Will Your Vote Matter? - October 28, 2020

My An Arkie's Faith column from the October 28, 2020, issue of The Polk County Pulse.

It was shortly before noon when we pulled up to the old armory building. Outside was a sandwich board sign with the words “vote here” written above a rippling American flag. When we walked into the large open room, a couple of people were in line ahead of us. I was thankful to be avoiding a large group by voting early. We stood on our circles that were placed on the floor to help us stay six feet apart. The people working the polls were friendly and helpful. Before long, both my wife and I were standing in front of our respective voting machines.

After voting, I carefully reviewed the ballot before giving my final approval. I was now one of the more than fifty million voters who have cast early ballots. Most people are expecting an above-average turnout for this year’s elections. Political pundits on both sides consider this election crucial and try to convince those on their side to be sure and vote. The rhetoric has been scathing, harsh, and bitter. 

In the past weeks and months, ugly, hateful, and often downright false political posts have filled my Facebook and Twitter feeds. Most of the time, they are reposts of someone else’s memes or articles. I wonder if the hateful vitriol has ever changed anyone’s mind. Do Christians want to be known for such anger?

One of the best-known sayings of Christianity is the Golden Rule; “Do to others what you want them to do to you.” Matthew 7:12 (NCV) Most Christians believe this. They would agree that it’s correct to treat others right and believe in showing respect and kindness. But there’s one area of life where it seems that Christians forget the Golden Rule, and that’s politics. I am amazed by how many Christians become downright uncivil when it comes to discussing politics. 

They are polite in everything else, but they become vicious once they start talking about politics or politicians. It seems that they forget that the Bible says in Romans 12:10 (NIV), “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

When we, as Christians, are tempted to fire back when confronted with beliefs that we disagree with, we need to listen to the advice given in Romans 12:2 (NLT). “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. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

When we feel that our beliefs are under attack, the primary human response is to fire back. We let our natural, carnal, human emotions dictate our behavior. Anger consumes us, and we want to lash out. We feel fear and want to defend our beliefs or attack perceived wrongs. But, is that how a Christian should handle conflict? In Proverbs 15:1 (NET), Solomon wrote these words of wisdom; “A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.” And James wrote in James 1:19,20 (ISV), “You must understand this, my dear brothers. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. For human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

I am not suggesting that there is never a time when Christians should speak up for their beliefs, but I have noticed that often we as Christians are slow to listen but quick to speak and get angry. Angry Christians fill my social media feeds. Some answer every difference of opinion by angrily returning fire. Political views do matter, and your vote counts. But your political ideas and thoughts should not be the primary things in your life. As Christians, our ultimate hope does not rest on political candidates or political power or political initiatives. Speaking of voting in elections, John Piper wrote, “Its outcomes do not give us the greatest joy when they go our way, and they do not demoralize us when they don’t. We deal with the political system. We deal with the news. We deal with the candidates. We deal with the issues. But it is not the great thing in our lives. Christ is. And Christ will be ruling over his people with perfect supremacy no matter who is elected and no matter what government stands or falls.”

I’m thankful to live in a country where your vote matters and my vote matters. I’m grateful that we can be a part of the political process. By all means, vote. But remember that the Bible informs us that “the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” 1 John 2:17 (TLV). Don’t let politics consume you and cloud your judgment. Don’t be complicit when others condone slander. Winning arguments isn’t more important than truthfulness.

Gentle Reader, your vote matters. When you vote for someone to represent you, whether in the local, state, or national government, it is crucial to vote for someone who shares your principles. But your vote this year is not the most important vote you will cast. Every day you have to vote for who you want to represent you that day. Do you want Jesus to represent you, or are you willing for Satan to be your representative? “If you don’t want to serve the Lord, you must choose for yourselves today whom you will serve… As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 (NCV)  National elections only happen every four years, but we have the opportunity to vote every day. Who will you choose to vote for today? Will your vote matter?

The Little Miata - October 21, 2020

My An Arkie's Faith column from the October 21, 2020, issue of The Polk County Pulse.

I thought I heard the phone ringing over the sound of the grinder I was using. I stopped grinding and listened. Yes, the phone was ringing. I laid the grinder down and answered the phone. On the other end of the line was a long time customer. “We have had an accident in our Chevy Equinox, and we want you to repair it,” he said. He gave me the insurance information, and we made arrangements for the job.

Repairing the Equinox was a big job. Finally, the day came when I called the customer and told them that the car was ready to be picked up. “We have a Mazda Miata that needs some work on it,” he said, “would you have time to do it? “What work do you want me to do to the car? I asked. “The door has a dent in it, and it needs a new mirror,” he replied. I told him that I would be able to do the job, and he decided to drop off the little Miata when he picked up the Equinox.

When he and his wife dropped the Miata off, we discussed the repairs. I told them that with the deteriorated condition of the paint, the repairs would be very noticeable. They asked for a quote on a complete paint job and also on replacing the convertible top. I told them that I would get a quote together and call them later. 

When I called them back with a quote, they decided to go ahead with the complete repaint and the top replacement. But they also had a list of other things that they wanted me to repair on the car, such as replacing the struts and installing new seat covers. After getting prices for all of the additional work they wanted me to do, I called them with the quote. I was surprised when they told me to do everything. The wife told me, “I love driving the little Miata, and I want it in great shape again.”

I think that there is a parallel between restored cars and our spiritual lives. “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 (NLT) Just like the owners of the little Miata love their car enough to spend the money to make it beautiful; God loves us in our broken-down condition. But even though he loves us in our sinful state, He doesn’t want us to stay in that condition. God has a vision for our lives. He wants to restore us.

In Job 33:26 (NKJV), The Bible talks about restoration. There it says, “He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, He shall see His face with joy, For He restores to man His righteousness.” God has a plan for each one of us. He plans to restore us to righteousness. The difference between you and me and a car in need of restoration is that the old car is passive. It isn’t part of the decision to restore. But you and I have to be willing to be repaired.

Unlike the old car that is passive in the restoration process, we have a part to play in our restoration. God wants us all to repent. Repentance is saying to God, “I know that I need to be restored. I want you to restore me.” In Romans 2:4 (NASB), the Bible says, “Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”

What leads us to repentance? The Bible says it is the kindness of God. Paul puts in another way in 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV), “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation.” My favorite verse of scripture is 1 John 1:9 (NKJV). It says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

What does it mean to confess? The dictionary says: “to admit or state that one has committed a crime or is at fault in some way.” To confess, we have to admit we are wrong. The term repent, or repentance takes this idea a step further. The dictionary says that to repent is to “feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin.”

What leads us to repentance? What leads us to confess? We are led to repentance by the kindness of God. When we experience God’s kindness and feel his love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness, it makes us want to love him. When we love God, we want to please him. We want to be restored.

Gentle Reader, just like the little Miata owners want to restore their car, God wants to restore you. Any car driven long enough without repairs will end up in the junkyard and eventually be crushed and recycled. God doesn’t want us to be abandoned and crushed by this life. He doesn’t want us to perish. 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) tells us that God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” I hope that you will spend some time today, reflecting on the kindness that God has shown you and tell Him that you are sorry for the things you have done to hurt Him. God has promised that if we confess our sins, He will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He will restore us if we let Him.

Boomtown to Ghost Town - October 14, 2020

My An Arkie's Faith column from the October 14, 2020, issue of The Polk County Pulse.

John, Bob, and J.H. were among the prospectors who came to the Buffalo River Valley, searching for lost silver mines they had heard about in Indian legends. Near Rush Creek, they found shiny metallic flakes in the rocks that they believed to be silver. Before long, the news of the discovery spread like wildfire throughout the South. Farmers, unskilled laborers, miners, and former soldiers from Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, and the Carolinas, came to the area, looking for ways to get rich quick. Due to its rough terrain and isolation, Rush Valley had very few settlers before the prospectors came to the area. 

John, Bob, and J.H. built a rock smelter near Rush Creek to extract the silver from the promising ore deposits on their claim. On a crisp cold day in January 1887, They fired up the smelter for the first time. The day started with high expectations, but no silver came out of the bottom of the smelter. All of their hard work came to nothing, and the day crushed their dreams of getting rich. Legend tells us that John, Bob, and J.H. were broke, discouraged, and out of food. They offered to sell their claim to another prospector for a can of oysters. The man turned the offer down.

The smelter didn’t produce any silver but emitted green zinc oxide fumes in a spectacular display, described as beautiful rainbows. More experienced prospectors realized that although the ore didn’t contain silver, it was rich in zinc. Shortly after that disappointing January morning, zinc mining began at the Morning Star Mine. Soon people were rushing to the area to stake a claim. By the 1890s, a bustling community of homes and businesses developed near the Morning Star Mine. 

World War I was Rush’s heyday. Zinc prices soared due to the demands of the war effort. During that time, Rush’s business district had ten general stores, three bakeries, and many boarding houses and hotels. The population soared to over 5,000, with many miners living in tents because there wasn’t enough housing for them. When World War I ended, the demand for zinc rapidly declined, and the price dropped. Mines began to close, and the population dropped. By the 1930s, all mining had ceased. The post office closed in the mid-1950s, and by the 1960s, no one was living in Rush.

For some time, I have wanted to visit the ghost town of Rush. Last month I was finally able to make the trip. It was a beautiful day as we walked along the short trail that loops through the center of Rush. As we read the interpretive signs along the way that told of the bustling activity of 100 years ago, I thought of the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)

Jesus tells us not to place too much value on the things of this world. If you treasure them as the essential things in your life, one day you will find yourself very disappointed when they are devalued, destroyed, or stolen. Is Jesus telling us that we should not have any possessions here in this world? Of course not. But he is telling us that treasures on earth are subject to being eaten, rusting, or being stolen. Treasures in heaven are secure. They will remain. To the people living in Rush during 1918, their city must have seemed immune to any possible downturn. But, when the demand for zinc dropped, everything changed, and they realized just how fleeting the things of this world could be.

We see these same patterns in countless situations in the world around us. Overnight, successful things can become failures. The fads of today are likely to be forgotten tomorrow. And boomtowns can become ghost towns. Often we make our plans, assuming that things, as we know them, will last forever. We need to realize that change is inevitable. Our ideas, strategies, commitments, and resources can be like ghost towns, thriving one minute, but empty the next.

We understand what treasures are here on earth, but what did Jesus mean by “treasures in heaven?” He wants us to use our time, energy, and finances to pursue things that are of eternal value; Those things that will have value in heaven, not on earth. The Bible says, “set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2 (NKJV) So, how do we understand the difference between appropriate and inappropriate attention to “treasures on earth?” Jesus answers, “don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ The people who don’t know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.” Matthew 6:31-33(NCV) 

Gentle Reader, don’t place your trust in the things of this world. They may end up being a ghost town like Rush. As Christians, our faith should be in the timeless truths of God found in His Word. The stock market may go up and down. Corporations, nations, and politicians may rise and fall, but God’s Word is forever. Remember that boomtowns can become ghost towns, “but the word of the Lord endures forever.” 1 Peter 1:25 (NKJV)

Indians, Outlaws, Marshals, and the Hangin’ Judge - October 7, 2020

 My An Arkie's Faith column from the October 7, 2020, issue of The Polk County Pulse.

The warm evening sun shone on the towering and picturesque Roark Bluff. The Buffalo River rushed past the bluff, one of the most iconic and photographed places along the river. In an open grassy field at Steel Creek Campground, I was one of the over one thousand people gathered, waiting for the concert. The band, National Park Radio, would be playing a free outdoor show in this beautiful location for the fourth consecutive year.

National Park Radio is a modern folk band from Harrison, Arkansas, known for its hopeful, heartfelt lyrics with themes about life, love, and difficult choices, all while echoing the enduring beauty of the band’s deep-seated roots in the Ozark Mountains. I first heard them when they headlined the 2018 Lum and Abner Days Festival. I became a big fan of National Park Radio and its music and made plans months ahead to attend the 2019 Steel Creek concert. 

During the concert, the band introduced broadcast journalist, educator, and documentary filmmaker Larry Foley. National Park Radio was supplying music for Foley’s latest project, a documentary on Judge Isaac Parker. This September, Foley released the documentary, “Indians, Outlaws, Marshals, and the Hangin’ Judge.” I was excited to order my copy. Foley describes the film as “the colorful story of Indian removal, crime, capital punishment and an infamous federal judge who sentenced scores of felons to ‘hang by the neck until you are dead.’”

Foley continued, “this is the story of how desperadoes — depending on your interpretation of history — were either tamed or tortured by a man some historians call a megalomaniac, while others choose to believe the judge was nothing more than a civil servant doing his job. This included the judge himself, who once said, “People have said to me, ‘you are the judge who has hung so many men,’ and I always answer: ‘it is not I who has hung them. I never hung a man. It is the law.’” Foley also said that Parker’s lawmen were said to have been as mean and deadly as the fugitives they captured and shackled in a dungeon known as “Hell on the Border,” in sight of the nooses that would often be their ultimate fate.

After the Civil War, outlaws made their way into the Indian Nations bordering Fort Smith, Arkansas. They terrorized the Indians and overwhelmed the capabilities of area law enforcement. By the 1870s, the Indian Territory had become known as a terrible place, where outlaws thought the laws did not apply to them, and terror reigned.  On March 18, 1875, President Grant nominated Isaac Parker as the judge for the Western District of Arkansas. Over the next 21 years, Judge Parker tried 13,490 cases. In more than 8,500 of these cases, the defendant either pleaded guilty or was convicted at trial. Parker sentenced 160 people to death, with 79 being executed on the gallows at Fort Smith. He became known as the Hangin’ Judge.

Judge Parker was actually against capital punishment. In an 1896 interview, he stated, “I favor the abolition of capital punishment, too. Provided that there is a certainty of punishment, whatever that punishment may be. In the uncertainty of punishment following crime lies the weakness of our ‘halting crime.’” He added, “I have ever had the single aim of justice in view. ‘Do equal and exact justice,’ is my motto, and I have often said to the grand jury, ‘Permit no innocent man to be punished, but let no guilty man escape.’” 

Just like the United States has laws and penalties, so does the Kingdom of God. In 1 John 3:4 (GNT), the Bible says, “Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God’s law, because sin is a breaking of the law.” And in Romans 3:23 (NKJV), we read, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” All of us have broken God’s law. The Bible makes it clear that the penalty for breaking the law is death. Romans 6:23 (NKJV) tells us that, “the wages of sin is death.”

The sobering truth is that it takes only one sin for the death penalty to be imposed.  God warned Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden before they ever sinned, “you must not eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you do, you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:17 (NIRV) The death penalty falls immediately on anyone who sins. This is terrible news because “all have sinned.” Does this make God a “hangin’ judge?”

The Bible makes it clear that God doesn’t want us to suffer the penalty for our sins. In 2 Peter 3:9 (NASB), we read, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” And we read in John 3:16 (KJV), probably the most famous verse in the Bible, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Gentle Reader, although the wages of sin is indeed death, Romans 6:23 (NKJV) gives us the rest of the story, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God isn’t the hangin’ judge. He sent his Son to be our Savior. In Romans 10:9 (NLT), we read this beautiful promise, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” There is no reason to fear the hangin’ judge. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

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If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the film, Indians, Outlaws, Marshals, and the Hangin’ Judge it is available at https://www.uapress.com/product/hanginjudge/

Trailer for "Indians, Outlaws, Marshals, and the Hangin' Judge" from Dale Carpenter on Vimeo.

Take a Break - March 19, 2020

It is Friday evening after work, and I am pulling into the Wal-Mart parking lot. The lot is at capacity, and I search for a parking space. Wal-Mart is often busy on Friday evening, but I can’t remember seeing it like this before. After parking a long way from the front of the store, I walk briskly through the light rain to the entrance. Once inside, I see something that I have never seen before. Every checkout lane is open, and each cashier has a line of customers waiting to check out. Fortunately, I just need a few things for the supper that my wife has planned for us and our granddaughters.

As I walk down the aisles, I see that there are many empty shelves. There is not a single roll of toilet paper on the paper goods aisle, and there are only a couple of packages of paper towels. There is no flour on the flour aisle. The canned vegetable aisle is decimated, with a few cans strewn here and there. I pick up a carton of eggs because there are almost none left, and I’m not sure if we have any at home. It is challenging to make my way down the crowded aisles. I am thankful when I can make my purchases and head home.

It has been a crazy week. The Covid-19 coronavirus has dominated the news cycle. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. “the virus that causes COVID-19 is infecting people and spreading easily from person-to-person. Cases have been detected in most countries worldwide, and community spread is being detected in a growing number of countries. On March 11, the COVID-19 outbreak was characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. A pandemic is a global outbreak of disease. Pandemics happen when a new virus emerges to infect people and can spread between people sustainably. Because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the new virus, it spreads worldwide.”

Wherever you go, and whoever you talk to, the coronavirus is the number one topic of conversation. I know people have experienced a wide range of emotions regarding this outbreak, from fear to doubt and disbelief. As the days progress, I am seeing a general feeling change from, “this is nothing that I need to worry about because the news media is blowing it out of proportion,” to various levels of anxiety and a run on food and supplies at Wal-Mart.

On Tuesday, the World Health Organization issued guidelines for protecting mental health during the outbreak. “Avoid watching, reading, or listening to news that causes you to feel anxious or distressed; seek information mainly to take practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself and loved ones,” it advised. “Seek information updates at specific times during the day once or twice. The sudden and near-constant stream of news reports about an outbreak can cause anyone to feel worried.”

I don’t regularly follow the stock market, but this week if you have seen any news at all, it has been unavoidable. After closing on Friday, March 6, at 25,864, the Dow Jones dropped to 24,277 at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, March 9.  Major U.S. market indexes fell 7% almost right after the opening bell on Monday. The NYSE then triggered a market circuit breaker to halt a further plunge. Circuit breakers pause trading after reaching specific decline thresholds: If the S&P 500 falls 7%, trading will pause for 15 minutes. The circuit breaker pause slowed the steep declines, but the Dow finished the day 7.8 percent lower at 23,837. 

Once again, U.S. stocks hit critical circuit breaker levels on Thursday, as global markets plunged over investor fears about the coronavirus global pandemic. “Just like Monday, we’re giving the market 15 minutes to process the down movement,” said New York Stock Exchange President Stacey Cunningham. “It’s working as it’s designed to function so that the market can absorb what news was out overnight, how investors are reacting so they can make decisions, and everyone gets a chance to see what’s happening.”

Maybe we need to be like the stock market, and when we are overwhelmed with uncertainty and bad news, just step back, pause, and take a break for a few minutes. Judson A. Brewer, an associate professor at Brown University, wrote in The New York Times, “without accurate information, it is easy for our brains to spin stories of fear and dread. In addition to being fueled by uncertainty, anxiety is also contagious. In psychology, the spread of emotion from one person to another is aptly termed social contagion. Our own anxiety can be cued or triggered simply by talking to someone else who is anxious. Their fearful words are like a sneeze landing directly on our brain, emotionally infecting our prefrontal cortex, and sending it out of control as it worries about everything from whether our family members will get sick to how our jobs will be affected.”

I am not a politician or a doctor or a scientist. I’m not sure which news reports can be trusted. So instead, I look to Jesus’ words for comfort and guidance. He said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 (NKJV). Jesus knew that fear and worry weakens us and interferes with our ability to respond effectively to the challenges of life.

Gentle Reader, although we must remain on alert against the virus, worrying won’t change our circumstances or lower our chance of infection. It won’t help us fight off illness or move us to action. There are things that we can do, such as social distancing and being diligent about washing our hands. We should take whatever precautions we can, but worrying and hoarding won’t help. Instead of worrying and being anxious, Jesus says, “do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will have its own worries. The troubles we have in a day are enough for one day.” Matthew 6:34 (NLV) Take a break from the anxieties of these troubled times and trust God. “Since God cares for you, let Him carry all your burdens and worries.” 1 Peter 5:7 (VOICE)

Sharing Candy - March 12, 2020

My An Arkie's Faith column from the March 12, 2020, issue of The Mena Star.

On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces staged a surprise attack on the American naval fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In a two-hour attack, Japanese planes sank or damaged 18 warships and destroyed 164 aircraft. Over 2,400 servicemen and civilians lost their lives. The very next day, the United States Congress declared war, and everyday life across the country was completely changed.

In early 1942, a rationing program was established that set limits on the amount of gas, food, and clothing that could be purchased. Families were issued ration stamps that were used to buy their allotment of everything from meat, sugar, fat, butter, vegetables and fruit, to gas, tires, clothing, and fuel oil. Sugar became the first food item to be rationed. Wholesalers, retailers, bakeries, and industrial users of sugar were registered for sugar ration books in April 1942. Candy and sweets were in short supply.

My Grandpa Lawry had a real sweet tooth. Knowing him and his love for sweets, I can only imagine how hard sugar rationing was on him. But even with the wartime rationing, every time he was paid, he would manage to bring home some kind of candy for his kids. Oh, how they looked forward to the days when they knew there would be candy.

When my Grandpa would come home with his precious bag of candy, 13-year-old Opal was put in charge of carefully dividing the spoils. The most common candy that Grandpa was able to purchase was Boston Baked Beans. Opal would conscientiously count out three equal piles, one piece at a time. Bobby and Delbert, aged 5 and 10, would quickly eat their small portion of the candy, but Opal would save hers for later. When she had candy left, and her brothers didn't, she would share her part with them.

Last month I attended my Aunt Opal's memorial service in Ooltewah, Tennessee. During the ceremony, my Daddy told the story of Opal sharing her candy. His voice cracked with emotion as he remembered her kindness and thoughtfulness. Person after person talked about Opal's concern for others and her selflessness. These kinds of things are expected at memorials, where people tend to embellish a person's better qualities. But in my Aunt Opal's case, there was no embellishment needed. She may be the sweetest, kindest, most loving person I have ever known. In my entire life, I can never remember her saying one bad thing about anyone.

Life wasn't easy for Opal. She suffered many trials and difficulties. But she seemed to have the capability of handling lifes pressures and disappointments with grace and dignity. She was able to follow the counsel of James. "Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4 (CSB) In life, we are going to have troubles. But instead of thinking that we should live a trouble-free life, it's much better to expect bumps in the road and yet learn how to find joy in them. There's a joy that comes from knowing that God is in control of every single situation in our lives.

Opal spent her life encouraging and inspiring others. She followed the counsel found in Hebrews 3:13 (NIV). "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." It is easy to find something to bring people down, such as a discouraging word, a disapproving look, or disrespectful actions. Many Christians gossip about the problems of others. But you don't gossip about someone to build them up; you do it to belittle them or cast doubt on their character. In Proverbs 12:18 (CEV), the Bible tells us, "Sharp words cut like a sword, but words of wisdom heal."

I'm sure that sometimes in her life, Opal said sharp words. None of us are perfect. But she strived to follow Paul's admonition found in Ephesians 4:29 (NOG), where he wrote, "Don't say anything that would hurt another person. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you." And in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV), "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Opal always seemed content and happy no matter what her circumstances were. She grew up during the Great Depression, with very few possessions. Life handed her some financial setbacks. But these words of Paul could have been written by Opal. "I have learned to be satisfied with what I have and with whatever happens. I know how to live when I am poor and when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation—when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing." Philippians 4:11,12 (ERV)

The secret to contentment is a simple one. It does not require displays of religious fervor. It is just the opposite. Christians who focus their lives on their works are never content. Contentment comes from a simple childlike response to life's ups and downs. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart." Proverbs 3:5 (NKJV)

To sum up my Aunt Opal's life would be difficult because she lived a full life. But I think the words of Jesus found in Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT) are very applicable. '" You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Anyone who knew Opal could see that she loved God with all her heart, and she loved her neighbor and herself.

Gentle Reader, I want to live my life in such a way that when I am gone, I will be remembered for loving God and loving my neighbor. I want to be remembered as someone kind, thoughtful, and encouraging. I want to be remembered as someone content with whatever situation I was in because I trusted God. I want to be remembered as my Aunt Opal is remembered.
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You can purchase the book, Opal Lawry Vega's Memories by clicking here

You can read Opal Lawry Vega's blog by clicking here

Bear Lake - March 5, 2020

My An Arkie's Faith column from the March 5, 2020, issue of The Mena Star.

The front range was glistening with fresh snow as we traveled north out of Denver. Well over a foot of snow had recently blanketed the area. My mind drifted back to the many winters I spent along the front range. During my twenty years in the area, I lived in Dacono, Frederick, Erie, and Loveland. I attended school in Longmont, Brighton, Boulder, and Campion. The house that we lived in just outside of Erie was situated on top of a rolling hill and had a beautiful, unobstructed view of the mountains. That amazing view is permanently etched into my memory.

My nephew, my wife, and I were on our way from Denver to Estes Park. The slanted, reddish-brown sandstone formations called the Flatirons that make up a portion of Boulder’s foothills on the west side of town, were covered in white. We stopped to take photos of the iconic Boulder landmarks. For the past several days, This area of Colorado had been receiving large amounts of snow. By the time we reached Estes Park, it had started to snow once again.

After an amazing lunch at the Café de Pho Thai, we headed up into Rocky Mountain National Park. The snow became heavier as we drove into the park. Traffic was light as we made our way past places that brought back waves of nostalgia. Both my wife and I spent time in Rocky Mountain National Park as we were growing up. When we married, we spent the first six years living in Loveland, 35 miles from the park. Rocky Mountain National Park was our favorite place to go when we had free time. We made many wonderful memories there.

Our destination was Bear Lake. One of the most popular places in the park, Bear Lake lies nestled in a glacial valley surrounded by snow-capped peaks and pristine forest. Because it is so popular, it is very crowded in the summertime. We had not visited Bear Lake for many years. It has become so crowded, that often the only way you can reach the lake is by shuttle bus.

Perched at 9,475 feet, Bear Lake sits in a high valley. Hallet Peak, with an elevation of 12,713 feet, stands guard directly above Bear Lake and the diamond face of 14,259-foot Longs' Peak stands to the east. When you look at the mountains surrounding the lake,  you will notice several V- and U-shaped canyons along the sides of high peaks. These canyons are evidence of glaciers and the tremendous power they have in molding the landscape.

When we arrived at Bear Lake, there were just a few cars in the parking lot. When we climbed down out of the truck and attached the microspikes to our shoes, the cold went right through us. It was snowing, and the flakes swirled around us. The thermometer showed eighteen degrees, and there was a nice mountain breeze. As we made our way down the short trail to the lake, snow-covered almost all of the fence that marked the trail. The sign at the visitors center said that there were 52 inches of snow on the ground. Several more inches fell during the day.

With the microspikes on our shoes, we had no trouble with the slippery snow-packed trail. As I remembered all of those winter visits to Bear Lake many years ago, I thought about how nice it would have been to have microspikes back then. My wife and I spent many quiet winter weekends in the park. Those are some of our fondest memories. 

One winter visit came vividly to my memory. It was a sunny cold day, and we were hiking around the lake. Because of the heavy snow on the ground, it was hard to tell where the trail was. At one point, we got off of the trail and were too close to the lake. As I took a step in the snow, my body broke through the snow and ice into the water below. We made our way back to the car as quickly a possible to get warmed up.

We had a wonderful afternoon in Rocky Mountain National Park. With the snow falling, it had it’s own special kind of beauty. It seemed that every campground, every picnic area, every road, every herd of elk, brought out a story. It was a warm fuzzy trip down memory lane. Happy memories make our life better. Remembering the good things that have happened to us helps us to live better lives in the present.

Psalms 77:11 (GNT) says, “I will remember your great deeds, LORD; I will recall the wonders you did in the past.” My memories become some of my greatest praises. As I remember the times that I have seen God working in my life, It gives me hope no matter what challenges life gives me in the present. If you are a Christian who is trying to learn how to trust in God more, then look back to what He has done in the past. Sometimes Satan tries to make us believe that past deliverances were just a coincidence. Don’t let Satan deceive you. Look back to those times and remember how God took care of you. “Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.” Pslams 107:31 (NLT)

Gentle Reader, your memories of how God had worked in your life in the past are an ever-growing reservoir of past grace. It is important to remember and to be thankful for these experiences. Remembering the past helps our future by increasing our faith in God. “I remember what happened long ago; I consider everything you have done. I think about all you have made.” Psalms 143:5 (NCV)