Meet the Man at the Well

"My love and deep gratitude to my son, Tom Fox, who by his example led me to a clear commitment of my life to Jesus Christ. ... Thanks most of all to Jesus Christ, who made my life to shine by sending His Holy Spirit into my heart" from her book "In the Hands of the Potter."

This son who led his mother, by example, to our Lord knew there were many obstacles to overcome. Born Lucille Wood Smith, it was changed to Frances Octavia Smith while she was still a baby. She changed it again when she married at fourteen and gave birth to Tom before her divorce and remarriage at seventeen. Just a few years later she changed it again after another divorce and remarriage, followed by a divorce. In Memphis she changed her name twice for her career.

Once more she remarried -- this time they remained married, beginning their family with her son and his son and two daughters. They would raise nine -- three they would lose before they were grown. Their birth daughter, Robin; their adopted daughter, Debbie; their adopted son, John David.

It was Robin's story, "Angel Unawares", her first book I read, and cried over, that opened her life to my eyes and opened my eyes to her faith. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2 KJV)

But the one that most exemplifies a Christian life is "The Woman at the Well." Led by her own son, she came to that well of living water and told others Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? (John 4:29 KJV)

God knows all we have done, and He loves us. We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19 KJV)

He told us how much He loves us. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

I wonder how many younger than Boomers, or maybe Generation X, recognize her name -- Dale Evans Rogers? How many have read her books of Christian family and love. If you haven’t, come to know her through her works. And, through her works, come meet the Man at the well.

The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (John 4:25-26 KJV)

Stem Cell Research

Dr. Shelley Chawla supports embryonic stem cell research – here in America. His book and movie were created from that viewpoint.

Since this is not a controversial subject in India, why not support India’s achievement in what a portion of the world considers to a scientific question or medical industry. Why must the focus be upon changing a Christian value in America?

I do not understand why the concept exists that only American money and only embryonic stem cells will provide the cure for most of mankind’s ills. I do believe that with the coming election, the current presidential order will be changed and embryos will be created for death.

That I find regrettable. For there does not exist a ban on the research today, only on USA government funding. Taxes include those paid by multiple millions of Christians who support the ethical position of sanctity of life, and the belief that life begins before birth. We simply request that government funds not be used for embryonic stem cell research. Spend all my tax money on umbilical stem cells or adult stem cell, please.

Independent funding of embryonic stem cell research is available – when there is hope of a profitable return of investment money. Does it appear there will be no profitable return? Will people not pay for the use of resulting medical applications?

These are my questions – they do not appear in media discussions that I’ve read. It’s easier to decry the conservative position and denigrate their beliefs, blaming them for refusing Superman the right to fly.

My Bible speaks of God knowing us from the womb: Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. (Isaiah 44:2 KJV)

Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; (Isaiah 44:24 KJV)

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5 KJV)

I cannot cease to comment. Bits and pieces of Esther come to mind: For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise … another place; … and who knoweth whether thou art come … for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14 KJV)

Shame on us!

America has ceased to acknowledge shame. No “uncomfortable or painful feeling due to recognition or consciousness of impropriety, dishonor or other wrong in the opinion of the person experiencing the feeling. It is caused by awareness of exposure of circumstances of unworthiness or of improper or indecent conduct.”

The definition has not changed since I was a child, but its application has. In today’s world shame is applied to hypocrites, not self imposed. Today’s societal acceptance of personal desires provides no opportunity for personal feelings of shame.

There is no impropriety. A New York governor hires prostitutes on a regular basis. He apologizes when caught, but expresses no recognition of impropriety. A president takes advantage of his powerful position to influence an intern and expresses no recognition of impropriety, explaining instead that he did not have sex. A national radio personality rails against improprieties, yet does not express shame for his substance addiction. Multiple priests abuse young boys and are only transferred to another opportunity. A plethora of Hollywood personalities flaunt lifestyles that provide shock news through conduct that generates no apologies, just large smiles as cameras click.

Shame upon us for paying for those photos.

Have we all no shame? Perhaps it is true that a lack of rules results in a lack of shame: … there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; (Judges 18:7 KJV)

David, a man who was exposed in circumstances of unworthiness, and certainly in improper and indecent conduct, wrote: My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me, (Psalms 44:15 KJV)

Solomon also spoke of shame in many of his Proverbs: The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. (Proverbs 3:35 KJV)

Take care that Daniel’s prophesy does not have a personal application: And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2 KJV)

And, as Paul, I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. (1 Corinthians 4:14 KJV)

Shame has a rightful place in today’s society. We should feel warned and uncomfortable, at the very least. There are actions in our lives that are harmful, to us – and to others.

Let The Son Shine!

In addition to writing, I read. There are so many different things to read on the web, and some of them pull at my heart. I have a few great friends and lots of acquaintances on a multitude of websites. On one of them I found the story of Fern and Bamboo. This one line jumped out at me:

"Have a great day! The Son is shining!!"

How wonderful to know that ... the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. (Revelation 21:23 KJV)

Those who recognized Him shouted aloud saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? (Matthew 8:29 KJV)

People say that today, some go further and say "I'll have nothing to do with Jesus." Some file suit to keep His name from being mentioned in public prayer. School administrators require students to remove Him from their speeches, their art, their lives.

Then there are others who ... came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. (Matthew 14:33 KJV)

Still others who wish Christ had not held his peace: But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. (Matthew 26:63 KJV)

Guess they forgot the exchange He had with Peter: He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 16:15-17 KJV)

Or the exchange with Paul: And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Acts 9:5-6 KJV)

Yes, Jesus did confirm He was God’s son: I and my Father are one. (John 10:30 KJV); He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. (Matthew 27:43 KJV) The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. (John 10:33 KJV)

Others have claimed to be the promised messiah but their claims failed the test of prophecy as well as the tests of time. Muhammad did not claim to be God. Buddha did not claim to be God. Jesus did – and He is.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1-3 KJV)

Men Unawares

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:4 KJV)

Lifeway Research (a branch of the Southern Baptist Convention) published its survey results: 17 percent of evangelical/fundamental Christians, 31 percent of protestants and 55 percent of Catholics state that homosexuality is not (and I repeat not) a sin. We know through media coverage of one Episcopal bishop who most certainly believes – and lives – as though it is not.

In addition to acceptance, such survey results must also indicate either a lack of understanding of Biblical admonitions, a lack of scripture reading or a simple rejection of what is read.

The Bible specifically refers to a number of things being sinful, and yet we accept many of them as part and parcel of daily life. Lying is one of my most easily broken sin – “Sure that color looks good on you,” all the while thinking that a deeper tone would be better, or a shade lighter would enhance the eyes. Or the simple, all covering “You can do anything you really set your mind to – just work hard at it,” when I know there are outside influences that will make that hill climbing extremely difficult, if not impossible. Those are lies, not kindness or encouragement. The Bible tells us where liars shall have their part in Revelations 21:8, and their companions are murderers.

Paul lists a number of attributes considered sinful, then says these men are: Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:7 KJV)

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. (2 Peter 2:18 KJV)

Romans 1:24-27 defines this clearly, then states: And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (Romans 1:28 KJV)

Verses 29-31 continues to list specific sins, then says of the sinners: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:32 KJV)

Let us instead look for James’ definition: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27 KJV)

The fatherless and widows? That's going to be easy – but that last part…

Righteousness

There are so many ways I do not live up to other people’s standards. Most certainly I have not lived up to God’s – but neither has anyone else.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: … Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:10, 22-23 KJV)

Doesn’t give us much breathing room, does it? We can’t wiggle around and convince ourselves that we really are righteous because we’re not [enter the sin of your choice] like that person over there. We haven’t done anything as bad as [enter the person of your choice], so we’re better.

Get over it. Whether one iota of your life is better than John Doe’s has no affect on the totality. Along the way, every day, we fail to measure up to what God has intended for our lives – for all mankind. And, working hard at being better doesn’t get the job done. Using that as a measure, we fail.

We need to stop measuring ourselves against any neighbor, any friend, any family member. They, too, fall into the same failure bucket, for there is none righteous, no, not one.

So, why try? Because God has provided, just as Abraham said He would: And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb ... (Genesis 22:8a KJV)

Did Abraham believe what he said, or was he trying to quiet an inquisitive child that would soon be sacrificed? I don’t know, and scholars will debate. But, the statement was a truth – God did provide, Himself, a lamb. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29 KJV) And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! (John 1:36 KJV)

So, my concern is not other people’s standards, which I shall never be able to reach and is not required by our Father. My concern is Christ, who provides the righteousness I need to come before our Father.

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (Philippians 3:9 KJV)

And, it is a gift, so I don’t expect to hear any bragging about being deserving! For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

Which Jonah?

What part of Jonah’s story are you living?

Are you running from God’s will? Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, … But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD … (Jonah 1:1-3 KJV)

Are you sleeping through a crisis? But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. … But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep. (Jonah 1:4-5 KJV)

Have you been abandoned? So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. (Jonah 1:15 KJV)

Perhaps you are displeased with God’s plan for others? But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. (Jonah 4:1 KJV)

Or have you moved into a state of loneliness? So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city. (Jonah 4:5 KJV)

All he could see was futility. Before God sent him, Jonah knew that God would not destroy Nineveh: And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. (Jonah 4:2 KJV) So why go to all the bother of sending a prophet?

Futility is the saddest. When we do not understand God’s will, or the results. When we see bad things happening to people we know are good, kind, thoughtful, loving. When we see them hurting physically and spiritually – and we cannot see a godly result.

That’s when faith becomes of utmost importance, …the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 KJV)

Later on we’ll understand why God would say And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, (Jonah 4:11a KJV)

Until that time, we follow what God told the psalmist to write: Be still, and know that I am God: (Psalms 46:10 KJV)