A Woman's View

How to keep a sure footing when the daily news drags us down

Sometimes current events and talk of happenings far away have wider meaning for you and me.

Recent headlines, talk shows and late-night comedians endlessly replayed the sleazy actions of a New York congressman. Some people felt genuine outrage. Others said, "Well, nobody's perfect." Reactions are all over the place.

No surprise. Long ago commonly accepted standards for "right" and "wrong" got tossed aside. In their place we plugged in whatever seems right. To you. To me. 

This conveniently enables us, no matter what the behavior, to say, "If it feels good, do it," or "Well, I would never do that, but it's not my life."

So any public figure can trot out the tired old line, "I did nothing illegal," and consider it an excuse.

What does this have to do with our lives?

A lot of people say, "Aw, who cares? Politics, show biz, professional sports. These people don't live in our world." 

Oh, yes, they do. They and their opinions and actions play out before us on our family room TVs. If what's on-screen doesn't matter, why did books featured on the Oprah Book Club become instant best-sellers?

Inevitably, what we see and hear in the media colors our thinking. Words and phrases that once shocked now don't even make us blink. Why would we expect youngsters and teens to be immune?

We can't protect our kids from the world, but it's reassuring to note that studies show young people still look to their parents and older family members as role models and reference points. (Don't expect them to admit it.) 

We can't protect our kids from the world, but we can do our best to give them a solid grounding in what's good and right and true.

That means we need to be solid and clear on what we think and believe.

Check the Manufacturer's Handbook

Many people say, "Restrictions. Who needs 'em?"

That's a popular view of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-16.)  It makes more sense to think of these verses as God's basic operating instructions for how to live happily and function at our best.

Think of them as a plumb line for living.

The first time I hung wallpaper I had no clue what a plumb line was. Why would anyone take time to use a level or a string with a weight on the end of it just to draw a straight line? Why bother?
 
I found out.

When I arrived back where I started, my last strip of wallpaper did not match up with the first. Although I hung the wallpaper with great care, the design had been drifting uphlll as I went along--and I never noticed.

That's the way we are without an unchanging standard to live by.

None of us can live up to those Commandments perfectly. Despite our best efforts, we will blow it now and then. That's why Jesus came, to set us right with God.

(Jesus said) "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."                                                                      John 14:6-7

All we need to do is ask. That's why they call the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus.

Peace and joy,

Lenore    

Authentic faith shines through

The other day I heard a story that touched my heart and it's too good to keep to myself.

There are a couple of versions, but they all trace back to fact. Take yourself back to Twenties, when people paid to hear dramatic speakers recite poems and speeches. Friends of one much-acclaimed actor and orator threw a lavish party in his honor. More than a hundred guests attended, all dressed in their finery.

Each guest felt privileged to be present since the famous guest traveled extensively and drew large (paying) crowds wherever he went. One of the guests asked, "Would you favor us with your rendering of the Twenty-third Psalm?"

At once the great man launched into a dramatic  rendition, complete with well-practiced flourishes and gestures. At the end the audience gave the speaker  a prolonged standing ovation.

Then from the back of the great room an old man stood and asked, "Might I also speak this Psalm?"

With permission given, the gray-haired man slowly made his way to the front of the room. Surprised guests sat politely, prepared to be unimpressed. Then the old man began to speak and a hush fell over the room. Listeners sat with tears streaming down their cheeks and many began weeping loudly. Once he finished they sat without moving for several minutes. 

Later someone asked the orator why the audience showed such different responses to hearing the same Psalm. The speaker answered, "I know that old man, so I know the reason.

"You see, I know the words. But that man, he knows the Shepherd."

Right about now seems the perfect time to revisit that psalm. That old preacher would have quoted the King James Version, so here it is again. Take time to drink in these beautiful words, because they're true for you and me, too.

Psalm 23

 ¹The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 ²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

 ³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 ⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 ⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

 ⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Just the words themselves are comforting, aren't they? I find speaking them aloud soothes my spirit. I hope you do, too. 

And may you, too, know the Lord as your Good Shepherd. Let Him lead you through and restore your tired heart.

Blessings,

Lenore