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A Moment To Praise 8.3.20

Joyce Lochinger, Gravel Hill Worship Leader

No Place Like Home

Last week, I stumbled upon an article highlighting the behind-the-scenes events that occurred while filming the movie, Wizard of Oz. I must admit that I very much enjoy stories like that, so I took a few minutes and read the whole article. It was truly interesting and I learned some unique little nuances that I hadn’t known before. However, after I read the article and looked at the photos, I started thinking about the movie itself a bit more deeply.

There’s the very frightening tornado scene, which has always caused me anxiety…even to this day. There’s the good witch, and the wicked witch and her flying monkeys –  I don’t even want to discuss those guys! The scarecrow, tin man, and the cowardly lion are all unique and well-developed characters. There is the Wizard himself, the ruby slippers, and of course little Toto!

All of these elements make the movie so very special and enjoyable. While it is memorable, it’s definitely also a bit scary to watch! The movie provides a perfect mix of joyful things, trials, and nerve-wracking troubles all rolled into one amazing plot.

The Wizard of Oz kind of sounds like our daily lives to a degree, doesn’t it? Over the years, I’ve always remembered the famous saying always on Dorothy’s lips. From the minute she finds herself in an alternate universe, all the way through the movie when she escapes and is heading back home to her family in Kansas, Dorothy is always clicking her heels together, saying: “there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home!”

A Moment To Praise 8.3.20 in Scripture

As a Christian, I believe that we also should always have those words on our lips. There is no place like (our heavenly) home.

Christ tells us that in this world we will have troubles, but He has overcome this world! Hallelujah! https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+16%3A33&version=NIV

The more you read and understand this passage, the more it becomes very clear that we are placed here on this earth for a very short time. Truly, this earth is not our home. If we have the faith and belief that Jesus Christ died for us and only through believing in Him will we inherit eternal life, then we know that our true desire and longing should be for our heavenly home and the promise of an eternity spent with Christ. Perhaps, remembering this would change how we feel about some of the interactions we have in this world. When we are hurt by the harsh words of a friend, when we seem to be facing trials beyond our control, we can always remember that in our weakness, Christ is made strong. He has already defeated these things for us!

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+12%3A9-10&version=NIV

Because of His strength, we can boast in His power in our lives and thank Him for giving us the ability to overcome this world through His mighty touch on our souls. He brings us closer to our heavenly home, even while we live here on this earth.

So buck up my friends, click your heels together three times and say: “there’s no place like my heavenly home!” Take that empowerment and face the day with renewed energy. You can have faith in knowing that all of the trials we face in this life and all of the times that we are hurt and wounded by betrayal and unkindness will only help to lead us into a deeper relationship and reliance upon the Lord who loves us so much and has a place in His home for our eternal souls. Through all of the hard times of life, there is the promise of eternal blessing from God right here in our midst.

A Moment To Praise 8.3.20 in Song

https://youtu.be/Cd6J6Wgnv4M

Have a great week!

A Moment To Praise 7.27.20

Joyce Lochinger, Gravel Hill Worship Leader

Scripture in Life…

I have a wonderful sister named Bev. She recently retired from a Christian school where she was a elementary school teacher for many years. Prior to that, she was a Christian nursery school director and teacher as well. I have always looked up to her as my big sister and I still do; I marvel at her level of patience, especially now that she has five grandsons who are all close to the same age. 🙂

When my great nephews were much younger, I enjoyed watching my sister play with them. One of their favorite things to do as a group was to  play with tractors and trucks. My sister would lay out large pieces of paper and help them to draw roads, farms, and little communities all around the room. Inevitably, as is always the case with kids, the boys would get a little overprotective of a tractor, truck or matchbox car. The debacle would end up in a nice game of tug-of-war with each other.

Sharing Scripture

In this situation, most adults would probably raise their voice and sternly tell the boys to knock it off, even though they were just being little boys. My sister had a different approach. She would lean in closer to them, speak more quietly, whispering in a sing song voice: “Be kind to one another and build each other up!” It’s a great preschool lesson and song, but it’s also directly from scripture.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5%3A11&version=ESV

By the way, this tactic usually worked to dispel tension between the youngsters! While they were settling down, all of us adults would chuckle, because that way of handling things is so like my sister. I love her for it!

Fast forward to my own life, and to the world today. I have to admit that I often find myself singing this scripture too! Here’s why!

I see all of us – and I mean those of us who call ourselves Christians – acting just like the rest of the world! Facebook is an unfortunate platform on which this occurs. I can see people who I have known to be friends for a long time openly arguing and calling each other names, fighting over relatively minor differences in opinion. I know that these people have been into each other’s home, have shared meals together, played games and had good times together, and they can’t seem to stop bickering about meaningless nonsense. It breaks my heart, especially the name calling! What have we become? I look to scripture to find what God says about how we should behave as Christians in this world.

A Moment To Praise 7.27.20 in Scripture

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%203:13&version=GW

Notice at the end there is the added admonition to be kind to each other lest you become stubborn and fall into sin. As I read that, my ears perk up! I definitely do not want to fall into sin. I know that having a sinful life causes me to displace myself from God and his plans for me.

It also reminds me to be humble and to monitor my own notions and thoughts. I want to be constantly and consistently aware of my actions, avoiding egotistical thoughts that may lead me to think that God’s Word doesn’t apply to me.  Scripture tells us that the Evil One is always lurking, and just waiting to find us in a weak moment so that he can lead us deeper into sin. Don’t believe me? Read this.

Applying Scripture

How much weaker, how much more sinful can we become when we are willing to be hurtful and hateful towards a friend? A brother or a sister in Christ? Read that again. We are brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are supposed to act like it. Take on the characteristics of Him. Watch the master and see how He has treated others and even more so, how He’s treated us! Then we are to behave in the same way. The bottom line is this: be careful when you feel compelled to lash out at someone who holds a differing thought or opinion. Remember that they are a brother or a sister in Christ alongside of you! You are united by His precious blood!

My prayer for all of us is that we do not fall into the ways of this world. I pray that we do not fall into the grip of the evil one. Instead, let us fall into the kindness of Christ; the forgiving, loving and grace-filled nature that He has exhibited for us throughout out entire lives. Let’s pass that along!

Amen!

A Moment To Praise 7.27.20 in Song

Please listen to the lyrics of this song which is called Fall Into Kindness! Have a blessed day!

https://youtu.be/tQ-ldOWWlHw