According to Antipater the Greek historian there were 7 “wonders” in the ancient world.  I think some of our modern marvels might rival theirs.  But I’m not talking about buildings.  I’m thinking of conveniences like duct tape!   It was invented by Vesta Stoudt, a factory worker who wrote to FDR in 1943 about her idea to seal ammunition boxes with a fabric tape saving soldiers precious time during battle.  The idea was forwarded to the War Production Board and a contract was eventually struck with Revolite the division of Johnson and Johnson which produced surgical tape.  Duct Tape has come a long way since then.  Once available only in its traditional silver-gray, it now comes in any color of the rainbow as well as a number of patterns. 
            Images of the inventive things people have done with duct tape abound on the internet.  Why is it so versatile?  It’s because duct tape is made of a finely woven lightweight fabric like the canvas used on theater sets and then coated with polyethelene which gives it more durability than your average packaging or masking tape.  Although its name indicates it can be used on industrial heating and cooling ducts, experience has shown it does not work that well on heated surfaces.  But for the most part duct tape is a great binding agent and by looking at all the creative things people have done with it, one realizes it can really hold a variety of things together!
             Duct tape has reminded me of one of the most amazing attributes of Jesus Christ.  When the apostle Paul was writing to the church at Colossae he was concerned about their understanding of the Son of God.  Battling the influence of several Greek philosophies which denied Christ’s deity, Paul writes that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation (Col. 1:15-20), all things in the heavens and on the earth were created by Him and for Him (v. 16), He existed before all created things and holds them together (v. 17), is the head of the Church (v. 18), has first place in everything including the resurrection from the dead (v. 18), God the Father was pleased to allow His fullness to dwell in Christ (v. 19) and He has reconciled the broken relationship of the fallen world and God through His shed blood (v. 20).  Every point on this list of course is amazing but as I think about that roll of duct tape in my kitchen drawer verse 17 stands out.   An alternate way of reading this verse could be “He is in all things and in Him all things hold together.”
            But what does this mean?  The Greek word which we translate as “hold together” is sunistemi (sue-nis-stem-eye).  It is a compound word formed by two words which mean “together” and “to set, place or stand” and literally means to stand with or to stand together.  Of course this applies to the literal, physical action of standing alongside someone or something.  In Colossians Paul is using the term figuratively and this brings out the idea that parts or pieces are being joined together as a whole as they are being brought into existence much like ingredients are brought together in a bowl to make a savory meal.  A false religion called Gnosticism was infiltrating the church.  According to the Gnostics creation had been carried out by an inferior god who was ignorant of and hostile to the true God.  Paul claims that God’s Son was not only the agent of creation (all things were created by Him) but that He is IN everything He made and actually holding it together.  In other words, He is not only the duct tape, He is the very fibers and polyethelene which give the tape its incredible holding power!
            This may sound high and lofty but there is actual evidence within creation itself.  Your very body is a testimony to this fact.  We have billions of cells in us made up of billions of molecules.  Some of these molecules are “cell adhesion molecules”, also known as “laminin”, and their job is to hold the different membranes in your body together.  When viewed under a microscope the very distinct shape of a cross can be seen in its structure!*  Like an artist’s signature, laminin identifies not only the One who created it, but the One who intrinsically holds all things together.  It’s even more amazing than duct tape.  When we think of Jesus in light of His “adhesive” quality, how could we not join the psalmist in praise of our Creator (Ps. 22: 9-10; 71:6; 139: 13-14)?
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre
*Want to know more about laminin?  Listen to this short clip by Louie Giglio.  You’ll be truly inspired!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSR8z_OuW5E

            I have salt and pepper shakers on my kitchen counter that get used daily.  They bring to mind a fun story concerning the LeFevre family.  My husband grew up with four brothers and one sister.  Mealtimes were always lively and his mom did her best to feed them on a limited budget.  One time she’d served tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches to her hungry crew but the soup was hot so Jeff and his siblings dug into the sandwiches first- all except his brother Scott who proceeded to “cool down” his soup by adding salt.  Tablespoon after tablespoon was dumped into the bowl but the soup didn’t cool down!  Finally, when it was salted beyond human consumption, Scott lamented he couldn’t eat the soup because it tasted bad.  His mother took a sip and realized what he’d done and asked why.  “Because it takes away the heat” Scott insisted.  Mrs. LeFevre managed to put together another bowl for him and emphatically told him, “Salt does not cool down hot soup.  No more salt!”  The family still gets a chuckle out of that story.
            Salt is not only good for adding flavor to a meal it is an essential for life.  Composed mainly of sodium chloride, this crystalline mineral in its natural form is known as rock salt.  The purified form we use for our food is either mined or gathered by evaporating sea water.  Some salts have proven to have benefits beyond adding flavor to a tasty dish.  Two of the more popular salts, Sea Salt and Himilayan Salt, have risen in popularity for the numerous advantages they have when added to your diet.  According to the popular health physician Dr. Axe Sea Salt is rich in trace minerals, helps avoid dehydration by balancing your fluids, is an excellent source for electrolytes which regulate the heartbeat during muscle contractions during activity, is essential for proper brain, muscle and nervous system function, aids in digestive health, alkalizes the body, eliminates mucus build up, and helps to the build the body’s immune system.  Himilayan Salt also regulates water content throughout the body, eliminates food particles through the intestinal tract, supports respiratory health, promotes sinus health, strengthens the bones and supports the libido.  Both promote blood sugar health, reduce signs of aging, and regulate sleep and blood pressure.  I don’t know about you, but after reading all that information I ordered some!
            Salt was a common seasoning in the Bible too.  It was an important addition to a diet that was comprised mainly of grains and vegetables.  It was obtained by evaporating the waters of the Dead Sea which is seven times saltier than regular sea water or mined from a great ledge of rock salt in a nearby valley.  The purer form of this salt was used in flavoring food and rock salt was spread lightly on soil as a fertilizer.  Salt could also be used medicinally as in Ezek. 16:4 where it is used as a solution to wash a newborn infant.  In NT times salt was used as a form of payment by the Roman army to its officers and men.  Salt is mentioned 35 times in Scripture in a number of settings, the most unusual is probably the story of Lot’s wife who turns into a pillar of salt when she glances back at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:26).  Scripture also uses salt symbolically as a representation of purity, loyalty and either desolation or fruitfulness.  It was a required part of the OT sacrifices (Lev. 2:13; Ezek. 43:24) and the prophet Elisha used it to purify a poisonous spring (2 Ki. 2:19-22).   Salt was also associated with the land, especially in connection with the negative impact it could have (Jud. 9:45; Dt. 29:23). 
            But it is Jesus’ words about salt that most people remember (Mt. 5:13).  In this passage Jesus is referring to the rock salt which was used as a fertilizer.  When it contained minerals which gave it some form of taste, the salt added nutrients to the soil.   But those minerals could be leached from the salt by moisture causing the salt to deteriorate under high heat.  Without its “saltiness” the salt had no value to anyone.  Jesus is admonishing His followers to keep the value of their salt at its most useful level.  Paul also used salt to describe the conduct of believers.  In Col. 4:6 he writes, “Let your speech always be with grace as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person”.   Whether it is rock salt or table salt, each kind is useful; one for agriculture, the other for food.  But the key is that the salt is useful.  Lawrence O. Richards noted, “As our lives reflect our personal relationship with God the Father, we “fertilize” others, stimulating their spiritual growth, enabling them to taste and see the goodness of our God.”  I want my salt to be just as beneficial to others as Sea Salt or Himilayan Salt is to me.  The only way I can do that is to let Jesus be the Salt that fertilizes me (Gal. 5:16-13; Phil. 2:1-8; Col. 3: 12-17). 
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre
 

            The pastor stood before the congregation and opened his Bible.  He proceeded to read from the second chapter of Revelation and Christ’s words to the church in Pergamum (Rev. 2: 12-17).  The people sat and listened but no one opened up a Bible or an “app” to look at the words for themselves.  The sermon was personal and heartfelt.  But it had nothing to do with the passage.  The Scripture was merely a diving board into what the pastor wanted to talk about that week.  Unfortunately in order to do this he disregarded two other Scriptures which are critical for all leaders to follow: 2 Tim. 2:14-15 and Rev. 22:18-19.  These passages state that if you are given the responsibility of expounding upon the Scriptures to a group of believers you must understand and teach the Word by the context in which it is given, and you cannot manipulate it to mean what you want it to even if your intended message is a godly one. Without digging into the context of Pergamum and how the items mentioned in this passage related to it, the pastor applied his own meaning to them and no one knew any differently.  Sadly this is the direction of most of Christendom today.
            So in order to get the meaning of this passage correct, we must ask ourselves, “What’s so important about Pergamum?”  Pergamum was a major city in its day and was the site of the first temple built for Caesar worship in 29 B.C.  Christ offers words of encouragement to the church in Pergamum using two images which relate to the Roman way of life.  First they are encouraged to recognize that the Lord Jesus is the one who holds a "sharp double-edged sword" (v.12), an allusion to the Roman government's ius gladii, the symbol of Rome's right to execute capital punishment.  Secondly, they are praised for not denying their faith in Christ before the "throne of Satan", an image reflecting the architecture of the temples built for emperor worship (v.13).
            But Christ also has a word of warning for these valiant believers.  Pervasive paganism caused them to struggle with the effects of living within that culture (vv. 14-15).  Backed by the government, false religions flourished and grew.  Christians faced uncertain times, never knowing when they'd live in peace or under persecution.  Some had been martyred like Antipas (v.13).  Others like the Nicolaitans, had been able to survive by introducing pagan practices into Christianity; a survival tactic that eventually caused them to stumble and fall away from God's Truth (v.14) just as the Israelites fell away from God under the influence of Balaam and Balak (Num. 22-24).  Christ challenges them to repent, because the One who holds the sharp, two-edged sword (v.12) is about to execute judgment in the same manner as Rome (v.16).
            Christians don’t like to think of Christ in terms of judgment. The predominant representation of Him today is often that of a best friend, a buddy, even a boyfriend.  There is also a tendency to think that once a person is saved there are no further responsibilities or obligations on the part of the believer.  Jesus loves me and that’s all I need to know.  In fact, the easier I can make my Christian walk, the better.  Let someone else do the heavy Bible study, reach out to lost people, serve in the nursery or run the children’s program (Jas. 1:27; 2:14-26).  I just want to sit here and soak up the Spirit of Jesus!  This form of Christianity has allowed the infiltration of New Age practices and beliefs to creep into the church and many a believer’s lifestyle. Take yoga for example.  While it may have some health benefits most Christians are unaware that many of the positions and relaxation techniques in yoga are designed to open the human psyche to the spiritual realm- but most certainly not The Spirit.  Compromise in order to placate personal desire is allowed to dictate what the Bible says, giving us permission to blend whatever we please into the way we live rather than letting the Word dictate what is true and how we should live according to that truth.  The way we compromise is a modern day version of Pergamum and we are no less accountable than they are.  We will not be judged concerning our salvation.  Christ has taken care of that (Tit. 3:4-7; 1 Pet. 1:3-5).  But we will most certainly be judged on how well we followed His commands and the amount of compromise we allowed into our walk with Him (2 Cor. 5:9-10; 1 Pet. 1:17-19).
            It may sound trite to say your Bible is the most important thing you own. But it is the only thing that will keep you from compromising your Christian walk and following false or misdirected teaching (2 Tim. 3:14-15).  But you have to read it!  While it is not always “easy” to pull it off the shelf to do so but the rewards are far greater (see Rev. 2:17 for Pergamum’s reward; Dt. 32:45-47; Ps. 19:7-11).  The question however is this:  Are you more likely to pursue something such as exercise at the gym, or exercise your spiritual muscles by reading the Bible or serving the Lord?  The answer says a lot about you.
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.     
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre
  

            We humans seem to enjoy collecting.  Some collect baseball cards, coins, antiques, recipes, books and much more.  I have some small collections of my own and while some are of value, more often than not they are sentimental rather than an investment.  Take my collection of stones for example.  None of them would be of value to anyone but me with the exception of one.  I have several stones I collected while walking on the beach.  Their soft colors add to the smoothness of their surface.  I have another stone I brought back from Israel.  It was collected in the Valley of Elah where David would have chosen his “five smooth stones” to battle Goliath (1 Sam. 17:31-54; see verse 40).  The one that might have a small amount of value to a rock collector is the sample of Franklinite which was a souvenir from touring one of the few mines which produce it.  The fun thing about Franklinite is that it is phosphorescent- that is it glows under black-light.  Each stone serves as a reminder to me of a place, a time, a story, an adventure and when I see or hold them, those memories come alive.
            A while back I decided to make a mental list of all the times stones were used as a memorial or played an important role in the Old Testament.  What a list!  Here’s a partial list of what I compiled:  Abraham builds an altar of stone and sacrifices on it after God promises him a great nation, land and a blessing (Gen. 12:7); Isaac is about to be sacrificed on an altar of stone when God provides a ram instead (Gen. 22:1-14); Jacob uses a stone for a pillow in Genesis 28:11-22; Moses builds an altar at Rephidim to commemorate God’s victory over the Amalekites (Ex. 17:15); the  Mosaic Covenant was written on stone (Ex. 34:1-4);   there are several instances in the book of Joshua where a stone altar is built as a memorial, most notably the altar of remembrance after crossing the  Jordan (Jos. 4:4-9) and the altar built in the valley of Achor (Jos. 7:26).  The list could go on but by now you see that stones are all over the place in the Old Testament.  Why stones?  Well, if you’ve ever been to Israel, you know they’re quite abundant!
            While we do have our modern versions of this phenomenon (think of such structures as the Washington Monument), we really don’t treat stones in the same way as the patriarchs or others in the ancient world did.  In most of the aforementioned passages, the word for stone is “eben”.  Its more practical application would be as a well cover (Gen. 21:2, 3, 8), or a weapon (Ex. 21:18), but “ebens” were also used as memorials (Jos. 4: 3, 5-9), sacred pillars (Gen. 28:18) and specifically in Joshua as a witness to an event much like a witness testifies in a courtroom (Jos. 24: 26-27).  Recently I heard a graduation speech based on Gen. 31:45-53 in which the president of the college challenged and encouraged the graduates to be like the stones erected as a testimony between Jacob and Laban.  I felt his words were inspiring and a great encouragement for those students to make their lives a witness out there in the big, wide world.  But there was something that was nagging away at the back of my mind, “Were those stones really a reminder of what God had done or was it something else?”  A little research proved that while the stones commemorated a covenant between the two men, the transaction was one born out of distrust and suspicion!  It was not the best passage to choose as an example, but the lesson was of worth.
            It is interesting to note that a stone of testimony was often erected in connection with a covenant.  Perhaps the most significant case of this type occurred at the base of Mt. Sinai after the Lord cut His covenant on stone with Moses who then delivered it to the people of Israel.  Using the synonym “massebah” which designated a standing, uncut block of stone, it is recorded that Moses erects 12 of them, one for each tribe (Ex. 24:4) as a witness of the covenant between God and His people.  While the Mosaic covenant was written on tablets of stone, the New Covenant is written on the tablet of the heart (Jer. 31:31-34; 2 Cor. 3:1-3).  When someone comes to faith however, there is no monument erected for the occasion.  Instead, writes Peter, we become living stones as a testimony to the relationship we now share with Christ (1 Pet. 2:4-5).
            It’s a powerful memory when I pick up my “Goliath” stone and remember collecting it in the Valley of Elah.  It’s nice to run my fingers over those wave-washed beach stones and remember the special times I’ve spent by the ocean.  It’s fun to look at my little lump of Franklinite and recall it glowing under the black-light.  But the greatest stone I possess is my own life.  It was not erected as a reminder that God is making sure I am being honest in my dealings with another person.  Rather it is a testimony that I am in a covenant relationship with Christ.  Like the stones that the Israelites collected from the bottom of the Jordan River, my life should cause people to ask, “What does this mean?” (Jos. 4:4-8) and I should be ready to answer (1 Pet. 3:15)!
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre
 
 

Our family will celebrate a milestone this weekend when my niece graduates from college.  She is the last of my father’s grandchildren to accomplish this and I know he would be very proud of her if he were here to celebrate with us.  Dad had gone into the Army after high school and didn’t earn his degree until later.  I still remember him studying at a desk he’d put down in the basement so that three boisterous daughters wouldn’t distract him while he studied.  As with most graduating ceremonies I’m sure we’ll be hearing an inspirational message designed to inspire and motivate the graduates into making a difference in their world.  They will be challenged to go out and influence their workplace, their neighborhood and their community at large.  They will be told that like a blender, they will be mixing their valuable education with their newly acquired duties and everyone will be the better for it.  At least that’s what they will hear.  The reality may play out a little differently!
If you like to cook or bake you most likely have a mixer in your kitchen.  This handy appliance is used to mix, fold, beat, blend or whip food ingredients into a smooth concoction or batter.  The first hand-held egg beater with rotating parts was patented in 1856 by a tinsmith in Baltimore, Maryland.  The first electric mixer appeared in 1885 and was invented by American Rufus Eastman, however domestic electric mixers were rarely used before 1920.  Early mixers listed speed by function (mix, beat, whip, etc.) rather than by number as they are now.  Kitchen Aid and Sunbeam were popular brands and are still manufactured today.  My little hand-held electric mixer may be slightly out-dated compared to some of the mixers made today, but it’s special to me because it was an engagement present from my parents and it still works just fine!
            Have you ever watched the ingredients fold together when you’re using a mixer?  It doesn’t take long for one ingredient to disappear into the other.  Although the purpose of a mixer, whether it is electric or not, is to blend substances together so that they are no longer distinguished separately, blending in with our culture is something Scripture warns us to avoid.  The ingredients are all wrong for us.  According to Paul the problem with the ways of our culture is that they stand opposed to what God desires for us.  When writing to the Ephesians, he admonished the believers to refrain from anything immoral or impure.  I’m sure we read those words and think that it must have been easy for the early Christians to keep themselves separate from the pagan Roman culture.  But archaeology and history have proven that the early Christians struggled as much as we do when it came to separating themselves from the influences of their society.  Not only did they face physical persecution for rejecting worship of the Emperor, they faced economic hardships for not joining guilds which were related to their skill and the emotional stress of being misunderstood in the way they worshipped God.  Reading the lists of unacceptable behavior in passages like Gal. 5:19-21, Eph. 5:1-7, 2 Tim. 3:1-7 helps us to see that it was just as easy for them to slip into sin as it is for us.
As Paul says in Ephesians 5 we must be mindful of what we’re mixing in our bowl.  Just as we would not want to mix cleaning fluid in our brownie batter because it would be hazardous to our health (and to anyone else who eats them), mixing impure thoughts and actions in our Christian walk is hazardous to our spiritual health.  There is hope though!  In verses 1 and 2 Paul recommends that we follow Christ’s example and imitate Him.  In that way, the aroma of our lives will be like a fragrant meal cooking away on our stove top with the purest of ingredients.  Paul reminds us that we are no longer bound by the slavery of sin; that we were formerly of darkness but now we “children of light” (Eph. 5:8).   Rather than mixing our life with the ingredients of darkness (v.11), we are to make the most of our time (vv.15-16) by allowing the Spirit to have control of our words and deeds (v.18), speak with fellow believers using words of praise, singing songs to the Lord both musically and in our hearts (v.19), offering thanksgiving to God the Father for what Jesus has done (v.20) and living in harmony with other believers by following God’s commands (v.21).
My son Erick went to camp one year thanks to the generous gift of a friend.  When he returned home I asked him what his favorite activity was.  His response was rather humorous.  He said he enjoyed breakfast the most because no matter what condiment his friends suggested, he would mix it into his oatmeal and eat it!  Some activity!  God does not want us mixing just anything into our lives as Erick did with his oatmeal.  Instead He desires for us to be like Jesus in every action, thought and word (1 Pet. 1:14-16).  What kind of things are you mixing into your life?  Ask Jesus to help you choose the right ingredients and follow Him.
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            The little boy took the oddly curved shaped object from his mother’s hand.  It had a long, twisted cord that came out one end and stretched to another funny looking box with a circle with holes in it that spun around if you twirled it with your finger.  His mother guided the part she’d given him up to his ear and mouth.  “Say hello to Pop Pop”, she said with a smile.  A voice came out of the part next to his ear, “Hi Erick!”  It sounded like Pop Pop but it didn’t look like Pop Pop!  “Go on,” his mother prompted, “Say hello.”  But the little boy continued to stare at it in spite of the familiar voice and the encouragement of his mother.  The first time a child talks into a telephone or hears a voice on the other end of it must really be confusing as so many children become tongue-tied when presented with the task.  The scenario above took place when we still had our phones attached to the wall, but I don’t think cell phones have made it any easier- except perhaps when a picture is involved.  Even so most children struggle with the fact that the person they are talking to is not actually in the room.  The first time a person prays can be very much like that.
            Prayer, in its simplest and most unassuming definition, is communicating with God.  Although some branches of Christendom make it appear as if only the professionals know how to do it, it is not what God intended.  My first exposure to this misconception occurred when I was discipling a woman who’d immigrated to the United States from the Ukraine.  She was a new believer and learning both English and about her new-found faith so we would read the Bible together.  One day we read the passage where Jesus taught the disciples the Lord’s Prayer (Mt. 6:9-13; Lk. 11:2-4).  I asked her if she prayed.  The response was that she did not know how because the priest was supposed to do it.  When I asked her who Jesus was teaching how to pray she recognized prayer was meant for everyone who had a relationship with Him.  We looked at the prayer and what it entailed and I left thinking I’d done a pretty good job in equipping her for an exciting dialogue with the Lord.  When I returned the following week I asked her how her prayer life was doing.  “Oh Ann,” she sighed, “I am not so good.  I did not get to the church for prayer.  I will do better this week.”  My heart sank as I realized I’d not explained well enough.  We then talked about WHERE prayer can take place.  “You can pray anywhere,” I said, “You can pray when you’re washing the dishes after a meal, when you’re sitting at the table with a cup of coffee, when you are walking to work, even when you’re running the vacuum!”  And yes, the following week there was a glowing report of all the different places where she’d talked to the Lord.
            Let’s look at the components of prayer using the telephone as our example.  First, just as the telephone is a way to communicate with others, it is also a way for others to communicate with us.  Prayer is not merely a way for us to read off our list of activities and desires to God.  Like any good dialogue, prayer requires us to listen for and to God’s response (Mt. 7:7-8).  Secondly, there are a number of different kinds of calls we can receive on our phone.  Some calls are more formal and business-like such as a confirmation call from your dentist.  But others are more personal like calls from friends and family.  Though more formal, some liturgical prayers are quite beautiful (Ps. 4; 86) but more often than not our prayers will be personal.  We join a host of Biblical people who prayed this way (Gen. 32:9-12; 1 Sam. 2:1-10; 1 Ki. 8:22-30; Job 42:1-6; Dan. 9:1-7; Mt. 15:32-33; Lk. 2:36-38; 3:21-22; 9:28-31; Acts 4:24-31; 7:59-60; 9:40; 16:13. 16, 25 and many more!) and this type of prayer really illustrates the heart of our faith (Mt. 6:5-8; Phil. 1:3-11; Js. 5:16-18).  Jesus, in His most personal prayers, addressed God in a familial manner (Mt. 11:25-26; Lk. 10:21; Jn. 11:38-42; 17:1) and instructed us to do this too with respect and reverence (Mt. 6:9).  Prayer also covers a multitude of topics, just like a good conversation (as seen in the variety of topics in the list of those who prayed).  Sometimes you will initiate the topic and at other times the Lord will introduce one to you.  As previously mentioned this aspect of prayer underscores that it is a dialogue, requiring both speaking and listening (Is. 55:3, 6).
            When I was a child my mother or father would say “grace” before a meal; a tradition I carried on with my children and they now carry on with theirs.  At some point though, our prayers must move from the traditional to the more personal.  Jesus’ disciples had seen Him pray on many occasions and in both ways but they understood by observation that His prayers were not like theirs.  They were deeper and more personal.  So when we recognize that we are ready to engage in that kind of prayer, like the disciples, we must make the same request as they did, “Lord teach us to pray” (Lk. 11:1).
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
 https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            I have always had a love for the ocean and the beauty of the shoreline.  I think it comes from my paternal grandmother’s side of the family who sailed from the Netherlands and landed in New Amsterdam (which is now New York City) those many generations ago.  Because of that my house has always had a healthy collection of shells decorating pots in my garden, the nightstand in my bedroom and the shelves in my bathroom.  Although I’ve never had the opportunity to get a Conch shell from a tropical beach, I have found several Whelk shells in Cape May.  It’s exciting when you find one of these grand “homes” intact, but more often than not, shells come to us broken and battered by the sea.  However, no matter what condition I find them in, I find them to be beautiful.  I often pick up a shell and admire its beauty but never really stop to consider that it was once a creature’s home.  But all shells whether they come from a fresh-water, marine or sandy environment are just that- the outer housing of an animal that once dwelled inside it.  I don’t know who lived in many of the shells I’ve collected but I do know I enjoy looking at them on a daily basis- even the ones that are chipped, scarred or even a small remnant of their former selves.
            Shells remind me that life can be as stormy and turbulent as the sea.  In fact, most of us would relate more to a shell that bears the scars of the ocean-depths over the pristine specimens in a bin at Craft World.  The little chips and dings are much like the mistakes, storms, and detours we encounter as we journey through life.  The bad news is those events will inevitably happen, but the good news is we are not alone.  Everyone experiences them.  The people who grace the pages of Scripture are no different.  While we like to think that people like David, Moses, Peter and Paul are stellar examples of the faith, the truth is they were anything but!  Peter lied about being one of Jesus’ disciples (Mk. 14:66-72; Lk. 22:54-62; Jn. 18:25-27) and impulsively cut off the ear of a servant when Jesus was arrested (Jn. 18:1-10), but David, Moses and Paul were all murderers (2 Sam. 11:1-27; Ex. 2:11-14; Acts 6:8-12; 7:54-60; 8:1-3; 22:4; 1 Cor. 15:9)!  There are a number of notable women who struggled too:  Miriam caused division among the Israelites (Num. 12:1-15), Esther kept her identity a secret (Est. 2:8-11), and Euodia and Syntyche were at such odds with one another they threatened to disease an entire house church (Phil. 4:1-3).  There are also a host of men and women who suffered due to circumstances beyond their control (Joseph- Gen. 39:1, 6-9, 16-21, Hannah- 1 Sam. 1:1-8, Daniel- Dan. 6, and Epaphroditas- Phil. 2:25-30, to name a few).
            No matter what the cause, suffering can have a positive outcome in our journey of faith.  If it is caused by our own poor choices it can often be a source of discipline which the Lord is using to get us back on track (Dt. 8:5; Heb. 12:5-11).  If its source is something beyond our control, it is an opportunity to rely on others and see effective prayer at work (Js. 5:13-16).  If our suffering has occurred because we have taken a stand for Christ, we should not be surprised (Mt. 5: 10-12; Jn. 15:20-21).  Our suffering mirrors what Christ endured for us (2 Tim. 1:8-9; Heb. 12:3).   It would be wonderful if life never sent our little shell tumbling through the waves, but in this present world, we can expect it to happen.
            If there was ever a man who understood the brokenness of life it was David.  He not only made his aforementioned disastrous choice to murder Uriah, he suffered at the hands of others too.  King Saul who asked him to serve in the court also tried to kill him (1 Sam. 18:10-11).  He lived on the run as a result of Saul’s obsession to kill him (1 Sam. 23:24-29).  He mourned the loss of a close friend who’d stood by him all those years on the run (2 Sam. 1) and his kingship was threatened by his own son (2 Sam. 15:1-12).  But each one of those experiences directed David to the Lord.  The events may have damaged and marred the shell of his life, but each dent and ding brought David into a deeper relationship with the Only One who could make sense of it all (Ps. 30:1-5, 10-12).  This is true of your shell too.  The suffering and sorrow that you encounter are opportunities to find solace and healing in God’s capable hands (Mt. 11:28-30; Jn. 16:33; 2 Cor. 4:16-18; Js. 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:6-7).  When the Lord looks at you and your chips and broken pieces, He sees what’s in your heart (Ps. 51:17).  And to Him it is beautiful.
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
 
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre
For further reading:  My Beautiful Broken Shell by Carol Hamblet Adams

            I don’t know about you, but I hate it in the Fall when the clocks get changed and darkness comes earlier and earlier.  When the days are short like that, I often feel as if I haven’t accomplished anything when the streetlights turn on in the late afternoon.  I don’t like the “cold” feeling the house gets when the shadows are long and the sun goes below the horizon either.  The only remedy for the darkness which enters my home is the light of my lamps.  Several of them I inherited from my mother and grandmother, two were wedding gifts and one my husband bought when we needed a little more light in the bedroom.  When Hurricane Riley blew through recently, we lost power for six days.  During the day it wasn’t as noticeable when the sunlight was streaming through the windows.  But at night we really missed the power until our neighbor hooked up his generator.  Just one lamp truly made a huge difference in our “comfortable” level!
            While most people are drawn to the light of a lamp, there are some who seem to prefer the darkness.  It could simply be an attribute of human nature, but I think the power of light and its positive effect on our inner being, or the adverse with darkness, has spiritual overtones.  The key component to seeing either, of course is the eye.  And just as the eyes see physical light and darkness, they are also the instruments which introduce both godly and sinful thoughts into our lives.  Jesus illustrated it in this way, “The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great the darkness!” (Mt. 6:22-23).  Simply put, what goes into you through your eyes has a direct effect on both your heart and mind.  So, as the children’s Sunday School song goes, “Be careful little eyes what you see”. 
            Several words in Jesus’ admonition drive home this point.  While the word “eye” is obviously the bodily organ which causes us to see, what we traditionally think of as a lamp did not exist when Jesus spoke these words.  So what was Jesus talking about?  A “luchnos” was a small, portable clay “pot” with a hole on top to pour oil in and a spout out of its side where a wick would come out.  They looked like a miniature tea pot without the lid.  The wick would be lit and the light produced by it was surprisingly strong.  The word “haploose” which gets translated as clear in our English translations concerns the clarity of how we see.  It literally means to “see things the way they are”.  The adjective “bad” in verse 23 describes a moral condition.  It can be used of people (Mt. 5:45; Lk. 6:35, 45; Acts 17:5; 2 Thes. 3:2), evil spirits and malignant demons (Mt. 12:45; Lk. 7:21; 8:2; Acts 19:12, 13, 15, 16), or Satan when combined with the definite article “the” (Mt. 13:19, 38; Eph. 6:16; 1 Jn. 2:13), things such as the eye (Mt. 20:15; Mk. 7:22) and thoughts or words (1 Tim. 6:14; Js. 2:4; Mt. 5:11; Acts 28:21; 3 Jn. 1:10).  Jesus also makes a figurative contrast between light (as in knowledge which enlightens the mind- Mt. 6:23; Lk. 11:35) and darkness (as in ignorance or error- Jn. 3:19; Rom. 2:19- or a person’s spiritual state- Mt. 4:16; 8:12; Lk. 1:79; Acts 26:18; 1 Thes. 5:4; 2 Pet. 2:9, 17).  Jesus is concerned about what fills the lamp.  If the eye is filled with light then the eye is healthy, but if darkness, the eye is in desperate need of attention.
            We’ve all experienced times when light and shadows have played tricks on our eyes.  A coat, blanket or clothes thrown over the back of a chair appears to be a monster to a child; bushes shrubs or trees take on human form in the night.  Each makes us think it’s something that it’s not.  But by shedding light on the situation we are no longer fooled by the illusion.  It drives home the point of how important the lighting is.  A flashlight with weak batteries for example might not reveal the pile of clothes or the bush, but one of those magnum titanium mega lights “as advertised on TV” most certainly would.  What then should we be using as a lamp to enlighten our souls?
            In one of the most powerful scenes in the New Testament Jesus encounters Satan who attempts to change Jesus’ lamp so to speak (Mt. 4:1-11; Mk. 1:12-13; Lk. 4:1-13).  No matter what Satan enticed Jesus with, fame, power or pleasure, Jesus steadfastly refused Satan by quoting God’s Word.  Jesus knew that Satan’s promises were optical illusions and the clearest way to see them was through God’s Word.  Like a lamp turned on in a dark room, God’s Word dispenses light that shows everything for what it truly is.  There was a commercial a while back where a band of crazy Vikings would come crashing into a modern scene and demand, “What’s in your wallet?”  Jesus is not concerned with what’s in your wallet.  He wants to know “What’s in your lamp?”.
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            I’ve been trying to drink more water lately.  According to the experts I should be drinking half of my body weight each day.  So, I’ve selected a glass, measured its capacity and now dutifully check off the number in my head after I’ve consumed each one.  There are days I’m highly successful and feel great.  But every now and then I have a day where every ounce seems a chore and when I see that glass filled half way I have to become my own cheerleader to finish it!  Of course this task has gotten me to thinking about glasses and cups and the way we perceive them.
            It’s the age-old question that everyone recalls when they see a picture of a cup partially filled with liquid:  Is the cup half-empty, or is it half-full?  Although this common rhetorical question is often used to determine whether you are an optimist (half-full) or a pessimist (half-empty), I’ve been wondering if it might be a better gauge of how one views the art of hospitality and giving.  Oh, yes, I know that goes against the grain of philosophy and psychology, but I think it is an appropriate test on how we use the resources God has given us!
            In David’s most beloved psalm (Psalm 23), the overflowing cup reminds us of God’s abundant provisions throughout life.  It’s good to remember that an overflowing cup does not keep all those blessings within itself; it lets them spill out to bless others (v.5).  The author of Hebrews in 13:1 admonishes me to let brotherly love “continue”, an admonishment that is not always easy, but it implies that these actions go on indefinitely!  My selfish human nature, which is encouraged by commercialism, tells me that I deserve to keep those blessings all to myself.  But if I hold back, I might deprive myself the pleasure and joy of “entertaining angels” (v.2).
            In a world where instant gratification and personal satisfaction is of utmost importance, placing others first and the concern for their welfare is a foreign concept to most.  Is this reflected in the church?  Do we give God our tithes and offerings first (maybe even a little more) and then buy the latest music, go to the movies, a new outfit, or splurge on a new gadget?  Or do we upgrade our cell phone because we “need” it and then give God what’s left?  Hebrews 13: 1-6 speaks of prisoners and marriage- people and a relationship that in our current culture have been all but forgotten.  James notes the widows and orphans are also to be cared for (Js.1:27) and Paul reminds the Philippians to consider others better than themselves (Phil. 2:3-4).  It is very clear, whether you are reading in the Old Testament or the New, that God is concerned with how we treat others because it is a reflection of how we treat Him (Prov. 19:17; Mt. 25:31-46).  But do we really recognize that all which we have is really His?  Paul exhorted the Corinthians to look forward to and take part in opportunities to give (2 Cor. 9:6-11) because they could not out-give God.  Although we often say someone has the gift of hospitality, it is never listed as such.  Rather giving is expected to be a natural part of our walk of faith (Rom. 12:10-13).  We give because God first gave to us.
            William Barclay wrote, “Christianity was, and still should be, the religion of the open door”.  But oftentimes I find myself guilty of using my home as a refuge and retreat rather than the hub of hospitality God desires for it to be.  If I opened the door of my home to reach out to others, both believing and non-believing, what kind of impact would that have?  Would my hospitality minister to the needy, the sick, the imprisoned, maybe even the angelic, or would it be squirreled away and hidden like the slave who buried what the master entrusted to him?  (Mt. 25: 24-29)  The author of Hebrews perceives my home as a cup filled with God’s blessings, but with a twist that only God can orchestrate, my question now is when it comes to the good things God has given me should my cup be half-empty or should it be half-full?
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            We’ve all seen the commercials proclaiming the wonderful health benefits and purity of natural spring water which has been bottled for mass consumption.  But as recently as 2017 some of the companies producing this water have come under scrutiny.  Take for example Nestle’s Poland Springs Water which is currently being called out in a class action suit for using wells that collect ground water and not the 100% water from natural springs that their advertising claims.  Not only is water a necessity, the truth of where that water comes from is too for water purists.  While a person can survive up to 3 weeks without food, water is a different story.  The maximum amount of time a person can go without water is 1week.  Our area, like many places around the world, is prone to storms which occasionally knock out the power.  Whenever that happens, the pump which brings the water from our well into our house can’t work, so we keep several jugs of water on hand just for those short power outages.
            Water was the focal point of a discussion that Jesus had with a woman at a well in John 4:1-30.  John tells us that Jesus had left Judea and was returning to Galilee (v. 3).  For devout Jews this trip would have involved avoiding the central section of Israel because that was the region known as Samaria.  Jews and Samaritans had an antagonistic and adversarial history.  In fact John points out that they generally had nothing to do with each other (v. 9).  Jesus is not concerned with ethnic barriers.  He travels directly through the “enemy territory” (vv. 4-5) making a point to stop at a revered watering spot, Jacob’s well, a detail we often gloss over (v. 6).  The second action of note is that Jesus not only travels through Samaria, he engages in conversation with a Samaritan, and an unmarried woman at that (v. 17)!  The “icing on the unusual cake” is that she also has a tainted reputation.  Instead of avoiding her, Jesus places Himself in the middle of her day.  She has come for water at a time when most people avoid the sun (v. 6).  Jesus asks for a drink (v. 7) in order to introduce her to the Son of God.  She is shocked by His request (v.9) as are the disciples when they return from searching for food and see Him engaged in conversation with her (v. 27).  The ensuing conversation shows Jesus’ artistry in using everyday needs to get to the heart of spiritual needs.  The woman takes His statement about water literally (v.11).  Jesus makes it so much more (vv. 10, 13-15, 21-26).
            Many times we approach these poetic words as something which is highly figurative.  But Jesus was a much more practical teacher than that.  In that day there was a basic distinction between “living water” and that which was not.  Living water was running water.  It was water that flowed, such as in a stream or brook in contrast to the stagnant water of a cistern or pool.  The water of Jacob’s well percolated from the subsoil.  It did not come from a spring.  It may have appeared to be “living water” but Jesus pointed out that even so the water of the well could only quench one’s thirst momentarily (v. 13).  Jesus had a better offer (v.14).  I’m sure the woman was thinking, “Better than this?  I’m not so sure about that!”  It was more than likely that she wondered where Jesus had found flowing water.  But she asks Jesus to tell her more.  The dialogue quickly turns to her spiritual needs over and above the physical ones.  In essence Jesus says to her, “You have tried to quench your thirst with tradition and men, but those things will never satisfy your soul and they won’t save you.  Only I can offer you water that will do that.”  In a few short sentences the woman not only recognizes the truth of what Jesus is saying, she is ready to go tell others about what she has discovered (vv. 28-30).   The conversation may have begun around the simple need for a drink of water after a long journey, but it quickly dove into the need for a deeper more significant water to sustain life.
            I may keep a jug or two of water on the shelf to help sustain life when the power goes out, but that water will never sustain my spiritual needs.  The narrative then begs the question, am I seeking a source other than Jesus to satisfy that need like the Samaritan woman?  Sadly I think I often do look to other things to quench my thirst.  I get caught up in thinking that a particular person, or a particular past time will fill the need of what my soul longs for.  And when I’m sapped and drained because those things failed, I meet Jesus at the well and He reminds me that I am in great need of His water, not the water of earthly things.  It is fundamentally true that the human heart thirsts for something only Jesus can satisfy (Is. 42:1; Jn. 7:37-38) and God is the only One who truly provides “living water” (Ps. 36:7-9; Is. 12:2-3; 35:5-7; 44: 1-4; 55:1; Jer. 2:5, 13; 17:3; Rev. 7: 15-17; 21:6).  So I must ask myself, why would I draw from anywhere else?
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre