Category: October2020

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Three Wooden Crosses

I woke up singing – I haven’t heard this song in a very long time but there is was on the tip of my tongue. Waiting for the coffee to finish brewing the lyrics kept running through my mind.

“There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway
Why there’s not four of them, Heaven only knows
I guess it’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you
It’s what you leave behind you when you go.” by Randy Travis

A couple of weeks ago while we were in the mountains we had this discussion with our daughter about her upbringing. We talked about the times that Dave and I said no to her and her brother’s request to go on a particular activity. (This happened more than once.) There was really no good reason to say no but we didn’t have a peace about it.

They would plead and nag as only teenagers could but we stood firm. “If we don’t have a peace about it, we won’t say yes. We will pray and if God gives us a “yes” we’ll let you know”. I only remember us changing our decision once. Nothing, that we knew of, ever happened at these events which could have effected our kids negatively and for that we are grateful. But we didn’t have peace.

“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].” Colossians 3:15 AMPC

Let the peace of God rule in our hearts. The word rule means to act as the umpire. The umpire in a baseball game is the one standing behind the plate to call balls and strikes. He says what is fair and what is foul. He makes the call of safe or out. That’s what God’s peace does in our hearts.

If there’s no peace, don’t go. If there’s no peace, don’t buy it. If there’s no peace, don’t agree. If there’s no peace, don’t push the door open. Wait for God’s plan! We might be nervous about what God has planned because we have never done “this” before but even so, we will be at peace.

On that same camping trip we were talking about our drive up the mountain. Dave and I pulled off at a rest area and it was packed. It took us off the road longer than we had wanted. We were tempted to complain about the delay until…we went one-half mile further up the road to stand-still traffic and we realized if we had been there sooner we could have been involved in an accident.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:6-7 ERV

I am certainly thankful for the hundreds of times when I’ve known the Lord has kept me from harm’s way but I am even more grateful for the thousands of times that I know He has protected me and I’ve not even seen the danger.

“He will command his angels to protect you wherever you go.” Psalm 91:11 ERV

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Good Things

Every day we live is designed to have a purpose. Every day!

This morning I found that purpose spelled out so clearly in the small book of II Thessalonians.

“Our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father loves us. Through His loving-favor He gives us comfort and hope that lasts forever. 17 May He give your hearts comfort and strength to say and do every good thing.” II Thessalonians 2:16-17 NLV

We are to say and do every good thing. Now I know that is a monumental task but we aren’t told to do it in our own strength. Not at all. We receive the strength from our Father who loves us and gives us hope.

We have this promise from God’s word: “I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength.” Philippians 4:13 NLV

He has promised that Christ will give us the strength we need to do ALL things and part of that ALL is saying and doing what is good. Now, I haven’t accomplish this yet but I am working toward that end.

Let’s break this down. Take the next five minutes. Commit to saying and doing good. We can do that. Now, look down the road an hour; break it up into smaller segments. We can do this! But our focus must be on the doing and the saying and not on the actions or the words of others.

“Christian brothers, keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of. If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 NLV

Did you see what Paul said there? Keep your minds thinking on what is good, or better said on Who is good.

Take Daniel for example. Daniel, a young man, was taken as a prisoner from his home in Judea to Babylon. There he was put through a training course that would make him a good palace slave.

Daniel kept his mind on the good things of God even in small things like his diet. He refused to eat anything that God had said no too and he excelled in his countenance and strength. He went to work in the palace and only did what he knew would please God. Because of these actions he was trusted and promoted in the kingdom. He became second to the king. Even when those around him plotted to trap him and see that he was sentenced to death Daniel did the right thing.

If Daniel could do this as a prisoner, a slave, then I know that we can do it in our own homes and places of work. The same God who strengthened Daniel will strengthen us!

And when we fail and get derailed from our purpose, God is faithful to forgive us and set us back on track.

I am thankful that Paul reminds us of the Father’s love and also the love that Jesus has for us. If we keep their love as our center focus it will provide us with the strength we need to say and do everything good.

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Join the Chorus

I love music!

I grew up singing in church, was a part of the youth choir and also Glee Club and Women’s Chorus in Junior High and High School. I’ve even had fun Christmas Carolling. I really like musicals and one of my favorite musical offerings over the past few years has been “flash mob” performances. I would love to be there as an innocent bystander when the mall or the plaza erupt in song.

I’m so encouraged when I read in the Bible “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord”. All of us are included in that admonition. We don’t have to be well trained vocalists like the Three Tenors and most of us would probably never win American Idol (when it was still on) but we can all make a joyful noise.

The Jewish people had songs for every occasion. They sang as they walked through the desert, they sang after battle, they sang at dedications. They sang! The book of Psalms is a song book. Young David sang to his sheep, he sang while hiding from his enemies in a cave, he sang and danced when the ark of the covenant was returned to Jerusalem.

“They sang songs of praise and thanksgiving, taking turns in singing each part. They sang, ‘The LORD is good. His faithful love will last forever.’ Then all the people cheered—they gave a loud shout and praised the LORD because the foundation of the LORD’S Temple had been laid.” Ezra 3:11

They sang while they were working and when their work was done. Their hearts were full of gratitude and they sang. I can’t help but think that Jewish life would have been like a scene from “Fiddler on the Roof”. Conversation and singing intertwined.

The people we find singing in the verses above were working on rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. They were overcome with joy because of the progress. They couldn’t contain the gladness in their hearts. They were rejoicing because the foundation of the temple had been laid, which meant that God would be dwelling with them once again. You see, they felt that the presence of God was with them because He lived in the Holy of Holies in the temple and rebuidling the temple meant that God had a place to live once again.

We should be giving thanks every day because we have been promised that God’s presence is always with us – never leaving us or forsaking us – His presence dwells within us when we are in Christ. That’s reason to give praise.

“Each one sang their part”. I’ll sing my part today and I hope you will too.

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Thankful for Innocence

Yesterday we had the priviledge of being at our youngest granddaughter’s first birthday. Sweet!

At one point she was very content to be with the adults – the center of attention – and rightfully so. However, in the other room her brother, sister and cousin were playing with toys they had retrieved from the toy box. Three children, between the age of three and five, playing with a limited amount of items was definitely an opportunity to practice sharing.

I enjoyed watching the dynamic.

The little pots, pans and fake food were definitely the favorites and they were also the ones of most limited supply. Sharing was a huge factor! But eventually, with a little guidance, they figured it out and were even trading items with no fussing or contention.

“How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” Psalm 133:1 NLT

Oh, the innocence of a child. They can play together, fuss with one another and then all sit down at a table and have cupcakes together within a few minutes. No harbored grudges, no unforgiveness, no animosity or division.

Christ used little children as examples of how we should be in our relationship with Him. They are trusting and innocent, untainted by the world. Jesus lived a life of forgiveness; a life untouched by resentment. Truly living a life of loving the Father and loving his fellow man.

The Apostle Paul wrote that “love is patient, love is kind – love thinks the best of others, it isn’t selfish or self seeking, love never gives up or holds a grudge, love never fails”. That, I believe, is the innocence that Jesus saw in children and its what He wanted us as adults to emulate.

“Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together. 15 Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful.” Colossains 3:14-15 CEV

Thank you Lord for the example of innocence and peace. Let us learn from our children!

“My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do.” I John 3:18 ERV

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Thank God for Victory!

Last night I was talking with a friend about victory. We’ve been praying for each other and there are some situations that we have been praying over for a long time yet neither one of us is discouraged.

We know that God has given us the victory!

God’s faithfulness is not temporary or conditional. No, He is always faithful and worthy of our trust. Occasionally, we need to be reminded of that.

” But we thank God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don’t let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.” I Corinthians 15:57-58 CEV

We give thanks to God, who gives us the victory over life’s situations. This victory is ours through our relationship with Christ Jesus. It may not always look like we are victorious but when we give Him thanks our Father gives us little glimpses into how He’s working.

Jesus didn’t look victorious when they laid him in the tomb. Peter didn’t look victorious when he was sinking on the sea of Galilee. Daniel didn’t look victorious when he was thrown into the lion’s den. Paul didn’t look victorious when he was stoned and left for dead.

Maybe your circumstances don’t appear very encouraging but God is working!

You still deal with the same situations at work, with your family, your health, your finances, your fears. But God is working. He has never lied, never broken a promise. When we come to Him with His word we aren’t being arrogant. We are being obedient.

“Rain and snow fall from the sky and don’t return until they have watered the ground.
Then the ground causes the plants to sprout and grow, and they produce seeds for the farmer and food for people to eat. 11 In the same way, my words leave my mouth,
 and they don’t come back without results. My words make the things happen that I want to happen. They succeed in doing what I send them to do.” Isaiah 55:10-11 ERV

These verses create a powerful image in my mind. Did you ever plant some seeds in a garden or flower bed? Maybe you were young and impatient. Your folks told you to leave them alone, they were growing under the soil where you couldn’t see. Then one day the sprout popped through the earth, still you were instructed to leave it alone and let it grow. It seemed like ages before it was fully developed. Seed – sprout – stalk – leaves – fruit – harvest.

Victory!

That’s how it is with God’s word. It is planted in prayer, watered and germinating where no one sees but it always succeeds where God sends it. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory.

Stand strong in doing the work that God has called you to do. Don’t give in to the voice of public opinion or pressure of your peers. You have victory in Christ Jesus so stand strong and give thanks!

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The Beauty of Daybreak

Each morning I sit in my office looking through a window that faces East. I am able to see clearly the first light of day.

Daybreak.

The sun rises and sometimes the sky is filled with a pinkish hue and at other times there is a golden glow. No matter the color of the sky – clouded or unclouded – my heart always welcomes the dawn with a thank you.

Thank you Lord for a new day. Thank You for your plan and the purpose that I was designed to fulfill. Thank You!

I may have been disappointed with the way yesterday ended; I didn’t get enough done. Or perhaps I did the wrong thing – said something in haste or anger, or neglected to do something that was important but before me I see a new day. A day of potential and a day blessed by God.

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success. 26 Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, shining upon us. Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you! 29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 118:24-29 NLT

Our Father has a purpose and plan for each day that we live. His mercy never ends, His grace is sufficient, His love endures forever and His goodness is everlasting. He is shining on us. Daybreak is a reminder of His fatihfulness. Each morning He sends the sun to warm the earth and lighten the sky. Each day He is faithful.

But what if the circumstances of life have left you dreading the sunrise? Maybe you have lost a spouse, a child or grandchild and you feel that life is over and frankly, you don’t care if the sun ever rises again.

There’s a lady I know of who lost her dearest friend. She was heartbroken and scared. What would become of her now? How would she survive? Those were the questions that were weighing heavily on her heart. Have you experienced such a heartache?

“On Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance…11 Mary Magdalene stood crying outside the tomb. She was still weeping, when she stooped down…15 Jesus asked her, ‘Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?’ She thought he was the gardener and said, ‘Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.’ 16 Then Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him, ‘Rabboni.’ The Aramaic word “Rabboni” means “Teacher.'” John 20:1-16 CEV

Mary dreaded the dawn! But inspite of her heartache she went to the last place that she had been with her Lord. The graveyard! There all heartached ceased. There, as the sun was rising, she looked into the face of her Savior and found peace.

Daybreak!

As day breaks this morning I pray that you are thankful for what the Lord will lovingly show you!

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Adding Strength

I don’t often stay in bed past 3 am. 3:30 is late but this morning it was 4:05! Yikes, the day is half gone – not really but that was the first thought I had when I saw the clock. The coffee was already brewing so that was a blessing.

I’ve come to realize when I do sleep in that my body obviously has a need for more rest and I am grateful. Grateful that the Lord has promised to provide the strength I need.

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” II Corinthians 12:9 NLT

Sometimes we have a mindset that we should be able to handle more things on our own. We should just buck up, push through and handle it. Whatever “it” is. But God doesn’t want us handling things on our own. He wants us drawing on His strength.

I do have days when I get weary. I end up getting grumpy. I don’t like it when that happens.

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 NLT

When I focus on me, I’m focused on a very small target and the world goes by around me. A world that I should be looking to impact, a world that I should be looking to bless! They need me – they need me to be loving and gracious, they need me to be an example of my Father.

How do we keep from becoming weary; how do we serve with the right attitude?

“Surely you know the truth. Surely you have heard.The LORD is the God who lives forever! He created all the faraway places on earth. He does not get tired and weary. You cannot learn all he knows. 29 He helps tired people be strong. He gives power to those without it. 30 Young men get tired and need to rest. Even young boys stumble and fall. 31 But those who trust in the LORD will become strong again. They will be like eagles that grow new feathers. They will run and not get weak. They will walk and not get tired.” Isaiah 40:28-31 ERV

When we come to the Lord to be refreshed, He will renew our strength. When we see others the way He does, we serve gladly.

Lord, let me see others through your eyes today and renew my strength. I want to be used to touch others with Your love.

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Thankful for Direction

Need direction today? Wondering which way to go, which decisions to make?

We learned early on to ask people if they have GPS when they are coming for a visit. After they answer that question with yes, we follow it with one simple instruction. Take exit 22. You see GPS would have them take exit 20 and there’s no way you can get here from there.

It amazes me how many times in my life I have felt that way. There’s no way I can get there from here. Personal growth. Marriage. Parenting. Managing a business. Graphic design (computer skills). Happiness. Joy. Peace. Trust.

“Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. 25 Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. 26 Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. 27 Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:24-27 AMP

God has practical instruction for each day. We just need to be willing to listen and obey!

Sitting here this morning while it’s still dark and feeling the cool of the fall air, I am enjoying the warmth of a good cup of coffee and seeking the Father for the day’s direction, I am very thankful.

Thankful that my Father is still in control; He hasn’t fallen off His throne and His omniscience is superior to the knowledge of the world’s wisest men and His omnipresence penetrates to the farthest reaches of the universe.

With everything He has before Him this day the Father has time for me. He wants to show me the best direction and bring me to a place of rest.

“My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so that they can know him too. 28 If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29 Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.” Matthew 11:27-29 CEV

Jesus has taken the time to tell us about the Father and not only that, Jesus made a way for us to be adopted by the Father so that we can call Him “Abba Father” (Papa or Daddy). We can experience firsthand His love and compassion. I don’t have to have all the answers and I don’t have to learn by “hard knocks”. I can trust the Father and learn from Him.

“With all your heart you must trust the LORD and not your own judgment. 6 Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.” Proverbs 3:5-6 CEV

Enjoy your day. Let the Father lead. He knows the right direction and there we will find rest!

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Thankful for Kindness

Some mornings I almost have a mandate on what I am supposed to share. This is one of those mornings.

These are the first words I read as I opened my Bible:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His loving-kindness lasts forever… 4 Let those who fear the Lord say, “His loving-kindness lasts forever.” 5 I cried to the Lord in my trouble, and He answered me and put me in a good place. 6 The Lord is with me. I will not be afraid of what man can do to me. 7 The Lord is with me. He is my Helper. I will watch those lose who fight against me. 8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man.” Psalm 118:1-8 NLT

Since the focus of the blog has been on thankfulness I couldn’t pass by these verses without sharing them with you.

How long is forever? Have we reached the end of forever? No, well then, according to the verses above we haven’t reached the end of God’s loving-kindness! We may have frustrated the Lord from time to time but we have not exhausted or depleted His loving-kindness. That’s good news.

Take a moment to think of the time when someone showed you the most kindness. I’ll wait…Three people and situations came to mind immediately. I’ll tell you about one. A number of years back I was hospitalized very unexpectedly and when I was released I was very weak. Two sweet ladies came to my aid. One stopped by each morning and took our little dog for a walk and when she returned she washed dishes and took my laundry home with her and brought it back clean. The other lady did my grocery shopping and prepared meals for Dave. Dinner was always waiting when he came home from work. I was overwhelmed!

These women showed me God’s loving-kindness! Almost daily I ask the Lord to bless them with acts of kindness the way they blessed me.

We all have times that we know we have experienced supernatural kindness. It’s God’s little expressions of His love and His way of saying “I care”.

It’s also wonderful to be able to share God’s love and kindness with others. Simple things – taking a dog for a walk, preparing a meal, doing laundry, buying groceries – how trivial. Never! When done in love these acts of kindness are life changing.

“For I was hungry and you gave Me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave Me water to drink. I was a stranger and you gave Me a room. 36 I had no clothes and you gave Me clothes to wear. I was sick and you cared for Me. I was in prison and you came to see Me.’

37 “Then those that are right with God will say, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You? When did we see You thirsty and give You a drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and give You a room? When did we see You had no clothes and we gave You clothes? 39 And when did we see You sick or in prison and we came to You?’ 40 Then the King will say, ‘For sure, I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of My brothers, you have done it to Me.’” Matthew 25:35-40 NLV

Thank you Lord for loving acts of kindness. Open my eyes to see those that need my kindness!

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Going Through The Gate

The other morning we took a walk. When we left the campground area we had to go through a gate at the start of the trail. There’s a country or ranch tradition that our family is very familiar with – if you go through a gate, close it.

Plain and simple. Gates have a purpose. It’s either to keep someone or something in or to keep someone or something out. Gates are important.

We enjoyed our nature walk. We saw some of the tallest Ponderosa pines I have ever seen. It was a beautiful area; unspoiled nature. I didn’t see anything that needed to be kept behind a gate but the gate was there all the same.

Isn’t that the way it is with life? We don’t always see or know the purpose for something but its there for our protection.

Jesus was telling his disciples a story about some sheep who were being kept in a pen behind a gate. They were safe from outside harm. The disciples didn’t understand the meaning of the story so this was Jesus’ explanation:

“So Jesus said again, “I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All those who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will be able to come in and go out. They will find everything they need. 10 A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.” John 10:7-10 ERV

In the natural, sheep don’t have any common sense. They need a shepherd to protect them and to lead them to good pasture. Jesus had said He was the good shepherd. He was the one to protect and to provide “Everything they need”.

He hasn’t changed! His promises to protect and provide are still valid. Jesus repeated this mission that He had been given by God, the Father, using a variety of examples. He said I AM the gate, the shepherd, the living water, the bread of life, the way, the truth, the life! Not once did He say I am the destroyer, the condemner, the abuser, the neglecter. Never! That’s not who He is.

He has given us so many examples of who He is, if we look for them they will become clearer and clearer.

Today I am glad that He is the gate – He opens and closes to protect me in all I do.

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