Month: February 2018

“Fix theses words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates, so that  your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth” (Deuteronomy 11:18-21).

We may blame the problems in our country on many things: politics, the NRA, the NEA, congress, the President, the church, etc.  We may have reason to do so. But, I wonder, if the families in our Nation, who profess to be Christian families, would follow the directions given to the Israelites long ago, would things change?

• If children were taught the 10 Commandments would we see more reverence for God? Would we see children respecting each other and their parents?
• If  the commandments and other Bible verses were posted in our homes and families talked about them as they lived daily life, would it make a difference in how people treated each other?
• If children saw their parents loving God with all their hearts, soul, mind, and strength, would they also follow in their parents’ footsteps?
• If children learned at an early age that God created them and loved them even before they were born, would they grow up respecting life and understanding how valuable God thinks each person is?
• If children saw their parents praying through the difficulties of life and praising God through all of life, would children learn to trust and depend on God?
• If children were taught responsibility for their actions and learned by consequences from their mistakes, would they grow up to be logical thinkers and dependable workers?
• If children saw their parents loving God and giving priority to the marriage would they grow up knowing that marriage is a life-long bond between a man and a woman?
• If children were taught that sin leads to death, but Jesus died and rose again to save them from death, wouldn’t they want this salvation?
• If children were taught that the Bible, not society, defines sin and that God is the source of all truth, would they grow up less confused about themselves and the world in which they live?

Just wondering. . .

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4)

 

 

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31).

I was standing in my yard the other day enjoying the outdoors with warmer temperatures.  I’d had a depressing day the day before and was glad for warmer weather that encouraged my being outdoors.  I looked up and was surprised to see an eagle flying–no higher than the roof of my house! What a sight!  Those broad, beautiful wings spread wide as it glided on the wind. I could clearly see its golden beak and gleaming white head and tail. I stood spellbound and all I could do was say, “thank you, Lord.”

I live near a river and mountains where eagles live, but most of the time they fly so high I can barely discern what kind of bird is flying. I’m not sure why this eagle was flying low enough for me to see it, but I accepted it as a gift from God.  I needed that lift. Sometimes life is hard for all of us. God never promised an easy life, but He does renew our strength when we hope in Him. I truly experienced a renewal in my spirit and in strength when I saw the eagle.

You may not see an eagle today, but it is my hope that you see or experience something that will bring a smile and a “thank you, Lord” to your lips.  May you be encouraged by these verses that Isaiah wrote just before those that say “they will soar on wings like eagles.”

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (Isaiah 40:28-29)

 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”  (Philippians 4:6).

I did not get many subbing days in January. So I asked God to provide a few more days for me.  I subbed 5 days this past week! I already have a call for tomorrow and a half day Tues.  I’m thinking I retired so I wouldn’t have to get up early five days a week.  My ideal for sub work is two or three days a week. I asked and God answered so why am I complaining?  I’m tired.

I have been reading the book of Numbers this week. God’s people sure did a lot of complaining. One of their complaints was they were tired of eating nothing but manna. They wanted meat to eat.  God said He would give them meat for a whole month “until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it.”  Wow! He gave them quail to eat—lots of quail—and then sent a plague among the people.  Complaining does not please God.  God has provided by giving me these days of subbing so I won’t complain. I’ll just take a nap after school or go to bed earlier.  Oh, yes, and thank Him for His provision.

God also answered my prayer for safety today.  I drive about 45 minutes to church each Sunday and today it started snowing as soon as I arrived and kept snowing until I got home.   The roads were not good especially the last five miles. I live on a back road with many curves and hills and it’s the last to receive treatment after a snow storm.   I slid and prayed and praised my way home. I had to leave my car at the bottom of my driveway (it’s a steep hill), walk to the house, change clothes and get the snow shovel.  As I walked back to my car I cleared a path on each side for the tires to get traction.  My plan worked and I got the car into the garage.  So thankful!

Here it is Monday and would you believe it?  There was no school today. I went to bed last night knowing they had called for a two-hour delay only to receive a call this morning that schools were closed.  So I got to sleep in after all.

Trusting God to do what’s best is always best.  It turns out I had the usual number of subbing days in January after all. Most of them were all in one week but I’m thankful I could manage it. God answered my prayers in both cases.  I got home safely on the slick roads and I got the subbing days.  Why do I doubt or complain?

“. . . for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life . . .” (Philippians 2:13-16a).