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WisconsinChristianNews.com
Volume 25, Issue 5
Healthy Homes & Families Natural, Biblical, Healthy Living Not A Border, But a Bridge By Chris McMahan September 2024 arise physically and in the power of the Holy Spirit — and GO!
Joshua 1:2 (English Standard Version), “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them...” Moses, associated with the law in the Old Testa- ment, had to die before the Israelites were allowed to enter the Promised Land. The Law was never in- tended to have the power necessary to take us to the places that God has prepared for us. It is not by per- formance or religious ritual that we achieve victory
In Chattanooga, Tennessee there is an attraction called Rock City Gar- dens. A beautiful place that God carved out of the hardness of the earth for mankind to enjoy. The high- light of the rocky gardens is a viewing
God is calling us to a forward march into the Prom- ised Land. He has already secured this place of abundance, life, and growth for us. We know it’s there; we’ve looked longingly at it from across our “Jordan,” but felt that our “Jordan” was too much to cross. It is not! Your Jordan was never meant to be a border to keep you out; but by faith a bridge to let you in.
area atop a cliff that overlooks a large span of Ten- nessee as well as a few other neighboring states. The
only problem...getting there. You see, if you’re not much of a fan of heights, to get to the viewing area you must cross a ter- rifyingly wobbly suspension bridge that is suspended over, well, a lot of nothing — a seemingly endless downward crevice of rock. What is one to do? Joshua 1:2 (English Standard Version) “...Now therefore arise, go over this Jor- dan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them...every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you...just as I promised.” Like the suspension bridge, there are many things in life that through our eyes we may consider to be roadblocks keep- ing us out of an area, borders keeping us from entering; that from God’s perspec-
in the Christian life. It is only by the power of Jesus, Yeshua, symbolized by Joshua; that we are able to cross the bridge from the lives and choices that God never intended to be our home into the Promised Land that He prepared in advance for us. It is not faith in ourselves that takes the first step toward vic- tory, it is faith in our good God who has prepared good things for us. It is not our ability, but His power that turns borders into bridges. Will you step out in faith today? Will you take the first step toward victory in 2019 that the Lord desires for you? He loves you and His grace is more than sufficient.
tive were never meant to be borders, but rather bridges. Those things that we think are holding us back from reaching the Promised Land living that the Lord has for us are, from His perspective, meant to be a breakthrough. Like all progress in the Christian hike, there is a piece of this that we must do and a piece that only the Lord can do. It is a new year, Brothers and Sisters. What better time to work with the Lord to let our borders become breakthroughs! It is the perfect time to get up — to
Now is the time, today is the day, to come into all that God has for you. Leave the familiar and any- thing mediocre and come into the land and life that God has promised you. Come, take a step toward victory and Promised-Land living! Just as the Isra- elites had to put one toe in the waters of the Jordan by faith before the waters receded, so too must we take that first step of faith into what God has for us. It is there that our peace meets His power. When our faith steps out, God’s power steps in. What was once a border becomes a bridge!
Joshua 1:11 (English Standard Version), “Prepare your provisions, for you are going to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.” Chris McMahan, Email: Happy1970@icloud.com Please email me if you would like to receive monthly ministry updates.
This is What I’ve Learned...
... When Words Fail
By Layton Howerton September 2024
tance between you and the person you’re in conflict with…...with PRAYER. Season your prayers with love for them and the eternal hope of reconciliation with them, in and through Jesus Christ our Lord, allowing Him to bring, not only healing to your heart, mind, body and soul, but to the heart, mind, body and soul, of the one you’re praying for. And when that someone says, “Leave me alone! Give me some space. I need some time,” listen to them and do that — lovingly, kindly and respectfully…until the healing comes! A wise friend of mine once told me, “Some things this side of heaven, just wont heal.” And unfortunately, I’ve found his statement, to be true, for some things that happen, relationally in this life, just won’t heal…on this side of heaven. Author Brennan Manning said, “Suf- fering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, dis- couragement, and death will be a part of your journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever.” And if I might add… no “unreconciled difference” can either! So take heart, for whenever our words fail, the “WORD OF GOD” never fails. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the
A couple months ago I wrote an article for the paper on broken relationships. Since then, I’ve reflected many times on two of the quotes I included in that piece…and so, this is what (else)
I’ve learned…about broken relationships, in the quiet solace of an old pacific coastal white oak, back on the ranch again, in Santa Ynez, California; From my heart to yours… Henri Nouwen said, “Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their mean- ing, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure.” Sometimes, when words fail, distance may be the only cure for you and a person you’re in conflict with. For words do lose their mean- ing, when you’re too close…emotionally, men- tally, physically and spiritually, to a person you have an unreconciled difference with. By continually trying to make a bad situ- ation better, between you and the person you’re in conflict with, we often just make things worse — no matter how much you may love, care about them and desperately desire restoration with or at the very least, some kind of peace-filled closure. The heartbreak of unreconciled differences can be excruciatingly painful, exhausting and exasperating, whenever words begin to fail… and we come to know, “that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listen-
ing speaking no longer heals.” So, here’s what I suggest you do, when words fail and “closeness cannot cure.” Fill the dis-
Lord delivers him out of them all.”
(Psalm
34:18-19, ESV).
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