Happy New Year

As the current year draws to a close and the New Year approaches I find it helpful to reflect back.

I ask myself these 2 questions:

1. What (if any) significant personal life-changing events happened in 2014?

2. How will these events shape the way I will live in 2015?

Then looking ahead I add this question:

3. What do I hope to accomplish in the New Year?

Some of the answers I can share. Others I will keep to myself. Perhaps you will take some moments for quiet reflection. If so, and you wish to share, feel free to write in the comments section at the bottom of this blog. Sometimes just writing it down is the first step toward getting it done.

"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant 

brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the
sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will,
and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom
be glory for ever and ever. Amen"
Hebrews 13:20-21

Happy New Year!

A Brief Interlude

Sitting on my daughter's balcony in Spielberg, Austria, I am thankful.
It's beautiful here, surrounded by mountains.
Sounds of rushing water from the stream running past the property on its way into the river,
Snow on the mountaintops in the distance,
Sun radiating through the white wispy clouds...
All make me think of how creative our God is.
A flock of birds pass over the tops of the tall pines.
A train rushes by.
The sun warms my face even as I sit bundled up in coat, vest and fur-lined boots.
The outdoors SHOUT of the glory of God.
How majestic and awesome He is!
Mama nurses the baby, grandson is at kindergarten and Papa is at work.
All is peaceful.
And in these few quiet moments I reflect on the goodness of our God.
Birds caw, a dog barks, a plane flys overhead... and I give thanks.

"I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart,

I will tell of all Thy wonders.

I will be glad and exult in Thee,

I will sing praise to Thy name, O Most High." 

Psalm 9:1-2

Retirement Isn’t for Wimps

What have I been up to since I retired in June?  Well, since you asked … So far it has been a mix of old and new experiences.

Here are some highlights.

In July we flew to Florida to meet up with our Pennsylvania kids and grandkids - Pete, Kristen, Taylor and Sydney.                                                                                            

We played, swam, learned new games, raced through Disney World, and spent time on the beach.  And yes, not to be outdone by a 10 and 11 year old, I braved the roller coasters!

Thanks to Pete and Kristen, we also began the celebration of our 40^th wedding anniversary with cake and family fun. 

During the summer we spent a couple weekends exploring some of the beautiful Kansas lake campgrounds in our pop-up camper.  Pete got me to get on a bicycle for the first time in years!  

                          

Then in September we hit the road for South Carolina to visit Pete’s Mom.

October 5^th was our actual anniversary date and we drove to Galveston, Texas. The beach is beautiful this time of year. We happened to be there during the Harvest Moon Regatta and the sailboats were beautiful as they passed by our beach. 

                                                         

In between trips I was privileged to teach 4 classes to a wonderful group of Bible study ladies (You know who you are!) Such a joy to prepare and teach twice on each topic, “Who is Jesus” and “The Resurrection – Truth or Hoax.” It was a delight to see good friends again and to open the Word together.    

I also spoke to a MOPS group about “Courage to Step Out and Follow God” and a MOMS group about “Leaving a Legacy.” Those who know me know how much I love to share God’s Word with others.

On a whim I started doing demo on our bathroom and the project grew a life of its own. We are now into full bath remodel mode. That is another story for another time. But it has been a huge learning curve for me – and FUN!  I may have found a new career!  Pete says he will hire me out!

Next week I leave for Austria to meet my newest grandchild, Annika Sophie, leaving Pete here to fend for himself. 

Then 2 weeks later Liz, Stefan, Annika and I will fly back to the USA leaving Markus to keep the home fires burning in Austria until he can join us at Christmas. Liz, Stefan and Annika will be with us for 6 year old Stefan’s first Thanksgiving in America and we look forward to spending these holidays together.  

Christmas we anticipate a full house so I am busy making preparations to have the gang all here to celebrate THE Best Gift ever given, “the Savior of the world.” (1 John 4:14)  

As you gather around your table this Thanksgiving, may you find your heart overflowing with gratitude to the ONE who blesses us continually from the goodness of  His heart.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Amen. 

Journey or Destination?

I caught just a snippet of a broadcast on my car radio. Admittedly, I did not hear the entire segment so perhaps the speaker gave some credible explanation, or perhaps I misunderstood. But what I heard was, “It’s about the journey not the destination.” 

Unfortunately, I am afraid, many people place far too little importance on the destination. Of course the journey is important. But even the most incredible journey ends in disappointment if you don’t arrive at your expected destination!  

Ultimately the destination is certain. To the one who believes in Him, Jesus said,

“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. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there you may be also.” (John 14:2,3).

The Christian’s destination is Heaven (Mark 16:19, Acts 1:11).  

And Jesus is THE only way to get there. (John 14:6).

The journey may look different for each of us.

Along the way there are great joys and great sorrows,

Disappointments and delights,

Sickness and health,

Accomplishments and failures.

We can face the journey with faith or with doubt,

Courage or fear,

And at various times … degrees of each.

So while it is important that we journey in obedience and faith, loving God and each other,

The main thing is that we know where we are going,

How to get there,

And that we arrive at the intended destination!

Let's not get so caught up by the distractions along the way that we lose sight of what awaits us around the bend! We have a glorious hope and a future promised by the Creator of the universe Himself.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God 

 so that you may know that you have eternal life.  1 John 5:13 

Do you know?

Truth Telling

Reading through Galatians, I noticed a verse I can’t remember seeing before. I’m sure it’s been there all along but it never caught my attention like it did this day. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16)

Have you noticed how often Christians are seen as the enemy in today’s world, especially when one takes a definitive stand, ignoring political correctness? People of faith are frequently labeled as bigots, intolerant, unloving, narrow minded … 

And truth is labeled “hate speech.”

How typical of human nature – to be “friends” as long as we hear what we want to hear – as long as we are not offended or convicted or uncomfortable. But when truth butts heads with our own behavior or beliefs, we reject both the truth and the truth teller!  Is it any wonder that Christians are so often hated – that there is so much hostility directed towards people of faith and conviction. 

Truth offends.

Jesus, THE Truth, was treated as an enemy by the people – good people, bad people, religious and irreligious people. People took offense at his truth teaching. Yet he loved them, even those who despised him.  There is a way to speak truth in love, without being obnoxious. But truth will offend. We do not get to define what is truth based on what we believe or how we behave or by what the culture deems acceptable. 

God’s Word is truth. (Psalm 119:160)

God help me to hold onto truth –

Believing the truth,

Speaking the truth, (Ephesians 4:15) 

Handling the truth accurately, (2 Timothy 2:15) 

Never exchanging the truth of God for a lie, (Romans 1:25) 

Not caving into the pressures of current trends, hostility or political correctness.

May this be my prayer:

Father,

Help me to always speak the truth, in love, so that You become known to those around me.

And Lord, if someone is offended may it not be You!

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

Amen.

Crucified With Him

CRUCIFIED
     To Give UP - my own demands, desires, dreams, expectations, my life.
     To Lay DOWN - my will, my rights, relationships, possessions.
     To Spread OUT - my arms to receive blows, wounds, attacks and misunderstanding.
     To Cry OUT - to God, the only One able to bring me through it.
     To DIE - to self

Only to be BORN AGAIN - with new desires, hopes and expectations.
     In joyful submission to the Giver of Life.
     Arms wide open to those in need.
     Giving love and hope to others.
     Receiving from the Creator of the universe - ALL that I need to fulfill his purpose for me.
     Enjoying fellowship with Him on a daily basis - FOREVER!
     Sustained by the Bread of Life.
     Satisfied by the Living Water.
     Guided by the Good Shepherd.
     Enlightened by the Light of the World.
     Comforted by the Lover of my soul.
     Indwelt by the One who will never leave or forsake me.
FORGIVEN
FREE
FULLY ALIVE.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; 

Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:

 And the life which I now live in the flesh 

I live by the faith of the Son of God, 

who loved me, and gave Himself for me."

Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

View from the lounge chair

We come bursting into this world making an entrance -
Fighting, crying, demanding, creating, expecting...
And for many, much of life continues in the same vein -
Active, restless, demanding, expecting, making things happen!
Then suddenly -
In those 'get away from it all' moments,
The beauty and peacefulness of stillness is savored.
The peaceful serenity of a sunrise,
Gentle breezes,
Waves lapping the shoreline,
Puffy clouds,
Birds in graceful flight -
And we wonder,
Why is so much of life lived at a frenetic, hurried pace,
As if it's up to us to keep the earth spinning on its axis,
the sun rising and setting, the galaxy intact.
As if we were to stop, things would come to a grinding halt,
stars would fall crashing into the sea, birds would cease flying?
Look UP!

"The heavens declare the glory of God..."

But to look up, we have to STOP.
His glory is all around us.
He knows how many grains of sands are on the beach.
He feeds the birds.
He clothes the wildflowers.
He brings the gentle breezes.
He calls the stars by name.
He is majestic and awesome.
He holds it all together.
My doing doesn't change that one iota.
I can BE...
Because HE IS!

"Be still and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10

"My soul, wait silently for God alone,

for my expectation is from Him." Psalm 62:5

Take heart!

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"Courage" has at its origin the word 'heart.'  It makes sense. We feel "disheartened" when we are discouraged. And so often discouragement follows on the heels of failure, disappointment, unrealized hopes and dreams (or watching the world and national news!) But to quote the greatest teacher ever, "Take heart!"

We can have courage because of the PAST.
How often I have seen God move in miraculous and profound ways in the past. I have only to read back through old letters and journals to recall memories long forgotten -
Stories of God's faithfulness,
His provision,
His protection,
His enabling.

We can have courage because of God's PROMISES.
He promises never to leave me or forsake me.
I can have courage because I never have to walk alone through the difficulties of life.
He watches over me.
I do not have to fear for my children and grandchildren, knowing that He watches over them!
He loves me.
I have courage to keep going if I feel unloved, devalued or unappreciated.
Because the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world,
I do not have to be afraid of world events.

We can have courage because of God's actions in the PRESENT.
Have you noticed the beautiful sunrises lately?
Seeing God's work in the daily moments of life,
in the beauty around me
and in the way He orchestrates the "coincidences" that keep us safe -
are great reminders of His presence now.
I walk with Him and He walks with me.
And I am not afraid.

We can take risks for the FUTURE.
Not foolish, reckless risks -
but stepping out in faith,
moving forward courageously,
putting into action the words of Corrie ten Boom who said,
"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
I can have courage to try new things,
to let go of familiar things,
and to trust Him for today... and tomorrow... and all the tomorrows after that!

So, today, replace fears with faith.
Live courageously!

Who Cares About the Details?

Last night my husband told me that my blog was wrong! Surprised (and pleased) that he was even reading it,  I asked him what was wrong with it.  He said my profile needed updating, since I'd written that we had 6 (soon to be 7) grandchildren. Of course he was right! We now had 7!  I had blogged about her in my post, "Worth the Wait," but I hadn't changed the details in my profile.

Annika Sophie, made her entrance August 8th. 

Big brother, Stefan, is overjoyed and so proud.

Papa and Mama are happily adjusting to their new little bundle of joy

and giving us lots of Skype time, since they live in Europe. 

I started thinking about details.  Certain people in my family (who will remain unmentioned) are a lot more concerned with details than yours truly, but it is often true that details matter! 

Our God is a God of details... Even down to numbering the very hairs on our heads!

 (Matthew 10:30).

Nothing escapes His watchful eye. 

Psalm 34:15 - "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, 

and his ears are attentive to their cry..." 

Proverbs 15:3  - "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, 

keeping watch on the wicked and the good."

Not a sparrow falls from the nest without His knowledge.

 (Matthew 10:29).

We are under the watchful eyes of One who knows all about the details. 

Nothing escapes His attention... And He cares!

Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. 

He cares for those who trust in him."

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him, 

for He cares for you."

My help comes from the Lord.

We are living in troubled times.  Terrorists threaten our country, our way of life, and our freedom to worship God in the way we desire. 

The world waits and watches to see how President Obama will respond to these terrorists. Yet, as Christians we know that our help, our strength, our security is not in any man, even the President, but in our God.

Psalm 33:20 Our soul waits for the Lord, He is our help and our shield.

Psalm 31:24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life, whom shall I dread?

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the Lord.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 

Psalm 48:1 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.

Psalm 121:2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heavens and earth.

Envision a country where the leaders are on their knees pleading with God for His favor. Imagine them asking Him for guidance and wisdom. 

We have access to the greatest defense possible – God Himself. Yet we have shunned His help and refused Him access into our lives, our buildings, our businesses, our homes. We have thrown Him out of our schools, our books, and our government. We have gone our own way.

We deny Him, and then we blame Him when things go wrong. We complain when the forces of evil rise up against us and unleash the fury of hell on us. We don’t want evil to win, but we don’t want God either. We want to be our own gods. 

As a nation founded on Biblical principles, can we, will we admit our shortcomings and confess our rebellion against God? Will we turn away from our self-centered absorption with pleasure and convenience and once again stand up against the tidal wave threatening to drown us. Can we, will we repent?  

Will I?

God, have mercy.

Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.

The Bible records some of the most unusual effective battle strategies that came – not from the wisdom of man – but from the mind of Almighty God. Strategies that showed victory came from God, not man.    Take a few minutes – get into the Word and read about our great God.

Fear Knots

Fear knots – we all get them –

  those uncomfortable knots in the pit of the stomach 

when we hear yet another story, 

see yet another newscast,

   or face yet another unwelcome report from the doctor.

Fears of what could happen, 

or what did happen,

political unrest,

economic uncertainty

and social disturbances 

all unite in an enormous effort to destroy our peace 

and render us ineffective in our parenting, our marriages and our witness.

            Joy and contentment are overshadowed by the reality of living in a troubled world.

The Bible has its own share of “Fear nots.”

Consider this verse:  “Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 

(Isaiah 41:10).  God’s “Fear not” is accompanied by the promise of His enabling presence.

Even when facing possible danger we can act with wisdom and appropriate caution 

without living in fear. 

When our minds meander down the path of “What if?” 

 we can grab one of God’s “Fear Nots” and hang on.

Oh, and when we are weak and tempted to let go - He'll hold onto us!

Holding on tight!

Ruth

Here are some more “Fear Nots”

Deuteronomy 31:6, 8

Joshua 1:9

1 Samuel 41:13

Joel 2:21

Matthew 10:28-31

Luke 12:7

Hebrews 13:6

1 Peter 3:14

Ever Present

Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

 if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10

Many children and young people are starting school this month. For some it is an exciting time reuniting with friends and schoolmates. Others may feel apprehensive, especially if they are changing schools or if they are first-timers.

Adults face this time with mixed emotions as well. Teachers are setting up classrooms, organizing supplies, and preparing lesson plans while trying to catch just a few more minutes of an all too short summer break.  Some parents are glad to be getting back into the “normal” routine. Others (like my dear daughter-in-law) started grieving a week ago and are already counting the days to the next vacation. 

For some sending small children off for the first time is a sweet sorrow.  The children are growing up. That’s good, right?  You feel like maybe they won’t need you as much, like your role in their life is going to change. And maybe that makes you sad. You may even be fearful of leaving them in the care of someone else 5 days a week. And you are perhaps just realizing that your schedule is going to be set by someone else for at least the next 12 YEARS!

Some mothers watching their kids leave for college are gripped by the reality that their student will be coming home less often now. The fledglings are leaving the nest and it feels empty. Funny, isn’t it, how we try to teach our children independence but we feel sad when they learn it!

Recently I found a letter from me to my mother written when we lived in Africa. Two weeks after we took our 7^th grade son, Peter, to boarding school for the first time I wrote:

“Leaving a son in boarding school is not what it’s cracked up to be. I really wish we didn’t have to do it. I never thought I’d miss him so much." … (Then I told her how well he was doing before getting back to how I was doing.)  

"I was sick with the flu or malaria or something last week. One night when I had the most fever, I had a dream. I dreamt that we were all somewhere and had to take a train. We had to do something so we let Peter go ahead and get on the train with some other folks. The train left without us and even though we followed, trying to find him, we never could...

I woke up crying and remembered that he was at school and I was glad that I at least knew where he was. If nothing else, this experience has given me a lot of compassion for others who have to be separated from their children. It’s not an easy thing.”

Through many times of separation God taught me that even when I am not there HE is. Our God is Ever Present! He's with me... with my children...with you...and with your children!

It got easier over time. All three of our children thrived in their school. And when the time came for college and we were separated by an ocean, I had confidence in the unfailing love of our Ever Present God.

So, when sending your children off to school, although they won’t be building a temple as he was, feel free to borrow the words David spoke to his son,“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.” 1 Chronicles 28:20

Worth the Wait

"For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. 

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well." 

Psalm 139:13-14

The past couple days were a waiting game. Five days past her due date our daughter was in labor in an Austrian hospital. She and I texted back and forth numerous times that evening and throughout the night. Sleep eluded me. I wanted to be awake to hear that next text notification. In my morning meeting the phone in my hand never vibrated with the news I was anticipating. Throughout the day I couldn't concentrate on much, except the fact that my baby was working so hard to bring her baby into the world. Hours of labor, difficulty with the epidural ... nothing came easy. I wanted to be there. Midafternoon I sent her this text, "She will be so worth it." Then for the next five looooong hours we heard nothing.

And then - "Like cold water to a weary soul" came "good news from a distant land." (Proverbs 25:25) We got a text from the proud father, accompanied by a photo and video clip of mama and baby. As mama snuggled her newborn daughter, her words were, "She is so beautiful."

Worth it? You bet.

I got to thinking. How many periods of waiting do we go through in our lifetime? In most cases I want to take a short-cut, to speed up the process, to reach the goal faster.  We read that "God's works are wonderful," and most often 'wonderful' takes time.

He makes everything beautiful in His time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

A Certain Coming

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,

 nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Matthew 24:36

Today is due date +2 for our daughter who is eagerly waiting the birth of her 2^nd child 

(our 7^th grandchild). Arrival is imminent and certain! For these past months she has known arrival day will come. She has prepared for it, anticipated it, and longed for it while going about her normal activities of daily living. Some of those activities took on a greater sense of urgency as the time drew near. Now the wait seems to be getting long, but she has not given up hope.

I can’t help but think about another coming arrival.  Jesus said, “I will come again.”

(John 14:3). The angels proclaimed it (Acts 1:11). We are to be on the alert for it

(Matthew 24:42), be comforted by it (1Thessalonians 4:18) and prepare for it (1John 3:3).

No one knows exactly when He will come but we are to be ready (Matthew 24:44) even while going about our daily activities.

Our grandchild will arrive soon. All the signs are there. At the exact right moment, on a timetable already determined by The Creator, our daughter will be holding her precious baby in her arms and what a celebration there will be! It is a certainty.

The Lord’s return is certain. He said so!  The signs are there. The timing is up to God. I will not give up hope. Until He comes I will keep on going about the business of daily living, all the while “Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)

SOUL SISTERS

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for the precious gift of soul sisters. 

You knew exactly how they would enrich my life and walk with you. You knew they would encourage and strengthen me by their living examples of love without demands or expectations. You knew they would openly share joys and hurts, failures and faults, hopes and dreams. You knew they would gently hold in confidence each other’s secrets whispered from the depth of aching hearts. And You drew us – no, You knit us together into Soul Sisters who have laughed, prayed, played and cried together for sixteen  years.

We have shared

     JOYS – births of children and grandchildren, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, accomplishments; 

     SORROWS – death and loss, fear, cancer, heartache, broken relationships, job stress, illness, surgeries;

     and a myriad of LIFE CHANGES. 

Holding each other up to You in prayer, we knew You cared even more than we did.

So I thank You, Father, for my ladies group – those dear women you put into my life when I was a stranger to Kansas and started teaching the evening Bible Study. Those women I first met at Bible study, I now count as precious sisters and dearest of friends.

Thank You for the hours spent meeting together monthly – first at Bible study, then for lunches, then in each other’s homes where we talked so long, regularly ushering in the midnight hour. Our husbands, mystified by how we find so much to talk about month after month, learned not to wait up for us because we never got home before the wee hours of the morning. When meeting at restaurants we linger outside long after the doors close for the night, reminiscent of those first long-ago meetings when we stood talking for hours in the church parking lot.  For every one of those times together I am grateful.

The words of Phil 1:3 apply to these dear friends, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you…”   I am thankful for the way each one welcomed me into her life, thus enriching mine. And so, this week when I bid my friends "Good night" (good morning, actually) and closed my front door,  I went to bed with a heart overflowing with gratitude that God created us with a longing for friendship and then fulfilled that longing with such special people, my Soul Sisters.  

Purple flowers

She brought them as table decorations for a dinner and they were lovely.  I was new to Kansas and unfamiliar with the purple flower. She said they grew in her garden and if I wanted some she could give them to me, as she had plenty.

  Most of the plants in my garden came from other people’s gardens.

 I carried the Hostas
and lilies back from my brother’s garden in Pennsylvania

and they’ve thrived in my Kansas garden.

The Iris and Peonies I dug up from Mother’s garden in Pennsylvania remind me

 how much she loved flowers.

I told my friend that I would love to add her flowers to my garden. She warned me that they were very hardy. “Plant them where nothing else is growing,” she said, “Because they will spread and take over.” I said I would plant just a few, and I found them a space in my garden.

She was RIGHT! The purple flowers were pretty in the front garden, but each year there were MORE of them. They spread and took over, refusing to stay confined to their neat little corner of the garden. I pulled out the errant ones, to no avail. No matter how many I ripped out of the ground, new leaves poked up through the dirt - MASSES of them in ever-increasing number! And they TOOK OVER, squeezing out anything else bold enough to fight for space in the garden.  In early spring when they first bloom, they were beautiful. But for most of the summer my garden looked unkempt and over-run with green weeds.

Drastic Measures were required.  This year I am taking no chances!  My strategy is to pull them out by the roots, spray weed killer, and apply an extra thick blanket of mulch to smother any late hangers-on. Time will tell if my efforts pay off.

Maybe sin is a little like those purple flowers. Attractive at first, but over time relentlessly invading other areas of life – thoughts – attitudes – behavior, until righteous living is crowded out by unruly sinful habits. 

Those times call for Drastic Measures!

1. Saying the same thing about sin that God says, that’s CONFESSION 

2. Turning away from the sinful behavior and turning toward God, that’s REPENTANCE.

3.  Asking God for help to overcome the habit, that’s DEPENDENCE.

4.  Trusting in the power of God to enable changed behavior, that’s FAITH.

5. Following through on what God says to do, that’s OBEDIENCE.

CONFESSION.  REPENTANCE.  DEPENDENCE.  FAITH.  OBEDIENCE.  If applied liberally and regularly this five point strategy will help root out sins before they become deeply imbedded in the garden of our souls.

And the purple flowers?  I’ll keep you posted. 

What About the Game?

I’ve been watching a lot of World Cup Soccer this year. (One of the benefits of being retired is that I have time now!) Our children, who grew up in Africa where “football” meant soccer, played the sport and going to their games was an activity the whole family enjoyed. Even now our family and friends are watching World Cup soccer from various States in America, as well as from Europe and Africa. I admit I feel happy knowing that we are enjoying the same activity at the same time!

World Cup soccer has everything – competition, entertainment, pride of country, athleticism, aggressiveness, speed, turnovers, fan support, tension, drama, and last minute surprises! Also present are many varied responses - frustration, anger, jubilation, disappointment, excitement, hugs and tears. The stakes are high in World Cup. Players accustomed to playing on the same club team, often find themselves facing each other as opponents on the World Cup field.  

Success partially depends on skill. But to make it to the World Cup all the players are skilled in the game.  So it must take more than skill and knowledge of the game.

My observation is that skill without the following doesn’t make for a very good game:

·         Willingness to give up the ball to the player best positioned to make the goal, rather than glory-seeking for self.

·         Keeping your cool under pressure.

·         No unsportsmanlike behavior, as it could jeopardize the outcome.

·         Preparation and training physically and mentally. (No good outcome if your head’s not in the game or if you can’t physically keep up.)

·         Ability to play in all weather conditions - rain, heat, dry or wet fields- and under less than ideal circumstances.

·         Obedience to the coach

Hmmm. Sounds a bit like life, too, doesn’t it?

I’m sure you can draw many more life-lessons from the game yourself, and perhaps you have! Feel free to share them in the comment section below.

Oh! And by the way, if you are reading these posts, why not sign up to follow the blog. I’ll write anyway but I would love to know if I have any readers.

Enjoy the game.

REST

“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him…” Psalm 37:7a

Ah! Rest!!  The idea of rest sounds so good right now, doesn’t it? And I don’t just mean a good night’s sleep.  Peace, quiet, calm … We crave it and we need it, yet it often eludes us.

Four verbs from a verse in the book of Jeremiah give us steps to finding rest for our souls.

o   “STAND” – Not run or bustle about, not fight or try harder – but STAND.

o   “SEE” – See what? Something was about to happen. God knew it and He wasn’t worried. Danger was coming and all their preparation and scurrying about would not change what God was about to do. Watch God work. Pay attention to what He is doing. Be warned and watchful.

o   “ASK" – “Ask for the ancient paths where the good way is…” Ask direction. Seek the guidance and teachings and instruction God has already given. Stop chasing after every new culturally acceptable idea that comes along. Don’t walk down the easy path. Don’t imitate the people around you. Stop scrambling to be trendy. Go back to the basics of life – Yes, return to that old book, The Bible, for in it you will find the good way! (Did you ever notice how each new idea that comes along is so quickly replaced by the next new idea?) God’s principles are timeless!

o   “WALK in it.” – In what? Walk in the good way, as given to you in My Word. Obey what I have already told you to do.

The Result?  Here it comes…  “You shall find REST for your souls.”

Altogether the verse reads like this:

“Thus says the Lord, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you shall find rest for your souls...” Jeremiah 6:16

There it is! The way to soul rest!   Stand, See, Ask, Walk. But in the next part of the verse we read something incredible!   “But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.”

WE WILL NOT – That was their decision! 

It was an unwise rebellious decision, but they had a choice and they made it. They chose their own way.

              

                Rest is a choice

                Rest comes from the Lord

                Rest requires patient obedience to God.

Choose wisely. And may you find rest.

Until next time,

Ruth

In the Good Old Summertime

“…The day is Yours, the night also is Yours;   You have prepared the light and the Sun. You have set all the borders of the earth. You have made the summer and winter.” Psalm 74:16, 17.

June 21^st is officially the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. And so it begins.  Time to gather flowers and weed the garden … check the vegetables and set the hoses.  Pack up the last of the cold weather gear and fully engage in the warm season.  Roses blooming, water splashing, birds singing. Lemonade on the back deck ... burgers on the grill … potato salad in the fridge.  Rides in the Alfi with the top down … Kids playing in the pool … Lying in the sun … coconut suntan oil … Vacation get-aways … Summer camp.  Ah, “those lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer.”

In each season I savor memories from past days and years. Spending our summers at Bible camp where my parents were camp directors when I was a child, and a vacation at ocean city after the camp season was over. Taking our own children to the Indian Ocean over school break, or camping with them by a lake and waking up to see hippo prints in the mud around the tent. Each year the season brings new ventures to enjoy in the present, filling me with contentment and wonder. 

Thank You, God, for giving us seasons filled with special moments. How good You are to fill our days with beauty and variety!

Any favorite thoughts or memories of summer?  Share them with us in the comments section.

Happy summer!

Father's Day tribute to Dad

On Fathers' Day my thoughts turn naturally to my dad, Rev. William B. Haken. It was from him that I learned what a good man was like.  Here are some of the life lessons I learned from my dad.

• Put God first.
• Love God's Word, study it, live by it and teach it to others. 
• Care about the souls of others and share Jesus whenever you can. 
• Love people.
• Show compassion.
• Trust God.
• Ask God. 
• Pray with and for others. Each phone call from Dad ended with prayer. 
• Be where God wants you to be.
• Respect my mother. In our household back-talking or showing disrespect was not excused. 
• Work hard. No job was too menial. Whether cleaning gutters, raking leaves, painting buildings, teaching classes or preaching sermons, all was to be done to the glory of God. 
• Appreciate what God gives you and don't be wasteful. Be a good steward of the Lord's resources. 
• Share.
• Support and encourage missionaries.
• Let my children go. All three of Dad's children went into full-time Christian ministry. Two of us went into foreign mission work, raising 7 of his 9 grandchildren in different countries on another continent. Our brother went on the road in full-time evangelism, later founding a church where he still ministers. Dad never complained about us being so far away. Rather, he supported us, encouraged us, kept in touch with us as often as possible, and visited us.  
• Be patient. (This lesson I, unfortunately, am still struggling to try to learn!)

Dad "fought the good fight" and finished the work God gave him to do, passing away from leukemia in 1990. I still miss him. On this Fathers' Day I thank God for the wonderful father He gave me. I hope Dad knows how much his life influenced me over the years.  My one regret is that my own children didn't get to spend more time with this honorable and amazing man before God took him home. 

God is God, whether we believe it or not.

I came across Romans 3:3-4 in my reading this morning. "If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? May it never be! ..."

How often we live as though something is only true if we believe it. What foolishness!

• Does the postal service deliver my letters if I refuse to believe a stamp costs 46 cents and affix only 23 cents?
• Will the police officer withhold my speeding ticket because I don't believe the zone is posted at 30 mph?
• Will the teacher give the student an "A" who refuses to believe 2+2=4?

Yet how often is the love, mercy, and faithfulness of God discounted because of unbelief?
Perhaps if we start taking God at His Word, instead of following our own fearful thinking and insecurities, we would allow His faithfulness, lavish love and comfort to wash over us. We would obey the leading and counsel of His Spirit. We would hear His voice instead of the cacophony of voices surrounding us.

Father, impress upon our hearts the truth of who You are, Help us to take You at Your word today. Believing You is a choice. I choose to believe You today. And I have peace.

Be Still

"Be still and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10

There is something about the stillness and quiet of early morning that allows me to stop and think and ponder.  God knew what He was doing when He told us to "be still."  Reading through this verse I feel like the Lord had a message especially for me.

Be STILL - stop striving, relax, let go, be quiet.
and KNOW - intellectually, experientially, emotionally. Know it as a true fact, believe it, enjoy it.
that I -  not you, not them, not it, not a force, not a philosophy.
I AM - present tense, today, in this very moment, whatever you are facing, I AM. As I was, so I will be.
I am GOD - Almighty, Sovereign, King of the universe, majestic, omnipresent, totally sufficient, omniscient, unchanging.

I'll do my part, being God. You do your part, being still. And in the stillness meditate on who I am. Allow my peace to wash over you. Allow my strength to empower you. Allow my wisdom to plan your day. I AM GOD.

Amen! Hallelujah! Thank you, God. Help me to be still outwardly and inwardly. Cause me to remember always that you ARE, ever present, always the great "I AM."
Because you are the "I AM" I don't have to fear uncertainty, insecurity, instability, political upheaval, society or cultural depravity. I can rest, secure in You.

So I choose rest.

Morning Coffee

Psalm 5:3 "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you."   Isaiah 33:2 "O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning and our salvation in time of distress."

     I love those early morning moments when the house is quiet, before the cares and responsibilities of the day crash in upon the stillness, before the sun fully awakens the earth from its slumber. Ah! Those are the moments I like to take a cup of coffee, my Bible and my journal and meet with God. It is my time of refueling and reflection.  I get instructions for the day. I recognize the BIGNESS of God and I appreciate the fact that He, the Creator of the universe, wants me to spend time with Him!
It is those times that feed my soul and strengthen my spirit. Those moments put everything else into perspective. Some of those moments I will share with you. Others are too precious, too sacred, too intimate.
    Brew your coffee. Grab your Bible and start reading. Journal the thoughts God brings to your heart and mind. Appreciate the quiet.

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:21-23