How Am I As a Shepherd?

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which He obtained with his own blood.” –Acts 20:28 (ESV).  “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight; not under compulsion , but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.  And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.  Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.  Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” -1 Peter 5:2-5 (ESV).

I’ve been reading a thought-provoking book by Mary Foxwell Loeks entitled Named by God:  Discovering the Power of God’s Names for You (Grand Rapids: Revell, c2010).  I feel a kinship with Ms. Loeks and her writings, for she, likes (as I) to pursue ideas and give devotionals on a word or a thought.  And her Named by God has a meditation  about us as both “sheep” and “shepherd”.  To be named as “sheep” shows our dependence on God, as the sheep is dependent on the shepherd.  But what we seldom think about is the more responsible name God also gives us—that of shepherd.  Because sheep are so prone to be helpless, hapless and hard-headed, they need a leader, a shepherd, who can guide, provide and held them be secure.  It’s like the poet has said, we may be “the only Bible the careless world will read.”  We, as Christians, are a shepherd to some. 

I remembered back to my childhood when my father, a good farmer, went through a period of raising sheep.  My grandfather, Bud Collins, also raised sheep.  From the flocks the wool was gathered, cleaned, carded, spun and woven into warm blankets and knitted into socks, sweaters, scarves and other clothing items to protect us.  During the time of my father’s sheep-raising, he gave me a newborn lamb and told me that it was mine to feed and nourish.  Like the familiar nursery rhyme, “And everywhere that Mary went, that lamb was sure to go!” held true of my pet lamb, Fluffy.  I loved that lamb and she loved me.  I could hardly wait to get home from Choestoe School, a mile walk, to cuddle my little lamb and care for it.  As it grew older, it grew more mischievous, probably because I had spoiled it so.  Eventually, when Fluffy was grown up, she was sold along with other sheep from  my father’s flock.  I missed her.  But maybe that early care of a lamb—my job as a shepherd to her—helped prepare me for some of the later experiences of my life.

I had a wonderful husband, the Rev. Grover Jones, who was what Peter writes about in 1 Peter 5 as a “shepherd of the flock.”  And I, likewise, felt a God-calling to be a caring, loving, teaching member of our shepherding team.  What a privilege!  We are under-shepherds because the Chief Shepherd has given us our own to care for, and called us to the task of spiritual mentors.  We read in Hebrews 13:20-21, that we are to “equip ourselves with everything good for doing His will…be pleasing to Him…and give Him glory forever and ever.” 

How is our shepherding of those to whom we are spiritual mentors?  Peter emphasizes in the focal passage that one who shepherds another is to be an example and is to lead humbly.  These admonitions give us pause for thought, and call for self-examination.  -Ethelene Dyer Jones  07.27.2014

Thinking Positively

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ..Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of  knowledge.  Hear my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way” –Proverbs 23:7a, 12, 19 (NKJV).

“As he thinks in his heart, so is he.”  Positive thinking is a must for one’s own well-being and to get along in the world.  We hear negativism on every hand today, and indeed, we do live in a time of chaos, mistrust and faltering and falling government.  Values we have long held are being replaced by modern trends in thinking.  Tried and true principles of living have been and are being discarded by those in authority.  Is there a way to latch onto and practice positive thinking in such an atmosphere of “dog eat dog” and “anything goes”?

How important to our well-being and sense of self-worth that we think positively.  Despite trends and philosophies we see displayed so blatantly, is there any way we can latch onto what is good and positive?  I have just read Proverbs 23 in its entirety.  That particular chapter of wisdom literature has a series of “Do not” instructions, warnings of pitfalls in life that can be sorely detrimental if keen attention is not given to right conduct and living.  The “do nots’ are worth attention, and pertain to avoiding bad lifestyles such as greed, gluttony, drunkenness and lack of discipline in general.  Within the “do nots” are positive gems to heed,  pinpointed in our focal verses for today:  “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (7)  “Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge” (12) “Hear…and be wise, and guide your heart in the way” (19).  So much in our lives depends on how we think, our attitude toward situations.  My friend Gene Crawford wrote:  “Sometimes you must make your own sunshine; positive thinking people do it every day in the confines of their mind."  (in THOUGHTS FROM MY LIFE'S EXPERIENCES. Walden, Tn: Walden Publishers, 2013, p.26).

I like Irish blessings.  Here is one a little less known than the one that begins, "May the road rise to meet you."  These gems of wisdom are anonymous, probably dating back a long way into collections of Irish literature.  Consider this one:

     "May there always be work for your hands to do;

     May your purse always hold a coin or two;

     May the sun always shine on your windowpane;

     May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;

     May a hand of a friend be always near you;

     May God fill your hear with gladness and cheer."

So much of what we do in life depends upon how we think and the positive attitude we place toward accomplishing our goals.  The Irish in their well-stated blessing and the wisdom expressed by the writer of Proverbs give us a good handle on positive thinking.  Poet Mary Oliver poses a serious question:  "Listen. Are you breathing just a little and calling it life?"  Prayer:  Today, Lord, let me examine my own attitude and see if it is aligned with Your positive plans and purpose for my life. - Ethelene Dyer Jones 07.13.2014

Interceding for America

“Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain!  Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming near…’Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning, and rend your hearts and not your garments.’  Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster.” – Joel 2:1; 12-13 (ESV).

Today marks day six in the seven days of prayer for America.  The idea of 7.7.7 was put on the heart of Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of evangelist Dr. Billy Graham.  She ministers in teaching, outreach and evangelism through her AnGelMinistries.  I have been encouraging readers of my daily devotional column, “Worth Considering…A Thought for Today” by posting during this seven day period the first week of July, 2014, reminding us to be cognizant of America’s need for sincere prayer and urgency as Christian citizens to return to the Lord.  Joel 2:1, 12-13 are the focal verses for the special appeal for prayer for America.  Joel warned of “the day of the Lord,” a phrase which means that God’s judgment upon a people is near at hand.  His is a clarion call for God’s people everywhere to return to Him with sincerity, confession and genuine repentance.  Only then will we as a people and a nation be eligible for God’s blessings and to avoid disaster.  Consider this an earnest appeal to think on the things of God and to pray earnestly for America.

In our day, we are more prone to criticize our government, to place blame and to complain than to pray for those in authority.  I have just finished reading Paul the Apostle’s message in Romans 12 and 13.  He urges that Christians give themselves in service as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.  We are to exercise spiritual gifts for the benefit of all.  Characteristics of true Christians are enumerated in Romans 12:9-20.  And in Romans 13, Christian citizens are told that we are to be subject to governing authorities because God ordains and allows the authority of government.  A solemn commandment in Romans 13:12 warns that the time is later than we think to make an about-face and return to God:  “The night is far gone; the day is at hand.  So let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”  As we intercede sincerely for America, may we pray that we will have the fortitude and purpose to realize the truth of this verse for our day.

A touching statue is the Iwo Jima memorial of the six marines raising the flag on Mount Suribachi, an important event of World War II occurring on February 23, 1945.  Someone telling about the statue said that the sculptor, Felix W. de Weldon placed thirteen hands raising the flag, the thirteenth representing the hand of God.  However inspirational this story is, it is just a rumor.  The sculptor stated that he did not carve the thirteenth hand into the statue.  But a strong object lesson exists even in the rumor.  Behind all we do, the invisible hand of God moves to order, stabilize and direct.  In the call to prayer and a return to God, it is His hand that guides to bring us back to His ways for our nation.  May we pray earnestly for our nation’s return to God.   

 -Ethelene Dyer Jones  07.06.2014.

What Would You Say to Fellow Christians in a Farewell Address?

“And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” –Acts 20:32 (ESV)  [Read Acts 20;17-17-38]

The context of our focal scripture verse for today is Paul the Apostle’s farewell address in the seaport town of Miletus in Ephesus as he had called the elders and other Christians together to bid them farewell.  In this speech, Paul referred to his own ministry among them as an example.  He was not boasting but rather appealing to the Christians to be faithful and to hold steadfastly to the teachings and doctrines he had taught them and lived out in his own life.  At this point he had “set his face steadfastly toward Jerusalem,” where those diametrically opposed to the Christian faith and the spread of the gospel awaited to accuse and arrest him.  Paul knew this appearance would likely be the last he had with the Ephesian Christians.  He wanted to give them directions and lessons they could hold onto and live by.  He invited them to observe his example and live as he had lived in a steadfast manner (20:18-21).  He spoke of future prospects for himself and the church, declaring that he had been faithful to deliver the message Christ had given him to preach, and he wanted the Ephesian brethren to do the same (20:22-27).  He warned them to be aware of false doctrines and coming heresies (20:28-31).  He encouraged them to have a proper attitude toward material goods, helping the weak and putting more priority on giving than on receiving (20:32-35).  Then came the tearful goodbye and his departure for the rest of the trip to Jerusalem (20:36-38).

What would you say to your fellow Christians if you knew it would be the last time you might teach a Sunday School lesson, your last opportunity to address any of your fellow Christians?  We don’t normally like to think about any situation being our “last,”  or our final opportunity to encourage Christians to be steadfast and immovable, abounding in the grace of God.  It’s sad to think about “last opportunities,” last times to admonish and encourage. But we know this could happen any time, in the twinkling of an eye.

Being a part of a pastor’s family  I have in the past had opportunities to hear my preacher husband give his last sermon to a congregation.  I myself have had occasion to teach the last lesson to a particular Sunday School class.  On June 1, 2014, I  heard my son, the Rev. Keith Jones, preach his last sermon as pastor to the congregation at Morganton Baptist Church as he retired after being in professional Christian work for forty-four years.  A very touching part of that service was son Keith calling two young men from his congregation who had been led to the Lord under his ministry and had just returned from a volunteer mission trip to Peru.  They gave their testimonies of work there and of having the privilege of seeing sixty people come to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  The message was strong that the work of preaching, witnessing and missions would go on, for others had been disciple to continue the work of witnessing, preaching and teaching.

Saying goodbye in situations where a minister or teacher has worked faithfully are both happy and sad.  Happiness emanates from the opportunities for service with any given group, whether a congregation or a Sunday School class.  But sadness occurs when the one leaving realizes that this may be the last time to drive home an important lesson while leaving those beloved Christians with a positive thought and an avid anticipation that there is more yet ahead for the faithful.  Maybe, as with Paul at Miletus in Ephesus long ago, the people will remember the person and his example more than his farewell address.  For we know how true the adage is:  “What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say.”  Unless the practice supercedes the proclamation and stands as a lofty example of “do as I do,”  then the words are of little effect.  Paul was right on target with his farewell address (Acts 20:32):  “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”   Amen!  --Ethelene Dyer Jones  06.29.2014

God Is Very Good at Making Days

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  Because His mercy endures forever.” –Psalm 118:1 (NKJV).  “Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.  And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.  God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night.  So the evening and the morning were the first day.” –Genesis 1:3-5 (NKJV).  “This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  -Psalm 118:24 (NKJV).

Do you ever try to stretch your imagination and think how it was before God spoke and created day and night, light and darkness, the world and everything in it,  the sky, the seas, the firmament, the animals, the birds, the creatures everywhere, and man and woman?  From nothing—He created everything in perfect order!  With the power of His word He created!

God has been very good at making days from that time henceforth.  At first, calendars were not like we know them today, with 365 days per year except that every fourth year came leap year with 366 days.  Then, man with his ingenuity, and no doubt inspired by God, wrapped the days in countable time called weeks, months, years, decades and centuries.  Even the day/night sequence was paced with twenty-four hours, or 1,440 minutes, or 86,400 seconds.  Rev. Robert J. Morgan wrote:  “God is in the day-making business.  The Ancient of Days is the Manufacturer of Days…One new day rolls off God’s assembly line every twenty-four hours, right on schedule, each one unique”  (100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart.  Nashville, TN:  B&H Publishing Group, 2010, p. 165).  Just to consider receiving a new day every twenty-four hours is phenomenal!

Consider the question:  How shall we use the new day allotted to us?  How shall we fill the gift of today that God is so good at making?

I heard of a widow who was feeling sorry for herself and her plight as she faced the prospect of days alone after her husband died.  Then she was reading her Bible and Psalm 118:24 seemed to leap out at her:  “This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  She decided that she would use a glass-carving instrument and engrave the verse into the panes of the window at which she stood each morning immediately after arising.  Seeing the words carved into the glass became a good reminder to her that each day was a brand new gift from God, made especially for her.  Why should she feel such self-pity when God had provided so bountifully for her?  With the psalmist, she resolved to be glad and rejoice in each day.  Following that experience, her life changed from one of self-pity to one of praise, thanksgiving and seeking to help others.

A Bible dictionary defines “rejoice”  as to feel gladness, to exult and be jubilant, to have a heart that sings.  Vivian Green gave us these classic lines about how to rejoice:  “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass.  It’s learning how to dance in the rain.”

 Here is a quatrain of praise I wrote that can be sung to  “The Old 100^th”—Doxology—tune:

Oh, Lord I thank you for today;

Praise for Your guidance on my way.

When nighttime falls may all be well;

At last in Heaven may I dwell.   Amen.    –Ethelene Dyer Jones  06.22.2014

Honoring Fathers

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”  Exodus 20:12. ( ESV).

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.  Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” –Colossians 3:20-21 (ESV).

     The fifth of the Ten Commandments and the first with an expressed promise teaches us that we are to honor both our parents.  “Honor” involves love, respect, appreciation, looking up to and accepting the leadership of the one honored.  And of course, parents are to lead lives of respect and honor.  Children are to obey parents.  But parents are to live in such a way that children can respect them.  Parents are not to provoke children or cause them to be discouraged because they set such high goals children have difficulty measuring up to expectations.

     Did you know there are some 70 million fathers in the United States?  Many of these are responsible adults and are seeking to rear and support their children well.  But many, unfortunately, are “absentee fathers” who have abdicated—or never accepted—responsibility for children’s upbringing.

     Looking into the history of Fathers’ Day celebrated the third Sunday in June in America shows that Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington suggested a day to honor fathers in 1910.  She wanted to respect the memory of her own father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War Veteran who reared six children, herself and five brothers as a single parent after the death of his wife and their mother.  Mrs. Dodd suggested to her pastor that a day be set aside to honor Father’s much as the one in May for Mother’s Day.  Father’s Day in America was observed on June 10, 1910 in Spokane, Washington.  The day was supported somewhat by Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Calvin Coolidge.  In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a Father’s Day proclamation, but it was not until 1972 under President Richard Nixon that Father’s Day was set by signed proclamation to be held the third Sunday in June.

     I honor my own father, J. Marion Dyer.  Like Sonora Smart Dodd’s father, my father lost companions to death and reared children by both his first and second wife after their deaths.  He manifested great faith, love, patience, endurance and example.  I am the beneficiary of a godly father.  I was married to a man who became an exemplary father to our children, seeking to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Fortunate are we who have the legacy of a good home and a father worthy of honor. 

     Dr. B. B. McKinney, noted hymnologist of the last century, wrote this prayer in his hymn entitled  

“God Give Us Christian Homes”: 

               “God give us Christian homes!

                 Homes where the father is true and strong,

                 Homes that are free from the blight of wrong,

                 Homes that are joyous with love and song,

                God give us Christian homes!  God give us Christian homes!”

      May his words be our prayer for this Father’s Day.  And Happy Father’s Day, all you wonderful fathers who might read this, and all of you who read and think about the influence of your own father.  Thank God for godly fathers.  –Ethelene Dyer Jones  06.15.2014.