Category: One Focus Blog

Blinders and Staying on the Path

by StephanieBBlake • April 10, 2012

Occasionally I am in a country where horses and buggies or carts are still being used. In such cases, I notice the horses have blinders on. That is obviously to prevent them from being distracted and veering off the path the owner has chosen for them. It seems to work. The horses appear calm and relaxed both while walking and while waiting for further instructions.

I guess if all you can see is straight ahead of you, then that’s where you want to go. The horses have to trust their owners to keep them on a path with sure footing. Having blinders on lessens the possibility for the horse getting spooked. The blinders are most often used in public places where the horses could easily be scared by what is going around them.

Blinders prevent the horse from being confused. There may be several choices – more than one path – in front of them. In order for the horse to know where the owner wants to go, he needs to see the path intended for him. Blinders are for the horse’s protection as well as direction of the owner.

Ordinarily, when you hear someone talk about a person having blinders on, it is meant in a negative sense. It usually means that someone does not recognize what is going on around him. He may refuse to accept what is happening. The origin of this idiom comes from the very thing I have observed in my travels – blinders on horses.

However, there is another way to think about blinders. If you are to intentionally stay focused on the path God has assigned for you, having blinders on can be a good thing.

Most of the horses wearing blinders have probably learned to trust their owners will lead them down a good road and know they will eventually settle in at night with nourishment and a place to sleep. As Christians, we may not need blinders, but the distractions of the world and our own desires can easily trip us up or lead us down the wrong path. We do need God to steer us in the right direction. We can totally trust Him to do so.

Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or to the left; remove your foot from evil (Proverbs 4:25-27).

One Focus Blog

The Rhythm of a Writing Style

by StephanieBBlake • April 2, 2012

Writing styles have certainly changed over time. Recently I reread the original Robinson Crusoe. I was shocked at how hard it was for me to get into the rhythm of Daniel DeFoe’s writing style. It was a bit like reading a legato book in a staccato world. His sentences are longer than my paragraphs.

I have several books on writing in my library. One of them, Write Tight: Say Exactly What You Mean with Precision and Power by William Brohaugh was highly recommended. I have found it to be quite useful.

Attention span is not what it used to be. In cultures where television is prevalent, people have become accustomed to finishing an entire story in thirty minutes. With the advance of technological devices such as laptops, IPads, IPhones etc., instantaneous information is the norm. I know few people who have patience for a slow internet connection. Practically everyone feels any price they have to pay for a fast connection is worth it.

The popularity of Twitter confirms this trend. 140 characters are enough to get your point across. Blogs longer than five hundred words are seldom read all the way through. Surveys indicate most people scan all online material instead of reading articles word for word.

In writing fiction, rambling dialogue is discouraged. Nonfiction writers are especially encouraged to write tight. You seldom need a “the” or a “that.” Say what you mean. Mean what you say. Say it concisely or don’t say it at all.

Writing styles also differ in translations of the Bible. I try to sample all translations and paraphrases. It occurs to me I don’t have a problem with lengthy sentence translations (such as the New King James). I suppose it is because, unlike novels like Robinson Crusoe, I often read from this version.

Some people stick with one translation and swear it is the only accurate translation there is. Funny thing, they seem to forget the original manuscripts were written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. I only know one person who routinely reads from a Hebrew Bible. The rest of us have to rely on the translators to get the message across.

I am grateful for those scholars who have given us various translations and even paraphrases. Occasionally I catch something in the NIV or NAS I missed in the NKJ. I sometimes enjoy a paraphrase in my devotional reading. For deep study, the multiple word equivalents to Hebrew and Greek words in the Amplified Bible prove to be very beneficial. With all the difficulties that occur with translating one language to another, God’s message comes through loud and clear to those who want to know Him.

All Scripture is inspired by God, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 2:16-17).

One Focus Blog

Accidental Useful Knowledge

by StephanieBBlake • March 21, 2012

Once I read two books back to back – just for fun. One was A Land Remembered by Patrick D. Smith and the other was Marley and Me by John Grogan. On the surface these two books had nothing in common. One was a historical novel following a family for several generations (1863 to 1968) as they settled Florida. The other was about a family’s life with an incredibly spirited dog named Marley.

Reading through A Land Remembered introduced me to Florida when it was practically undiscovered. Only a few Indian tribes dared to live in the swampy, seemingly uninhabitable land; however even the good land was free range at one time. Those that could weather the unforgiving terrain could travel all across Florida. No fences hindered them. Only bandits, disease or wild animals did that. Families could set up homesteads without much interference. Later as things changed, the land had to be purchased. It was owned and fenced making it impossible for others to travel through on their way to the other side of the state.

I considered this information interesting, but might not have dwelt on it had not it also been addressed in a totally unrelated true account about Marley. For much of his life, Marley and family lived in a neighborhood close to the Intracoastal Waterway separating West Palm Beach from Palm Beach. There were vivid descriptions of south Florida thunderstorms in both books. However, what connected the two books in my mind was John Grogan’s description of Palm Beach County: “what is less widely known is that it is also home to huge farms that stretch across drained Everglades swamps for miles out of town.” I was introduced to those huge farms and drained swamps in A Land Remembered.

Although I have visited Florida, I have never lived there. I had not sought to discover facts about Florida and its development but there may be a time in the future when this accidental information will be useful.

The same thing often happens to me while I am searching online for information. An innocent search about one subject somehow leads down intricate paths to another subject. The facts I discovered at the end of my search could possibly be unrelated to what I wanted to know at the beginning. Sometimes by the time I am through with my research, I forgot what I was looking for in the first place!

I believe no knowledge is wasted. There have been times when I met someone or was in the middle of a teaching situation when all of a sudden I remembered something hidden in my mind’s data bank that was now applicable to the present. I have a vivid memory of one retreat I was conducting where someone posed a question to me I had never contemplated before. However, just the day previous to that, some unrelated research had supplied me with the knowledge I needed in order to answer the question. Those circumstances often surprise me, but I am confident that God is not surprised. What is accidental useful knowledge for me is part of His plan.

To give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion – A wise man will hear and increase learning and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel (Proverbs 1:4-5).

One Focus Blog

Diagnosing Connection Problems

by StephanieBBlake • March 15, 2012

I travel a lot. In order to keep working while on the road, access to the internet is a necessity. Thankfully, most places it is no problem. However, there are times when a connection is very difficult. There are even occasions when the network diagnostic assures me my internet connection appears to be working properly but my email does not load nor can I access any website. The message that appears while attempting to view a website states that I am not connected to the internet and network diagnostics can help solve my connection problems. I feel like I am going in circles.

One thing I know about this problem is that I need help solving it. Usually the issue is not resolved until I ask for aid (usually from my husband). When I am unable to connect to a network because (as the network diagnostic indicates) I have entered an incorrect password or network name, chosen the wrong type of wireless security or am out of range of the base station, I need help in deciding how to correct the problem.

It is somewhat frustrating to be intelligently handicapped in this way since all of my work is done on my laptop. I would prefer to figure things out on my own and not have to disturb my husband, but I am seldom able to do so. I need his help. He understands the network diagnostic language.

There are times when Christians develop a problem communicating with the heavenly Father. Often, the problem is not apparent to others. Appearances may make it seem as if the connection has never been broken and everything is working properly, but there is an adjustment that needs to be made so that communication is unhindered.

When that happens, we need help in restoring our connection. The problem is never on God’s side. It is always on our side and our lack of paying attention to the issues that are so critical in keeping the communication flowing. We need the Holy Spirit’s help in diagnosing the problem.

Sometimes we are unable to connect because we are not using the proper name. God knows our thoughts and our hearts, but in order to reach Him, we must come through Jesus. Jesus told His disciples to come to the Father in His name. That has not changed.

Sometimes we are unable to connect because we are looking in the wrong place for security. Prayer is not simply meditation. Emptying our minds in meditation opens the door for Satan to fill our minds with his agenda. Prayer is always God focused – through Jesus.

Sometimes we get out of range of the base station (God’s presence) by allowing sin to take control. When that happens, we are the ones who have moved out of range.

Most of us resist asking for help. We want to control our own lives, not submit to God’s direction. In every case, however, that compounds the problem and delays open channels of communication. We need His help. He is readily available to diagnose any communication problems and leads us through steps to correct them.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:19-22 NLT).

One Focus Blog

Breaking out of the Clouds

by StephanieBBlake • March 8, 2012

I travel mostly by air. It is when I am flying that I am most aware of the beauty and majesty of clouds. I never get over the fascination of breaking out of the clouds. Ascending and descending through clouds gives me three perspectives.

On the ascent, breaking through the clouds can mean leaving a very gloomy day below and being reminded that the sun was shining all the time. It also symbolizes the beginning of the journey, the successful completion of traveling to the airport, navigating the security and check in lines and actually making it to my seat on time. I may as well settle in until we break through the clouds once again at our destination.

Penetrating the clouds means for a short time that nothing else can be seen but clouds. Objects below disappear from sight. We are traveling in a fog – symbolically and literally.

Breaking out of the clouds on the descent is a delight. On a trip to a new location, the scenery below is captivating because it gives me a bird’s eye view of where I will be staying for a while. Breaking through the clouds when returning home is the best yet. It is familiar and comforting.

No matter where I am – underneath clouds, in the midst of them or above them – what I see is only part of the big picture. When I can see the sun, but not the ground, it does not mean the ground is not there. The reverse is also true. When only the ground is visible and the airplane has yet to break through clouds to showcase heavenly bodies, the sun or moon and stars are still there even when I can’t see them. They haven’t moved. I have.

I have talked to many people about Jesus. Some of them have come to understand that as God’s Son, He gave His life for theirs and offers salvation as a free gift. In a sense, they have broken through the cloud of unbelief to see the Son of Man as He really is.

Others may have understood what I was saying, but refused His offer of grace. One person I know has yet to believe in Jesus because he said he could not prove He existed. This otherwise intelligent and nice man could accept the existence of other historical figures, but not Jesus, the most documented human being there is. I continue to pray that he will break through the cloud of unbelief that is fogging his thinking and come to accept Jesus as Lord.

Jesus not only lived in history, He always has been, is now and will always be God. I cannot see Him at the present with my eyes, but I see Him clearly with my heart. Those who do not see Him or have rejected Him will someday discover He was there all the time.

The clouds He created took Him out of sight for a while, but will one day make Him visible to every one. For those who love Him, it will be a joyful experience.

And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on and a cloud received Him out of their sight (Acts 1:9). Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him (Revelation 1:7).

One Focus Blog

The Real Superman

by StephanieBBlake • March 1, 2012

Superman has always been a favorite of mine. Starting out as a comic book hero in 1939, he has been around ever since. In 1940, the radio series The Adventures of Superman began. During that time, any one listening to it could probably describe Superman as “faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.”

All the movies, old as well as new, and all the television programs, including the most recent Lois and Clark and Smallville, have had my viewing attention. They are good, fun and clean entertainment.

Superman has sustained popularity because every one wants to believe in a hero. Interestingly, Superman did not originate on earth. He came from Krypton, sent to earth by his parents as an effort to save him as their planet was being destroyed.

Found and kept by a loving couple in Kansas, he determined early on to use his super powers for good and not evil, adapting to his adopted planet. He accepted people’s shortcomings without giving into the temptation to become like them when their attitudes and actions were not consistent with his standards of honesty and decency.

Superman felt his disguise as a mild mannered reporter was necessary in order to be able to help others. At a moment’s notice, Clark Kent slips away to become Superman when he becomes aware of someone’s need. He wasn’t really a dual personality. Clark and Superman were one and the same. When people were caught in dangerous situations and could not help themselves, Superman showed up to do what would have been impossible for them to do.

Superman had his enemies, the most well known Lex Luthor. He feels like he can not do all he wants to do – control the world – with Superman around. He is always behind the scenes trying to connive a way to get rid of Superman.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is no fictional character. He is real. He left heaven to come to earth to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. His real enemy, Satan, brought sin into the world and has been trying to control mankind ever since. Satan knows we are helpless to save ourselves.

The best definition of humility is strength under control. Jesus humbled himself to live among men so that He might save them. Jesus is both the Lion of Judah and the sacrificial Lamb of God. Instead of leaving the human race without any hope and helpless, Jesus chose to give His own life to save those who would trust Him.

Jesus is the only real hero there is.

[Jesus] emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8). Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).

One Focus Blog

Treasures of the Written Word

by StephanieBBlake • February 16, 2012

I have a mixture of modern and old-fashioned preferences in my communication habits. The instant communication that is now available allows me to do so much more than I used to do. I have sometimes thought that the growth of the internet came about just in time for me to do international work. Social media sites enable me to keep up with friends, family and business acquaintances while I am out of the country. Sometimes an e-card is my only possibility to send a friend or family member a birthday greeting. I take advantage of all the online resources.

However, my real preference is old-fashioned paper and pen. I love to receive notes in the mail from friends and family and I still do the same for them. There is something about going to the mailbox, seeing my name on an envelope, a friend’s name in the return address and the anticipation of what might be inside. That’s actually my first love and I will never get over it (that is, unless the U.S. Post Office goes out of business).

I never sent my father an email because he never owned a computer. In going through his things after he died, I found all the letters and pictures I had sent him from overseas. He kept every one and put them in a special notebook. Some he put his own comments on. As I read back through those letters, I could visualize his smile as he read the letters and saw the growth of my family. Although I am thankful that I wrote him fairly regularly, I wish I had written more. It was obvious he treasured those letters.

In my dad’s last years, he started reminiscing about his days in World War II. Dad enlisted in the Army in May 1942. He was assigned to the Eighth Air Force, and served as a corporal in the 487th Bombardment Group. Desperately wanting to fly, Dad eventually had to give up that dream because of airsickness. He became a Link Trainer Instructor and served in England.

After hearing some of his stories, I asked him to write them down. I wanted to have them and pass them down to my sons and their children. Dad did just that. The notebook he gave me is filled with notes of where he was, what he did, pictures taken during that time, maps, his address book and his honorable discharge on October 11, 1945. The pages of the notebook were typed on an old manual Underwood typewriter interspersed with handwritten notes. I wouldn’t give anything for that notebook. It is a treasure.

My Heavenly Father wrote an entire book. I love it so much that I have several copies of it, with my notes interspersed throughout. Sometimes I feel like it was written just for me because I know He took special care to make sure it had all the information about Him I would ever need.

Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee (Psalm 119:11 NAS).

One Focus Blog

A Love That Lasts Forever

by StephanieBBlake • February 8, 2012

Right after Whitney Houston’s death on February 11, 2012, I Will Always Love You could be heard on practically every news program. Like most everyone else, I was watching and listening.

Written in 1973 and released as a single in 1974, Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You was a hit. When Whitney sang her version of it in the movie The Bodyguard, it became known as her “signature song.”

When Whitney released her single of I Will Always Love You, it was a success all over the world. Although she had eleven number one hits I Will Always Love You was the longest running.

That song, as well as many other love songs, reveals a deep desire we all have to be loved. We not only want to be loved, we want to know our loved ones will love us forever. Many holidays – Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc. – were put in place so that we could express our love for others. Card companies, florists, jewelers and other businesses flourish because people want to say, “I love you,” in a tangible way to their special people.

People who love each other show love in many meaningful ways. Presence makes a bigger statement than presents do. Caring enough to spend time with another is often what the loved one needs most. It is not always possible to be with your loved ones. That’s what makes family reunions so sweet.

Of course, not everyone is so fortunate.

For some always doesn’t mean forever. What felt like always at the beginning of a relationship may degenerate into not any more after the passing of time. The pain that comes from rejection in a relationship is all too well known. News reports are filled with stories of those in the public eye -politicians, movie stars, sports figures, etc. – who have severed relationships. The tabloids make fortunes out of their distorted versions of these stories.

For a Christian, there is no question about the definition of always. It has a stronger meaning than is even possible with a human relationship. For a child of God, always means “everlasting,” literally lasting forever. God’s love never changes. That’s who He is.

“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you” (Jeremiah 31:3). He who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:8).

One Focus Blog

Restoration and Redemption

by StephanieBBlake • February 2, 2012

The town I live in was settled in 1867. It still has a few houses that were built during those first years and is filled with houses that were constructed in the early 1900’s, most of them in desperate need of restoration.

My husband and I live in a 1905 Queen Anne. According to neighbors and my mailman, this house used to be in very bad shape. Fortunate for us, several years back, someone saw the potential, moved in and did a remarkable job of restoration. As a lover of antiques, I have really loved living in this house. There is obviously maintenance needed from time to time (as is also the case with new houses) and my husband does a wonderful job on that.

Ever since I moved to this town, I have been interested in seeing more of these old homes restored. Thankfully, I am not the only one. I have a friend who is running for mayor who wants to bring the town back to its former glory. There is a new business downtown dedicated to restoring the town’s old homes. Other people recognize that there is value in saving what was once beautiful and bringing it back to life.

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Restoring old houses or refinishing antiques takes a lot of work. It requires acquiring the knowledge of how to do it right, the ability to imagine the value of a restored product and the patience to keep at it.

There is a similarity between houses that need restoration and people that need redemption. What was created to be beautiful decays over time without careful maintenance. It was not always that way.

When God first created man, conditions were ideal. Adam and Eve enjoyed God’s company. They walked and talked with Him freely in the Garden.

Then, because of sin, everything changed. People began to age and die. Sin created a gap between God and man that could only be bridged by the sacrificial substitutionary death of God’s Son. He died in our place to do what we could not do for ourselves – restore us to a relationship with God.

…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-18a NIV).

If God is to be glorified in His children, continual maintenance is necessary. We must use the tools He has provided – His Word, fellowship, corporate worship, prayer – in order to be what He intends us to be.

Satan tries to make it as difficult as he can by distracting us. He wants us to believe we do not need restoration. Don’t be like Eve and believe his lies. Living the Christian life takes work, but it is God who does the work for us.

Our role in the redemption and restoration process is trusting God. He knows how to do it right. Only He can see our real value. He is forever patient with us as we struggle with anything that needs to be repaired. He is in the business of redeeming and restoring mankind.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me (Psalm 51:12 NIV).

One Focus Blog

The Chinese New Year

by StephanieBBlake • January 24, 2012

I have been to China and think it is a remarkable country, but my interest in Chinese traditions, especially the Chinese New Year, was sparked because of my love for my precious granddaughter, who was born in China.

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=33298&picture=chinese-new-year-backgroundby Anne Lowe

The Chinese New Year, also called the Lunar New Year, is based on the Chinese lunar calendar. Unlike New Year celebrated in many other countries on the first of January, dates for the Chinese New Year vary year to year.

In 2012, the Chinese New Year was January 23. It started with the new moon on the first day of the new year and ended on the full moon fifteen days later.

It is the most important of the Chinese holidays. As it officially marks the end of the winter season, it is also known as the Spring Festival.

Families gather on the “Eve of the Passing Year” for a reunion and feast. Prior to gathering, the home is thoroughly cleaned. This represents getting rid of any ill fortune that might be in the home and make way for the incoming good that the new year might hold. Windows and doors have already been decorated with red paper cut outs declaring “good fortune,” “happiness,” “wealth,” or “longevity.” Firecrackers end the festivities of the evening.

On the morning of the Chinese New Year, children and unmarried adults are given money in red paper envelopes. Families exchange gifts as well, ranging from items used to celebrate the season, such as lanterns, to practical gifts such as laptops. Anything to do with Chinese calligraphy is also a popular gift.

The family gathering on New Year’s Eve honors both past and present generations. The Chinese celebrate the onset of the New Year as one great community – the ancestors who have died and the family members who are living. Departed members of a family are greatly respected because of the foundation they have set for the family.

My observance of any holiday is seen through Christian eyes. I see the New Year as a reminder that God is a God of new beginning. Our spiritual houses should be kept clean at all times in order to be closer to Him. Every good thing is a gift from God. He encourages us to share with others what we have. As Christians, we make a seasonal observance of gift giving when we celebrate the birth of Christ. Those who have left a positive imprint on our lives should be remembered with gratitude. God promises we will be joined again with those in our earthly family who are also part of our eternal family.

There is one person I am determined to remember every day, not just on a holiday. He gave His life for mine. He saved me from my sin and made eternal life with Him and those who love Him possible.

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19).

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