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Grandma's Was a Simple Faith Grandma's Was a Simple Faith by Marilyn Mackenzie Someone wrote, "Whether the memory was good or bad, the pages of my diary were all rosy." It could have been a play on words, of course. The diary might have actually had pages that were pink. But, it surely could have been a statement about my diary! I watched Oprah once and loved the show about doing joy journals. I started one, writing each day about ten things for which I was thankful. Then, as I went back to my regular diary, I realized that it was already a joy journal. Even on pages where I had started to write about problems and complaints I had with the world around me, the ending was always about the blessings I had received - even from horrible people or events around me. Ephesians 5:20 Always give thanks for everything in God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Yes! These aren't things my church leaders taught me. They are things my grandma taught to me. Grandma had such a simple faith. She also had only a grammar school education. But she loved the Lord, and her whole being showed (glowed actually) that she did. Once in a while, she started to feel sorry for herself that she hadn't gone further in school. But just as quickly as those thoughts came to her, she chased them away. "After all," she said, "because I have only a young child's education, I have but a young child's understanding of God. How glorious that is! For Jesus said we must become like children, and I have never left that state!" My grandma was one of the wisest people I know. Hers was a simple faith. I'm so glad that she passed it on to me. Thanks, grandma. Will you bake sweet rolls for me when I get to Heaven? Copyright 2001 Marilyn Mackenzie
	I CAN Do All Things! I CAN Do All Things! by Marilyn Mackenzie Philippians 4:13 has been my favorite verse for years. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Perhaps you'll see the significance of the fact that I was born on April 13 (4-13). As a teenager one summer afternoon, I searched the entire Bible and looked at chapter four verse thirteen of every book of the Bible that had at least four chapters and thirteen verses. There are some others I like: Proverbs 4:13 "Hold on to instruction, do not let it go, guard it well, for it is your life." Romans 4:13 "It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith." Hebrews 4:13 "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." 1 John 4:13 "We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us his Spirit." This study as a teenager was not one of practicing numerology, but was simply something I did one one of those boring days when I wished that school was ready to start once more. (Can you believe that we did that? Or that our children continue with that same complaint, "I'm bored. There's nothing to do.") And, as a teenager sitting alone in my room on that summer day, I decided that Philippians 4:13 was my favorite verse and one that I would carry with me always. I'm glad I made that decision. As a very young child, I was quite shy and insecure. The very first memory I have was one of being about three years old and hiding behind my mother's skirt and holding on for dear life. In school, even clear through high school years and college classes, I was willing to risk a failing grade rather than speak up in class. There were instances where teachers stood in front of my desk and almost yelled in my ear, thinking I was ignoring them or that I just didn't hear. Still I refused to respond to their questions out of fear of speaking up in class. Gradually, though, I remembered that verse from Philippians that I had written down and saved and carried around with me, and I began experimenting with voicing my opinions and giving answers. As I did, I discovered that my ideas and opinions were respected and not ridiculed. I was a good student, at least on paper, and my fellow students knew that. They even knew that I could write fairly well back then, because I had one wonderful English teacher who would read my papers to the class. Fast forward a number of years, and I was living in Houston, divorced and applying for a job with a large home builder. The tests were long and grueling. But, I passed with flying colors and was given a wonderful job. My title was "administrative assistant" but the position paid well, the company had fantastic benefits, and I had a private office with a window and a fantastic view, and I heavy wooden, beautifully polished furniture like I'd only seen in magazines. I also shared a secretary with another administrative assistant and had all of my calls screened by a receptionist and my secretary. How exciting. My first task was to write out an explanation of why homeowner's association fees in a particular subdivision in west Houston had increased dramatically when our development company took over from another who had declared bankruptcy. I wrote an explanation that anyone could understand, and yes, there were good reasons. A few evenings later I found myself in front of 300 angry homeowners having to explain the assessment increases to them. I not only survived, but I think I surprised my boss and the others in the office. They knew how quiet I was, and I'm sure they had doubts about my being able to even speak in front of 300 happy homeowners. What they didn't know was that as I stood at the podium, I took out a piece of paper and put it in front of me. On that paper were the words, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." A few years later, married and with a young child, I worked in home party sales and was quite successful and received promotions - to District Manager, Regional Manager, Regional Director. With each subsequent promotion, I spoke in front of more groups of sales representatives. Each year, I became more comfortable with this kind of work and found myself singing and leading cheers at sales rallies. Always in front of me, in my notes for each training session, sales rally or speaking engagement, were the words, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Then, one day, I found myself in a class of adults learning how to be Lay Speakers for the United Methodist Church. I realized how different, how much more important this new task at hand was than any of the jobs I had held where I had to speak. Speaking for the Lord is not something to take lightly. But, as I gave my first ten minute sermon for that group of students, who were as frightened as I was, I prayed for the Holy Spirit to be with me, and I read those words in front of me, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Each day, I seek His will and ask that He use me in some small way. Some days, I feel the need to write for Him. Today was one of those days. copyright 2001 Marilyn Mackenzie

	It's Everyone's Job It's Everyone's Job! by Marilyn Mackenzie June 13, 2001 Every day, I receive devotionals from two or three sources, and some quotes from three sources as well. I've been meaning to eliminate one of the quote mailers, since it just doesn't usually have anything I can grab onto. Today was a different story. Today, I received this quote. "If you have no will to change it, you have no right to criticize it." --Anon. How true this is, and it's something I've recently been trying to stress to my son. There are many whiners and complainers in this world, and I guess I do have little patience with them. For the whiners and complainers of this world don't seem apt to do much more than whine and complain. My response to those who just complain is, what are you doing to change that? If they complain about politics and government, I ask just what they've done to try to change the system. Have they at least voted, and done so as an educated and responsible voter, by researching what each candidate believes and what goals each candidate embraces. If it's local politics they're lambasting, I inquire about whether they've volunteered to be on one of the city's committees, or better still researched being a candidate themselves. If they complain about their particular church, I ask what they have done to help change the hard hearts they've encountered. And I inquire about whether they have sought God's will about how they can be involved in teaching and instructing others, or if they've sought other members with whom they can pray for the church. If they complain about the way teenagers have turned out, I ask if they have volunteered at the local teen center, or at their church youth group, so they can be a positive influence on them. Better still, I ask what they've done to volunteer with younger children, so they can help see a difference in the way kids develop into teens. If they complain about business ethics, I ask what they've done in their own work or business life to show a better way of behaving to their co-workers and employers. If each individual resolves to make a difference in some small way, big changes will be the results. Sometimes, just a smile and kind words to all you encounter throughout the day helps soften hard hearts. Letting the light of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ shine through you as you go about your daily routine is one of the easiest ways to make an impact on the world. Being an example, by showing love, kindness, integrity, honesty, loyalty and joy to those at your work place, and at the places you visit throughout the day, is a great way to help make this world one in which you can enjoy living. Too many of us attend worship services on Sunday, but leave what we've learned right there at the church to be picked up again the next time we're there. Instead, we need to learn to be Christ-like throughout our days and our lives. Only then can we truly make a difference in this world. That's our job. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

	A Nut Case for Jesus A Nut Case for Jesus by Marilyn Mackenzie April 24, 2001 Last week someone called me a "nut case for Jesus". It wasn't mean as a compliment, but as a jab or "put down". It hurt, but I was more sorry for the person who made the comment. Her other comments were: "You can't possibly think God is going to help you with all of your decisions. Just take action and I'm sure God will bless them." While I certainly know that God can take my bad decisions and make some good of them (it does say that in the Bible!), I can also look back at my life and know exactly when I prayed diligently before taking action. And I can look back and see the times when I just forged ahead without talking with God first. There is a big difference! I thought about being a "nut case for Jesus" for a few days. Then on Sunday, we had a guest speaker at our church. The title of his sermon was "Are You Ready to be Committed With Jesus?" Notice that it said "with Jesus" and not "to Jesus". Our speaker reminded us that many thought Jesus was absolutely crazy to be claiming to be the Son of God. They thought him insane to be associating with prostitutes and tax collectors, instead of religious leaders. And our speaker told us that if we are trying to walk in His footsteps, that the rest of the world should think us odd or crazy as well. Hmmm. Perhaps being a "nut case for Jesus" isn't so bad after all........ Am I ready to be "Committed with Jesus?" The next morning, a devotional arrived in my email inbox. It said: "Not everybody will understand you. They're not supposed to. Don't waste the only life you'll ever have by trying to win the acceptance of people who don't appreciate your integrity, or discern your worth. Love them, pray for them, and move on. Jesus said, "A servant is not greater than his master. If people did wrong to me they will do wrong to you too (Jn 15:20 ncv)." Any time you have to give up being what God made you to be, in order to be accepted, the price is too high. Walk away. Why? Because, in the final analysis, you'll be judged by one standard only: what God called you to be, not what others want you to be!" http://www.thewordfortoday.com ************* The world is a pretty strange place right now. People seem to think that nudity and fowl language are normal, that sex in movies and TV shows shouldn't offend us. That cheating is okay as long as one isn't caught. Last night as my 17 year old son and I sat in the living room reading (we're participating in the "turn off your TV week"), he suddenly said, "You know I really dislike baby-boomers." Since I'm a part of that generation, of course I wanted to know his reason for suddenly making such an announcement. Derek explained that he truly blamed my generation for the way the U.S. has turned out. At such a young age, his thoughts about truth and what's right and wrong with this world mimic those of the youth speaker and author Josh McDowell. Derek has seen his friends' parents lie about being available for telephone calls, then turn around and be angry with their kids about lying. He's heard jokes about people cheating on their income taxes - the same people who have wondered why their kids cheated in school. He's thought that it's no wonder that teens are killing each other in school, for no one ever tried to stop them from being cruel to each other. Although Derek has struggled with his own faith, he knows that the Ten Commandments are a wonderful foundation for living. He knows that the Golden Rule is something that should have been passed on to his generation. He really feels that people my age have let the kids down by not taking a stand to see that they were taught good moral behavior. And he thinks we've been too concerned with acquiring things than taking care of our families. Derek was quick to add that his generalizations about being disappointed with baby-boomers don't necessarily include me. As a junior high kid he didn't like being home schooled and was certain that if he ever had children of his own that they would attend public school. Now, as he nears graduation from high school, his thoughts on that have changed. Now he believes that if he ever has children he will definitely want them to be home schooled or "unschooled" so that he can make sure they are grounded properly. And as we each went back to our reading last night, I had to wonder if I am being strange enough? Am I ready to be committed with Jesus? Does it show that I'm a follower of Jesus? I hope and pray that it does. ****************** Not long after I sent the above message out to friends and relatives, my mom wrote to me about something that her pastor said during his Sunday sermon. Someone had called the pastor a nut case for Jesus too. His response was, "Yes, but I'm screwed to the right bolt"! Good answer.