battle between God and Satan (good and evil) has eternal consequences for every individual.  In order to avoid spiritual death when we die physically, we must be united with the spirit of God.  As spiritually imperfect beings we cannot bridge the gap that separates us from the spiritually perfect God (“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23)”).  Only Jesus can spiritually perfect us and spiritually unite us with God.  Once our spirits are united with God, His Holy Spirit can then instruct and guide us.  In order for a sanctification relationship to begin, however, an introduction between the unbeliever and Jesus must be made.  As Jesus’ ambassadors it is our mission to introduce others to the Savior who loves and values them (John 3:16 & 17).  It is not our mission to fix the world nor is it our mission to force unsolicited advice or beliefs on others and it is definitely not our mission to critique and judge another person’s life journey.

Jesus gave us two commands: love God and love others.  Nowhere within your letter to ABC was the love of Christ spoken.  You used Scripture to accuse and belittle, not to edify and encourage.  Christ is not a “gay basher”, or any type of basher, and anyone who believes, or implies through words or actions that He is does not know Him (1 John 2:3-6)!  Social and Biblical debates continue to act as red herrings to distract us all from the real war that rages around us (Ephesians 6:12).  Satan uses our own biases, ignorance, insecurities and pride to stir up hatred, suspicion and strife between us.  He plays us against each other when he stirs up our passions about issues that have no eternal consequences.

Whether or not the last day for the world is imminent, remember that every day is the last day for someone.  What if it had been the last day for the writer of the ABC response?  Would you really want your letter to be the last words he heard from you?  We should never lose focus of our true mission which is to love others and what better way to love someone than to introduce them to a loving God?  We need to remain focused on the true battle.  We need to guard our hearts and our minds from the distractions of the enemy (Satan) and pray that the Lord will grant us the wisdom to recognize those distractions for the red herrings they are.

 .

The Enemy

 

(Revised October 2015)

 

In December 2012, we lost a fellow soldier and comrade-in-arms.  For those of us who knew and loved him, his loss shook and frightened us to the depths of our souls.   The blunt and unmerciful reality of his death reminded me of how fragile and vulnerable we can become.

 

The death of our friend also reminded me that all of us are engaged in a war whose casualty number rivals the casualty number from all the world’s wars combined.  Our enemy in this war is more ruthless, evil and power hungry than any past or present aggressor and his sole purpose and passion is our total destruction.  And yet, despite our losses, the world refuses to even accept this enemy’s existence.  The world’s ignorance and denial of his existence allows him to “prowl around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

 

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  Working through the thoughts and minds of mankind, the enemy has killed millions not only with weapons of war and through evil and selfish deeds, but also through our own personal weaknesses.  As a master manipulator and liar, he excels in convincing a person, even a child of God, that he or she has no value or any hope for a bright future.  Our friend fell prey to the enemy’s schemes and died of hopelessness.  His earthly life, which was of great value to God, to himself and to his family and friends, was tragically cut short.

 

It is when we are at our lowest, when life has become overwhelming or seems to have lost meaning, that the enemy will whisper his lies into our ears.  Please remember that even though you may find yourself isolated or emotionally detached, you are not alone.  There are many you can call on for help.  As comrades in arms we not only have the honor of helping others back to their feet but we should also be willing to reach out and grab the hand of a fellow soldier in order to drag ourselves out of the abyss of depression.  Chronic hopelessness can be as lethal as any terminal disease and should be addressed at the first sign of it.  By sharing my highs and lows with a physical disability, it is my desire that through my transparency you will feel less lonely in your struggles.  Together we can heal and stand strong against the enemy.

Cliffhanger

 

(Revised September 2015)

 

Most of us who suffer from illness will ask God to cure us.  His answer is not often an immediate cure.  We are partners with God and He expects us to do our part.  As the treatment of interferon injections have been unsuccessful in halting the progression of my MS, my doctor and I decided to start a more aggressive treatment.  The new treatment carries a higher health risk but between the initial patient candidate screening and the continual monitoring for adverse reactions, I feel that the health risks have been minimized.  In addition to the more aggressive MS treatment, I began another new medication that my doctor had hoped would strengthen my legs.  Unfortunately, though successful in slightly improving my leg strength, the side effects I experienced have caused me to discontinue its use.

Due to my growing number of physical limitations and the demands of summer projects and family schedules, with the exception of one short ride in a round pen on a friend’s old mare, I did not ride this summer.  In addition, my visits with the horses in their stalls had to be short due to the summer heat.  I have asked God to take the cross of MS from me.  I wish I could be braver and stoic about my illness, but I am struggling with what my loss of independence and physical capabilities are costing me and my family.  Lately, while talking to God about my current state, I asked when my affliction would be gone, and God told me, “Soon.”

God uses the cliffhangers in our lives as a means to strengthen our faith in Him.  Whatever the final outcome, it is His presence, His power, and His faithfulness that will be glorified.  Through the answer God gave me, I was reminded of the promise God made to Abraham.  God promised Abraham that, through his wife Sara, Abraham would become the father of nations.  When Abraham and Sara had reached their elderly years without producing the promised child, they began doubting God’s promise.  It wasn’t until it was humanly impossible for Abraham and Sara to conceive that God intervened with a miracle and blessed the couple with a child and from that child came descendants “more numerous than the stars.”

RUTHIE

(Revised September 2015)
 

Every person's communication with God is unique.  When we initiate communication with Him, we call it prayer.  We must remember, however, that God not only responds to our prayers but He also initiates contact with us.  Our success in hearing His voice is most often determined by our sensitivity to His spirit and our willingness to listen.  Recently, I received a message from God that was so loud and clear that I want to share it with you.

My MS symptoms are getting progressively worst.  Due to chronic body fatigue, leg weakness, and loss of balance and coordination, I began to realize that I could no longer train, groom, or independently ride, my horses.  It’s difficult to explain the love and connection I share with my horses and how much I need their companionship.  I found myself mourning the loss of being their prime caregiver and human connection.  My equine life-line was being severed and the loss was overwhelming me until God intervened.

 

On a recent Sunday afternoon, I was browsing through an animal adoption site when I came across a posting for a miniature horse.  Practicality told me to ignore the posting.  We already had six large riding horses in our six-stall barn.  Also, financially speaking, it was not a good time to add another horse to our barn, even if it was a little horse.  Despite practical reasoning, I sensed led to email an inquiry to the owners.  I reasoned that any response from the owners wouldn’t arrive for at least twenty-four hours which would give me time to pray about adopting the little horse and to see sense.  It was a good plan except that the owners called me within thirty minutes of receiving my inquiry.  Within an hour of the owners’ telephone call to me, my husband and I were on the road to an interview with them and to meet their little mare called Swishie.  My husband and I found Swishie’s owners, Cliff and Nancy, to be a wonderful Christian couple as well as loving and responsible animal parents.  Needing to live closer to their adult son, Cliff and Nancy were moving to another state and were scheduled to leave in less than two weeks.  As they could only take two of their three horses, Cliff and Nancy had been praying to find a loving forever-home for Swishie.  It soon became obvious that the answer to their prayers was for Swishie to join our family.  My family and I had ten days to build a stall and to upgrade the pasture fencing to accommodate a miniature horse. 

Was God behind Swishie’s coming to me?  I know He was.  The obvious benefit to Cliff and Nancy, as well as to my family and me, plus the circumstances and ease surrounding her arrival, reflect God’s touch.  Another detail which reflects God’s touch was the changing of Swishie’s name.  I was considering a couple “cute” names, but neither felt right for her.  So I asked God, “What should I name her?” Immediately, the name “Ruth.” came into my mind.  Ruth; such a reverent and elegant name for my little miniature mare!  The name seemed inappropriate.  I was confused and second guessing what I thought to be God’s answer until I looked up the definition for Ruth.  The Hebrew definition for Ruth is “Friend” and “Companion.”

"Message received, Papa.  I love You, too.”

Ruthie

The Kingdom Within

(Revised September 2015)

 

I love my home Abba's Acres.  Though by "worldly" standards it might be considered quaint or even insignificant, I find my little country home a continuous source of joy and wonder.  Some may say I have a simplistic or childish point of view on life but I disagree.  It both amuses and saddens me when I see people impressed by human standards and worldliness.

Much of the information, direct and implied, which we receive from the world or religion is tainted and does not reflect God’s true attributes and/or standards.  In Luke,, chapter 18 verse 17, Jesus states "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not enter the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."  In Luke 17:20, Jesus teaches us "...the kingdom of God is in you."  In order to tap into that spiritual kingdom within yourself where, if invited, God's spirit will co-exist with you, you must scrap all the tainted notions, attitudes and standards of the world and religion. Only then can you renew your mind and see creation from God's perspective. 

 

Of the many changes MS has brought to my life, slowing me down has been the greatest blessing.  I now can take the time to see the joy, wonders and spiritual lessons in the life God has blessed me with.  I look forward to sharing those blessings with you.

 

Step Aside

(revised September 2015)

Every journey starts with a single step, though on this journey it starts with a single word and that word is “Welcome”.  Welcome to the Meadows of Heaven blog which is my spiritual journey with God as He instructs and leads me through the blessings and challenges (MS) He has allowed to come into my life.

Let’s talk straight.  I believe that God is real and that He is everything the Bible says He is. I also believe that God appeared on earth in human form and was called Jesus.  I know that God communicates with every person who seeks Him.  I hope in sharing what He says to me you’ll hear a message that is applicable to you or is spiritually enlightening, or maybe even both.

At the top of the list of blessings is my family: a husband, two grown children (son and daughter), two adopted children (son-in-law & daughter-in-law), and six beautiful, smart and exceptional grandchildren.  Another blessing is my home: a six acre country home referred to as “Abba’s Acres.”

Next on my list of blessings are six family horses, four dogs, two temperamental housecats and an ever-changing number of barn cats.  I love and respect animals in general, but my passion is for horses.  As a child, my family situation and lifestyle didn’t allow for horses.  My dream to have my own horse didn’t come true until I was forty-three.  Although I have learned a lot in the past sixteen years in regards to horse behavior, care and training, I am in no way an expert and this blog is not to advise nor instruct on equine issues.

 
My main challenge in life is Multiple Sclerosis (MS).  I was diagnosed in 2001 and have Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS).  As my MS is progressing, I find myself constantly having to adjust to a new level of disability.  I do not believe God “did this” to me but He has used my illness to guide and instruct me in matters of spiritual insight and growth.  Sometimes His teachings are easily and joyfully received; those “a-ha” moments when a point of wisdom illuminates one’s mind and soul.  Other bits of wisdom are more difficult and even painfully absorbed.  It is humbling to be disabled and “humbleness” is not one of my natural attributes.  Even with the help of the Holy Spirit, self-reliance and pride continue to be strongholds against my acquiring a humble attitude and accepting my disabled and dependent state.  Isn’t pride and self-reliance versus humbleness and repentance a battle that we all share?  It is my hope and prayer that by sharing some of my struggles and victories, you will be able to glean some spiritual insight that will help you on your journey.  Let our journey begin.

“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27.

Life can have a way of wearing us down and recently I found myself in a total state of weariness.  Do you ever get weary?  I’m not talking about fleeting moments of discouragement or emotional and/or physical fatigue.  I’m talking about days, weeks or maybe even months, of feeling overwhelmed by your life’s circumstances. Perhaps you have even lost hope of ever enjoying your life again.  I have heard that hopelessness is a sin.  To choose to live in the state of hopelessness is contrary to the nature of God, and since sin is defined as that which is contrary to God’s nature and design, I would have to say that that statement is true.  However, the emotion of hopelessness is not a sin, but a warning sign that our perspective of life is out of balance.  It is pride that keeps us from accepting our own limitations and from accepting that God, not ourselves, is the “Redeemer”.  In this world we idealize the “super hero”.  There is no honor or admiration given to the “rescued” but only to the “rescuer”.  Don’t we all have a deep seated need and desire to be significant and admired?  When we humble ourselves by accepting our limitations, we began to understand how we should depend on God’s strength and not our own.   When I allow feelings of hopelessness to rule my mind, I need to remember to trust God to handle any seemingly insurmountable problem that comes my way.  Latelym I talked to God about the issues that were tormenting me and he told me to “Step aside.”

When He said “Step Aside”, I instinctively thought of what I had said to my own children when they were young.  We were having the dangerous adult” talk wherein you try to teach them that harm can come to them unexpectedly and from unexpected sources.  I concluded our talk by telling them that if they should ever find themselves in danger they were to scream for me; scream for me, and then “step aside”.  Those of you who have children understand my meaning.  I call it the “she-bear syndrome."   Oblivious to her own safety where the welfare of her cubs is concerned, if the mother bear perceives that the lives of her cubs are in jeopardy , at that moment her  sole purpose in life is to eliminate the source of the danger.


 However, God’s answer to me was multidimensional.  Besides giving me the assurance that He was protectively and eagerly waiting to intervene on my behalf, He was also teaching me to release the problem to Him and to stop trying to fix it.  Not only did I need to depend on Him but I needed to “step aside” and let Him work.