Tag: Christ

The Butterfly And Her Tools

John Keats emotional and heart filled words blended into a beautiful letter while staying at a summer cottage. These words and gifts of poetry have been debated in English Literature Classes for years. His tender Poems are iconic in literature. Students would be assigned and still are encouraged to draw their own conclusions as they search for the true meaning and exact interpretation of what Mr. Keats met as he penned these words on July 3, 1819….

…“Ask yourself my love whether you are not very cruel to have so entrammelled me, so destroyed my freedom. Will you confess this in the Letter you must write immediately, and do all you can to console me in it—make it rich as a draught of poppies to intoxicate me—write the softest words and kiss them that I may at least touch my lips where yours have been. For myself I know not how to express my devotion to so fair a form: I want a brighter word than bright, a fairer word than fair. I almost wish we were butterflies and liv’d but three summer days—three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain. But however selfish I may feel, I am sure I could never act selfishly: as I told you a day or two before I left Hampstead, I will never return to London if my Fate does not turn up Pam or at least a Court-card. Though I could centre my Happiness in you, I cannot expect to engross your heart so entirely—indeed if I thought you felt as much for me as I do for you at this moment I do not think I could restrain myself from seeing you again tomorrow for the delight of one embrace.” -John Keats, Poet 1819

Have you ever met a woman who loved her tools more than diamonds?

Before she was married she had the following conversation with a gentleman she was was dating. When the man said, “So I want to hang these curtains.” Her immediate response which surprised him was, “Cool. Grab your drill and let’s get to work.” He was terribly embarrassed and replied, “I don’t have a drill.” She sighed and said, “Oh, Well then. I will go home and come back with mine.” Later she returned with both arms full of tools containing her beloved Milwaukee cordless drill with two charged batteries and several sizes of bits and driver attachments, a stud finder, a box of screws and a tube of spackle, just in case it would be needed. As he opened the door she was already moving toward the first window to hang a curtain. Already fully focused on the job ahead her demeanor beamed with excitement, “Okay, let’s see if it’s a stud or if we’re going to need some anchors.” You could clearly tell that he was baffled and did not know the first thing about using tools let alone hanging curtains. Needless to say, it didn’t work out and the hanging of the curtains brought a close to their relationship.

Today, after decades of marriage to man who also loved tools she finds herself with more tools than any fine carpenter shop, mechanical shop or auto repair garage in the county. She thinks it is just awesome. Every tool is cared for and each tool is polished and in it’s place. She likes being handy herself in recent years as a very active widow knowing she can still build it, fix it, install it, or replace it. Life is good. Using her tools makes her feel like an accomplished woman. It’s empowering. She is the butterfly and these are her tools!

I Kings 6:7 records, “And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready at the quarry; and there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building”.

When King Solomon built the temple there was no tool of iron to be used inside or even heard within the temple while it was being built. It is hard to even imagine how quiet the construction of the temple actually was. Everything was cut and shaped before it could be placed within the building.

For those who loved their tools and were gifted craftsman their experienced hands carefully guided their tools. The unprecedented skills that God had given them helped King Solomon build the temple to the glory of God.

The church today is being built by men and women who love their tools and the gifts that God has given them. Each experience gained through life has sharpened both their skills and tools to teach inspiring Sunday School classes, captivating weeks of VBS, children’s choirs and serve in countless other ways. They have learned to use the tools available to them with compassion to reach those who are hurting or to put their arms around those who just need a hug. The countless hours making food and taking it bereaved families calls for just the right tool. Sharing the truth of the gospel in caring and loving ways demands the right tool at the right time. All show clearly the love for Christ exhibited by every skilled hand and perfected tool used at just the right moment. At times the work is loud as the tools ring out in constructing lives. At times the tools are silent and the work comes from the heart sharing the love of the living Christ that calms a fear and brings peace to a raging storm.

The church must also be aware of it’s responsibility to care for the widows and the fatherless children. The challenge for each of us is to faithfully use what God has placed in our hands as a tool to meet the needs of others and point them to Christ.

Mr Keats used the tool of his pen to write a beautiful love letter. The young woman used her tools to hang curtains. The craftsmen built the Temple under the direction of God and King Solomon. The church women worked tirelessly to see the love of Christ impact others with the tools of their ministry. We must never forget the butterfly whose life was changed from a caterpillar crawling on a leaf, wrapped within a webbed cocoon, and then transformed to new heights by flying high in the sky above. Never forget that you are a tool in the hand of God! Teach others to soar in their newly birthed spiritual life. You too will find that your tools are awesome and that you are fulfilled and capable in your life because the hand of God is upon you. Your work is more precious than diamonds!

Paul Sisson


The Boarding Pass

“Tickets, Tickets, get your tickets to Tarsus”  The barker at the dock cried with a loud voice as Jonah wrestled with what he was asked to do by God.  His mind could not settle as he doubted he could accomplish what God desired of him. Part of him wanted to go to Nineveh just as he was challenged by God.  Part of him was afraid because the task would be to demanding.  His shoulder bag was already packed.  The ticket was not yet purchased.  Personal thoughts consumed his heart.  It was now time to find his true destiny to obey himself or to obey God.  The experience of this moment in time was now relentless in pressuring him to make a decision.  The deepest parts of his mind, body, and spirit all ached for an easy choice.  Going to the ship dock was never so stressful. Indecision  always comes to the forefront when we are faced with making the simplest of decisions as the weight of life experiences bears down on us.  What should be the easiest decision would reveal itself instantly if we would just allow God to carry our burdens and storms. Years later Christ revealed that He alone faced a moment of indecision. “If there is any way for this cup to be passed?”  Yet He bowed before the Father and said, “Never the less, not my will but yours be done.”

The cry of the barker captured Jonah’s ears and echoed in his mind.  The constant cry led him in a direction much like a tug of war.  The mind is powerful, it’s doubt is powerful, it’s fear is overwhelming.  The pulling on his heart strings weakened him and he was soon overshadowed by the bark of the world around him.  His feet carried him to the barker and in a moment of true weakness Jonah said in a quiet and hushed tone, “One ticket to Tarsus, please”.  He still could have changed his numbing choice as he reached within his robe for the pouch of small coins to purchase his ticket.  The exchange was made. For a few small coins he forfeited so much.  The barker was quiet as he gave Jonah his ticket to Tarsus.  The tug of war was over.  A sense of satisfaction swept over him.  In his hand was a cheap ticket pacifying him as he could now sail in the opposite direction from God’s will.  Did he not remember the story of Adam and Eve who tried to hide from God?  In his selfishness he sacrificed all that he knew about God and the precious verbal heritage taught to him by his parents.

After boarding, Jonah’s took a deep breath and sighed as he exhaled.  He soon found a place to rest aboard the ship.  His only thought was for himself, “Now I will rest and enjoy the passage to Tarsus.”  Soon it would be revealed clearly that you can not run from God.  God once again caught his attention through the experiences that he would face in next hours and days.

Ultimately Jonah repented and went to Nineveh.  He gladly obeyed God’s call which he had so shamefully rejected earlier.  He was now prepared to preach a great revival as God had intended all along.  Many people turned to the Lord and decided to follow God. All because of a Boarding Pass!  

Are you listening to the world?

Do you find find yourself running from God? 

Where is your boarding pass taking you today in your life experiences?

Do you possess the most treasured boarding pass in all the world?  An eternal ticket that no amount of money can by.  A ticket that was purchased for you by the blood of Christ.  A boarding pass written in crimson red, stained with the sacrifice of Christ!  

“Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord”.

In a world full of no, we’re in a ship full of yes because of the love of Jesus who brings peace to our indecision.  Sail on with joy in your heart.  May your winds be fair and your sails captured by the Spirit of God as you sail on the seas of life.  May we all be found doing the work Christ has called us to do.  May you parasail over the rough seas below you and allow the Holy Spirit to be your paraclete throughout your life on this earth.

All because of a Boarding Pass!

When the golden sun is setting,

And your feet no longer trod;

May your name in gold be written,

In the autograph of God!

Paul Sisson

Taking Your First Step

Looking back to the first steps of our little girl I find a treasured gem that will never be forgotten. One moment she was standing by the couch as I watched her closely and with a loud whisper, I gently called her mother from the kitchen. “Come here, Gretchen is going to take a step.” Her little knees were shaking and her tiny little body was just swaying. She was trying so hard to keep her balance. She eyed the end table just out of reach of her short arms. She strained ever so intently as she reached as far as she could. The table was just too far. Both her mother and I held our breath as we watched her every move. Mom placed her hand on my shoulder. We were silently praying that we would both be there to watch her first step. It was not hard to behold the determination on her little face. As Gretchen’s focus came into view we could only imagine what she was thinking as our minds joined with hers. We even caught ourselves speaking inwardly without speaking a single word so as not to scare her or break her concentration. Quietly as our heads filled with pride and parental love we shouted like cheerleaders, “You can do it!”, “Come on girl!”. She then let go of the couch and stood for a brief moment. Bravely she meet an experience she had never known before as she took a step and grabbed the edge of the table. Wow! How wonderful is our God? Soon she learned that a step is actually like a stumble as one foot steps ahead of the other we are prevented from falling. It is a gem in our personal treasure box. A box filled with unique treasures that we hold dear forever.

I was recently reminded by my sister, Kae, of a story from our childhood. When our little sister, Ann, was trying to take her first steps she was struggling and having quite a difficult time. She we just tumble and then get right up and try again. Though she tried hard she could not step very far at all. Her forward motion always limited her to only take two or three steps at the most. A wise neighbor came to our home for coffee and Mom told her about Ann’s difficulty. She replied, “This is easy, Cora, she just needs a pair of baby shoes!”. We all got into the car and went to the shoe store. There we found a great sales person who carefully measured her feet and put on the little white pair of baby shoes. As Mom was paying for the new shoes, she placed Ann down on the floor. She immediately started to walk without falling down. In fact she made a bee line to the front of the door. Mom quickly caught her and picked her up. From that moment on she walked but Mom had missed her first steps because she was concentrating on a transaction. Ann never slowed down she was always walking with a smile from that day forward.

A pretty humbling question that none of us can answer is, “Do you remember taking your first steps as a child?” God has given us our memory, but exactly how far back does your memory go? I very much doubt that we can recall taking our first steps as a child. We all remember watching a young child taking their first step.

A vividly remember the tears in a mother’s eyes who lived next door to our house. Helping to make ends meet my wife occasionally would take care of children when mothers from our neighborhood had to work during the day. I had just gotten home from the church office when a young mother had come for her child. My wife said, “I saw your child take a step today!” She immediately burst into tears and grabbed my wife with both of her arms. She held my wife closely and sobbed uncontrollably,”And I was not even here to see it. Am I failing to be the Mother I am supposed to be?” My wife just hugged her and compassionately said,” You are a perfect mother! It just so happened this afternoon. Go home with your child and he will take a step toward you. You will be blessed to see him walk on this same afternoon!” She and my wife remained close friends for a lifetime. Her son, Mark, who took his first step at our house now has a family all this own and has watched the first steps of his children as his family grew.

Peter reminds us in scripture of how we should walk from our first steps to our last, I Peter 2:21 – For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps. The Apostle Paul sets forth three ways that we are to walk in the book of Ephesians Chapter 5:1-16 (vs 2 – Walk in love; vs 8 – Walk as children of the Light; and vs. 15 – Walk Circumspectly).

We had to teach our son to walk four times. How blessed we were as parents to patiently see our son take his first steps on four occasions in his life. Above all the love and determination of his mother became an inspiration to me and others who new her gentle spirit. Our own son David was blessed above all.

First, There was the joy of watching him take his first steps as child.

Second, At age two he went to the park with his sister and other cousins. He tried to climb the ladder to the slide and fell breaking his leg. After surgery to set the bone the Doctor put him in a full body cast. The cast was from his upper chest all the way down to both of his legs and ankles. A broom stick was cast between both ankles for stabilization. There was a small hole for his tummy to expand when he ate and another piece of the cast was cut away so his diaper could be changed. David wore the cast for six weeks. It was amazing to see his upper body strength in his arms grow during those weeks. The cast was very heavy. He learned to crawl by just using his arms and letting his cast drag behind him. I had to hold him on my lap for every meal as his mother fed him. He could not bend and could not use a chair at all. So I would hold him upright on my leg and knee.

Removing the cast after all those weeks was quite an experience for all of us in the family. He laughed and giggled as the Dr took the electric saw to cut away the cast. It must have tickled David just a little bit and made us all smile. When the top the cast was removed the doctor asked him to lift his leg and he just screamed. It was the hardest moment for me. I remember how it broke my heart to see him in so much pain. We asked about physical therapy and the Doctor said he will not need it. Just take him home and when he wants to walk he will. He also warned us both to not assist him in any way. You are going to want to lift him and help him do things. For a couple of weeks David still crawled on his tummy and continued to just let his legs and feet drag behind him. His arms were so muscular and strong. Then one day he pulled himself up to a small table and stood. Then returned to his tummy. He was a fast little lizard. Finally he began to stand and take a few steps. As hard as it was for her Mom would not help him, following the Doctor’s orders, she encouraged him every time he stood and constantly prayed for our so. Soon he quit pulling himself on the floor and stood straight up and again took his first steps. In just a few more weeks he regained his ability to walk again.

Third, When our son went to Bible College he was critically injured in a college van accident. The worst and life changing injury was due to brain shear. Months of Hospitalization, physical treatments and surgeries followed. Once again, he had to learn to stand and walk. This time as a young adult. His mother took on the responsibility as the leading role player in teaching her son to walk once again. The countless hours outside of therapy at multiple clinics she dedicated herself to help him return to as normal life as possible. He became stronger and we were there to see him take his first steps and then to see him walk again as a young man.

Fourth, …We are to walk in the steps of Jesus. Of all the things we teach our children we must always teach them to walk in the ways of the Lord. As parents we are solidly committed to teaching Biblical truths and a sincere faithfulness to God who takes care of us day by day. Teaching a child to walk in the ways of the Lord by life example and tenderness can be challenging at times. Nevertheless, we continue to teach our entire lives so that her children may rise up and call their mother Blessed because of her faithfulness to Christ, His Church and the lives of her family.

DO YOU REMEMBER TAKING YOUR FIRST STEPS IN YOUR LIFE?

Upon reflection, I believe that I can’t but my wife can! When she passed away last year she took her first step into a new life in heaven entering into the joy of the Lord! From my perspective here on the earth I saw her last step when she took her FIRST STEP!

God always knew that life is but a step. His desire for each of us to follow in the steps of Christ. At times when the way gets difficult He is always there. His hand reaches out to us and we must never pull away. We are encouraged by those around us to take hold of His hand as He tenderly calls us, “Follow Me!” Do you realize that we maybe one step away from Heaven ourselves? Live your life today by teaching others to walk closer to the Lord. Make sure that you are following in the steps of Christ all the days of your life. Your treasure box will be full to overflowing as you carefully step in the steps of Jesus.

The Guardian

As I bowed my head I thanked God that He had allowed Bryan the recovery needed to once again take up his life.

     Not so long ago, (has it really been 21 years), my wife and I were faced with decisions that a presiding judge called, “A parents’ worst nightmare!”  It had only been a few months since we celebrated Bryan’s 18th birthday, a day declaring his personal independence and manhood. But now I had just testified in a proceeding petitioning the court to give back to me the legal guardianship to make decisions on Bryan’s behalf.  The courtroom was filled to capacity and as our case was called, my heart broke again as I was placed in the difficult position of removing my son’s ability to make decisions for himself. Moving toward the witness stand, our attorney began the process of taking my testimony.  I spoke of my relationship with my son and delineated my personal background.  As we continued I was asked to describe Bryans’ injuries fully and explain the life saving care he was currently receiving.  A deafening silence filled the courtroom as I spoke.  Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the bailiff raise his handkerchief to dry his eyes.  The court had previously appointed a local attorney to represent Bryan in the guardianship proceeding to insure that his best interests were served.  At the conclusion of my testimony, the Judge asked Bryan’s appointed attorney to speak.  She said that she had no objection to my becoming Bryan’s guardian and urged the court to grant the petition. Immediately the judge gaveled a sound that echoed throughout the court room.  The petition was granted and I became Bryan’s legal guardian.  As Janice and I rode back to the hospital from the courthouse, our eyes filled with tears.  We both prayed that God would give us the wisdom to make the right decisions facing us as parents in the coming days, months and years.

     Bryan was on full life support for a long period of time.  His intensive care room was filled as lines for monitors, ventilator, G tube; J tube, IV’s, and cranial pressure monitor were attached to his body and sustained his life.  The tracheotomy and brain stint surgeries were successfully completed.  For weeks Bryan was unconscious and non responsive.  Janice and I were allowed into his ICU room for only 15 minutes every four hours.  At times we would see his foot or hand move and we would leap for joy and begin to cry.  The doctors would carefully explain that all these movements were involuntary and Bryan was not exhibiting purposeful movement.

     After the first week, the two neuro doctors advised us that Bryan was “slipping away”, and informed us that we should prepare ourselves for Bryan’s pending death.  We went back to our sleeping rooms on the second floor of the hospital with our daughter, Jennifer, and prayed for our son and brother.  We held each other knowing that God was holding each of us in His hands.   As we lay down in exhaustion we planned Bryan’s funeral service, feeling that it would soon be impossible to think clearly should we lose our son that night.

      We did not find out until months later that at this time the two neurologists had agreed that it was time to take Bryan off of life support.  The medical evidence had led them to believe that the injury was far too severe for him to recover and have any chance of a normal life.   One of the nurses who had worked in the Neuro ICU for over twenty five years spoke up to the two doctors and said, “I have a feeling about this patient and I think that you need to give this boy a little more time.”   Janice and I are forever indebted to that nurse for her courage to speak up and share her feelings about our son.  Her statement and convincing manner changed the decision of the two doctors who agreed to give Bryan more time.  Jan is one the heroes in Bryan’s recovery, a ministering angel of God dressed as a nurse in the Neuro ICU. I am forever indebted to her for saving me the heart-wrenching decision of acting upon the neurologists’ recommendation.

     Gradually, almost imperceptibly at first, Bryan’s condition began to improve.  There were set backs and from time to time advances that filled us with hope and then sank back again to a previous or lower state.  People all over the world were praying and God was answering each of their prayers. The Valley View congregation in Texas was a faithful prayer partner with us in seeking Bryan’s healing and God’s guidance and strength for myself, my wife, and our daughter.

     The process of waking up from a coma is a slow process.  It is not like the movies make it appear where someone just wakes up from an unconscious state and everything falls back into order.  There were deep valleys to walk though and mountains that seemed too high but we remembered the climb as he slowly regained consciousness.  Bryan could not swallow, he could not talk, and he could not walk.  The inability to swallow kept the feeding tube from being removed.  Through months of therapy the doctors were able to retrain another portion of his brain to control his ability to swallow.  There were weeks of testing, watching a moving X-ray of his swallowing, of therapy and neck massage. The feeding tube remained until consistent swallowing was accomplished.  It was difficult and slow but God is always in control through every step.  The months and years that followed saw Bryan press ahead at each challenge before him.  One by one he faced each obstacle as a determined young man. Doctors and therapists often told us that where he stopped or gave up would be the final point of his recovery.  Bryan seemed to instinctively know that if he did not go beyond the pain he would plateau.  On one occasion three physical therapists broke Bryan’s arm while trying to bend his elbow.  Yet he was ready to return the next day to let them continue to work on his right arm.  A therapy technique called serial casting was implemented in an attempt to make the arm bend.   Each day they would remove the cast, bend the elbow further, and recast it in a new position. The pain was excruciating.  Ultimately, following two surgeries, Bryan was able to gain limited motion in his arm.  

     Four years later, Bryan and I returned to the courthouse where I had originally been given his guardianship.  This time the petition before the court was to remove the guardianship and restore to Bryan his independence.  As we waited in the hallway for our case to be called, I once again reflected upon the experiences that we had faced together.  As I bowed my head I thanked God that He had allowed Bryan the recovery needed to once again take up his life.  As I lifted my head from prayer a gentleman approached me, “Mr. Sisson?”  I said, “Yes”.  It was the judge that had originally granted the guardianship and he was now in private practice as an attorney.  He immediately asked about my son.  I introduced him to Bryan. 

     Our case was called and we entered the courtroom.  Both Bryan and I testified this time.   The judge talked to Bryan at length and Bryan answered his every question.  The judge informed us that the Taney County Court had never removed a guardianship for two reasons:  1. A guardian rarely wants to relinquish control, or 2. The patient never recovers to the point of having the guardianship removed. The judge dissolved the guardianship that day and Bryan became his own person once again. Soon thereafter, Bryan made his plans to transfer to the University of North Texas.  Bryan soon graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree and two years later with a Master’s Degree. Both were days of celebration for him and answered prayer for his mother and me. 

      It is true that a parent will do anything possible to save the life of a child they love no matter what the cost or sacrifice.  Now with the resent passing of his mother and my beloved wife Bryan is now undertaking a new journey in his life.  Today he will load his personal belongings and will be moving to a new apartment on the beach in Galveston, Texas.    I will miss him. After selling his home a year ago in Dallas he decided to move back home with us and assist in the care for his mother.  I can hardly believe that it has been nearly seven months since Janice went to her new home in Heaven so peacefully.  Now the former Guardian and Protector of my wife and son will be alone in the quietness of this house.  Not alone in this life but loved by a daughter and her family forever.  I am blessed beyond measure to be loved by Christ and to serve Him as the true Guardian and Protector of my soul.  Who is the guardian of your life? Who stands with you in the valleys?  Who holds your hand when you cannot find the way?  Who is your Protector?   Who is the one who watches over you as you journey in this life?     IT IS JESUS CHRIST!  Walk with him every step of the way.  Rejoice that our spiritual life support is always present with us. Take great comfort in the moments of today in knowing that Christ is your Living Water!

     John 4:13-14: “Jesus answered and said unto her, Every one that drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life.”  Daily we are fed as Christ is our Bread of Life.  John 6:35: “Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

Paul D. Sisson