Just a thought by coppi

Just a thought by coppi – written in 2015

A light house does not blow fog horns but it only shines.  

When I read the above I thought of our walk as Christians.  Does our life reflect the light  of Jesus.  St Mark 4:21: and he said unto them, is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? And not to be set on a candlestick?  A candle beams its flickering light so we may find our way in the dark as does the Lighthouse.  As Christians we should let our light shine & walk in the light of Christ.  We need not blow fog horns but just shine & let the Holy Spirit beam through us.  Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord……i grew up in a very legalistic religion & if we did have a little light, it was totally blown out with dos & don’ts & lots of fear. 1 John 4:7: Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God….10: herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us & sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4 is filled with scriptures of love.  The pendulum swings both ways but should be in balance.  I guess my desire is not to be a fog horn but a flickering light for our Lord.

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2:10-11)

Years ago while living in Dallas, TX, we were good friends with a couple who worked in the same office as my deceased husband.  Ken, the husband, knew I was a follower of Christ, and would constantly bombard me with questions he had regarding the Bible.  He was an atheist and would let me know many times in our frequent visits.  Truly, I did not enjoy being with him that much, but I did like his wife.  As time moved on, and as sometimes life will do is throw us a lemon; it did in Ken’s life.  He was diagnosed with the big “C”, cancer.  He let us know up front not to sneak around afraid to confront him with his illness, but to act normal around him.  And, me, not to spout any of my religious beliefs in his presence.  I never did before or after, his problem was he knew my beliefs, which annoyed him.  As many who have cancer, they succumb to the angry cells eating up the good ones – their life here is taken from them. Ken did.  At the end of his journey with cancer,  He was in the hospital with all his family gathered around him, when I got a call from his wife asking me to come be with them,  and would I pray for Ken.  I went.  I entered his room where he was fighting like a tiger to stay alive. He knew who I was and I don’t know if he was glad to see me or not, but I walked over to his bed; he finally gave up his fight, and relaxed.  All i said was the name of Jesus several times, and noted Ken’s life here on earth was over.  I left his room – his family all rushed inside to be with him.  I do not claim to know God’s ways, and I know I am just a-sojourner  here on earth.  I know something about the Bible as I try to read it daily, but God is the mighty force of earth and humanity; and me, as I said, I am a sojourner , trusting God.

Just a thought by coppi

“The Bible is not a script for a funeral service, but it is the record of God always bringing life where we expected to find death. Everywhere it is the story of resurrection.” – Eugene Peterson

Back to my days in Dallas: Those days I truly was a roadrunner.  I was trying to do everything and not miss a beat on accomplishing the world and what it offered.  I look back on that time in life, and it makes me tired just thinking about it. Lol

I played golf among all the other things I was doing and as in every gathering of humanity conflict happens.  Conflict and different ways of engaging in interaction happens. One day I was in our locker room talking with the lady who took care of the ladies locker room when she said to me:  “Coppi my husband is in Parkland Hospital (Charity hospital and where John F Kennedy was taken when he was shot) and would you mind going there and talking to him”.  Sure, I said.  I drove over to Parkland Hospital and was amazed how much space it covered and how expansive it was.  I sat in the car praying to God just what was I to say to this individual who was an alcoholic among other things. I looked down and saw a Bible I had inadvertently taken from the church I was attending.  I had plan to return it, but I thought I would give it to this person and that surely would be an outreach from the church.  I made my way to his room, which was not a room but a dormitory of humanity.  I walked over to his bed and introduced myself to him and told him his wife ask that I pay him a visit.  We had a nice conversation, and then I handed him the Bible.  You would have thought I gave him a bucket of gold from his actions.  He was overjoyed to have it and kept saying how proud of it he was and that he would definitely read it.  I left the hospital feeling great joy. I got to my car and realized I had given the church’s Bible to him; I called the church to tell them what i did  expecting them to be pleased as I was – not so.  The secretary of the church told me to go back up there and retrieve the Bible and bring it back to the church.  The Bible’s are for the church and not to be given out.  Needless to say, but I was crushed and disappointed, but I told her I would get the Bible and return it.  I immediately went to a bookstore and bought another Bible and made my way back to Parkland hospital  to the room of my friend’s husband.  I told him the truth about giving him the church’s Bible and I needed to return it, but I bought him another one.  He graciously gave me back the Bible and took the one I bought, but the same joy and glee was missing in the transaction.  I was  disappointed and wondered why in the world would a church be more interested in a Bible sitting in a pew than in the hands of someone who needed a word of life when around him was so much death.  But, I guess they had their reasoning and I was to abide by them even if I disagreed. 

“The Bible is not a script for a funeral service, but it is the record of God always bringing life where we expected to find death. Everywhere it is the story of resurrection.” – Eugene Peterson

Just a thought by coppi

“We are not meant to be seen as God’s perfect, bright-shining examples, but to be seen as the everyday essence of ordinary life exhibiting the miracle of His grace.” — Oswald Chambers

There are times in my life that I like to return to – remember and write about. This is one of those times:  I was born in San Antonio, Tx, but grew up in Fredericksburg, Tx.  I spent most of my life after graduation in Dallas, Tx.  I have mentioned before in my thoughts that I volunteered at the V.A. Hospital as an undercover person working for the chaplain, The lady that worked in our locker room at the Club I belonged to knew I was a volunteer at the V.A.  One day when I was there to play golf and was putting on my golf shoes, she came to me and told me one of our member’s husband was in the V. A. Hospital and would I pay him a visit when I was there.  I said sure I would.  The next time I was there, I looked up where his room was and went to see him.  His son was standing by his bedside.  I went to Al’s bedside and started a conversation with him. (I had played golf with Al and his wife at the Country Club).  Our conversation eventually turned to Jesus and His grace, love, and salvation plan.  I prayed with him and bid he and his son goodbye.  Years later, I was having a problem with my toe and went to a podiatrist not knowing it was Al’s son, to have him check it.  When I enter his office, his first words were “Coppi I want to thank you for talking to my father at the V.A.  I was the son in the room when you were there.  “I wanted to have this conversation with my father, but did not know how to begin.”  My father died not too long after your visit”.  You know, life is a journey and if we are connected to our Shepherd, Jesus, He will lead us to a pasture that one of his sheep is needing His love, grace, and help.  In Luke 15:1-7  – “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent”.

We serve a Shepherd, Jesus, who has great love for his sheep, us, – He will carry us through the tsunami’s of our life; we will know we are being carried by “The Foot Prints in the Sand”……there will be only one foot print in the sand, because we will be carried on His shoulder’s.  I speak from my own life – I know I was being carried; His love ad  grace carried me. 

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭5:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jeremiah draws a direct connection between faith and peace. He says, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV).

Justin Bieber to Simone Biles through InstagramI when she withdrew from Tokyo Olympic’s due to her mental health – “it’s as simple as—“what does it mean to gain the whole world but forfeit your soul. Sometimes our no’s are more powerful than our yes’s. When what you normally love starts to steal your joy it’s important we take a step back to evaluate why.”

It was very difficult for me to say “no” to anything I was asked to do or what I wanted to accomplish.  I can remember at one time, I was taking voice, piano, art. golf, etc lessons.  I was running in every direction trying to be something that people would love me – not for me but what I could do.  “No” was not in my vocabulary.  I thought I had to be the Wonder Woman doing and not being.  It was a hard lesson to learn, because when the bottom was “knocked out” of my world I created, where were the many “yes’s” that I thought was the answer to “love”.  Everything became a vacuum.  Where were these people whom I thought liked me – “nowhere”?  Painful – yes.  However, out of the pain and hurt, I learned to be me and I learned to slow down and smell the roses.  And, my “no’s, and “yes’s” were selective to “what’s the motivation behind them… “evaluate the why”.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Mt 5:4)

When I read the above scripture this morning, I seem to always relate it to death as I have heard this scripture quoted many times at funeral’s.  This morning, I looked at it differently.  When I am fighting health issues, I am mourning the loss of good health & mourning an attitude I took for granted.  Health is a precious gift, & it is only when one loses that gift, do they realize how precious it is.  Years ago, I worked for Gulf Oil Company & I will always remember this one man who would come into my office & sit & talk to me. He was very wealthy & had all the money to buy anything but he could not buy his health.  Doctors could not help his condition.  He would say to me, “I would give all I have to have my health as without it, i really have nothing”.  When all is going well in life, it’s hard to relate to issues that we are not experiencing, it’s only when we are walking through them that we mourn for the loss.  “Mourning an attitude I took for granted” – Jesus, help me to always be grateful for good health as without it, I will truly not be able to enjoy all this beautiful creation, you created.

“Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for that one person.”  (Unknown)

Just a thought by coppi

“We are not the advertisement for Jesus, we’re supposed to be the evidence.” – Bob Goff

My husband gives much of his time to the Gideons. The Gideons have been around since 1898, when two traveling salesmen got the idea of having the word of God available to travelers. However, as in all God’s movements there are seasons when people support and spend time diligently supporting the organization.  I will say, there are camps in the Gideons that are vital, but the camp Tom, my husband, belongs to has lost many members and young men today have different things pulling at their time. Tom is faithful and will go to the meetings knowing that maybe only one other person will come.  Today was one of those days when he had prayer and breakfast by himself. But the beauty of his faithfulness is that there are times, he witnesses to only one person, which happened this week.  He was relating to me how thrilled that person was to receive a bible – the Gideons are known for giving out Bibles and placing them in hotels plus personal witnessing. Jesus gave his life for people, and it was not only the ‘multitudes He spoke to, but individuals  –  the women at the well, the adulterous, the lady with the issue of blood, and so many more.  People – even if it’s only one was important to Him.  He is our shepherd, and if one sheep is lost, He will go find it and carry it back to the fold.  I tell Tom never be discouraged if few come to a meeting as there just might be a sheep somewhere in the building that has lost his/her way and you might be the shepherd to change the world for that person.

Just a thought by coppi

“I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.”

‭‭John‬ ‭17:4-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

““I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭17:20-21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Revelation 13:8 says that Jesus, the Lamb of God, was “slain from the creation of the world” (NIV). Before the sin was committed, Jesus was the planned sacrifice. Before the veil separated God and man, Jesus was the bridge that would tear it. 

Way before time a plan was designed & implemented by God the Father, Jesus His Son, and The Holy Spirit to reveal the function of the pattern’s design by them way before the world was and was to become.  Jesus became the lamb slain before the creation of time & The Holy Spirit became our comforter & guide on this earth until the model was completed, and we are called back to the glory shared before the world begun.  The scriptures from Genesis to Revelation reveal this beautiful mosaic being full filled and woven in the pattern designed by the three in one.  And, that excites me!

Just a thought by coppi 

Just a thought by coppi

Oftentimes we take feelings of loneliness, rejection, shame, and guilt and believe that they must be truth. Truth isn’t found in our emotions, but rather in the word of God. Our mind is the gateway to our emotions. We feel the way we do because of what we perceive and believe. If we engage in the process of renewing our mind to God’s word, our emotions will get in line with truth. You and God are one. There is nothing you or anyone else can do to change that. May the truth of Scripture guide you into a lifestyle of centering your life around the union already available to you in Christ.  (First 15 Oct 20, 2017)

2 Cor 5:7 – for we live by believing and not by seeing

I oftentimes quote Craig Denison words in First 15 as when anything speaks to my heart, I want to share it with my Just a Thought readers.  I have no idea if his words ‘ring a bell’ in your heart, but if not, they are truth to ones that need to be reminded of the power of the word of God.  Our minds are the battle field of Satan and if he can get us to believe his tormenting thoughts, he will get a foothold on our emotions and cause us much grief.  In Roman’s 12: 2 – “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think”. In Ephesians 6 the scriptures speak of putting on the whole armor of God to protect us from the fiery darts of Satan.  I am aware that many ones don’t believe there is a devil but if you believe the word of God, then there is no getting around him.  He is not a little devil in a red suit with a forked tail but a fallen-prideful angel who wanted to rule the earth and was thrown out of heaven with all the other prideful angels.  He now is running rampart in the fallen world consuming people through their minds if they allow him to.  Quote Billy Graham: There are two great forces, God’s force of good and the devil’s force of evil, and I believe Satan is alive and he is working, and he is working harder than ever, and we have many mysteries that we don’t understand.

Enough said about the devil – our Mighty God is more powerful and defeated him at Calvary! 

“We underestimate God and we overestimate evil. We don’t see what God is doing and conclude that he is doing nothing. We see everything that evil is doing and think it is in control of everyone.” – Eugene H. Peterson

Years ago when I lived in Dallas, Tx, I volunteered at the VA Hospital as an undercover person for the Chaplain. I handed out Bibles and was assigned to the floors of great need. I have written about this before, but that time in my life I not only was there to listen to veterans relate their fears of death but also their stories of life. I learned and will treasure their wisdom given to me, and I pray I was a source of need in their life. It was a lesson of learning about the corruption in this world because these Vets saw evil in their service to our country and many were in the VA hospital from the results of it.  Yes, I am sure they wondered where God was in the war zone of Vietnam – evil was everywhere, but listening to them, they did not underestimate God; they were fighting for our country and the evil that was destroying it.  They were a bunch of veterans who loved the USA and even though they knew the consequences they were facing, they were willing to sacrifice their lives to keep our country from the source of destruction of evil.  My conclusion is wrongdoing is not only in the battlefield, but it is lurking around in crevices of greed, jealousy, wants, and everywhere it can creep in to destroy ourselves and our country.  Why?

Proverbs 25:20:  singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.

When the winds blow – whence did it come – no one knows.  When bad news blows in & brings in sickness, pain, financial problems, or whatever you are facing today, do you need someone singing a cheerful song in your ear?  Your heart is heavy overwhelmed with fear, pain, tears, sorrow, & the unknown.   Please don’t overwhelm me with anymore.  I only need you; yes I do.  

Really, that is the cry of many facing a big challenge.