This post has been long in my thoughts and on my heart.

I have been busy with work and my business and haven’t written anything since the summer – probably the longest pause since I began this blog. During the past summer, I went to a Bible camp in NY for 6 weeks. It was an amazing time of fellowship, getting to meet new people, relax and see some nature. But, most importantly, it was a special time to just study God’s Word. Taking time off to do just that was just what I needed.

When I got back from the US, I realised I kept hearing of more and more of people, especially teens and young adults I know, who are no longer walking with the Lord. Whether or not they were saved in the first place is a matter between them and God. But, these are people who have come from believing families, gone to youth camps, attended youth groups and even army preparation programs for believers. And so with some, it really came as a shock to hear they were no longer in fellowship and no longer considering themselves believers. What went wrong? What happened?

Around the same time that I was thinking about so many who had drifted away, my brother gave a message in our congregation about “Drifting” – how people end up leaving the faith, the process of compromise which numbs our senses and makes us apathetic to things of the world which contradict God’s Word.

Drifting is, indeed, a process. In the words of the song by “Casting Crowns”, it’s “A Slow Fade”. It doesn’t happen at once, but little by little, as things which were once clear and obvious, become blurred and shaken. They become okay to do or become involved with, not so bad. Music, movies and video games, which contained material which only a short while back would have been considered as not proper for true Bible believers to listen to or watch or play somehow became “OK” for us. After all, it’s only “just” a movie, or “just” a video game, or “just” music. Hey, it’s “just” a joke, people know we’re kidding. No need to be so serious or legalistic, right? Well, no. It’s not “just” any of those things. When we allow something that blatantly contradicts God and his Word to have a place in our lives, it affects us and takes its toll on our walk with the Lord. We wouldn’t watch a movie that exalts a “god”, if the Lord Yeshua were sitting next to us. We wouldn’t play a violent game if He sat next to us. We wouldn’t watch that sex scene, even if “you can’t really see anything”, if the Lord of Glory were sitting next to us. We wouldn’t say those words or joke about the Bible if the Living Word was physical present with us. Did we forgot? He is with us all the time. Just because we can’t see Him physically, does that justify immoral and ungodly behaviour?

Some of our personal choices that cause a slow fade in our lives can affect others as well. We often wonder why many youths drift away, why so many who have grown up in the faith and decide to leave it. Children from a young age are influenced by those around them who shape their lives and they try to imitate them, for better and for worse. If a person gossips about someone in the fellowship, should they wonder if their child has no respect for that person? If a parent keeps looking at his watch and moves around murmuring when will the sermon be over (because, hey, the speaker is 10 minutes over his time), should they wonder if their children have no patience or desire to sit in the congregation? If a child sees no difference between the world and those in the body of Yeshua, in their attitude toward people, in their choices everyday, in what they allow to enter their eyes and ears, in what comes out of their mouths, why should we be shocked that they choose to leave the faith? People, especially young people, tend to judge the Lord Yeshua based on what they see in those who claim to be believers. People are not perfect. The only one we should keep our eyes on is the Lord Yeshua. He was and is and always will be the One to look upon and to turn to. It is true that people are responsible for their own choices. But, we need to remember that with great privileges come great responsibility as well and that our choices could, sometimes, push others away from following the Lord.

Oh, for wisdom to make choices that honour the Lord and draw others to Him. Oh, for discernment to see some who are drifting and to tow them back to the Anchor of our souls.

© Hannah Kramer

It’s a slow fade – Casting Crowns

Many people focus on glamour, might, power and prestige, among other things that this world considers to have value. The more you have, the more you can do. The stronger, more outspoken and assertive you are, the more value they assign to you. I’m sure that most of us related to others in that way at one time or another and unquestionably also know others who have had similar experiences. But, is that the real measure and value of a person, expressed in worldly opinions?

The Bible reveals to us that it is otherwise. A person has eternal value, irrespective of how he looks and how much strength the world thinks he has. The eternal Word of truth is full of examples of people who, from a worldly point of view, were weak, mediocre and of little or no significant value, at least when these “lesser” folks are compared to others.

A classic example is Gideon. Although he came from a wealthy family, he was the youngest in his family, which was the smallest family in their tribe. A widow begged Elisha for help after her husband died – she was dependent on her husband for the family’s livelihood and after his death she and her children fell into debt and she was fearful that the creditor would enslave her sons until they worked off the debt. Her sons would be considered more like property than as people. Ruth, a foreign woman, who came from a nation that was hostile to Israel, unexpectedly assimilated into the nation of Israel and into the line of the Messiah. The list can go on, and some are mentioned in Hebrews 11 as the heroes of faith. But, would we consider them as such if they were not listed there? If we had lived in their times, would we admire their courage, faith and trust in God even though from our perspective they appeared to be of little or no importance or of being unworthy to take on important, life changing, nation changing responsibilities? Would we be able to look beyond what we see with our physical eyes and consider those around us today from the perspective of what God can do with a person whose heart is fully His, even if he does not appear to possess the “leadership qualities” or the popularity we expect a leader to have?

It is so easy to look at what a person wears, what he looks like, where he comes from, who he knows, whether he is shy or quiet, or talkative and outgoing, as criteria for the usefulness of the person in God’s service.

The woman who was widowed cried out to the only one who had ears to hear her. To God. Yes, Elisha was the one whom she physically called out to, but this cry was undoubtedly aimed to God, who was quick to answer. All she had was a flask of oil, a small item that was big enough for God to work a miracle in her life and in the lives of her sons. God used the flask of oil she had. All the widow had to do was trust and obey. So she poured and poured until all the vessels were full. The neighbors could have told her she was crazy, that her thinking was illogical or that what she was asking for was pointless. But she just kept silent and asked for empty vessels. The story does not state whether she explained why she needed them or not, so we are left with an area of speculation. She could have continued pouring if she had had more vessels.

God used the little she had to perform a great miracle. He can do the same for each of us. We don’t have to be great orators, with overpowering charisma or assertiveness to accomplish something for God. He can use each of us where we are with what we have. Like the woman, all we need to do is present ourselves as empty vessels before God for Him to fill.

And guess what? He gets the glory in the end. We need to come as empty vessels in His hands, ready for His use. He will not fill those who are filled with themselves.

© Hannah Kramer

They were always my dad’s family. Every Holocaust Memorial Day we would talk about them. My dad’s aunts, uncles, cousins, who were murdered in the Holocaust. An entire family perished, men, women, children, babies, all because they were Jewish. The only survivors were those who fled before the war. Every Holocaust Memorial Day would spark a discussion about them, and a renewed interest in where the family lived, what they did, who they were. But they were still my dad’s family.

That changed when I was in High School. I went to Poland, as part of a school trip to learn more about the Holocaust, learn more about the camps, to understand our history and appreciate the present future, as to declare, “we remember, no more, we arise out of the ashes”. To declare victory and show we will not allow this to be repeated. At that trip, I realised my dad’s family, was mine. It was my family which was taken and murdered and the realisation that I could walk in to the camps, and out, represent my country and show that we continue, we live, we have a country, was immense.

Next week Israel celebrates 70 years of Independence. 70 years showing God’s grace and mercy, sovereignty and love in sustaining and protecting Israel. Yet once more, Israel’s enemies try to hurt her and throw accusations when she tries to defend herself. All this while in the neighbouring Syria, thousands are being murdered by their own leader. Yet, the world remains silent, just as it did during the Holocaust. Pictures and reports of the people being gassed as the world remains silent, are a sore reminder that history repeats itself.

Israel will celebrate it’s Independence soon, remembering the painful history that led to its establishment and not only knowing, but living out the responsibility it has to help others and remind the world “never again”. Israel does its best to help the Syrian wounded arriving at its borders, yet the world sees neither that, nor the wounded in Syria.

How long? When will the world start caring about the men, women, children and babies who are being killed there? When will the world open its eyes?

© Hannah Kramer

We are approaching the new year in just a little over a week. One of the things people do when a new year begins is they make resolutions. Many look back on the year that was, ponder and reflect on the good and the bad, the joys and the sorrows, the accomplishments and the failures, decisions that were good and those that could have been better.

As I look ahead to the new year, I wonder what it holds. But the question probably should be phrased differently – what does God hold in store for me this coming year? I know He holds my past, my present and my future. That doesn’t negate the fact that I have choices to make, but I know that in all of them, He is sovereign.

If you’re like me and have expectations for the coming year, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that [we] may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Do you have fears or concerns? “The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you…” (Deuteronomy 1:30).

Let us remember He holds us, as well as our tomorrows in the palms of His hands. He is ruler of all nature, of all nations, of all time. He is our glory, joy and crown. He humbled Himself and came down to earth as man, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again as He conquered both sin and death. Let us “fall on our knees”, not only in remembrance of the day of the Lord Yeshua’s birth, but also in expectance of His return. And may it be this year. Amen.

© Hannah Kramer

Some time had passed since those winter storms, when she suffered injury. The vessel, now adorned with new gems and precious stones embedded in her new frame, enjoyed spending time every day with the King, learning of His ways and hearing Him express His thoughts. The kingdom was as beautiful as ever, with every beautiful tree and flower blooming and blossoming and spreading their fragrances across the land. The vessel travelled with the King across the lakes and plains, mountains and valleys, and became acquainted with other vessels of all shapes and sizes, which were also in the service of the King. As they traveled, the vessel noticed that some vessels were being highly esteemed by the occupants of those lands, just because they were placed in a more visible location by the King. Though all the places were valued and worthy in the King’s sight, for some reason, it seemed that the other vessels in those areas received high praise from their fellow vessels.

The vessel looked around and realised they have traveled quite a bit. “Where are we my Lord? I am not familiar with this land”, questioned the vessel.

“This is my land too. And here I will place you for a time. Will you serve me here until I choose to move you?” The vessel looked around, realising she was rather hidden from plain sight.

“My King”, asked the vessel, “I do not understand. I see you have placed all these vessels where you saw fit, and I know you placed them where they can be of best service to you, yet…” stopped the vessel, pondering her next words.

“What is it my precious one?” inquired the King, knowing her heart was troubled.

“Why…why is it the vessels in those areas that are more visible and wide, receive such praise and honour in the sight of their fellow vessels? It is You after all who put them there and they are in your service, so why are they praised, and not…You?” said the vessel, rather perplexed.

“Oh, my dear. What bothers you most? The fact they are praised and not Me? or…it not being you?” gently said the King.

Caught by surprise, the vessel bowed and replied with sadness. “I do not know my Lord. I feel as though I would like to be there, with them. Yet, in a way..I do know the praise is yours alone. I fear receiving glory for myself, yet find I desire it sometimes, too. Forgive me my King, for I find I am jealous when I see this behavior, yet saddened when I see some vessels who are rather hidden, receiving no acknowledgement”.

The king picked up the vessel who was dear to His heart, looked her in the eyes and said softly, “My lovely vessel. What you see is from your point of view. Does my placement of these vessels in visible areas mean they are of more importance to me? No my vessel. For I value and love all my creations, whether big or small, in plain view or hidden from sight. What matters most is not what the vessels think, say or do, nor which vessel they praise or value or even know. What matters most, my sweet vessel, is whether they know ME. During our travels, where have I held you?” asked the King.

The vessel looked up and answered, “close to your heart, my King”.

“That’s right. For when you were there, you could feel my heart beat, you heard me as I spoke quietly, almost in a whisper. You knew when I rejoiced as I walked the land, and when I was saddened as I saw vessels ignore me. How did it feel when I held you there?”

The vessel thought for a moment and replied, “calm, my king, and joyful beyond words”.

And then the King smiled and explained. “When you were leaning on my heart, you weren’t troubled with what other vessels did, said or thought”…

“because I was looking at you my King”, said the vessel.

“True, my vessel. When you look to me alone, wherever I have placed you, I take delight and joy in you as you serve me, just as I take delight and joy in those vessels, as long as they serve me faithfully. Now my dear, I ask you once more. Will you serve me here where I put you?”

The vessel reflected on her conversation with the King. “My King, I am your vessel, may your will be done in my life. I will do it with gladness”.

And with that the vessel felt joy fill her heart and expectancy for what the King had in store.

© Hannah Kramer