Tag Archives: love

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It’s His Birthday

We both knew it was getting close, very close.   But where was the doctor?  I told Kathy that I would go and try to find him again. We had been up all night, and now it was morning; around 6:00.

Returning to the room, without the doctor, I reassured her.  “Don’t worry, it will be okay; he’ll be here.”

It was now around 6:25.  We decided to pray that the doctor, wherever he was, would get to our room as quickly as possible.

There was a point when I thought that I might just have to deliver the baby myself.  That thought caused me to pray again for the doctor.   It was now 6:30 and Kathy was “all systems go!”

The doctor walked in.  He was at the end of his 18 hour shift.  “I was taking a little nap,” he said.  “I woke up a couple of minutes ago, and thought that I better come and check on you.”  I replied, “We couldn’t find you, so we prayed, and God woke you up for us.”

He sat down on his stool, and within 2 minutes of his arrival in the room, there was another arrival; our son, Michael Paul, was born at 6:35.

Last night, Kathy and I took Michael and his wife, Jacey, out to dinner for his birthday.  And, like always, I once again repeated the story of praying for the doctor to make it in time for the delivery.

Of course we have other “early days” stories about him as well as about our daughter, Paula.  If you have children, then I’m sure you have stories as well.  Do you tell them over and over and over like I do?

It is indeed a great blessing to have children.  We love our children; we would do anything that we could for them.  And that is, in itself, a constant reminder to me that our heavenly Father loves His children too.

I know how much I love my kids; but my love pales in comparison to the love that God has for each one of us.  And God has clearly declared that there is nothing that can ever separate us from His love.

And just as I enjoy hanging out and having a relationship with my children, so our heavenly Father desires to have a personal relationship with each one of us.  We can talk to Him any time, day or night, knowing His ears is always open to us, His children.

Last night the fellowship was sweet, the food was good, and until Christ returns, we look forward to celebrating more birthdays with our children and grandchildren.

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Who Do You See in the Mirror?

It’s Another Podcast!

Have you looked at yourself in the mirror today?  Who did you see?

This short podcast (6:34) is about your opinion of yourself, and God’s opinion of you.

Enjoy the podcast!

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]

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Related Posts:
What Does God Think Of You?
Do You Deserve God’s Favor?
John 3:16 Part 1

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It’s Our Day

heartThe wedding took place in a very small Justice of the Peace office in El Paso, Texas.  It was a Saturday afternoon.  The official performing the ceremony was wearing black slacks and a T-shirt.   We were in our jeans.

I’ve often told young people who are planning their wedding that it doesn’t matter where you get married, who attends the ceremony, or who does the service.

Don’t get me wrong.  Weddings, big and small, with all the things that go with them, and there can be many, are wonderful.  They can be expensive, even smaller ones, but, if that’s what the couple wants, and they can afford it, more power to them.

I have officiated at many, many weddings, in sizes from less than 10 to over 500.  I’ve performed weddings in living rooms, hotel ballrooms, and even on the beach.  All of them, in their own way, have been very special.

Here’s The Point

heartThe point I want to make is that regardless of who performs the wedding ceremony, where the location is, and how many attend, none of that is any guarantee that the marriage will last.  For a marriage to last it is going to take the love and commitment of both the bride and the groom.

On that Saturday afternoon in El Paso, Texas, Kathy and I made a commitment; it was a lifetime commitment.  Four years after we got married, we began to study the Bible.  We have tried to base our marriage on biblical principles ever since.

Love is a choice; you choose to love.  Thankfulness is a choice; you choose to be grateful.  Forgiveness is a choice; you choose to forgive.  I think those three are all very important keys in a successful marriage.

heartToday Is Our Day

Today, our wedding anniversary again falls on a Saturday.  I am filled with memories of the drive in our VW van from Carlsbad, New Mexico (where we lived) to El Paso, Texas. We had supper that night at McDonald’s, and spent the night in a Motel 6. We drove back to Carlsbad the next day as happy newlyweds.

I’m thankful to God for the most wonderful woman I know, a woman full of love, thankfulness and forgiveness.  She is still the girl of my dreams and the love of my life.

And while we don’t have a wedding album of pictures to look at, or a piece of frozen wedding cake in the freezer, or a wedding dress packed away in a box, we have each other!   So, on this, our 39th anniversary, I just wanted to say, “Happy Anniversary, Kathy, I love you!”

Mike

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Related Posts:
This Is My Story
She Was Only Seventeen

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A Great Weekend

I spent today with my good friend, driving around Spokane.  More on that in a few minutes.

It was a great weekend at the Youth Winter Advance in Spokane.  Thanks, Steve, for inviting me!  It was so much fun to hang out with a whole bunch of young folks.  Some photos below.

The theme of the weekend was “Outreach,” so the focus was on reaching people with the “good news” of God’s Word.  It was a weekend in the Bible. Steve and I opened up on Friday night and he told me later he thinks that the kids will remember my “Snickers Bar” remark.

I hope to have my teadching posted sometime soon.  I am planning on posting it on the “Enriching” site, which of course is free to all subscribers of this blog.

This past weekend I saw some old buddies, and met some new youngsters who are now my buddies too.  It was wonderful to see young people who are concerned about learning more of how to reach out and help others.  These cool kids invested their time and money into a whole weekend!  Right on; you guys rock!

In addition to some adults, there were plenty of young people teaching the Bible.  As I listened to the teachings, I wrote down some one liners that I liked.  Here are a few:

If God has some special for you to do, He will make it very clear to you.

Pray and ask God for wisdom.

If there is some new thing God will show you.

Our life is what is is in our heart.

Love people.

Pray every day.

Outreach is giving light to those in darkness.

Today, Steve and I hung out.  As he took care of some errands, we drove around Spokane on a gorgeous warm day.  Unseasonably warm temps continue – today it was 18 degrees above normal hitting a high of 51.  We took some folks who traveled in from Oklahoma to the airport.  We went to his son’s house to take care of a couple things.  He checked out someone’s water heater, and other errands.

He left a note in his other son’s car, parked at Eastern Washington University.  One of his daughters attends there as well, and he did too.  We  drove by his high school, Lewis and Clark.  He told me that when he was there, attending high school, there were dozens of students who met each morning in the lunch room to pray.

And as we drove around we discussed bringing God’s Word to hungry people.  We talked about how there are some ministers who are so set in their ways that they fail to recognize the excitement that many young people have for the things of God.  We talked about how you cannot force revival; that’s God’s business.  Then we laughed again at my “Snickers Bar” remark.

It was a wonderful day spending time together.  This evening, he and his wife Kathy took me to the movies and we saw, “Blind Side.”  It was really good and so reminded me of what the love of God can do for any person.  Love is so much more powerful than we realize.

Below are some photos.  I’ll post my teaching from the weekend on the “Enriching” site soon, so if you don’t have your free membership; yet, get it today.  Details below.

winter advance 2010 079

mike-1

joy-hal-jac-car-vic

pj

boise
no-snow

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The Eastern Eye – Jesus Gave Judas The Sop

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book.  It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.]

The event referred to as “The Last Supper,” took place shortly before Jesus Christ was arrested.  There were many significant things that happened that evening.  In a previous post I talked about Jesus washing their feet.

Another item of great significance which is often overlooked is Jesus giving Judas “the sop.”

A Traitor Among Them!

By the time of the meal, Judas had already arranged to betray Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver.  It was a very dastardly act to say the least.  But also by the time of the meal, Jesus already knew who the traitor was.

Mark 14:18-20:
And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?

And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.

Matthew 26:25
Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

So at this point, Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray him and Judas knew that Jesus knew he was the traitor.  And yet, Jesus gave Judas “the sop.”  Understanding the biblical custom of giving someone, “the sop,” I don’t think I could have ever given it to Judas.

The Seating Arrangement

The two most honored seats at a meal were those to the right and left of the host or the master.  That means that the disciple whom Jesus loved, who rested his head on Jesus’ bosom, an act of deep concern, love, and intimate friendship, was sitting in a position of honor at that meal.

Likewise, for Jesus to be able to give Judas the sop, he too was sitting very close to Jesus,  possibly in the other honored position.

The Sop

The word “sop” simply means a small portion, a morsel, or a fragment.  That is still common today whether in a serving bowl or on your plate, although we don’t really use the word “sop.”  We use words like, “a little dab,” a little piece,” “a small bite,” etc.  So, “sop” is just a word for a small piece of food.

In Bible times there would have been a common dish at the meal.  Their bread was flat, thin and round.  It was very common to dip a piece of bread into the common dish and wrap the bread around a small piece of food, a sop.  Perhaps this was a forerunner of fajitas, I don’t know!

But when the host would dip his piece of bread into the dish, and then give the sop to someone, that was very, very significant. The host or master of the house would give the sop to the person to whom he wanted to show his greatest love and esteem.

He did that by dipping into the common dish and then placing the sop in the person’s mouth.  In doing that, he would show to all those present, and to the person receiving the sop, the love and honor he had for him.

Incredible Love

Jesus knew that Judas was about to betray him.  Yet, there he sat, quite possibly in a position of honor at the meal, and Jesus gave him the sop.  By extending so much honor and love to Judas, Jesus gave him a chance to change his plans.

But God gives all us free will to choose.  Even an act of love and honor directly and personally from the Lord Jesus Christ himself does not guarantee that someone will do what is right.

John 13:21 – 30
When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.

Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.

He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.

For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

I think that was a remarkable and extraordinary example of love by Jesus Christ?  What do you think?  Any comments?

Mike Verdicchio

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For other posts just click “The Eastern Eye” tab above.

There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

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The Eastern Eye – He Washed Their Feet

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book.  It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.]

If you went to your friend’s house and you were greeted at the door by something like, “Hi!  I’m glad you’re here.  Come on in, take off your shoes, and I’ll wash your feet,” you would probably wonder what in the world was going on!

I went to a friend’s house once, right after they got new carpet, and for awhile, they insisted that all guests take their shoes off before walking on their new carpet.  However, they never once offered to wash my feet.

The Last Supper

A lot of people are familiar with a foot washing incident that occurred during what is commonly called, “the last supper.”  This event took place shortly before Jesus was arrested.  And, while some understand the lesson regarding service, many fail to see an even greater impact that the lesson can have.

In the lands and times of the Bible, people wore sandals and walked on dusty roads.  It was, therefore, very common to have your feet washed upon entering a friend’s house.

Who’s Job Was It?

The servant that would perform this lowly task was usually the lowest servant in the household.  However, an exception to that was if the guest was someone of great importance, someone with a very high rank in society.  On those occasions, it was the master of the house who would wash the feet.

In the Bible culture, if the master of the house washed your feet, it was his way of recognizing that you were a very important person. It was an extremely high compliment.

What A Lesson!

When Jesus washed the feet of his disciples that night, he was not only teaching them humility and service, but he was also teaching them about love.  They knew that their own social status did not deserve that kind of treatment. That is why Peter objected and refused to have Jesus wash his feet.

When you look at the Scriptures through an “eastern eye,” many details and truths become apparent.  And isn’t it just something that right before he was about to suffer and die for the whole world, Jesus Christ treated his disciples like they were royalty?

John 13:4-17
He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

It really is quite a lesson, isn’t it?

Mike Verdicchio

————–

For other posts just click “The Eastern Eye” tab above.

There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

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Is He Willing?

Most of us recognize God’s power and ability. We believe that He is able to do all that He has promised to do and more! We would readily agree and believe that there is nothing too hard or too big for God.

But many times, we have a difficult time believing that He is willing to do it for us, personally. Have you ever been there before?  I sure have.  And if you are not convinced and certain that God is willing to do it for you, then do you really believe and trust Him?

Why Do We Have Doubt?

Why is it that we sometimes think that God is not willing to do it for us personally? What is it that causes us to doubt His willingness? Why would we not accept that He is willing?

I learned the answer many years ago.  The answer is feelings of being unworthy or undeserving. I used to wonder, “What I have done to deserve it? What have I done to earn it?”  Much of this kind of thinking is due to sin consciousness and condemnation.

But, when you really think about it, what is it that we could do, or refrain from doing, that would earn His willingness to provide for us what He has promised? That is a big part of the answer, because far too many Christians base their self worth on how much they do or do not do!

Your Actions Have Nothing To Do With How Much He Loves You!

How many Christians do you know who subtly believe that their righteousness and worthiness in God’s eyes is dependent upon their actions?  I used to be like that.

But if that is really true then we wouldn’t have needed a savior!  The Bible says that it was the completed work of Christ that makes us right and worthy in the sight of God.  What a day it was for me when I learned that!

The Scriptures are clear in saying that as a Christian, nothing can separate you from God’s love. That is why His love for you is unconditional.  He put no conditions on it! Your actions do not have anything to do with how much He loves you. Nothing can ever separate you from His love.

Nothing!

He doesn’t love you any less today than He did yesterday. He doesn’t love you more when you are praying. He doesn’t love you any less when you are messing up. His love for you is unconditional! Nothing can separate you from His love.

Part of the problem in not accepting His willingness to perform His Word for us personally, is in not accepting what He has done for us in the completed work of Christ.

Have you ever had a couple of days go by where you prayed a lot, and did things for others, and really felt that you were “walking for Him?” At those times, how confident were you to go to God and ask for the things you needed? You were probably pretty confident, right? But, why was that?

I’ve been there before!  My actions made me feel worthy and right before God. That is an indication that I believed my self worth, my being right in God’s eyes, was dependent upon my actions.

And if that’s what you believe then when you have a period of time where you are falling short or messing up, you have very little confidence to go to God and expect His help.

You Are Already Righteous!

The Bible says that the Christian is righteous. For a long time that was just some nice sounding spiritual word. But understanding what righteousness means will help you greatly in accepting God’s willingness to bring His promises to pass in your life.

Simply put, “righteousness” means that you are just, or, right! It is a state of being right or just according to an established legal standard. In this case, the legal standard is the justice of God.

In other words, in God’s sight, in His high court, you are right; you are just; you belong! You can now stand before God without any sense of guilt, shame, or condemnation. You have been made right. He made you right!

No wonder the Bible says that you are lovely and acceptable in His sight and holy and without blame before Him! It has nothing to do with your works. It has everything to do with the completed work of Christ.

This Has A Major Impact On Your Self Worth.

Can you see how accepting the righteousness Christ accomplished for you and believing it is true can have a dynamic impact on your self worth and your self esteem?

I don’t feel unworthy to open my refrigerator and get some food. Well of course not! I belong in my own house! It is right for me to be there!

The same is true with God. You and I belong in His presence; we are right being there because He made us right! You and I are both righteous.

Not understanding or believing that we are right in His eyes plays a major part in our accepting His willingness to bring His Word to pass for us personally.

But if we choose to accept His unconditional love for us, and, that we are right in his sight, we will begin to accept that He is willing to bring his Word to pass for us personally.

The promises of God come to pass for us when we believe God. We may very well believe that He is able, but if we don’t really believe that He is willing, then we will not believe that He will.

Why not believe what the Bible says about you and accept God’s unconditional love, and believe that you are already righteous in His eyes? It will have a dynamic impact on your confidence that He is not only able to do for you what He has promised, but that He is also willing to do it for you personally.