Frank’s Reflections

Your world has crumbled. Three years of your effort suddenly vanished. How would you react? Take a break, regroup, or remain faithful and trust God?

Let your mind drift back 2,000 years, then consider the disciples’ mindset after the crucifixion. The Bible doesn’t describe a detailed sequence of events. 

Peter and six others (John 21:2) decided to go fishing. Not the kind that you and I think about with the rod and reel, but in their commercial boat with nets. Why, you might ask? That’s their vocation before discipleship (Matthew 4:18-22). It is their family business. 

Many disappointed individuals return to their old profession if they can. Starting over and finding meaningful employment has its challenges.

When serving the Lord, things do not always go as smoothly as you would hope. God asks for faithfulness without the guarantee of clear sailing. That’s where the difficulties come in. We expect our service to be pain-free. Jesus didn’t have that journey, and neither did His disciples. History shows their service was anything but smooth.

The apostle Paul went so far as to describe his mishaps. He endured whippings, beatings, stonings, and shipwrecks. Even with those events, he didn’t quit and was imprisoned (2 Corinthians 11:25).

The moral of the above is that we can use any excuse to quit on God. But as long as we can speak, we can encourage someone to trust Jesus for their eternity. Our lives aren’t perfect and never will be this side of heaven. Yet we can be faithful even in the toughest of times and places. So, when your world is crumbling and you’re disappointed, take the time to seek God’s leadership, for great will be your reward.

Jesus knew He had less than 24 hours to live. What would you do if you knew the same scenario? The next few lines will trace some of Jesus reactions.

It was the Passover meal. We call it the Lord’s Supper. Jesus demonstrated humility first by washing the disciples’ feet, despite Peter’s objection (John 13:8).

As the Twelve sat around the table, the Messiah declared that one of them would deny Him. This warning went unheeded. Judas departed to do his mission, after partaking of the bread at (John 13:30). The remaining eleven heard the Lord give a new commandment: that they should love one another. That same announcement applies to every believer today, regardless of our differences.

Sadly, Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him before dawn. Peter didn’t believe that would ever happen, but it did. This event exposed the truth that all of us are guilty, at some time, of denying (keeping quiet) that we know the Lord.

These words of warning are to remind every believer that the attacks of doubt and the devil are real. We are, however, indwelled, led, and comforted by the Holy Spirit’s presence. Then Jesus gives the Disciples reassurance, “Because I live, you will live to” (John 14:19 CSB). Holy scripture assures every child of God that they will live forever.

Jesus words of eternity don’t guarantee the same benefits here and now. Believers here will have trouble and sorrow in their lives. However, our Lord will still be with us in those times, promising peace and quietness in our hearts that we don’t understand as we look at Him.

At the Lord’s crucifixion, sorrowful hearts were watching. His burial place brought more sorrow, but the morning of the resurrection became a day of rejoicing. He is not here; He is risen (Matthew 28:6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6).

Easter morning is a happy time for Christians. Our Savior is not in a grave; He is in heaven, waiting to welcome every believer.

I never knew my paternal grandfather; he died before I was born. Years later, at my father’s older sister’s burial, I read my grandfather’s tombstone. “I know my Redeemer liveth” (Job 19:25).

My maternal grandparents took me to church for years, watching as spiritual seeds grew within my heart. After my wife and I were married, my grandmother invited us to a revival service. That was the night we both accepted Jesus as our Savior.

My wife’s grandfather was a pastor. I even have some of his library. God has a way of continuing a spiritual legacy. I wonder what my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will think of my wife and me years from now? Will they see a scarlet thread of spiritual connection? Will they see the hand of God moving in their lives? God has a way of answering prayers for our loved ones, even after we’re walking on the streets of gold. I believe that with all my heart!

A moment of remembrance can do your soul good, savoring those moments when you see God’s hand protecting and providing for you. Times when you don’t have a clue what’s going on, but somehow God provides. There may be nights you cry out for help, and the Lord helps you. Then you wonder, “How am I going to get through this situation?” Yet you do. Maybe you wonder whether you are the recipient of a grandparent’s or a parent’s prayers. 

Consider the thought that you are where you are because God is answering someone’s prayer for you. If that realization crosses your mind, then pray it forward for some of your loved ones. Those you will never see grow into maturity.

If you believe God answers prayer, then you will believe He answers your earthly prayers even when you are in heaven. You may want to confirm your thoughts by reading the following scriptures: Mark 11:24, Matthew 21:22, and Hebrews 11:6. But remember one thing: God cannot lie, He fulfills His promises, and He answers prayer.

In earlier times, people would finalize an agreement with a simple handshake. A handshake was a symbol of mutual understanding and was often considered a formal contract. Not so today. Lawyers spend hours trying to make it an irrevocable contract.

Everyone’s reputation is shaped by integrity, public pressures, and peer influence. Hypocrisy and lying are the rules of the day. Honesty in a person’s word is rare in our population. 

Honesty is a premium, but like gasoline, it comes with a higher cost. You may have fewer friends, experience rejection, or see your career advancement suffer. Society may shun you, but trusting in God’s promises and His support can help you stand firm in your commitment to truth.

God honors those who practice honesty. When you choose truth, you align with His values and can feel reassured that He sees your efforts. Honesty is the foundation of integrity. The book of Psalms states plainly, “May integrity and what is right watch over me for I wait for you (Lord)” (25:21 CSB).

Heavenly rewards await those who are honest. The psalmist wrote, “Who may ascend to the mountain of God?… The one who has clean hands and a pure heart” (24:3 & 4 CSB).

Though misunderstood and disrespected by peers and society, trusting in God’s support through the Holy Spirit empowers you to stand firm. When you feel weak or afraid to uphold Bible principles, remember that the Holy Spirit will strengthen you. He will always enable you to stand for honesty, so Christ is honored in and through you.

Let truthfulness shine in your darkest moments, such as when facing peer pressure or temptation, so that your hands and heart may sparkle.

You can’t outrun someone’s prayers. You can try, but it won’t work. You think you can ignore them, but ultimately their prayers will catch up with you. God is working in your life even though you don’t sense His presence. Prayers are working, putting you in a strenuous situation. When the ultimate squeeze comes, you will look up and ask for God’s help. That’s the power of someone’s prayer.

Strange as it may seem, there is an individual or group of individuals praying for you. You may not know them. They may be a coworker of one of your family members or a distant neighbor. They could be a church member or someone in your past. Somehow, God places your name and circumstances before them, but the Holy Spirit is leading them to pray for you. Maybe it’s for your salvation, return to the House of God, or your surrender to do right. Whatever God sees in your life that needs improving, someone is a messenger for you.

The reason our Lord does this is for your good. God has a special place in His heart for you. He wants the best for you, and so does someone else. That’s the reason they’re praying for you. None of us understands how prayers and individuals connect, but they do. Only in heaven will we see the connection that started 2,000 years ago. When the Lord prayed for His disciples, He also prayed for those they won to Christ (John 17:20). That includes those who win others, and the others are connected through their spiritual ancestry to reach you. That togetherness is an unbreakable chain forged in the hands of God for you to complete His plans.

Back to the opening sentence. You can’t outrun prayers. Jonah tried to run from God’s plan for the city of Nineveh. It didn’t work. Heaven will reveal that someone was concerned about Nineveh’s spirituality. Their prayers prevailed, and that city experienced a great turning to God.

Someone is praying for you. Someone is asking God to work in your life. The sooner you listen and turn to do the Lord’s wishes, the better you will be! Be wise. Say yes to God.

Life is busy. So busy that we need a moment to catch our breath. But do we? We admit that sometimes we keep going, pushing ourselves to accomplish whatever is before us. Some of us stay on that track without wavering and always go as fast as we can to accomplish our goal.

Be still is a timely instruction from the Lord. Stillness is often the time that the Lord speaks to our hearts. Yet we hurry along, thinking that we can accomplish more for Him. That thinking can hinder the Lord from working through us, which is what He wants to do.

The Lord works best when we trust Him and realize that our efforts are accomplishing our intentions. The place of frustration is lonely. Our loneliness results from the absence of divine leadership.

I think of Elijah running from Jezebel. Elijah forgot how he called down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice before an ungodly crowd. But when Jezebel threatened him, he ran. Later, miles from where God had used him, our Lord found him hiding in a cave. God chooses to use us when we look to Him for guidance.

Companionship demands closeness. Closeness requires surrender. Togetherness happens with mutual communication. God is always available. The lack of closeness is always our problem. We choose occasional communication rather than close communication. In that decision-making process, we choose not to put God first in our lives.

Stillness still works. It’s only by slowing down that you and I allow our Savior to work in our hearts. For some reason, we put Jesus on the back burner in our lives, only to realize we’re selfish. It takes time to build trust, listen to instructions, and to gain encouragement in our life journey. When we find life is busy, slow down and listen to our Lord.

Big flakes describe what I see. The snow is falling, and so is the temperature. The white stuff reminds me of long ago. Did you ever try to catch a snowflake in your mouth while your face is splattered with them? It was hard for me to catch one. That’s a pleasant memory.

Age brings transformations. There’s something about listening to the falling snow. You can’t hear the flakes land. The quietness of falling flakes brings a tranquility that words cannot describe. The hush of the downward flow of white flakes brings peace to the searching soul. God is in control. That brings an unexplained calm and reflection. The quietness settles in your soul if you take a minute to enjoy God’s wonderful moment of wonder.

Your youthful heart wonders just how deep the snow will be. And can we make snowballs and snowmen? Adults, on the other hand, seem to forget their youthful thoughts, which give way to worry about the adult responsibilities of snow removal—clearing the driveway, removing the accumulation on your vehicle, and opening the entrance to your road after the snowplows barricade your driveway.

Like most things in life, everything will be back to normal in a few days. Such is the circle of life, but for the moment, can you stop and enjoy the presence of God? Peace, not the turmoil. The quiet reflections over the chaos. When we slow down and look at God’s creation, there’s no hurry, no adequate description, just the serenity of one of His wonderful creation moments.

The next time you see snowflakes fall, stop and enjoy what God is doing. If you do, there’s a big chance your outlook will change. Even if it’s only for a moment, make it a wonderful minute to let God be in charge, and you’ll make it a lasting memory.

Life is routine for most of us. We do the same things every day. We take the same route to work, and do the same jobs. Then go home and might even attend the games that our loved ones play.

Every now and then, something out of the ordinary happens. Something that we didn’t expect. We didn’t plan on it; life wasn’t routine anymore, like seeing an old friend or relative. In my case, a slip on the ice in the driveway. Ten ribs broken, hospital stay, rehab, met wonderful people (nurses in ICU/TRAUMA), and rediscovering what a wonderful wife I have.

Ordinary became extraordinary. Then came the reflection. God is good. Not just good but far beyond what words can describe. Truly, He cares for each of His children. No, we aren’t perfect. Quite the contrary, but He still loves us.

Our language or vocabulary is totally inadequate to describe or compliment Him, but there He is, caring for us! Loving us, providing for us, His grace is always there, whether we realize it or not. He gets us through every valley and even helps us to reach another mountaintop.

We are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” He never deserts us. Our “job” sometimes is to figure out why the valleys? What do we need to learn? How can we help those who are in their valleys?

God has a plan and a purpose for each of us. It’s not a selfish plan but a generous plan. A plan designed by the Almighty to help others. May we realize it and do whatever He intends for us to do. That’s His purpose for each of our lives. 

As you ponder, may you reach your destiny by being obedient to the Lord’s leading for you.

A special note:

I want to thank you for your prayers, but most of all, I want to thank the Lord. My recovery from a recent fall on the ice, where I broke ten ribs is going well. Once again, thank you.

Leave Something Behind

Seasons come and go. The book of Ecclesiastes, chapter three, records 28 contrasting times in people’s lives. Some are joyous, others are not, but each comes whether they were ready or not. In those periods, the Lord is with His children regardless of their position in life.

Our age sets a boundary to some of life’s learning experiences, but our circumstances don’t limit Jesus. His grace is always sufficient. He never leaves us. We belong to Him, and no one is stronger than Jesus. Plus, our heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit work in unison with Jesus, creating an unbreakable trinity. 

As I look out our window, I see our grandkids playing in sub-freezing temperatures. The snow is so hard from the freezing rain that the kids leave no footprints. It’s like they left no proof of their trek across the snow-covered yard.

Our life can be the same without the Lord. Our lives should leave footprints for others to follow. A path away from danger. A path for faith and encouragement for the trials of life. Our path, if well-trodden, is there for others to see and follow.

You may not be in the wintery mix of freezing temperatures. Your footprints may be on a sandy beach where the incoming waves wash them out to sea. Life may be in the muck left by soaking rain. The downpours of life seemed to wash away the footprints of your life. 

Life has a way of teaching us it’s not our footprints that have an influence. It’s the memories we cast into the lives of those around us—the ones where the snow, sand, and muck vanish without a trace.

Your time or season here has a purpose. Leave something behind that will influence those who follow—something that time cannot erase.

We hope you have had a wonderful week, enjoying the bone-chilling cold and beautiful snow. Unfortunately, we ended up having more ice than snow in many areas. That brings me to the reason why there was no new blog this week.

On Tuesday, around 12 noon, Frank thought it was a good idea to get the mail from Monday evening. There is a long driveway with a hill to the mailbox. He slid there only to find out there was no mail. As he began back down the hill, he fell on his back. Thank goodness, he did not hit his head and was able to continue his journey.

Sadly, the next part of his sliding adventure was much more catastrophic. He fell and slid down to a curve in the driveway. At this point, he was thrown onto the grass and continued sliding. He landed on his left side, fully conscious, but unable to get up.

No one in the house knew he was outside. My 10-year-old grandson came in and said, “Nana, granddad is lying in the snow on his left side!” We quickly ran through the garage and looked out. By this time, my daughter and her husband were there with him. It took a lot of work, but they finally got him on a sled and into the house.

He was taken to the Chippenham hospital by ambulance. The ER was full of people who had fallen on the ice, so we waited a very long time to see all the medical staff we needed. Nine hours later, he was admitted to the ICU TRAMA Center with 10 broken ribs on his left side.

This has been a very hectic week, but God blessed Frank beyond measure. He is in tremendous pain when he moves in most any direction, but there is very little that can be done for the ribs except pain medication. He told me today that he had been able to witness to several nurses and other hospital staff. Thank goodness! God is in control!