Category: October2020

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Crossing Life’s Bridges

Yesterday my daughter and I went for a bike ride at the campground. It’s been a couple years since I’ve been on my bike and so I knew we weren’t going to travel too far and that the road was going to be pretty smooth.

I had forgotten about the bridge.

As we started over the bridge her words of warning rang in my ear, “don’t let your tire get caught between the planks”. I hadn’t even thought about that. I was really just enjoying the ride and taking in as much of the view as I could.

Now there was a warning! There was some element of danger that I needed to avoid. Shortly, we would be crossing that bridge again as we headed back to our campsite. This time I paid more attention as I chose which plank to align with for the crossing.

That old saying “we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it” was going through my mind. Each bridge we cross takes us to new territory, new adventures, new situations. Bridges like graduation, marriage, job placement, a new city, health and retirement. Each one will have challenges and could also have pitfalls. It’s important that we don’t let our tires get caught between the planks.

The image I used for this morning’s blog was a well loved painting that was duplicated and widely circulated in the 1930’s through the 1950’s. It is called “The Guardian” and was painted by an Austrian artist in 1918. There was one just like it that hung in my grandmother’s living room. As a young girl I would sit and look at the painting each time we went to her home. I was intrigued by the colors but more fascinating was the large angel and the way it was protecting the children.

“Because you have made the Lord your safe place, and the Most High the place where you live, 10 nothing will hurt you. No trouble will come near your tent. 11 For He will tell His angels to care for you and keep you in all your ways. 12 They will hold you up in their hands. So your foot will not hit against a stone.” Psalm 91:9-12 NLV

I am so thankful for the Lord’s loving protection. Thankful that I am not left alone when I cross life’s bridges. Thankful that He is there to see that my tires don’t get caught between the planks.

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Look For Things to Appreciate

An attitude of gratitude is often like sending a child on a treasure hunt. Some years back while living in Montana we took our oldest grandchildren to an old gold mining town called Bannock. This town was the first territorial capitol of Montana and had a gold strike that rivaled the one in California.

Today this historic “ghost town” welcomes visitors to tour its old buildings. In the summer dirt is brought from the local creek for young and old to try their hand at panning for gold. No panner ever walks away empty handed although very few ever find a nugget of any substance. The earth is rich with garnets and little flakes of gold dust are not uncommon. I remember how excited our grandson was when he found those little flakes but he was equally as excited to find a pan laden with dark red garnets.

The excitement was in the search and the anticipation of what might be found!

I see each day as a treasure hunt. I know God has promised to fill it with His blessings. I just have to keep my heart open to what is before me. This morning I have already found one of today’s treasures – our 5th wheel trailer.

As I’m writing this I can smell the four-legged visitors who are patrolling the campground in search of unsecured food. We were told about the skunks when we checked in and yesterday morning on our walk we were certainly aware that they had been in the area the night before and now I sense (smell) their presence again.

Last summer we had an experience with two skunks who came into our camp looking for food and they found it. I didn’t realize that I had left the dog food container on the table. The skunks pushed it off and the container spilled open. We were sleeping in a tent and I felt somewhat vulnerable when I heard the ruckus only a couple yards away.

The last couple of nights I haven’t given those critters a second thought as I climbed into bed. The door was shut behind me and they were no threat. You see, I found a treasure in the warmth and security of my surroundings. Thank you Lord.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders work for nothing. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the men who watch over it stay awake for nothing. 2 You rise up early, and go to bed late, and work hard for your food, all for nothing. For the Lord gives to His loved ones even while they sleep.” Psalm 127:1-2 NLV

For me the treasure of peaceful sleep is invaluable!

There you have it – I have given you two treasures I have found this morning and I’ve only been up a little over an hour. Two treasures that have already filled my heart with joy – a secure dwelling and peaceful sleep!

I wonder what other treasures I will find as I go about my day? Look for God’s blessings and you’ll find them. Be grateful for small blessings.

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Thankful for Memories

Dave and I are in the mountains. We came up to the Flagstaff area yesterday and will be here through Monday. My cell signal is really weak but I wanted to share with you a special memory from my high school years. One that I am thankful for!

The campground we are staying in is right near a lake I visited often the summer between my eighth grade and freshman years. My dad was working construction on a road job and so our family moved into a small, I mean twenty-one foot long small, travel trailer. On weekends we would go fishing as often as possible and one of the lakes we frequented was Lake Mary.

We also began attending a small Baptist church in Flagstaff and they had a great youth group. My sister and I made friends and we participated in quite a few of the youth group activities. One of those activities was water skiing at this very lake. It was here I learned to water ski.

Neither of these experiences – the fishing and the water skiing – were life changing but they were memory makers that make me smile and I am grateful for them. Focusing on these events kept me from dwelling on some of the less enjoyable moments and have etched joy into that summer.

“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV

These memories were God’s kiss of blessing to me. I don’t dwell in the past but I am thankful for good memories, little ways that I now see were God saying “I’m here and I am bringing blessing into your life.

Now we are here with our daughter and son-in-law and maybe someday they will bring their grandchildren to this area and tell them this is where Besta learned to water ski and they will laugh when they think of me trying to do that.

What joyful, good and perfect gift memory is coming to your mind? Write it down, share it with a friend, a family member. Let them enjoy a little part of your heart. In doing so you will share a blessing and most of all you will share the Father’s heart, a heart of blessing and bringing good things to His children with someone you love.

“I will remember the kind things the Lord has done, and I will remember to praise him.
The Lord has given many good things  to the family of Israel. He has been very kind to us. He has shown us mercy.” Isaiah 63:7 ERV

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All The Time

Thanksgiving – Joy – Praise – Gratitude!

I know you won’t be surprised by the theme of this morning’s blog. As I said a couple days ago I will be bringing you thoughts on being thankful each day for the next several weeks.

It should be a way of life to those of us who trust the Lord and follow Christ. Does that mean that we never face obstacles, challenges, tought times or persecution? No! Most emphatically not. However, when we are thankful and take time to praise the Lord the struggles we are facing take a backseat to God’s greatness.

“I will always praise the Lord. 2 With all my heart,  I will praise the Lord. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. 3 Honor the Lord with me! Celebrate his great name.” Psalm 34:1-3 CEV

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time you know that I am greatly encouraged each morning as the birds start their morning chorus. Their songs are a constant reminder of the faithfulness of the Lord. The doves coo, the meadowlarks warble, the wrens chirp, the finches tweet and even the crows caw their welcome to the dawning of a new day.

Not once have I heard them complain that there aren’t enough bugs to eat or seeds to feast on. Yes, there is an occasional squawk or clicking when they feel threatened but they go right back to singing their sweet songs of thanksgiving.

“I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?” Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

I have learned a lesson from the winged creatures around my home. When I hear them sing, I take a moment to say “thank you Lord for caring for me like You care for them”. Whether they are welcoming the sunrise or calling their young to nest at night it reminds me that the Lord is always there caring for me.

I will bless the Lord at all times!

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Thankful for Strength

This morning as I was preparing to share on thankfulness my heart asked me this question. What about the people who feel they have nothing to be thankful for? Maybe they’ve lost their jobs, their businesses, their health and even their friends. What do they have to be thankful for?

Good question.

Let me tell you the story of King David. He and his men had gone out to help figth a war. When they returned home they found their homes had been burned and the wives and children had been carried off by the enemy.

The Bible tells us that these strong, brave, fighting men wept until they had no more tears.

“Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.” I Samuel 30:4 KJV

Everything they loved and held dear was gone! To make matters worse, they blamed David. Men who had been loyal members of his army were now ready to kill him. Not only had David lost his family, his home and his city but now he had lost his position and his ability to lead.

“David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.” I Samuel 30:6 NLT

At a time like this, how could he possibly find strength? Another translation of this verse tells us that “David encouraged himself in the Lord”. In my times of greatest struggle and darkness moments I have pulled close to God. Tears streaming down my cheeks, heart aching with pain I have cried out. “God, I can’t do this! I don’t know what to do. There’s no one to help. I’m done! I need You – only You! I need Your strength and Your guidance. I need Your peace.”

“May honor and thanks be given to the Lord, because He has heard my prayer. 7 The Lord is my strength and my safe cover. My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. So my heart is full of joy. I will thank Him with my song. 8 The Lord is the strength of His people. He is a safe place for His chosen one.” Psalm 28:6-8 NLV

There is no other place to find true help and strength. God is the only one who can bring peace in the midst of our storms. He is the only one who has the answers.

King David poured out his heart to God in prayer. He got instruction from the Lord on what he should do. He went to his men and told them what the Lord had said and they all went out to recover what had been stolen.

“David took back all that the Amalekites had taken, and saved his two wives. 19 Nothing was missing, small or large, sons or daughters, food or anything that had been taken. David returned with all of it. ” I Samuel 30:18-19 NLV

A perfect time to be thankful and praise God is when hope is all but gone. It takes our focus off our circumstances, places it on God and His ability to alter the outcome.

“Why are you sad, O my soul? Why have you become troubled within me? Hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my help and my God.” Psalm 42:11 NLV

Being thankful gives us strength!

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Let’s Start Giving Thanks

The last few days I have seen friends posting pictures of the Fall colors in their areas. Hard to believe that things are changing around the country when here in Arizona we are still having temperatures of 100+.

One friend posted some pictures they had taken in the Grand Tetons and another one had images of apple picking near Spokane WA. I was reminded of the years we lived in the Spokane area and how the trees turned color and eventually dropped their leaves. It started my pie baking season which led to cinnamon rolls and banana breads and all things that meant the holidays were coming and so were visits from family and friends.

Fall, autumn, has always been a season of thankfulness! Shouldn’t everyday be a day of giving thanks?

I know you might think I’m starting early but for the next seven weeks I am going to share verses of thanksgiving. We can never be too thankful, and if this past year has taught us anything it is to be thankful for the small blessings.

A lot of folks these days have forgotten how to say “thank you” or to properly appreciate the things that are done for them. We tend to take so many things for granted or, worse yet, feel that we deserve it. Nothing could be farther from the truth – if we all got what we deserved we would be sent straight to hell, do not pass go, do not collect $200.

We might be better than someone else but when compared to God’s standard we have all failed and fallen short. His grace gives us what we don’t deserve. Things like forgiveness, peace, joy and reconciliation fill His harvest basket. He prepares a feast of blessings for us even though none of us have done anything on our own to merit His loving-kindess.

“Praise the Lord because he is good!  His faithful love will last forever!” Psalm 118:1 ERV

Let’s adopt an attitude of gratitude. Begin now to tell someone thank you. When was the last time our kids heard “Your special, I love you. I’m so glad I’m your parent”? No lectures, no instructions, just thank you for being my kid, you hold my heart. When it comes to our spouses we should open the flood gates and deluge them with gratitude. They go to work everyday to provide for us, they are an example for the kids, or perhaps they are the ones to stay home doing the laundry, making dinner and taking care of the household.

I use a phrase constantly in expressing gratitude and the thing is, I really mean it. I will say, “Thank you, I really appreciate that” and sometimes I hear, “sure you do” but you know I do! I want people to know they are truly appreciated.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. “1 Thessalonians 5:18

We don’t have to be thankful “for” everything but “in” everything. Thanksgiving is the will of God for our lives!

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Lift Up Your Head

In yesterday’s blog we talked about the God of the second chance. I had one reader comment that she was glad He is also the God of the third chance as well. How very true!

In fact, our God provides us with infinite mercy and grace. He never runs out of compassion and so His forgiveness extends for the sum of our days. He will never wake up one morning and say enough is enough. His love never fails and never ends.

Now that’s good news!

Have you ever seen a person who feels defeated? The signs are pretty evident; head down, shoulders drooped and they find it hard to look anyone in the eye. They are discouraged; hope seems to be destroyed. They maybe ashamed or feel they are carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. It’s a horrible place to be.

Maybe you’ve been there. I know I have. Many in the Bible had been there too. Peter is the first one to come to mind. He had served side by side with Jesus for three years. He was the Lord’s biggest defender when the crowds would criticize. He was impetuous, quick to respond (sometimes without thinking) and he was determined to be the Lord’s right hand man.

But one night around a fire, when confronted by a young servant girl he denied even knowing Jesus. That was a cowardly act but it didn’t end there. In the span of a few hours he had voiced his denial two more times. After the third Jesus looked at him but never said a word. Peter was heartbroken. Ashamed. I’m sure Peter left head down and ashamed.

Perhaps you can relate. There are things in all our lives that we are ashamed of and don’t want anyone to know.

Yet, after Jesus’ resurrection he came to Peter, meeting him on the sea shore and Jesus asked Peter to profess his love. Nothing was said about the denial. Jesus lifted the shame and told Peter he wanted him to be a shepherd to “new lambs”, the new believers, who would follow Christ.

A few weeks later we find Peter preaching to the crowds. Head lifted, shoulders back, standing tall and boldly proclaiming that Jesus was the Messiah. Even when he was beaten and thrown into prison he did not falter. A complete transformation.

The Lord doesn’t want us going about with our heads down. He wants us to be like Peter. He wants us to be dependent on Him and drawing from His strength.

“Many are saying of me, “There is no help for him in God.” 3 But You, O Lord, are a covering around me, my shining-greatness, and the One Who lifts my head. 4 I was crying to the Lord with my voice. And He answered me from His holy mountain.” Psalm 3:2-4 NLV

If your head is bowed in shame, pray! Ask for forgiveness and receive the Father’s mercy and grace. After you say Amen, lift your head and stand tall.

“Now that we have been made right with God by putting our trust in Him, we have peace with Him. It is because of what our Lord Jesus Christ did for us. 2 By putting our trust in God, He has given us His loving-favor and has received us. We are happy for the hope we have of sharing the shining-greatness of God.” Romans 5:1-2 NLV

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Second Chances

Have you ever had one for those days when you feel like you said the wrong thing or didn’t do what’s right? You know those days when you’re just down on yourself for whatever reason – maybe it was a major screw up – we’ve all been there.

“This is how we know we are Christians. It will give our heart comfort for sure when we stand before Him. 20 Our heart may say that we have done wrong. But remember, God is greater than our heart. He knows everything.” I John 3:19-20 NLV

God isn’t condemning us, He loves us and is cheering us on in this journey. After all, He sent His Son to die for us, proving His great love!

I worked with a woman once who made a big mistake and our boss ridiculed her in my presence. He was merciless; she was embarassed and filled with shame. He left for lunch and my heart told me I needed to say something to her, something that would help bring a solution.

She had been out of the room, crying, and when she returned I asked her a question. “What is the name on your birth certificate?” Odd question right? It took her off guard and she answered with her name. To which I replied “Thank goodness. For a minute there I was thinking that it must have read “G-o-d” because Dr. ______ was acting like that’s who you were and should never have made a mistake”. She smiled and we began to work on a solution.

The first step was talking to our employer. I confronted him and told him he was wrong and if he wanted to fire me for speaking up he could but that he shouldn’t be treating people that way. I didn’t get fired, he apologized, things worked out and he and I became good friends.

That was a situation where her heart was condemning her but it was also a opportunity for God’s love to bring peace.

We all need second chances and God is the master of the second chance.

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 NLT

The Lord corrects when we are wrong. He doesn’t allow us to continually sin and not be corrected but His correction is wrapped in love and tied with mercy and grace.

“As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?” Hebrews 12:7-9 NLV

Since none of us are perfect there is a time that we all need correction. The Apostle Paul wrote that God’s word is profitable for our correction, reproof and instruction in right living. One thing I am certain of – God, the Father, is not an abusive parent. Everything He does in our lives is based on His love.

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” Romans 8:31-32 NLT

If God is for us, who can be against us? Yes, God is the master of the second chance.

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It’s Not Rocket Science!

Dave and I are just about finished with remodeling our fifth-wheel camping trailer. It’s a 2007 and was complete with beige floor, beige walls, beige window shades and valances and lots of oak and/or faux oak cabinetry. Just not us!

This summer while in the mountains for three weeks we decided to give it a facelift. We started working on it in mid September and here we are finishing up the final detail – the curtains. But not just any curtains. Dave had an idea to use copper tubing for the curtain rods, they’re beautiful. However, it is half-inch tubing so the grommets we planned to use to place the curtains have to be three-quarter-inch so they can slide freely. That size is not standard so we had to special order the grommets and the grommet setting tool.

Now that they have arrived and we are home from our trip to Yuma we got right on it yesterday morning. However…there was a communication situation. Dave is a genius at unique design. He sees things in his head and just builds it – no blueprints, no sketches. I, on the other hand, have followed patterns/recipes all my life – cooking, knitting, crocheting, sewing.

We came to the project with the same concept but different ways of communicating the measurements and the allowance for fullness that would make the curtains fit perfectly. It was then I said to Dave, “I think rocket science is easier than this”. We both laughed but I made a decision, someone needs to be in charge, I would listen to his direction.

Isn’t it that way with life? Someone has to be in charge. If not we have conflict and disorder. Confusion in the ranks.

Sometimes it’s hard to relinquish the authority that we feel should be ours. It’s humbling to let someone else take the reins.

Children are taught to obey their parents, younger people are told to submit to their elders (like teachers, instructors, authority figures), wives are to submit to their husbands and husbands are to submit to the Lord.

We all are to submit to the Lord. He is the final authority. He has given us creative ability, talents, particular traits that others don’t have and we excel in what He has designed for us but still He is the ultimate authority.

“But the kindness God shows is greater. As the Scripture says, “God is against the proud, but he is kind to the humble.” 7 So give yourselves to God. Stand against the devil, and he will run away from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. You are sinners, so clean sin out of your lives. You are trying to follow God and the world at the same time. Make your thinking pure. 9 Be sad, be sorry, and cry! Change your laughter into crying. Change your joy into sadness. 10 Be humble before the Lord, and he will make you great.” James 4:6-10 ERV

The world tells us to stand our ground, ascert our authority, defend our rights but that goes opposite to the instruction we receive from the Lord. Satan was full of pride, he said he would set his throne above the Most High God and so pride began.

When we submit ourselves to God and to His word He will make us great! He’s never made a mistake, told a lie or been wrong. If we listen to His leading and follow His instruction we will succeed.

It’s not rocket science!

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Optimism – Half Full

Yesterday we were “on the road again”. Seems this has been the theme song of our lives for the past twenty plus years. When Dave and I lived in north Idaho we traveled a couple times a month to farm and ranch auctions, searching for treasures. Then fifteen years ago we began producing western memorabilia antique and collectible tradeshows. Once again, we were on the road, traveling hundreds of miles.

Now that we have settled in Arizona our truck takes us up and down the interstate as we search for a different kind of treasure – it’s the treasure we find in visiting with our grown children, grandchildren and my ninety-seven year old mother. These are the treasures we hold most dear.

With all the travels, I am still amazed that we find something new in the scenery on the roads that we have driven dozens of times before. It would seem to some that these excursions would become boring and mundane but there is always something, something new, that catches our attention.

That’s how it is for me when I read the Bible. No matter how many times I read a chapter or one of the parables that Jesus tells or read about Moses, Abraham, David, Daniel, Peter and Paul there always seems to be something new. God’s word is living and although it never changes, its application to my life’s situations is constantly evolving and bringing me new strength.

Our heavenly Father’s ability to see “new things” is amazing. Before mankind was created and the world was infected by sin He saw what would happen and made a way for redemption and reconciliation. His plan would restore the relationship that man dissolved.

God, the Father, and Jesus were/are the ultimate optimists!

They see us as new creatures in Christ – we are forgiven, sins blotted out and created in their image. Look at these verses and see the fullness that God has blessed us with.

“I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. 10 And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 ERV

” I want them to be strengthened and joined together with love and to have the full confidence that comes from understanding. I want them to know completely the secret truth that God has made known. That truth is Christ himself.” Colossians 2:2 ERV

“And we have a great priest who rules the house of God. 22 Sprinkled with the blood of Christ, our hearts have been made free from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. So come near to God with a sincere heart, full of confidence because of our faith in Christ. 23 We must hold on to the hope we have, never hesitating to tell people about it. We can trust God to do what he promised.” Hebrews 10:21-23 ERV

Abraham was fully persuaded that God was able to keep His promises and we need to be too.

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” Romans 4:20-21 ERV

The feelings of inferiority, low self-esteem and lack of confidence come because someone has told us that we are lacking. We adopt a mindset of being half empty. But when we come to Christ He fills our lives with everything new. Not half empty and not half full. It’s important that we see we are new. We are filled completely with His presence.

Fully persuaded, full of confidence, full of faith, full of hope – God lives fully in us!

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