Author: Cheryl

Good Morning and Happy New Year,

But Jesus told him, “No! The scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

Cross-stitching was the trend when I was younger. It is tedious, time-consuming, and detail-demanding, but it produces beautiful tapestries when completed. My Sister gave me a cross-stitch piece she had in her possession that I had made for my grandmother many years ago. It is a remarkably simple pattern but contains a profound question. Have I let God’s word reflect who I am and who I want to become today? It would have to be assumed that one would know God’s Word to answer the question. I humbly admit that I had limited Biblical knowledge when I crafted the gift for my grandmother some forty-plus years ago. 

This is the time of year when most people reflect on the past and make goals or resolutions for the upcoming year. I have entered the stage of life where I realize resolutions are unsuccessful if they are not accompanied by a genuine willingness to change. And the same is true of our Christian walk. Walking alongside the Lord in obedience requires the desire to be transformed according to His will. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” 

Simply put, this means interpreting life through the lens of God’s Word and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And for the renewal process to begin, God’s Word must be our source. There is truly no other way. The Bible is the inerrant word of God, and it is alive. It speaks to us in ways that no other person can. “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17). We can only be whole when we spend time in the Word building a relationship with the Saviour of our souls. Nothing else completes us, especially anything this world has to offer.

The one simple question we started with reveals the need for a deeper level of spiritual commitment to reading God’s Word daily and allowing it to permeate our lives so that others can see the reflection of God’s Word in our lives. This is my New Year’s resolution; will you join me? And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit. 

Each Sunday morning of this Christmas season, after lighting the Advent candle, the congregation is invited to stand in worship and sing a very simple but powerful chorus from a song performed by Sovereign Grace Praise. The refrain “Prepare Him room, Prepare Him room,” sung without accompaniment, quietly raised in praise, brings me to tears every time. The unadorned simplicity of the chorus makes me ponder many questions. Jesus arrived, and his first bed was a manager, a feeding trough for animals because there was no room for them anywhere else in Bethlehem. After knocking on many doors, the answer was that we have no room. He arrived into a world that didn’t make room for Him because He was not the kind of King they were expecting. Over two thousand years later, do we still have problems finding a space for Jesus to occupy in this world He created? Do we make room for Him in our lives, homes, hearts, and everyday world? This is the true essence of Advent, to prepare Him room. When Christmas arrives, He is knocking at the door; open the door wide, invite the King of Glory to move in, and allow Him to take over our lives. I’ll close this tidbit with the words to the beautiful song “Prepare Him Room,” written by Stan Hinshaw, Dave Fournier and Rebecca Elliott. I pray you will ponder them in your heart this week.

“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.”  Luke 2:8

Every year I look forward to decorating for Christmas; my Granny’s nativity set is my most precious decoration. Each year when I carefully bring it out of its special box to display on the tabletop, I ponder the events that unfolded for all the people involved. I always position the shepherds up front and center, closest to Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. And the three Kings further back. It’s almost a sub-conscience move these days based on the knowledge that the shepherds were the first to be invited and arrive to see the newborn King (Luke 2:15).

In his book “Good Tidings of Great Joy” William Barclay writes, “It’s a wonderful thing that the first announcement of God came to some shepherds. Shepherds were despised by the orthodox people of the day. They were unable to keep the details of the ceremonial law and they could not observe all the meticulous hand-washings and rules and regulations. Yet it was to these simple men of the fields that God’s first message came.” How ironic that the people so despicable and unaccepted by the Hebrews made it possible for them to offer animal sacrifices that made them acceptable to God. And, the flocks outside Bethlehem were not just ordinary sheep. According to Hebrew scholar Alfred Edersheim, they were the sheep to be used as sacrifices in the temple. Jesus came to earth to be the sacrificial Lamb, and the first humans to visit the newborn Christ were shepherds of the sacrificial lambs. Coincidence? I think not!  Jesus came to earth in the lowliest manner, and the announcement of His arrival was made first to the lowest of people of that time. He came that way so no one could ever say they were not worthy of His love and redemption. Revealing himself first to nameless, ordinary shepherds, He opened the door for all to walk through, regardless of their sin or position in life.

In Luke’s account of that first Christmas, the shepherds reveal to us as Christians what our response should be to the Good News. When the angels gave them instructions, they left for Bethlehem in obedience and faith. Luke 2:17 says, “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this child.” They told everybody about their life-changing experience. They became the first witnesses for Christ. And then the Bible says, “Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them” (Luke 2:20). And they worshipped Him. Ordinary, simple, despised shepherds to most but not to God. And after that first Christmas, there was nothing ordinary about their lives ever again. I pray your experience has been the same since you first met Christ. Nothing is ordinary again. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture is of my Granny’s simple but precious nativity scene.   

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end” Isaiah 9:6-7

God’s faithfulness always humbles me, but sometimes I can do nothing but stand in praise and adoration for His steadfastness in my life. Last week there were several of those moments. Whether it’s an answered prayer for an ill friend’s improvement, answered prayers for our children, or comfort for a dear friend’s loss of a loved one. God is always faithful no matter the circumstances because that is who He is. “Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands” (Deut 7:9).  In the Old Testament, God used his prophets to point his wayward people to his faithfulness despite their sometimes devastating choices. The Israelites continued in sin throughout history, but God’s grace, mercy, and faithfulness persisted. From our place in time, we know that God’s plan of redemption succeeded. The Good News arrived just as Isaiah claimed, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).  

In his book, “Why the Nativity?” David Jeremiah addresses twenty-five questions concerning the birth of Jesus, and the first question he speaks to is, “Why the Prophecies?” Christmas time lends itself to reading the gospel accounts of Jesus’s birth, but did you know there are over three hundred prophecies in the Old Testament about the promised Messiah? And all of them concerning the first coming have been fulfilled. In a time when a people most needed hope, the prophets sprinkled the Hebrew Scriptures with glimpses of a coming king that would redeem his people and call them back to God. God’s faithfulness to his people is demonstrated and recorded for us so that we would rely on Him and trust him wholeheartedly. Dr. Jeremiah writes, “Why the prophecies? They show us that even as Jesus was fully a human like us, he was also “one whose origins are from the distant past.” By reading the prophecies, we see the entire mountain range in a breathtaking glance; we behold a magnificent God who works his purposes out through the march of time, patiently but faithfully, down to the smallest detail. We know that this is a God who can be trusted, and this a Messiah who fulfills every hope in our hearts.” May this second week of Advent bring reflections of God’s lovingkindness in your life and restfulness achieved through the knowledge that he can be trusted with all things past or future, and may this bring you peace. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

This week’s photo is of the synagogue in Nazareth. This is the place where the scrolls that included the prophecies would be read to the people.   

“The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah.” Jeremiah 31:31

I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday but sadly, it is over.  I know this because Christmas abounds everywhere, and no trace of Thanksgiving except the leftovers in the fridge can be found. I have always been one not to mix holidays. Until the day after Thanksgiving, it’s about the feast, and my home is decorated with pumpkins and fall leaves. Not a hint of Christmas anywhere. But then something magical happens on Thanksgiving night. We go to bed after we have had our fill of food, family, and fun, and wake up the following day, and Christmas is in the air. The awe and wonder of Christmas starts to stir in our souls.

Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas, is a time of anticipation and preparation. In our culture, there is plenty to make ready for during the Christmas season, but that is not the purpose of Advent. We are to prepare our minds, hearts, and spirits to celebrate the gift of the new covenant given to us as promised by God in the book of Jeremiah. “This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the land of Egypt, because they broke my covenant though I was a husband to them, declares the Lord” (Jer 31:32). The words are addressed to a people in exile, far from home and bereft of hope. Not too much, unlike our situation today; this earth is not our home (Heb 13:14), and hopelessness abounds in our culture today. The reported depression and suicide rates give evidence to this sad fact. But Jeremiah speaks words of promise to the Israelites that are just as relevant today. God promises, “I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jer 31:33).  The Lord says that His law will no longer be written on stone tablets but on their hearts and minds. This new covenant relies solely on God’s mercy for his wayward people; it is all God’s doing, in and through Jesus Christ.  

On a night not too different than Thanksgiving evening over two thousand years ago, the world went to bed, and a page in history had been turned the following day. A baby was born that would bring hope to this world. God is faithful to His promises even when we are not. The New Covenant arrived and was wrapped in swaddling clothes. May our hearts become more God-conscious during this Advent season, focusing on His faithfulness and yearning for his people to return to Him simply because of His great love for us. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.  

During this Advent season, I’ll be sharing some photos of the recreation of the village of Nazareth from my trip to Israel. Today’s photo is of a carpenter’s house much like where Jesus grew up.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”  Colossians 3:15

In 2009 the animated movie “Up” was released. It was a great movie that my kids loved, and it introduced the character Dug. Because the dogs wore a device around their necks, they could all talk. And thanks to Dug, a new term emerged to describe when we get off-topic or distracted. Dug is often distracted when he thinks he spots a squirrel, and consequently, he energetically shouts, SQUIRREL!, at every little movement or smell and then has to find his way back to the task at hand. This time of year lends itself to many “squirrel” moments throughout the day. At least for me, I know this is true. With the busyness of the holiday season, it can be challenging to focus on one thing. For this reason, a purposeful effort must be made daily to give thanks. If not, sadly, the days come and go, and they will be filled with “squirrel” moments, and we will forget to stop and utter a simple thank-you to God or others.

In Luke 17:11-19, the Bible tells the story of Jesus’ encounter with a group of ten lepers. The lepers did not come close to Jesus due to their disease but “stood afar off” and cried out, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” He didn’t have to touch them or even speak over them. He ordered them to “Go, show yourselves to the priests,” and when they did, they were cleansed. All ten left to see the priests, but only one returned to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. It’s at this point that Luke points out that this man was a Samaritan. Because Luke brings this to our attention, we can only assume that the other nine were Jews. Then Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” Of course, Jesus knew the answers to these questions, and if it were not Jesus talking, we could be tempted to put a little snarky tone to the questions. The Bible doesn’t tell us why the other nine did not return but does show us that God expects our gratitude and thanksgiving for his many blessings. With or without a tone that point can not be missed. The only man that returned to give thanks was a foreigner; because of his faith, he was physically and spiritually healed. Jesus replied to the Samaritan: “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” The word “well” used here is the same Greek word translated saved.

Let us strive to be like the one that returned—giving thanks to God and others for gifts of grace and favor in our lives, especially this Thanksgiving season. Squirrel moments will always be a part of our lives because this world is overflowing with distractions but let’s prayerfully ask God to help us focus on becoming the one who overflows with audible thanks and gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for taking the time to read and ponder the Tuesday Tidbits. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit!

Today’s picture gives us a visual for the days when “squirrel” moments are too many to count, let Dug be our reminder to stop, focus and give thanks.

“God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will carry you in their arms, and you won’t hurt your feet on the stones.” Psalms 91:11-12 CEV

As the road-weary traveler approached the check-in desk, I pushed the up button on the hotel elevator. I overheard her recounting to the clerk being stuck in an Interstate closure in Virginia on I-95 for over two hours and getting lost following the detour. She was beyond exhausted and on the verge of tears. As I waited for the elevator, I expressed concern for her difficult day and learned that we had barely missed the traffic incident that caused her despair. As the elevator door closed, I lifted up thanks to God for His protection. Not just for the day’s travel mercies, but God had marked my entire week with tangible evidence of His protection of my loved ones and me. His mercies and protection were fresh on my heart.

Psalm 91 is a beautiful Psalm expressing the all-encompassing protection of God. It begins with the condition that we consciously turn to God and trust our Heavenly Father faithfully with our lives. “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:1-2). God will “spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall” (Psalm 91:4). But what about when God’s protection doesn’t feel present in our lives? The Lord says in Genesis 28:15, “What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.” Even if we don’t consciously feel His protection, He is always there. Consider the story of baby Moses from the book of Exodus. His mother hid him from the Egyptians for three months, and when she couldn’t hide him any longer, she put him in a basket made of papyrus coated with tar and pitch. She placed her child among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. Hiding a baby could not have been easy; babies scream and cry. How did she know that the basket would not sink into the deadliest river in the world? The Nile is home to many species of fatal predators and snakes. But God protected Moses to complete His plan for His people. Moses’s story is merely one of the many stories within the pages of the Bible illustrating God’s protection over His people. They remind us that we live, breathe, move, and rest in God and His protection.

God doesn’t promise we won’t suffer the consequences of this fallen world. But He does promise He will be with us and is our shelter, protector, and deliverer. God is in control, forever and always. Dwelling on this nature of God will bring the peace necessary to believe in and depend on His protection. How many times today, this week, this month, and this year have you experienced God’s protection? Consider the events of your day, look for God’s protection even in the smallest moments, and realize how those times keep you under the protective umbrella of His plan for your life. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The photo from this week’s travels of the beautiful rainbow is a reminder of God’s protective promises.

While cleaning out Mother’s home, my sister and I each gravitated towards what speaks to us regarding what we are willing to part with and what we aren’t. My sister treasures anything old; she is drawn to antiques, especially if they hold sentimental meaning. The gravitational pull for me is books. I’ve always loved books. As a young girl, I got lost in the many adventures of Nancy Drew, and as an adult, I value the inspiration and enjoyment reading brings to life.  In our many military adventures, when it came time for relocation, the look on the faces of the movers when they saw our bookshelves is memorable. Most of the time, they would express themselves in a foreign language that I could not understand, but I could sense they were not happy. Last week I had the opportunity to visit the George Peabody Library in Baltimore, and it will be a forever memorable experience. The library opened in 1878 and contains over 300,000 volumes, mainly from the 19^th century. As I walked into one of the world’s most beautiful library spaces, it literally took my breath away. The stack room towers with five tiers of gorgeous, ornamental cast-iron balconies, which rise dramatically to a skylight sixty-one feet above the floor.  While standing up in the stacks, I thought about the wealth of knowledge that surrounded me and the meaning and value of knowledge in our lives.

The Bible has a lot to say about knowledge. It teaches that the knowledge of God is the most valuable knowledge a human being can possess. But unlike the books on the library shelves that are used to acquire knowledge, the Bible instructs that simply being aware of God’s existence is not sufficient; the knowledge of God must encompass a relationship with Him. Solomon lamented in Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 that even his unprecedented wisdom did not provide meaning to life. He said to himself, “Look, I am wiser than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. I have greater knowledge than any of them.” So I set out to learn everything from wisdom to madness and folly. But I learned firsthand that pursuing all this is like chasing the wind (vs. 16-18). What can be gleaned from Solomon’s quest is that the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, without seeking God, is foolishness.

For Christians, knowledge should imply a relationship. Jesus said in John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me, and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep (italics added).” Jesus used the word “know” or knowledge of Him to describe the saving relationship with his followers. It’s not just mere academic head knowledge that brings a sinner to salvation. The Holy Spirit’s spiritual knowledge is imparted to us as a gift that nudges our souls to seek Him and know Him more. Apart from God, human knowledge will lack fruitfulness. We can still value our books and admire stunning libraries, all the while remembering that the knowledge of Christ is to know Him personally, seek a relationship with Him, and to love and be loved by Him. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The photo was taken as I walked into the Peabody Library.

“But see first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

Selling a house can be challenging, but the real work begins when the cleaning-out process to prepare it for the new owners begins. My sisters and I have had the opportunity to experience that process recently after selling our Mother’s home. Anyone who has done it will tell you it is an emotionally and physically exhausting task, and I completely agree with that sentiment. Especially in a situation like ours, where the house was lived in for many years, and the occupants were from the depression era. Numerous books have been written about cleaning out, and one recently gained the attention of millions. Marie Kondo is a professional organizer whose goal is to keep only items that spark joy. I am not a Kondo method follower; I have my own method for prioritizing what stays and what goes. Every day we have to make choices that prioritize our daily tasks, and we should do the same with our possessions.

The story of Mary and Martha unfolds starting in Luke 10:38. Mary and Martha were sisters of Lazarus, the man Jesus raised from the dead. The three siblings were close friends of Jesus, and he visited their home in Bethany often. One day Jesus and his disciples stopped in for a visit, and while Martha busied herself preparing a meal for her guests, Mary sat at Jesus’s feet, listening to His words. Frustrated, Martha questioned Jesus, asking Him whether He cared that her sister had left her to fix the entire meal. She told Jesus to order Mary to help her with the preparations. All I can say about this part of the story is that they must have been really good friends for Martha to think she could tell Jesus what to do! Jesus, in His gentle nature, replied to the frustrated request with, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has discovered it and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42). There is so much to be gleaned from Jesus’s response. Martha is often vilified, and Mary is praised, but I do not believe that was Jesus’s intent.  The point of the passage is about making Jesus and His word our first priority. The Lord knew prioritizing our time and possessions would be an issue for humanity, especially in today’s culture. And did you catch the little phrase, “but few things are needed”? That can definitely speak to our culture of consumption.

So often, we get lost in the distractions of life. Will all the Marthas now reading this tidbit raise your hands? Yes, God sees all those hands. All the beautiful hands of service to God, family, friends, careers, etc., are needed, but we must not lose sight of what we should treasure most. And that is time with Jesus, in quiet contemplation at His feet in prayer and in His word. As I was sorting through numerous overstuffed drawers and cabinets, I had to prioritize and decide if it was treasure or trash. What is distracting your attention from Jesus today? Clean out the clutter, make Jesus your priority, and you will find treasure. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture was of my beloved Granny on Christmas morning in 1974. A photo I had never seen before. Definitely a treasure.   

“For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

My West Virginia hometown is situated at the foothills of Shenandoah Mountain, barely across the Virginia state line. The drive home last week was spectacular. The vibrant reds of the maple and oak trees and the warm orange yellows of the hickory trees popped out around every twist and turn of the curvy drive. The views from the mountain vistas were stunning. As I absorbed all of God’s beauty along the drive, I gave thanks for His beautiful creations. God can teach, speak to, and provide for us through nature. Psalm 96:12 says, “Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” The trees were definitely singing, culminating their joy because it was considered peak weekend for the leaf peepers.  

As I admired the changing leaves and pondered my many life changes, I was soothed by God’s immutability. I hadn’t thought about that word in a very long time. I first heard it as a teenager while learning the Westminster Shorter Catechism. I grew up in a Presbyterian church, and after accepting Jesus as my Savior, I attended a class where we had to learn and recite the Shorter Catechism from memory. Question #4 is “What is God?” and the answer is “God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.” The Bible is overflowing with revelations about God’s character and nature and testifies to God’s unchanging character, will, and covenant promises. He is immutable, He never changes. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). What an incredible comfort to us in this ever-changing world.

We should find hope in God’s unchangeable nature. Every created thing in life will let us down at some point in time. The list is endless, including relationships, health, children, career, and circumstances. But no matter how unstable life’s circumstances are, God never changes. He is the same God that raised Jesus from the grave, spoke the world into existence, the God who saves and loves and forgives unconditionally. God’s immutable nature is the only firm foundation for our hope. As you admire the changing landscape and God’s beautiful foliage, give thanks for His unchanging nature and the stability and hope it brings to your life. And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.

The picture of descending Shenandoah Mountain depicts the twists and turns of life governed by God’s immutable affections and the beauty of the Fall foliage, created by Him sings of His love and blessings.