Month: January 2021

This week’s blog is borrowed from Debbie Wuthnow, from iVoterGuide. She explores the word truth and chooses to use it as her word for the new year. I agree with Debbie’s message and hope it encourages you as it did me. Here is her message as it arrived in my inbox today.

Friend, 2021 has begun unlike any year I can remember in my lifetime.   As we’ve started the year, my thoughts have not been filled with typical New Year’s resolutions, but in deep prayer and contemplation. Leading into 2021, I took part in the devotional, “One Word That Will Change Your Life.”  As I sought to find God’s intention for me for this year, I started with the one word that might describe how we all felt after January 6. The word was despair.  Many of you may be feeling the same, and I want you to know that you’re not alone in how you feel.  Somehow, though, we must move beyond despair.   As I sat down to write you, it struck me that TRUTH helps fight despair, so I decided that my word for 2021 would be TRUTH.   Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life.” In the days and months to come, we must remember whose we are.  God is not a God of despair but of hope, love, and truth.  The Psalmist said, “Why are you in despair, O my soul?  And why have you become disturbed within me?  Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.” (Psalm 42:5) I’m reminded of the time in Joseph’s life when things certainly did not go his way.  His brothers sold him into slavery, and his situation seemed desperate.  Yet, he knew that what man intended as evil, God used for good.  (Genesis 50:20) What good could possibly come from the events of the past week, you ask?   I’ve been greatly comforted by the stories coming from the Capitol as both Democrats and Republicans openly called on God for protection and comforted one another. I also have to wonder:  1. Has the church finally reached a time of crisis that is driving them to their knees?  2. Will discouraging times cause people to share their faith, the reason for their hope?  3. Will violence on both sides cause people to examine their hearts and ways?  (Psalm 11:5) We know that God can use anything for His purpose, and we also know that He appoints kings and princes – including both President Trump and President-Elect Biden.  He can and will work through both, but will our hearts be in a place where we’re ready for God’s assignment – where we’re ready to put aside everything we’re feeling and lean against OUR understanding and into the path God has put before us?  (Proverbs 3:5-6) I believe that TRUTH is not only God’s word for me for 2021, but that it encapsulates what iVoterGuide is here to do. In the past months and years, we’ve had so much misinformation that no one knows who to believe and where to look for truth. My promise to you and to God is that iVoterGuide will seek the truth and strive to rely only on information that is originally sourced and verified.  When the truth is not known, we pledge not to spread conjecture or use “spin” to fit our narrative.  We will fight disinformation with civic education, truth, and hope. When times are the darkest, the light of those who embrace God will glow the brightest. I invite you to join me in sitting still before the Lord.  To take time to breathe, to be quiet, and to listen… to reflect, repent, humble ourselves, and re-focus. In doing so, we’ll be ready for however God leads in 2021. In His service, Debbie Wuthnow President, iVoterGuide P.S.  Do you have a friend who needs encouragement?  Please forward this email to begin building one another up and lifting people out of despair.

iVoterGuide is a project of Heritage Alliance, a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization. Follow us on social media!

I woke up Sunday morning to a herd of black cows in my front yard! Many of you know I live on a farm between pastures and hay fields, but I’ve never had the whole herd of 20 plus cows come to my yard. Oh, there were two cows still on the right side of the fence. They must have missed the exodus through the gate mistake. That’s when a gate is left open, by mistake. I made three phone calls before I reached someone who could do something about it. Those cows didn’t listen to me!  The farmer’s friend (the farmer was working his other job) came and led them right back through the gate mistake-no problem at all!

My yard was a problem! The ground was soft and every hoof print was deep! Cows are heavy animals. I was imagining how it would be riding my lawn mower across the yard next spring–a bouncing ride for sure.  And the cow pies! Yikes! They were everywhere. I spent time crying over the whole mess. However, Farmer Kirk is a good friend, and he came the next day to clean up those messy piles and told me he could fix the hoof prints. I’m sure he’ll see to that before mowing time.

I wasn’t sure what lesson I was to learn from the cow pow wow, and then Wednesday happened. I was stunned and heartbroken as I saw the lawbreakers enter the Capitol building. Just like the cows, they were definitely not suppose to be there. Perhaps time will bring out the truth of the who, why, and how of that event  I have questions.

Our country and our government are in a mess. Gates were left open and evil came in. God and prayer are left out of our public schools. The definition of marriage is changed to include sexual immorality. Killing babies is legal! The legislature is trying to make a genderless society. Blasphemous prayers are uttered. Have we lost our minds?

Church, we must rise from our apathy, become students of the Word, make disciples, and fill our minds and life with prayer. I believe this is the only way to hold back the evil that has invaded our land. It seems truth cannot be found. The prophet Isaiah says of his day, “So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey” (Isaiah 59:14-15).

Sounds a little like today, doesn’t it? Truth about matters of today may or may not come to light. Ultimately, truth is found in God’s Word.

We need gates of prayer!

“O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure” (Psalm 7:9).

“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?” (Psalm 27:1).

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

A friend called me recently to wish me “Happy New Year”. He explained that at this time of year he goes through his contacts list and makes these calls. I was honored to receive his call and grateful for his concern. He prayed with me and read that verse from Romans. He is not the first person who has reminded me of that verse. Another friend I had visited during the holidays also referred to it. It seems like a perfect motto to live by this year.

The next morning, as I sat at my desk observing the dark clouds, I saw bits of light beginning to shine through. Those slivers of golden sunshine reminded me that the sun is still shining, though I may not see much of it. Dark days do eventually turn to sunny days. I think hope is a little like that, sometimes it is just a glimmer. But that glimmer reminds us there is more. Hope can grow stronger.

In this new year, of 2021, our days are just as uncertain as they were in 2020. We do not know what will happen, whether things will be better or worse than last year. I suspect there will be some things better and some things worse. Isn’t that how most years progress? We have no assurance of better days ahead, but we do have assurance of Who will go with us through those days-good or bad. We have a God of hope! We have a God we can trust!

Our God is mighty and loving and compassionate! He deserves our praise and our trust. He wants to fill us with joy and peace, and He wants us to overflow with hope. I want that, too, but sometimes the trust is hard. That Romans verse says, “as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope.” We must trust the God of hope to overflow with hope!

I’ve discovered some days take more prayer and more time spent reading God’s Word so I can trust more. Prayer and Bible study allow the Holy Spirit to work in my life and make me more aware of His Presence. I also have a better perspective on what is happening in the world.

It is true we have no assurance of better days this year, but we do have the assurance that the best is yet to come.  This world is not our final home. God is preparing a new heaven and a new earth!

I pray for many good things to happen in this year. I pray we, as God’s people, will stand firm in our faith, depend on God for our strength and wisdom, and in all matters to be obedient to His will.

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Happy New Year!