My Cajun Family

I recently had the privilege of ministering in Houma, Louisiana for a men's conference with additional church services on Sunday. I had never really been to southern Louisiana for any length of time, but realized when I arrived that I was in a culture-rich environment where the people were genuine and the home-made Cajun fare was too. Gumbo, Jambalaya, white beans, potato salad, rolls, and some great friends just to name a few of the wonderful things awaiting our family when we arrived.

But it was the people of southern Louisiana, with a rich French heritage, that struck a chord with me; and reminded me of my early years growing up in a large family. We found some authentic folks who are genuine, down-home, salt of the earth people who depend on the land, sea, and God for their livelihood. My wife Nancy said it best:

"While in Houma, Louisiana we had the opportunity to experience some of the different aspects of the southern Louisiana culture: the warm hospitality of the people; some of the best gumbo and jambalaya in the state; driving through some of the shrimping communities south of Houma; and just sitting and listening to the people talk. If you listened closely you heard traces of a culture that once was the beginnings of the making of America."

As a Christian who travels a bit, when I run across folks who treat me just like family, it makes me stop and realize just how special that feels--especially when I am among folks who may be culturally or ethnically different than me. 1 Corinthians 12:13 (KJV) says it best: "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." 

When we allow Jesus Christ to have lordship and leadership of our lives, we join a pretty awesome family that's as diverse as anything imaginable--similar to those wonderful folks in Houma, Louisiana. I pray that you will let Christ have that special relationship with you today--because there's always room for one more in God's family.

Blessings!

Dr. Marshall

God's Greenhouses

Over the years I have appreciated God's wonderful way of growing and preserving his saints. We often start out with an emotional high after our salvation experience—when we asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord of our lives—and end up tempered for leadership through the challenges and disappointments of life. This process often begins in a divinely protected environment whereby God begins to teach and transform us to be his disciples. For you, this may be a loving family home, a church, a Bible School, or some other more miraculous scenario.

It was this appreciation that got me thinking about God’s greenhouses – those “safe” places where we can begin to step out and exercise the spiritual gift that God may be nudging us to use. This has nothing to do with the “Greenhouse Effect” that we learned about in science—where thermal radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases and re-radiated back in numerous directions to the surface originally radiating the heat; thereby raising the temperature. The greenhouse I’m thinking about are those you find in plant nurseries where air and heat are trapped inside with a protective covering to keep the inside area warm and safe so the plants can grow. No matter what the temperature is outside, when a greenhouse is working properly, you can walk through the door into a nice, warm, moist environment full of green, healthy, growing plants!

The Psalmist talked about that kind of protection no matter where we find ourselves in life. David stated in Psalm 23:4 (NIV): “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Now, you may not see your greenhouse as clearly as the one at your local plant nursery, but when God’s presence surrounds you, there is a peace that passes all understanding—keeping you in His greenhouse as He protects and strengthens you through the valleys and mountaintops of life.

So the next time you feel God nudging you to step out and do something a little bit out of your comfort zone, or seem to be wading through the hardships of life, just remember the greenhouse effect. He’s with you and longs for you to trust Him with all your heart, because His plans for you are greater than you could ever imagine.

God's best!
Marshall

Peaceful Priorities

I’ve noticed my inability to keep my home office uncluttered; and since I have an unquenchable thirst for books, my bookshelves are overflowing. Books are not only packed into every bit of the normal vertical space available, but now there are horizontal stacks of books in front of the vertical rows of books. I guess my books are now, officially, double-parked!

As I looked around the office I realized how life can get cluttered and out of kilter. The honey-do list becomes long and lustrous, while problems of the private and business aspects of our lives get overwhelming. We move from productivity to survivability and can feel as though we’re drowning in the tasks that await our attention.

So how do we keep from succumbing to it all: Overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, and feeling a bit inept at taking care of what used to be a carefree life? For me, there are days, hours and sometimes even a few minutes when I just need to disconnect and grab hold of something solid. Perhaps for you it’s taking a drive down memory lane—or just taking a drive to get out of the house! Sometimes I’ll enjoy watching a movie or spending some quality time with my wife, Nancy. I try to bring roses home when she least expects it even though she tells me they just die in a few days. I want her to know that she’s still the best thing that ever happened to me! We still enjoy each other’s company after all these years (thank goodness!) and grabbing a breakfast taco at one of our favorite “hidden” places is always a nice diversion from the pressures of life.

But, what I’ve found to help me the most is some daily time of solitude with God and His Word—the Holy Bible—the Scriptures. Since I’m a morning person, that’s my time to shut myself in my office (my recliner) with a cup of coffee and the Scriptures. I find myself following Billy Graham’s regiment of reading the Psalms and a chapter in Proverbs every day—as I’m able. The Psalms give me encouragement and Proverbs gives me wisdom, which I know I need more of today. Sometimes I change this up and use a “read the Bible in a year” schedule instead.

There is something about being quiet with the Lord that helps refocus and re-prioritize things in my life. We don’t always have to talk to God in prayer—we can listen as well. Psalms 127:2 shares how God grants sleep to those he loves—another translation says “while they sleep he provides for,” which tells me that if I keep God first and rest in him—he’ll take care of keeping peace in my life. I pray that you will find the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7) as you work to prioritize all those cluttered heaps of goals that await your attention today.

Blessings!
Marshall