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Starr Ayers

Something to Crow About

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“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways”
(1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV)

“I’ll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up. Not me!” —Peter Pan

 

Chiming in on this mantra as a child, seemed like a noble quest—like something I should crow about—but in reality, as an adult, I know this way of thinking is only fun in fairy tales. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m all for fun and games, but refusing to own up to grown-up attitudes and responsibilities ushers in mountains of hardship and pain, not only for me but for others.

 

God’s word tells us, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways” (1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV).


What childish ways do you hold onto? In what areas do you refuse to grow up? Have you spoken like a child, thought like a child, or acted like a child lately?


I think not, you say?


Think again.


When was the last time you insisted on your own way? Took something that wasn’t yours? Didn’t care what others thought? Wasted time? Talked about someone behind their back or spoke unkind words to their face?


Stings, doesn’t it?


Believe me. I feel your pain.


Perhaps we should change our mantra. How does this sound? “I wanna grow up.

I wanna grow up. I wanna grow up. That’s me!”


Yep! Letting go of our childish ways is definitely something to grow as well as crow about.


Ready? All together now…

Blessings,

Starr

 

Day of Redemption

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“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
 1 Peter 1:18-19, NIV

I approached the counter and handed the clerk my purchase along with a 20% off coupon.

“I’m sorry, ma‛am,” she said. “You won’t be able to use this. Its expiration date was yesterday.”

Later, I went to a bookstore I haven’t frequented in a while. At the register, I piled my books on the counter, dug into my pocketbook for my annual membership card which awards a 10% discount, and handed it to the young man at the register.

“I’m sorry ma‛am. This card has expired. It expired—yesterday.”

Good grief. What is it with me and coupons? I have friends who save megabucks with them. Me? Not so much. Whenever I remember I have one, it’s either lying on my desk at home, I’m a day too early for the sale, it doesn’t work on the items I want to purchase, or it’s expired—just expired. Like…YESTERDAY.

On the rare occasion that I do pull out a coupon that’s redeemable, I squelch my overwhelming desire to grab the store intercom and shout, “The lady in aisle three just received $1.00 off of her in-store purchase.”

I’ve learned the hard way. Coupons work best when I deliberately set out to use them. Maybe even purchase items in advance, so that when I need them, I have them.

Over two-thousand years ago, God made all of humanity an incredible offer—one which has superseded every offer since. With the blood of his only Son, Jesus, he purchased our redemption in advance. He offered us forgiveness and the opportunity to live for eternity with him in Paradise. Good news, huh?

But all special offers have redemption dates. The opportunity to receive God’s gift of salvation ceases the day we expire. On that day our reward will either become a reality or a missed opportunity. We can’t afford to live on the assumption that when we get to Heaven’s pearly gates, Saint Peter will overlook the fine print. If we haven’t made the deliberate choice to accept God’s remarkable offer in advance, our day of arrival will be too late.

Have you received God’s gift of salvation? “Your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28), but it’s not too late. Choose to live deliberately and ACT. Acknowledge your need for a Savior, Confess your sin, and Turn to Jesus. When you do, you’ll gain the peace of knowing that when redemption day comes, you won’t hear “Expired,” you’ll hear—“REDEEMED!”

Blessings,

Starr

I See the Moon

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“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” 
Matthew 9:26

 “I see the moon, and the moon sees me. God bless the moon, and God bless me.”

The moon fills me with awe and wonder. I’ve looked upon it, walked by the light of it, and fallen in love under it. As a child, it would’ve been easier for me to believe in the man in the moon, than a man on the moon. As of today, twelve men have left footprints on its powdery surface and have planted six American flags in its lunar soil.

In 1972, Astronaut Gene Cernan of Apollo 17 was the last man to walk on the moon. Before climbing the lunar ladder for the final time, he etched his daughter’s initials in moon dust. Because the moon has no atmosphere those initials will remain until the moon is no more. Unbelievable, but true.

As residents of Cape Canaveral in the early 70’s, my husband and I witnessed several Apollo launches—all remarkable and memorable experiences—ones that centuries before would have been considered impossibilities. Even then, there were naysayers. Some stated that the live television feeds of the lunar missions were simulated and the moon landings were hoaxes. Though their eyes saw, they didn’t believe.

The disciples walked with Jesus for three years. They witnessed many miracles, yet their doubts still surfaced. Jesus addressed their confusion. “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it” (Matthew 19:26 MSG).

Do you face a seemingly impossible situation? Is it hard for you to believe your hopes and dreams will materialize? Do voices of naysayers ring in your ears? Trust God. What we think is impossible is no challenge to the God of impossibilities.

Next time doubts arise, look at the moon. The footprints, the flags, and the initials are still there.

Do you see them?

Didn’t think so.

But I bet you believe.

Starr Ayers