Healing Rays of Righteousness

Knowing Our Past, Present, and Future

Many people spend thousands of hours and dollars reading horoscopes and listening to fortune tellers because of anxiety about their future. For me, such anxiety is answered and satisfied by reviewing and remembering my journey with God. And when I do, I am reassured of the future that is mine.

To best appreciate what God has done for us in our journey with him, we need to frequently revisit and remind ourselves of what God has done for us in the past, what he is doing for us in the present, and what he has prepared for us in the future. Every time I do this, I am amazed and awed by God’s love.

The opening words of Ephesians 2:1-10 tell us that we “were dead in transgressions and sins.”  We did what we thought would “gratify the cravings of our flesh,” and were victimized by the desires of our body and mind. “Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath,” (v.3).

From God’s perspective, we were spiritually dead because of our willful disobedience to his commandments. God does not say sickor asleep, he says dead and in need of life. Dead means to be powerless, lifeless, and rotting. In God’s sight, we were powerless to change our disobedient behavior. As a result, we could expect nothing from God but His wrath.

Yes, there is a paradox here. We were spiritually dead, yet very much alive and active against God. We followed and obeyed the devil and our fleshly desires, rather than living to obey and please God. This choice leads us on a path toward God’s wrath. “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). That was our past life of sinful separation from God

But “hear ye, hear ye” the good news of our present life in Christ. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” (v.4-5).

What amazing words these are. We were “made alive” and resurrected to a new life of eternal relationship with God. We could not work for it. We did not deserve it. We have not earned it. And yet, God gifted eternal salvation to us who believe, because Jesus willingly and lovingly paid for redemption and reconciliation on the cross. And now, today, we share in his glorious and wonderful resurrection life. This is our present life as a Christian.

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound!”  But, you asked, what is grace? It is God’s unmerited love acting on our behalf through Jesus Christ to rescue us from eternal death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Rom. 6:23).

The exclusive agent of grace is Jesus Christ. Behind God’s grace is Calvary’s cross and Easter’s empty tomb. Jesus came to earth and took our sin upon himself, suffered, and died as a condemned criminal in our place, so that we could be made eternally alive and new. Why? Because he loved us!

We have been re-created, made alive and new in Jesus Christ to serve God. We, who were dead are now alive, not by good works but for good works. God’s intention is always to restore us to our created purpose as doers of good deeds in loving others. We are God’s workmanship and his presence of light and life in our present dark world of sin and death. This is our reality and mission in life.

But there is more! Both our present reality and continuing future is pictured in the good news that God “made us alive with Christ – … And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (vv.5-7).

Yes, we have been raised and are seated with Christ “in the heavenly realms” and even now share in a measure of Christ’s authority. From this heavenly position of closeness and glory we are called to imitate God by compassionately seeing those near us who are enslaved by the powers of evil, and to love them as God has loved us, thereby participating with Christ in God’s process of salvation.

Please read those last two paragraphs again, slowly, and thoughtfully, letting their awesome truth penetrate deeply into your mind, heart, and soul. And may your assured future re-ignite your spirit and soul with purpose and praise. Thank you, Jesus!

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 7/17/24

Making Peace With Our Hurtful Past

Many of us live with a hurtful past that we can neither escape nor change. And for many the memories are so powerful that their recall brings deep pain to the present. Feelings of inferiority, unfairness, and anger well-up inside us. Suppressed fears once again grab a choke-hold on our life. The past haunts us and robs us of the peace and joy we desire.

The biblical story of Joseph is a proven model of how to best respond to a hurtful past that brings healing of mind, spirit, and relationships. That story is recorded in Genesis 37 through 45.

Joseph, the favorite son of his father Jacob, experienced a past filled with many hurts. He was raised in what we would today call a “dysfunctional family.”  Sibling rivalry filled Jacob’s household. Favoritism abounded and jealousy infected brotherly relationships. It became so bad that one day Joseph’s brothers caught him, threw him into a pit, and discussed killing him. One brother intervened and convinced the rest to instead sell Joseph as a slave to traders headed toward Egypt.

In Egypt, Joseph became the property of a man named Potiphar. Things seemed to be going better for Joseph. But then, Potiphar’s wife made continual sexual advances toward him. Frustrated by Joseph’s refusal, she falsely charged him with attempted rape, and he was imprisoned.

Years later, the Pharaoh had a dream that no one but Joseph could interpret. The dream revealed that Egypt would experience seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. To reward Joseph for interpreting the dream, the Pharaoh gave Joseph charge over all of the agricultural activity in Egypt. Seven years later the drought and famine began.

The drought and famine became so widespread and severe that people in neighboring countries came to Egypt to buy food from Joseph. And it was not long before Joseph’s own brothers arrived to buy food. Joseph recognized them, but they no longer knew their own brother. Joseph sold them the grain they requested, but he also tricked them into coming back to him several times before he revealed his true identity.

When he did identify himself as their brother, they were terrified. They remembered the pit and the time they bartered with traders and sold their own brother into slavery. They had every reason to be terrified when Joseph says to them, “Come close to me. …I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” (45:4-5).

Joseph was able to make peace with his hurtful past and experience healing of mind and heart by choosing the following three responses of belief and behavior.

I. Joseph Practiced Forgiveness. – Joseph had been severely wronged, not only by his brothers but also by Potiphar’s wife and the forgetful cupbearer. Joseph could have struck back and felt the exhilaration that came from getting even. Instead, Joseph chose to forgive. Rather than reaching out in anger and revenge, he embraced his brothers. By choosing to forgive, Joseph made reconciliation with his family possible.

Although often difficult, forgiveness is the first step toward healing a hurtful past. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and removes the handcuffs of hatred. Forgiveness breaks the chains of bitterness and shatters the shackles of selfish retaliation. Forgiveness frees the heart to enjoy life to its fullest.

2. Joseph Lived in the Present. – Joseph chose not to be imprisoned by the bitterness of his past, but instead, to live in the present situation with his eyes focused on the future. (45:9-11).

Making peace with your past demands a choosing to let go of yesterday and actively live for today and tomorrow. Recalling and reliving the sorrows and hurts of yesterday does nothing but rob us of the possibility to experience the blessed wonders and beauties of the present.

3. Joseph Saw the Hand of God at Work in His Life. – Joseph’s ability to forgive his brothers flowed from his understanding of God having a greater purpose for him that overshadowed the hurtful events of his life. Joseph repeatedly declares his belief that God’s purpose, not his brothers’ evil intention, brought him to Egypt, reassuring his brothers that he does not hold anger toward them, and encouraged them to forgive themselves. (45:5-8).

Yes, life’s difficult and hurt-filled experiences are useful as God’s classroom in learning how to trust God and how to forgive others. Those who have journeyed through the dark valley of hurts and pain, who have suffered much but have chosen to forgive the past, can now look back and attest to God’s leading, providing, shaping, healing, and calling into a larger life and ministry of blessing others. I know this to be true because this has been my life’s journey and experience.

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 7/10/24

God and Painful Disappointments

If God is always for us, as I believe he is, why do disappointments painfully interrupt our expectations and dreams? Where is God when disappointments frustrate our lives?

I do not fully understand the “why” question but believe the story of Jesus’ response to the death of his beloved friend, Lazarus, does give us some helpful insights into the “where” question. The story is found in the 11^th chapter of John’s gospel and vividly reveals Jesus’ heart of caring empathy for us during times of painful disappointments.

Mary and Martha had sent word to Jesus that their brother, Lazarus, “the one you love is sick.”  Two days later Jesus begins his journey to Bethany in Judea knowing that Lazarus had already died.

As Jesus and his disciples were nearing Bethany, Martha went out to meet him. Her disappointment and frustration with Jesus arriving too late to heal Lazarus is heard in her greeting, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (v.21).

Likewise, Mary quickly leaves her house to go to Jesus, who is still outside the village, and falling at his feet she expresses the same disappointment and frustration as her sister did, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (v.32).

But unlike his teaching response to Martha, Jesus is now seeing and hearing the pain-filled weeping of Mary and the Jews who had come with her, and he is “deeply moved in spirit and troubled” and asked, “Where have you laid him?” (v.33-34).

Yes, Jesus could have reassured the sisters and quieted all this weeping with the good news that he will restore Lazarus with new life. But he does not do so. Jesus does not pass lightly over their pain. Instead, Jesus joined in their weeping and grief, publicly expressing his own grief physically and emotionally. And with his own heart torn with anguish, “Jesus wept.” The Greek word for this phrase indicates that the emotion Jesus felt was such that it seized his whole body, causing him to shudder and groan.

Jesus did not simply wipe away a few hidden tears. He weeps publicly and loud enough so that everyone in the crowd heard it and remarked about it. “See how he loved him!” (v.36). And I believe that with his own tears, Jesus showed us that God always cares deeply about what we are experiencing.

In verse thirty-eight we read, “Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb.”  Leighton Ford writes in his book, Sandy, “The word taken literally means ‘he snorted in his spirit’ like a warhorse facing battle, seeing what death and evil had done to the beautiful world his Father had made.”

Leighton believes that in that moment, Jesus recommitted himself to God’s mission for his life and became determined to conquer and destroy the painful hopelessness of death. And in a public display of that determination, “Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”  And Lazarus came out, still bound in the grave-wrappings. What a glorious moment of God’s presence overpowering death!

I may not fully understand why God allows painful disappointment to interrupt our expectations and dreams, and why our prayers for a miracle often seem lost in the vast darkness of painful uncertainty.

But this I do know. Life-shattering disappointment is painful because it is the death of our expectations and dreams. And, like the story of Lazarus’ death, so wonderfully illustrates, Jesus is present and shares with us the pain of grievous loss. Being present, he invites us to come near and lean on him for caring empathy and encouragement, because he deeply loves and cares for us.

And so, could it be that God allows events of painful disappointment in our lives, because this is when our ears are best opened to hear his invitation to lean into him and more deeply feel his caring love and provision for us, thus deepening our trust relationship with himself?

Frank E. Graeff, a Methodist minister, experienced many disappointments during his lifetime. It was during a time of severe physical agony, doubt, and despondency that he found comfort and strength in the apostle Peter’s words, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).

This verse became so meaningful to him that he wrote the words to the hymn “Does Jesus Care?”

“Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth and song,

as the burdens press, and cares distress, and the way grows weary and long?”

Does Jesus care when my way is dark with a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades, does He care enough to be near?

Chorus:

“O yes, He cares – I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief;

when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.”

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 7/03/24

God Is Always For You

What is readily visible to us during difficult life experiences is extremely limited in comparison to what God knows, sees, and purposes for us. God knows every little detail about us because he created us and breathed life and purpose into our bodies. And so, it is only reasonable to believe that his perspective of every event or situation happening to us would be much different and more accurate than ours.

In Romans 8:26-28, the apostle, Paul, encourages us with this reassurance; “… the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. … the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

In verses 31-39, Paul asks two questions. His first question is, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us,who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”    

Paul is convinced that written on the underside of every experience in our life, both the good and bad, is the holy seal of assurance, “God is for you.”  Unfortunately, some have misread verse twenty-eight and, being disappointed, have become confused and discouraged. Thus, a helpful corrective to understanding what the verse is saying, is to thoughtfully consider what it does not say.

     1. It does not say God causes everything that happens. He does not.

     2. It does not say that everything that happens is “good.”  It is not.

     3. It does not say that all things are working for the “good” in terms of health, wealth, and success.       They are not.

     4. It does not say that everything is going to work out for “good” for all people. For God can do some     things for those walking with him that he cannot do for those running away from him.

Verse 29 clearly identifies the “good” promised in this scripture as the ability “to be conformed to the image of his Son.”  To accomplish this, God uses all things, the good and the bad, the joys and the tears, the successes, and the failures to shape us into the likeness of his Son, Jesus. And we can be assured that God does not waste any events or experiences in our life toward accomplishing his purpose of transforming us into the person he created us to become.

“God is for us.”  Pause and think about what you just read. “God is for us (you).”  It does not say that God “may be” of “has been” or “was” or “will be” for you, but rather “God is for us (you).”  Can you, can I fully believe that at this very minute and every minute, God is for me? The biblical answer is “YES”!

Paul’s second question is this, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”  Remembering his personal experiences of hardships and sufferings, Paul lists those things that can cause us to question God’s love for us and declares that none of these things can ever separate us from Christ’s love.

Rather than separating us from the love of Christ, Paul declares that these difficulties and sufferings make us “more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (v.37). Our sufferings do not separate us from the love of Christ, but rather they are intended to strengthen our relationship with Christ as the dearly loved, adopted children of God.

In verse 38 Paul answers his own two questions, with a powerful, all-inclusive declaration regarding the love of God for us – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  This is Paul’s testimony of faith from his own life of many difficult, life-threatening experiences.

In recalling my various journeys through times of difficult and painful sufferings, I can thankfully affirm that God is always present with us. He always keeps his promise “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Yes, he is by our side, cheering us on, applauding our accomplishments. He is there to pick us up when we stumble and fall, and he puts his arms around us to comfort us when we hurt and cry. God is always for us, and in every situation of life “working for our good.”  Thanks be to God!

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com– (6/26/24)

Music is Healing Medicine

I always loved relaxing on the patio of our previous residence after sunset and listening to the evening music of God’s little creatures, watching the flickering lights of lightning bugs, and following the fast turns and dives of bats and swallows as they catch an evening meal of mosquitoes. And this was often an evening highlight during our many travel-trailer camping experiences.

Now retired from active ministry, I continue to enjoy relaxing on our back porch glider at our present residence, even though the nearby traffic noise overwhelms much of the creaturely music and flight entertainment.

I was enjoying such an evening when my thoughts turned to the important role of song and music in our lives. To live in a world without music would be so depressing, so hopeless, so much like hell, which the Bible describes as a place of eternal great sorrow and weeping. And in contrast, the Bible describes heaven as a place filled with great gladness, joy, and singing.

Music is often said to be a universal language that awakens feelings and thoughts in people everywhere and crosses all cultural and geographical boundaries. Music evokes joy and sadness, praise and petition, memory, and hope. It is both the song and the cry of the heart.

Music has the power to quiet and energize the heart and mind, influencing our thoughts and actions. Music is healing therapy to the weary, the hurting, or the despondent soul.  Martin Luther wrote that music is even effective in driving the Devil away.

In her book, A Deepening Love Affair, Dr. Jane Marie Thibault writes, “Music, secular as well as sacred, can bring many of us into the presence of God very quickly and powerfully. Music affects the limbic system of the brain, the center that has control over all of our feelings. …which in turn affects the temporal cortex, a section which seems to be sensitive to the spiritual.” 

Dr. Thibault continues, “Think about the role music plays in your spiritual life. What kind of music moves you to tears? What makes you joyful, hopeful, peaceful, repentant, and happy? What kind of music draws you into yourself? What pulls you out of yourself?”

I often experience music as the means whereby my soul is ushered into the presence of God with joyful praise and/or loving prayer. There have been many times that my walk outside, appreciating the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, that I am inspired to sing “My God, How Great Thou Art.”  Even a cloudy and rainy morning may stir within me the melody and words of “There Shall Be Showers of Blessings”and on a snowy morning the hymn “Whiter Than Snow.”

A hymn that has become a meaningful prayer of petition for me is “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”  I have often found renewed courage and strength during difficult days or uncertain circumstances by singing that prayer hymn in my thoughts.

I could continue with a long listing of music that has stirred my emotions and aided my spiritual journey, but the above is sufficient to illustrate the potential music can have in drawing us into a closer relationship with God.

Yes, God created the hills, and the valleys, to be alive with music for that very purpose. I cannot listen to a mockingbird singing his seemingly endless repertoire of songs without my spirit being lifted and encouraged.

I encourage you to think about what music and songs you may have been listening to and singing or humming during the past months. Can you say that they are inspiring and encouraging you in your life journey? If not, maybe you need to change your choice of music.

Dr. Thibault concludes, “Other kinds of music may be more important to you. Classical pieces have enormous power to evoke spiritual feelings and remind us of God. Even jazz, which was one of Merton’s favorite forms of music, can do this for some. …How about the love song from West Side Story – “One Hand, One Heart”? Some hymns could not come as close as this to being prayer. So, try experimenting with music as a medium for prayer – it may quicken your spirit more than any other way of being with God.”

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 6/19/24

Jesus Promises Stress-Free Rest

Beverly Sills was a superb and popular soprano opera singer, who died on July 2, 2007. She was also known to be a very joyful and giving person. This is clearly evident in the following story.

Beverly had just completed an outstanding matinee performance, and according to the program, she would give another performance that evening at 8:00. Backstage her loyal fans were congratulating her, when one of them said to her, “You must rest now, because I see that you have to give another performance tonight.”  “No,” said Beverly Sills, “I don’t have to give another performance tonight.”  “Well,” said her fan, “it says here in the program that you have an 8:00 p.m. performance this evening. Did you forget?”  Beverly answered, “Yes, I do have a performance tonight, but I do not have to give it. I get to give it.”

Beverly Sills always felt it was a privilege to be co-laboring with Jesus in blessing people with her singing, and so every musical performance was always a “privilege” and never a “duty.” She never considered it a task to do or a burden to endure. She believed her performance to be co-working with Jesus because she believed that “SINGING” was what God called her to do. And so, always feeling privileged to be yoked with Jesus, she gratefully lived her life SINGING.

In Matthew 11:28-30 we read, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

With these words, Jesus compassionately invites you and me to come to him and find rest, wisdom, and strength for the often difficult and pain-filled journeys of living in a world that frequently challenges our commitment to being faith-filled disciples of Jesus.

It is easy to forget that every difficult situation is also an opportunity to deepen our relationship with Jesus, and to strengthen our trust in him. Yes, Jesus knows our limits of strength and our weaknesses, and invites us to find needed rest by being yoked together with him in our living.

The Greek word for “easy” means “well-fitting” and so I hear Jesus saying, “My yoke fits you well; your work or situation is tailor-made to fit you. Yoke yourself with me, and I will labor with you, making your life easier and your burden lighter.” 

Jesus’ invitation to rest is not the promise of an easy road, but rather of a difficult road made easier because of his being a traveling companion whose wisdom and strength makes the journey more stress-free and restful.

The story of Beverly Sills feeling privileged to be co-laboring with Jesus in blessing others with her SINGING, rightly reminds me that I do not have to love my neighbor. I do not have to share what God has given me. I do not have to feed the hungry, visit the sick, and be a friend to the lonely and dying. I do not have to be kind, compassionate, and considerate of others. As pastor and chaplain, I do not have to preach the “Good News” or minister pastoral care to hurting people at any hour of the day or night.

I do not have to do any of these things, but I am invited to do them as a privilege of being yoked with Jesus in his ministry of loving and serving others. And being yoked with Jesus, God’s gracious love transforms my life and attitude, making my labor and ministry a privilege to do. With the apostle Paul, I now say “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” 

I confess that I have not always viewed my work as being a privilege. My life journey has had its share of dark, difficult, and discouraging times, and my work as pastor and chaplain seemed at times more wearisome obligation than privilege.

But I also can affirm that whenever I would remember Jesus’ invitation and that I was yoked with him, the healing rest I needed flowed into me, making lighter the burden, and transforming my work into a joyous privilege.

I am so grateful to Jesus for his amazing grace in my life and ministry. I now reflect on my many years of being yoked with Jesus in ministry to others as a joyous privilege. And so, I say to you, stay yoked with Jesus. Trust him with your life, and you will forever be glad you did.

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 6/12/24

Enjoying Peace or Stressed to Pieces

In many ways “being busy” is a blessing. But too much of a good thing often causes life to become pressured and stressful. We may need to slow our pace or increase our “down times” to live relaxed and enjoy living a busy life. But most importantly we need to discipline ourselves to keep in step with Jesus, not racing ahead or dragging behind. This ability is not automatic, we must intentionally practice being fully relaxed and trusting while sitting, walking, or running with Jesus.

I agree with Chuck Swindoll when he said that “A relaxed, easy-going Christian is far more attractive and effective than the rigid, uptight brother (or sister) who squeaks when he walks and whines when he talks.”

I believe the first step toward living a relaxed life with it many expectations and demands, is to regain and strengthen our confidence and trust in God’s presence and purpose. This comes through frequent conversation (prayers) with Him.

Yes, we are often tempted to think we are too busy to pray. But I say that it is in the “being too busy” times of life that we most need to pray. I have learned that no matter how busy I may be there is always time for the “arrow prayer” which is a few words of praise or petition shot like an arrow into the heart of any situation, need, or uncertainty when and wherever it occurs.

It seems to me that many Christians fail to appropriately value the rich resource that prayer is for us. We glibly “say a prayer” at mealtimes and begin our meetings and special event with prayer; and yet, in doing so, we are often more motivated by tradition than by a sincere, genuine desire for God’s presence, wisdom, and power in our midst.

Prayer is one of God’s majestic gifts to us, a gift of gracious privilege, and a gift of tremendous value toward enabling us through life’s busy, uncertain, and often difficult journey. To be privileged to come into the presence of God Almighty and speak with him about what is on our hearts and minds, is a gift of grace. And to be privileged to come into God’s presence as his children, and to have conversation with him as “Our Father” is a privilege of unimaginable worth.

Furthermore, praying opens the gates of heaven for God’s “will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  Prayer connects us to the wisdom, power, and energy of God. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:31).

Yes, it is the privilege of every child of God to have this super-natural power and energy of God’s Spirit in their every-day life and work. The biggest challenge for us is to keep our eyes open, our minds alert, and always focused on Jesus. And this can only be accomplished as we give time to diligent, informed, and focused prayers with thanksgiving.

We have many moments throughout every day that could be used as prayer moments for self and for others. Such “in the moment” praying will teach us how to be both busy and relaxed; how to be in flesh the God of peace among a people stressed to pieces.

William Temple is quoted as saying, “When I pray coincidences happen, and when I do not pray, they don’t.”  Mother Teresa said, “Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God’s gift of Himself.”  And Leonard Ravenhill wrote, “The self-sufficient do not pray, the self-satisfied will not pray, and the self-righteous cannot pray.”

Let us always remember Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” God’s love for us and his desire to be in relationship with us is so awesome that it is utterly amazing that it is being offered us. Why then are we so reluctant to come to Him in any busy or stress-filled moment and enjoy the rest and peace He offers us?

John Greenleaf Whittier wrote a beautiful prayer-hymn that I find helpful as my own prayer.

     Dear Lord and Father of mankind, Forgive our foolish ways! Reclothe us in our rightful minds;    

              In purer lives Thy service find;  In deeper reverence, praise.

     Drop Thy still dews of quietness  Till all our strivings cease. Take from our souls the strain and stress  And let our ordered lives confess   The beauty of Thy peace.

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 6/5/24

Precious Memories as Unseen Angels

Another Memorial Day has passed. And again, I am grateful to J.B.F. Wright for putting words and melody to the thoughts and feelings that my wife and I experience annually during the month of May.

We experienced the sudden, unexpected death of our first-born, only son, on May 1, 1984. The rest of that month was a painful blurring of time and Memorial Day at the end of the month was another day of painful grief and “why” questions.

But in the months and years since that “mayday” crisis, Memorial Day observance has taken on a new focus and meaning for me. And J.B.F. Wright’s hymn, “Precious Memories” has frequently lifted me above death’s painful grief in losing son, parents, siblings, friends, and toward the precious gift of memories they gave me. Sing the words with me.

     Precious mem’ries, un-seen angels, Sent from somewhere to my soul;

     How they linger, ever near me, And the sacred past unfold.

              Refrain:   Precious mem’ries, How they linger, How they ever flood my soul,

                                In the stillness of the mid-night, Precious, sacred scenes un-fold.

     Precious father, loving mother, Fly across the lonely years,

     And old home scenes of my childhood, In fond memory appears. (Refrain)

     In the stillness of the midnight, Echoes from the past I hear;

     Old-time singing, gladness bringing, From that lovely land somewhere. (Refrain)

     As I travel on life’s pathway, Know not what the years may hold,

     As I ponder, hope grows fonder, Precious mem’ries flood my soul. (Refrain)

I agree with Dietrich Bonhoeffer who wrote, “Nothing can make up for the absence of someone whom we love. …It is nonsense to say that God fills the gap. He doesn’t fill it, but on the contrary, he keeps it empty and so helps us to keep alive our former communion with each other, even at the cost of pain. …The dearer and richer our memories, the more difficult the separation. But gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy. The beauties of the past are borne, not as a thorn in the flesh, but as a precious gift in themselves.”

Establishing the significance of the life lived in our midst is key to the healing of the pain suffered in the loss. And significance is realized as we remember and share memories of that relationship with one another. To not talk about our relational memories of the person who died is to rob ourselves of good grief work and healing, as well as to rob significance from the one who died.

In his booklet, The Gift of Significance, Doug Manning writes, “The grieving process is a gradual change from the physical presence of a loved one to the sense of presence provided by the memories. The goal is to learn to live with the person not being here. Coping without their presence happens when we begin to find comfort in the memories.”  

One of the most priceless gifts that God gives us through the life of another person is the memory of our relationship with that person. Those memories are ours to keep, to hold, and to cherish. It is a treasure that no one can rob from us, a treasure that should never be locked up or buried.

Memories are “unseen angels” that take us by the hand and lead us back through the gray mists of the past to the happy scenes and experiences of yesterday. And when a life has been lived constructively for God and others, the memory of that life is like a beautiful walk through a pleasant garden.

Truly, the good memories given us by those now separated from us are very precious gifts. Let us rightly cherish them and freely share them with one another. For in doing so, we will both bless and be blessed.

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Ray M. Geigley – 5/28/24 – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com

The Highest Pleasure

Loving God is the highest pleasure a human being can ever know!

Read it again very slowly and thoughtfully.

Let the thought examine your present relationship with God.

It was during my seminary training that this truth was planted into my soul and it has never stopped growing and shaping my life.  This is what I hear in Jesus’ response to the Pharisee, an expert in the law, who asked Jesus which is the greatest commandment in the Law.  We have memorized Jesus’ answer, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” – but have we ever asked why?  Why would Jesus say that loving God was the greatest thing we could ever do?

I believe the answer is this; Because He created us especially for this relationship, and He knew that there would never be another person, possession, or activity that would ever come close to giving us the fulfillment and satisfaction that surpasses being in His awesome presence.

I want to share three pictures from my memory file of a trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to attend a Mennonite Health Assembly during March 1999. I had shared these three pictures in a devotional I presented in a meeting several days after my return home. And I share them with you as confirmation of my opening statement.

The first picture is viewed from the fourth-floor meeting room of the Colorado Springs Sheraton Hotel while eating brunch. Looking out through a wall of glass I view the rugged grandeur of the Rocky Mountain range and Pikes Peak piercing the blue sky with its snow-capped brilliance. In worshipful awe, I muse about the God of ancient past, and His creative imagination in shaping the mountains for my present enjoyment and challenge – and with grateful eyes I humbly worshipped the Creator God of Yesterday.

The second picture is a wide-angle view as seen from the window of a jet flying several miles above the earth and at a speed of more than five hundred miles per hour. Far below farms, small towns, and cities rapidly slide by in an ever-changing pattern of fields, forests, roads, and rivers. From such heights I can see for miles in every direction.

The changing panoramic views invite me to come and explore their life and beauty. And then a question forms in my mind and searches for an answer, Is this the way God sees the world? Intrigued, I remember that although invisible, each farm, town, and city is alive with human life, the young and old, the strong and weak, the happy and sad, the healthy and the sick. Many, many hundreds of people invisibly fill the moving landscape below, and I questioned, How can God ever see me and think of me?

I then remember that God does see and know me because He, in Jesus, came down from lofty heights and lived among us humans, experiencing life, pain, and death as we do. And yes, He still comes down to live with us as the indwelling Holy Spirit – and with grateful eyes I joyfullyworshipped the Compassionate God of Today.

The third picture is a very close-up view as I sit in a large, cushioned chair on the fifth-floor maternity suite of the Chambersburg Hospital, now named WellSpan. Carefully cradled in my arms is my newly born granddaughter. Her sweet one and half day-old innocence speaks to me as I gently stroke her face, trying to visualize the future, while a myriad of feelings wash over me. Forming a circle with grandma, mother, and dad, we thankfully pray, and with grateful eyes I confidently worshipped the Sovereign God of Tomorrow.

I believe it may have been such similar experiences by the psalmist David that caused him to write,

“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep.

You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.”  (Psalm 36:5-9).

During the past twenty-five years, those three pictures have frequently replayed in my life through many varied experiences, and they continue to encourage and inspire me toward deepening my love for God and to daily enjoy His awesome, loving presence in His beautiful world and to enjoy His gracious provisions to me for life, family, and labor. Thank you, Jesus!

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” –  www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 5/22/24

“LIVING HOPE” – The Wonder of It All

The apostle Peter begins his first letter to the suffering, scattered church of his day by addressing them with awesome descriptive words as being God’s elect, scattered exiles, chosen, and sanctified. He thenblesses them with “Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”

Peter than launches into a hymn of thankful praise to God for the gifts of hope and inheritance given them through the resurrection of Jesus. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5). Thus, Peter reaffirms the basics of salvation for both them and us.

Peter’s statement “In his great mercy” is key to grasping the fullest meaning of our salvation. With these words, Peter reminds us that “new birth” comes to us not as a reward but as a gift, a gift we do not deserve. The writer of Lamentations earlier wrote, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  (Lam.3:22-23).

Peter experienced this truth in his own life and declared that our “new birth” gifts us into a new relationship with the resurrected Jesus Christ. The three most obvious benefits of this “new birth” are:

1) A living hope (v.3). In Jesus Christ, God has given us a “living hope” that is not dependent upon our environment or outward circumstances. The word “living” denotes that which is dynamic, vital, alive. In other words, this hope is like living waters flowing from a perennial spring which never runs dry. We need to remember that the word “hope” is a uniquely Christian word because it makes no sense without the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is more than wishful thinking and beyond “I think I can, I think I can.”

2) A heavenly inheritance (v.4). This inheritance is indestructible, nonperishable, unpolluted, and shining. It is a guaranteed inheritance, kept and guarded in heaven for each of us who believe and received Christ’s resurrection gift of new birth.

3. A powerful shield (v.5). Until the day we claim our heavenly inheritance, God has promised to provide us with living hope and shielded with His power. This powerful shield is ours if we live by faith in the living resurrected Christ. The apostle Paul instructs us to use this shield of faith to “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:16).

In verse 8, Peter portrays these “new birth” giftings, received in our relationship with Jesus, as filling our lives with “inexpressible and glorious joy.”

Peter then concludes his hymn of praise in verse twelve by saying that our salvation is such an amazing event that “Even angels long to look into these things.” The New Living Translation is even more descriptive. “It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.” 

Can you imagine that? The angels are in the very presence of God’s heavenly glory and majesty and yet they “long to look into these things” concerning our salvation. The Greek word for “look into” means to “stoop down to take a peek.”

God’s “salvation” gift to us is so awesome that it amazes the heavenly angels. And with eager curiosity they continually peek into this wonderful salvation which had been declared by the prophets, revealed by the Holy Spirit, and is now available for all who will believe in the resurrected Jesus and receive his gift of “new birth into a living hope.” 

Pondering this amazing gift to us, has me singing a beautiful hymn written by George Beverly Shea.

The Wonder of It All

(1) There’s the wonder of sunset at evening, The wonder as sunrise I see;

But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul – Is the wonder that God loves me.

(Refrain)

O the wonder of it all, the wonder of it all – Just to think that God loves me!

O the wonder of it all, the wonder of it all – Just to think that God loves me!

(2)  There’s the wonder of spring-time and harvest, The sky, the stars, the sun;

But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul – Is a wonder that’s only begun.

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 5/15/24