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       Builders for the Kingdom of God
Yesterday, I heard that someone is suing the American government to have every thing religious taken out of the inauguration ceremonies for the President of the United States.  He states that it offends him.  How do Christians respond?

Nehemiah 3:16
My paraphrase - the Israelites had been ravaged and the wall surrounding them and protecting them had been destroyed by enemies.  The King, Nehemiah, instructed the people to rebuild the wall.  But the enemies of God made fun of the rebuilding, and threatened the builders.  Even their friends said things that didn't help - they were not supportive, and scared of attack.  King Nehemiah didn't waver.  He knew that Israel needed to be safe and protected by the wall.  He instructed the people to keep building, and to be vigilant against the enemy day and night.  It was really hard, but they succeeded.

How like Nehemiah am I?  Or am I like the enemies, or even the friends who don't have faith in a hard plan?  Christians have many enemies who make fun, who tell us that we can't succeed.  We see here that it has been that way throughout the ages.  But, (according to Chuck Swindoll),

People who are in great demand today are those who can see an "end result" in their imaginations - and then pull it off!  Those who can think - and then follow through.  those who dress their daring dreams in practical denim work clothes.  That takes a measure of gift, a pinch of skill and a ton of discipline!

Lord, help me to be a builder of the kingdom.

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quiet waters

Psalm 23: 1 - 4

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil

For your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

It was a beautiful September day, one of those fall days that remind you of your first day of school, the smell of newly mown hay and the crisp golden air simply surrounds you.
Yet, even amidst all of the lovliness, those weren't the things on my mind that Sept. day. There was a darkness, maybe a pall, as we processed in the hearse to Dad's funeral. I remember seeing the gold and crimson leaves on a tree, and hearing children at play while we rode in the back of that hearse - the one that came way, way too soon.
I know the moment when I laughed again, after the death. It as a long time after. I remember how I cried. Did you know that sometimes when you cry really hard, it sounds like you are laughing? I also remember how close God held me. It was like he made the 23rd Psalm so real, so personal for me. I did walk right in that valley - the shadow of death had taken Dad. We were in desparate need of comfort. And, there He was. God gave his comfort to us. Do you have to really feel in the debths of your soul your need of a Savior to gain that intimacy? I don't know. But, I know that comfort comes when there is no answer, when there is no help.