What Do You Know?

Few things are touted more enthusiastically in our society than "knowledge." Modern technology, which seems to rule the world, is based ultimately on sophisticated mathematics and science.  Millions of people spend or borrow untold billions of dollars to gain an understanding of those things in universities.  Governments spend billions more to finance medical and other scientific research, so that the knowledge acquired can be applied to improve our material lives or, at the extreme, to comb the universe in search of other worlds to explore. One can hardly utter an opinion on any subject without being challenged to back it up with "scientific studies" of some sort.

But in the grand--and eternal--scheme of things, what does this kind of "knowledge" really avail us?  It may improve and even save lives, but can it tell us what the <i>purpose</i> of living is?  The "what" of human knowledge may be growing exponentially, but does it even begin to shed light on the "why"?  Hasn't the practical deification of "science," and the single-minded pursuit of worldly wisdom, distracted or discouraged most people from even starting to consider seriously what destiny, if any, they'll have beyond this life and this world?

These are issues that today's "knowledge"-driven world doesn't really want you to be thinking about, because they lead people to question and search for things higher and better than the World can provide, things the World can't control and often run counter to the priorities of those who dominate it.

Actually, this is nothing new at all.  Just as in Christ's time on the Earth, there is a kingdom that belongs to Ceasar, and one that belongs to God. Ceasar's kingdom is of this world, which will pass away, but God's Kingdom "is not of this world" (John 18:36), but of Eternity; it existed before the world was made, and it will endure forever after this world is gone. That Kingdom is where we came from, and where will be our true and lasting home.

It follows then that the only "knowledge" that truly counts is that which pertains to and helps us toward the eternal ingdom of God; all else, ultimately, is a distraction and vain. And what is the "knowledge" that we should be seeking? I would suggest: what we are; where we came from; what is expected of us here; where we can and should be going from here; and how to get there. The Word of God tells us these things, as we study, pray, and are enlightened and guided by the Holy Spirit.

The duality of our nature, and the dichotomy of man's world as contrasted with God's Kingdom, puts us in a challenginig position.  We have to gain enough worldly knowledge, in school and elsewhere, to function in modern society and take proper care of ourselves and our families. The challenge is to avoid beinig consumed with the pursuit of worldly knowledge and benefits, including the "popularity" that comes with adhering to the morally corrupting conventional "wisdoms" of the day. As is often said, we must be "in the world, but not of the world."  We must always keep God and the things that pertain to His Kingdom and our immortal souls foremost in our lives, and resolve all conflicts between our Heavenly and worldly needs in favor of the former.

Sooner or later, and to a lesser or greater degree, doing so will put us in conflict with the world and provoke derision--or even persecution--by those who have no understanding or regard for spiritual things. As the Apostle Paul observed, "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)  We can only pity and pray for those people; "for the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."  (1 Corinthians 1:18)  Happily, we know for a certainty that "the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Corinthians 1:25)  Is it not better to be empowered by our eternal, loving God than by a doomed, selfish world?

Knowledge of our Heavenly Father and of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the most precious thing we can attain. Perhaps, as the old adage goes, it's not "what" you know but "Who" that really counts.

Tom Fleming
Songs of Praises

Preparing for Devotion

I'm often distressed at the disconnect between what God expects of me and what I deliver on an average day. "[W]hat doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?"  (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)  Christ Himself expanded on this expectation:  "[T]hou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."  (Mark 12:30-31)

That seems to be asking a lot, doesn't it?  With the multitude of our daily obligations to family and employers, with the myriad temptations and distractions today's world puts in our way, isn't an unswerving, all-consuming devotion to God pretty much unattainable for most people?  Wouldn't one have to withdraw to a mountain cave, or to a cell in a monastery, and spend the rest of one's life in constant prayer, meditation, and scripture study?

Some have felt called to such a life over the centuries, and through their writings and teachings have had an influence for good on the many who could not follow the ascetic path. But I don't think God requires such a life of most people. While we're not to be conformed to or "of" the world, we remain in it (Romans 12:2; John 15:19; John 17:13-16). Believers are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). There may be rare exceptions, but as a rule God wouldn't ask of us something we couldn't attain without abandoning our families and the work we need to do to support them, or disappearing from amongst our friends and neighbors to search for Him alone.

A life of devotion to God and fellow man can be, and is, lived every day by otherwise ordinary people, everywhere. It results from a combination of what we do and what we avoid.

One vital element is maintaining a constant, 24/7 connection with the Lord in prayer--both the kneel-down variety, when that can be done, but also the conversation with Him that you carry on in your head and heart while going about your daily business. Another element is daily reading in God's word: it needn't take hours or follow a rigorous study plan, but may consist of only a few verses--you can't hardly find any in the Bible that aren't bursting with inspiration and comfort. In addition, we must constantly and humbly repent of, and strive to avoid, sin: nothing else so thoroughly prevents a healthy, ongoing relationship with our Heavenly Father, nor so clouds our judgment with selfishness and despair. As far as possible rid you life of things (for example, unedifying television, movies, music, or literature; drugs or alcohol; other worldly infatuations)  that may tempt you to sin or distract you from God and others toward an immersion in Self. Finally, do your best to make a habit of thoughtfulness, generosity, and a readiness to help, however when or much it's needed--this will bring you closer to the model of the Good Samaritan.

Following this path keeps one's mind and heart clear, clean, and undistracted; keeps us ready, willing, and able to help others; and keeps us open to the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. By this means we're able to grow and thrive in faith, and in devotion to God and those around us, just as He commands--one day at a time.

Tom Fleming
Songs of Praises

Love Story

Over the last two days we've observed both Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent and our remembrance of Christ's passion and resurrection, and St. Valentine's Day, when we celebrate romantic love. These events wouldn't seem to have much in common, unless one remembers that Christ's victory over sin and death climax the greatest love story ever known.

Maybe due to the frequency of its telling, many approach the story of Holy Week and Christ's betrayal, suffering, death, and resurrection mostly as a colorful tale involving things done and said by Jesus and those around him over 2000 years ago--the stuff of epic movies. Do we really experience the story personally, and fully appreciate our own role in it?

To do so, we must understand the purpose and the force behind everything that happened that fateful week, and that it was all for us--not just for mankind collectively, but for every person individually. The purpose was our salvation from sin, so that we could share eternal happiness with our Father and Lord. The force was Love--a love vaster than the Universe and older than Time, yet as immediate and personal as you and I this moment; a love that satisfies both absolute justice and infinite mercy. It's a love that extends to all people and to every soul one by one, as if Christ came to this earth, lived and taught, suffered and died on the cross, and rose from the dead specifically to save [your name here] alone (Luke 15:4, 7). It was for YOU and to win YOUR salvation that He did all this--not grudgingly, but willingly, even before you were born or had ever heard of Him, and regardless of anything and everything you would ever do, no matter how deep your ignorance or contempt of Him. It's a love beyond rational comprehension and entirely unconditional, having nothing to do with deserving or worthiness--except His.

Never doubt that God knows and loves you personally. You're as precious to Him as any and every other one of His children. Remember that Christ came to earth to save you, to pay for your sins, no matter what they might be--and would have done so if even you were the only sinner who had ever lived. He loves you so much, that He went through all that He did just so He could have your company in Heaven forever. There's never been a greater miracle. It truly is the Greatest Love Story Ever Told!

Tom Fleming
Songs of Praises

Why Me, Lord?

To slightly paraphrase the old hit song by Kris Kristofferson:

Why me, Lord? What have I ever done to deserve even one of the [blessings] I've known?

Every day, I am astonished at all the blessings the Lord has bestowed on me: wise and loving parents; a sweet, patient wife who raised with me three fine children; reasonably good health; a stable, satisfying job; living in a free country . . . the list goes on and on. Of course, the greatest gift of all is God's infinite love in sending His Son into this world to live, teach, suffer, and die in ransom for my sins--the just for the unjust--so that I may live eternally in the company of Him and my loved ones. I don't think anyone has ever been more richly blessed than I.

I was reminded of that recently when my wife and I had the opportunity to travel across the country to spend a few weeks during the Christmas season helping our daughter and son-in-law care for their newborn twin children--their first, and our second and third grandchildren. These two came after years of trying, crying, and prayer by their parents, and were the most wonderful blessing (and Christmas presents) God could have given them. Nothing has ever touched and engaged me more than holding those precious new babies in my arms, gazing into their bright, curious eyes, and even feeding and diapering them--whatever the hour! Nothing has delighted me more than my wife's beaming face as she embraced these little miracles, thanking the Lord for answering our children's prayers.

I was struck by how a loving and giving family like this is an echo of our Heavenly Father's relationship with us--how helpless and dependent on Him we are, how utterly selfless and infinitely generous He is toward us, even when we go astray. He would, and did, give his very life for us, just as our children would for theirs.

I feel so unworthy of His boundless grace. Of course, we can never be fully "deserving" of all God's blessings. If that were possible, we would be "earning" them through works in contravention of the teaching that salvation, like other blessings, comes by grace through faith--lest we should boast (Ephesians 2:8,9). "A faithful man shall abound with blessings" (Proverbs 28:20), and surely a steady faith in God and obedience to His commandments will bring those spiritual and familial blessings that the commandments were intended to secure to us, if not all the worldly benefits men desire.  I know that I am not always faithful to my heavenly calling, and I am too often disobedient. Yet God blesses me still, and remembering this keeps me in humble awe and deepest gratitude. If I never fully "deserve" His gifts, I can at least strive to live worthily of them.

Tom Fleming
Songs of Praises

Saving to Serve

The Thanksgiving holiday in the USA is behind us (except for its crass commercialization, unfortunately). One thing I found myself being thankful for this year was being able to share with others the bounty God has showered upon me. I haven't always taken that opportunity as I should have. When my wife and I were younger and had several children living at home, our income was less and day-to-day expenses greater, and we were carrying too much debt. So, I I felt anxious about every dollar and was too reluctant to part with even a few to help the needy and other good causes. I shouldn't have been that way; my faith in God's providence was lacking.

In any event, I'm blessed to still be here today, with my health and a good job, and my children are all on their own. We CAN and now DO more to help those less fortunate, though of course there's so much more we could and should be doing--personally, and not just by sending dollars someplace. With the Lord's help we've learned over the years to be reasonably frugal and to live within our means, so we now have an excess beyond minimum sustenance that can be used to do things like support children and families in Asia, supply our local homeless relief mission, and fund missionary efforts, as well as to help our children and a few friends through rough economic stretches. We've also managed to stockpile supplies of non-perishable food and water to help ourselves and our neighbors through an emergency.

It's so important not to get distracted by the dazzling images of opulence that modern society dangles before people's eyes, to entice us into a life of careless spending and debt that only makes a few others rich and ourselves helpless and dependent on assistance for our very survival. Not only does that open us to a corrupting level of control by those upon whom we're dependent, it prevents us from obtaining the blessings, to ourselves and others, that flow from helping the less fortunate. How can we properly care for our families and help the poor, as God expects us to do (1 John 3:17–19), if all our means have been frittered away on unnecessaries? Remember this admonition: "[L]et him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." (Ephesians 4:28)

Get into the habit of pausing before you buy anything, or subscribe to any service, that isn't indisputably essential to daily existence. Do I really NEED that big-screen TV or that new mobile device? Can our family have a nice vacation somewhere besides Disney World? Carefully consider--and pray--whether other, more important things might be done with the money you'd be spending, including saving it away for harder times, or to assist someone else. If you condition yourself to put your family and others in mind first, and the future before the present, you'll develop habits of prudent living that will enable you, your loved ones, and your neighbors, with God's help, to weather any storm and remain strong in God's service.

Tom Fleming
Songs of Praises

Don't Get Burned

I've long thought that one of the most striking passages in the New Testament is Hebrews 12:29: "For our God is a consuming fire."  Such compelling images this brings to mind!  What does it mean?  Does the passage refer to the "fire" of a zealous servant of God, or the fire of His judgment?  Some of both, perhaps, but examination of the context suggests that it's probably more of the latter.

Let's see the passage in context:

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:28, 29)

The writer here quotes Moses' admonition to his people in Deuteronomy 4:

Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the Lord thy God hath forbidden thee.
For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
When thou . . . shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the Lord thy God, to provoke him to anger: . . . ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.  (Deuteronomy 4:23-26)

How, then, to avoid that "consuming fire"?

But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.  (Deuteronomy 4:29-31)

The lesson seems quite clear: If we turn away from God to worship other things--ourselves, our selfish needs and desires--and pursue evil, God's guidance and protection will not be with us, and we will ultimately suffer destruction and death from the forces of this world. But if we seek God diligently and obey His voice, serving Him "acceptably with reverence and godly fear," in the words of Hebrews, the Lord will not forsake us in the hour of tribulation, but preserve us in His unmovable kingdom.  That this critically important lesson from the Old Testament is repeated in the New puts to rest any idea that our salvation through Christ releases us from the moral obligations of the Law, as some kind of license to sin. While God is very merciful and loving, he will not overlook willful disobedience, but will bring to destruction those who despise His commandments.

So, let us do as Hebrews enjoins and "have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." Let us do His will faithfully and humbly, honoring Him by obeying His commandments and serving others before ourselves. Then, the "fire" that consumes us will be that of God's love and of true zeal in His service!

Tom Fleming
Songs of Praises

Seeking and Finding

At one time or another we've all misplaced some item, like car keys, a cell phone, a ring, or the like. Then, watch out!--we turn the house or office upside down, frantically searching for that thing we think we can't live without. More often than not it's found sooner or later, under a seat cushion or a pile of mail, or maybe even right in plain sight where we just overlooked it. What relief and exhiliration we feel when that happens!  Of course, sometimes what we seek is never found, and on top of all the time and effort expended looking we have to spend money to replace the item, if it's replacable at all.

"Seeking" is an inescapable and important--if often an aggravating and even agonizing--part of life. It extends from looking for lost objects to deciding what career to pursue, searching for a mate, or discerning what our purpose in life is. Sometimes we do it consciously, but often it's more like an irresistable current in the hidden depths of our minds and hearts.  And so often that all that seeking seems to lead nowhere but a dead end. Even a "successful" person may not really find the lasting fulfillment he or she was looking for, but discover too late that all his or her hard-won conquests were hollow. Sometimes, one spends everything he or she has in time, money, and even friends, only to make that mortifying discovery in the end.

That's why I love the Lord's "Lost and Found" stories so much, especially those in Luke ch. 15--the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, the Lost (or "Prodigal") Son. These stories hold many lessons, but at least one of them, I believe, is how we do, and should, assess the value of things. Of course, the missing piece of silver that the woman swept her whole house to find (Luke 15:8-10) was undoubtedly of great value to her--maybe it was a tenth of all the funds she had--and its recovery fully justified a celebration with her friends and neighbors. So much more so, said the Lord, was there "joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Even more compelling is the story of that one Lost Sheep, in which the Shepherd left all of his other 99 to find and bring home. Likewise, the Lord said, "joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." And then there is the story of the Prodigal Son, who left home and spent all his inheritance in "riotous living," and then had to crawl back to his father in sorrow and rags. The father might have shut him out in anger for having wasting all that wealth, but instead received him back with forgiveness and joy--much to the chagrin of the young man's more responsible brother--proclaiming, "for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found!" Surely this is one of the most touching and revealing passages in all Scripture. For it, and the other parables spoken by Jesus in Luke 15, demonstrate that one repentant soul returned to the Lord is worth infinitely more in the Kingdom of God than any amount of wealth or honor, or even a whole lifetime of outwardly "righteous" conduct (remember that these paragbles were told to a crowd of "publicans and sinners" in the presence of Pharisees and scribes who "murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.")

So, never give yourself up for "lost."  Never doubt your worth in the Lord's eyes, no matter what you may have done or failed to do--you're already bought and paid for, with His life. And not only are you worth seeking and reclaiming: unlike a hunt for car keys or for fame and glory, your own search after God, if sincere, is guaranteed successful: "[Y]e shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."  (Jeremiah 29:13)  He will always be there, waiting eagerly with open arms for His prodigal son or daughter to return. As Christ Himself said:

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh

it shall be opened.
~  Matthew 7:6-8

Tom Fleming
Songs of Praises

Help Another, Help Yourself

Life's many problems can leave one feeling overwhelmed, alone, and helpless--an emotional paralysis that makes it impossible to cope.  One way to escape this cycle of despair is to focus on someone else who is in serious need, and devote substantial thought, energy, and prayer toward helping that person. The benefits are many, and "losing yourself" in this way is sure to lighten your own load!

Among other things, doing this helps to put your own problems in perspective--no matter how bad things look for you, there is ALWAYS someone in much greater need!--and reduce them in your mind to a more manageable level. You avoid developing an obsessive fixation on apparently insoluble dilemmas; your mind is freed and rested, at least for a while, enabling you to come back later with a fresh viewpoint and possibly new angles to try in dealing with your own challenges.

Making a positive difference for someone else, even in a small way, gives you a renewed faith in your ability to change things and a greater sense of your own value in this world. Also, others are more inclined to come to your aid if they see you as a helpful, giving person yourself.

Perhaps most important, acting as a channel of God's love toward another fills you with awareness of His infinite love for you, and with a new sense of purpose and confidence. That makes all the difference when tackling life's challenges!  There is nothing more empowering than knowing that no matter what happens in this life, He will NEVER disown you, and never abandon you! Whatever problems we have now, they'll be left here when we join Him in Heaven!

So, if you need help with your burdens, start by shouldering another's!

Tom Fleming
Songs of Praises

Visit His World

It's mid-September here in western New York, USA--a time when the warm, sunshiny glories of summer gradually give way to the cool breezes and waning, golden light of autumn. In this season we're especially sensitive to the divine Creation that surrounds us, and are blessed with many ways to immerse ourselves in it--trails through the woods and meadows, beaches along lakes great and small, marshes and rolling hills to explore.

It's important for the believer to remember daily, as the great old hymn says, "This Is My Father's World."  The worries, frustration, and artificiality of the man-made, day-to-day realm tend distract us from the well-spring of all life, our loving Heavenly Father. In order to keep our connection with Him strong, we need to keep in touch with the world as He made it, and makes it anew every day. Scripture abounds with joyous testimony of how the heavens and earth, and everything in them, reflect God's power and providence. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." (Psalms 19:1) And again: "Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains." (Psalms 147:7,8) And especially: "The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them." (Psalms 89:11)  Indeed, Psalm 104 is one long hymn of wonder and thanksgiving to God for all that he means to His Creation.

Make generous room in your life for experiencing that Creation as directly as you can. If possible, take regular walks in woods or fields, or in natural parks if you're city-bound. Explore the shorelines of lakes or streams. Listen intently to the breeze whispering through the trees or grass, and reflect on the abundant plant and animal life around you. Don't be afraid to spend some time outside in a gentle rain or a light snowfall!  When skies are clearer, admire the rising or setting sun and the clouds ablaze with shimmering light and color. At night, look upon a starry sky and contemplate the immense distances and ages into which you can see, and wonder at the majesty and eternity of the Father who who wrought them. While doing these things, talk to Him in prayer--silently or aloud--and thank Him for all the beauty and bounty He has heaped upon His children! Don't confine these experiences to when times are good, but seek them also--perhaps, especially--when you're troubled. And don't always do these things alone; two or more souls discovering and sharing the glorious handiwork of God together can spread an unquenchable spirit of joy and faith through a multitude of lives!

We are immersed in God's love--all we need to is reach out and touch it!

Tom Fleming
Songs of Praises

Being There

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)

One of the most consoling and strengthening aspects of faith in God is the knowledge that He lives and reigns all the time and everywhere--that He is always there for us, no matter where we are or what may happen to us, and no matter how confused, lonely, or despairing we may feel. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, and is aware of our every thought, word, and deed, good or bad. He wants to share and magnify our happiness, and He most certainly feels and seeks to assuage our pain, consistently with His divine will.

Nowhere is this precious truth more fully and beautifully expressed than in Psalm 139:

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. (Psalm 139:1-12)

But oh, how we flee from Him!  Instead of giving thanks and praise to our generous Lord when times are good, we too often grow smugly self-confident, feeling that we need no God, and indulge in worshiping the idols of wealth, ease, and entertainment. Habits of prayer, repentance, and study of the Word are forgotten. Having taken our eyes off the Heavenly Light, we become blind to the grave moral dangers all around us on earth. Of course, that's just what Satan wants--to separate us ever further from our loving Father, until we are entirely in the Devil's clutches. Then, when times are bad, we'll despair of any help or forgiveness from above, and resign ourselves to destruction.

Don't let that happen to you!  Get in the habit of experiencing and acknowledging God's presence every day, all day. Begin and end each day connecting with Him in prayer, seeking forgiveness and guidance, and giving joyful thanks and praise. Do it at mid-day, too!  Set aside some time during the day, even if it's only for 15 minutes, to read and ponder His Word in whatever translation best speaks to you. Get outdoors and take a walk amidst God's creation and His people, and reflect how they manifest His goodness. When something good happens, give thanks right away and give God the glory. Make sure you reach out and do something good for someone else every day, and feel His love flow through you to others. And when things around you get very dark, pray for courage and deeper faith--grasp His hand all the tighter, and NEVER let go!  Hold fast to your faith in His always Being There.

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

Don't Wait for Tomorrow

How often are we presented with opportunities to help others, but let them slip by?  Do we hesitate because we're unsure if we have free time or spare money enough to give?  Do we withhold the help because we decide that the beneficiary doesn't really deserve it, won't appreciate it, or will squander it?  Perhaps we feel like his or her problems are none of our business, or that we just don't want to "get involved."

These are natural and commonplace feelings, but as believers in Christ we need to remember the terrible price that He paid to save us for eternity, while we were yet sinners and hardly deserving of such a sacrifice (Romans 5:8), and return some measure of that same love to those around us (". . . love one another; as I have loved you . . ."  John 13:34). As was so perfectly expressed in Proverbs:

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. (Proverbs 3:27-28)

Thus, we're not to be hesitant, stingy, or judgmental in helping others, but should do so readily and freely. The phrase "them to whom it is due" is not meant to limit our help to those to whom we're otherwise obligated, or to those who somehow "deserve" or who have "earned" our help:

This requires us . . . 5.  To be ready to all acts of friendship and humanity, and in every thing to be neighbourly; for these are things that are due by the law of doing as we would be done by. 6. To be charitable to the poor and necessitous. If others want the necessary supports of life, and we have wherewithal to supply them, we must look upon it as due to them and not withhold it. Alms are called righteousness because they are a debt to the poor, and a debt which we must not defer to pay.  (Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary)

In this my great example is my dear wife--the countless hours and untold labor she has spent preparing and delivering meals to families in need, in buying or sewing clothes for the poor, in caring for the elderly or sick, or looking after others' children!  She often doesn't wait to be asked, but sees opportunities to help and dives right in. This is how to be proactive in giving!

Remember that those who give without reservation shall "inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world . . .":

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. . . . Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:34-36, 40)

So, if you want to live as our Savior would have you live, and share eternal life with Him:  Help early and often!

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

Cheer Up!

Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
(Matthew 14:27, Mark 6:50)

Lately I've been rethinking my long-time penchant for following current events. News sources are overflowing with stories about the most unspeakable depravities, corruption, wars and crises, natural disasters, poverty, rampant disease, and so on. This is even reputed to be the year (supposedly according to ancient Mayans) that the world comes to an end. Even here in America we're confronted with widespread unemployment, political strife, social unrest, crime, and declining health.  How could anyone smile or be hopeful in the midst of all this?

Since my youth I've had a pessimistic streak, and long indulged the idea that if I always expected the worst, at least I would rarely be disappointed. Only in recent years, as the Lord has helped me mend certain of my ways and dispelled much of the darkness obscuring my vision, has this started to change.  Then I heard a talk in church last week that summed up what's been emerging in my mind. The theme: it's impossible (or should be) for a Christian to be a pessimist!

Being caught (for the time being) in this mortal world and its darkness, we tend to worry and fear the worst. That's as Satan wants it, for people who are fearful naturally put self above others and even above God. The only weapons we have to fight back with are a steady faith and constant prayer, which will ever remind us that God's perfect love "casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18).  That love works through us toward others, and dissolves the walls that fear erects between us. Thus, "we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Hebrews 13:6)

The word "gospel" means "good news," and Scripture is replete with messages of hope and assurance--especially that Christ died to save us from our sins, that He lives now and forever, and that if we believe on Him we will be saved in the end, for all eternity, with Him in a Heaven infinitely removed from the troubles of this world. "These things I have spoken unto you," says the Lord, "that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)  His will is that "the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13)

Saint Josemaría Escrivá wrote:

Christian optimism is not a sugary optimism; nor is it a mere human confidence that everything will turn out all right. It is an optimism that sinks its roots in an awareness of our freedom, and in the sure knowledge of the power of grace. It is an optimism which leads us to make demands on ourselves, to struggle to respond at every moment to God's calls.

As has often been observed, the Christian life is not a pleasure cruise--challenges and struggles still abound, including those within ourselves. However, we can and should be optimistic because our faith and God's grace give us the power to confront and overcome any challenge we may encounter. From time to time God may give us more than we think we can handle, but never more than we can deal with relying on His help. "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)

So, as the Bible says, "Be of good cheer!"  Holding fast to the Lord's hand we have and will overcome the world, and have nothing to fear.

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

Tough Love

If you're a parent, you know that one of the most important lessons you can teach your children is the "law of consequences": if you choose to misbehave you're going to suffer the natural and ordained consequences of your acts. Learning what are the consequences of making certain choices, and acting accordingly, is fundamental to "growing up." Notwithstanding all the guidance provided by parents, teachers, and scripture, it's still largely a trial and error process--we end up learning  "the hard way"!

That process doesn't end the moment we become legal adults. Indeed, it's pretty clear when you think about it that the lion's share of misfortune we see around us results from bad choices made by "grownups," and that we ourselves are the authors of most of our own suffering. We succumb to temptation, abuse our minds and bodies, lie or cheat to serve selfish ends, bicker with or hurt others, and generally ignore or flout the Commandments God gave us as a pathway to safety and happiness in this life. And what usually results?  Broken relationships, ill health, legal and financial trouble, loneliness, disappointment, bitterness, despair. Often people in such circumstances disclaim any responsibility and blame or deny God--"It isn't fair!  I'm not that bad!"

What they fail to recognize is that natural consequences are God's wise way of making us appreciate our sins and of guiding us away from them.  In King James parlance, it's to "chasten": to correct by punishment or reproof; take to task; restrain or subdue; to rid of excess and refine or purify. Sinfulness makes us blind; God's correction opens our eyes and moves us to act in safer, better, more rewarding ways--ways that lead us, in due time, into His eternal company. The Lord's chastening, like any devoted parent's, is proof of His love: "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." (Proverbs 3:11,12)  In times of trouble we may be tempted to believe the lie that God would not allow us to suffer so if He really loved us. But does a good parent shelter his or her children from the consequences of their own acts, just so they won't be disturbed?  It's precisely because God loves us that He allows us to experience the trials that bring knowledge, improve our character, and draw us closer to Him.

Moreover, if we respond positively to the Lord's correction, he will not afflict us endlessly, but comfort and reassure: "For he maketh sore, and bindeth up; he woundeth, and his hands make whole." (Job 5:18; see also Lamentations 3:31-33)  The whole lesson is so aptly set forth in Paul's letter to the Hebrews:

My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? . . . Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.  (Hebrews 12:5-11)

Thus, the trials we endure as a result of our own choices are meant to make us better, holier people. Let us not rail against God, but admit our shortcomings and pray for strength to overcome them. We should reflect honestly on our conduct in times of trouble, seeking the lessons we need to learn to move on and upward. And we should always be thankful for that Tough Love we get from our loving Lord.

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

Remember, Repent, Reform

O God, thou knowest my foolishness;
and my sins are not hid from thee. ~ Psalms 69:5

This is one of my favorite passages in Scripture--not because it expresses a happy thought, but because it's so true, and something I need to repeat every day in prayer.

Of course, it's necessary and right for a believer to daily remember the countless blessings he or she receives at God's hand, and to give thanks and praise for them. We are so grateful to have His guidance and comfort in our lives!  But sometimes this sense of well-being can lead to complacency, pride, and even arrogance. Seeing the spiritual, moral, and temporal travail of so many around us, we may start to feel as though we are impervious to troubles, that Satan can't touch us, and that we are and always will be superior to those others who haven't gotten, as we have, "right with God."  Our prayers may start to sound like those of the Pharisee: "God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican" (Luke 18:11) -- and less like those of the publican, who, "standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner."  (Luke 18:13)

The publican, who was the one who went away justified (Luke 18:14), had it right. As conscious as we should be of our blessings and of the things that are right in our lives, we should be at least as mindful of our sins and shortcomings, and truly sorry for them. We should always remember that the good things come only through the Lord's grace and forgiveness, and that they are not "earned" in the conventional sense by anything we have done. We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We need to confess this in humble and contrite prayer ever day, begging God for the wisdom, patience, and strength to do better. Repentance also needs to include a firm resolve to live in a more righteous and Christ-like way, and real action on our part to carry out that promise. And all this should be capped off with an ever-present thankfulness to our Lord for His great mercy, without which we would be irretrievably lost.

So, pay attention every day to the "three Rs": Remember (our sins), Repent (sorrow and confession), and Reform (actually change conduct). In doing so we should never fall into the self-righteous arrogance of the distinguished Pharisee, but walk away justified, like the "lowly" publican--and happy in Christ's embrace!

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

Mothers Every Day

This coming Sunday is Mother's Day in the United States. Millions of dollars will be spent on greeting cards, flowers, and other gifts for mothers. And yet, mothers and motherhood are still undervalued in contemporary culture and among too many people--even many who consider themselves Christians. Elderly mothers, typically widowed, are often left alone and virtually forgotten, even by children who live nearby. In other cases, enmity over some past slight or disagreement festers between a grown child and his or her mother, and they stop speaking to each other. Tempers flare because a mother is thought meddlesome for offering advice or an opinon. On a wider social level, pressure on young women to forgo raising children and pursue a career outside the home is enormous, and those who put family life first are widely depicted in the media as fools, rubes, or afflicted with a miserable, empty life.

In God's Kingdom, on the other hand, mothers and motherhood are treasured and vitally important. We are commanded to honor and reverence our mothers (Exod. 20:12; Lev. 19:3), to heed their teaching (Prov. 6:20), and. in our righteous obedience, to "let her rejoice who gave birth to you." (Prov. 23:25)  We must not dishonor or grieve our mothers through foolishness (Prov. 10:1) or rebellion (Prov. 30:17; Micah 7:6). For her part, a mother is admonished to love her children as well as her husband, to be discreet and chaste, and to be a good homemaker, so as to honor God (Titus 2:4-5). Above all, a mother is to "teach [God's commandments] diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." (Deut. 6:6-7)  We have the archetype of faithful motherhood in Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus, who reverently accepted the great responsibility that God placed upon her, diligently taught and cared for her Diviine Son, grieved inexpressibly to witness His suffering and death, and gloried in His resurrection.

There is in all literature no more apt description of the good wife and mother than that found in Proverbs 31:

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed . . .  (Prov. 31:25-28)

I have been so infinitely blessed to have this image fit the mothers who figured most prominently in my life--my own mother and my dear wife, the mother of my children!

Honoring, caring for, and blessing our mothers is not something that can or should be done just through a card one day a year. The relationship between a mother and a child is infinitely precious in God's sight, and one that lasts for eternity--it should be treated accordingly!  If there is friction or enmity between you and your mother, heal it now and completely.  You can't imagine what blessings flow from simple apology and forgiveness!  No matter how young or old they are, children and mothers should be speaking with and visiting each other as often as reasonably possible--no one should ever be alone and forgotten! And no feasible expense or effort should be spared to take care of our aging mothers (or fathers), and to see that their grandchildren get to know and love them deeply.

In other words, treat every day as Mother's Day!

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

Count YOUR Blessings

It's all too human to envy others who have what we don't. When we're poor and hungry it's no surprise that we're jealous of those who are materially comfortable. When our family life is in a shambles, it's natural to wonder why others get to enjoy peaceful, happy homes.

 As natural as it is, envy is one of the most insidious and dangerous emotions. In contrast to simple greed, envy involves an element of resentment against those who have what we lack. When allowed to fester and grow, envy eats away at the spirit and soul, makes us miserable and angry, and can move one to selfish, even violent and destructive, action. It alienates family members, changes friends into enemies, pits classes and groups against each other, and when turned to political ends by clever manipulators, can tear apart whole societies.  Ironically, action driven by envy almost never achieves its goals, and all too often leads only to frustration, bitterness, and despair. Envy led to Cain's murder of his brother Abel, and the Prodigal Son's brother to resent him and their father. No wonder envy is numbered among the "Seven Deadly Sins"!

As the Apostle James reminds us, "[w]here envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." (James 3:16 (KJVA)).  And he pulls no punches in describing how this destructive process works: "You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions." (James 4:2-3 (ESV)). How do we avoid or escape the trap of envy, that leads to so much woe?

Perhaps the only way is to keep the true spirit of Christ and His love burning brightly within us. Of course, we must do all we can to avoid the sinful conduct that puts distance between us and God. Aside from that, regular prayers of thankfulness are essential--how can we be envious when we're constantly thanking the Lord for what we do have? No matter how bleak your own life may seem at any given moment, there are many, many people all over the world who have it much worse, and would give almost anything to have what you do. You always have blessings of your own to count--don't trouble yourself counting someone else's!

As with so many other human frailties, ultimately the best antidote to envy is faith and trust in our Lord, that He will provide everything necessary for us to do His will on this earth, so that there's no need take account of what others have. As David said, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1 (KJV)). Likewise: "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4). The Apostle Paul, too, reminds us that "love envieth not."  (1 Corinthians 13:4 (ASV))  So, if we keep Christ's selfless love burning inside us, delight in Him, and follow Him as our Shepherd, we won't dwell on what we (think) we lack, but will rejoice unceasingly in our countless blessings. We can be free of envy's spiritual corrosion, at peace with ourselves and others, and content to be an eternal citizen of His glorious kingdom!  What more could one want?

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

Follow the Leader

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." ~ Matthew 6:9-10

One of the hardest things for a person--even the typical believer--to do is lay aside his or her own will and let the Lord lead.  Growing up we're encouraged to become self-reliant, and if we're fortunate enough to live in a land of freedom and opportunity, we learn to choose own goals and chart our own path to their accomplishment. We make our own decisions day-to-day, according to our own judgment of what will best advance our own purposes.

Did you notice the theme--"our own"?  This may seem like a liberating way of life, especially for people who live in countries or cultures where people's basic decisions are made for them by state or other authorities. But there can be a misleading quality to this freedom: where the primacy of God in daily life is spurned or forgotten, we're essentially "on our own," seeing but "through a glass, darkly" (1 Corinthians 13:12), left (by our own choice), groping about in the murk of earthly life without the light and confidence that come from God's leadership. We're limited to our own ill-informed and fallible judgment about what's right and best for us, and we struggle to identify and manage the resources we think we'll need to realize our dimly-perceived objectives. We can't begin to see all the pitfalls and the opportunities that our Father in Heaven can see. As a result, we make innumerable mistakes and fly down blind alleys over and over again; we get frustrated and discouraged, or turn our own and other people's lives upside down pursuing vain goals with a single-minded vengeance. Too often, this leads to the ruin of families and lives.

The answer is to maintain an attitude of submissiveness and readiness to serve our Heavenly Father, and to seek Him constantly in prayer ("Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17). In all things, we must first strive to discern His will for us, and then do our best to follow it. When deciding on goals, long-term or shorter, we should ask the Lord in prayer what He wants for us, and whether particular goals we may have proposed for ourselves are consistent with His will for us. As we go along day-to-day, continue asking for His guidance and inspiration to see opportunities and hazards, and to receive those often-quiet promptings of the Spirit that, if faithfully heeded, enable us to make our way safely and productively along His chosen path. By doing this we'll always know that we're doing the best thing, in the best way, for ourselves and our families.

This was the lesson taught in one of my favorite hymns, Lead, Kindly Light, written in 1833 by John Henry Newman (1801–1890).  The hymn relates the experience of one who once was determined to pursue his own goals in his own way, who "loved to choose and see my path," who "loved the garish day," and whose will was ruled by pride. Now, the writer prays God to "Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me."

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom, lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home; lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till the night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
which I Have loved long since, and lost awhile!

Meantime, along the narrow rugged path, Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Savior, lead me home in childlike faith, home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life.

So, before you do make your next decision, big or small, go the the Lord in prayer and ask Him what HIS will is for your life. Accept His leadership in place of your own, and don't be afraid to follow it, even though you may not see in advance or understand every step along the path. Walk in faith with Him, trusting in His guidance, every day. Keep going, even through times of hardship and doubt. With the Lord of the Universe showing the way, you can't go wrong!

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

Friends Indeed

I recently celebrated my 57th birthday, and spent much of it thanking the many friends and family members who sent me warm birthday greetings. Their kindness was so touching; they made me feel loved, more than I regard myself. Even on otherwise ordinary days, I have a circle of friends who ride with me on the bus to work; we laugh and joke together and look out for each other's welfare and happiness. I've developed many good friends at church, and recently reconnected with some old high school classmates whom I haven't seen in decades; we now eagerly share reminiscences and stores about our spouses and children. What a priceless blessing friendship is!

That blessing comes from God, I know. In my younger days I was shy and reserved, and didn't make friends easily. But over the years the Lord has sustained me and my family through the love and support of others, and I've come to value these friends over everything but the Lord Himself and my family--indeed, I count them as virtual family. He has blessed me with more openness and tolerance, as I've come to appreciate how much I owe my friends, and I've learned so many valuable lessons about love and that great Eternal Family that I never would have had I remained shut up in my little shell.

Every day we should remember and give thanks to the Lord for our friends, and never ignore them or take them for granted. We owe our truest friends so much; we know who they are and can always count on them: "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17).  This was demonstrated just a few days ago when a swarm of tornadoes swept across the American midwest; a mother was grievously injured when she lay over her three young children as their house collapsed around them; the eldest crawled out just as the storm passed and ran to the neighbors for help, and they rushed back, pulled the mother out, bound her wounds as best they could, and carried her to an ambulance, thus saving her life--even though their own homes had just been destroyed in the same storm!

"A friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24) will also give us the instruction and correction we need, and not just tell us what we want to hear. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." (Proverbs 27:17) The honesty and frankness of genuine friends are set forth in the maxim, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend" (Proverbs 27:6).

The Apostle Paul set the model for how we should live with each other as friends:

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:31, 32)

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14, ESV)

If we live this way with our friends, neighbors, and family, we come to understand what Heaven is, and create a piece of it right here on earth. We fulfill a great commandment from our Lord, and follow his example--and are knit to Him in the greatest friendship of all:

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.  (John 15:12-15)

Don't let a day go by without embracing a friend; thanking him or her just for being there for you; or doing a friend some kindness, great or small. The best way to make and keep good friends is to be one yourself!

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

Lifeline

When times are fairly easy and good, we tend to fall into the terrible habit of living from day to day as if God didn't exist and we didn't need Him anyway. We navigate through life's little challenges and problems with our own wits and our own goals in mind, and congratulate ourselves at the end of the day that we got through pretty well, all things considered.  That is, until our merry little boat is suddenly swamped by a huge, unseen wave of calamity--THEN we're painfully reminded of our vulnerability, our mortality, and the treacherousness of life, and cry out for help to the God whom we've so long taken for granted. What we usually fail to appreciate until much later is that being shaken out of our complacency is a good and healthy thing, as it tends to restore communication with the One whom we should have had leading us along every hour of every day, in good times as well as bad.

When we were born, we passed from our Creator's presence into a world of shadows and fog, illusions and half-light, mountains and chasms. At any moment in our lives we grasp only part of the truth, and must search for the rest, which may be obscured and distorted. Our intellect is limited, and we are distracted from pursuing what is true and right by the temptations of this world. We are discouraged by obstacles and may fall into a pit of confusion and despair, over and over again. How do we regain the road of hope and purpose? How do we discern the will of Him who made us, and secure His aid and comfort amidst the stresses and storms of life?

Prayer! It is our lifeline to God, our tether to the Eternal, our anchor in an endless ocean of trouble. Through it we repent of our waywardness and lay our lives at His feet. Through it we can pour out our hearts and seek guidance and support from our loving Lord. Through it we gain strength to fight the powers of darkness and to do God's will. Prayer is also the means by which we thank our Heavenly Father for all our countless blessings and for His help, and by which our souls sing His praises, as it should every moment. Prayer opens to us the light of God's truth and peace, and involves our Lord in every aspect of our lives and our doings here on earth. It is truly a stairway to, and from, Heaven.

This is how we were meant to walk upon the earth, our whole lives offered up as a prayer of supplication, consecration, thanksgiving, praise, and joy to our beloved Lord. In order to do this, as the Apostle Paul taught, we must “[p]ray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The formula is to "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6,7)  The Savior himself said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matt. 7:7-8)

What precious promises!  What better way to live one's life, every hour of every day, than in communion with the One who transcends all trouble and darkness, and whose light outshines anything and everything in this mortal world! Prayer is the key--be turning it ALL the time!

Tom Fleming

Songs of Praises

Family Matters

One of the saddest things one sees these days--and regrettably, one of the most prevalent--is the disintegration of families. In  western countries divorce is now rampant, to the point that stable, long-term marriages are a distinct minority of adult relationships. But even in "whole" families it is disturbingly common to see parents, children, and siblings (even as adults) deeply alienated from each other, always squabbling over things great and small, and doing their best to avoid meaningful contact. I know too many members of other families who live right around the corner from each other but haven't spoken in years, and some in which a sibling left home at the first opportunity and was never heard from again. in how many others do family members share little more than a mailing address, all caught up in personal pursuits and rarely, if ever, really talking to each other or sharing a meal around a table?

God instituted the family for many reasons, not least of which is to provide us with guidance, support, and comfort in times of trial, or just to enrich our day-to-day lives here on earth and make us happy. Family is where we are meant to teach, learn and practice commitment, caring, self-sacrifice, patience, faith, and love--all of which are vital to reaching our full potential here on earth, and to attaining eternal life with the Lord and each other in Heaven. Indeed, we should strive to make our families a microcosm or preview of Heaven itself--especially since, if you believe as I do, that we'll still be together as family in that beautiful world! Our material circumstances in this life may be meager, but our lives can be richer than any king's if we share love one with another.

Certainly this is not an easy task, but how could we grow without challenge and perseverence? No two or more human beings can live together in a small space without friction and some conflict. We're weak and fallible beings, and are bound to say and do things, now and then, that are hurtful or disappointing to our loved ones. So, repentance, patience, and forgiveness become a way of life in strong families. For them, love means ALWAYS having to say you're sorry--and always saying, "That's OK--I forgive you."  Faith and prayer are indispensable for all family members, and when shared hold them together like nothing else.

Scripture is such an important and inspiring guide in this work. The Bible is permeated with wisdom concerning families and their generations, and how they should live together (see, for example, Ephesians 5:22-33; 1 Peter 3:1-7). This wonderful passage condenses it into a nutshell (Colossians 3:18-21):

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

These lines immediately follow Paul's characterization of a true Christian (Colossians 3:12-17):

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

This is precisely the formula for making and keeping a strong family!

I was immeasurably blessed to have grown up in a loving, resilient family. Working together peacefully could be difficult, and we often had to ride out storms of conflict. But thanks to the teaching and good example set by our parents, we hung together and grew in love over the years. We learned what a strong family looks like and how to build and maintain one. My siblings and I are scattered about the USA now, but we've never been more "close" to each other. And I hope we're teaching our own children the same lessons.

If your family is less than what it should be, start rebuilding it TODAY: recommit to your spouse, reconcile with your children and with your own parents and siblings. Don't let ANY past wrong or hurt stand in your way. With a contrite heart ask forgiveness, and give it freely and eagerly. It's never too late to start over, on the right road. For the road to Heaven is paved with family love.

God bless you!

Tom Fleming 
Songs of Praises