His, will be done: an open letter to the 45th President of the United States

     

     “For God is the King over all the earth… God reigns over the nations.”  

— Psalm 47:7-8   

     Recently, I found myself thinking, what if we could go back to the days when the world seemed smaller, when we didn’t immediately hear of all the disheartening problems facing us and other nations. 

     On the spot news reporting and social media connects us instantly to the ongoing dramas of life surrounding us — from the insane persecutions happening in faraway Syria, to the next-door murder at an overnight brawl. 

     We know we must face the fact that we are indeed living in the land of “what is”  — not “what if.”  

     The news helps us as concerned citizens to be aware of world events and political decisions made that influence every facet of our lives. 
     Then, being informed, if for no other good reason, we can pray for those in authority over us and for our very troubled world. 

     The unsettling events happening in our neighbouring country to our south, keep us Canadians in an on-going state of concern. 

     

     On January 20th, at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as their nation’s 45th president. 

     The unbelievable results of an unusual campaign, which preceded his inauguration, left many in a state of bewilderment and in some situations, fear.  

     The following is my letter to the American President, releasing some of my strong feelings.   

     Dear Mr. Trump:  

     As good citizens, we are admonished in God’s Holy Word, to submit ourselves to those who have governing authority over us. 
This may not seem to be happening by many in your country right now, though I believe it is the desire of the majority of your constituents. 
     However, I also believe that because every human being bears the image of God, all deserve proper respect regardless of race, colour or creed. 
Many, it seems, are not experiencing that from you. 
Your honourable position of leadership demands you set a proper example, showing kindness, forgiveness, and acceptance towards all. 
     Mr. Trump, even for your own success, you need to show a spirit of brokenness and humility, instead of a spirit of revenge. 
Show real humanness, feel penitent, and admit your wrong while asking forgiveness from those you have wounded. 
In my books, that shows real strength of character and goodwill. 
     Because you are a very wealthy man, King Solomon’s wise words may be difficult for you to grasp — “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” — Proverbs 22:1 
     King Solomon also reminds — “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1  
     My prayer for you, Mr. Trump, is that God will guard you from folly and stupid decisions that would demean your position, as well as stupid remarks that stir up hate, damaging others and the great country you serve. 
     This is not a reality T.V. show, Mr. Trump. 
Although you have already had to say, “You’re fired” to one of your staff, you really wouldn’t want to hear those words directed to you from those upright and responsible citizens you now serve. 
     I firmly believe God will hold you accountable for all of your words and actions, as He will with all of us. 
And just one more admonition, Mr. Trump. 
Try smiling more. 
“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart.” — Proverbs 15:30   
     And, also Mr. Trump, why not seek out some mighty sound wisdom yourself from one of the wisest rulers that ever lived. By now, you know where to look! 
     Should we not ask God for a miracle, that somehow Trump and Congress would be directed in such a way that decisions will result in the common good?   
  
     

     "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions  prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all the people.” 

— 1 Timothy 2:1-6 

— beulah

Walking the road of life

     

     Some wise soul aptly stated, “Growing older is like slowly going up in an airplane. The horizon gets wider and wider as we look down on the earth, as things become smaller and of much less importance in the panoramic view of our souls.”  

     I can attest to that, as each year I add another to my fast accumulating birthday number. There are others older, yet – I am old. 

     At least I am beginning to feel so with each passing year, and we all know mirrors don’t lie! Of course, it also depends on our perspective.      Two of my very dear friends, home-bound much of the time, both in their late 90s, yet still show forth a victorious, happy contentment in the Lord. What an example they are to me! 

     I felt honoured and truly blessed this birthday as I keenly read and responded to the many greetings I received on Facebook. 

     I loved hearing from so many, – a pupil I taught years ago in my Preschool, my kids’ teenage friends from early church days, some with gracious comments as to the positive influence I had on them — truly warming my heart. 

     “To be blessed," I’ve learned, is to experience the favour of God and people. 

     My first delight of the day was a phone call from Eva, my dear friend just shy of 97, singing me “Happy Birthday.” 

     The day progressed with more singing messages, texts, snail mail surprises, calls from relatives in N.B., ending with a delightful family group dinner of 11 at one of my favourite restaurants. I felt special and wanting to shout, "Dear Old World…You are very lovely and I am glad to be alive in You!” — Anne Shirley of Green Gables. 

     We all know that as we age, much about us will change. For some, changes will be more drastic, arriving too early. 

     Each day, I do awake with a thankful heart, that my woes are presently at a minimum. 

     The following is someone’s humorous description of “why older people behave as they do”.   

     “Brains of older people are slow because they know so much. People do not decline mentally with age, it just takes them longer to recall facts because they have more information stored in their brains, scientists believe. 
Much like a computer struggles as the hard drive becomes full, so too humans also take longer to access information. 
Researchers say this slowing down is not the same as cognitive decline. 
The human brain works slower in old age, said Dr. Michael Ramscar, but only because we have stored more information over time. 
The brains of older people do not get weak. 
On the contrary, they simply know more, but may not be able to access the information. 
Also, older people often go to another room to get something and when they get there, they stand there wondering what they came for.  
Relate anyone? Not sure how much of the above is 'fact' but a little 'comforting.'"  

     A story was told of a conversation between a Reverend and an elderly lady, one of his parishioners. He suggested, considering her age, she should start being concerned about the “hereafter.” 
She abruptly answered, “Oh Reverend, I am! I am! Every time I go to the next room for something, I say, 'Now what am I, hereafter?'”  

     Continuing throughout the stages of old age, I will at times feel bleak, like winter has overtaken my heart. I will need to remind myself that the warmth of summer is always available to me. It’s my choice!   

     

     I like Martin Luther’s encouraging words — “This life is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness. It is not healthy, but healing; not being but becoming; not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it. This is not the end, but it is the road."

— beulah

Living proof

     

     The decision that daughter, Karen, and I made last November did not disappoint us. 

     With our entrance card in hand, we found ourselves last weekend, at a Living Proof Live gathering of 2,500 women at the local arena in Abbotsford. 

     The speaker, Beth Moore — a super-charged woman of faith with her heart for God, her depth of Bible Studies, and the obvious Presence of the Holy Spirit in her life — showed she has been truly gifted by God for her ministry to women. 

     Though her early life was characterized by sinful habits and devastation, it was dramatically transformed! Bible Study became, and still, is her pathway to understanding her life, in Christ and her purpose for existing on this planet. 

     Her full-time ministry for almost 30 years, has been one of encouraging women to rise up from habitual weakness and sin, into a daily, dynamic personal relationship with the God who loves, forgives and empowers His daughters. 

     She reminded us that we are women of honour and dignity because of “Christ in us.” Being weak-willed women attract “creeps of prey,” and benefits no one. She challenged us to challenge the enemy who would keep all women of faith merely weak and decorative. “Sexy is unsustainable as an identity,” she reminded us. 

     “It goes from just inappropriate as we age, to just plain pathetic. We need a replacement identity for sexy.” 

     Increasingly aware of my aging body, I could relate to that. She urged us to switch from being decorative as women to being mighty in Jesus, which looks beautiful on every woman. Substituting sexy as a female identity for savvy, which means— knowing when to speak up and when to clam up, with the wisdom and boldness to do just that. 

     Savvy is the new sexy for women of faith who want to fulfill God’s purposes for them. 

  
     Proverbs 31: 30 says, “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” 

     Much of the news these days tell of various demonstrations by women who want their rights respected and their voices heard. Times have changed over the course of history. In Jesus’ time, women were not allowed to be witnesses in court. Yet the first witness to the resurrection of Jesus was Mary Magdalene — God’s choice as a witness in the court of human history! 

     Jesus had great respect for all women, as He showed by conversing with the looked-down-upon Samaritan woman at the well. (John 4:4-26). 

     Men of God have always recognized women’s rights. Carrying on with her theme, Might in Christ Takes Grace and Grit, Moore reminded us that both grace and grit can help us get back up when times are hard and we occasionally fall. 

     

     Prior to our time with Beth Moore, we took part in You Lead with various study topics to choose from. 

     Karen and I — sensing an increased call from God to become more intentional about sharing the hope of Jesus with a lost and dying world — were thrilled to join with Kathy Morales in her session on this very topic. 

     What an encourager, as she shared her own vibrant examples of naturally sharing her faith each day! 

     Morales is presently the women’s leader of the Canadian National Baptist Convention. We were pleased to renew our friendships of earlier days.  

     Women of faith, let’s live out our faith with grit —emboldened, walking with Jesus…one YES at a time!      

     “As you lose your life in me," Jesus said, “you will find it.”   (Matthew 10: 39).   

     Lord, take the life of Your Word and put it in my bones. 

Burn like holy fire in my bones. 

Shake me up, so I can not go back to life the way I was. Raise me to a new life in You. 

Take me to the throne. 

Leave me there alone, to gaze upon Your glory.       

     

Tune in to a live simulcast with Beth Moore on September 16, 2017, at Lifeway.com/LPSimulcast


— beulah