Carolyn Collins Writes
Upward
U
Fans
Sit courtside,
Coaching, refereeing, cheering
A basket! Hurrah!
Moaning
A miss! Oh, no!
Eyes glued
To the ball’s
Exchanges
Back and forth,
As does the score,
Back and forth.
The harsh buzzer
Signals the end.
The winner is -
Each player,
Learning to play
As a team,
Improving skills
For the next game
And the next.
Building character for the
Challenges of life
That is no game.
-by Carolyn Collins
In God's Economy
The world’s economy is in trouble. We are told. Unemployment is rising, between seven and eight percent. We are told.
Government will bail us out. We are told.
Doom and gloom.
Do we have a right to be worried? What do we tell ourselves, our children, our family, and our friends?
We can tell about a different economy, God’ s economy, in which we can trust and be secure.
God’s economy is revealed in his Word. He says do not worry. He says seek and trust in God. He says give from what you earn or receive.
He feeds the birds and clothes the lilies. “Therefore, be not anxious saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, With what shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt:6:31-33 KJV).
Seek God. Exercise faith and trust. Be obedient in giving back a portion of what we receive from His Hand.
“Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in mine house, and test me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. (Mal.3: 7b,10, 11KJV).
The LORD of hosts says “test me” by giving a tithe or tenth of what we receive. He promises blessings for obedience.
A footnote to 1 Samuel 1:3 in the New Scofield Reference Edition of the Bible explains the meaning of the LORD of hosts, “….The word ‘hosts’ in the Bible is related to
(a) heavenly bodies(Gen. 2:1; Neh. 9:6: Isa.40:26);
(b) angels (Lk. 2:13);
(c) saints (Josh. 5:15); and
(d) sinners (Jud. 4:2; 2 Sam. 10:16; 2 Ki. 5:1)
As LORD of hosts God is able to marshal all these hosts to fulfill His purposes and to
help His people.”
Now is the time to remember and obey His Word and trust His promises. Rest in them. By example and word, let us teach our children, family, and friends.
God is able. He is in control.
Our future is secure in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Carolyn Collins
"Coach, Referee, and Number One Fan"
When I first started reading the Bible in my early twenties, I had a great need to know the Truth as only the Word of God reveals. Across these many years, The Bible has become my treasure. The more I read; study; listen; and do; the more I value it. It is my coach, referee, and number one fan. It fits me for life on earth and life after life.
The Bible as Coach:
From the front cover to the back cover, the Bible shows me Jesus, the Word and trains me in the way I should walk.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 (KJV).
The Bible tells me Jesus is:
Creator: John 1: 1,3. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”
Redeemer: Job 19:25, 26. “For I know my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.”
Savior: John 4:42. “…and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”
Lord: Luke 2:11. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Friend: Proverbs 17:17.”A friend loveth at all times,…”
Protector: Psalm 91: 4. “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”
The Bible as Referee:
Life is set in motion by the Creator of life. Just as referees call by a set of rules, the Bible calls the rules and does not condone sin. It calls to repentance and belief in Jesus for forgiveness of sin.
“There’s nothing like the written word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another-showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” (2 Timothy 3: 16, 17 MSG.)
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold. (Psalm 19:7-10, KJV).
“God’s Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way? Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work, then I can start the day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. (Psalm 19:11 MSG).
The Bible as Number One Fan:
Much as a fan coaches; calls the fouls; and encourages the players, the Bible tells me of the Lord’s great love, interest, and encouragement.
“What shall separate us from the love of Christ? …Nor height, nor depth, more any other creation shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” (Romans 8: 35, 39).
The Bible is a treasure that fits me for the challenges of living day to day.
The Bible is a treasure. May its riches never be buried to us.
- Carolyn Collins