I Salute You...

I get nostalgic this time of year as Mothers’ Day approaches.  My mind drifts back to other years- other Mothers’ Days – when we celebrated our Moms.  

It’s been 8 years since my own dear Mom went to be with Jesus – 8 years of Mothers’ Days without her – without being able to call her on the phone or fly across the country to be with her.   

This past August my Mother-in-law joined Mom in Heaven. 

And for the first time ever, this Mothers’ Day we have no Moms – 

No Mothers to honor or celebrate on this annual holiday.  

It feels strange – weird to know that now we are the elder generation.

And then I think, first of all how grateful I am to have HAD a Mother who truly loved me – 

Who cared enough to make sure I learned about Jesus – 

Who disciplined me so I learned how to become a responsible adult – 

Who instilled in me principles of integrity, morality, faithfulness, loyalty, love for God, compassion for others, hard work, and dedication to God and His Word. 

Although we lived apart geographically for most of my adult life, 

we remained close. She made sure of that!  

I miss her.

I’m grateful for the Mother of my wonderful husband who I’ve had the joy of living with for these 46 years. I’m thankful for her because without her I would not have him!

Then I think of the other Mothers in my life – Mothers to be honored and celebrated. 

There are the three Mothers of our grandchildren:

Liz, our daughter, and Hailey and Kristen, who married our sons.

They are fine young women who love God, their children, and their spouses. 

They are doing a great work raising their children so they will become responsible adults. 

They are working hard to instill godly principles in their children, 

while showing by example how to love God and love others.

Then there are the Mothers of my children’s spouses:

Cathy Brown, who gave us Kristen, wife of our son, Peter Jr, and mother of two of our grandchildren. 

Nancy Hamilton Brake who gave us Hailey, wife of our son, Tim, and mother of  three of our grandchildren. 

And Aurelia Pall, who raised Markus, our son-in-law, and welcomed our American English-speaking daughter into her Austrian German-speaking family. We gained two more grandchildren as a result of that marriage.

How grateful we are to these three women, our children’s Mothers-in-law – the “other grandmothers” who also love our children and grandchildren.  

We’re thankful that they gave life to their children, 

raised them to be who they are today, 

and lovingly share them with us!

This Mothers’ Day I want to give thanks for the Mothers Pete and I had, 

for the Mother we raised, 

for the Mothers who are raising our grandchildren, 

for their Mothers, and for all those special women who extend their love and influence to others. 

I know that I have been on the receiving end of so much of that! 

This Mothers’ Day I salute you all,

I thank God for you,

I love and honor you today!

Happy Mothers’ Day!

Blessings,

Ruth

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC 2020

“Shelter in place,” they said.

“Stay home,” they said.

“Don’t go out,” they said.

 People are dead.

“No more groups,” they said.

“No more sports,” they said.

“No more school,” they said.

 Count the dead.

“Keep social distancing,” they said.

“No more church,” they said.

“Don’t go to work,” they said.

 You could be dead.

“Watch the news,” they said.

“The enemy’s fierce,” they said.

“No known cure,” they said.

 See how many are dead.

FEAR gripped the heart,

We stayed apart.

“Fear not!" HE said.

“I am with you,” HE said.

“Be not dismayed,” HE said.

“I am your God.” 

“I’ll not leave or forsake you,” HE said.

“I am the Way, Truth, and Life,” HE said.

“I give you MY peace,” HE said.

“Do not be troubled or afraid.”

Turn off the news,

Open the Word,

Talk to the Lord,

Rejoice in HIS love.

HE is alive,

And still on the throne.

HE knows ALL things –

To HIM nothing is unknown.

HE’S doing a work

HE’LL see us through

Encourage each other,

Do what you CAN do.

Reach out to the lonely,

Make phone calls, write letters.

Connecting electronically 

has never been better!

Listen to praise music,

Pray for each other.

Build some new bridges.

Forgive one another.

Wait on the Lord.

Peacefully resting in HIM.

“Be still and know HE is God.” 

Let THAT sink in!

HE IS!

HE.   IS.   GOD!

Praise and worship HIM,

Trusting HIM without fear.

You're never alone

When you know HE is here!

Hallelujah! Amen.

Take courage from the following Bible verses:

Isaiah 41:10; Hebrews 13:5; John 14:6; John 11:25; John 14:1, 27, Psalm 46:10

COVID 19 ... BUT GOD!

In mid-March Kansas declared that schools would close for the rest of the school year.    Other states soon made the same determination. 

Very quickly we started hearing terms like “Shelter at Home” and “Social distancing.” “Quarantine” was a word seldom heard in these days…until now when we hear it daily. 

The words “Pandemic” and “Plague,” although foreign and strange to the younger generation, engender memories giving rise to fear in minds and hearts of the oldest among us.

Businesses and churches closed, 

The economy faltered, 

Violence at home is increasing, 

and Deaths from the virus are reported daily. 

Many of us have only seen times like these in movies or read about them in books.

Depression, 

Frustration, 

and Discouragement are on the rise, exacerbated by the news reports and accompanied by weather fluctuations from cold and wintry to mild and spring-like and back to wintry again.

And we are all wondering, "How long???" 

Nothing is certain except that nothing is certain.

But GOD…

I always love it when I read those words “But God” in my Bible. Often they follow bad circumstances or evil, offering hope to a situation that would otherwise seem hopeless.

But God…

For example – Joseph after all the hardship he had gone through told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20

In Psalm 73:26 the Psalmist records “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Another such passage can be found in Ephesians 2:3-10. ".......But God who is rich in mercy..."

So… Covid 19 …That’s the bad news.

But God … That’s the good news!

So, what can we do? 

We can follow the example of King David when things were so bad his own people wanted to stone him to death! 1 Samuel 30:6 says that he “was greatly distressed…but David encouraged himself (some versions say ‘strengthened himself’) in the Lord his God.” (kjv)   He encouraged himself in the Lord! He took courage in the only one able to save him. He drew strength from God! David also wrote in Psalm 29:11, “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” (niv)

Secondly, we can heed the words of the Apostle Paul, when writing to the church at Thessalonica he said, “… encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 

We can encourage others! 

When we do that we bless others but we are encouraged also!

So, dear friend, be encouraged in the Lord today. Let Him be your source of strength and peace in the middle of this storm. And then in His strength, look for ways to encourage others.

Blessings,

Ruth

Perhaps you would like to share ways that you have found to encourage others during this pandemic. If so, please put your ideas in the comments. 

GOOD FRIDAY! WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT?

It was a TERRIBLE day!  A day of hostility, gloom and darkness, abuse, brutality, hatred and death.

Yet we call it “Good.”

This makes no sense.

It may actually seem foolish.   (1 Corinthians 1:18 “…For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness.”)

So why call it good?

Here's the BAD news:

We’re all sinners – Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Our sin separates us from God – Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”

Sin condemned us to death – Roman 5:12 “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.”

Our forgiveness had a price. - Hebrews 9:22 “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness for sin.”

All BAD news so far, right?

But the GOOD news is….

The CROSS!!

Good Friday was the day that changed everything.

Christ’s death on the cross changed our relationship with God! – Ephesians 2:13 “But now, in Christ Jesus you who were once far off are made near, by the blood of Christ.”

The cross demonstrated God’s love for us – Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was for our forgiveness – Hebrews 9:28 “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many…”

His death gave us a great gift – the gift of life! Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

We can have peace with God because of the cross! I Peter 3:18 “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous (that’s Jesus) for the unrighteous (that’s us) to bring you to God.”

Jesus paid the price! -Romans 4:25 - 5:1 “He (Christ) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So now what?

Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:13 “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Sin had a price,

Jesus paid it!

“Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow.”  Elvina M. Hall (1865)

THAT’S why we call it GOOD Friday!

And hold on … God wasn’t finished.  EASTER’S coming! Hallelujah!

Blessings,

Ruth

FIGHT – The INTERNAL BATTLE During the Pandemic

So we find ourselves in unusual circumstances – confined to home, working from home offices, or not working, thrust into the school teacher role or doing schoolwork online, no sports or social gatherings - far removed from our usual routines and schedules… off-kilter. At first we may have enjoyed the “home time” thinking it would be short-term, like a "staycation” maybe. But as days turned into weeks, it is apparent that life is not the same, the staycation is over and we are adapting to new ways of “doing life” for now.

It's being called a “war” against the enemy virus. And mandated guidelines are supposed to keep us safe while the unrelenting enemy runs its course and researchers try to develop a vaccine.  We follow those mandates – staying home except for essential needs, “social distancing” not coming within 6 feet of another person living outside our home, not visiting loved ones in nursing homes or hospitals, good hygienic practices, washing and sanitizing and face masking.

But what about the Internal Personal Struggle in our THOUGHTS?  This struggle is also very real.  Who am I now? What am I doing? What should I be doing? How do I make productive use of these days?  How long will it be like this? How do I stay on even-keel on this stormy sea? 

We must FIGHT.

Using the acrostic F-I-G-H-T  here is a partial battle strategy.

 F – Feed on the Right Things

·         Spiritually – Feed on God’s Word, Christian Radio, Praise Music, Church services online.

·         Mentally – Feed on Good Books, Good Conversation – (Avoid watching News 24/7. Stay informed, yes, but a constant diet of fear inducing depressing coverage only discourages us and makes us afraid.)

·         Physically – Take care of yourself. Eat good nutritious food. Get outside if possible for fresh air and sunshine. Get some physical exercise.

 I – Inspire Others

·         “Encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

·         Have a positive uplifting attitude – this helps everyone in the house.

·         Write and send encouraging cards, notes, texts, emails.

·         Make phone calls to someone who is alone and may feel isolated

·         Online conferencing with your usual groups

·         Have an on-line book club

 G - Glorify God

·         “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

         1 Corinthians 10:31

·         Get up, get dressed, make the bed, keep a schedule.

·         “Do the next thing” and do it with excellence. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23

·         Be thankful – “Be joyful always, Pray continually; Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

·         Memorize a Bible verse

 H- Help Those You Can help.

·         Spiritually – pray for one another – Government leaders, researchers, first and last responders, healthcare workers, sick, elderly, family, friends, neighbors, etc.

·         Emotionally – encourage each other creatively

·         Physically – run errands to get needed supplies for those who need help. Check on your neighbors and friends. Contact those who live alone to ensure they are well.

Participate with those who are endeavoring to help – give financially, donate supplies, volunteer.

T- Think on the Right Things

·         “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

·       Think about what you DO have and count your blessings.

·       Think about what you CAN do and do it!

·        Do not worry!   “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Blessings and peace as you fight on!

What are YOU doing to fight the internal battle? Comment and share your ideas.

Ruth

"...Everything's going my way." Or IS it?

 

Remember the words from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical, Oklahoma ! ?

The refrain of the song, first published in 1943, goes like this:

“Oh what a beautiful morning,
Oh what a beautiful day,
I've got a wonderful feeling,
Everything's going my way.…"

 

That is what I felt like as I took my walk this morning.

After wet and rainy gloomy days,

The sun is shining,

The birds are singing and the sky is blue.

“Oh, what a beautiful morning.”

 

But what if it’s not? 

What if everything is not going my way?

What if the sun isn’t shining and the birds aren’t singing?

What then? 

 

What if I just got a disappointing phone call, or bad news, or had an unwelcomed development?

What if circumstances don’t give me a “wonderful feeling”? 

What then?

While walking I came across these words chalked on the cement:

  

 

 

 

And I thought to myself,

“No matter what –

Sunshine or rain,

Sickness or health,

Disappointment or fears,

Whatever happens, God’s got this!

God’s got ME!

He loves me... and HE IS GOOD!

 

Be encouraged today, friends.

God’s got YOU, too!

Blessings,

Ruth

Coronavirus...Economics...Politics...

“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 

 

The Psalmist expressed great confidence and trust in the Lord when facing serious life-threatening opposition from enemies who attacked and besieged him while falsely accusing him of wrong-doing.

Psalm 27 starts with this great declaration: “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?

 

In David’s case he knew who his enemies were. He knew the danger he was facing.

But he also knew his GOD. His trust in God was unwavering, so much so that he was able to say: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.” Psalm 28:7 

 

I came home from teaching Bible study this morning and turned on the tv. The news was full of speculation and information about the coronavirus that is causing concern around the world today. People are being quarantined,

travel is being restricted,

borders are closing,

and science is scrambling to develop a vaccine.

Also vying for attention in the news are the upcoming elections in our country.

The uncertainty is being reflected in the stock market.

 

If we’re honest it could be easy to be afraid. We tend to fear the unknown, the possible,

the what if’s…

So, in times like these what do we do?  

As Christians we cling to what we DO know!

We know that God is good, merciful, faithful, loving; He is the Lord Almighty.

We can reflect on what we have seen Him do in the past and know that He hasn’t changed.

 

Like the Psalmist we can be strong and take heart. 

We can determine to trust Him.

With David we can say “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.” Psalm 27:3.

 

And we can do what David determined to do despite opposition and trials –

sing and make music to the Lord, seek His face, and give Him thanks. 

 

Be encouraged today,

Ruth

 

"The Lord Almighty- He is the King of glory." Psalm 24:10

I Resolve to ...

At the beginning of each New Year I look back through my calendar, reflecting on the past year and asking myself what significant events happened that could potentially change the way I live in the next year. What activities, actions, behaviors should be added, subtracted, multiplied or continued?   I think about what I know is ahead and wonder what unknown surprises could be coming.  

With each passing year more of the road is behind me than ahead. By the grace of God, I am sure of my destination but I want to end the journey well. 

So I resolve. 

I resolve that this year I will_______________________________________________.

I consider the spiritual, physical, relational, mental, and emotional aspects of life.

I ask God to direct my focus for this year. 

And then I write it down.  

I post reminders in places where I see them frequently because I know that in the busyness of daily living it is easy to get off track and forget… at least for me it is.

I didn’t always do this, but I wish I had. 

I wonder what would have been different if I had? 

I wonder how much more focused I could have been? 

How much more kingdom work could have happened?

How many mistakes could have been avoided? 

How many relationships could have been deepened?

I wonder how my family could have been more encouraged?

And then I recall the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:13-14

“Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

And I press on.

So, my friends, I challenge you to complete this sentence,

 “This year I resolve to_______________________________________.

And if you are up to the challenge I would love to hear how you filled in the blank. 

Feel free to comment at the end of this post.  

And then, dear ones,

Press On.

Blessings,

Ruth

'Tis the Season for Gift-Giving

You select the perfect gifts for your loved ones.

To your amazement they offer to pay you,

Or to work for the gifts,

Or even more shocking… they refuse the gifts altogether!

Never!

You say, “That would never happen!”
And yet it does –
Multiple times –
Every single day! 

From His loving heart, God so loved that He gave -

He gave Jesus!

Jesus IS the gift!

And wrapped up in the tiny baby we celebrate at Christmas are so many gifts, some of which are: Redemption,

Forgiveness,

Adoption into God’s Family,

Eternal LIFE,

A lasting Inheritance,

A constant Helper,

Counsel,

Comfort,

Instruction,

Direction,

Discernment,

Power,   

Gifts for service,

Assurance of salvation,

Help in prayer,

Wisdom,

Grace,

Joy,

Peace,

Hope.

God’s gifts are lasting and God’s gifts are good!

Who wouldn’t want all that?
Even more so, we all need it.
We ALL need HIM.

For a gift to become yours you have to

Believe it and
Receive it when it is offered.

God’s gift – Freely given.

You can’t buy it or work for it - and please, please,  please don’t refuse it!

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

that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13

Merry Christmas!

Ruth

 

Thanksgiving?

This is a huge holiday week in America, as millions of people are preparing to give thanks,
or are we? 
One can only imagine the conversations as friends and families gather around tables...
Politics,
"Global warming,"
Wars and threats of war,
Strange weather phenomenon,
Immigration,
Economic insecurity,
Fractured, difficult, or lost relationships,
Health concerns,
Travel difficulties,
Etc., etc.

Can we stop?
Even for one day? 
Can we stop and remember?
Remember the things we have to be thankful for,
Blessings that God liberally pours out with generosity on all of us.
The undeserved gifts He showers on a world that largely discounts Him most of the time.
Sacrifices made by those who fight for freedom, those who even while we celebrate, are responding to calls for help, or keeping us safe in our homes.

Like a challenge? 
How about for 24 hours giving thanks, no complaining, just thanksgiving.
Can we do it?
I don't know but I'm willing to try. How about you?

Happy Giving of Thanks,
Ruth

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High."

Psalm 92:1

"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen." Revelation 7:12

Yesterday Americans celebrated Memorial Day, remembering those who died for the cause of freedom. In every war people fought to keep us free:

·         From oppression
·         From domination
·         From slavery
·         From communism, fascism, socialism, terrorism
·         From dictatorship and tyranny.
Yet the war continues without and within our own borders today.
Many suffered death or grievous loss for the cause of a peace that can be only temporary.
For that, we are grateful and honor their sacrifice and bravery on Memorial Day.

Christ died ONCE to give lasting freedom

·         From the tyranny of sin and death
·         From judgement and eternal destruction
·         From bondage and slavery to sin.
He suffered unjust agony, humiliation, the weight of the sin of the whole world, rejection of the Father, the penalty we all deserve.
And for that, we love and worship Him.

His is a lasting eternal peace:

·         The peace of God
·         Peace with God
·         And peace with one another.

We must never forget the sacrifice of those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy in America today. We must not dishonor them by trampling on those freedoms or by giving them away.

 

We must not forget that we are “One Nation under God” and that it is because of Him that we can have true freedom. We must not disparage the One who died to bring eternal peace to our souls, and hearts, and minds – the One who died once, declaring “It is finished” –the One who reconciled fallen humanity to our holy, righteous God. Let’s not dishonor Him by forgetting His sacrifice every day.

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free.” Galatians 5:1

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32
“I AM the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6
“You were called to freedom.” Galatians 5:13
“…Free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

Thank you, God, for the freedoms we enjoy in our country. Thank you for those who sacrificed to keep us free. Thank you most of all for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross to atone for our sins and to reconcile us to God. Thank you that He rose again to guarantee our eternal life. Help us to walk in freedom today and always.  Amen.