Articles by Jamie Shell & Brent Nidiffer at Heartlight

New Wood

Sat, 06 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0600

When the great poet and author Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was well along in years, his head as white as snow, and his cheeks as red as a rose, an ardent admirer asked him how it was that he was able to keep so vigorous and write so beautifully. Pointing to a blooming apple tree nearby, he replied: "That apple tree is very old, but I never saw prettier blossoms upon it than those it now bears. The tree grows a little new wood every year, and I suppose it is out of that new wood that those blossoms come. Like the apple tree, I try to grow a little new wood every year."

As Christians, we want to nurture our life in Christ so that it continues to grow consistently and refuse to let it stagnate. We want to continue our growth as God's children by studying His Word. We want our lives to bear fruit for the Master. We want a life that is strong and will endure. The old adage for a Christian in whom God is at work is correct: "Whether you think you can or you can't, you are right."

The psalmist reminds us of this incredible blessing:

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3 CEV)

Today, let's make a personal commitment to keep growing new wood and blossoming into the beautiful children of God that we have been designed to be.

More than the Wrapping Paper for Christmas

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0600

For awhile, Christmas was banned in Boston and much of New England. Yes, Christmas was banned; a feast or celebration on December 25 brought you prosecution and a fine.

The Puritans preferred fasting as a way to remember the Savior’s birth. What would they think of today’s worldly ways of celebrations for Christmas, where every year we spend $500 million on wrapping paper and $800 million on lights for our Christmas trees, homes, and lawns?

We in America know how to celebrate just about anything. One Christmas, some of us neighbors decided to go caroling. As the music was passed out, I was shocked to find a group of Jr. High boys in the group who had never heard “Away in a Manger.” They had no clue as to what it meant.

We know how to celebrate just about anything. Yet, I must ask, have we replaced the holy with wrapping paper and humility with tinsel? The Old Testament prophet Amos declared for the Lord, "I hate, I reject your festivals, nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies" (Amos 5:21 NASV).

It wasn't that God was against a good party. The story of the rebellious Son, lost coin, and lost sheep make clear that God likes parties! (Luke 15). What God hates, however, is pretending we honor him with a show and without substance. God lets us know what he does want from us: "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream" (Amos 5:24). This holiday, let’s get serious about justice and righteousness instead of the hype and glitter of the season.

Forgiveness!

Sat, 20 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500

"She'll not live a day," a physician told an attending nurse. Concerned, the nurse befriended the dying woman, and in a few hours had won her confidence.

Motioning for the nurse to come near, the old woman said sorrowfully, "I have traveled all the way from California by myself, stopping at every city of importance between San Francisco and Boston. In each city I visit just two places: the police station and the hospital. You see, my boy ran away from home and I have no idea where he is. I've got to find him ...."

The mother's eyes seemed to flash a ray of hope as she added, "Someday he may even come into this very hospital, and if he does, please promise me you'll tell him his two best friends never gave up on him."

Bending over the dying mother, the nurse whispered softly, "Tell me the names of those two friends so I can tell your son if I ever see him."

With trembling lips and her eyes filled with tears the mother responded, "Tell him those two friends are God and his mother," and she closed her eyes and died.

God, even more than a forgiving mother, never gives up on one of His children. A long time ago, the apostle Peter promised, "All who believe in Jesus will be forgiven of their sins through Jesus' name" (Acts 10:43). God's forgiveness is uniquely infinite ... and since God is the quintessence of forgiveness, to think on God is to immerse oneself in thoughts of forgiveness rather than failure.

Hold tight to the truth that God forgives and God loves you with an everlasting love. And if this finds you away from him, remember that your two best friends have never given up on you!

Bethlehem

Fri, 23 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0600

Sometime ago NPR (National Public Radio) carried a story about the big plans they’ve got for sprucing up Bethlehem, the dusty little Palestinian town of Jesus’ nativity. It seems that tourists take the bus ride over from Jerusalem, get out, scurry into the church of the Nativity, take their pictures, get back on the bus, and head back into the big city. Nobody wants to linger in Bethlehem.

So they are building a luxury hotel, turning that dingy car park into a shopping mall, and attempting to turn poor Bethlehem into a place where tourists will want to stay and spend their money. International donations of $40 million are helping with the project. But there are charges of local political corruption, of money lining politicians’ pockets, and the whole project is bogged town in administrative red tape. What else is new?

Poor Bethlehem -- grimy, politically corrupt, caught between two warring peoples. Hardly the place for a celebration of Christmas. Yet in this tiny town the birth of Christianity happened just as the prophets of old had said.

Matthew records for us King Herod’s inquiry of where the Messiah would be born. His scholars told him that it had been written by the prophets many years earlier:

But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a ruler who will shepherd My people Israel. (Matthew 2:6)

The Meaning of Christmas

Fri, 16 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0600

In the popular Hi and Lois comic strip, the writer often puts into words what is in the mind of the little baby girl who is the pride of the family. During a comic strip that appeared during the Christmas season, the little girl is pictured as thinking, "I sure do love Christmas, boy do I love Christmas. I don't know what it's all about yet, but I sure do love it."

Many are in the same boat as this little girl. They enjoy Christmas, but they just don't know what it's all about. Think how much more enjoyment they would receive if they understood the full significance of Christmas!

The significance of this holiday is embodied in the words of some angels who said, "For today in the City of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)

Thankfulness

Fri, 25 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0600

A good king in Spain known as Alfonso XIX learned that the boys who served in his court were forgetting to pray before their meals. So he decided to teach them a lesson. He gave a banquet and invited them to attend. Midway through the dinner, a ragged beggar came in, sat down, and began eating ravenously. When he was finished, he went out without saying a word.

"That ungrateful wretch ought to be whipped," shouted the boys. "He ate the king's food and never showed gratitude."

Quietly, the king rose to his feet, and silence fell over the group. "Daily you have taken the rich blessings of life from the hand of your Heavenly Father," said the king. "You've enjoyed His sunshine, breathed His air, and eaten His food. All these things He has graciously provided, yet you have not bothered to say 'thank you' for any of them. You are more ungrateful than that beggar."

Unfortunately, we often take for granted the blessings that God has so generously provided. Like the boys, we accept them as commonplace -- dare say, we think they are deserved -- rather than the special gifts of heaven's grace that they are. During this holiday season, we should carry the same attitude as the Psalmist who wrote, "Thank the Lord because he is good. His love continues forever. That is what those whom the Lord has saved should say." (Psalm 107:1-2a NCV)

As you finish your Thanksgiving leftovers with family and friends, don't forget to take the time to be grateful to the King for what He has given to you.

Finishing

Fri, 18 Nov 2005 00:00:00 -0600

I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

At the Olympics, glory doesn't only go to those who win. Dorando Pietri was in a state of collapse as he entered the stadium for the final yards of the 1908 marathon. The Italian fell five times before an official helped him across the finish line. Pietri was disqualified, but his indomitable spirit made him an international celebrity.

A similar display of courage enabled Derek Redmond of Great Britain to finish the 400 meters in '92. Hobbled by a torn hamstring near the half-way point, Redmond hopped the rest of the way with the help of his father, Jim, who rushed from the stands to aid his son.

And who could forget the sight of Tanzania's John Stephen Akhwari, his right leg bloody and bandaged, staggering into the stadium more than an hour behind the winner of the '68 marathon? "My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race," he said. "They sent me to finish the race."

How many of us have started something only to become distracted and quit, or take a detour? Or, how many have we seen start the race of ministering to others and lose the way only to fall into disgrace or be put on the shelf? Rather than begin with much flare and fanfare, wouldn't we rather finish? Wouldn't finishing alone be worth it when at the Master's feet we hear, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant"? (Matthew 25:23)

He who finished the most important race in history can empower us to finish what we desire to do in His name. Let's trust in the One who can carry us when we fall and can help us run the race of perseverance so that we can finish strong!

Fear of Death

Fri, 25 Feb 2005 00:00:00 -0600

Many people suffer from various kinds of phobias today. Fear grips their lives. Some fear seeing the number 13, many have a fear of heights, and still others have a fear of being in a cramped, closed space. Whatever the fear, the greatest fear for many is the fear of death. Because of this fear, people have done some truly strange things trying to avoid its inevitability.

William Randolph Hearst built the great Hearst Castle near Morro Bay. He filled the structure with the most beautiful objects and art of our world. Yet whenever anyone visited, he had a standing rule that no guest in his home could ever mention the word “death.” Each night he was afraid to go to sleep because he was tormented by the fear of death.

The Bible teaches us that death is not the end. Daniel wrote of this truth: And those who sleep (die) in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. (12:2)

Maybe there is a proper fear of death for some. But for those who “die in the Lord,” there is nothing to fear, for they will be the ones to receive an eternal reward. After all, this is why Jesus came, that he would not only win the victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:51-58), but so that he could also help us overcome our fear of death! (Hebrews 2:14-18)