“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15).

Grandson #3 sat pushing his pancake pieces around on his plate with a bewildered look on his face.  Grandson #2 was eating his pancakes but silently wondering what was wrong.  No one said a word until Becky, their mom, took a bite of hers.  Was it the syrup?  Something didn’t taste right and we were trying to figure out what it was.

Grandson #3 said, “I ate some and it didn’t taste too bad, but there was a bad taste in my mouth afterwards.”

Grandson #2 said, “I thought something wasn’t right, but didn’t want to be rude so I ate them. I figured it wouldn’t hurt me.”

I finally took a bite and looked again at the recipe. The pancakes certainly didn’t taste like they were suppose to taste. They were almost bitter!  I soon discovered my mistake. I’d used baking soda instead of baking powder!  Of course, being the good grandmother that I try to be, I mixed up another batch and started over.  Thankfully, I got them cooked and we were eating them before the power went out for the second time in two days!

I apologized and was forgiven for my mistake. I’ve made that recipe many times before – successfully. This time I did not give the making of the pancakes my careful attention. I’d already made a batch of brownies and had macaroni and cheese cooking in the crock pot.  The Sipes Family reunion was at noon and my time was short and apparently my brain power was as well. I don’t multi-task as well as I used to. And my kitchen was in a mess!

As I thought about what lesson I was learning from all this I remembered that the Bible tells us to be careful how we live.  We get too busy.  We have messes. We make mistakes and sometimes lose our power.  But as God’s people we have a responsibility to live carefully and make the most of our opportunities. Others are watching us. My constant prayer is that my grandchildren will see good examples to follow, whether it’s their parents, grandparents, or other Christians who are involved in their lives.

When we answered the question “what’s wrong with the pancakes?” I went about the business of correcting my mistake. Sometimes I have to ask a similar question about my life. “What’s wrong with my life?”  That, too, may require a correction or an apology.  Thankfully God is willing to forgive me when I get careless and make mistakes.

When Joshua knew it was time for his death he reminded God’s people to “be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law” and to “be very careful to love the Lord your God” (Joshua 23:6, 11).    Good to remember!

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain , but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17).

Endurance and Enjoyment

I made two lists this week.  One listed things I enjoyed doing and the other listed things I endured.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that the enjoyment list was longer.  When I’m disposing of a trapped mouse and cleaning up the its messes  left in closets or weeding my flower garden, it seems like I’m enduring things needing to be done more than enjoying them.  This life on earth is a journey made up of both endurance and enjoyment and as I get older I see that my perspective and worldview have much to do with what is on which list.

You see, with the endurance comes enjoyment.  My flower garden looks much better. I can enjoy the blooms without looking at the weeds (for a while).  My closets are clean, neat, and organized.  When I recognize God as the Creator and giver of all, I gratefully enjoy little things like, fresh veggies from my garden, cool mornings, and watching Molly’s silliness.

God created us for His pleasure. He desires fellowship with us.  When we hurt, He hurts. He knows our need before we ask. He is ready to help us, through the work of the Holy Spirit, to endure whatever comes our way-whether it’s an annoying inconvenience or major life changing event.  Most of the things on my “endurance list” this week were quite trivial compared to many of the trials which come our way.  Some folks are enduring the heartache of a prodigal child, a walk-away spouse, failing health, job loss, or loneliness. I don’t know how one can face these without God. Only God can offer hope and assurance through His love and His promise to never leave us.

Encouragement

Second Corinthians 1:3 tells us that God is the “Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”  There it is-one reason for our suffering and trouble. We can become a comforter and encourager to others. As we emerge on the other side of our endurance to a place of enjoyment we are ready to encourage another traveler.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4-5).

“Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life”  (Proverbs   16:31).

Birthday Thoughts

My birthday was last week-the 72^nd one.  I’ve discovered as I get older I think about birthdays of the past more than looking forward to future birthdays.  I remember as a child I couldn’t wait to get a year older-old enough to go to school, old enough to drive, old enough to make my own decisions!  Now, I’m grateful for birthdays but not necessarily getting excited about the next one.  I’m more inclined to just enjoy or endure each day as it comes.  I suppose every day has a bit of enjoyment and endurance.  That will wait for a future blog.

Memories

My mother always made a birthday cake for me and my sister and brothers as we grew up.  We never had birthday parties but she made the day special with a cake after dinner and usually a gift.   I especially remember my sixth birthday.  My mother bought candle holders for the birthday candles!  We’d never had those before.  I think she’d just stick the candles in the cake. The candle holders were pink and shaped like little cakes. I think some of those may still be at the home place.  We later had other holders as well but never enough for bigger birthdays.

I also remember my 20^th birthday. It was the first time I spent my birthday away from home.   I was taking a summer course at Shepherd College and staying in the dorm. Some of the girls in the dorm surprised me that night with a cake.

My 60^th birthday was special because Wayne surprised me with a party. Many church friends and teaching colleagues attended. Our girls and their families were home that week. Those are always special times when the whole family is home together. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen very much anymore.

Wayne nearly always took me out to eat on my birthday. It was also our tradition when our girls got older for them to chose their favorite restaurant for dinner out on their birthdays.  I miss those days.

Getting Older

“The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10).

Once we pass 70 we’ve lived the length of days mentioned in Psalm 90 and we realized how short life really is.  Time seems to move faster and faster.  When my children were young I remember feeling very tired but I also remember having time to do things together. Once they started school the pace picked up and when they reached high school those four years flew away in no time.  I was teaching during many of those years, so that made for less time together. I always enjoyed the summers with them and never wished for them to be back in school any sooner than September.  They went to college. They got married and the grandkids came!  Now the first three grandkids are going to college with the oldest one finishing her master’s degree.  I thank God for my family and all the memories but I wish for more time together.

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children” (Proverbs 17:6).

 Life’s Purpose

King Solomon denied himself nothing but when he looked at all he had achieved, he said it was “meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”  He came to the conclusion that all of us should attain. “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

I guess birthdays are a good time to take a look at where one has been and where one hopes to go. No matter what goals I set I must fear God and keep his commandments. Without God at the center of everything, life truly is meaningless. God gives me purpose. He wants fellowship with me. He wants to show His glory through me. He desires my complete trust in Him and my praise and adoration for Who He is-my Creator and my Savior! My life is nothing without God.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain” (Psalm 127:1).

 

 

 

 

 

Molly woke me at 4:00 AM the other day barking at the cabinet under the kitchen sink.  I had seen evidence of a sneaky little mouse elsewhere and had already cleaned that area and put in the recommended peppermint saturated cotton balls. Now it was obvious he/she decided to try a different area.  Of course neither Molly nor I saw the  creature so we went back to bed.  Later, I cleaned under the sink and put all doggy treats in a tin can with a tight fitting lid. Surely, the mouse wouldn’t be interested in sponges or dish detergents.

Fast forward a couple days.  I loaded my washer with laundry, opened the dispenser and poured in detergent.  I heard a click, click sound as it fell against the glass in the door of the washer.  Flowing detergent does not make a clicking sound! Looking in the washer I found several pieces of dog food, fished them out of my dirty tee shirts and shorts and proceeded to add a bit more detergent along with some water to be sure to wash out the detergent opening. Then I turned on the machine.  More clicking!  More dog food! Turning off the machine  I removed the whole dispenser from the machine and looked behind it and yes, you guessed it, more dog food! I spend the next few minutes spooning out dog food and fishing more out of my laundry. What I thought Molly was eating had been stored by a mouse in my washer! I was not happy!!  I finally got the load of laundry done and found only two little pieces of dog food I’d missed.   Now, if Molly has any left-over food in her bowl at the end of the day it is put away, out of reach of the nasty hoarder.

After a trip to town the Tomcat Mouse Killer is placed in strategic places and I hope soon for the demise of the mouse/mice.   When mice are mentioned in the Bible, yes, I looked it up in Strong’s Concordance, it is in a negative context. So, I think, God is okay with my battle plan.

So, what lesson am I learning?  Plug up holes with steel wool and keep Tomcat Mouse Killer on hand.  And, of course, put away the food!

The Apostle Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  I’m definitely not thankful for the mice, but I am thankful to have clean cupboards. I may not have had the motivation to get it done otherwise.  And I did not let that sneaky little creature steal my joy, at least not for very long.  There are much bigger and more important battles to be fought.

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23).

 

 

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water”       (Hebrews 10:22).

 I woke up the other morning with my dog, Molly, snuggled up against me. In the summertime I’d rather she stay on her blanket and not against me.  Any lady over 50 knows we don’t need anything with body heat against us! But Molly often seeks the spot next to me whenever I sit down to read or rest.  She just wants to be close.

I thought about my closeness with God.  Do I desire to cuddle up with God? Do I crave the spiritual food received from His Word? Do I desire to spend time talking with Him in prayer?  I have to admit that sometimes the newspaper, email, or some other task becomes more important. My priorities get out of whack and my desires become distorted. My desires are directed toward selfish interests instead of toward the One who created me and gives me strength to keep going.  What I need is what Jesus can supply.

I read of people in the Bible who wanted to be close to Jesus. There was the woman with a bleeding disorder who wanted to touch his cloak and believed she could be healed (Matthew 9:20-22).  Mothers brought their children to Jesus so He could touch them and pray for them (Matthew 19:13-15).  John records in chapter 12 the dinner event when Mary poured expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. Now, that’s getting close! These people wanted to be close to Jesus because of what He had done for them or what they needed Him to do.

Isaiah, the prophet, upon seeing the Lord Almighty, recognized the holiness of the Lord and his own sinfulness. Coming near to God does that for us. We see our guilt in the presence of His holiness.  Oh! But look at what God does for Isaiah.  He takes away his guilt and atones for his sin.  Then Isaiah is ready to be useful for God’s service (Isaiah 6:1-8).  God cleanses us with the blood of Jesus so we can be useful for His Kingdom.  James says in chapter 4 and verse 8, “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Staying near to God helps me focus on what is important and what He wants me to do.  So no matter what task I’m doing I do it with God beside me. If I can’t ask God to bless what I’m doing and walk beside me, should I be doing it?  When I sit with God at the beginning of my day, reading the Bible, praying, and seeking His guidance I know He will be near me for the rest of the day.  It’s a goal I don’t always meet, but praise God, I’m improving.

God gives us His Spirit to remind us of Jesus’ teachings, to guide us and to comfort us.  When we submit to the leading of the Spirit we stay close to God.

“But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds” (Psalm 73:28).

 

Happy Independence Day!  I am thankful for the United States of America, for the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of this great country.  I am sad when I see a lack of patriotism and hear complaints from some who think their rights are being denied.  Our Nation isn’t perfect and our history proves that, but there isn’t another country I would rather call home.  Many have fought and died to maintain the freedom we enjoy in the United States of America and I am grateful for each one.

As thankful as I am for our national freedoms I am more grateful for our freedom in Christ.  In Romans 6 the Apostle Paul speaks of our freedom from sin.  He states in verse 16 that we are slaves to the one we obey. He contrasts the life of slavery to sin which leads to death and the life of obedience to God which leads to righteousness.

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6: 22-23).

As Christians we are free in Christ, but Paul warns us about the use of our freedom. “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Galatians 5:13-14).   Indulging the sinful nature is actually a life of selfishness-doing what I want rather than thinking about what would honor God.

Paul continues in verse 16, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”  Paul lists acts of the sinful nature and says those who live like that will not inherit the kingdom of God.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other” (Galatians 5:22-26).

If all Christians truly allowed the Spirit to produce His fruit in us, what would our homes and communities look like?  What would our Nation look like?  The strength of a nation begins with the strength of the home.  Our Nation needs more strong Spirit-led families who stand for the truth of God’s Word. The survival of our freedoms depends upon it.  Our Nation was founded upon a trust in God and dependence on Him for guidance. Can Christian families help restore that trust?

 

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).

 This verse was read recently just before the communion service and as I often do I looked back at the preceding verse.  The words from verse 5 sort of jumped off the page as I read them. “. . . God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”  The verb, poured, is such a vivid picture in my mind. The Apostle Paul didn’t use dripped, sprinkled, or even served. He said poured. I think of a full, flowing stream that never ends. God’s love continuously flows into our hearts. That’s a powerful thought!

Love is not the only fruit of the Spirit that should be evident in my life.  Looking back at Romans 5:1-5 I  see the source of peace and joy as well. With Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection I am justified through faith. I stand in God’s grace just as though I hadn’t sinned.  I can certainly rejoice in the hope I have in knowing I’m forgiven.  Then Paul continues by saying we also rejoice in our sufferings.  I don’t rejoice very much when I’m suffering. I’m sure no one does.  So I thought about these verses some more.  Verse one says we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. I think it is this peace that helps us rejoice in our sufferings, not because we are suffering, but because Jesus is working in our lives.

“Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 3b-4).  The Holy Spirit helps us through our suffering, building and shaping our character, making us useful in His Kingdom. I find it takes a great deal of trust to allow God to work through my suffering. As I trust, He leads a step at a time, giving me hope that He will never leave me to go through life alone.  I find peace through my suffering-peace that is a quiet assurance of God’s faithfulness and love. Peace follows love-the love poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Peace also follows prayer. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” I have found the more I suffer, the more I need to pray. Prayer is my lifeline and the way to peace.  “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

Jesus suffered on the cross. That brought me peace with God. I am no longer an enemy of God when I accept His offer of peace.   Just before Jesus’ suffering on the cross He made this promise. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).   Jesus lives today to prove we need not be troubled or afraid. Praise God!

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”       Isaiah 26:3

The following memories were printed and tucked into my Dad’s Father’s Day card today.  Thanks for allowing me to share them with you. Today Daddy is 93 years old.  If you are blessed to still have your dad with you, take time to thank him. You may want to share some of your memories with him.

Memories with Daddy

Father’s Day 2017

I remember:

• Going to church at Bethel and falling asleep with my head on his knee-wearing a scratchy, wool suit.
• Daddy singing in Christmas programs at Bethel.
• Daddy teaching my Sunday School class at Bethel and having us memorize much Scripture including much of Luke 2 and Matthew 28. To this day I can quote most of it.
• As a very young girl, Daddy holding me up to see a pig-a very big pig in my little girl eyes!
• Following barefoot behind Daddy as he plowed the field with the horses.
• Riding one of the horses as he led it down to the creek to drink and feeling like I’d fall off when the horse reached down to the water.
• Going to the creek with the whole family and Ivory soap during the summer months.
• Riding an inner tube and Daddy pushing me out to the deep water where my feet didn’t touch the bottom-I was scared!
• Riding with Daddy on the mowing machine pulled by horses. Did Mama really allow that?
• The cozy feeling in the barn during the winter when the sheep came in at night. Little lambs walking across the mothers’ backs as they munched hay.
• The thud as we threw down hay bales from the haymow.
• (Before hay bales), watching Daddy thrust the hay fork into a bunch of hay and the horses pulling it up to be dropped into the haymow.
• Later years, watching the bales move up the loader to be stacked.
• Mama packing lunches and meeting Daddy at the hayfield to eat together.
• Walking with Daddy through a field one day, looking at a white cloud, and Daddy talking about when Jesus comes back in the clouds.
• Seeing Daddy read his Bible every morning.
• Daddy holding Mama on his lap after supper.
• Daddy teaching me to drive; I was driving home from church one Sunday and turned too short and hit the edge of the bridge. Daddy raised his voice and apologized later. (One of my many mess-ups!)
• Daddy being present for the more emotional days; my baptism, high school graduation, college graduation, my wedding day!
• Daddy taking time for my girls whenever we visited.

Thank you, Daddy, for the memories and for being there for me throughout my life.  I will always love you!

 

August 1967

                      June 2017                                     

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

Please, allow me to reminisce for a bit.  My older daughter chose to spend a couple weeks with me on the anniversary of her dad’s death.  This is the second year and I don’t think it’s any easier than it was last year.  We decided last year to spend the day at Coopers Rock State Forest.  It’s a beautiful forest with amazingly huge rocks with hiking trails to walk among them.  This year we visited Seneca Rocks, Seneca Caverns, and Blackwater Falls.  Fifty years ago this August Wayne and I spent a couple days in that area on our honeymoon.  I had hoped we could revisit it this year.  Since we could not, I was hoping my daughters and families could plan a trip there, but schedules wouldn’t allow that.

Marianne and I, along with grandson, Braidon, spent two days exploring the sights in and around Monongahela National Forest, driving many of the same roads Wayne and I had traveled 50 years ago.  Those mountains are a wonderful example of God’s handiwork.  It was interesting to compare pictures from 50 years ago to the ones we took on this trip.  The trees were taller around the Blackwater Falls and the lodge.  A rock at the bottom of the falls was smoother on one side than it had been before. Time changes many things.  Of course the biggest change was that Wayne was no longer by my side.

These two years have been difficult and memories often bring tears.  Grief has unanswered questions, at least in this life, and I try not to spend much time trying to figure out why I’m suffering such a great disappointment.  God is still in control. Death was not His intention. His creation was pronounced  good and  very good.  It was mankind’s sin that brought death. It is God’s Son that makes life possible again.  In fact, as I mentioned in my last  blog, God planned for our salvation even before creation!

I don’t often read the book of Habakkuk, but recently it was referenced in a Bible study I attend.  Habakkuk was a prophet of God who had to tell God’s people of their impending doom due to their idolatry and disobedience.  Habakkuk knew terrible times were coming for the people, yet he chose to praise God and trust His mercy. He says, “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2).

Habakkuk’s trust in God was amazing as is evident in the verses I referred to at the beginning.  Habakkuk is determined to rejoice in the Lord no matter what has happened or what he is lacking.   I’m not there yet. I do find joy in the Lord but not in my circumstances.  I’m still working on that and praise God He is with me and helping me through the struggle.  One day, I may be able to say, “Though Wayne no longer lives on this earth and I spend my days and nights alone, ‘yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.’”

I like the way Habakkuk closes his book.  His words give me hope and encouragement.

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,  he enables me to go on the heights”  (Habakkuk 3:19).

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight (Ephesians 1:3-4).

Two years ago on June 1^st the love of my life went home to be with the Lord. Three years ago on May 27^th my mom went to her eternal home with the Lord.  Needless to say, these past few weeks have been weepy.  This past Sunday was the Annual Murphy Reunion with three brothers and their parents missing. The grandchildren (of Wayne’s parents) are grown and many are married with their own children.   My two daughters were able to attend the reunion along with four of my seven grandchildren. Since the weather was rainy we met at a church building instead of the park.  That made it a bit easier, I think, since we had not made memories in that setting.  I know that family reunions are difficult to maintain after a few generations but I’m glad this one is still going, at least for now.

Wayne and I, as well as our daughters, have many memories of those early years when Papa and sons would roast a pig. The process started very early in the morning and by noon everyone enjoyed barbeque sandwiches. Several traditions rose from those beginning years. One of which was Nannie’s pictures.  She always wanted a picture of all her children, one of her grandchildren and a picture of each of her children’s families. After Nannie’s home-going one of her daughters continued the photos. Now we have missing faces in the photos.

Families change over the years and death will come to all of us. Another generation will go on until death takes them as well. Death was not God’s intent when he created the world and mankind.  He wanted man to live and have fellowship with Him. But because of sin death entered the world and no one is exempt. What amazes me is that God planned for our salvation even before the creation of the world! (Ephesians 1) He created us to be holy and to live in “praise of his glorious grace.” So it’s more important for the generations to continue to live lives of holiness and praise to God than it is for the tradition of family reunions to go on.

I pray often for the younger generations. The culture today is accepting immoral living as a “right.” Those who stand for the truth of the Word of God are considered “intolerant.”  In fact some deny there is truth.  If we deny God’s truth we have no anchor, no moral compass to guide us. We have nothing but ourselves to live by. Living according to “me” is selfish and destructive. I need the grace of my Creator. That grace is available to every believer who chooses to accept it.  Then one day we will enjoy the greatest family reunion ever! Praise God!