By Joe Widick
The events of this past summer has made me increasingly aware of the importance of taking care of your heart. Elaine and I praise God that are 36 year old son is doing well, able to work and enjoy his family. God is good! I was looking up some facts on the heart recently, and found a staggering fact. My heart has beat a little over 2.2 billion times already. That little organ that weighs only about 300 grams and is the size of a fist continues to work day in and day out. It has been stated that in a lifetime, the heart will pump the equivalent of a little over 1 million barrels of blood. God’s creation is amazing! Sometimes we find ourselves taking caring of this organ, while other times we may abuse this precious organ, causing it to work overtime.
I know that when my heart stops, it will be too late to change my ways. For that reason, I along with countless others across the country are trying to better control their diet. I believe however, that is not only watching what we eat but also what’s eating me. As vital as this physical organ is, there is one that becomes even more important. That of course is our spiritual heart. Like our physical heart, our spiritual heart has throbbed millions of time with thoughts affections and choices. It is in the heart that we determine how we speak, behave and even respond to life’s circumstances. The wise man Solomon stated in Proverbs 4:23 “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” It becomes increasingly important for us to trust the Lord and choose to be gracious, patient, and loving. Too many times we go in a different direction and allow pride, greed and bitterness to rule our hearts. Solomon also penned the following; “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding.” Once again I believe that when we do something of this nature, it takes the stress off of our spiritual heart. The question now is we keeping spiritually fit? After all, Solomon did emphasize the importance of caring for our heart. What about:
Weight: Do we need to lose the weight of unnecessary burdens and cares?
Pulse: Are we maintaining a steady rhythm of gratitude and praise?
Blood pressure: Is our trust greater than our anxiety?
Diet: Are we enjoying the life-giving nutrients of the Word of God?
If our goal is to keep spiritually fit this year, there will be a need for us to consult the Great Physician. Then and only then will we have the proper healthcare.
Prayer Thought: That I will trust in the Lord daily
By Joe Widick
We would probably find it hard to believe, but just about everyone has a scar somewhere on their body. And with every scar, there is a story that goes with it. Some stores probably are tragic in nature. Others may involve some act of heroism. For me the scar that I think of is neither tragic or an act of heroism, rather it is the result of a poor decision years ago. I decided that I could take my skateboard and hold on to a rope that was attached to a motorcycle and instead of water skiing, I could “skateboard ski.” The first lesson that I learned was that pavement is a lot less forgiving than falling while water skiing. As my “friend” took off with me in tow, all went well until he picked up speed. At some point I realized this was too dangerous. This is when I made a poor decision. Instead of letting go of the rope and coasting to a stop, I decided to jump off the skateboard. After bouncing along the pavement I finally stopped resulting in my “battle scar”
For every scar there is also the memory of the pain that went with it. Try to imagine what it would be like if Jesus shared His scars with you and I. If he told us his feelings as he was mocked and beaten. Would we be moved if He shared the intimate details of how He suffered the cruelest form of death by being nailed to a cross. What if He talked to us about how He lived a sinless life, yet He bore our sins on the cross? Would it make an impact on you and me if He told us how He knew from the beginning of time that these events would take place, yet He was willing to take our place-paying a debt He didn’t owe because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay.
One day we will look into the face of Jesus. I wonder what it will be like on that day. Will there be a smile on his face as he looks at me and says “well done” or will there be a look of sadness as he says these scars were for you. The apostle Paul brings it all into perspective in Romans 5:8 when he says; “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We should make it a point each and every day to thank Him who was willing to die so that we could live with him through all eternity.
Prayer Thought: A prayer of thanksgiving for the sacrifice that was made for each of us.
By Joe Widick
In recent world events, there has been the passing of two “world leaders.” One was Gerald Ford the thirty-eighth president of the United States. He came to office at a time when our country was steeped in turmoil. He seemed to have been able to bring some closure to some bad situations. The praise he received was heard by many. On the other side of the world a former dictator was put to death for actions he committed against the Kurdish people of his country. Saddam Hussein’s name will long be remembered as a tyrant. Two “world leaders,” both had an impact on their world, two that will be remembered in two very different ways.
After the South lost the War Between the States, John Wilkes Booth wanted to be remembered as its avenger against the North. Some scholars speculate that because he was an actor, Booth’s planned assassination of President Lincoln was, in his mind, his greatest “performance.” Ironically, John Wilkes Booths place in history is that of a villain. He is remembered for taking the life of an unarmed Lincoln with a gunshot to the back of the head. In contrast, Abraham Lincoln is remembered as the president who preserved the Union, freed slaves, and exhibited “malice toward done and charity for all” (Second Inaugural Address).
It is always been interesting to me to think how people are remembered. I attended the funeral of two Christian ladies this past week. Both were praised for their service to the Lord. How do you want to be remembered? Will there be good thoughts about you, your name, the legacy that you leave behind. The redeemed sinners listed in Hebrews 11 are remembered for one common virtue: “All these…obtained a good testimony through faith.” Long after their deaths, the record of their lives of faith and obedience still inspire us today. Few of us will be recorded in history books after we leave this world. But all of us will leave behind memories with our families and friends. Those closest to us are watching our response to God through times of testing and blessing. So again I ask the question; “How will you be remembered?” Are you living in faith and obedience to Him? What will be the legacy of your life?
Prayer Thought: “Help me to remember the importance of who I am in the eyes of God.”
By Joe Widick
Something Special
People were gathering everywhere for a very special evening. Some were going to friends, others were meeting at clubs, still others were going to restaurants. For some it was a time to travel to be reunited with friends or family. For others, it was a time to gather together to worship God. It was December 31, 2006. It seems as though it was so long ago, yet it was just a week. Sunday night was one of those special evenings that will stand out in the minds of those who gathered together to worship our Lord. The service was simple, yet meaningful. The songs sung were from the heart, the words of each song filled with meaning. The public prayers were to a God who loves us and cares for us deeply. Those who led us in prayer approached the majestic throne of God in the name of Jesus the Christ, our savior.
As he has done on so many occasions, Wayne was able to share with each of us in a way that we were stirred to make 2007 a year to remember. A year that will be filled with opportunities to serve, to make a difference, to show the world that truly we love the Lord and that we will serve Him to our very best. We will be looking to heaven in 2007. Wayne used an acrostic of NEW YEAR to set the tone for the lesson, that was interspersed with select songs. If this was any indication of what 2007 will be like, we will all be blessed if we heed the teaching from God’s word. I want to put into print the focal points of Wayne’s lesson. At the visitors stations there is a card that shows these points. You may want to pick one up and put in your Bible. Use it as a book mark as you read through the Bible this year. Let it remind you what is happening in your life in 2007. REMEMBER: These points will make a difference only if you and I put into practice these different points.
N—No Condemnation: Romans 8:1
E—Eternal Life is a gift: Romans 6:23
W—Walk Uprightly: Ephesians 5:2
Y—Yield to Righteousness: Romans 6:13
E—Example: Matthew 5:13-16
A—Attention to God’s Word: II Timothy 2:15
R—Rejoice in the Lord: Philippians 4:4
Prayer Thought: Bless me with a tender heart in 2007 as I strive to serve my Master.
By Joe Widick
Elaine and I are going to have one of those opportunities that all parents and grandparents should get to experience. We are not baby setting for our children. What we are doing is going to be much more exciting (I guess that is the right word). We are going to have a special guest at our home, her name is Chloe. Chloe is a one year old pug that belongs to our son and daughter-in-law. We got a taste of what it will be like to have this guest this past weekend. They brought Chloe with them for Christmas. One thing for sure, she has a lot of energy. I watched them play with her. She has a special tennis ball that she will chase for seemingly hours. As I watched her playing chase with the ball, I found myself asking, “What’s the point!” Over and over again, it was the same thing.
What’s the point? Isn’t that the question that Solomon expressed as he thought about the monotonous cycle he observed in nature and in life? To him he saw the same thing happening year after year, generation after generation.
What’s the point? That was what was heard in an assisted living home. A retired businessman was saying he just as soon die as live any longer. He felt that he had seen and done everything he had wanted to do. Now he had reached the place where life held more pain for him than pleasure.
What’s the point? Life is a wonderful experience. It’s marvelous to see that God keeps nature going in its pattern. I am not a great fan of winter, but I know that spring will follow. It’s wonderful to know that we’re here to love God above everything and to love our neighbor as ourselves. It is easy to love God, because He first loved me. It is a thrill to love God, because He has blessed me so richly in life. It is comforting to know that all of our sins are forgiven because of what Christ did on the cross. And it’s exciting to think about the eternity God has for all of us. How exhilarating it is to think about the mansion that is being prepared for me and you in heaven. It is wonderful to be alive.
I believe that life can be very depressing when God is left out. I also believe that life can be extremely exciting when we put God at the center of our life. As we look to the New Year, I want God to be at the very center of my life. To do so, I will need to remember the words of Solomon, as he concluded his thoughts in Ecclesiastes. He simply said; “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is man’s all.”
