For five hours, I tried to get someone to solve my problem.  I prayed for patience and understanding and no irritability.  For about the first four hours, that worked.  In the fifth hour, patience and understanding and no irritability left the room.

I admitted it was my mistake.  I had googled a hotel where I needed to book two nights.  I typed the name and address in my search bar.  That hotel appeared on my screen.  I picked the size bed and read about the amenities.  The rooms cost more than I had ever spent on a hotel accommodation, but I had to stay where the other speakers were staying.  As soon as I pushed the “Pay now” button, I realized that I had chosen the wrong month. Immediately, I tried to change the date. Nope.  Changes and cancellations were not allowed.  Not good.

Several phone calls and emails later, I realized that I had not dealt directly with the hotel.  Some “third party” had intercepted my google request and had made my reservation.  So wrong!  I called my credit card to ask for my reservation to be cancelled.  Since it was “pending,” there was nothing they could do. Except for that human voice, it wasn’t until the fifth hour of talking to robots that I finally connected to another human, Raul.  When I asked him to simply change March to April, he said that my request was impossible. He was adamant.  I said that my request was possible.  I was adamant.  Round and round we went.

In the hours leading up to that conversation, I concocted Plan A and, if necessary, Plan B.  Fortunately, A worked.  “Raul,” I said, “I will get off this call and cancel my credit card.  You will not get paid.  Or you can change my dates and get your money.”  Apparently I had pushed the right button because within 45 minutes my room had been cancelled (not changed but cancelled).  Five days later, my money was reimbursed. By then the room price had increased dramatically, but at least I would be there when I needed to be and not a month earlier.

Dave said that Plan B was not a Christian thing to do. I consider it ingenious. I was going to tell Raul that if this was not resolved, I would call a shelter near the hotel and donate my two March nights to a worker (or maybe a homeless person).  Surely that would set things in motion. And, except for the motive being revenge, it would be a very charitable contribution.

Revenge, although I justified it in this case, is never right.  Romans 12:19 tells us to leave vengeance to the Lord and not to take matters into our own hands.  But what about when we clearly are in the right? Okay, sort of in the right. Like I was.

Nope.  Not even then. That’s because when we act to pay someone back, several things happen: our relationship with others is damaged; we do not allow God to bring blessings into our life; our Christian witness to others stinks; and it proves how selfish we really are.  In other words, we are spiritually damaged when we operate out of revenge.

Proverbs 10:12 speaks to my situation: Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. In my case, patience and understanding and no irritability were traits wasted on robots who kept telling me which buttons to push (and in the process, pushed most of mine).  By the time I reached Raul, he heard a frustrated person determined to win this five-hour long battle.  The only person that day who needed to hear a kind, gracious Christian speak…well, didn’t.

And we all know which needed to benefit more…and it certainly wasn’t the robots.

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

Many years ago I played and sang for a funeral in Pleasanton. I specifically remember that the family had requested, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Prior to the service, I was sitting at the piano and arranging my music when the minister approached me. He asked me about the song because he was unfamiliar with it and wanted to make sure it was appropriate for the occasion. I smiled and responded, “Yes, it’s a fine song,” and to really drive it on home I added, “Elvis recorded it.”

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand” (Psalm 37:23,24 NLT). Every step Christ followers take in obedience toward spiritual renewal and wholeness matters. God’s children are to have the faith to believe and trust where their final destination will be at the end of this earthly life. However, the exact twists and turns are known only to Him as He  gently whispers to us the best route (if we care to pay attention). Not paying attention to God’s leading is one of our biggest hindrances. We need to fine-tune our ears and spirit to His voice so we’ll know how and where to walk.

Sometimes believers are tempted to try to walk in someone else’s footsteps. Getting our eyes off of Jesus and onto another human being is unwise and discouraging. When someone retires or dies, you might hear these words: “Yes, he left some really big shoes to fill.“ Truthfully, we aren’t supposed to fill anyone else’s shoes, we’re supposed to fill our own. Trying to walk in someone’s shoes is simply too hard because they don’t fit. God has designed an individual pathway system for every person on planet earth.

God’s Word tells Christians to hold firmly to what we believe. “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16 NLT). We aren’t supposed to come to God with a spiritual-inferiority complex. We can confidently approach our loving heavenly Father to receive what we need when the chips are down.

Since God is faithful, we can rely on Him to show us our next steps. Life is too complicated and we’re too goofy to walk it out on our own. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:14,16 NLT). God wants His children (believers) to utilize the privileges of who we are in Christ. And we’re either righteous or we’re not —  there‘s no gray area. “For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now He is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30 TPT).

My grown and married kids don’t knock on my door — they just walk in. They understand who they are in relationship to me and they understand their privileges. They don’t timidly ask if they may have a glass of tea or a cookie. They know they have the right to access whatever I have because they are mine and I love them. Believers need to tap into what belongs to us because of who we are in relationship to our heavenly Father.  He delights in giving generously to His kids.

The Key: Be still, listen for God’s voice, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.  John 15:14

“Sally, my flight has been delayed.  I’m not getting in at 9:00.  I’m getting in at midnight, so I’m going to get a hotel room and you can pick me up in the morning.”  My friend would have none of it.  “I don’t care when you get in.  I’m coming to get you.  That way, we have more time together.”  My arguments for a hotel went nowhere.

Getting in to the KC airport at 9:00 was bad enough, but a few weeks previous, when I asked Sally if she would be able to pick me up, let me spend the night at her house in Kansas City and drive me to Fort Scott the next day, she responded, “I thought you’d never ask.”       That’s what she said.  “I thought you’d never ask.”

Who has friends like that?

I know that Sally drives back and forth between KC and Fort Scott a couple of times a week, but I had no idea if this was one of her scheduled days.  Good friends like her make it one, even if it isn’t. What I didn’t realize was that she and Gary, her husband, were making a trip to KC from Fort Scott just to pick me up.  And now, three hours later than intended.

The fact that she made the trip is one thing.  The fact that she did not make me feel guilty about it is another.  This was sacrificial, and I knew it.

When I deplaned at midnight, Sally was waiting for me by baggage claim, arms extended and thanking me for letting her come and get me.  Say WHAT?  And the next day, when she and Gary drove me to Fort Scott, she asked that every time I fly into the KC airport, I give her first chance to pick me up.  No matter what time.

Someone once said, “Tell me with whom you hang, and I will tell you who you are.” I am blessed with wonderful friends I don’t deserve. They know me well but like me anyway. We are transparent with each other.  We laugh and cry together…sometimes at the same time. We empathize with each other’s disappointments and celebrate successes.

Sally makes me realize how important it is to be there for my friends when they need me (or even when they don’t). As I am writing this article, I am reminded that I need to be a Sally kind of friend to Jesus…one who spends more time “hanging” with him, one who always makes him a priority, one whom I greet with arms extended, one who is ready to do his bidding day or night, sacrificially, without grumbling or making excuses.

Look at the scripture at the top of this article: You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. My words are cheap without obedience to Jesus.  If I am nudged to pray for someone in the middle of the night, I immediately should jump out of bed and get on my knees and be grateful for the opportunity; Jesus should know that I am trustworthy and will do as he asks.  If I have a chance to share him with others, I cannot hesitate or decide the timing isn’t quite right or hope someone else steps in to give his/her testimony.  I should never remind my Savior of what I have done for him or brag about those actions to other people.

Sally might think that the only thing she has done for me is provide transportation and a room.  In reality, she unknowingly has demonstrated how much I need to learn about being a great friend, a sacrificial friend…to others, but especially to Jesus.

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

Awhile back I was shopping at a thrift store and discovered a piece of jewelry that was quite a find, at least for me. It was a necklace with three letters “TCB” with a lightning bolt nestled between the T and the B. I could hardly believe my eyes! Most people probably wouldn’t have known or cared what they were looking at, but I did. The TCB logo was designed by Priscilla Presley and stands for “Taking Care of Business,” which was Elvis’ personal motto. When he returned to touring in 1969, his musicians were called the “TCB Band.“ Even though Elvis left the building in 1977, Elvis Presley Enterprises is still taking care of business at Graceland in Memphis.

I’m intrigued with the account of Mary and Joseph losing Jesus in Jerusalem when he was twelve years old. When it came time to head back home to Nazareth, Mary and Joseph assumed he was among their relatives and acquaintances. But when the entourage stopped for the evening, they discovered Jesus was nowhere to be found. When they returned to Jerusalem to look for him, “…they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they [Mary and Joseph] saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, ‘Son, why have you done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously‘“ (Luke 2:46-48 NKJV.) Jewish boys reach the age of religious responsibility at the age of twelve, so this incident was a crucial moment in Jesus‘ spiritual development.

“And He [Jesus] said to them, ’Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business’”? (Luke 2:49 NKJV.) Jesus seems to have assumed that His mother understood His mission better than she really did. I think Jesus was surprised to discover that his parents didn’t search for Him in the temple right off the bat. Jesus was taking care of His Father’s business because He understood His mission even as a young man.

As Christ followers, do we really understand our mission? Jesus is our example and He loved, taught, and healed wherever He went. “And He [Jesus] got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat” (Luke 5:3 NASB.) Jesus’ ministry was not confined to the church building; He took advantage of all locations and situations so He could help people everywhere everyday. Jesus told Simon that he would begin fishing for people. Do we realize that catching fish is our mission and cleaning fish is God’s?

How do believers take care of business for the King? We are to walk in love, be generous, and forgive others. Jesus taught the hard straight truth that how we treat others is the same as how we treat Him (ref. Matthew 25:41-45). Christ followers must be careful not to put the business of everyday life ahead of the Father’s business. Jesus was sent to preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God and He “went around doing good“ (Acts 10:38 NLT.) We are preaching to others what we believe simply by how we live. Saint Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel at all times and, if necessary, use words.”

The Key: Taking care of our Father’s business happens everyday everywhere.

I love a healthy debate.  One in which facts prevail with no ad hominem attacks.

As a former high school debate coach, there are few competitions that I remember like one in which Ryan and Ben, juniors, were in the quarter-finals in hopes of winning state.  I sat in on that debate and don’t remember much of what the opponents said except they were “not legalizing marijuana.” So, when it was our team’s turn to speak and Ben spent his entire eight minutes arguing against the legalization of marijuana, I was stunned.  Had our team not heard the affirmative team say that this was not part of their plan?

When it was time for the affirmative to question (cross-ex) Ben, the first thing she said was this: “Did you not hear us say we are not legalizing marijuana?”  Ben said that he did.  “But you spent your entire speech addressing the evils of doing so, correct?”  “Correct,” Ben answered.

I was dumbfounded.  What had just happened?  The debate progressed with much confusion…until it was Ryan’s turn to speak.

“In today’s debate, our opponents have laid out a plan to solve a problem.  They have used one site, one book,  repeatedly to defend their position.  The fact is, I have read that book and its author’s recommendations, but what the affirmative failed to tell you is that their author himself wrote his final chapter on how the only way his plan could work is if marijuana is legalized.”

At that point, Ryan pulled from his stash of evidence that exact quote. He concluded: “The affirmative can’t have it both ways.  If they are to advocate for what this author said, they cannot pick and choose what they tell you is truth.”

I wanted to stand and cheer.

I’m sure Ryan and Ben were glad I didn’t.

There was nothing left for the affirmative to say.  Our team won that debate and went on to win state.  Their strategy was brilliant.  They had truth on their side.  They had done their homework.                                                                                                              I

I’ve often mentally revisited that debate, especially when I run into people who opt to argue a position for which they have studied only one side.  Take the Bible, for example.  I know people who pick and choose what part of scripture they believe.  They argue that the Bible is full of errors.  Others say that there is no hell.  Some believe that being a good person is enough to go to Heaven; after all, a loving God surely can’t banish someone to eternity without Him.  Some claim that Jesus was a good person, but there is no truth of his resurrection.  And then there’s the predictable argument: Why would a good God allow evil?

Make no mistake.  I don’t claim to be smarter than those who deny the truth of scripture.  What I do know is there was a day when I had denied God’s love for me, when my religion wasn’t enough to carry me through a very sad time in my life, but God never gave up on me.  In 1977, He got my attention.  What happened that day is nothing short of miraculous.  I went from wanting nothing to do with Him to knowing He loved me, saved me, as He opened my eyes to seek Him in ways I never imagined.

Read the Book.  The Bible. Read the entire thing.  Read a commentary on what the Greek and Hebrew words actually mean. Countless testimonies address how simply reading Scripture changed peoples’ lives.

This is no game.  I gain nothing if I am right and those who deny scripture are wrong.    The only winner here is one who cares not that he/she has the smartest answer but that that individual stops arguing about truth and gives God a chance to reveal it.  He did it for me.  I pray you let Him do it for you.

I didn’t grow up with the joy of having a sister, but God has blessed me with true-blue   girlfriends all my life. In 1990, one family jokingly adopted me as their sixth daughter. I became known to them as Rhonda #6 and I was happy to be a pseudo sister to the other five girls in that wonderful family. Daughter #4 is a professional woman with  closets full of attractive clothes. Occasionally, I call Deborah to ask if I may borrow a brown skirt, a polka-dot blouse, etc. Even if my request is “off the wall,” she always comes through for me. I guess it’s a sister thing to wear each other’s clothes. When I borrow an article of clothing, it’s usually for a special occasion taking place over the weekend.

Joseph of Arimathea was an upright, wealthy, and generous man who assumed responsibility for the burial of Jesus after His crucifixion. Among the Jews, it was considered a horrible thing for the body of a friend or fellow Jew to remain unburied. “As evening approached, Joseph…who had become a follower of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him” (Matthew 27:57-58 NLT). This was the first documented instance where Joseph openly confessed that he was a disciple of the long-awaited Messiah. It took great courage to go to Pilate and ask for the body of Christ.

Joseph was part of the Jewish Sanhedrin who called for Jesus to be condemned and crucified. Although a prominent member in good standing, Joseph was opposed to the Council’s decision. With Pilate’s permission, “…Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus…. He brought about 75 pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. …they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before…they laid Jesus there” (John 19:38-42 NLT). The embalming spices were very costly and was enough for the burial of a king…the King of kings.  

“He [the Messiah] had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But He was buried like a criminal; He was put in a rich man’s grave” (Isaiah 53:9 NLT). Although Jesus was an innocent Man, God’s Holy One, dishonor pursued Him all the way to the tomb. His death was an official Roman execution sanctioned by the Sanhedrin Council. Joseph of Arimathea donated his newly-carved sepulcher for the Savior’s burying place. Jesus had done nothing to deserve such a vicious death and was guilty of nothing more than love in the third degree.

Scripture reveals that Jesus could be trusted to borrow things. He borrowed an unsanitary   manger at his birth. He borrowed a lowly donkey’s colt when he rode into Jerusalem. He borrowed an upstairs guest room for the Last Supper. And he borrowed a fresh tomb at his death. Joseph of Arimathea deeply loved Jesus and gave Him his own tomb, thinking he’d never see the inside of it again. Fortunately, Joseph’s gift of honor was returned after three days because Jesus only needed it for the weekend.

The Key: Jesus borrowed a tomb just for the weekend, but He wants us to live with Him for all eternity.

Two brothers were getting ready to boil some eggs to color for Easter. “I’ll give you ten dollars if you let me break three of these on your head,” said the older one. “Promise?” asked the younger. “Promise!” Enjoying the moment, the older boy broke the first egg over his brother’s head, then another one. The younger brother braced himself for the last egg, but nothing happened. “Ain’t ya gonna break the third egg?” the boy asked. His brother replied, “Nah, if I did that, I’d owe ya ten dollars!”

Life is full of empty promises, isn’t it?  “For better or worse” becomes “Until I find someone else.”  “Best buy on the lot” becomes “A lot of car repairs.”  “I won’t tell anyone” becomes the talk of the town.  “Vote for me and I’ll…” becomes a joke.  “Buy this vitamin and you’ll have renewed energy and perfect health” becomes “Read the fine print.”  Unfortunately, too many of the world’s promises leave us unfulfilled or empty.

I’m so glad God doesn’t work that way.  In fact, He is the master at turning “empty” into “full.”  Full of promise, to be exact.

When I went to Israel several years ago, I toured where Jesus was born, where he walked, where he died and where he was buried, but the image I cherished most was that his grave was empty.  He who had died to pay the debt for every sin committed had exited his burial tomb to be with his Father in Heaven.  In Jesus’ day, no one expected him to be resurrected.  Jesus’ death was the end of their dreams.  Two men, however, did not let that stop them from honoring him.

Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate for permission to bury Jesus in his own tomb.  It was a brave move and a generous gift.  We know little about Joseph except that Mark 15:43 tells us he was “…a prominent member of the Council…” (That’s the Sanhedrin, the supreme judicial authority of Israel who had illegally condemned Jesus to death), and Luke 23:51 says that he was “…a good & upright man, who had not consented to their decision & action.”

Scripture tells us that Joseph was aided by Nicodemus who brought a mixture of myrrh & aloes, about 75 pounds, burial spices for Jesus’ body.  John 19:38 reveals that Nicodemus was not as bold as Joseph.  In fact, he was a disciple, but “secretly.”  Sounds sad, doesn’t it?  Actually, it sounds sort of empty…sort of like the faith of some Christians who keep their relationship with Jesus a secret.

Had Nicodemus known that within three days, that tomb would be empty, I have to believe that he would not have been so hush-hush about being a follower of Christ. Still, he did more than most who ran for the hills when Jesus died.  What I love is that the story was so much grander than Joseph or Nicodemus could ever imagine.  They had gifted the one who conquered death with a final resting place, never realizing that Jesus’ death was just the beginning of a promise to all of us…that we too could join him for eternity if we put our trust in him.  The empty cave assures us of that promise.

We, unlike Joseph or Nicodemus, are assured of the ending. If that confidence doesn’t make us bold in how we share Jesus with others, I don’t know what will.

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

My earliest memory of my father occurred in the den of our California home. I was three or four years old and was simply hanging out with my Daddy whom I loved and adored. After supper and before bedtime, he would relax after a hard day’s work at Market Basket. His usual week-night routine was watching TV while eating snacks. One evening I noticed him enjoying a fig cookie, so I asked if I could have one. I’d never eaten one before so I thought I’d give it a shot. I figured if Daddy ate them, then I should too.

Fig trees were abundant in the Holy Land. The smaller immature figs (which can also be eaten) begin to form as soon as the leaf buds appear. The fruit of the fig tree pops out about the same time as the leaves. Therefore, when the leaves are in full bloom it means the tree has also produced mature figs which usually hide under the leaves. I suppose eating an immature fig could be comparable to eating a green tomato. I prefer red ripe ones but, if I was hungry, an immature fried green tomato would keep me from starving.

“The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so He went over to see if He could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus said to the tree, ‘May no one ever eat your fruit again!’ And the disciples heard Him say it” (Mark 11:12-14 NLT.)

Some Bible scholars believe that this one particular tree was an exception to the normal season because it was already, at the time of Passover, full of leaves. This fig tree had a form of fruit production, but upon deeper inspection, Jesus found it to be barren and not living up to expectations. Fig trees were not for looks or to provide shade, they were designed to bear fruit. Without any figs, this tree was disappointing and not up to snuff.

Some have thought Jesus was being harsh when He cursed the tree. But considering that Jesus’ earthly ministry was only for three years, He didn’t have time to beat around the bush. He took advantage of this opportunity to actually teach by example. Jesus cursed the tree as a serious sign of God’s displeasure with sham and hypocrisy. The withering of the tree in 24 hours (Mark 11:20) was a vivid warning against having the leaves of false profession, but not bearing the fruit of God’s grace. Professing to be God’s personal ambassador, but denying it with an ungodly attitude and lifestyle, is serious business.

People are supposed to see how God is when they look at His followers. “So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ’Come back to God!’” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT.) I don’t want to be a disappointing  exception to the lifestyle of a true Christ follower. I don’t want to look right on the outside and be wrong on the inside. I don’t want to pose as an imposter. God sees right through hypocrisy and, given enough time, so does everyone else. However, God also sees who we can become when we genuinely repent and surrender. My pastor recently shared that, “A moment of surrender is shown in a lifetime of obedience.”

The Key: With God’s help, we can be the real deal and influence others for Christ.

Bringing a future spouse home to meet the family can be nerve-wracking. My experience was made even more traumatizing when my two brothers met Dave for the first time and shared with him that they were shocked when someone in high school actually asked me out on a date.  Not stopping there, they showed him a picture of me from my junior high days—right after I had cut my bangs to resemble a crew cut to complement a face full of freckles.

Brothers can be like that, you know.

Still, that event doesn’t come close to what the Biblical prophet Hosea must have encountered when he introduced his bride-to-be to his family.  After all, God had instructed him to marry a prostitute.  Actually, the word “whore” is used in many translations. I doubt this escaped the relatives’ notice, and even though this had been a directive from God, I’m thinking that this didn’t go over well with family members. Let the rumblings begin.

“I’m not sure what god you’re hearing from, but it sure isn’t the Jehovah we serve.”

“With all the sweet, Jewish virgins in town, this is what you choose?”

“Let’s give this relationship a little time—like a few years—and see if you still feel this way about this woman.”

Scripture tells us nothing about how Hosea really felt when he obeyed God and married Gomer (seriously, that’s her name), had three children, and then had her leave him to return to her former lifestyle.  Let the rumblings magnify:

“Too bad somebody didn’t listen!”

“Talk about disgrace!  This is disgrace times 100!  I’ll never be able to show my face in the marketplace again.”

“Now, explain to us again who told you to marry this harlot?”

If we read only this part of the story, it makes no sense, but when we realize that we are all Gomers, we can better understand God’s plan.  Judges 2:17 tells us that the Israelites had refused to be obedient to God’s instruction and “prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them,” clearly violating the first commandment: “You shall have no other gods besides me.”  God used Hosea to demonstrate the pain He felt when Israel no longer was faithful to Him. Hosea’s obedience proves how desperately he wanted his people to get the message.

After having three children and returning to her former lifestyle of prostitution, Gomer ultimately ending up a slave, and just like God continues to forgive us and woo us back to Him when we sin, so did Hosea with his adulterous wife.  He found her and bought her back for fifteen shekels of silver and thirteen bushels of barley.

Then he said to her, “You shall stay with me for many days.  You shall not play the harlot, nor shall you have a man; so I will also be toward you.”  Hosea was able to forgive his wife for bringing him incredible shame and hurt…just like God does for us when we choose anything before Him (prosperity, money, success, comfort, safety, recognition, pleasure, etc.).

God used Hosea to model His undying love for His people, the Israelites, a message that is equally relevant to us Christians.  It’s easy to berate Gomer for her infidelity, but that’s not the lesson intended for me.  I just need to look in a mirror, be convicted of whatever it is I place before God…and then be eternally grateful that He hasn’t given up on me.