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Quote from, "Canterbury, Connecticut Characters in the 20th Century,"

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 14, 2017
A short portion of one couple’s story in my latest co-authored book, “Canterbury, Connecticut Characters iin the 20th Century,” which, with great help from the Lord, just finished on Monday night and sent off to the printers. Should have some copies in hand in a week. The cover is pictured here
 
Rene and Val married in 1971 and Valerie got pregnant on their honeymoon. However, she had multiple hospitalizations during her pregnancy, and then lost the baby, a little boy, at 18 weeks.
 
Because she was weak, they couldn’t do a cesarean, so she went through 72 hours of labor, and in the end lost so much blood that she clinically died (flat lined). This seemingly horrible experience would change the rest of her life.
She said that after she died, she was outside of her body, looking down on herself lying on the table with the doctor and nurses around her. She was aware of a light shining on her from behind and watched the doctor pull off his mask and say sadly, “We lost her!”
 
Just then another doctor came in and said, “We aren’t going to give up!” Valerie said that at that point she seemed to have a choice to go or stay. The second doctor put the paddles on her two times and then the next thing she knew was waking up in the hospital.
 
That whole experience made her very aware of God’s presence, and it was at this point that she gave her life to the LORD, having a new reality of God in her life.
 
In 1975 the one ovary she had left ruptured. Not knowing how serious her condition was, she drove herself to a lab in Norwich Town for tests, but felt so bad that she went Into Friendly’s to get something to eat. There she collapsed, but God was looking after her. A lineman who was at the register was trained in CPR and immediately went to work on her, continuing his work in the ambulance ride to the hospital, and saving her life. She was unconscious for two days but recovered. This was followed by 3 more surgeries on ovarian parts, with large tumors for a few more years.
When the tumor returned for a fourth time, Valerie heard of a priest who had healing services. When she went to see him, the priest prayed over her and she was healed. This was confirmed when her surgeon examined her and was amazed to find that the tumor was gone!
This event was so earth shaking that Rene, the skeptical, mocking, anti-religious Rene, bowed his knee to God and accepted Christ as his Savior. Rene and Val prayed together at home, using the prayer from the back of a “chic tract.” Rene said, “That the Lord would let my wife be sick for so many years just to get my attention so I would surrender to him is amazing.”
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Psalm 17:8b

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 13, 2017
Psalm 17:8b “hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
 
[You, Heavenly Father, actively shelter your children, covering us with your Presence and Power, keeping us safe from what is truly evil.
 
But we, like chicks, must stay under your wings, must abide in your love, as you, Jesus, command us in John 15:9-10, “Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
 
If we choose not to obey your commands, Lord Jesus, in arrogance and selfishness elevating our intellect and desires above your Word like Adam and Eve, we remove ourselves from the protecting shelter of your love.
 
Even then, though, you never stop loving us. You are always there, calling us, waiting for us to come and again abide in your shelter, your grace, your unconditional love.
 
And when we do stray in disobedience, you actively, in your love, chasten us by letting us suffer the consequences of our poor choices (Heb. 12:1-17). You do this so we will come to our senses and return to obedience of you. You WILL hide us under your wings, if only we will come.]
 
Help us, Lord, to abide in your love, obeying what we know to be true, reveling in the Truth of your great and wonderful compassion and care for us.
 
May we have the glow of your love in our souls and on our faces as we go with you into today, that we may bring light and hope to all those we meet.
 
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Psalm 17:8

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 12, 2017
Psalm 17:8 “Keep me as the apple of your eye;”
 
[This, Lord God, is how you view each of your children: special, unique and dearly loved. In you we are delighted in, doted on and deeply cared for. You chose us, you cleansed us from our sin and guilt, you called us into your arms, you claimed us as your children, you commissioned us to special service and you cherish us wholeheartedly with joy.
 
Jesus made an amazing statement in John 15:9, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” This is an astounding, worldview-shifting announcement. If we grasp this in ongoing depth, it will change our whole lives, resulting in us “being filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:16-19).
 
And how does God the Father love Jesus the Son?
Eternally,
wholeheartedly,
without reservation,
without interruption,
without any doubts.
He loves Him joyfully, jubilantly and justly.
He loves Him positively, purposefully and powerfully.
He loves Him for His character, for His connection and for His companionship.
He loves Him constantly, creatively and consistently.
He loves Him fully, forcefully and forever.
 
Most foundationally, the Father loves the Son because God IS love; He never cannot love. His love is “agape,” that is, it does not depend on the response of the loved one. Whatever we may do, God’s love will not stop flowing to us.
 
Now, as the Father loves the Son, so Jesus loves us!!! This is an astounding, beautiful, transforming and wonderful truth, too good to be true–and yet it is true for all believers, because Jesus has purchased us and given us His righteousness, His guiltless record and His holiness.
 
As John exulted in 1 John 3:1, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
 
We can rest in His love, abide in His love and revel in His love because it is secure, eternal and wholehearted. It is not based on us but upon His unchanging, all powerful nature. We ARE the apple of His eye!]
 
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Psalm 17:6-7

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 11, 2017
Psalm 17:6 “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.”
 
[Your faithfulness, Lord, is the impetus to prayer. You will hear, your will answer, you will help–because it is your nature to be faithful!
 
We can be so certain of your answering, that in any circumstance we can fully rest in you; we don’t have to panic, we don’t have to cling to our desired outcome, we don’t have to be afraid. We can, before an answer comes, know that you will faithfully do what is best. Your promise to hear and answer was David’s hope–and ours, too.]
 
Psalm 17:7 “Show the wonder of your great love,
 
[Yours, Lord Jesus, is a love far richer and deeper, more committed than David, in his time, could know. He could not see your great plan to move through immense suffering–spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically and volitionally–that you were willing to endure because of you love for your rebellious creatures. To say your love is wonderful is a woefully inadequate statement! Praise you for your immeasurable, powerful, all-encompassing compassion.]
 
“you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.”
 
[Your right hand is powerful and adequate to save in any danger. You are our sure Refuge, our high Tower, our mighty Rock, our righteous Redeemer and sufficient Savior watching over us.
 
We must, however, run to you and take shelter in that refuge. We are called to partnership with you and need to actively join you so you can do your promised part.
 
I praise you, Lord God, that you in your immense might, your persistent power, your complete knowledge of all and your pervasive presence, can never be defeated. No one can trick you, fool you or get around you. Therefore you are able to fully protect us, to bring us through whatever you allow and bring us out into the wide and pleasant place you have prepared.
 
We praise you now for what you will do today in protecting us, preparing all for us and providing what we need. May we live in the light of this truth and rest in you, no matter what comes.]
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Psalm 17:3-5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 10, 2017

Psalm 17:3 “Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing;”

[Here is a statement I find hard to understand. I cannot say this–only a slight probe in me will find a multitude of wrong in my actions and thoughts, to say nothing of my heart.

Perhaps David was speaking more of the fact that he has not responded incorrectly in his present situation; maybe he has forgiven and prayed for the good of his enemies. Perhaps he has already confessed his sin in the situation and now stands cleansed as far as he knows.]

“I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.”

[He’s not going to give a response of the flesh, but speak what he knows is pleasing to you. That hints at checking his motives, thinking through his possible responses and choosing to obey what he knows is right. May I live like that.]

Psalm 17:4 “As for the deeds of men—by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.”

[Perhaps here David, who was a man of war, is talking specifically of the instance before him where he did not respond to these people in violence (which he could have done), acting instead according your commands in grace and quietness. May I do the same!]

Psalm 17:5 “My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped.”

[As David sought to obey, running in the paths prepared by you, Lord, he did not stumble or fall. It was only when he strayed from the path that he slipped, fell and took many others down with him.

Lord keep me on your path, surround me with your hedge of thorns, pricking me immediately when I zig or zag off your way. May I not slip and bring you dishonor.]

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Psalm 17:1-2

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 9, 2017
Psalm 17:1 “Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry.”
 
[You, Lord, are the prayer-answering God. Intercession was your invention, giving us a way to enter your presence, your heart, your arms, your plans.
 
You are the God who
–heard Joseph and gave him the interpretation of dreams;
–who heard Moses and opened the Red Sea;
–who heard David and defeated his enemies;
–who heard Daniel and told him the dream of the king;
–who heard Jesus and raised Lazarus from the dead.
–And you are the God who hears us and will answer in the same faithfulness and power you always have.]
 
“Give ear to my prayer—it does not rise from deceitful lips.”
 
[Your part is to hear, ours is to come to you in integrity, not trying to manipulate you or paint ourselves as better than we are, or trick you into moving against someone unjustly.
 
To do any of these is, of course, ridiculous, for nothing is hidden from your eyes, including our motives. You are the all-seeing, all-knowing, all-present One.
 
Praise you that we can and must be totally transparent before you—and that such honesty does not affect your openness to us one bit, “for you are good and ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy to all who call upon you” (Psalm 86:5).
 
Psalm 17:2 “May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.”
 
[Truly, vindication can only fully come from you, Lord, for only you know fully what is right. We can rest in that awesome truth that you see everything, both right and wrong, and love us anyway.
 
Your Word is clear on how we should trust you to deal with those who oppose us. As it says in the Old Testament, “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
 
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psa. 37:1-4).
 
This concept is repeated more powerfully in the New Testament: “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.
 
On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:19-21).
 
Lord, help us to look to you for vindication and for dealing with those who treat us like their enemies. May our delight be in you, not in vengeance or winning. May you thusly be glorified before all those around us, especially before those who oppose us. And right now, I am in the midst of such a conflict with a renter who sees me as the enemy, so I must apply all this personally! I praise you for how you will answer in faithfulness and righteousness and bring vindication.]
 
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Psalm 16:8-9

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 8, 2017
Psalm 16:8b,9 “…he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;”
 
[You, Lord God, are the reason I can be glad and praise, for you are mightily faithful, lovingly good, totally wise and graciously giving. There is no lack for those who follow you. “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing” (Psa. 34:10). It is in you, in your character that all comes together, that all is provided, that all stability rests. It is so right to rejoice in you!]
 
Psalm 16:10 “my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.”
 
[You, Lord Jesus died, but your body did not deteriorate; it was brought back to life and transformed into the new and eternal form our bodies will have.
 
Right now we live in the land of the dying, but being in you, we already have eternal life and are in the Kingdom of the living.
 
And along with this, you have given us three wonders for life right now:]
 
1) Psalm 16:11 “You have made known to me the path of life;”
 
[In your love and grace, your compassion and forgiveness, your Spirit has opened my eyes to your way, and now I can walk on the path, “of the righteous” which “is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever more brightly til the full light of day” (Prov 4:18).
 
And every day, as we walk on your way, we can give you glory and honor by responding to every situation with praise. To know you is wonderful!]
 
2) “you will fill me with joy in your presence,”
 
[The more we know you, the deeper our joy goes, overflowing, energizing, transforming and guiding. The certainty of your presence is the well-spring of joy in our lives. And this will be multiplied a thousand-fold when we pass through death into eternal life. We praise you for it!]
 
3) “with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
 
[The certainty of spending eternity with you, Lord Jesus, at your right hand, enjoying the pleasure of your presence, the wonders of your being, the marvels of your new heaven and earth–this is a prospect beyond comprehension. To have this certainty is a further aspect to our present joy.
 
Truly, Lord Jesus, to know you is enough for joy, a joy that will be ever increasing until death and then exploding into all the dimensions in which you now live, expanding throughout eternity as we learn more and more of your marvelous, infinite character.
 
May we walk together in this day, Lord Jesus, so that I can shine the light of the joy you give me on all those I meet.
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Psalm 16:7-8

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 7, 2017

Psalm 16:7 “I will praise the LORD,”

[Yes, I will wholeheartedly, with every part of my being, praise you–such a wonderful Lord who, out your great love, pours blessing after undeserved blessing in our lives. You are worthy beyond all measure of all the worship I can give!]

“who counsels me;”

[“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

You are the God who reaches into my life moment by moment, speaking to me through your Word and through your Spirit, through the insights of others, through realizations and understanding.

When I am confused, uncertain or afraid, you are there to counsel me out of your measureless love and infinite knowledge. I can turn to you for wisdom and know for sure that you will give it.]

“even at night my heart instructs me.”

[As I wait for sleep and meditate on your Word, you teach me new things, reinforce old truths, reveal insights and bring further transformation.

Even in my dreams you speak to me, as Scripture comes to mind. Sometimes, without realizing I am in a dream, I face life-threatening circumstances and can respond with praise and trust, hearing the leading of your Spirit.]

Psalm 16:8 “I have set the LORD always before me.”

[To my shame, I cannot say that I do this always, but certainly want to put you first, to acclaim you in every aspect of my life, to have my heart open to your guidance at each juncture, to follow your leading constantly. Help me to do that consistently, Lord Jesus.]

“Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

[In contrast to me, you, Heavenly Father, are totally consistent, always faithful. You have a detailed plan for me in each day and will carry me through it. You will never leave me; you are persistently there and will always give what is necessary in protection, guidance, wisdom and provision. So, there is no reason for me to be shaken, I only need to look to you, knowing that  you will give beyond what I need. I can praise you in it ahead of time.]

Praise you, Lord, that as I go into this day, it is certain that you will be there, keeping me within the pleasant boundaries you have set to protect me, blessing me with your presence, giving me new vision to understand what is good and what is not.

I praise you for your great wisdom, your abundant love, your ever-flowing grace and your endless kindness. To you l lift up my voice of praise, to you I give my life anew. Glorify yourself today in all that will come, that those around may see your greatness and bow before you, too.]

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Psalm 16:6

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 6, 2017
 
Psalm 16:6 “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;”
 
[Where you have placed us, Lord, is more than pleasant: we are within the Kingdom of Light, under the Lordship of the Great Shepherd, within the Family of God, on the right way to Heaven, in the company of the saints, equipped and assigned to a specific area of service to you, my beloved King.
 
This Truth is a wonder, a joy, a pleasure, an ever- increasing realization of the undeserved, unearned privilege of walking on the pathway of the Creator of all, the Ruler of all, the Restorer of all. In my opinion, “pleasant” is far too mild a word for this state of ever-growing joy!]
 
“surely I have a delightful inheritance.”
 
[Out of your glorious treasures you have prepared a rich inheritance for your undeserving children. As it says in Ephesians 1:3, you have blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus—every possible spiritual blessing will be ours. As you are infinite and all-powerful, Lord, so these blessings will be unending, uncountable, incomprehensible.
 
These will include a sinless life, total security and significance, sweet fellowship with all, ever increasing joy, and living in the light of your presence. In addition, you have made us fellow-heirs with Jesus, meaning that whatever He inherits, we will get also!
 
This will include an infinite future, an unending walk with you, an unlimited growth in knowledge of your character, having fulfilling, positive challenges of service for you, and rich, uninterrupted fellowship with all other beings in Heaven.
 
It will include living in your glory: “When Christ, who is our life, appears, then we also will appear with him in glory” (Col 3:4).
 
It will include mostly and most importantly, the ability to gaze uninterruptedly on your face, Lord Jesus, being in the full presence of the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Ruler of all, the Holy, Pure, Powerful, Wise and Good God of all. That will be far more wonderful than we can imagine!]
 
Lord, help me to walk in the knowledge of the riches of your goodness and all the pleasantness you have for stored up for us. Help me to see where I let the small (very small!) things in life take my focus off of you, to steal my joy, to trap me in the dust and dirt of a natural worldview.
 
Help me instead to let go of the temporary, hold on to what is eternal and rise above in the shining knowledge of you and who you are. May I think truth, keep on the armor and be able to stand no matter what comes, thereby bringing more honor and glory to you.
 
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Psalm 16:3-5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 4, 2017
Psalm 16:3 “As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.”
 
[You, Heavenly Father, made us saints when we were born again. You qualified us to be partakers in the Kingdom of light. You have made us glorious in Jesus and you delight in us, despite what we are naturally—rebellious, unbelieving, selfish and proud.
 
You have made us new creations in Christ, welcomed with joy into your presence, delighted in, rejoiced over and treasured. In you we can rest securely, knowing that you have accepted us fully, finally, faithfully. In you alone we are safe, for safety is not the absence of danger but the presence of Jesus.]
 
Psalm 16:4 “The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods.”
 
[Every other god is false–the gods of every religion, along with the gods of comfort, power, materialism, politics and business, sex and entertainment, getting my way and controlling others. Each one is an illusion and leads only to disappointment, bondage, oppression and darkness—the opposite of what you bring, Lord, for you are Light, Love and Truth, you bring freedom, joy and peace as well as grace, greatness and goodness. You are the opposite of all other gods, you are the only One worthy of worship.]
 
“I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.”
 
[I must avoid involvement in any way with these other gods, not offering them any acknowledgement or worship, time or affection; I must not put any hope in them. I must not give them any credence or credit, but look only to you, Lord Jesus, the Creator, Sustainer and Ender of all, the only true Hope there is.]
 
Psalm 16:5 “LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;”
 
[All I have comes from you, O Holy God: my position, my provision, my protection, my portion. And what you give is good. This includes my body, my brains, my boundaries, my bonds, my bounty; whatever they appear to be from a human perspective, they are good and I will praise you for them.]
 
“you have made my lot secure.”
 
[You, Lord, are the God of power and authority. Only you can give security: whatever you choose to protect will be untouched by the enemy; whatever you allow to be attacked will be used for good, no matter how unpleasant it may be.
 
I can rest in the security of your salvation and the certainty of your powerful protection. Whatever may happen, positive or negative, pleasant or painful, I can rest in your great and endless perfection, knowing you will weave all into your great plan for the end of sin, evil and time, and to sweep as many as possible into your Kingdom.
 
To you be glory and honor today, Lord. May praise and thanksgiving continually well up in my mind and spill off my lips. May the light of your love shine from my being, may you be lifted up in my actions and reactions, my attitude and speech.
 
May praise be the keynote of my life today, may the darkness of complaining and discontent, grumbling and negativeness be swept away in the brightness of your presence so that you may have more glory before both the invisible hosts and visible folks.]
 
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