Tuesday Tidbits

Though the fig tree does not bud and there is not fruit on the vines, though the olive crops fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will triumph in Yahweh; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18

Recently, I had the privilege of seeing and hearing teaching from Albert Mohler. Dr.Mohler is the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and has been recognized by Time magazine as the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.”  His sermons were powerful and enlightening, and many “notes to self” were taken, but I want to share a personal favorite from one teaching for today’s tidbit. The account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace from the Book of Daniel is a familiar Bible story for adults and children. I still remember the Veggie Tales video depicting the story that played hundreds of times in my home when the girls were little. The video and most of the children’s version of the account are geared toward learning obedience, especially to God, which can be rewarding but potentially costly. But there are other crucial faith-building lessons to be learned.   

As you may remember, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (the bad guy) invaded Jerusalem and took captive many Israelites, including members of Judah’s royal and noble families. Daniel and three other young men (the good guys) were chosen among other Israelites to be trained for three years, culminating in their royal service to King Nebuchadnezzar. The men were all given new Babylonian names. Daniel was renamed Belteshazzar, and his three friends were called Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Many things transpired during their time with the King; through all circumstances, the faithful Jewish men never denied their God, and in God’s providence, all the men rose to prestigious positions within the King’s territory and court (Daniel 1-2).

In Chapter 3 of Daniel, the call to obedience and faithfulness for our young Jewish men becomes a potentially costly public spectacle. Nebuchadnezzar erected a gigantic gold statue of himself and commanded everyone to fall down in worship when they heard the sound of every kind of music imaginable. And if the people did not, they would be thrown into the furnace of blazing fire. Everyone obeyed, but when the Chaldeans noticed that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not bowing, they took it upon themselves to tattle-tell to the King. Needless to say, the King was not a happy man, and he summoned them to his court. He first asked if what he had been told was true, but before they could answer, he leveled the consequences of disobedience and ended with a crucial question. “… And who is the god who can rescue you from my power?”

Their reply to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up” (Daniel 3:16-18). Notice they did not assure the king that God would rescue them. And there is the tension we all face in our faith journey between knowing God can change our circumstances and knowing He does not sometimes. They walked into the furnace perfectly willing to suffer a horrible death, not expecting a miracle.

They fully trusted God. And that trust had been built and determined long before the command to bow to an idol. We must trust God when the diagnosis is not good, the prodigal does not return, and the healing does not happen. Our faith and trust must rest on God and God alone, not because He can perform miracles. Because He can, He does, but even if……… And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.  

The picture is of the front cover of the Veggie Tales video featuring Rack, Shack, Benny, and Mr. Nezzer.

“For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children.” Isaiah 44:3

Last week, Hurricane Helena slammed into the Florida coast before making its way into the interior terrain of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The magnitude of the devastation is still being determined, and the death toll continues to rise. A no-name storm called PTC 8 (Potential Tropical Cyclone 8) buried Carolina Beach, NC, and flooded roads around the area just weeks earlier. Our county remains under a flood watch from the no-name storm that engulfed us over two weeks ago. A friend who lives in Carolina Beach texted me periodically to report that she was still safe, sending pictures and giving praise that her home remained dry. During one of our exchanges, I was reminded that I had met fellow Christians who believe the story of Noah and the Ark is purely fictional because they think it’s meteorologically impossible. The statistical report from this one-day storm proves Noah’s account of the flood is decisively possible. During PTC 8, twenty inches of rain fell in only twelve hours. That is equivalent to 952 million gallons of water weighing 8.34 billion pounds.  Watching the devastation unfold on TV and the amount of rain falling from the skies outside my windows, even if I didn’t believe in the infallible truth of the Bible, I would undoubtedly have to succumb to the fact that the earth could be swallowed by water.

These are two recent events in which flowing water, not stagnant water, has destroyed and reshaped not only the landscape but also the lives of thousands of people. Flowing water is living water; it doesn’t stand still. Have you ever stood on the shoreline of the ocean or along the banks of the river and been mesmerized by the life of water? It ebbs and flows with the rhythm of the earth. Much of the planet’s landscape has been formed by flowing water breaking down and destroying almost any barrier, including rock. Ironically, the same element that can devastate and destroy also gives us life and maintains our lives.

Jesus says that whoever believes in Him may come and drink, and out of us will flow streams of living water from our hearts (John 7:38). This living water is the Holy Spirit given to us at salvation. John 4:13 describes it as a “fresh, bubbling spring within, giving eternal life.” Living water, water that flows cannot be stopped- mountains, rock, and manmade concrete all have the potential to crumble. It has the victory. The living water within us has the same potential. By the power of the Holy Spirit, strongholds of the heart are broken, the power of the flesh is eroded, and the blood of Jesus Christ completely covers Satan’s condemnation. The living water radically and irreversibly changes the landscape of our lives.

Amazingly, this living water flows from us. Jesus Christ, the source of the living water, flows out from us to a dead and dying world. He chose us as His instruments here on earth. We are broken, flawed, and weak, but the Spirit within us gives us power, strength, and perseverance to proclaim His name and offer the opportunity to drink from the Living Water. Eugene Peterson interprets the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:13 this way, “Let me tell you why you are here-We are here, on earth, right now, wherever you are living, with whomever you are connected, to be the flavor, the color, the fragrance and the living power of God. You are called to be a Kingdom man or woman who releases the Kingdom of God into the kingdom of the world for His glory and to accomplish His essential purpose-the restoration of His creation, including all those who are made in His image.” We are here to share the Living Water. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of Carolina Beach, NC, during PTC 8.        

God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and He blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for time is near. Revelation 1:3

Deciding it was time to stroll through Home Goods, I pulled into the parking lot. It seemed more crowded than usual as I scanned the lot for a free space. During the hunt, I noticed a large crowd in the center looking straight up. Because of the angle and my view from the car, I could not determine what had their attention. Finally, I found a spot and could see it as soon as I stepped out of the vehicle. It was an enormous American Flag flying from a fire truck ladder.  It towered high above the tree tops and the power lines. Folks were shielding their eyes from the blinding sun and pointing as they paid tribute. The day was Wednesday, Sept 11^th.

There is probably no one reading this post who does not remember exactly where they were on that infamous day over twenty-three years ago. The Home Goods detour was en route home from Bible study that morning. It was our first meeting, and we opened our scriptures to Revelations 1:1-9 to begin our study. The irony was not lost on me that we had just read and discussed the verse that says, “Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen (Rev 1:7). I joined a crowd looking into the clouds, remembering a day that brought tremendous sorrow to our country.

When Jesus comes, He will be literally surrounded by clouds. When Jesus left this earth, He was taken up in a cloud, and God said He would return in the same manner (Acts 1:9-11). And the best part of all, it won’t be a secret. The first time He arrived as a Babe in a tiny, obscure village with barn animals for an audience. But the next time He comes, it will be an entirely different venue, and the audience will simultaneously be everyone on the entire earth. It will be glorious for those of us who know Him and even those “that pierced Him,” referring to the Jews. They will be mourning because of the time lost, missing it the first time, their rejection, and the consequences that were incurred (Zch 12:10). The Jewish nation, by the time Jesus reveals Himself to them, will have turned to Jesus, accepting Him as their Messiah (Matt 23:29). Their sorrow will turn to joy.

Jesus is not coming in anger but to redeem His people. It will be a glorious day! This is the theme of the Book of Revelation, which concludes the story of God’s redemptive plan for humanity and the fulfillment of all His promises. Jesus will return to establish His kingdom, uniting a renewed earth and heaven. He will bring a world with no death, disease, or sorrow. And God will walk among His people. As a redeemed people, that is hope! On this one truth alone rests all other truths. Believe it and find joy today. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And He said, “Yes, it is written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that his message would be proclaimed in the authority of His name to all people, beginning in Jerusalem: There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent” Luke 24:45-47.

The number of times I have held an artist’s brush between my fingers can probably be counted on one hand. The visionary talent to put on canvas what can be seen in the mind’s eye using color and the stroke of a paintbrush is a gift. And one I do not possess! But with careful, guided instruction from a gifted teacher, what we can learn can be life-changing. At a recent Women’s Retreat Weekend hosted by our church, we were given the opportunity to paint our Road to Emmaus, the theme of the Retreat. The simple implements of paper, water, waxed paper, a paintbrush, and a pallet of watercolors, alongside the guided instruction of a master artist, moved the hands of the unschooled participants to create unbelievably beautiful portraits.  

In Luke 24, we find two of Jesus’ disciples walking the road to the village of Emmaus. Disappointment, sadness, and confusion consume them as they talk about Jesus’ crucifixion and death, and now the astounding report that His tomb is empty and resurrection. As they walked, “Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing Him” (Luke 24:15-16). When the unrecognized walking partner seems ignorant of the recent events, “they stopped short and with sadness across their faces replied, you must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that happened there the last few days” (Luke 24:17-18).  Before we are too hard on the disciples for not recognizing Jesus after spending at least three years with Him, the scriptures are very clear in every version of the verse that God concealed Jesus’s identity from them. It’s an important fact, and it causes one to wonder why. I believe there are probably several answers to that question, but one is that the disciples have yet to see Jesus for who He really is. God, in His perfect timing, orchestrated for them to have an “aha moment” later in the evening to serve His purpose.   

The scriptures tell us that Jesus strongly rebuked them for not believing all the prophets had foretold about His coming. Their shortsighted view could only see the need for a physical “redeemer” of Israel to save them from the Romans. That evening, as Jesus broke bread around the supper table, their eyes were instantly opened to who He was (Luke 24:25-32). There’s the “aha moment!” They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked to us on the road and opened the scriptures to us?”

The teacher instructed us to dip our crumpled wax paper in the paint and dab it on the page. I could not see how to create a picture of trees with a road, and my eyes were blinded and my mind constrained, just like the disciples.  I dabbed and dabbed a bit more and saw trees, sort of! But I could not see or visualize the road on the page. The gifted teacher showed me where to add more paint, following the pattern of how Jesus explained the scriptures to the disciples, and much like when Jesus broke the bread, the road was instantly visible! My eyes could see it. I was astounded and amazed by what I saw on the page, produced by crumpled paper, much like our winkled lives here on earth. Give praise that Jesus opens the scriptures to us and redeems our crumpled lives in ways that still stun and awe us today.  And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.   

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God”  John 1:12

I recently enjoyed visiting a somewhat obscure, fascinating military museum in our area. The North Carolina Military History Museum at Fort Fisher, NC, is brimming with artifacts from North Carolina’s rich military history. The artful display of uniforms, weapons, and equipment transports visitors back in time to an era that defined this country. Most of the treasures were donated by family members, and the pictures and stories of the owners give the gallery a personal feel. Wandering through the narrow path of belongings and uniforms staged without glass or barriers was somewhat surreal because although touching was discouraged, you could get so close you could smell and see every fiber, nick, and stain.

Dog tags unofficially emerged during the Civil War because soldiers were afraid no one would be able to identify them if they died. They used crude elements to construct their makeshift tags, and the practice stuck. By World War II, military ID tags were considered an official part of the uniform. Dog tags have evolved dramatically from their original unpolished beginnings, but their intent has always remained. I looked at the dog tag’s simplicity and noted the few imprinted elements. That’s all it took to identify a person compared to today’s convoluted, confusing, and controversial trend of “identifying” ourselves. It seems like everyone is searching for something, attaching themselves to some group or movement to define who they are, where they fit in, and how they find relevance in this world. The most prevalent and controversial trend is that one’s identity is fluid.

This trend is the most unsettling and anxiety-producing of them all, in my opinion. I believe that God teaches us where our identity can be found throughout His Word, across all the books, so we can walk through life with inner peace and assurance of where we belong and Who we belong to. The idea of fluidity regarding identity and the endless need to search for identity in external things, such as relationships, feelings, social trends, appearance, jobs, careers, and financial status, reminds me of one of the teachings from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said, “But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (Matt 7:26-27). The storms of life, changing trends, a stock market downturn, relationship failure, and job loss all lead to the collapse of one’s identity, and often, the crash causes permanent damage to one’s mental health. The skyrocketing rate of depression and suicide gives evidence of the results of building one’s identity on external sources.

The only solid foundation upon which to build or understand our identities starts with knowing and believing we are children of the Most High God. It begins with understanding who He is, what He says about Himself, and what He says about us. We must look at ourselves through God’s eyes, not what others tell us we are or through our accomplishments, to paint an accurate picture of ourselves. In and through Christ, we are loved, chosen, forgiven, redeemed, and adopted into a new family. We are precious in His sight. He loves us so profoundly because He is God. And that is it! There is no “but,” or “and,” or “if.” God’s love for us is the solid foundation for building our new identities. His love is unshakeable and unconditional and cannot be influenced or go out of trend. Spending time with Him in prayer and study will broaden and solidify our understanding of our new identity. It will become rock solid and not fluid.

If we all truly believed all God says about us and how He feels about us, all the guilt, shame, fear, and unbelief from our lives before accepting Christ and even as Believers would drown in the flood of His love. How would your life change by firmly grabbing hold of your identity in Christ alone? What would you want your dog tag to say? And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.    

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27

Laughter filled the rooms as I sat and listened. It was heartwarming, safe, genuine, and familiar gaiety among longtime friends. I would have recognized the voices and laughter even in a strange place with my eyes closed because of their familiarity. One of the many blessings of long-standing relationships is the closeness that naturally develops to the point of instantaneous voice recognition. I am old enough to remember the days before caller ID when the telephone was attached to a cord with a rotary dial. Call screening didn’t exist because you didn’t know who was on the other end until you picked up the receiver. Only the strangers calling would need to identify themselves. Even without a caller ID, you knew who it was on the other end because you recognized the voice.

Numerous books, sermons, and Bible studies have been written on the subject of recognizing God’s voice. Most of those references conclude that there is no cookie-cutter template or black-and-white rules for knowing God’s voice. The one overriding takeaway of learning God’s voice is that you will not recognize it unless the voice is familiar. It is a lifelong journey of seeking Him, yearning for His voice to speak into our lives, and taking steps forward, only to fall backward and get back up again. When I read stories of God speaking directly and audibly to His people in the Old Testament, I want that same experience and would welcome it daily. But today, God speaks through other believers, His creation, and His Word. His deepest desire is that we recognize His Spirit’s voice as our faith grows.  

Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd. The people of Israel were well acquainted with the work of a shepherd. Sadly, most people today cannot relate to this reference because they do not understand the nature of sheep and consequently can miss the importance of recognizing the voice of the Shepherd.  In John 10:3-5, Jesus says, “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Shepherds lead their sheep with only their voices; no fancy gimmicks or equipment is needed.  The familiar, recognizable voice of the shepherd is the only beckoning call a sheep will respond to, to call it home when it has gone astray, keep it within the fold, and comfort it in times of confusion along unprecedented paths. Let us endeavor to be more like sheep, spending time with the Shepherd in prayer and studying His Word until His voice becomes as familiar as the voices of our dearest friends and family. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.  

The picture is of our recent gathering of longtime friends from Virginia and Florida, reuniting with all of us living in North Carolina.

Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Spiritual journeys are precisely as they sound. They are a journey. I have often thought that wouldn’t it be nice if at salvation there was an automatic download of all spiritual knowledge and wisdom necessary to peacefully and righteously navigate the remainder of our days on earth. The Bible instructs us in numerous verses to seek wisdom and knowledge from God in all circumstances. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).  There are many definitions of wisdom. Still, one of my favorites is; “putting our understanding or knowledge to use.” It is such a simple description to explain a process encompassing a complex combination of circumstances, emotions, and variable amounts of time. Gaining wisdom can be a journey, or it can be somewhat instantaneous. If you put your hand on a hot stove, you learn that a hot stove burns your hand, and instantly, you are wise enough not to do that again, hopefully! Reading about and knowing about God’s sovereignty is the first step, but believing in and accepting the sovereignty of God is gaining wisdom, and that is where the journey often comes into play.  One of my favorite sayings is, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” I’ve discovered that it can also be applied to Biblical wisdom. The transformative power of God’s wisdom is life-changing and gives us hope.

Our lives are a series of circumstances, each providentially ordered by God to draw us closer to Him and glorify Him. This is the purpose of life in a nutshell. The good, bad, ugly, joyful, tear-filled days all serve this singular purpose in God’s eyes. Interestingly, the darkest days often lead to the most profound insights, shining a light on our Savior and His faithfulness. Just because we’ve gained wisdom from a Biblical principle in one circumstance doesn’t mean we’ve reached the end of our journey. There’s always more to learn and more wisdom to gain. We don’t know what we don’t know, and that’s the beauty of our spiritual journey.

God has entrenched me in the Book of John for over a year, and this summer’s Bible study has brought me to Lamentations. From John’s testimony, Jesus’s miracles, His profound “I AM” statements, Jesus’s last days, arrest, trial, death, burial, and resurrection, John’s gospel affirms that Jesus is the Son of God, He can be trusted, and He is faithful to His word and to us. I cannot remember a time when I did not believe in the sovereignty of God and His faithfulness in my life, but I freely admit it has had its shallow points. Believing and remembering don’t always go hand in hand. We often forget God’s faithfulness throughout our lives, and God has to allow the circumstances of life to remind us, gain greater wisdom, and engrain us with an unwavering faith that does not forget. Because we are human, this happens repeatedly in our lives and is often painful. Clinging to God’s sovereignty and remembering his faithfulness during those times is imperative to maintain the proper perspective, God’s perspective, and come out on the other side with wisdom to share and grateful that God allowed us the opportunity to know Him deeper and love Him more because He first loved us. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of the Cape Fear Bridge in Wilmington, NC, during our most recent tropical storm last week. It’s a beautiful illustration of God’s faithfulness even in the midst of a storm. The photo is from WECT, taken by Venita Jenkins.         

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and so does the sweetness of a friend that comes from his earnest counsel. Proverbs 27:9

Within the past several months, I have had the opportunity to embark on not one but two “girl’s trips.” The first was a much-needed refreshing with my Virginia friends, and the most recent was with two ladies from my college dental hygiene class. I realize girl trips are every day now, but I had never experienced the adventure of one until this year and discovered I have been missing out! My most recent trip with my hygiene colleagues was unique because we had not seen each other in over forty years. Many folks asked me if I was nervous about spending so much time with folks I hadn’t seen or communicated with besides Facebook in so long, and I can honestly say I was not nervous at all.  I suppose I should have been anxious, considering almost a whole lifetime has passed since we last spoke or saw each other. Instead, I anticipated a familiar, tensionless, fun, and supportive reunion because we were friends no matter how much time had elapsed. And I was not disappointed because it was all that and more. It was as if we had never been apart, and it was a sweet, wonderful reunion. We laughed, we ate, we reminisced, and we made new memories. It was a testament to the enduring power of friendship.

In the book of John, Jesus refers to himself as our friend. “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). Because Jesus describes Himself as our friend, that means friendship is not optional as a Christian. Jesus is our greatest friend, and sometimes, because of life’s commitments and messiness, it may seem like He is our only friend, but that is not His design for our lives. Jesus demonstrated and taught our human need for communion and friendship throughout the Gospels. Living in communion with the Father and one another in love is the meaning of life on this earth. We are not designed to do life alone; we need friends. That is why friendship is not an extra; it is essential.  

Healthy friendships remind us of and should mirror our friendship with Jesus. Friends help us to remember that we are not alone. God promises us that we are never alone, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deut 31:8). Friendships empathize with our struggles and invite transparency mirroring our experience with God through prayer. As Jesus accepted us while we were still sinners, true friends do not allow the sum of our mistakes or weaknesses to define us. They encourage us to rise above the failures, see ourselves as children of God, be made holy through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and welcome sanctification and growth.  “For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time” (Hebrews 10:10). Genuine friendship demonstrates that I am acceptable and loved and not a burden despite life’s circumstances surrounding me. “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). God gives good gifts, and our earthly friendships reflect this truth. God knows what will bless us, and He gives us to one another to come alongside each other to be a blessing. Lastly, I am reminded that when humanity turns towards Jesus, even when they have spent a lifetime apart, it will be a sweet reunion that is familiar, comforting, tensionless, and redemptive, just like my recent reunion in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. Give praise for the gift of friendship and the friends God has brought into your life. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.        

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:22-23

I recently had the privilege of witnessing baptisms in the ocean for the first time in my life. The early morning of that day was stunningly beautiful. The sun was breaking through the clouds with the gentle roll of the ocean waves as the backdrop. As I stood on the shore and listened to the amazing testimonies of the folks about to enter the waters of baptism, I felt as though the ocean sensed something special was about to happen. I have thought about how to put the feeling into words for a while, but I know I can’t completely capture it. Coming forward to profess publicly faith in Jesus Christ and stepping into the waters of baptism is a day and a time of rejoicing and remembrance, and I have witnessed countless baptisms over the years. But there is undoubtedly something very different about walking into the waters only God commands underneath a sky that demonstrates His majestic artwork. The temperature and the depth of the water cannot be adjusted, and the attitude of the sky is unmanageable, unlike the thermostat of a sanctuary. Witnessing Saints walking into waters that God alone controls underneath a sky He commands, proclaiming His name, and professing faith in Him alone is indescribable. How fitting that Paul describes our salvation with the exact word, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Cor 9:15).

All of the testimonies I heard were deeply inspiring. Each person shared their unique journey and how they came to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Like snowflakes, our testimonies are all different and uniquely personal to us. I believe that is part of the Gift. As stated by Paul in Romans, there is only one way to salvation, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ.  One of the testimonies vividly illustrated this truth. The couple had been active in a different church for years, serving in leadership, and the wife had been raised in the church. A family member, with bold but loving concern, asked them if they had ever given their lives to Christ, and he discipled them in the saving grace of the gospel. “I was a good person, but I did not know the gospel. I was headed down the wide gate to hell and not the narrow gate the way towards Jesus,” was part of her testimony. Sadly, statistics tell us that all churches have a percentage of individuals just like this couple. Jesus commands us to “go and make disciples” (Matt 28:20) as part of the Great Commission. There are no perimeters or conditions attached to this command. We are called to share within the walls of our homes, churches, and workplaces, and the list is endless. It is not a command to a foreign land, although God may send you there. It is a call to share wherever Jesus plants us. We are the feet of Jesus and our mouths are to proclaim His name to all He puts in our path. From this experience, I learned never to make assumptions; God can call us to witness the person in the pew right next to us. I pray I will always be open to His leading. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.  

The picture of the couple referenced in the tidbit was taken at Wrightsville Beach, NC.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (one of Alison’s favorites)

One of my recent daily psalm readings took me to Psalm 71, and I was reminded of my dear Friend, Alison Withers.  Alison left this earth on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. When I first met Alison almost twenty years ago, I thought she was among the most striking and beautiful women I had ever met. Little did I know I would come to learn that she was as beautiful inside as well. At her recent memorial service, her life was highlighted by her many accomplishments and boundless love for her family. But what I will remember most of all will be the many times she demonstrated her unshakeable faith in the absolute sovereignty of God.

Alison was saved as a young girl and walked with God her entire life. As the psalmist had experienced God’s unwavering faithfulness and teaching, so did Alison. The psalmist declared, “My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long” (71:8). Alison never missed an opportunity to give God praise and glory no matter the circumstances of her life. She faced debilitating health and emotional challenges throughout the years, and even amid horrific pain, her words were always the same, “I’m good because I know God is with me.” Even when her life was far from wonderful, she never complained, and she never failed to tell of the wondrous works of God. Her heart desired to let God shine through the pain.

I never considered Alison old (she was sixty-nine at the time of her passing) because she was brimming with life and laughter. Her full head of striking silver hair was an attention-getter and only added to her beauty. The psalmist leads us to think that being old and gray-headed could be a disadvantage. But it never was for Alison. I believe people were drawn to Alison to get a closer look at her beautiful hair. It was one of the many features that made her unforgettable. Even in a casual conversation with Alison, you would hear about God at some point. The irony is whether it was her hair or sparkling personality that drew folks to her, she used it as an opportunity to “declare His strength and power.” With her humble spirit, telling “everyone who is to come” about Jesus was second nature for Alison.

God continued to use Alison her entire life to bear witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I saw it firsthand in Israel when she spent much of her free time talking to our Jewish tour guide about Jesus. During the trip, I witnessed a woman with a prosthetic leg experiencing pain and agony but never giving up. She completed every phase of the tour without a complaint. She fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (2 Tim 4:7). May we all aspire to do the same. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture was taken during our tour of Israel in March 2022.