Faith - Oppressor's Loss; Christ's Gain

Faith - Oppressor’s Loss; Christ’s Gain
Written May 3, 2009 by Cherry Bieber

Winter oft, with cold cruel hand, strikes a wintry blow
Pouring out in blinding form, icy depths of snow
Man and beast seek shelter warm, though some fare not so well
When the storm is spent and calm sets in, the damage takes time to tell
Mouths form the words, the question, sometimes with fists held high
But silence is the answer and man accepts this by and by

The storms of man are different; a colder, crueler hand
He claims to be the sovereign, too blind to understand
Oppression plays the master, demanding all give way
He shouts amidst the weeping, “Where is your God this day?”
Doubt creeps in through suffering, invading every thought
A poison infiltrating, marring truth, in lies they’re caught
“Where is this God you worship? Let Him save you if He can.
Where is this Mighty Saviour? Wake up fools, I’m the man!”
The accuser shouts and revels as despair sinks subtly in
Rejoicing as he sees faith in God now wearing thin

But as the sprouts of early spring glean from winter’s wrath
Wisdom finds her richest soil along oppression’s path
There will always be the faithful whose hearts alone can bear
The hatred of a wicked man yet Love go on to share
For wisdom is his leader and he keeps his eyes on high
Knowing Truth will reign again when the Master splits the sky

The Sea of Me

Having just posted "Red Lights and Red Flags," I feel compelled to share the following poem that I wrote fifteen years ago after the devastation of having ignored red flags. Please note at the end of this poem that it was very clear to me that having repented and received God's forgiveness, He was there waiting for me. Though I had many consequences to deal with, He was there to see me through. This is the word I would like to convey to anyone who has ignored red flags and made choices that seem to have ongoing waves of consequences. The Lord always embraces a broken and contrite heart.

THE SEA OF ME

Floating on the sea of me
Waves of mediocrity
Crashing in ‘til I can’t see
A boat of shallow wood
I grip the edges splintered there
I feel the pain but little care
I did not pain to others spare
The shore is not in sight
A respite moment, calm, demure
But I am tense and so unsure
A wound for which I see no cure
Debris is floating by
My fingers ache for gripping so
Though water’s calm I can’t let go
How is it that my eyes weep so
What is this I have done
And yet, amidst this raging storm
I am inside at peace and warm
On the shore a Holy Form
The Refuge faithful there

By Cherry Bieber
Copyright 1999

Red Lights and Red Flags

Are red lights a nuisance to you? We often sit at red lights tapping our feet with agitation at periodically being made to wait in our get-up-and-go world. Some of us go to great lengths to avoid traffic lights altogether. We quickly learn where they occur most often and which ones are the longest. We develop routes that take us out of our way just to avoid them. In reality, red traffic lights only create a pause, albeit sometimes a lengthy pause, in our travels from one point to another. I think traffic lights were developed because it just isn’t the norm for one driver to stop and let another go first. :0) Red traffic lights are a part of keeping us safe while traveling. Running red lights can have a multitude of various consequences that we are wise to consider before following through with that temptation. After years of allowing myself to become irritated and impatient with the red lights, which I perceived to be slowing my progress, the Lord convicted me about this and I began to realize that red lights were opportunities. They have become an opportunity for me to consider the drivers in the vehicles around me and pray for them. They have become an opportunity for me to relax for a few moments from defensive driving. They have become an opportunity for me to look around and marvel again at what a wonderful God I serve.

Then there are life’s red flags. While many of us detest red lights, we also detest (and flagrantly ignore) these red flags. In a sense, red flags are to our lives what red lights are. They are warnings that the Lord gives us to watch out because danger lies ahead. If we take heed and listen to what the red flags of life are telling us, we develop wisdom and discernment and avoid many tragic consequences. Ignoring life’s red flags can leave us wallowing in a pool of the debris left behind from bad choices. Then, rather than owning up to the fact that all of the signs were there, the red flags were billowing in the breezes of our selfishness, and we chose to ignore them, we find something or someone else to blame.

Having ignored more red flags in the earlier years of my adult life than I care to admit to anyone and learning to live (by the blessed Grace of God) with many of the consequences, I see clearly that this is where America is right now. I decided a long time ago that when considering an individual for political office I needed to know where they stood on abortion. If an individual has no regard for human life at its most innocent and vulnerable stage, they cannot be trusted to have any regard for human life at any other stage. This seems to me to be the largest, reddest flag – red with the blood of millions of murdered unborn – that is being ignored at an increasingly alarming rate. We simply cannot continue electing individuals who legalize and legislate the unabated murder of the unborn and think we will somehow escape the consequences. It is my prayer that we will consider and take to heart the words of II Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." KJV

How do you view?

A few days ago, I read a few of the reviews, good and bad, of the movie "Fireproof." One particularly critical statement made against this movie had something to do with it supposedly giving the impression that if we just place our trust in Christ everything will come up roses. I have really been rolling this around in my head, as this is also one of the negative critiques given of the Sherwood Films' movie "Facing the Giants." Upon further reflection, it occurs to me that there are multitudes of individuals who watch movies/television with the expectation that they can just allow whatever they are watching to form their beliefs, values, hopes, etc. and they shouldn't have to think on their own. Any rational thinking person knows that, first of all, a movie is...a movie. Although it can touch on real life situations, it cannot be expected to cover every avenue of possibility in real life. When watching this movie with my own son, I discussed with him that what happened with the marriage could happen, but the outcome in real life might be that the wife (or husband) might choose divorce. The important thing is that the individual seeking to see the marriage saved remain determined to follow Christ regardless of the outcome.


The question I would ask is this: Do you empty your brain and disengage your capacity to think and reason when you turn on the tube? If your answer is "yes," then I would strongly suggest that you stay away from it altogether! Watching the silver screen, reading books and other printed media, or listening to any form of news, sermons, speeches, etc., with an inability or unwillingness to think for yourself are all equally inherently dangerous! The only One we should take 100% at His Word is the Lord! We should also use our God-given ability to think things through when considering what we will allow our eyes to see and ears to hear.

How strange are we?

I have been thinking this morning about how this country rallied together following the crisis of September 11, 2001 and collectively cried out to the Lord our God. In stark, dangerous, and dark contrast, this country is now experiencing an unprecedented push to criminalize those who believe in the Lord and work to spread the Gospel, as Jesus Christ commanded us to. The real question in my mind is this...will God's people fold or will we stand? Will we cringe or will we continue to boldly live and speak what we know is right and true? Will we water down and alter the Word of God for the sake of "peace" that is really no peace at all? These days are dark and promise to be darker still. Whatever we choose, we can each be sure that in the end we will stand individually before the Lord and answer for not defending the defenseless, helping the helpless...reaching out to "the least of these." We will stand accountable for every time we saw suffering with our eyes and heard their cries with our ears and did not do whatever God had equipped us to do. I speak these words to myself as much as to anyone else. As fearful as these times are, it is even more fearful to think of standing before Almighty God knowing that I did not fight the good fight, as His Word commanded me to. I had a dream many years ago in which there were literally balls of fire falling from the sky and I knew the end had come. Just before awakening, I heard the Lord say, "Well done My child." There are no words that could ever mean so much to me as those. May we all be strengthened to stand true and strong in our walk with Christ so as to hear those melodic, sweet, life-giving words when this world ends and His begins. God be with you all.

Fireproof

We recently purchased and watched the movie "Fireproof" by Sherwood Pictures. We strongly encourage you to watch this movie! It is one of few that fully recognizes that God created relationships in a certain order...God and mankind first, man and woman next (marriage), parent and child next, then church, community, etc. If the relationship with Christ is strong and the marriage is built on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, then the rest will follow suit. May you be as richly blessed by this movie as we are.

One God Only

There is but one God...the God of the Holy Bible. There is no other. Many will be deceived for this is a time of deception such as mankind has never known. Pray fervently for the wisdom and discernment to know Him. There are those speaking of a star that will appear in the sky and burn day and night...this is supposedly the messiah. This is NOT what the scriptures say. Read it for yourselves. When Christ returns, there will be no question whatsoever that it is He. May you not be found as the foolish virgins who had no oil in their lamps upon the great and glorious day of His return.

A child's heart before our Lord...our only hope

In “Knowing The Heart of God,” compiled works of George MacDonald by Michael R. Phillips, MacDonald is quoted, “Obedience is the soul of knowledge.”

This morning I awakened thinking about knowledge and our vast, worldwide engine of information. There is necessary and unnecessary information. There is constructive and destructive information. There is information and knowledge that is good to have and that which is not good to have. It is important now more than ever to pray for discernment as to which information is beneficial and which is not, which is true and which is lies. If there is information that strikes me with fear or causes me to be tempted toward sin in any other way, it is clearly information that either I should not have or I should purpose to draw nearer my Lord and Savior for the proper processing of it .

In these thought processes, I am reminded of the audacious idea that many believe four and five-year-old children should be subjected to what is loosely labeled “sex education.” Such information given to one so young is not only too heavy a burden to bear, but because their young hearts and minds are too immature to process such information, it perverts their God-given sexuality and robs them of their innocence. This information forced on children is destructive in the worst possible way. This is especially true today as the public and political agenda gives our children perverted and false information.

Having stated the above, I would impress it upon others to always consider the sources of their information and to remember that anyone can lie to serve their own agenda; right or left wing.

If information strikes fear in my heart, I need to be cautious and ponder whether I should continue with this vein of information. The Word of God tells me to not fear man and that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. It is therefore very clear to me that being capable of discerning between useful and destructive information and the manner in which I handle information depend entirely upon the depth of my relationship with the Lord.

Throughout the Bible depravity of the human heart is revealed. I should not be shocked when this depravity of mankind is revealed in the public domains today. The derangement of the human heart can be evidenced by a brief perusal down the isles of a secular (sometimes even Christian!!) bookstore or the movie, book, and toy isles of our department stores. I have been told that television, which I have not seen in fourteen years, has dropped to extremely low levels of degradation. While many individuals are shouting the importance of guarding a child’s time on the internet, they provide no boundaries against the onslaught of the ever-ready silver screen that sits in most American homes.

Hard times most often cause us to reassess our lives; to look deeper within in hopes of discovering who we really are. As I daily watch the ominous and dangerous changes that are being made in America by the current administration, I realize more than ever the importance of truly being what I say I am…a child of God. As I look in the proverbial mirror of self-revelation, I see much error and many areas in need of change. My heart’s desire above all is to know the Lord, to live and Love as He Loves as best I can while walking in this flesh on this soil, which is not my home. Only a closer walk with Him can envelope us in the peace we need in perilous times. No other remedy is available or necessary. The following is a poem very dear to my heart and speaks what lies therein:

“I Would I Were A Child”
by George MacDonald

I would I were a child
That I might look, and laugh, and say, My Father!
And follow Thee with running feet, or rather
Be led through dark and wild!

How I would hold Thy hand,
My glad eyes often to Thy glory lifting!
Should darkness ‘twixt Thy face and mine come drifting,
My heart would but expand.

If an ill thing came near,
I would but creep within Thy mantle’s folding,
Shut my eyes close, Thy hand yet faster holding,
And soon forget my fear

O soul, O soul, rejoice!
Thou art God’s child indeed, for all thy sinning;
A poor weak child, yet His, and worth the winning
With Saviour eyes and voice

Who spake the words? Didst thou?
They are too good, even for such a giver;
Such water drinking once, I should feel ever
As I had drunk but now.

Yet sure the Word said so,
Teaching our lips to cry with His, Our Father!
Telling the tale of Him who once did gather
His goods to Him, and go!

Ah, Thou didst but lead me, God!
But it is dark and starless, the way dreary;
Almost I sleep, I am so very weary
Upon this rough hill-road.

Almost! Nay, I do sleep;
There is no darkness save in this my dreaming;
Thy Fatherhood above, around, is beaming;
Thy hand my hand doth keep.

With sighs my soul doth teem;
I have no knowledge but that I am sleeping;
Haunted with lies, my life will fail in weeping:
Wake me from this my dream.

How long shall heavy night
Deny the day? How long shall this dull sorrow
Say in my heart that never any morrow
Will bring the friendly light?

Lord, art Thou in the room?
Come near my bed; oh, draw aside the curtain!
A child’s heart would say Father, were it certain
That it would not presume

But if this dreary sleep
May not be broken, help Thy helpless sleeper
To rest in Thee; so shall his sleep grow deeper—
For evil dreams too deep.

Father! I dare at length; my childhood sure will hold me free from blaming;
Sinful yet hoping, I to Thee come, claiming
Thy tenderness, my strength

The Journey...

I was reading Psalm 17 and verse 15 says, "As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Your likeness."

I am reminded that no person, place, or thing can ever bring complete satisfaction to my spirit, as that is the place that only the Lord can fill. When we see His face and His likeness then shines in us, we will be complete. The space between now and then is but the journey. When I am faced with how short I fall of His Glory, I need to remember that I am traveling to that far country where I will be made perfect in Christ...no more failures; no more tears. He knows my heart and the desire therein. This gives me that wonderful peace that passes understanding as I travel onward and upward.

Divine Appointment

I left the house this morning to meet with someone with whom I have had a very strained relationship due to differences in beliefs and her insistance that I see things her way. I would like to have avoided this meeting, but there really was no way out. We met at the predesignated restaurant, sat down, and ordered. Our waitress was one that I have always enjoyed having, as she knows the Lord and shines with His Love. As we waited for our order, I caught a movement in my peripheral vision and looked out the window to see a man approaching the restaurant door. He was young, around thirty or thirty-five, but seemed to move a bit haltingly. The Holy Spirit immediately compelled me to pray for the man regarding pain. The waitress showed the man to a table directly across the isle from us. The person I was with was talking to me, but I heard very little of the conversation, as I just couldn't stop praying in the spirit for this man. I glanced over at him occasionally and he sat with his head held in his hands. His countenance was definitely one of pain, although I had no way of telling if it was physical or emotional/spiritual. When we finished our meal and got up to leave, I found our waitress and pulled her to the side. I told her what I was feeling and asked her if she knew him. She told me that he'd been involved in a tragic accident five years ago that nearly took his life and left him in a state of constant pain to the point that he has not even been able to work. She said that he has been very distraught with his physical and mental limitations.

When I got out to my car, the Lord told me to write the man a note and tell him that the Lord had put it on my heart to pray for him the moment he came to the restaurant. I was also to tell him that the Lord is with him and that I would continue to pray for him. I gave the note to the waitress and she gave it to him.

I suppose I probably drove my car home, but I feel like I just kind of "floated" home! :0) I feel so incredibly blessed that the Lord allowed me the sensitivity to hear His voice and intercede on behalf of another; to reach outside of my own issues to Love, care, and pray for another. I wanted to share this here on my blog, as I want to encourage other children of the Lord to go wherever He leads and do whatever He calls you to do! We just never know when a person has cried out in despair to God, "If You are really here, show me!!" We just never know when God will use Love for another to help us set aside our own struggles to pray for them. I also feel the Lord has used this to show me that when I feel the bottom falling out of my own life, I can trust Him to alert others to intercede on my behalf! My heart is filled with praise I cannot express in mere words!

Once Lovely USA
By Cherry Bieber January 14, 2009

“America The Beautiful,” Why must you change your song?
What is wrong you now call right; the right you now call wrong.

Your beauty once a foundation of godly hope and truth;
Now for lust of pleasure you despise the Love of your youth.

America! America! So blind to what will come!
In your circus atmosphere you cannot hear the drum.

Storm clouds gather, thunder rolls, you play a foolish game!
Standing tall and proud you boast, rejoicing in your fame.

Look out! Look out! The enemy! Insatiable and dark!
Keep chasing entertainment and you’ll miss the crucial mark.

Your unborn murdered cry aloud into the Father’s ears.
His Word proclaims He will repay those who robbed their years.

Your little children weep in pain, abused and left alone.
America! America! How much will you condone?

Parents standing strong in faith, their children lovingly guide.
In fear of prosecution for loving chastisement now must hide.

Silver screens across your land display gross abomination.
Many mighty drink the wealth of perversion and inflation.

The precipice on which you stand reveals your deadly fate!
Awaken now! Repent and pray before it is too late!

America, America, once our lovely USA.
It seems you feel no shame for what you are today.

Weep and howl, inhabitants, return to God on high,
That He will find you pure when you see Him in the sky!

KJV - Isaiah 5:20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; That put darkness for light, and light for darkness; That put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

KJV - Joel 2:1 “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: For the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand…”

KJV - Joel 2:12-13 “Therefore also now, saith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rent your heart, and not your garments, and return unto the Lord your God: For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repents Him of the evil.”

KJV – Revelation 2:7 “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

January 8, 2009

The days pass quickly. In a state of constant busy-ness many seem to not notice changes that are being made to our lives in America...changes that could forever alter the God-given freedoms we have enjoyed for so long. It is hard to believe the apathy that seems to be spreading like wildfire...yet so few are aware. Can people really believe the wrongs being done are okay? Do they not realize that in giving a nod of approval (even saying nothing at all is giving approval) to oppress others they are only preparing the pathway that leads the oppressors to their own door? What is wrong is called right and what is right is called wrong...hmmm...where have I read that statement...? Oh, Lord please open the eyes and ears of the people before it is too late.

January 6, 2009

Has it really been over a year since I last posted? Wow! Time does fly! I do much, much writing and journaling, but little online. I don't think this blog is read by anyone, but still feel compelled to try to write words of encouragement to a dying world in the event that someone should come here. There is so much hope in Christ! I will endeavor to write more this year, as I believe this will be a year of much change...some not so good. However, I absolutely believe that if we are to face the hardships many are predicting, the Lord will allow only those things that will turn our hearts fully to Him and we will be strengthened therein.

Words To Kill

December 23, 2007: This morning I awakened quite early. As I lay on the couch I prayed off and on while reading the Word and drifted in and out of sleep. When sleeping, I would begin to dream of people speaking terrible things about others. I couldn’t hear their words, but I could hear the ugly tones in their voices and I could see bitterness in their eyes. I would then awaken as if startled and I could see a most hideous battlefield. I could see the enemy taking the cutting words of Christians and making ammunition of them; balls for the cannons, arrows for the bows, hand grenades, bullets, etc., and then using them to destroy God’s people. This went on for about an hour and I then wrote the following.

Words To Kill

The enemy stood, poised and alert
His strategy planned and secure
Artillery ready, targets in sight
He carefully crafted the lure
Then lifting one finger, a silent command
His band moved with stealth to the deed
And while God’s people slumbered in want
The enemy planted his seed
As each one awakened, thoughts heavy and full
They moved as if driven by force
To the enemy’s side, they settled each one
Unaware of the perilous course
Then opened their mouths, no thought to the words
Except, “I am sure that I’m right”
Poured forth from those caverns ammunition to feed
The enemy’s weapons that night
And so rages on this battle we’re in
Explosions of all said and heard
So easy to conquer, divisions secure
Satan’s arrows our own cutting words

My heart aches for the poison of my own words and those of others. Will we awaken from our stupor of want before it’s too late? The word says: “From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” James 4:2 Rather than rejoicing in one another’s gifts, sharing our own, and profiting the body therein, we rage in jealousy toward one another and feed the enemy’s artillery with our words. Will we realize that we are allowing the enemy to steal, kill, and destroy using the very thing that our Father used to bring all into existence? I pray God brings us to our knees.
Cherry Bieber

Merry Blessed Christmas!!

The Day The Enemy Fell
By Cherry Bieber copyright 2007
December 21, 2007

As Christmas day again draws near, I wonder
Would I have been so willing as she?
The birth of Your Son brought her spirit and flesh
A pain not familiar to me
I cannot imagine the shame that she bore
Unwed and clearly with child
In a time when it mattered that one remain pure
Until marriage, the bed undefiled
Although I know it was a soft, clean heart
In which You chose to reveal
Your plan of redemption for man whom You Love
Destroying the one who would steal
I also know she was born with the flesh
And all the temptation therein
Your word clearly shows us that she had to fight
Self-will and the battle with sin
With this understanding, I am humbled the more
For I see Your power divine
You always give us the grace that we need
To walk Your mysterious line
The birth of Your Son in the flesh to the same
Is a marvel to me ever new
And I am again reminded of the narrow path
You call us to walk with You
You didn’t tell Mary her path would be smooth
For You knew the pain too well
Lord, may we remember no matter what comes
The day the enemy fell

The Church

What follows is not an isolated event. The Day of Judgment draws nearer and it is a common sight in the church, the body of Christ. We need not shrink away in fear, hopelessness, and despair. Rather, we need to stand and fight! Given the gift of choice, we are also given the power to build up or destroy.

If you read and find yourself recognizing those among you who fit different descriptions of demonic activity, I implore you to look more deeply into your own soul as well for Jeremiah 19:9 says: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Please note that it does not say “the hearts of certain men…”. Although I have a responsibility to address my brother’s sin (in Love and following the scriptural process), that alone will never be enough. I must also watch continually for my own failures, confess them, and repent of them. Only in this can I hope to lead a brother out of his own folly.

He that has an ear, let him hear…

“Nahum 2:1 “He that dashes in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily….”

When the appointed angels arrived at the location of their assignment, their hearts were stricken with grief at what they saw. This did not last long, as they were some of God’s mightiest warriors and they succumbed to no defeat. They surveyed the doors out of which God had determined would pour His salt and light into this dying community. There now flowed through the doors in both directions the steady stream of a black stinking mist familiar to these warriors.

As the angels drew nearer, they could hear the screeching wails of those caught in the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. They also heard the low, sedative voice speaking lies and blasphemy in resolute tones that came up through the mist. This voice was then embodied in the form of indescribably grotesque creatures that perched on the shoulders of the people whispering in their ears and stroking their hair. The angels moved in prepared for battle without hesitation or apprehension. The prayers of a few within this part of Christ’s body were of the James 5:16 type, which was all the angels needed to gain a strong foothold.

The enemy detected them and the stench intensified. The sound of weeping and gnashing of teeth became deafening. The warring angels quickly scanned the sanctuary looking for those bearing the telltale glow of the Father’s light. Upon locating the strong, the Captain of the angels assigned five of the warriors to surround and cover each one so as to bring them to deeper and more intense levels of worship, praise, and prayer, which would be the mainstay of all.

The captain detected the sudden distinctive and hideous sulphuris stench much stronger than that throughout the church and whirled around to find the captain of the demons. In rasping, breathless groans he wheezed, “You have no authority here! The majority here has invited us and you are far outnumbered! Admit defeat and go tend to something you are more suited for!” With this he leapt out of reach to miss the force of the flaming blade swung at him.

Surveying the situation, the Captain of the angels identified several of the usual demons sent for the destruction of God’s children. There was pride (so glad I’m me, wish you were me, too) jealousy (rightfully, it should have been mine), gossip (but did you know…), lying (it wasn’t me), deceit (don’t tell anyone), lust (I must and will have it), all manner of perverting demons (derange its God-given nature), religiosity (I’m a law-abiding shoe-in), it’s all about me (just finding my true, inner self), and apathy (why bother, can’t fix it anyway)…to name a few.

He breathed deeply of the fresh air the Father supplied around him and the other warriors. He could already feel the power being released by those prayer warriors around whom were stationed guarding angels…

The outcome of this story cannot be written because, although the war was won on the Cross, the battles will continue until the Day of Judgment. When the angels of the Lord come to your place of worship, how will they find you?

I am quite sobered at having even written this piece.

God have mercy on us all and awaken my slumbering soul…

Contentment or Complaint...?

Yesterday while talking to a friend and rejoicing over the snow we finally got, this friend commented, “Yes, it is wonderful, but I sure wish we’d have had more than three inches!” Something in my spirit cringed at the remark, but not out of judgment. I was feeling convicted about my own tendency to complain about things. I replied that I was thankful it was three very wet inches of snow and provided much needed moisture.

Later in the conversation while talking about cold weather, I was talking about a hen that I’d had to have put down a few years ago because her feet had frozen and my friend asked me how much that cost. Though I couldn’t recall, I said that I had paid the vet $76.00 last February to have my Mom’s 43-year-old horse put down. My friend exclaimed and began to carry on about how outrageous and unfair a price that was. Again, I felt my spirit cringe and thought about how easy it is to complain.

I then said that I was just thankful the vet was willing to come out to our place and help him, as he was suffering terribly and couldn’t get up. My friend, clearly feeling convicted by my refusal to join in the “justified complaints” asked with incredulity, “So, are you telling me that it’s wrong to complain about the high price of gas!?” I was so glad we were talking on the phone, as I couldn’t help smiling. I said, “Well, the word tells us to do all things without complaining and Paul further admonishes us to be content in all things so, yes, I do think it is wrong to complain about the price of gas. Please know that as I am telling you this, I am telling me this! I complain about things worse than anyone I know and I am just now really feeling convicted about that! If we really think about it, what does complaint do? I am tempted to say that it doesn’t change one thing, but that is not correct. It does change me. Complaint makes me hard, bitter, and self-righteous. Each time I complain, it becomes easier and easier for me to sink into that frame of mind that focuses on how I am being wronged in one way or another rather than focusing on the many blessings God has bestowed on me. That is exactly what the enemy desires!”

After a few moments of silence, my friend started to laugh and I was soon laughing, too. My friend thanked me for being so bold. I thanked my friend for helping me to see yet another area in my life in need of God’s “housekeeping.”

Complaining is the opposite of contentment. Complaint breeds want, arguing, dissatisfaction, bitterness, and grief…to name a few. Contentment breeds thankfulness, satisfaction, peace, and joy…to name a few. I will choose either complaint or contentment and no situation, person, place, or thing can “make” me choose either.

Philippians 4:11 “…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

Hard Pan

One of the first things we noticed when we bought our property was that it had areas of what is called "hard pan." These are areas that are gray in color and completely void of any life. They are produced from years of overuse with nothing in the form of fertilizing nutrients being put back.

This morning while out doing chores, my 11-year-old son and I decided to take advantage of the unusually beautiful weather and clean out the two horse sheds. As we began, I told him we would carry the manure to some of the closer hard pan areas and spread it around. I told him there was a possibility that in so doing we might see some growth in these areas come spring and the life-giving showers. I explained to him that the manure carried multitudes of seeds as well as fertilizing agents. He worked heartily alongside me for two and a half hours and was quite excited to think that those ugly, barren spots might one day burst with life.

About three years ago, the Lord began speaking to me about some "hard pan" areas of my life produced by having been hurt or hurting others, closing up, and refusing to allow His light to bring healing and restoration. I had at that time started reading His word more faithfully and trusting Him that it would not return to Him void of what He was (and is) sending it to do in my life. This morning as we worked and talked about how beautiful the pasture would look without the bare spots, the Lord showed me that He has begun to grow "foilage" in some of the areas of my life that were once barren. Some areas still have only seeds, some have sprouts, and some are quite lush with new life. This was an exciting revelation for me!

The Lord also showed me that our pastures are like the body of Christ. Standing in the midst of the pasture during the richest times of spring, one might not notice those barren areas so well, but they would still be there. If one were to fly over the property, one would clearly see the barren areas. In the body of Christ, no matter how many wonderful programs we have, no matter how lively and exciting our sermons or music, those with wounds are among us and need whatever we have to give. Though we cannot make choices for them, we can certainly always pray believing what the Word says in James 5:16 "...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Ours is to care enough to pray fervently and to allow ourselves to be used by the Lord in whatever capacity He calls us.

(Hope this makes you happy, dear daughter! :0)

Comes Autumn
By Cherry Bieber
October 18, 2007

There are tales of castles, beauty rare
That only royal man can share
And common man shall never dare
To stand within the hall

But God paints beauty far and wide
From common man, He does not hide
A place where peace and joy reside
Among the timbers, tall

Like gold, casts sun upon the trees
Leaves quivering in gentle breeze
Tis beauty come from merciless freeze
His tapestry for all

Then colors, bronze and gold and red
The frost, a crown upon her head
Leaves drifting down, while summer fled
When Autumn comes to call

My eyes take in; my spirit soars
My feet a-whirl on majestic floors
Rejoicing here, there are no doors
Not one imposing wall

The Pocket Watch

Copyright 2007

To many, it is just an ornament; something nice to dangle from one’s pants pocket or suit coat. But to this little boy, it was a profound instrument of God’s truth and he has asked me to write this out and share it with the world.

On multiple occasions over this past year while out shopping, I noticed that he was drawn to the section displaying all manner of watches. We would stop and look them over and, without exception, each time he would focus in on the pocket watches. Several months ago, I had decided that a pocket watch would be the gift for his upcoming eleventh birthday. Initially, this decision was that of a mother’s heart desire to give a gift to her child that would put a smile on his face. Even I didn’t realize at the time that the Lord had a much deeper plan.

The Lord’s plan began one evening while we were watching a fun movie involving a passenger train. At one point in the movie, the conductor states something to the effect that it didn’t matter where a train was going, but that you got on the train. This, to me, was a prime opportunity for a lesson. I explained to my son that it did indeed matter where the train was going!

I told him there would be many “trains” coming by in his life that would promise joy, fun, pleasure, and riches, but the path they were on would lead to death. I took out my Bible and showed him the scripture:

Matthew 7: 13-14 “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” I explained that there was but one “train” he should board and that is the one on the narrow path.

A couple of weeks before his eleventh birthday, I began planning and shopping for that special day. I had seen many pocket watches over the past year, but none that really caught my eye until just a few days before the big event. It wasn’t an expensive watch, but I thought it was very attractive and one I felt he would like, as it had a passenger train on the front. As I held it in my hand and admired the brushed bronze finish and other features, I remembered the movie and the lesson we had discussed. I purchased the watch and on the way home I was formulating something to write to him to go with the watch. I wanted him to remember the Lord every time he looked at it and therefore asked the Lord to inspire me, which He most certainly did! When I got home, I wrote:

“My Dearest Son, This gift of a pocket watch may be small, but it is one with very deep meaning. Whenever you look at the time, I pray you will remember that God alone knows how much time you will be on this earth. (Psalm 139). Spend your time wisely and He will say to you one day, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, Matthew 25:21.”

As you grow, you will have more and more opportunities to make choices for yourself. Choose what is right and you will have life. Choose what is evil and you will have death. If you sit down and fill your belly with rotten food, your belly will become sour. It is the same with your mind and spirit. If you look at, listen to, read, touch, or speak what is evil in the sight of the Lord; your mind and spirit will be filled with darkness, evil, sorrow, and death.

Whenever you look at the train on your watch, I pray you will remember that it will always matter what “train” you get on and where it is going. Again, you alone must choose. There will come many “trains” in your life that promise joy, fun, Love, and riches if you climb on board. I pray you will always remember that there is only one path that leads to life, joy, Love and true riches. (Matthew 7:13-14)

When you look at the chain that ties this watch to you, I pray you will think of this: Christ died to break the chains of sin that tied you eternally to death, pain, and darkness. (Matthew 13:42). Again, you will either choose eternal life and freedom from death or you will choose the chains of sin that will bind you.”

I specifically planned to give him the watch as his very last gift of the day. I wanted to make sure that he had spent his physical energy running and playing with his other gifts, so that he could focus on what the Lord had given me to write to him. It was very much a God-inspired plan and had the affect we desired! It was just as I was tucking him in that he asked me to share this with the world, so I know that his last thoughts while drifting off to sleep were those of what he’d read in the letter.

Now, I realize that to you and I there is really nothing new or profound in what I wrote to him. But as I tucked him in at the end of his happy day, he hugged me tight and said, “Of all my gifts for my birthday, the watch is my favorite. I hope I will never forget what you taught me about it. I think you should put this on your web site and share it with the world!” He was given a couple of pretty significant gifts this year and for him to single out the pocket watch as his favorite and then to make it clear to me that the lesson given with it had really touched his heart, blessed my heart beyond telling.

I close with this. In this world of “dumbing down” everything, especially regarding our children, I feel passionately that we should start raising the standard and teaching our children to reach higher. We are in grave danger, especially in regard to our entertainment. Please don’t give in to the thoughts that children are too young to understand the word of God! Just read it to them and let the Lord take it from there. Remember, He has made it clear:

Isaiah 55:11 “So shall My word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

They must start learning now to make right choices and that will come through our adherence to these words:

Deuteronomy 6: 6-7
“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when though walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

The life-saving profoundness, Love, and beauty of our God can be found in the simplest places…if we are in the habit of always watching and listening for Him.

All Scripture is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

How do you "feel?"

We have recently been undergoing quite a trial. My husband was becoming increasingly ill and, after two weeks of this, he tested positive for West Nile. We don't know if the Lord will heal him through His Divine touch or if He will use other means. We have assurance of His presence and we are comforted greatly in this. We are praying for direction and wisdom. There is a strong possibility that my husband has internal bleeding, but they aren't sure where he is bleeding from.

As a Christian, I know that the Lord Loves us and is in the midst of us. I know that He cares about everything we are going through and that He will sustain us during this intense hour of need. What has amazed me through all of this and through difficulties in the past is how some Christians respond to one weeping in the midst of such times. I have come to the conclusion that we are a generation quite uncomfortable with feeling anything. It is as if one is expected to watch one's husband suffering, smile broadly, and say "God is in control!" I certainly have no issues with what I feel when I am going through trials, as I know what lies between my heart and my Father's heart. My concern is that there are many individuals who have been made to believe that any outward sign of emotion other than joy somehow proves that they have not yet matured and should keep their emotions hidden. When those I Love, and even those I do not Love, suffer, I grieve for and with them...without apologies or any sense of having fallen short of God's expectations.

There can be a point where grief becomes tainted (internalizing and blaming God) and I believe we all need to be careful of this. However, I think we need to be very careful about telling another person what they should or shouldn't feel in a given situation. We can pray for them and speak edifying words to them. We can reach out and help in whatever way we are able. If we feel that a person's grief has become tainted, we need to bring that before the Lord.

Apathy is what develops when emotions are shut down and a "smile" is plastered on no matter what is going on. This is not real and it is definitely not the example that Christ gives us in the Word.

And I Rest

I wrote the following poem this morning as I pondered some of the news events of the day. Nothing at all ever surprises our Father. I then went to have lunch with my husband and my eyes caught the headline of a newspaper lying on a nearby table. The article was about the importance of being challenged as a Christian rather than being considered "cool" as a Christian. I read some of the statements made by a few "prominent" individuals regarding the foolishness of believing in God and my heart ached for them. How much they miss. "Self" is but a whisp in the wind. God is eternal. Personally, I would rather spend eternity with Him than with whomever I perceive my "self" to be here!

And I Rest

It is quiet and I wait

Longing runs deep

I look to where

The green meadow

Meets the overcast sky

Anticipating rain

The sweet song of a meadowlark

Reaches my ears

Though ground is dry

And sky withholds

She knows You will provide

She sings her song of praise



It is quiet and I wait

Deep calls unto deep

I ponder the place where

The meadow of my heart

Meets my overcast mind

Anticipating Your Reign

A sweet song of praise

Wells up in my spirit

Though days are dark

And Your creation groans

I know You will provide

It is quiet and I rest

Copyright 2007

Rain

We have been having the most wonderful rain here the past three days! The rain always reminds me of God's Love and mercy. I wrote a poem some time back called "Rain." (Please see below.) Whenever it rains I feel as though I have somehow been given a fresh start. You know how clean, bright, and fresh everything is after a good rain? Well, that's exactly how I feel after a good rain...and sometimes a good cry. As I continue to work on this website, I find more and more the desire to focus entirely on the Lord and all that I desire to share with others about Him. I so want others to know the healing that is available. The Lord can heal us of all of the wounds we cause ourselves, we cause to others, and others cause to us...if we so allow.

Rain

Rain again! Oh, heaven blessed!
The earth drinks in with laughter
‘Twas dry so long and cursed it seemed
Would perish ever after
But listen, can you hear it?
The patter on the roof
Sounding now like horses
A thousand on the hoof
Oh, Father, You are faithful
To the cry from earnest heart
Your aid is ever coming
For You always do Your part
Let this rain flow from Your heavens
‘Til the earth has had her fill
And bring to life hearts’ foliage
When all is calm and still
Reveal to us Your wonder
That full of awe we’ll stand
Hearts aflame, praising You
For Your works in all the land

By Cherry Bieber
September 10, 2003
Copyright 2003

All Glory to the Lord

As I start this journal, it is my deepest prayer that it will be a tool of the Lord. I pray it will be like a pathway that leads others to Him. It isn't about whether or not others like my style of poetry, stories, devotions, or other writing. It is about whether or not it is done to the glory of the Lord.