thoughts by Marilyn Ehle Archives - Page 5 of 20

Published December 19, 2021

God with us Now Residing . . .

Where do you most often think of God “residing”?

Shepherds in the field abiding,

Watching o’er your flocks by night

God with us is now residing . . .
(James Montgomery)

Where do you most often think of God “residing”? Quick answers might include “he’s in my heart“, or “I feel his presence in the church sanctuary” or perhaps even “I feel him near when surrounded by the beauty of nature“.

How interesting that God chose shepherds as recipients of the “birth announcement” of the Savior. Shepherds weren’t men who worshipped in sanctuaries with stained glass windows. They lived most of the year outside, usually clothed in rough sheepskin pelts. No shower stalls in the desert. Sheep’s wool is dirty and oily, so those who handle them are the same. The fact that they couldn’t bathe properly and were constantly dealing with blood of the birthing of lambs kept them ritually unclean. There despised by the nicer folk.

When I hear this description, I think of the homeless people who walk the streets of our town . . .right past our church doors. Their hair is straggly, their body odour is pungent, their clothing —–while not made of pelts—is equally as strange. And it is to these blessed individuals the announcement is made:

Unto YOU a Savior is born . . .

What is my response?

by Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

Image Credit: Shepherds Abiding in the Fields is a piece of digital artwork by Mario Carini which was uploaded on September 22nd, 2018

The Wise Foolishness of Faith

Faith would be foolish if what we hope for does not have basis in reality, but God offers us all the reality we need

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

What an unbelievable statement! Who in this modern world of rational thinking would dare to stand in any public forum and spout such childish nonsense. Isn’t it only a child who actually believes that a parent will fulfill an impracticable but hoped-for Christmas or birthday wish? Only children, after all, believe that a wonderful, imagined gift will become reality? Who else would trust an adult, even a wise and loving adult, to this extent?

Maybe that’s one reason why Jesus said, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Faith would be foolish if what we hope for does not have basis in reality, but God offers us all the reality we need, all the truth necessary to make an intelligent decision to follow Him. The very character of God cries out for such trust and, in addition, He sent His Son Jesus to display that character in the flesh and to provide the way to God.

Millions of people through the ages have risked all to believe that God is love and can be trusted. The Bible says, “This is what the ancients were commended for.” It does take faith to believe God and His Word, but we have the promise of Jesus, “whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”

Question: Are you willing to step out in faith and take God at His Word?

By Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

Trust is Tough

“When I am most afraid, I put my trust in you… “ Psalm 56:3

With the sun setting beyond a placid lake and the sky softly glowing, we see the silhouette of a tall young man walking hand in hand with his small daughter. It is a painting that some would say perfectly captures the essence of trust: the child is quietly confident in the presence of her protective parent.

Yet the psalmist would tell us that this scene pictures only the early stages of trust. Walking together with loving parent, friend, spouse (or God) in peaceful times is important and necessary for the process of developing the relationship. But the tough test of trust comes “when we are most afraid.” In his book Ruthless Trust, Brennan Manning writes that the Old Testament patriarch Abraham “models the essence of trust…convinced (emphasis mine) of the reliability of God.” Further he writes, “without exception trust must be purified in the crucible of trial.”

When we have walked hand in hand with the Savior in peaceful times, His presence will then be sure and constant when we are most afraid.

Thank You, loving Father, for those times when we have peacefully walked hand in hand. Thank You for those moments when I have learned to love You. Now, Lord, when times are tough, I want to step up to the next level of trust.

Question: Have you ever been “deeply afraid” – and how did God help you in that situation?

By Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

Theory of Practice

What would it mean to “do good” to those whose religion or political views are so opposite my own that an uncross-able gulf exists? Jesus was no mere theorist. While He didn’t always give a clear how-to regarding the ways to express His love

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you…bless.. pray… give generously.” Luke 6:27-30

“Do to others as you would have them do to you” is supposedly the credo for Christians, but how often Jesus’ words are rapidly read and just as rapidly set aside as mere theory. Or perhaps an ideal to be put into effect at some imagined future “Kingdom time.”

What would it mean to “do good” to those whose religion or political views are so opposite my own that an uncrossable gulf exists? When derisive remarks about my faith sting like a physical slap, do I retreat to a safe silence or continue a social relationship where more slaps are inevitable? Does my giving of time and money have strings attached? How do I balance the call to wise stewardship with joyful generosity?

Jesus was no mere theorist. While He didn’t always give a clear how-to regarding the ways to express His love, we have enough stories that prick the soul with their drama. A young man insults his father and his culture, wastes his inheritance and defies his religion. With no strings attached, the father welcomes him home with riotous celebration. A seriously injured man needs help – religion and rights are set aside by a person despised by the “good” people as he sets the example of love and mercy while caring generously for the man in need.

Theory costs little. Practice costs my very life. Am I willing to pay the price?

Lord Jesus, you are my example for putting into practice what I say I believe. Help me not only look upon your life, but learn from the way you spent quiet time with your Father for daily strength and defeated the Enemy with the Word of God.

By Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

A Lingering Aroma

Lord, remind me to regularly bathe in your Word and allow your Spirit to cleanse me so that any aroma that lingers long after I’ve left the premises, will not only draw people to you, but will also be a “sweet scent rising” to you.

“Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse.” 2 Corinthians 2:15 (The Message)

Four doors lead from our condominium building into the entryway. Our neighbors range from young singles to more mature couples. We are a good group of neighbors who greet each other pleasantly, always willing to help with the mundane fix-it problems of suburban life. We have extremely different lifestyles but respect each other and generally live in harmony. One morning after bringing in the daily paper, I remarked to my husband, “Joe just left for his office.” Since I had barely reached out our door for the paper that lay on the mat, my husband, who knew I had not talked with anyone, was justifiably surprised. “What made you think he was on his way to work?” “I smelled his aftershave lotion,” was my reply. Joe, always dressed in the most businesslike attire, always splashed on his aftershave lotion with what I considered a somewhat heavy hand. It wasn’t a particularly offensive aroma, it just lingered long after he left the premises. We who are Christ followers, if we regularly bathe in the love, mercy and grace of God will be giving off an aroma. True, that scent can be offensive to those who refuse to acknowledge the Christ we follow, but our responsibility is simply to be the bearers of fragrance.

Lord, remind me to regularly bathe in your Word and allow your Spirit to cleanse me so that any aroma that lingers long after I’ve left the premises, will not only draw people to you, but will also be a “sweet scent rising” to you.

By Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

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It Takes Practice

Published October 13, 2021

It Takes Practice

“Be still and know that I am God..” Psalm 46:10

“Sit still! Don’t wiggle!” How often have you said those words to a squirmy child? How often have you whispered those words to yourself as you mentally fidget while reading the Bible or praying? Or—more likely—when disease or disaster looms?

Experts agree that the words of Psalm 46 probably weren’t written while God’s beloved children roamed green pastures or rested beside still waters. It is more likely that they were escaping advancing hordes and enraged tyrants. Even nature seemed to conspire against them with quaking mountains and roaring waters.

After describing these horrors, the writer extols the glory and power of God and finally slips in, “Be still!”, or more literally, “Cease, relax, quit striving, chill out!” How is this possible and how do I learn to live like this as a general rule?

The Apostle Paul, writing to Christians under similar conditions, gives encouraging advice: “Rejoice! Don’t be anxious! Pray with thanksgiving about everything!” And finally this promise: “Then the peace of God which is beyond human understanding will calm your fears and give you mental quiet” (Philippians 4:4-7).

It’s this practice of joy-filled living, intentional prayer, and increased understanding of the nature of God that leads to and feeds the practice of stillness. This doesn’t happen casually or overnight. It takes a daily surrender over the irritating minutiae of life, agreement with a loving God that He has purpose and plan for each of us.

Keep practicing!

It’s hard for me to sit still, Father. If I’m not squirming with impatience, I’m running ahead of you at my own favored pace. Remind me, please, of the benefit of stillness as I sit before you daily

By Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

Beauty Out of Ashes

Wildfires roar across Europe and Western North America levelling homes, businesses, forests, and plains. Here where I live—hundreds of miles from the devastation—we awaken many mornings with throats dry and scratchy, lungs almost gasping for clear air because of smoke carried by air currents.

Yet in the middle of these disasters, we look into the sky each evening to discover spectacular sunsets, colors so vivid they seem painted by the most avant garde of artists. Out of the catastrophes has come beauty.

Looking for beauty in the midst of hardship is a challenge most of us either ignore or battle. What beauty could come from distress and affliction? The Apostle James writes that such suffering can produce beautiful perseverance in us (James 1:3)

“I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved”.

His friend Peter goes on to say that we can become beautifully effective and productive as we walk through the fires of trials

‘I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved“. (1 Peter 1:8).

Even as we pray for restoration and new life for the suffering people and land, may the sunsets remind us to look to the loving Creator who makes all things new, who brings beauty out of ashes.

Father, I don’t understand the pain of suffering nor do I see how you can bring beauty out of ashes but your promise is sure. Help me see beauty through the smoke of suffering,

By Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

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His Breath in Our Lungs

Published August 20, 2021

His Breath in Our Lungs

“The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33:4

“It’s your breath in our lungs...”* We frequently sing those words in Sunday worship but they carry far greater impact since my husband’s recent illness. His body was almost instantly weakened when a deadly bacterial attack resulted in organ damage. For two months, every minute of day and night, auxiliary oxygen continuously pumped into his lungs until they gradually strengthened sufficiently to work on their own.

When God created the first human, he “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a living being.” And so it is for every follower of Jesus to this day. Without God’s very breath of life—his Holy Spirit—continually infusing life-giving power, we soon grow spiritually weak, even find ourselves fainting from the exhaustion of going it alone.

We are constantly bombarded by the “bacteria” of the world—doubt, selfishness, anger, anxiety—all causing us to stumble with weakness instead of firmly walking with confidence through life. In the Bible is written, “be continually filled with the Holy Spirit,“ constantly breathe in his life-sustaining power by walking intimately with him. Just as oxygen was pumped from a source, God’s breath is the source infusing us as we submit to his leading, spend time in reading and reflecting on his words from the Bible, and listening to his whispers in prayer. Strong spiritual lungs are as crucial as those residing in our bodies.

By Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

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Who Are You Looking For?

Published August 14, 2021

Who Are You Looking For?

“I have seen the Lord!” John 20:18

She was confused, grief-stricken and unutterably weary. Perhaps going to the garden tomb where Jesus’ body had been taken would ease some of the turmoil in her mind and heart, but finding it empty on that dark morning only increased her roiling emotions. She had run to her sorrowing faith community to relate the shattering news, but they didn’t believe her story – “her words seemed like nonsense.”

She returns to the only place she knows, the place where she last saw Jesus if only his bleeding, broken body. With tears flowing she stoops to look inside the tomb. Maybe her first impression had been wrong. Maybe his body was still there and she could express her devotion with costly burial spices.

In the bleak, dim light of dawn, she glimpses two men dressed in white who ask what seems the most simplistic of questions: “Why are you crying?” Her answer reveals a heart broken beyond repair: “They have taken my Lord away.”

Surely words pronounced by seraphic figures should be enough to assuage her sorrow, but she needed more. Turning around, perhaps ready to leave this place of despair, she sees a man. He repeats the angels’ question but asks one more of his own, one that pierces to her soul: ”Who is it you are looking for?”

Down through the ages the same question is whispered to every human at one time or another. While we often try to silence its sound with the pursuit of self-fulfillment, activity or relationships, God relentlessly repeats the gentle words,

“Who is it you are looking for?”

The Bible says that it was when Mary turned to the man whose voice she heard that she recognized him as her loved and loving Savior. She now had no problem convincing her friends of her experience. Her testimony, “I have seen the Lord” activated their own response and rings down through the centuries.

Are you looking for something, for someone?

The simple act of turning finally to the one who loves you enough to understand your broken heart and see your flowing tears can be the beginning of new life. His words are the most profound ever spoken: “I am the good shepherd. I have come to give you life. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

By Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

Famine and Then Feast

“In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land…” Ruth 1:1

On every side we are faced with world hunger. Many people reading these words think about hunger only in personal terms. For example, “What will we prepare for dinner?” or “This diet is making me hungry” or “Next week I’ll contribute canned goods to the local food pantry.” But we cringe when we see pictures of babies with bloated stomachs, babies too weak to nurse from their mother’s breast and we open our wallets to help meet the staggering needs. When tragedy strikes, the universal need for food and support is recognized.

But we are also faced with other kinds of hunger – hunger that cannot be satisfied with another shipment of grain or rice. The words in the beginning of the narrative about Naomi and Ruth are stark in their simplicity: In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. There was no alternative except to leave all that was familiar, comfortable, and predictable and search for a place where food could be found.

Many of us experience famine even though we may never have to leave our homeland to search for food. The word is not limited to lack of food; its broad meaning includes deprivation, shortage and want. We may be deprived of the kind of love we were led to believe marriage would supply. We may be short of affirmation from our peers or superiors. We may fall short of believing in ourselves, lacking in hope, comfort or joy. We may think that God Himself is absent.

If you know the story, you know that when these women heard that the famine was over in Naomi’s homeland, they decided to travel back to a place of familiarity. Although Naomi and Ruth eventually found food, they were otherwise left without any visible means of physical or emotional support when their husbands died. This was not short-term deprivation; the biblical text indicates that they lived well over ten years in the midst of loss.

Ultimately God worked wonders that would trickle down to affect the lives of both Jews and Christians. (King David and our Savior Jesus Christ find Ruth in their lineage.)

But it did not happen quickly or without pain. They experienced profound loss in their journey. The God who walked with them through the famine brought them finally to the feast of fullness. He promises to do the same for us but the timing might not be what we expect. Just like in the lives of Naomi and Ruth, God’s answers may come in surprising ways.

Lord, I am going through a famine in (name area of your life). Would You help me to lean into You and trust that You will bring me into a feast of fullness? Thank You for your never ending love. Amen.

Questions: What strikes you the most in the story of Naomi and Ruth? How does it apply to your life?

by Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

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Speaking the Language

Published July 3, 2021

Speaking the Language

“We are Christ’s ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We are Christ’s personal representatives…” 2 Corinthians 5:20 (Amplified Bible)

I attended a conference with representatives from several countries. Presentations were in English and translated into the language spoken by most in the audience. Each day we sat together discussing the assigned topic and since the ideas were interesting to everyone, conversations often became lively. Each table had a translator but when a particular topic sparked heartfelt interest, the majority language people quickly became too animated for the interpreter to keep up.

As I sat there not understanding but hungry for explanation, I began to wonder if this is how a non-Christian feels when conversations in church or Bible studies leave her feeling insignificant. Does she feel as though she’s on the outside looking in? Does he wish people would just stop talking and listen to him?

“We are Christ’s ambassadors.” By definition, ambassadors represent their own country to another government and the very best ambassadors learn the language of the country to which they are assigned. This exhibits honor and humility and places the ambassador in a unique position to deeply understand the ethos of the assignment. A wise ambassador knows how to ask questions to elicit understanding and encourages listeners to express their own views on a vast variety of subjects.

To be influential ambassadors, ones who adequately translate God’s loving appeal, we must learn to speak the language of our culture. We must learn how to talk about subjects important to our listeners, not just our own most recent spiritual discoveries. Am I as ready to listen as I am to speak? It’s a long and often slow process, but it’s the way things happen in the Kingdom of God as we seek to invite new citizens into the conversation. And into the Kingdom.

Father, I admit that too often I race ahead to “explain the gospel” before listening to the hearts of people. And because I disapprove of so much of the culture around me, I neglect to learn the language of my neighbors and I lose the opportunity to speak wisely and well. Forgive me, Lord. Please teach me.

By Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

Believing Before Seeing

“blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

In our world where scientific, rationalistic thinking is highly prized, it seems preposterous, even unwise, to state with assurance that one’s entire life on earth – and beyond – is based on the unseen.

One follower of Christ, heartbroken and disillusioned after seeing the violent beatings and unspeakably horrible death of this One he loved, simply could not believe that Jesus was now alive. Even the testimony of those who claimed to have seen Him was suspect. It took the physical presence of Jesus, the sight of scars and sound of His voice, to finally elicit a statement of faith: “My Lord and my God.”

Carlo Carretto writing in, In Search of the Beyond, states: “I began to know Jesus as soon as I accepted Jesus as truth.” Today God calls us to believe before seeing, but once that step of faith – acknowledging the truth of Christ – is taken, an increasingly intimate “knowing” of Jesus begins. We can be one of those blessed ones who have not seen and yet have believed.

Thank you, Father, that you only ask for small faith in Jesus before you begin the mighty work of transformation.

By Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

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The Power of Choice

Published May 28, 2021

The Power of Choice

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God.” John 14:1

It’s just the way I am. I can’t help it. I’m a worrier by nature. I’m too old to change.

Do any of those phrases sound familiar to you? Do you find yourself excusing your tendency to worry or your lack of discipline? Unfortunately we have too often allowed ourselves the Privilege of Excuse to mask areas in our lives which need change or improvement. We do not hesitate to challenge our children when they use excuses to cover their poor performance in school or their disobedience, but we frequently are far more lenient with ourselves when it comes to matters between us and God.

Jesus speaks to his friends in the hour of their greatest need, when they are about to witness their beloved Savior being beaten and killed. How preposterous of him to say they have the ability to not be troubled. Don’t they have every “right” to be agitated (the primary meaning of the word troubled)? Their world is about to crumble in front of their eyes. Their future is bleak. The one they have trusted to give them hope and a future is about to be murdered.

When Jesus uses the words “let not,” he is telling us that we have the power of choice. We need not be victims of our personalities or human tendencies or backgrounds. The road to victory is rocky and uphill, but God gives us the pattern for that victory:

“Do not be anxious about everything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-8)

Precious Lord, I confess that it is much easier to make excuses for myself than to intentionally grow in faith. Help me face myself honestly, confess to you my lack of discipline, and then trust you to give me wisdom and strength to change.

by Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

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Confession Is Good for the Soul

Published May 15, 2021

Confession Is Good for the Soul

“I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.” Psalm 38:18

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16

While discussing the importance of confessing “one to another,” a friend said, “I always feel better after I’ve confessed.” Because I do not always experience such relief, I wondered if perhaps her brand of confession was more spiritual than my own. Many years ago another friend described his own post-confession reaction: “Confession was so horrific and shameful that I never want to go through that sin…or the confession again!”

The psalmist doesn’t say that he confessed his iniquity so that he would feel good. It seems rather that after confession, the nature of his sin—though forgiven—still deeply troubled him. Christians know and bask in the amazing truth that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” but that does not mean we should not look deeply into the horror of sin or the reasons behind sinful actions. We should not berate ourselves unnecessarily or remain in the “slough of despond,” but it is far too easy to cheapen the grace and forgiveness of our loving God by surface confession with a subsequent sigh of relief that all is well.

While Jesus graciously forgave Peter his heartbreaking denial, it is interesting that there on the beach near the embers of a fire, the conversation that concluded with a world changing job description for the disciple, Jesus lingers, asking three times, “Do you love me?” Peter’s soul is revealed when the writer records, “Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time…”

Confession, while necessary, may not always bring the instant relief we desire but God is faithful to forgive and bring His healing.

By Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

No Safe Place

Shoppers flee from gunfire. Women cower from abusers. Children run from bombs. Teenagers weep from addiction. A woman posts on social media after another mass shooting: “Is no place safe anymore?”

“God is our refuge and strength” becomes more than a psalmic platitude, a comforting verse to write in a note to the grieving when our worlds collapse. It’s true that we fear when formerly physically safe places are invaded, but when wounds bleed not only from our bodies but from our innermost beings, we’re tempted to despair.

How is God our refuge? How do we run into the fortress he claims to be? Jesus promises that we who are in the Father’s hand cannot be “snatched” or seized. We who have run to God for our salvation are promised safekeeping, not from that which can smother physical life but from all that would dare endanger the soul.

Though the melody is difficult, a hymn written by Martin Luther, rings true during these fear-filled days:

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing… ”
His craft and power are great…
From age to age the same…
…He must win the battle…

When my heart trembles and my mind goes to “what if,” it is then I retreat into God’s refuge, thanking him for his presence and power, believing—perhaps with small faith—that it is possible to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let (my) requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard (my) hearts and mind through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

By Marilyn Ehle
Used by Permission

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Category: <span>thoughts by Marilyn Ehle</span>

Where do you most often think of God “residing”?

Unto YOU a Savior is born . . .

Further Reading

Faith would be foolish if what we hope for does not have basis in reality, but God offers us all the reality we need

Further Reading

“When I am most afraid, I put my trust in you… “ Psalm 56:3

Further Reading

Further Reading

Lord, remind me to regularly bathe in your Word and allow your Spirit to cleanse me so that any aroma that lingers long after I’ve left the premises, will not only draw people to you, but will also be a “sweet scent rising” to you.

Further Reading

Follow Us On:

“Be still and know that I am God..” Psalm 46:10

Further Reading

Further Reading

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“The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33:4

Further Reading

Follow Us On:

“I have seen the Lord!” John 20:18

Are you looking for something, for someone?

Further Reading

Further Reading

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Further Reading

“blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

Further Reading

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It’s just the way I am. I can’t help it. I’m a worrier by nature. I’m too old to change.

Further Reading

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FURTHER READING

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