Sir Percival Lowell was an author, mathematician, and the world’s most distinguished astronomer during the late 1800s and early 1900s. But Lowell was best known for his speculation that canals existed on Mars.

In 1877, he heard that an esteemed Italian astronomer had seen straight lines crisscrossing the red planet’s surface. As a result, Lowell spent the rest of his years squinting into the eyepiece of a giant telescope, mapping the channels and canals that he saw. He was convinced that there was life on Mars, even an older and wiser race than humanity. As a result, his observations gained wide acceptance.

Today, we know space probes that have orbited and landed on Mars show there are no canals on the Martian surface.

So how could Lowell have been mistaken? Two reasons. First, he wanted so badly to see the canals that he convinced himself he did. But, now we know that he suffered from a rare eye disease that made him see the blood vessels in his own eyes. The canals he saw on Mars were nothing more than the veins in his eyeballs. Today, this disease is known as “Lowell’s syndrome!”

In Matthew 7:1-3 Jesus tells us “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” When Jesus warned that “in the same way... you will be judged” and cautioned about missing the “plank in your own eye”, do you think He could have been referring to a so-called spiritual Lowell’s syndrome?

Again and again we see faults in others because we don’t want to believe anything better about them. And many times we think we have a clear view of their shortcomings when in fact our vision has been distorted by the plank in our own eyes.

May we never judge others, but always commit them to the Lord in prayer. Ask God to help you recognize the “planks” in your own eyes before judging others and see the good He has created in them.

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 9.27. Live for God, on purpose, keeping our eyes on Jesus rather than on the lives of others.

Walking In True Freedom
and Liberty

This weekend, we Americans celebrate the birthday of our nation. On July 4, 1776 a new nation was born, one that declared freedom for its people, believing that all people have been given by God the rights of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Americans are very proud of their “freedom.” But, freedom doesn’t mean that you are free to do anything you want, anytime you want, anywhere you want. We are free in America, but you don’t see people driving down the wrong side of the road because they are “free” to do whatever they want!

We all understand this principle of freedom. Unfortunately, many Christians fail to recognize what true freedom and liberty means. In 1 Peter 2:16 we read that we are to “live as free men,” but we are not to use our “freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.”

As Americans, we live in a “free nation,” but there are guidelines, rules and regulations that govern how our freedom is expressed. Likewise, as Christians, Jesus Christ has set us free. But, there are principles behind how our freedom and liberty is to be lived out.

Be sure to join us this Sunday here at WFA as we look at 1 Peter 2:9-17, and learn how to walk in TRUE freedom and liberty!

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The Declaration of Dependence

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for people to declare their dependence on Almighty God, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to this decision.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain undeniable gifts, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of the Kingdom of God.

We declare an end to our spiritual autonomy from the God who loves us, and join our voices with that of Mary, who said, “I am the Lord’s servant; may it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38)

And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred honor.

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Just Look Up!

by Jessica Campbell

Life is like playing in an orchestra. First, God gives you your instrument and some music, and you sit down to play, but you say, “God, I’ve never played this piece before! Look at all of those notes! I’ll never be able to do it!” But God gets up on the pedestal and holds His baton in His hand. He winks at you and says calmly, “Just follow me.”

You say, “But God, that will be too hard... can’t we play this other song? It looks a whole lot easier and a lot more fun to play,” but God says, “No, follow MY lead.”

Well, you decide that it doesn’t matter what God says, you want to play the other song. So, as He raises His baton and begins to conduct, you ignore Him and begin wailing away at the piece you wanted to play. However, it just doesn’t quite work. The music doesn’t sound beautiful at all, because it’s not the way God wanted you to play. After a little more playing and a whole lot more frustration, you realize that it would be better just to listen to your Conductor. So, with a red face you silently search for the piece God wants you to play.

“But God, it looks so hard.” But God just smiles caringly and taps the baton on His stand. “No matter what, follow Me. Just look up at Me, and I will lead you,” He whispers. So, you begin to play. In the beginning, it seems as though you will never be able to play this piece. All you can see are those notes rushing by. Then you remember what God said... “LOOK UP”... so you look up and see God carefully counting out the beats for you, and if you listen really carefully, you can hear His Voice humming your part.

The song is the most beautiful song that you have ever heard, and you find that as long as your eyes are fixed on the Conductor, you are able to play along. All you have to do is look up! Sure, some parts are REALLY tough, but as long as you follow the Conductor and listen to His steady rhythm, you can make it through. All you have to do is LOOK UP!

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Changing the Color-Tags

In the war years, triage referred to the policy by which medical assistance was given. It was up to the doctors to “color-tag” the wounded, placing them in one of three categories according to their condition. One color meant hopeless – nothing we can do will save them. Another tag meant they’d make it whether they get help or not. The third color-tag indicated a doubtful prognosis – a chance to live only if medical assistance is given. Since there were severely limited medical supplies, assistance was being given only to this last group.

Lou was badly blown apart, including one leg severely wounded. The doctor who examined him made the decision that Lou was a hopeless case and tagged him as such, leaving him to die. But a nurse noticed Lou was conscious and began to talk with him. They discovered they were both from Ohio. Getting to know Lou as a person, the nurse just couldn’t let him die. She broke all the rules and changed his color-tag.

Recovery included a two-day trip in the back of a truck and months in a hospital, but Lou made it. He met a girl in the hospital whom he later married. Even minus one leg, he has led a full happy life, all because a nurse broke the rules of triage and changed a tag.

Jesus spent much of his earthly ministry changing color-tags – healing the broken-hearted, forgiving sinners and bringing hope to the hopeless. He’s still bringing hope to the hopeless – every minute of every day! Today, someone you know is feeling hopeless – they desperately need hope. Share the hope of Jesus with them. Look for every opportunity to go around changing their color-tags.

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Plugging In

by Jim Liebelt

“And so we keep on praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which he called you. And we pray that God, by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NLT)

More and more, we are a culture that is dependent upon technology. I find that I rely heavily on technology today. Like many people, I own a cell phone, laptop, and a digital camera. These are great tools that I have learned to depend on from day to day. So, there’s no surprise that these electronics are dependent on... electricity. I pretty much run my electronic “tools” on battery power, and generally, it’s not a problem. Yet, if you are like me, then you know it always seems that it’s at the worst possible moment – when we really need to use that camera, make a call on that cell phone or send off one more email – that the batteries inevitably go dead. It’s so frustrating!

Okay, I know that I bring this on myself! I understand that I ought to keep on top of my battery charging, but I just don’t seem to get around to it. I think I ought to have learned by now that I need to keep these tools charged, especially when I can anticipate times when I have tasks that I need to make sure are completed. Often, anticipating the need is the issue, and is exactly where I run into trouble.

This is a simple, average life experience that has a profound spiritual parallel. We understand we are totally dependent on God to empower us to live life as faithful Christ-followers. We know that we have to stay plugged into the power source in order to be able to face the day-to-day challenges that life throws our way. Yet too often we fail to anticipate our spiritual need. We disconnect and attempt to live life in our own strength. And just when we most need God’s life flowing into ours, we find that our spiritual batteries are dead. Then we experience the remorse that comes from knowing better.

Fortunately, God’s power to recharge our lives is not far away. We don’t have to shut everything down, pack everything up and wait for next Sunday’s church service. We can access God’s power wherever we are through prayer. We can find strength in His Word. We can find support and empowerment through His people.

Today, if you find your spiritual batteries are running low, don’t wait. Wherever you are, plug in!

as seen in “Today’s HomeWord,” a daily devotional with Jim Burns. Visit them online at www.homeword.com

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If Religion Were More
Like Baseball

Lutherans would believe they can’t win, but will trust the Scorekeeper.

The Calvinists already know the final score.

Quakers won’t swing at anything.

The Presbyterians use a “closer-by-committee” approach.

The Amish would walk a lot.

Fundamentalists won’t play because baseball’s not mentioned in the Bible.

Evangelicals would make effective pitches.

The Baptists will play, but only if they can be the umpire.

Mormons would play left field.

Adventists would take the seventh inning off.

The Catholics would claim never to have committed an error.

You’d find the Methodists at the post-game buffet.

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The Last Impression

As with many funerals, it was a cloudy, rainy day.

The deceased was a little old lady who had devoted her entire married life to fussing at her poor husband. When the graveside service had no more than terminated, there was a tremendous burst of thunder accompanied by a distant lightning bolt.

The little ol‘ man looked at the pastor and calmly said, “Well, she’s there.”

This is the summer holiday weekend here in America! We celebrate our freedom on Saturday, Independence Day! So – that means that on Sunday, you are free to come worship with us here at WFA! We will have a fantastic time together as we celebrate not just our freedom as Americans, but our freedom in the Lord Jesus Christ!