How Billy Graham’s Life and Death Influenced Me

by Sally Matheny

Billy Graham Influenced Lives

(flickr photo)

I spent most of the afternoon watching the motorcade transporting the body of the evangelist, Dr. Billy Graham.

On roads I travel often, the procession went from Black Mountain to Charlotte. My daughter and her family were blessed to be in the crowds lining the streets.  

Fire trucks parked at the overpasses and hung American flags from their ladders.

Red heart balloons floated heavenward as the hearse passed by.

I only meant to spend a few minutes watching the televised procession. But, just as it has happened numerous times before, God has an amazing way of proclaiming His love for people through Rev. Billy Graham. So much so, it was too difficult for me to pry away from the television.

Millions of people will join Rev. Graham in heaven because of his obedience to proclaim the gospel, and their decision to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

A multitude of tributes and testimonies will present themselves in the days and years to come. 

Many will share how their lives were changed by the words of Rev. Graham. I know his life, and his death, have influenced me.

What Do Our Neighbors Do While We Are at Church?

by Sally Matheny

Happiness is temporary. Joy is lasting.
(Pixabay Photo)

If you’ve ever run a few minutes late getting to church, you’ve definitely seen them. Recently, they appeared on my route. Within a quarter of a mile, there they were--three, seemingly happy, families in their front yards.

The first family’s home was surrounded by pink and blue balloons. It had to be a gender reveal party or a baby shower. Someone was setting up a grill as cars pulled in the driveway.

The second home had a nice, fenced yard with beautiful flowers. A middle-aged woman wearing gardening gloves dropped a bag of mulch on the ground. Several other bags leaned against a tree.

A few yards down the street, a truck sat in a driveway, waiting for me to pass. Filled with smiling, teen boys, who appeared eager to get going. A trailer with two four-wheelers was attached to the truck. Behind them was another truck filled with more boys and more ATVs.

All three yards seemed to harbor cheerful people. They all had special plans for the day.

But it was 10:45 on a Sunday morning. Obviously, I’m curious why these happy people don’t go to church.

I know, I know. They could have gone to an early service somewhere. They may have been expecting family from out of town. Heading out for an overdue vacation. Yes, all that may have been true.

But, what if it wasn’t? What if that day was just like every Sunday, except this time, they happened to be outside when I passed by?

They were doing what they wanted, what they enjoyed. It was their day off from work and they were free.

So why do these happy scenes make me feel a twinge of sadness?

I hear one of you laughing now and stating, “Because you’re the preacher’s wife and you have to go to church!”

(hee, hee.) All joking aside, I’m glad I felt a tug on my heart. It’s all too easy to say, “Oh, well, to each his own,” and keep driving by.

In fact, for years, I’ve driven by a house where a man is almost always out in his garden on Sunday morning. I’ve become used to seeing him there.

Sometimes our lives are so busy, it’s easy to glide past and ignore the choices of others. But we’re talking about human lives here.

Do we care enough to make time for a conversation?

It’s not a legalistic thing. It’s not about getting people to do the “right thing” by going to church on Sunday.

Rather, it’s about devoted Christians loving people enough, loving strangers enough, to start a conversation. We should be asking ourselves what our neighbors do while we are at church. Find out if those we’re passing by know the truth about this temporary life and about their eternity.

I wonder if that one family knows all children are gifts from God, that it is He who knits each baby in the womb, and that He even knows how many hairs are on each head.

Does the older woman recognize God as the creator of all things, that it is He who miraculously grows a giant oak out of an acorn, and He is the one who amazingly intertwines all of nature together? Does she know He cares for the flowers, the animals, and even more so, He cares about her?

I wonder if those young guys understand that true joy runs deeper than any ravine and soars higher than any mountain? Are they aware only through a relationship with Jesus Christ will they experience an everlasting joy?

What are these people’s lives like during the rest of the week? Do they sleep with sweet peace or are they tossing and turning with worry? Are their needs being met, or are they constantly in search of something better? Do they know what it feels like to join other believers in worship of the one and only, awesome God?

Right now, I don’t know how those folks would answer these questions. There’s only one question I can answer. “Do I care enough to find out?”

Lord, thank you for opening my eyes to see. Forgive me of my self-centeredness and complacency. Please give me wisdom and discernment on how to reach out to others. Remind me of my limitless joy, the reason for my hope, and give me the desire and the courage to share it.

What’s going on in your neighborhood? Have you seen anyone on your way to church?

How to Venture in a New Direction

by Sally Matheny

[How do we move when we are content where we are?
Pixabay photo]

I bought a beautiful hydrangea bush to plant in my yard. The flower, still in its pot, has been moved to four different locations. I can’t make up my mind where to plant it. The last time I planted a hydrangea, it died. I’m afraid I’ll mess this one up as well. After four weeks, it’s struggling because it's still sitting in the thin, plastic container, waiting on the transplant.

Our lives can be like that. Whether a school year closes, a business year ends, or we find ourselves pondering on New Year’s Eve, the question remains. Did I make a difference this year? Should I stay where I am? How do I know if I should venture in a new direction?

About the Children’s Picture Book on Abortion & an Apology to the Author

by Sally Matheny

There's a children’s picture book, Sister Apple, Sister Pig, causing a great disturbance among conservative Christians. 

The theme of the book is abortion. Thankfully, this book is only available online and isn’t readily available in your child’s library.

I read the free e-book. Then I read reviews and interviews. I can see why the response was so intense.

What makes people angry about the whole thing is:

The author, Mary Walling Blackburn, presents the topic of abortion in the form of a children’s picture book. 

While she says it is meant for adults, not children, it is still formatted as a children’s book and the main character is three years old. It’s dedicated to “Little Friends.” By all publishing standards, it looks like a children’s book. Abortion is not an appropriate topic for a young child.

Interviews found online with the Ms. Blackburn reveal many unsettling and bizarre opinions. She likes to express them with a scholarly vocabulary. But Christians find her words profane and offensive.

Ms. Blackburn is an assistant art professor at a Methodist university.

Perhaps that’s where the worst sting lies. She works for an educational organization that supposedly claims to be a denomination of the Christian faith.

I don’t know what Ms. Blackburn’s relationship with Christ is.

All I know is if you disagree with the Bible, then you disagree with God. If you promote things that conflict with his Holy Word, then you’re encouraging people to turn away from God and face an eternity separated from his love and saving grace. And where Jesus is concerned, you’re either for Him, or against Him. It’s that simple.

The intention of this post is not to blast insults at Ms. Blackburn as some folks have done.

Neither do I intend to praise her. To avoid any confusion, I want to be clear—I do not agree with her stance on life. Neither do I support her work.

However, what I’d like to do is offer a sincere apology to Ms. Blackburn. Please allow me to explain.

You Missed It! (Encouraging the Doubters)

by Sally Matheny

It Was Awesome and You Missed It!

         “You missed it!”

     Don’t you hate hearing those words? Perhaps you went to get a hotdog, and missed the best play ever made at home plate—by your child—the one who hasn’t scored a run in three years. Everyone kept exclaiming how awesome it was. 

And... 
you missed it!

     Or maybe you had plans to meet some friends at a restaurant. At the last minute, you decided not to go. You had your reasons. But they didn’t seem so great when you heard about your friends' spectacular evening.

    A celebrity ate at the table beside them. An exciting conversation took place, the celebrity treated them to desserts, and they each received free tickets and backstage passes to his upcoming concert. Each of your buddies called to tell you their version of the incredible evening. And...
you missed it!

     We’ve all had sinking moments like this. Don’t feel bad. Even one of Jesus’ disciples, Thomas (a.k.a Didymus) missed the most amazing miracle of all time.

     Three days after Jesus died on a cross, all of his disciples, except for Thomas, sat in a room together. The doors were locked for fear of persecution. Bewildered by recent events—the death of Jesus, finding his tomb empty, and news that a few had actually seen Jesus alive—the disciples were overwhelmed.

     Suddenly, Jesus appeared among them comforting them with words of peace! Awestruck by Jesus’ pierced hands and feet, they first thought he was a ghost, until they saw him eat food. Everyone knows ghosts can't eat food. Jesus also spoke to them and opened their minds so they could understand. And they believed.

     All except Thomas.

     Where in the world was Thomas? Was it his turn to retrieve water from the well that day? Did he send a message to the rest of the guys that he needed a day off? Perhaps he awoke that morning with a headache from all the stress. 

Whatever the reason, Thomas missed it.    

     Assuredly, Thomas had to listen to each, of his ten friends, share their personal experience of what happened. While Thomas’s heart was still grieving and his confused mind reeling, he must have endured quite a bit. 

Who knows? It's possible Thomas had to put up with  Luke’s constant, beaming grin, Matthew's singing at all hours, or John’s spontaneous praise dancing! 

     Did Thomas think all ten men hallucinated at once? Was he angry? Did he put on an attitude of bitterness? All we know for sure, is Thomas said he would not believe until he saw Jesus’ scars and touched the spear-penetrated side himself.

     Ever since then, and for the rest of time, he’ll be remembered as “Doubting Thomas.” Poor Thomas. 

Do you doubt the power of Christ?

     Perhaps, there is something else to consider. Even though Thomas had his doubts, he did not turn from God. He did not flee from the disciples. The enthusiastic sincerity of his friends compelled him to hang around. 

     Perhaps the other disciples showed empathy to Thomas, encouraging him to remember the words Jesus’ spoke during his ministry on earth. Recollecting their own qualms, they showed Thomas kindness and loved him with grace. Maybe they continued to remind Thomas of all Jesus’ miracles they had witnessed.

    What if, every night, while the others slept in peace, Thomas cried out to the Lord to help him remember, to help him believe?  

     A whole week passed—10,080 minutes.    

     Between listening to the accounts of the miraculous event, over and over again, and lying awake at night trying to make sense of it all, I bet most of those 10,080 minutes Thomas struggled.

     Although skeptical, Thomas still stayed close to the disciples. All he knew was when he left his friends they were fearful and confused, and the next time he saw them they were drastically changed--full of joy and anticipation. Whatever wonderful thing happened to them, Thomas wanted it, too. He was on the brink of believing.

     Then, it happened. One week later Jesus appeared to the disciples again and this time, Thomas was there.

Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.

(John 20:26-27, NIV)

     By then, Thomas did not need to touch Jesus’ scars. As Christ came across the room, Thomas allowed Him to come into his heart. He believed and cried out, “My Lord, and my God!” 

Don't give up sharing your faith.

     Is there someone you know who is struggling like Thomas? Perhaps he expresses his doubts yet, he still hangs around, intrigued by the way you live your life; fascinated by your sincere belief that Jesus is alive and rules in your heart.

     You’ve repeatedly shared your Christian beliefs. No matter how wonderfully you present the gospel, you cannot make him believe. Keep praying and allow the Holy Spirit to work. Don’t give up.

     Perhaps your friend realizes he’s missing something exciting and miraculous. He is on the brink of believing.

     Share with us. Have you had an experience with a “doubting Thomas”?

Are You on a Lovely Island or a Lonely One?

by Sally Matheny

      

                     

Does an island get-away sound lovely to you?
Would it be lovely if you were deserted there?

What if there were many people, yet you are still left alone? What if your only company were the demons tagging along inside of you?

There are many lonely people in the world. Learn from this man’s success story:

  “When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.”

Did this demon-possessed man hear Jesus was coming? Did he have enough of his own senses to run and seek out Jesus?  

Whatever the case, Jesus knew exactly where he wanted to land his boat. He took the first step towards the man in need.

 “When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet…

 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man.”

 

Whether it was the man, or the demons inside of him, they fell at the feet of Jesus Christ. The impure spirit was commanded to come out. Jesus has the authority. Jesus is Ruler of all.

“Many times… [the man] had been driven by the demons into solitary places.”

Solitary places can sometimes be lovely—for a while--but, not for very long. Succumbing to live in the cold desolation of a cemetery; this man's only companions were graves and demons.

 

 “Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’

 ‘Legion,’ he replied, because many demons had gone into him.

And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.”

 

Jesus knows everything. So why did he ask the man his name?

 

Other people gathered, curious about the man landing on their shore . When the demon-possessed man stated his name aloud, there would be no questions later, if this was truly the same man whose life Jesus changed.

The demons begged Jesus. Why?
Because even the demons know who is the Master of all.

It’s ironic that the demons tortured the man into a dark and lonely existence yet, they begged Jesus to spare them from such a place.
 

 

 “A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them his permission.”

Again, Jesus is in control. He knew what the pigs would do. The pigs were so crazed by the demons they ran off a cliff and drowned in a lake.

 

Those who witnessed the event ran off to tell others of this startling event. More people came. They stared at the changed man who was now dressed, and in his right mind.

They found him sitting at Jesus’ feet--probably kissing and hugging them. 

 

Wouldn’t you drop to the ground, faint with amazement, if you were set free from such an evil and lonely existence? 

The bystanders were astonished, too. They wondered how this transformation was possible.

 

And where there is no faith, there is fear.

 

“Then all the people…asked Jesus to leave… so he got into the boat and left.”

 

Even now, Jesus takes a step toward the lost and the lonely. People ignore Him. They tell Him to leave; choosing to live in fear and bondage rather than live in the freedom of faith. One day, Jesus may turn to leave; never to seek their hearts again.

Some people choose to live in the dark abyss. But not everyone… 

“The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him,

but Jesus sent him away, saying,

‘Return home and tell how much God has done for you.’”

The saved man desperately wanted to go with Jesus—to fellowship with His other followers.

Standing on the shore, his tear-filled eyes fix on Jesus and the boat slowly drifts away.

His heart pounding in his chest, he wipes his eyes so he can see more clearly. He wants to go and leave this forsaken place!

Then, he notices the compassion in Jesus’ eyes--and he understands.

 

When he can no longer see Jesus, he turns to face the crowd of people. The crowd who sent his Healer and Savior away.   

Some stand with their arms crossed, eyes glaring. Others are murmuring and laughing as they walk away. Concerned parents hurriedly gather their children toward the path back to town; back to the life of which they are accustomed.
  

 

The man realizes not one of them understands God’s love.

 

He is the only one.

 

However, this time he does not feel alone. Jesus did not abandon him. He feels His Presence within him. The joy inside is as miraculous as his healing. It is amazing, and Jesus asked him to stay and share it. 

 

“So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.”  (from Luke 8:27-39)

 

Are you in a lonely place?

Call out to Jesus. He heals and comforts. He freely gives wisdom and peace. He loves. He saves and He stays.

 

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

Psalm 73:23 

Christian, do you sometimes feel like you’re in the battle alone?

Call out to Jesus. He is in control. He is the captain of the winning team (of which you are a member!) He restores and strengthens. Remember your first love and your reason for joy.

You are never alone.

“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I  always do what pleases him.”    
John 8:29 (NIV)

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”   
Philippians 4:7-9 (NIV)

Take your thoughts captive. Remind yourself of God’s love and blessings.
Rest assured you are in a lovely place.

Share with us. Are there times when you feel like you're the only Christian around? How do you stay strong in your faith?