Category Archives: Christian Growth

Christian Growth, Devotionals

Me and My Shadow

Pam Ford Davis

 

 

I viewed many great detective movies of the 1940’s; writers webbed suspenseful plots, raising my interest and holding my attention captive. Just as bad guys shadowed the western heroes, illusive foes followed private eyes. An investigator walked down city sidewalks late at night and heard the eerie sounds of footsteps trailing behind. I nearly jumped out of my seat when they met face to face.

Am I always aware that I am not alone? Do I need to fear as I feel the presence of another approaching from behind? “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever (Psalms 23:6 RSV).” The Shepherd leads me and his blessings of goodness and mercy protect my back; I run into his house of refuge, secure and safe under the shadow of his wings. (Psalm 17:8b)

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Women

A Beauty to Behold

Pam Ford Davis

I waste my time in any imaginations of being a beauty to behold; I guess I am not in danger of breaking any mirrors or cameras as I pose but am not a portrait painter’s dream for glory either. Photographers will not be placing candid snapshots of me in their portfolio in hopes of advancement and passersby likely give me a second glance. Poor pitiful Pam.

What is beauty? Is it face-paint or skin deep? “For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him (Isaiah 53:2 NRS).” How could I be so blind? I do not gaze upon beauty in a mirror reflection or see it revealed on a model’s runway; beauty is soul deep.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Battered and Blossoms

Pam Ford Davis

 

 

 

 

I change my desktop pictures on a regular basis choosing from free pictures, scriptures references and quotes available on the Internet. I enjoy the encouragement and spiritual lift from viewing the computer screen throughout the day. Flowers are a frequent choice and I most often choose those with bright pink blossoms.

After placing a beautiful picture of pink flowers on my desktop today, something aside from the pink petals caught my eye. Many of the leaves are unsightly; they are ragged and even have gaping holes. They are in sharp contrast to the delicate beauty of the blossoms. It makes me wonder if the photographer hesitated in printing the picture.

My portrait resembles the desktop picture. God has blessed me so and I am blooming where He has planted; yet many storms have battered my life and there are telltale signs of days beaten by the elements. I would rather not put those disfigurements on public display but they complete the picture. I hope the fragrance of the blossoms will overshadow the scars of aging. “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved (2 Corinthians 2:15a NAS).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Can-Do!

Pam Ford Davis

I seem to be playing a nonstop game of catch-up. My need-to, want-to, must-do and can-do lists do not match up. I set priorities and deadlines only to break them and feel defeated by my own rules. I believe it’s time to call in a referee!

God always ties up the loose ends. “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians1:6 NKJ).” I am grateful that He does not walk away until I am more like His Son. He sets the deadline and He will meet it! “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you (1 Peter 5:10 NKJ).”  He can-do!

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships

The Hand-Holding Stage

Pam Ford Davis

Are you past the hand-holding stage? I fondly remember the days of infatuation and boys beginning our relationship first with affectionate glances followed by hand-holding.  As two, we were linked by touch and others present saw us as a couple. Is it merely an outward display of endearment or does it hold far more?

Hand-holding did not begin in puppy love but at birth. Mom and Dad held my hand and counted fingers. As I grew to toddler stage, they held my hand as I walked at their side, guiding and protecting me from danger. If I rebelled against their authority, they held my hand with correction.

Hand-holding took on a new dimension in my first experiences of death and grieving. People quietly came to my side, held my hand, extended love, comfort and encouragement. They will never know how much I needed that act of kindness and tenderness.

Jesus, take my hand. “When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand (Psalms 37:24 NAS).”

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Christian Growth, Friends, Missions, Relationships

Mac

Pam Ford Davis

I did not recall The Threepenny Opera, but it birthed the song Mack the Knife which became a popular recording for Louis Armstrong and a #1 hit record for Bobby Darin in 1959. I sang along to lyrics with little thought to the meaning of the song. Today, the title is a springboard to someone I knew and loved.

 

Mac the Sword, Reverend Mac Forbes  served the Lord as a dedicated pastor up until the time of his death, wielding the word of God as a tool of testimony. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17 NAS).” He stood upon the bedrock authority of God’s infallible word as he humbly filled the pulpit answering God’s calling to preach Jesus crucified, buried and resurrected.

Brother Mac loved his Lord and shared that love with those he met as freely as the forgiveness of sin he had received. His warm smile and Alabama southern drawl had a way of soothing a soul and stirring a hungry heart. Mac stood on his convictions and saw potential in young men in his midst. Through his influence and mentoring, Alabama has a group characterized as Mac’s preacher boys, who carry on in his footsteps.

He once served in Pioneer Missions work in New York State, not very far from my birthplace and we shared a love for the people in the central New York State rural areas. He told the story of leaving that productive work following a heart attack, returning to Alabama with his wife and children to ease his beloved’s concerns. Part of his heart remained in the Empire State…

“Mac, I’ll never forget you and hope to be worthy of our Lord as I live by the power of the sword.”

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12 NAS).”  

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Christian Growth, GUEST AUTHOR, Poems

Pricks & Pride

GUEST WRITER: JEANNE E. WEBSTER

 

A thorn in the flesh is healthier

Than a clot of pride in the heart.

A thorn will prick your attention;

Pride vainly numbs your smarts.

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A thorn seeks immediate care

To purge the prick of its pain.

Pride probes for its pacifier,

Suavely sucking its own gain.

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How quickly we yank the thorn;

It is most troublesome at best.

We leave fleshly plump Pride

Feathering and fluffing its nest.

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Thorns set off many red flags,

Panic buttons and alarms;

Pride smugly veils its soul

Concealing its ways of harm.

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Give me a thorn any old day,

Within my flesh or without;

I’ll rid it of its harmful deed

And quickly give it a shout!

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But Pride: O me, O my, I cry!

Is a need I must have for sure.

Please spare me just a little bit.

How else will I ever endure?
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Corner
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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Darkness of a Cloud

Pam Ford Davis

My mood can change as rapidly as the weather; I may start my day as a ray of sunshine and warmth, yet before high noon, I am walking in the fog of a dark cloud. Morning meditations lift my spirits and I bask in the light of my redeemer; problems arise to pelt me and I despair in the darkness of doubt. I desire to walk in the light of the Lord, light of his word, light of the Holy Spirit and light of truth. I dread times of darkness, circumstances when I cannot see his hand in front of my face.

Daddy, don’t play hide-n-seek. Where are you? Come out; come out, wherever you are! He is never far from sight… “Then he said to Moses, ‘I am going to come to you in the form of a dark cloud, so that the people themselves can hear me when I talk to you, and then they will always believe you (Exodus 19:9 The Book/ Living Bible).” God met with his friend Moses in a dark cloud; the communion benefited him and those who eavesdropped on their conversation.  I will not fear the dark; Daddy is there!

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Alignment

Pam Ford Davis

Our son Lee is a shop manager at a well-established tire business. He knows his business and has wisdom to treat management, staff and customers with courtesy. He has built a steady business and lasting relationships. Many returning customers make periodic visits for alignment. If workers balance sales, installation and maintenance with service all runs smoothly. When there is a weak link, realignment is a necessity.

 

It may be time for me to make a mental note to do routine maintenance. Am I, a branch aligned to the vine? “Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me (John 14:4-5 TEV).”

 

It is ludicrous to believe a severed branch will produce fruit; I am a branch and I am depend on the vine. “Father forgive me for trying to do kingdom ministry apart from the Master.”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

How Can I Be Sure?

Pam Ford Davis

How can I be sure what people say is truth? I hear many statements from opinionated people, but I would be a fool if I believed they were all true. News channels carry segments where the anchor is interviewing several people all at the same time; it begins with a pointed question, then it becomes a shouting match. Is that informative? Each person believes he or she alone is sharing the truth of the matter, and all others are just spouting error.

 

 

I am so grateful that God reveals truth. He does not want me confused or misled by false teachers and has given me the inside story. Jesus prepared his disciples for his death, burial, resurrection and ascension. “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you (John 16:12-14 NIV).”

 

The Holy Spirit is a good listener; he hears the Father and Son’s spoken word and whispers it in our ear. It is not rumor or opinion; the message is truth. I pray for guidance. He is here. What am I waiting for? “Lord Jesus, thank you for letting me eaves-drop on your conversation with the disciples. I want the Spirit of truth to guide me on lighted paths; place my hand in his and open my ears to his still, small voice. In your name, I pray. Amen.”       

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