I must admit, I’m not much of a Golf fan. Last year, there was some big golf tournament going on in Georgia. I think it was the masters. Normally, I wouldn’t know or really care about who was playing or winning in this event. This past year, however, one player caught my attention. Drew Weaver is a 21-year-old kid from High Point. He attends Virginia Tech and was there the year when tragic shootings killed 33 fellow students. But, the thing about him that peaked my interest the most was has to do with his mother, Cathy.
Apparently, Cathy has suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis for most of her life and her knees had taken the hardest hit from the disease. She was in constant pain, even unable to sleep at night. The disease also had begun to prevent her from being there, at each hole, to cheer on her son, Drew when he played Golf. Last summer, when Drew played in and won the British Open, she could only bear to watch the last three holes. And, I’m guessing that’s when she decided she had to do something.
So, Cathy made the decision have both knees replaced…at the same time. Because of the difficult recovery period from this surgery, most people only have one knee done at a time. But, that was not an option for Mrs. Weaver. Her boy was going to be in the masters and she was going to be there to cheer him on…at every hole. So she had the intense surgery last February and then began the long, hard road to recovery.
Her determination paid off. Cathy made it to the Masters. At each hole, she was there. Drew Weaver’s biggest fan…who did what had to be done in order to be there for her child. How deeply loved he is!
Friend, you are loved even more! You have Parent in heaven who is watching every move you make, cheering you on in your victories and encouraging you when you fall. And, He made an incredible sacrifice because he wants to be with you…forever. For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Missing the Messiah
The Old Testament of the Bible is filled with prophecies of a coming Messiah. Jews living at the time of Jesus’ birth had long been anticipating the coming of their savior. Hundreds of years before his birth it had been predicted that the Messiah would: be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14a), in Bethlem (Micah 5:2), from King David’s bloodline (2 Samuel 7:12-16). It was also foretold that He would be: Anointed by God’s Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2), a worker of miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6) and that he would ride a donkey into Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:9). The way Jesus would die was also accurately predicted by the prophets, who said He would: be rejected (Isaiah 53:3), be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12), have his Hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16), and that he would rise from the dead (Psalm 16:10) and ascent into heaven (Psalm 68:18).¹
In fact, Jesus fulfilled every one of the hundreds of messianic prophecies in the Bible. So, I just cannot fathom how or why the Jews of his day who spent their whole lives learning and studying the scriptures did not recognize Jesus as their Messiah. How could they have missed it?
The truth is that 2000 years later we are still missing Him. Some miss the invitation to enter into a relationship with Him, even though he keeps knocking, waiting to be let in. Others miss the opportunity to grow closer to him by allowing our busyness to replace His presence. We also miss him when we neglect serving those in need….after all, He is most easily found among the least of these.
As we join together with family and friends to celebrate Christmas…let’s not miss Him, especially since this is His party after all. And, throughout the year, let’s keep looking for Him with determination and vigilance. Let’s also make sure we continue to train our children and grandchildren to look for and find Jesus, each and every day.
1. http://www.messianic-prophecy.net/
In fact, Jesus fulfilled every one of the hundreds of messianic prophecies in the Bible. So, I just cannot fathom how or why the Jews of his day who spent their whole lives learning and studying the scriptures did not recognize Jesus as their Messiah. How could they have missed it?
The truth is that 2000 years later we are still missing Him. Some miss the invitation to enter into a relationship with Him, even though he keeps knocking, waiting to be let in. Others miss the opportunity to grow closer to him by allowing our busyness to replace His presence. We also miss him when we neglect serving those in need….after all, He is most easily found among the least of these.
As we join together with family and friends to celebrate Christmas…let’s not miss Him, especially since this is His party after all. And, throughout the year, let’s keep looking for Him with determination and vigilance. Let’s also make sure we continue to train our children and grandchildren to look for and find Jesus, each and every day.
1. http://www.messianic-prophecy.net/
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
What are you saying...really?
I was recently visiting someone in the hospital when I noticed an inconspicuous sheet of paper hung on a wall near the nurses station. The note was apparently a weekly exercise for the nurses to work on, meant to help them improve their job performance. The lesson this particular week was, “I will let my patients know that they are important to me by my body language and my words”.
As I read this message, I thought to myself, “Wow! What a great lesson. We could all stand to work on the message we send to others with our body language and words.” I felt ashamed, too, when I thought about how often I have made the people important to me feel like they were anything but.
So, I read the statement again and again, but this time personalizing it with each read. “I will let my husband know how important he is to me by my body language and my words”. “I will let my children know that they are important to me by my body language and my words”. “I will let my mother know that she is important to me by my body language and my words”.
I’m sure there will still be plenty of times that my body language and words do not send the message, “You’re Important to Me”, but this little exercise sure did bring things into better perspective for me, serving as a good reminder to think about the way I treat the people in my life.
Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:36-37? "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Careless words, I have spoken so many of them. You probably have, too. Let’s pray today for forgiveness for these words we will be judged by. Let’s also pray that God will give us n the discipline to guard our hearts, minds and tounges.
As I read this message, I thought to myself, “Wow! What a great lesson. We could all stand to work on the message we send to others with our body language and words.” I felt ashamed, too, when I thought about how often I have made the people important to me feel like they were anything but.
So, I read the statement again and again, but this time personalizing it with each read. “I will let my husband know how important he is to me by my body language and my words”. “I will let my children know that they are important to me by my body language and my words”. “I will let my mother know that she is important to me by my body language and my words”.
I’m sure there will still be plenty of times that my body language and words do not send the message, “You’re Important to Me”, but this little exercise sure did bring things into better perspective for me, serving as a good reminder to think about the way I treat the people in my life.
Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:36-37? "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Careless words, I have spoken so many of them. You probably have, too. Let’s pray today for forgiveness for these words we will be judged by. Let’s also pray that God will give us n the discipline to guard our hearts, minds and tounges.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Remember Me
I watched a 9/11 special the other night on TV. The show basically revisited the tragic events of the day that changed our nation and our world. I was surprised at the strong feelings of dismay, grief, anxiety and anger that came rushing back as I watched the awful images captured of the attacks replayed.
It’s amazing how very deeply felt emotions can quickly fade into the background of our crowded consciences. Events in our lives that once consumed our every thought become distant memories as life continues to go on.
God knows how prone we are to forget things, which is why in the Bible he so frequently implores his people to remember his miracles, his covenants, his promises and his word. He urges us to keep these things top of mind so that we stay profoundly aware of His relationship with us and his presence in the world.
Jesus used what would be his last time around the Passover table with his disciples to encourage them to remember Him. Paul paints the scene in 1 Corinthians: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
Following this example and taking Communion or the Lord’s Supper is a very intimate way to reflect and remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us on a regular basis. We can also look for other ways to remember God’s faithfulness. Maybe it’s a prayer journal that you keep. Periodically, you can look back through it to remember God’s intervention and answered prayers. An artist might create a picture or write a song expressing a spiritually significant experience. Parents, you can use time at the dinner table to ask your kids about the things they are thankful for and to talk about the way God is working in your family’s life. Be creative! How you do it is not important; but, what is important is that God’s love stays always fresh in your mind.
It’s amazing how very deeply felt emotions can quickly fade into the background of our crowded consciences. Events in our lives that once consumed our every thought become distant memories as life continues to go on.
God knows how prone we are to forget things, which is why in the Bible he so frequently implores his people to remember his miracles, his covenants, his promises and his word. He urges us to keep these things top of mind so that we stay profoundly aware of His relationship with us and his presence in the world.
Jesus used what would be his last time around the Passover table with his disciples to encourage them to remember Him. Paul paints the scene in 1 Corinthians: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
Following this example and taking Communion or the Lord’s Supper is a very intimate way to reflect and remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us on a regular basis. We can also look for other ways to remember God’s faithfulness. Maybe it’s a prayer journal that you keep. Periodically, you can look back through it to remember God’s intervention and answered prayers. An artist might create a picture or write a song expressing a spiritually significant experience. Parents, you can use time at the dinner table to ask your kids about the things they are thankful for and to talk about the way God is working in your family’s life. Be creative! How you do it is not important; but, what is important is that God’s love stays always fresh in your mind.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Is Your Hidden Agenda a Hinderance?
I’m going to miss Tim Russert. I didn’t know him personally, but I greatly admired his work and his seemingly unbiased style of presenting political news. I always felt that when I heard it from Tim, I heard it straight. Washington DC is a world driven by opinions and agendas, and I am sure that Tim had his share of them as well. But, he somehow managed to put them aside when he was on the job. His honest and fair delivery created a trust between him, the guests on his show and his viewers. I can think of no other person in the media today who has garnered that kind of respect from such a vast and diverse audience.
We can all learn a lesson from Tim. Especially those of us who are hoping to tell people about the best news of all…the Good News about Jesus. The message of the Gospel is very straightforward and does not need to be sensationalized, manipulated, dressed up or dumbed-down. But, all too often we allow our own agendas, opinions and biases to cloud its message. When we do this, not only do we lose credibility in the eyes of the people we are trying to reach, so does the Gospel.
Paul had the right perspective about evangelism when he wrote this verse in Corinthians "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." (1 Cor. 3:6-7)
Later in Corinthians, Paul reminds us that our own words and ideas can do way more harm than good. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. (1 Corinthians 1:17)
The next time you feel led to tell someone about Jesus, take a moment to ask God to help you to clear your heart of anything that comes from you and not from the truth. Pray that your motivation will be pure and that the message you deliver will be the unadulterated truth about Jesus Christ.
We can all learn a lesson from Tim. Especially those of us who are hoping to tell people about the best news of all…the Good News about Jesus. The message of the Gospel is very straightforward and does not need to be sensationalized, manipulated, dressed up or dumbed-down. But, all too often we allow our own agendas, opinions and biases to cloud its message. When we do this, not only do we lose credibility in the eyes of the people we are trying to reach, so does the Gospel.
Paul had the right perspective about evangelism when he wrote this verse in Corinthians "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." (1 Cor. 3:6-7)
Later in Corinthians, Paul reminds us that our own words and ideas can do way more harm than good. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. (1 Corinthians 1:17)
The next time you feel led to tell someone about Jesus, take a moment to ask God to help you to clear your heart of anything that comes from you and not from the truth. Pray that your motivation will be pure and that the message you deliver will be the unadulterated truth about Jesus Christ.
Monday, August 4, 2008
A New Name
Hi, I’m Suzanne McCann and this is a Moment for Mom.
I hope I didn’t startle you with that introduction. But, if not for the parents who chose to adopt me, that might have been my real name. In fact, on my hospital records and initial birth certificate, my name is listed as Suzanne McCann. With a name like that, I think I was destined to work in radio!
However, my adoptive parents had a different name in mind for me…Tamera Jane. And, of course I took their last name as well. Tamera became Tami, and the rest is history. But, the name changing didn’t stop there, once I got married, I took my maiden name as my middle name and my husband’s last name as mine.
There’s a verse in the book of Revelation that leads me to believe that my name changing is not complete, it says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” (Rev 2:17)
So, why does God have a new name for me? And, what is it? Just as my adoptive parents had a name selected for their child, God has a name chosen for me. How cool that he loves me so much as an individual that he has a name for me. Even though I don’t know what it is…I am sure it will suit me like no other name could. After all, He created me and he knows me better than any earthly parent ever could.
So, think about this today. The same God who created the earth and the heavens and named everything in them also has a name just for you!!
And, speaking of new names…I would like to rename a Moment for Mom. I realize that a lot of people who listen every day are not moms! Many aren’t even women! So, I’m asking for your help. Please send your name suggestions for my daily devotional to me via email…tami@wbfj.fm.
I hope I didn’t startle you with that introduction. But, if not for the parents who chose to adopt me, that might have been my real name. In fact, on my hospital records and initial birth certificate, my name is listed as Suzanne McCann. With a name like that, I think I was destined to work in radio!
However, my adoptive parents had a different name in mind for me…Tamera Jane. And, of course I took their last name as well. Tamera became Tami, and the rest is history. But, the name changing didn’t stop there, once I got married, I took my maiden name as my middle name and my husband’s last name as mine.
There’s a verse in the book of Revelation that leads me to believe that my name changing is not complete, it says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” (Rev 2:17)
So, why does God have a new name for me? And, what is it? Just as my adoptive parents had a name selected for their child, God has a name chosen for me. How cool that he loves me so much as an individual that he has a name for me. Even though I don’t know what it is…I am sure it will suit me like no other name could. After all, He created me and he knows me better than any earthly parent ever could.
So, think about this today. The same God who created the earth and the heavens and named everything in them also has a name just for you!!
And, speaking of new names…I would like to rename a Moment for Mom. I realize that a lot of people who listen every day are not moms! Many aren’t even women! So, I’m asking for your help. Please send your name suggestions for my daily devotional to me via email…tami@wbfj.fm.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
A Mess of Olympic Proportions
The city of Beijing is scrambling to clean up its mess before the 2008 Summer Olympics. When Beijing was selected to host the ’08 Games, the Chinese Government promised to get the city’s pollution in check and to comply with air quality standards set by the World Health Organization. However, with just weeks to go, the air is still so polluted it poses a health risk to Olympic athletes and spectators.
So, in a last ditch effort the city has poured over $16 billion dollars into halting the haze. Factories have been closed, commuters are only permitted to drive their vehicles every other day and construction projects have come to a screeching halt. They are even firing artillery shells into the sky filled with a chemical thought to trigger rain showers, hoping a good rain will help clean the air.
Here’s what gets me. For decades, the Chinese government has allowed this problem to exist and worsen. Concern for the health of it’s citizens has been far outweighed by China’s desire to become a world power. How sad for the people of China that it’s only now, when the rest of the world is watching, that Beijing is taking drastic steps to end pollution.
This situation kind of reminds me of the way I approached my faith when I was a teenager. I knew about God and I knew that I was not behaving in a Godly way. But, I also figured that I was a teenager and I had plenty of time to get my act together and get serious about being a Christian. What foolishness!
Here’s the bottom line…we all have souls that are clouded with spiritual filth. There is only one way to clean it up, and that is by accepting the gift of forgiveness that Jesus has to offer. Unlike Beijing, we do not know when our deadline is…tomorrow is not even a guarantee, so be ready.
Remember Jesus’s words in Matthew: Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
So, are you ready?
So, in a last ditch effort the city has poured over $16 billion dollars into halting the haze. Factories have been closed, commuters are only permitted to drive their vehicles every other day and construction projects have come to a screeching halt. They are even firing artillery shells into the sky filled with a chemical thought to trigger rain showers, hoping a good rain will help clean the air.
Here’s what gets me. For decades, the Chinese government has allowed this problem to exist and worsen. Concern for the health of it’s citizens has been far outweighed by China’s desire to become a world power. How sad for the people of China that it’s only now, when the rest of the world is watching, that Beijing is taking drastic steps to end pollution.
This situation kind of reminds me of the way I approached my faith when I was a teenager. I knew about God and I knew that I was not behaving in a Godly way. But, I also figured that I was a teenager and I had plenty of time to get my act together and get serious about being a Christian. What foolishness!
Here’s the bottom line…we all have souls that are clouded with spiritual filth. There is only one way to clean it up, and that is by accepting the gift of forgiveness that Jesus has to offer. Unlike Beijing, we do not know when our deadline is…tomorrow is not even a guarantee, so be ready.
Remember Jesus’s words in Matthew: Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
So, are you ready?
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