Category: September2023

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Plan of the Day

Several times a day, as Dave and I walk into the village center and back again we walk past this lovely garden on one of the side streets here in Naoussa. Each time we remark on what a beautiful peaceful place it is.

Yesterday we stopped so I could take some more pictures. When I examined more closely the way the garden was growing, I saw the two boulders that seem to hold it all together. Plants surrounding them, vines climbing over them, and others sheltered by their mass. It was the first time I had fully noticed the maturity of the geraniums growing close to the front wall. The mixture of plant life is interesting to say the least – morning glory, cacti, hibiscus, sunflowers, others I am unfamiliar with and the large eucalyptus tree. Each one planted for a specific reason, each one part of the gardener’s plan.

The plan? To bring beauty and enjoyment to this little space in the world.

Every once in a while, I ask myself, “what is your plan”. What is my plan in sharing this blog with you nearly every morning?

My plan isn’t to have a world-wide ministry or a huge Instagram or Facebook following, although I dearly love seeing new people becoming readers. My plan, according to Jesus, is to go into ALL the world and preach the Gospel, knowing that wherever I go the Lord is with me. My world is different than yours, my sphere of influence is God-designed for me.

“Jesus came to them and said: ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! 19  Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.'” Matthew 28:18-20 CEV

It’s probably been 40+ years ago that I found these verses in Proverbs 16 and began to pray God’s Word over my plans for the day. Have I ever messed up and gone off to do my own thing? More times than I would care to admit. Have I ever wasted a day selfishly? Sadly, yes!

But I do try to honor the Lord in my busy times and in my quiet, do-nothing times. Sometimes it’s much harder to sit quietly and rest than it is to spend the whole day in strenuous, working activity.

“The plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the [wise] answer of the tongue. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart). 3 Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Proverbs 16:1-3 AMP

As we all start this week let the Lord lead. As He does, we will have good success by going into our world and being His disciples.

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The Little Things

We’ve been on Paros for a week now. Everyday has been a new experience – fun and beautiful!

When we first arrived, we thought we would be renting a small car, a quad bike or even a scooter to assist us in our site seeing adventures but that one drive from the airport to our hotel was more than enough to convince us that we should stay on foot.

I know our kids were glad we showed wisdom in making that decision. Yesterday was an interesting day to be afoot.

As long as we are in the city center with the shops and restaurants the only traffic is an occasional scooter but more commonly the vendors making deliveries with overladen hand trucks.

We had gone to some shops down by the harbor and were on our way back to the hotel when we saw that a small church in the heart of town had its doors open. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit it. So ornate and brightly painted. Christ is always at the center of these Greek churches and then they also give honor to the saints and priests who have led the community in worship. An amazing place to stop and pray.

Coming from the church back to the city center we were walking, in the road with other tourists, when a couple of motor bikes came up behind us. We stepped to the side and around the bend from the other direction came a small car. There was hardly room enough for the motorbikes and the car. As the little car past us both the elderly woman driving and her equally senior husband were making the sign of the Cross.

We couldn’t help but laugh. But then we said there was no way we would get out in that traffic without praying either. It’s always best to have the Lord’s guidance in difficult situations.

“You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path.” Psalm 143:10 CEV

Sometimes we forget to involve the Lord in the small parts of our day. It’s in those little things that we often see the largest miracles.

I remember the days when money was tight – very tight. We had two small children to feed and often no more than $20-30 for the groceries that week. I would pray over the grocery list asking the Lord to direct me in my shopping. I asked Him to multiple my “loaves and fishes”. Once I got to the store, I would find that most all of the things on my list were on “sale”. Two for the price of one. BOGO.

“Lord direct my path to the right store and to the right products”. He did and we ate well.

As a young shepherd, King David, learned how to lead and how to be led. He trusted the Lord in the same simple way that His Good Shepherd led him.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass.
You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3  and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths.” Psalm 23:1-3 CEV

The couple in that little car with be a reminder to always trust the Lord in circumstances that seem hard to navigate. It’s like I’ve told you before, the Lord will give us examples of trusting Him with our everyday lives if we just look for them. It’s in the little things!

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Holding Fast

It’s interesting how much we can learn about the Lord, his faithfulness, and the practicality of Scripture if we just open our eyes to see the examples placed before us in daily life.

The last couple of days the little harbor we see from our balcony filled with boats. Not the regular fishing boats and water taxis that we have seen each day since our arrival but bigger boats – catamarans, yachts, monohull sailboats. Bigger boats ranging in size from 50′ to 130′.

The weather forecast was for a severe thunderstorm warning, and this is what brought the boats in to a safe harbor. There aren’t nearly enough slips to tie all of them up to the docks, so they were anchoring safely across the relatively small span of sea.

One boat in particular hadn’t anchored well.

We watched as it slowly drifted, getting closer and closer to the shore. It was dangerously close to the rough shoreline. The drifting was subtle and since they were otherwise engaged, I doubt the occupants of the boat noticed they were inching closer and closer to the shore.

Bible lesson in moving pictures, literally.

“We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. 19  This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place.” Hebrews 6:18b-19 CEV

Our lives need to be anchored to keep us from drifting off course, even when the seas are calm there is still a danger of slowly drifting into dangerous waters.

Dave had a nice boat when we first married and he told me the secret to setting a firm anchorage is to drop the anchor, then apply backward thrust so the anchor digs into the bottom or gets a solid grab on something. He explained to me that this boat we were watching hadn’t set its anchor properly.

Sometimes, it seems we may be going backward in life however, it may be that during those times the Lord is actually bringing us to a place of stability and safety, helping us set our anchor. Pulling us back from dangerous shorelines so that we are established firmly on the rock.

“Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it was built on solid rock, and so it did not fall.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

God’s word is referred to as a solid rock; our hope in God’s word is our anchor!

So, when life’s storms seem imminent it’s best that we pull back and get anchored firmly to the rock that will not move!

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Washed Away

For the last several days Dave and I have sat and watched the waves of the Aegean Sea come rolling in. There’s been a sea wind they call “Meltemi” and it has kept the otherwise calm sea, breaking its waves over the rock jetty with some considerable strength.

Boats have stayed safely moored in the small harbor.

As we were sitting in a local taverna yesterday we were directly at the waters edge. I watched each wave and enjoyed the sea spray on a warm afternoon.

Later last night I began to think about the waves and how they wash the rocks as they roll in and recede.

Washed. Washed clean.

Kind of like what the Lord does in our lives.

“God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is. 5 He saved us because of his mercy,
and not because of any good things we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. 6 God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us his Spirit.” Titus 3:4-6 CEV

By the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives we are washed cleaned and given a new, fresh beginning!

“…But now the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of God’s Spirit have washed you and made you holy and acceptable to God.” I Corinthians 6:11 CEV

The things in our lives that we are ashamed of have been washed clean. Those things that make us embarrassed, that hold us by a grip of guilt, unworthiness and shame are the very things that are washed away by the Spirit of God and because of that washing we are cleansed.

“The Law of Moses is like a shadow of the good things to come. This shadow isn’t the good things themselves, because it cannot free people from sin by the sacrifices offered year after year. 2 If there were worshipers who already have their sins washed away and their consciences made clear, there would not be any need to go on offering sacrifices…21 We have a great high priest who is in charge of God’s house. 22  So let’s come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith. Let’s keep our hearts pure, our consciences free from evil, and our bodies washed with clean water.” Hebrews 10:1-2, 21-22 CEV

Religion has no power to make us clean. It only serves to remind us of our sins, our misdeeds and our failings. However, when we come to Christ (our high priest), His forgiveness purifies our hearts and gives us a clean conscience. We are free from guilt and able to live each day knowing we have been washed clean.

“A husband should love his wife as much as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. 26 He made the church holy by the power of his word, and he made it pure by washing it with water. 27 Christ did this, so he would have a glorious and holy church, without faults or spots or wrinkles or any other flaws.” Ephesians 5:25-27 CEV

The power to cleanse comes from Christ alone. His death removed the guilt and stain of sin from our lives. Through the power of His word we are reminded daily of that cleansing. We are a holy people without spot or flaw.

All our sins have been washed away!

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Kalimera

That’s how you say good morning in Greek. Kalimera.

Today Dave and I are starting our second full day on this beautiful little island. We arrived late afternoon on Saturday and it’s now early morning Monday. There’s a 7 hour time difference with the East coast of North America and a 10 hour difference with our home state of Arizona.

We spent a good portion of yesterday sitting on the balcony watching the waves roll in and enjoying the warm sunshine. At the sea shore the water is a beautiful turquoise and further out it becomes a deep azure. It has held my imagination captive as I wonder how many ancient mariners visited its shores.

“Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in Your eyes, O Lord, my Rock and the One Who saves me.” Psalm 119:4 NLV

Every place we walk the people seem happy and content. Our taxi driver explained it best when he said they are a people who love what they do, where they live and the slower paced mindset than those in the bigger cities.

Was this what the Apostle Paul was talking about when he said:

“I know how to get along with little and how to live when I have much. I have learned the secret of being happy at all times. If I am full of food and have all I need, I am happy. If I am hungry and need more, I am happy. 13 I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 NLV

The amazing thing is we don’t need to travel half way across the globe to find contentment. We can find it right where we are!

In our homes or a prison cell, in a doctor’s waiting room or in the midst of a storm (physical, mental or emotional), there we can find peace. It’s there we rest in who Christ is and all He has done.

“The Lord Who bought you and saves you, the Holy One of Israel, says, ‘I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to do well, Who leads you in the way you should go.’” Isaiah 48:17 NLV

Paul was probably the apostle who faced the most physical and mental challenges and obstacles but he was content in Christ and the mission of preaching the Gospel.

The Bible’s promise of peace is universal to all who put their faith and trust in the Lord.

Let’s take a minute to pray. I’ll pray here and you join me there.

“Father, I don’t know what types of challenges my readers are facing today but You do. Surround them with Your peace, the peace that surpasses our natural way of thinking, the peace that goes beyond our intellect and reaches our soul. Teach them to rely on You as You lead them in the way they should go. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Many of you will be enjoying a three day weekend, let it be filled with peace.

As they say hear “efcharisto”, thank you for reading. Go in the blessings of the Lord!

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Warning Signs

Last night I was awaken to the sound of the emergency weather warning going off so where in the house.

When we were watching the nightly news the weather man said that there was danger of high winds later in the night. He was apparently he was right.

The thing we have here in the desert with the high winds is blowing dust that takes you 0 visibility immediately and at night you rarely have the opportunity to see it coming from the distance.

When I was little we lived in a small Arizona town called Gila Bend. I was down playing at friend’s when my Mom saw a dust storm coming. She sent my older brother to find me and bring me home. Before we got to the house the wind hit us. My brother was smart enough to have us turn our backs to the wind. He stood directly behind me and since he was taller, he was able to shield me from the stinging sand.

As soon as the winds lightened we ran for home. Safe!

Society has given us so many warning signs. They’re on the highway – Narrow Bridge Ahead, Watch for Elk/Deer, Icy When Wet. We see them in our vehicles – Check Engine, Tire Sensor, Back Up beepers.

Our homes have motion sensors, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide readers. Restaurants publish food allergy warnings on their menus and don’t even get me started on the “side effect” warnings on the prescription medication commercials.

Warning Signs, they’re everywhere and with their frequency comes a deafness to the seriousness of the warning.

Some people are deaf to the warnings of the Bible too.

25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.“ Luke 21:25-28 NKJV

These things are happening all over the world – they are warnings signs to those who are without Christ. “Look up your redemption draws near”.

They are also warnings to those who do follow Christ.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3 NLV

We’re not supposed to be frightened by what we see. Instead, we are to be wise in our manner of living, reaching out to reassure those who are anxious and afraid. We should be delivering a message of hope and faith. Trust in the Lord!

The morning and evening news should be our ”emergency broadcast system” warning signal. But there’s no need to be afraid; let’s put our trust in God.

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