Big Smile

Can you believe it? January is over and tomorrow is February. The first month of the year is in the books!

Good, bad or indifferent those days are gone. I hope they were successful and you accomplished what you had planned. My goal was to have everything in place in our new home. I’ve fallen short but 90% complete is better than 50%, so I am satisfied. I know it will only be a few more days and things will be the way I want them.

The thing we haven’t done is stress out over what’s undone; we are enjoying each day in our new home. The perfectionist in me is slowly taking a back seat to the practical me. Dave too. We are allowing ourselves to rest in between projects and not be so driven that we don’t enjoy the process.

That’s why verses like the ones I’m going to share with you today ring so loudly in my heart.

“I will praise the Lord at all times.
    I will never stop singing his praises.
Humble people, listen and be happy,
    while I brag about the Lord.
Praise the Lord with me.
    Let us honor his name.
I went to the Lord for help, and he listened.
    He saved me from all that I fear.
If you look to him for help,
    he will put a smile on your face.
    You will have no need to be ashamed.
As a poor, helpless man I prayed to the Lord,
    and he heard me.
    He saved me from all my troubles.
The Lord’s angel builds a camp around his followers,
    and he protects them.
Give the Lord a chance to show you how good he is.
    Great blessings belong to those who depend on him!” Psalm 34:1-8 ERV

He will put a smile on your face! I like that, and this too – give the Lord a chance to show you how good he is. Just give Him a chance…

We don’t often think about it but we can limit God. We can! When Jesus went from town to town healing the sick and taking care of people’s needs the Bible tells us that when He came to his own hometown He couldn’t do any mighty works because of their unbelief.

“Don’t his sisters still live here in our town? How can he do all this?” 57 So the people were very unhappy because of what he was doing. But Jesus said, “Prophets are honored by everyone, except the people of their hometown and their own family.” 58 And because the people did not have any faith, Jesus did not work many miracles there.” Matthew 13:56-58 CEV

We need to be willing to give God a chance; let’s let Him be God and do what God does. Things get all confused when we try to set ourselves up in His place of authority! Letting God be God brings a peace and contentment.

Start February with a big smile instead of a frown. God’s got this!

In Time of Need

Yesterday I told you about Daniel and his commitment to prayer. Prayer in its simplest form is just talking to the Lord.

Today I’m going to tell you about another man. A man who listened to God’s word as Jesus spoke and then asked for help. He was putting God’s word into action.

I feel like I have known this man for many years. His story is near and dear to my heart. As Jesus taught, he was standing way off at the bottom of the mountain. He wasn’t with any family or friends. Every word that Jesus spoke had personal meaning to him. Meet my friend, the healed leper.

“Jesus came down from the hill, and a large crowd followed him. 2 Then a man sick with leprosy came to him. The man bowed down before Jesus and said, ‘Lord, you have the power to heal me if you want.’3 Jesus touched the man. He said, ‘I want to heal you. Be healed!’ Immediately the man was healed from his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, ‘Don’t tell anyone about what happened. But go and let the priest look at you. And offer the gift that Moses commanded for people who are made well. This will show everyone that you are healed.’” Matthew 8:1-4 ERV

This man had stood at the bottom of the hill because he was unclean and not allowed to be close to the rest of the fine upstanding people. But he heard Jesus with his heart – not just his ears! He heard Jesus say, “Ask and it shall be given you” and so when Jesus made it down the mountain, he didn’t run away from Jesus he ran too Him, and he asked!

Try to imagine his face? Do you cringe when you see his missing fingers or the flesh that had been eaten away on his ears? Do you see him, do you see his broken heart from being an outcast for so long? Do you know how long it’s been since anyone has hugged him or kissed his diseased cheek?

And now do you see the tears of joy streaming down his cheeks as he hears Jesus words, “I want to heal you. Be healed!” Notice this. Jesus touched him!!! He touched the man who was unclean.

When I read this story I see myself there, I’m the one standing next to him, crying, weeping, rejoicing over his healing. Unashamed I throw my arms around his neck and hug him! What a joy to be able to kiss this man on the cheek and celebrate his healing!!

Oh yes, I’m emotionally invested in this man’s life because I too have felt the hurt of being an outcast. Not being accepted because of my appearance. I too know what it’s like to have a broken heart and to approach Jesus and say will you heal me? And I know the joy, the joy unspeakable, to have Him touch me and say, “you’re healed”.

The Father and the Son won’t force any of their blessings on us. They won’t force us into a relationship, but they wait patiently for us to ask! How many people on the mountain side that day had needs in their lives? How many needed a touch from the Savior? How many walked away empty because they were too ashamed or too proud to ask?

Are you in need of God’s touch? Don’t walk away – ASK and it shall be given unto you!!

Almost Home

Oh, my goodness! Yesterday was a big day – and my body feels it this morning. Let me fill you in.

It has been a fun adventure figuring out where everything goes in the new RV, some of it has gone to donation centers. We are almost settled and yesterday was a big step in getting us there.

All of our married life we have had a king-sized bed. Dave is about 6’3″ and anything smaller just felt cramped. But having that wide of a mattress in the RV bedroom was a struggle for both of us. Yesterday we removed that mattress and replaced it with a queen-sized one. The bigger mattress and memory foam topper had to be hauled out, the bed platform cut down, sawdust vacuumed up, new mattress put in place and the bed made up. Whew!

Once the bedroom was done, we went to work on the garage area. There was an extra bed in there. We pulled that mattress out and turned the bunk into a storage area for fishing poles and other bulky items. I had purchased a rug for the garage floor but before we could put it down, we had to move or remove tubs and totes.

With the rug in place, it was time for a deep breath and a quick once over with the vacuum. Then we could sit down. It’s almost home – clutter removed, things in place and only a couple more items to move it. My body is sore but my heart is happy!

I’m excited for family and friends to come visit our new home; I want to welcome them!

All this got me to thinking about Jesus and heaven. Jesus said:

“There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.” John 14:2-3 CEV

Jesus is in heaven preparing a place for us – all of us! That’s a whole lot of rooms. I’m wondering, is He almost done? Are the rugs in place and the curtains on the windows? How much longer before He’s finished? I know He wants everything done perfectly because there is no imperfection in all of heaven.

We all probably have some of those we love occupying their place in heaven and I’m sure they would tell us how absolutely perfect it is. But there will be a time when the Father tells Jesus to return to this earth and bring all of His children back to heaven to live there for eternity.

36 No one knows the day or hour. The angels in heaven don’t know, and the Son himself doesn’t know. Only the Father knows…42 So be on your guard! You don’t know when your Lord will come. ” Matthew 24:36,42 CEV (read Matthew 24)

These are exciting times! I know my grandparents anticipated the return of Jesus in their lifetime, my parents did too. We are just that much closer than they were.

“But we are citizens of heaven and are eagerly waiting for our Savior to come from there.” Philippians 3:30 CEV

The final preparations are being made. We’re almost home!

Plan for the Future

2022 – where will it lead? 2022- what does God want me to do in this new year?

Those are questions I asked myself this morning. I have a broad idea and I have some things I would like to do but I asked “Father, what do you want me to do, where do you want me to be?”.

And here’s what He reminded me of – maybe this will help you the way it did me.

 I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering. 12 You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers. 13 You will worship me with all your heart, and I will be with you” Jeremiah 29:11-13 CEV

1-2 I was still being held prisoner in the courtyard of the palace guards when the Lord told me: I am the Lord, and I created the whole world. Ask me, and I will tell you things that you don’t know and can’t find out.” Jeremiah 33:1-3 CEV

First thing we need to do is pray and ask Him for help. He promises to answer. I doubt any of us are in quite the desperate situation that Jeremiah was in. He had been imprisoned because he told the king what God said and the king didn’t like it. Although our circumstances may look adverse, if we ask the Lord about them, He will reveal His good plan.

There were a group of men that asked Jesus about how they should be living, their intent was to trick Jesus into saying something He couldn’t support or prove. They asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment, how they should structure their lives and this was His answer.

“Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” 40 All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 CEV

If we keep these two commandments – loving the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind and then our neighbor as ourself – we will be walking in the center of what God has called us to do.

Loving God – putting His interest and desires ahead of ours and loving our neighbors like we love ourselves (protecting them, keeping them from harm, being concerned with their advancement). That’s what were called to do.

I’ll pray for you as you walk this out this year and I’d appreciate your prayers too. Because although this is a simple command, it’s not easy to walk out each and every day. It takes supernatural strength that we can only get from God our Father.

Now if you thought I would give you detailed specifics such as go here, do this, take that job, buy that house – I don’t have that kind of knowledge. What I do know is if we are living a life of loving the Father and being committed to our neighbors, wherever we go and whatever we do we will be in the center of God’s will, and He will direct our paths.

Beginning Again

This will be my sixty-eighth new year. For many years I paid no attention to the changing year on the calendar. When I was a young teen it was an opportunity to stay up until midnight to watch the “new year come in”.

In my late 40’s I took on the attitude that the new year would come if I was awake or asleep and I would go to bed whenever but in my 50’s something changed. Not with the time I would go to bed but with my heart.

Some time within the first few days of the year, when family and friends have gone, Dave and I take communion. We dedicate ourselves, our home and the activities of the upcoming year to the Lord.

“In the beginning God”!

I can’t think of a better way to start anything than with the recognition that God, the Father, Jesus, the Son and the Holy Spirit need to be with me at the beginning of whatever it is I’m about to do.

“Before the world began, the Word was there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was there with God in the beginning. Everything was made through him, and nothing was made without him.” John 1:1-3 ERV

Christ, the Word, was with God, the Father, in the beginning and He desires to be with us in our beginnings. The beginning of life, schooling, careers, marriage, parenthood, a new year, a new day. Whatever has a beginning He desires to be first.

“Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 CEB

Maybe this is your fortieth or fiftieth new year but in all those years you have never really committed one to the Lord. This can be your first new year of dedication, seeking the Father’s purpose.

“God’s Son was before all else, and by him everything is held together. 18 He is the head of his body, which is the church. He is the very beginning, the first to be raised from death,
so that he would be above all others. 19 God himself was pleased to live fully in his Son. 20 And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross” Colossians 1:17-20 CEV

We have a new year before us, we are beginning again. None of us know what 2022 will be like but our Father does, and we can have confidence in Him and His love for us. Let’s begin again making Him our priority.

The Best Gift

When you look back at all your Christmases which one do you remember? Is it a childhood experience or maybe one as a newlywed or empty nester? When you gather with family and friends do you still talk about it as being the “best”?

How many years do you think Mary and Joseph recalled that special trip to Bethlehem? It wasn’t even called Christmas then. It started out as a trip to pay taxes and be registered in a census. But everything changed when Jesus was born.

“Everyone was surprised when they heard what the shepherds told them. 19 Mary continued to think about these things, trying to understand them.” Luke 2:18-19 CEV

The events of that trip gave Mary much to think about. And then following Jewish custom, Mary & Joseph took Jesus on His first outing to the temple. They were greeted by Simeon and Anna. These two old people had been waiting all their lives to see this baby! Now they could die rejoicing that they had seen the Messiah.

“Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what Simeon said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, ‘Many Jews will fall and many will rise because of this boy. He will be a sign from God…38 Anna was there when Joseph and Mary came to the Temple. She praised God and talked about Jesus to all those who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem.” Luke 2:33-38 CEV

I’m sure Mary & Joseph were still recounting the events of Bethlehem when the wisemen arrived. All along the way folks probably asked where they were going, and they told the story of how they had seen the star and now they had to find the child. Their words were so persuasive and commanding that Herod was filled with fear and jealousy.

“They asked people, ‘Where is the child who has been born to be the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw it rise in the sky in the east and have come to worship him.’” Matthew 2:2-3 CEV

They came to see this wonderful gift, this child who was born to be king.

We have been given a wonderful gift. This gift, relationship with the Father, should be one we talk about year after year, it’s the best gift ever.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son”

Merry Christmas Father!! Merry Christmas Jesus!! Merry Christmas Holy Spirit!! Thank you.

Are We Seeking?

Would you have made a good wise man? That’s the question I found I was asking myself this morning.

Examine their characteristics; they were studious, (they studied the skies looking for a sign), they were diligent, (they didn’t give up looking just because they didn’t see it right away), they were persistent, (they traveled a great distance and time to find the Christ child), they were consistent, (they weren’t distracted from their search) and they were dedicated (they committed to the task and didn’t stop until they reached their goal). And then they were reverent, they worshiped the Christ child and not the nation’s king.

“After Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. They asked people, “Where is the child who has been born to be the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw it rise in the sky in the east and have come to worship him.”…The wise men came to the house where the child was with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened the boxes of gifts they had brought for him. They gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:1,2,11 ERV

It’s believed that the wise men’s journey took about two years. They found a child and not a babe. They traveled at their own expense and then they brought gifts, lavish gifts, to the child. It cost them something – if they had been wrong in their search, it would have cost them more than their finances, it would have cost them their reputation.

So, I asked myself, what am I seeking?

Jesus told Martha, and us, that only “one thing” was needful – that was to hear His word.

“Jesus and his followers were traveling, he went into a town, and a woman named Martha let him stay at her house. 39 She had a sister named Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to him teach. 40 But her sister Martha was busy doing all the work that had to be done. Martha went in and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are getting worried and upset about too many things. 42 Only one thing is important. Mary has made the right choice, and it will never be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 ERV

Lord, my desire is to be wise – to seek but one thing, You!

A Teenager, A Carpenter & A Shepherd

Sometimes I think we forget that the people we encounter through the pages of the Bible were real people just like you and me. They were subject to the same emotions that we experience. I find that very comforting.

This morning I was thinking about the angels that were used to deliver God’s messages to those who had the starring roles in the Christmas story – a teenager, a carpenter and some shepherds.

First let’s look at the message that Mary received.

“The angel came to her and said, “Greetings! The Lord is with you; you are very special to him.” 29 But Mary was very confused about what the angel said. She wondered, “What does this mean?” 30 The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, because God is very pleased with you. 31 Listen! You will become pregnant and have a baby boy. You will name him Jesus.” Luke 1:28-31 ERV

Don’t be afraid.

Then look at Joseph, the carpenter’s, encounter.

 But after Joseph thought about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to accept Mary to be your wife. The baby inside her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son. You will name him Jesus. Give him that name because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-22 ERV

Don’t be afraid.

And finally, let’s see the message the shepherds received.

 That night, some shepherds were out in the fields near Bethlehem watching their sheep. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord was shining around them. The shepherds were very afraid. 10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I have some very good news for you—news that will make everyone happy. 11 Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.” Luke 2:8-12 ERV

Don’t be afraid. The message is clear – God never wants our lives ruled by fear. When we are fearful, we react without thinking, often irrationally. God wants us to think clearly, to listen well and to follow His leading in peace.

If any of these three had been moved by fear the outcome of the angels’ announcements could have been very different. Mary may have told the angel to find someone else to mother the Messiah. Joseph, fearing for his reputation, may have decided to follow through with his plan to separate himself from Mary and end their relationship. If the shepherds had been led by fear they may have stayed on the hillside and missed out on seeing the newborn King.

I’ve had to ask myself; how many times have I missed out on God’s leading in my life because I let fear lead and not God’s peace. When the Father reveals His leading in our lives, He will also fill us with His peace.

“I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 ERV

Of the three, the teenager, the carpenter and the shepherd, who do you identify with most; the young woman whose life would be publicly and dramatically changed, the businessman whose reputation and livelihood could have been ruined or the shepherd who could have not gotten involved but missed out on the meet-up of a lifetime?

To all of us, who are being led by the Father, the message is the same “Don’t be afraid, I am with you”!

Sweet Immanuel

Earlier this week I was out in our 5th wheel trailer doing some cleaning. I hadn’t really done a thorough cleaning since we returned from the mountains. Music makes the cleaning process more enjoyable for me. I found my treasured copy of Kenny Rogers’ “The Gift” in the CD/DVD basket, put it in the player, turned up the volume and went to work.

I play this CD many times throughout the Christmas season and have for over 20 years. It’s one of my favorites. (I’ve given copies of it to my kids) I sing along with each song and let the music saturate my heart. So, I wasn’t surprised when I found the melody of one of the songs filling my mind yesterday as Dave and I traveled from Rio Rico to Apache Jct. and back.

“Oh a man named John The Baptist
Had been hearlding the news
About the coming of a Savior
For both the Gentiles and the Jews
And it happened in Judea
In the town of Bethlehem
With a bright star o’er the stable
Was born the Son Of Man
Oh the angels were rejoicing
As the tiny baby cried
For the hope of man’s salvation
In a manger had arrived
Meek as a lowly shepherd
But the mightiest of kings
He gives peace and life eternal
To whosoever calls His name
Oh Emmanuel
The Father’s precious Son
Who forgives our sins and washes clean
The hearts of everyone”*

“Oh, Immanuel, the Father’s precious Son, who forgives our sins and washes clean the hearts of everyone”!

Forgiven and cleansed!!! Can there be any greater gift than that?

When we lived in Idaho and Montana, I always welcomed our first good snow. It left a blanket of perfect white covering the pastures and the yards. The grasses that had turned brown were no longer visible, instead there was a glistening sparkle of white.

That’s what the Father does in our lives. Our past, with our sins, our failings, our guilt, leaves our hearts ugly but the Father’s loving forgiveness washes them clean, fresh like new fallen snow.

“I, the Lord, am the one speaking to you. Come, let’s discuss this. Even if your sins are as dark as red dye, that stain can be removed and you will be as pure as wool that is as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18 ERV

Clean and Forgiven. Immanuel – thank you for coming to earth!

 So the Lord’s promise came true, just as the prophet had said, 23 ‘A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.”‘” Matthew 1:22-23 CEV

The meaning of Immanuel – God is with us. Christ’s coming brought the presence of God to the earth. No longer alone, no longer left to struggle by ourselves, no longer without hope, no longer strangers to God’s love.

Ohhh, oh Immanuel, the Father’s precious gift to us. Sweet Immanuel, God with us!

*Song Title: What A Wonderful Beginning. Writer(s): Allen Shamblin, Austin Cunningham, Paul Cunningham

Light the World

While we were in the mountains this summer I lit and decorated a small pine tree at the back of our campsite. Dave humored me when I bought the lights and told me we had multiple strands at home that we could have used but he ran the extension cord and help me string the lights without complaint.

I took little pinecones I had found on the ground, attached ribbon to them and hung them from the branches. Simple but special.

There were many nights that we sat outside and had campers walk by and remark “Oh look, they have a Christmas tree”. It was just a small non-descript Douglas fir but once the lights were added it took on new meaning.

Our lives are like that. We may be small and insignificant to the world’s population but once the Lord takes our lives and adds His light, we become a light to the world.

You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, 15 and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. 16 Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 CEV

Notice the first four words of the verses above “You are like light” – we are to be like the light of the world, bringing hope in the darkness.

These were Jesus’ words to those who followed Him and listened to His teachings. They are His words to us as well. In the book of John, Jesus said of himself “I AM the light of the world”. He came to bring us out of the darkness of sinful living and into a life lit by the love of God.

I am the light that has come into the world. No one who has faith in me will stay in the dark.” John 12:46 CEV

The light that comes from us is there because of Christ!

“The Scriptures say, “God commanded light to shine in the dark.” Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ. We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.” II Corinthians 4:6-7 CEV

As we start this Christmas month, December, let’s remember to be a light that will point all those around us to THE LIGHT – let us be illuminated with His love!