From One Extreme to the Other

I grew up in a household where my mother was diagnosed as what we today call a bipolar disorder. She would have these horrific mood swings that were often triggered by the smallest of incidents…and if I am totally honest, some of those incidents were cause by me. Often, she would go from elation to devastation, all in a matter of minutes…volatile mood swings from one extreme to the other.

The same can be said for each of us when it comes to our standing and relationship with Christ. At one moment, we are the chief among sinners; a vile and conniving reprobate that only wants to please ourselves… and then, when we accept what Christ did for us on the cross, we are saved into the family of God …an adopted child of the King with all its ranks and privileges.

James best captured those extremes in James 1:9-10, when he wrote, "Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass, he will pass away."   

You and I are that lowly brother when we compare ourselves to a Holy God…we have nothing on which to stand and plead our case…we are totally lost without his intervention through His Son, Jesus Christ. But, when we accept Him as our Savior, we are exalted and raised to new life in Christ…we have gone from one extreme to another!

And what of those of prominence, wealth and prosperity…those that would ask God to judge them on their accomplishments for Him (salvation by works)…they see themselves in positions of grandeur and authority, but they will be brought low as they bow before their maker and He declares, "Depart from me for I never knew you." They, too, will know what it means to go from one extreme to the other!

So, where are you today? Are you exalted by what God has done for you or will you be taken down to the lowest of lows in spite of your worldly position? Only you can answer that question…and it is a question with eternal consequences.

My prayer for you is that you would come to grips with your need for a Savior…. that in you time of admission that your are a sinner in need of God's grace, YOU WILL ACCEPT THE FREE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD…may that be your prayer today so that you may go from one extreme to the other.

Extremely thankful…living exaltedly,

WPQ

THERE IS NO NAME…

There is no name like Jesus,

There is no name I know

That can cleanse the ungodly

And wash them white as snow.

There is no name like Jesus,

A name that sets men free;

He gave His life on Calvary

To ransom you and me.

I call on my dear Savior

Who healed the blind, the lame;

And through Him I have power

When I call upon His name.

Yes, there is no name like Jesus

I pray to Him each day;

To ask Him to walk with me

And lead me on life’s way.

Oh, I trust you know my Jesus

Have you called upon His name?

For when you call upon the Son of God

You will NEVER be the same!

WPQ  August 2008

If you need a word of hope, go to:

www.thankfulpraiseministries.com

A Sweet Aroma….

I am reminded of the story of the mother skunk and her little skunkletts that had gone for their morning stroll just downstream from the paper plant. The air was crisp and filled with the pungent odor that only a paper mill can produce. One little skunk raised his head; nostrils flared and exclaimed, “Mommy, do you smell THAT?” The mother, likewise, took in a long, deep breath and said, "Yes, I do honey child. I don’t know what it is……but we’ve got to get us some of that!!!!!”

The scriptures tell us that we are the aroma of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, we read:

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.”

What do you smell like today? Is what you are and who you are becoming in Christ a sweet smell to our Savior or do you reek of this world? Others that come in contact with you, hear your words, examine your actions and test your motives …..they are really just getting a scent of who you are. Does that scent point them to your Heavenly Father or keep them trapped in this world of eternal death? The smell of Christ is life everlasting, but the stench of this world is eternal damnation. I hate the thought that what I am or what I do may condemn someone that I may hardly even know to a life apart from God. I want the aroma of Christ to encircle my every thought, action and reaction as I encounter those set before my path. I pray that the sweet smell that is my life points them to a live-saving, life giving relationship with the one whose fragrance permeates my life…..Jesus Christ.

How about you…..are you willing to trust God to make you smell good for His glory or are you just going to use a little more of the world’s deodorant to mask who you really are? The world is watching and smelling…..fill the air with the aroma of Christ by telling those you meet what a wonderful Savior is ours.

AHHHHH…….I JUST LOVE THE SMELL OF JESUS IN THE MORNING…..THE EVENING …..AND ALL DAY LONG!

When others take a deep breath of who you are …will they say, “I don’t know what that is, but I’ve got to get me some of that!”

BLESSINGS ABOUND,

WPQ  

ESSENCE OF MY DAD

I wrote what follows some 7 years ago and it definitely bears repeating and reading…even if it's a week late in coming to Salt & Light…I pray that you and your father will both be blessed.

Well, it's that time again; the fifth leading card sales day of the year, FATHER'S DAY!

A day set aside to honor that guy that takes out the trash, looks under the bed to chase away the monsters and tells the best bedtime stories ever. He works hard to support his family and hardly ever complains....and when no one else will give you a lift, he's always there to pick you up or lend a shoulder to cry on...to hoist you high in the air in victory or take you for a "consolation" ice cream to ease the pain of defeat. He's your DAD....and if you were blessed as I was, this Sunday make sure that you let your Dad know how much you love, honor and respect him.

In high school and my first year in college, I had a morning paper route that involved delivering over 600 daily papers to the door of each of my customers. Every morning for over three years, my dad got up with me and helped me with my route. He never took a penny for it...and we used his car and gas; and during two summers that I was on tour with the Campus Americans, he hired a kid from the neighborhood to help him carry the route in my absence....that was the essence of my DAD. Tireless, selfless, humble....and always willing to do or go or help in any way that made a difference for the good of all.

I know that not everyone had or has a Dad like mine, and even though he has been home in heaven for the past 30+ years, there is not a day that I don't miss him and thank God for the influence he had on shaping me into the father I am today. I know that I have not been all that I could have been, but I know that my Dad would be proud of the man he raised me to be. I was fortunate that in 1977, I took the time to write a special poem for my Dad that I framed and gave to him for Father's Day that expressed my love and admiration for him. It was only 6 years later that he passed away. I will never forget that night at the funeral home when I tucked a copy of this poem in his breast pocket and sent him home to our Heavenly Father. I know he's been keeping tabs on me since then and I hope and pray that every now and then, he turns to one of the angels and says, "Did ya see that...THAT'S MY BOY ...I'M SO PROUD OF HIM!!!!"

I hope and pray that this weekend you'll take the time to tell your DAD just how much he means to you .....because there are no guarantees for tomorrow. In fact, here's the poem I wrote for my Dad....enjoy; and let it get the "ole grey matter" bubbling with the things that you need to say to your DAD...you'll both be glad you did!

ESSENCE OF MY DAD

Often, I have stopped to think

of times both good and bad;

And in each fleeting memory,

I reverence my Dad.

He stood both tall and straight,

colossal in my mind.

He spoke in tones both harsh and firm,

Yet so gentle and so kind.

An unquenchable desire for life;

a special zest for its living;

He fought and scraped to provide for me

Through his unselfish giving.

A guiding hand he led my steps

down paths I dared not tread,

A steady mind, a sturdy back were the

Essence of my Dad.

A willful man, his beliefs ran deep;

he taught me to be good;

Yet, when times got rough or I failed my Dad,

He always understood.

So surely on the day he passes, I truly will be sad,

But never will I forget the man,

I loved and called...My Dad

 W. Patrick Queen @ 1977

R U a 4ever Friend?

The story that follows is one that has been circulating around on the Internet for sometime…I know that my wife has sent it to me on at least two occasions.; however, the message is so poignant that I believe it bears repeating. I have added my own conclusion and trust that you will do the same….please share this with someone who is in need of a friend…….

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying every single book he owned; so I found myself thinking, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.'

So I shrugged my shoulders and went on. Besides, I had quite a weekend planned with some parties to attend and a football game with my friends’ tomorrow afternoon.

 As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him... He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses and I’m sure a saw tears forming in his eyes.  As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.' They really should get lives.' He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!'

There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me. When I asked him why I had never seen him before, he said he had been going to a private school and had just recently transferred to my school Now, I would have never have hung out with a private school kid; but as we talked on the way home, I realized that he was a pretty cool kid….so, I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with me and my friends and he said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him and so did my friends. The weekend flashed by and Monday morning came and there was Kyle with that huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!” He just laughed and handed me half of his books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.
I knew that as close as we had become we would always be friends regardless of the miles that might separate us. He was going to be a doctor and I was going on a football scholarship to major in business.

As you might expect, Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare to deliver his speech for graduation and I remember thinking that I sure am glad that it’s Kyle up there instead of me.

Graduation day came and there stood Kyle….prim and proper in his cap and gown…. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and even looked good in his glasses. In fact, he had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous!

Today was one of those days…..

I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!' He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.... ‘Thanks,’ was all he could say.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began... 'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends....I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.

I am going to tell you a story.'

I just looked at my best friend with disbelief as he told about the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker and was carrying his stuff home so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

'Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.'

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and Dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile…… Not until that moment did I realize its depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse, God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some special and distinct way….so open your eyes and look for those who are searching for hope, longing for peace, praying for deliverance ….you might just be their answer to prayer,

Christ said….NO GREATER LOVE DOES ONE MAN HAVE THAN TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR A FRIEND……who is God calling you to befriend today…remember,

'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our  wings have forgotten how to fly.'

Today is a gift….open it wisely and share it with a Friend.

Blessed in the Friendship of the Father,

WPQ

Poem for the Day:

A truer friend can never be

Than one who walks life’s path with me

And you my friend are tried and true

In all life’s trials you’ve seen me thru

You give without a second thought

Asking nothing in return

And through your love and kindness

In God’s wisdom you discern

That you have all that you will need

For God’s provision is ever sure

For in each friendship you have found

His everlasting love endures.

WPQ 2011

Patience…The Lost Virtue of Our Time!

It wasn't that long ago that patience was on everyone's "to do" list; however, in our fast-paced world of instant mashed potatoes, microwave popcorn and self-help psychology to assert ourselves if we really want to succeed; patience has been tossed on the trash pile of obsolescence….in other words, patience is not all that desirable anymore.

But God's Word still has a lot to say about patience… and Jesus was the best model of patience that the world has ever seen. 

Proverbs 19:11 says, "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."  In our world today, we see so many people so inflated by their own ego that they believe that what they want and when they want it is simply the most important thing in the world to them and therefore, it should be the same for everyone else.

The patient man or woman, however, knows that by their patience that all good things come to those that wait… and wait PATIENTLY! They know that to build a quality, long-lasting reputation takes time and therefore, they are slow to anger, reluctant to speak harshly or with a divisive tongue and most importantly, they do not assert their reputation…they simply earn it!

The same can be said about our Savior…He could have won all the kingdoms of the world at the Temptation; but He waited! He could have set up an earthly kingdom when He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday; but He waited! He could have called the heavenly host to His rescue as He hung upon the cross; but He waited…and most all, He could have returned yesterday for you and me, but He waited!

Why is Jesus so eternally patient? Because the greater His patience, the greater our opportunities to be more like Him in our service and our character…and the greater our portion will be in His eternal scheme.

Yes, Jesus is our example of patience, love and so much more…but do not be deceived! He will not always wait for us to "come around" to Him and to His eternal plan for our lives …or for us to make that simple decision to trust Him with our salvation through His sacrifice on the cross.

His love may know no bounds…but I'm not sure the same thing can be said about His patience…don't test the Father another day…make today the day you come to Jesus!

Living patiently…awaiting His glorious return,

WPQ

IT'S TIME TO GIVE UP!

It wasn't that long ago that I was sitting in the waiting room, having my car serviced, when I struck up a conversation with an elderly lady that was quite concerned with the problems she was having with her car. She shared with me that she had just recently had to start dealing with these kinds of problems….her husband had just passed away after 50+ years of marriage and now, she was having to do all the things that he once took care of for her. I told her how much I empathized with her because I had seen my mother struggle with getting back on her feet when my father passed away suddenly. I assured her that God would see her through these difficult days and we began to share how dependent we must be on our Heavenly Father to take care of us, even when it seems to take longer than we would like for an answer to our prayers. You see, she was praying that God would provide her with another godly man with which to share the remaining years of her life….she was so lonely and she wanted God to answer her pray quickly; but, she knew that God’s timing is very often quite different from our own.

We later parted company with thanks for our time of sharing and I promised to be praying for the many needs in her life. As I began my drive home, I thought of the story of the prodigal son and the three things that we must glean from that parable in Luke….we must GIVE UP…GET UP …AND GO UP ….before God can have his way in our lives.

When I say GIVE UP, I am referring to the miserable situation in which the prodigal found himself once he had squandered all his worldly possessions. In verse 14 of Luke 15, it reads, “When he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country and he began to be in great need (dire straits). SO, he went and hired himself out”…in other words, he kept trying to make it under his own steam; to turn things around with his might and his strength; to make up for his mistakes and restore himself to his glory days.... ALL ON HIS OWN. The best he could do on his own….feeding the pigs of another farmer and eating the pods that he fed to the swine. It wasn’t until he was ready to give up control of his miserable life that he could GET UP from this horrible situation and realize that a better life was just waiting for him, at home with his father.

Scripture says, “But when he came to himself”….in other words, when he got up, dusted himself off and looked at his situation, it came to him. I don’t have to live like this; why even my father’s servants are far better off than I am. I’ll go home and beg my father to take me back …not as his son, but as one of his hired servants. And that’s when the GO UP took over, “I will arise and go to my father and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” (Luke 15:18) When he decided to include God and to leave the outcome in His hands, the decision became obvious …so, he headed for home.

Yes, when life seems to beat you down, you can keep trying to “make it on your own”…or you can GIVE UP the pride that keeps you from surrendering to the power of the Father … then GET UP from the despair and misery that engulfs your life ….and do what is required in all of life’s dilemmas …. GO UP in surrender to the will of the Father ….for He is standing on the road, peering down that dusty highway, waiting to catch a glimpse of His long, lost son….turning toward home ….and a Father’s eternal love.

Running into His open arms…Safe and secure for eternity,

WPQ

Thought for the day:

Life's trouble may get the best of you

    As you are tossed both to and fro:

And you may question the Father's love, 

Unsure which way to go...

But never doubt how much He cares for you,

When life's volcanoes may erupt…

Just know that He is with you…

When you surrender…then, look up!