When The Buzzards Circle

Ladies and Gentlemen, Brothers and Sisters, WE are at war.

There is a war going on right at this very moment.

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

There is a war going on at this very moment, not necessarily fought on soil, but in souls. I see it all around me, feel the heat of the battle, cringe as the casualty list grows.

The story of Rizpah was mentioned yesterday. Out of all of the women in the Bible, this one shines a mother's love brighter than any other.

There is no indication of what kind of mother she was, all that is really know of her is that she was a concubine of Saul.

During the time of Joshua there had been a league made that the Gibeonites would not be killed. Saul ignored this and, along with his sons, broke this vow. Because of this the Lord sent famine unto the land.

When David entreated the Lord to end the famine he was sent to the Gibeonites to inquire as to what would bring restitution. The answer was seven of Saul's sons were to be given to them to be hanged.

David complied.

Two of these were the sons of Rizpah. There is no indication that she attempted to stop the hanging of her sons, but after their deaths she spread sackcloth on the rock where they were hanging and kept a vigil, night and day, to keep their corpses from being consumed by the birds in the day and by the beasts in the night.

And she did this through the whole harvest season, with people working around her gathering in the crops. She did this during the heat of the day, during the rain, during the cold of the night, until word reached David.

When he heard of this he had the bones of Saul and Jonathan retrieved along with the bones of these sons of Saul, and they were placed in the sepulchre of Saul's father Kish.

Only then was God entreated for Israel.

I lived many years trying to raise my children with an unsaved spouse. This lead to situations and problems that were difficult to face. It was a challenge to explain to young children why they could not do the things that Dad did without distorting his authority as their father.

There were times that I would lose, and they would take part in things that would break my heart and cause me to don my own spiritual sackcloth and mourn and lament for situations they were in that should have never taken place.

And there were times that I would wonder within myself if they would survive. I would see their interest in the things of God waining and overhead I could see the buzzards begin to circle, awaiting the death of their faith.

What the buzzards did not count on, what those beast did not foresee, was the perseverance of godly love.

I see others today, waving their hands, chasing the devourer away from the bodies of their children. While we work along in the field, bringing in the harvest, their sole focus is on keeping their remains intact.

How do you think David found out about Rizpah? He was not in the fields working, he was the king.

He found out because someone told him. Someone else went to the king because what they saw obviously touched their heart.

And the king was moved to act.

Do you know a Rizpah? A parent or loved one mourning right now?

Because if you do, let me remind you of something. For us today, the grave is not the end.

If they are lamenting at the spiritual death of their child, their hope can be renewed.

Won't you go to the King for them?

Oh, you can continue to work, pretending you don't see their arms waving, pretending you don't hear their voices raised. I am sure there were many there that did that very thing.

But if you can speak to the King on their behalf, He has the power to raise the dead, the power to resurrect the lifeless.

Are you wondering why there has been a famine, why your harvest has not been fruitful? Have you been ignoring the Rizpah's around you? Looking for a breakthrough?

Look no further than those empty pews that used to contain our youth. It may not be your child, but that should not stop you from being the first to bring the news to the King.

Look up, overhead the buzzards are circling the faith of our youth...What are YOU going to do about it?

Memories

Another year is about to bite the dust. So, as I have time on my hands while caring for my injured son, I have been reflecting on the past year.

So many wonderful things have happened, and so many not so wonderful.

Back in February I got my current job. I was so excited and awestruck that God would trust me with such a challenge. He has helped me in every step I have made.

Dad and Mom have been through so much. I have cried until I didn't think I could possibly have any tears left. I have crawled in the bed with them, prayed with them, felt my heart break because of them, and shared joy with them.

My daughter graduated college and moved off and left me. I didn't think I would ever be able to live without her being near. But, God made a way. She has been though a lot and her faith has grown. I look at her and all she has accomplished and I am so proud of her. I have heard that I spoil my kids...guilty! I don't regret it, after all, I was spoiled too, and I don't think I turned out half bad, so to all the Nay-Sayer's I say "Button It!"

My son, my baby turned 18 and began his senior year of high school. I am in crisis!! Then he ends the year with a bang, literally!! But, his faith during the whole ordeal has been strong. He knows who holds his tomorrow and who held him yesterday. God will see us through this obstacle, just as he always has.

We have grown so much, changed so much, and been through so much!! We have had friendships grow and we have been so thankful for that.

And I am blessed to have my friends to share with. I have started posting some photos on my other blog, so check out sheriboulet.com to see what I have cooking in that department. I will post some more inspirational stuff soon! Right now, I think I am using up all my inspiration taking care of my family, but I will have more to share around the corner! Love to all!!!

Ethan Got Run Over By A Truck....

I can smile about it now...As I think about that stupid Christmas song about Grandma...but it wasn't funny in the least Tuesday night.

I have always had a fear of finding my child in an accident, or something of that nature. Tuesday night when I was sound asleep my son was being dumb.

Now, please don't think he is out running around, sneaking out and doing terrible things. He has this best friend, Logan, who is practically my kid, and he lives right down the road from us.

They are always getting together. Sometimes I will wake up and Logan will be over, or Ethan will go over there and spend the night. That is just Ethan and Logan.

Before I went to bed Tuesday night Ethan told me Logan wanted him to go over and skateboard at the church by his house. He said his stomach was hurting and he didn't know if he wanted to go. I told him he could just call Logan and say he was going to bed.

But he didn't. And at about 12:30 we got a call from Logan saying Ethan had and accident and had broken his arm.

My husband jumped up and so did I. Logan called again and said he had called 911.

My husband dressed before I did and made it down to the end of the road. I could hear the sirens as I ran outside while Bobby was pulling out of the driveway. I prayed the whole way down the road.

When I parked on the side of the highway I could see my husband and about 4 other people standing around a crumpled little form lying on the side of the road. I realized it was my son and my heart sank. All of my worst fears as a mother were lying in that heap.

We got him to the hospital in the ambulance and upon examination and x-rays he was found to have a broken ankle, fractured sacrum and his pelvis is broken in 2 places.

And I am SO thankful!! How blessed are we? Being hit at about 50mph and that is all that is wrong with him...How good is our God???

Well, What Do You Know??

As of this moment in time....

I'm 42.

Man, where have the years gone? But, never the less, I'm no young girl anymore.

What would I tell that young girl of so long ago?

I don't know if it matters. She would have done as she pleased.

But I would tell her to hold on to it all. Store everything up. It doesn't last for long.

Thanks to my church family here in Douglas for the wonderful SURPRISE Birthday party!! I love you guys!!

Stay tuned for news of my ever changing life. Growing older has not meant becoming boring for me. I have some things in the works, some announcements to make. I think you will be as excited as me.

So, till next time.

The Green, Green Grass of Home

I have had an old song on my mind today, one that takes my back to my childhood. I am pretty certain it even out dates me, but, none the less, it has circulated in my brain for a better part of the afternoon.

I remember all too well what it was like being a young person. I remember lying in my bed in the grips of my own personal drama as I revelled in the certainty that no other person my age had ever been treated as unfairly.

And as I was pondering that today I set my mind in motion to follow the steps I longed to take at that time in my life. In my imagining I walked those paths to the conclusion.

It seems that every path I longed for, every direction I was certain would lead me to the life I dreamt of was in reality a dead end.

We are products of our decisions. What we do shapes our destiny. And those fleeting moments of youth were not worth the destiny they would have shaped for me had I been allowed to follow my own desires.

I can recall the times I have told my own children to be sure about what they are doing, because their actions are writing their futures. There is an old adage that says "If you play, you pay."

I could not remember the words to that old song, so I looked them up. I haven't actually heard it since I was a child. It seems a young man is returning home. There waiting for him is his family, his old sweetheart, the old home place. How wonderful it is for him to be there touching the grass of home once again.

The song ends like this:


Then I awake, and look around me
At four gray walls that surround me
And I realize, that I was only dreamin'
For there's a guard and there's that sad old padre
Arm and arm we'll walk at daybreak
Again I'll touch, the green green grass of home

Yes, they'll all come to see me
In the shade of that old oak tree
As they lay me 'neath the green green grass.... of home

I can remember being young and being so eager to leave behind what I felt was the prison my parents had built for me. Looking back it is easy to see that was not the case.

There is a poem that I love. It says so plainly what I cannot say here. Let me share it with you.

A Fence or an Ambulance Joseph Malins (1895)
'Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed, Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant; But over its terrible edge there had slipped A duke and full many a peasant. So the people said something would have to be done, But their projects did not at all tally; Some said, "Put a fence 'round the edge of the cliff," Some, "An ambulance down in the valley." But the cry for the ambulance carried the day, For it spread through the neighboring city; A fence may be useful or not, it is true, But each heart became full of pity For those who slipped over the dangerous cliff; And the dwellers in highway and alley Gave pounds and gave pence, not to put up a fence, But an ambulance down in the valley. "For the cliff is all right, if your careful," they said, "And, if folks even slip and are dropping, It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much As the shock down below when they're stopping." So day after day, as these mishaps occurred, Quick forth would those rescuers sally To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff, With their ambulance down in the valley. Then an old sage remarked: "It's a marvel to me That people give far more attention To repairing results than to stopping the cause, When they'd much better aim at prevention. Let us stop at its source all this mischief," cried he, "Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally; If the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense With the ambulance down in the valley." "Oh he's a fanatic," the others rejoined, "Dispense with the ambulance? Never! He'd dispense with all charities, too, if he could; No! No! We'll support them forever. Aren't we picking up folks just as fast as they fall? And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he? Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence, While the ambulance works in the valley?" But the sensible few, who are practical too, Will not bear with such nonsense much longer; They believe that prevention is better than cure, And their party will soon be the stronger. Encourage them then, with your purse, voice, and pen, And while other philanthropists dally, They will scorn all pretense, and put up a stout fence On the cliff that hangs over the valley. Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old, For the voice of true wisdom is calling. "To rescue the fallen is good, but 'tis best To prevent other people from falling." Better close up the source of temptation and crime Than deliver from dungeon or galley; Better put a strong fence 'round the top of the cliff Than an ambulance down in the valley.


So to those young people that I love so dearly, my heart is always burdened for you. I know you do not believe it, but I do truly know what you are going through. I can also see the after effects. It is not a prison we mean to build, it is a hedge to protect you. More than anything we know the effects of the fall. We have seen it, and in some cases, survived it.

One of my favorite sayings is "Sin will take you farther than you ever wanted to go." It will lead you on a path of self destruction that will forever change you. And in a parents love we want to prevent you from finding yourself in the hog pen, feasting with the pigs, when we have sweet, clean, green grass right here for you.

Someday, when you're older and wiser you will awaken to realize that the grass was never greener on the other side, and the grass was never sweeter than that green, green grass of home.

Ergonomics Of The Standards Of God

It seems there is a science studying everything. There is probably a science to study the science of science.

Several years ago another science emerged called Ergonomics. If you do not work in the business world you might not be familiar with this particular science. But since I do I have been forced into the acknowledgement of it, if not the actual participation in it.

So, let me expound on it for a brief moment.
Ehem...
Ergonomics is the applied science concerning human characteristics when designing things that people will be using. This is to make sure that the interactions between people and what they are using are safe.

What can happen if Ergonomics are not applied *according to the expert scientists* that have poured their life's work into the study of said science?

Any number of horrific consequences!! Slipped disks, torn ligaments, carpel tunnel syndrome, and the list goes on and on...

I must admit I was having some difficulties at one point when I was spending a good deal of time doing computer entry. I was having the worst pain in my shoulder. I ended up going to the chiropractor. I have never even had my back popped.

My poor son went with me and I looked up into his terrified face after my session was over.

"Mom! I thought he broke your neck!"

One of the first things he made me do was sit down as I normally sit.

So I folded myself into a chair with my leg tucked primly under my bottom.

"AH HA!!!"

It seems when you sit that way it curves your spine...and did you know you are not supposed to sleep on your stomach!?!?!

Well, I reluctantly followed his sage advise, and guess what? My shoulder quit hurting.

I believe God was the original expert on Ergonomics. He developed a standard for us to live by so that we would be able to interact with the world around us in a way that would not damage who we are in Him.

In the book of Isaiah there was a decline in the society of the day. It was visible in every aspect of that society, in the spiritual, moral and political environment. Isaiah 3:16-26 talks of the women of the time.

The commentary in my study Bible describes it so well: "In the midst of decline, the women of Judah were characterized by their devotion to all kinds of things related to fashionable and external appearance rather than to inward holiness and love for God. They were self-centered women, searching for sexual attractiveness and thinking only of their wants, but showing no concern for the oppressed, the poor, or the tragic spiritual condition of their families and people."

God demanded holiness in the women of that day. And He still does. He drew a line in the sand a long time ago. He is the one that made a distinction between male and female. And as society continue to decline in this present day, that line of distinction is becoming more and more dim.

How many times have I been off and looked at someone questioning within myself exactly what they were?

I enjoy being a lady, so it is hard for me to fathom. In some churches today you cannot tell the women sitting on the pews from the women in the streets. That sounds harsh, doesn't it? But it is no less true.

Isaiah 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by thy name (let thy name be called upon us) to take away our reproach.

In this day and age, no one wants to hear about what God may require of them. "We want to do our own thing, dress the way WE want to dress, consume what WE want to do, but we still want to be called by Your Name."

There was a price for these people in Isaiah's day. There were consequences for their actions and lack of concern for the things in God's Word.

So are there today.

When we love our children we set boundaries for them. There are certain places we don't want them to go, certain toys we don't want them to play with. We don't let the run around willy nilly sticking things in light sockets or play in traffic. We feed them nutritious food and dress them warmly in the cold.

We teach them right from wrong. Why?

Isn't that obvious?

So why should not our Father set guidelines for us so that we will be protected from the things of the world that could harm us?

Should we resent our loving parents when they did not allow us to run through the house with scissors?

Should we resent our loving God for the plan of protection He has laid out for us?

The Word of God is to teach us how to live in this world until He comes to take us back, and how to do that causing the least amount of damage to us that we can. It is designed to help us know how to deal with situations and not come away broken.

And I thank Him always for knowing my failings, my shortcoming, and setting up a plan to protect me, not only from this world, but from MYSELF.

Getting Through It

I have heard so many times the saying "If God brings you to it, He'll bring you through it."

And that is so true.

BUT, may I say, God doesn't bring you to every problem?

Some problems we bring ourselves to. There are times when bad decisions and willfulness cause us to end up in situations that we cannot get out of. We have to face the consequences of our actions.

But even when we cause our own problems, He still cares.

How many times I have had to go back and say, "OK, Lord, I messed up. Please forgive me, and help me to overcome this situation."

There are so many times I could have avoided problems if only I would have listened to Him. He tries to tell me sometimes...but I shrug it off.

Then, later, when I am standing toe to toe with the giant problem I have created, well, I always remember that He tried.

I think of Peter at those times with the Lord telling him, "You're going to deny me three times before the cock crows."

"No Way! Not Me!!"

As the rooster was crowing, the tears began to fall. Oh, how I have been there myself.

Then there are times when we are faced with problems that are caused by others, things we may not have even been involved in, but because someone else failed we are drug under the riptide of their calamity.

He listens even then.

And He urges us not to feel bitterness because the calamity was not our making, but ours to overcome. This is maybe the hardest of all. Because overcoming this type of problem usually involves humbling ourselves and forgiving.

Sometimes that can be more difficult than any other obstacle of faith we may ever face.

And it can also become a time of great faith building.

Problems come, but we know the Problem Solver. I know there are issues we face that are not the will of God, but that does not mean He will forsake us. He is ever faithful.

When problems come, He doesn't expect us to sit back on our heels and wait for Him to solve them. If we never had problems, we wouldn't need Him in the first place. Problems are some of our greatest opportunities to become who He would have us to be. But first, we must seek Him.

He has the answers. He is waiting to help us pass each test.