I have enjoyed a few rain showers recently and the grass is beginning to get green again. I am most happy about not having to water my garden every day. I’m enjoying green beans, tomatoes, squash, peppers, cucumbers, and beets. Though the produce is stunted due to the dry weather I still have enough to eat and some to can for future use. I am grateful. These hot days prevent me from getting the weeds out as quickly as I’d like. I work on it a little bit in the evenings. And would you believe? I get tired easily. Another disadvantage of age!

Lest I dwell too long on the disadvantages of aging, I must focus on something else. I listen to the news, watch the media with its propaganda and misleading advertising, but is that a good place to focus my attention?

Scripture points me in a different direction.  Psalm 141:8-9 says, “My eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge–do not give me over to death. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers.” David, the Psalm writer, had to confront evil in his day just as we must confront it today. Evil may present itself in different ways at different times in history, but it is evil non the less. With todays’ political environment we have to take a stand for righteousness and to do that we must shelter our lives and minds with the truth of God’s Word. Without this protection we may be overwhelmed by the evil surrounding us.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Jesus endured an evil and cruel death. He willingly allowed it to happen to pay the price for our salvation. The writer of Hebrews goes on to encourage us to “not grow weary and lose heart” (verse 3). When I focus on Jesus and what He did for me I am encouraged to continue focusing on that truth. I will not despair amid evil because I know who is really in charge and I know in the end righteousness will overcome evil. Where is your focus?

 

These past weeks have been like a “word desert” for me. Nothing seemed urgent enough to write about. Some days I’m just plain lazy and unmotivated! (There. I said it!) So, it’s been good to have some things to motivate me to action. Having company does that for me. Smiles and good times have dropped into my life.

My eleven-year-old grandson spent 10 days with me, half of which included a 45-minute trip to Vacation Bible School each evening.  He enjoyed seeing his friends from the church I attend, but after a week this grandma was tired. And I didn’t even help with the VBS, just drove him there and back home. It was worth it to help him make memories. We also visited a Nature Center and took a long hike in the woods.

Included in those ten days was a whole lot of painting. My son-in-law and six foot plus grandson had taken down all the window shutters so I could paint them. All 26 pieces!

My sister and brother-in-law came for a weekend. That included a Saturday morning hike and playing games in the evening. The following weekend my younger daughter and son-in-law came to put the shutters back on the house. Thankful for their help. The new paint perked up the outside of the house. Their visit perked up my spirit.

Last week I had cataract surgery for the left eye with the right eye scheduled for this coming week. Already the world is looking brighter and definite improvement in far eyesight. New glasses are in the future, but in the meantime, I’ve had to pull out an old pair in order to read. I’m thanking God for the improvements.

As for the “word desert”. I’ve begun reading the Psalms this month. Such an oasis of words! The Psalms are refreshment for the soul as showers of rain to the parched grass.  The Psalms give many word pictures of who God is. He is our refuge, strength, comforter, creator, fortress, light, salvation, rock, and much more! God fills the need whatever the situation. Why do I not praise Him more often?

Psalm 67

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us,

That your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.

May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly

And guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, O God;

May all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest,

And God, our God, will bless us. God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.”

“Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Philippians 4:4

May has been a busy month for me! I’ve taken four trips in the last five weeks. My traveling started the last weekend of April, when I attended the Eastern Christian College Alumni Reunion which was held on the old campus. I attended there 1962-1964. The campus is no longer a college campus but instead it houses an alternative school and a Christian school. Campuses change and time moves onward.

Two weekends in May were college graduations. My youngest granddaughter graduated from Johnson University in TN and my oldest grandson graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University. Four of my seven grandchildren are finished with college, and one has her Masters.  Children grow up and time moves onward.

My high school Alumni Association has a reunion dinner every year. This was the 60^th year for me and last year was my brother’s 50^th. (It was not held for two years.) My brother was our speaker this year as we celebrated three classes becoming part of the Half-century Club. It was well attended but of course, many were missing either by death or choice.  Some move away and don’t travel the distance for a reunion. The Class of 2022 is now part of the Alumni Association and time moves onward year after year.

Most recently, I attended the Murphy Family Reunion, which has been happening since 1977. It was a beautiful day and not too hot or too cold. Food was plentiful and delicious! More folks attended this year than last. Many of us are looking older and several faces were missing. Mom and Dad Murphy and three brothers have gone to their eternal home. People get older, eventually death comes to all, and yet time moves onward for the next generation.

As I grow older these life milestones become more meaningful. Celebrations are important while we live because people are important. From birth to death life is short, no matter how long we life. Our purpose is to live for the glory of God. He created us, sustains us, and chooses to save us through the death of Jesus if we accept the wonderful gift!

Choosing to accept God’s gift of salvation is the only way we can be sure of our ultimate graduation to Heaven and our rejoicing at the greatest reunion ever!

“Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath” (Psalms 39:4-5).

“But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself” (Psalms 49:15).

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints (Psalm 116:15).

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

I have read this passage many times and missed a big chunk of the message. Yes, I pray for our leaders both government and church leaders. The part I missed is the reason Paul gives us for doing so. First, he suggests that it helps us “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  Of course, that is good, and it pleases God, but look at the last section.   God wants all people to be saved and to know the truth!

Perhaps, if we prayed for our leaders with this is mind our prayers would be more fruitful for the Kingdom. Our leaders need Jesus, too and it is evident that some have no interest in the things of God or His truth. That doesn’t change their need. We don’t have access to most of our government leaders, but God does. And our prayers could make a difference for their eternal destiny and the destiny of the Nation.

I believe the only way our Nation can be saved from losing our freedoms is through the Church and the prayers of God’s people. I am thankful for those in government who carry the voice of truth and they especially need our prayers for wisdom and endurance.

Our history is rich with accounts of government leaders who depended on God and sought His wisdom in prayer. I think of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln who led our Nation in challenging times. Both recognized their dependence on God for successfully leading a nation. We need more leaders like these.

I read King Solomon’s prayer in 1 Kings, upon the dedication of the temple, and was impressed by his intercession for God’s people. King Solomon recognized God’s promises to His people and prayed for mercy and forgiveness for them when they would stray from God. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing if we had government leaders who prayed for the people they govern? I’m sure there are some who do.

As James says, “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

“Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).

Living by this verse could change the world!

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;

even at night my heart instructs me.

I have set the Lord always before me.

Because he is at my right hand,

I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

 my body also will rest secure,

because you will not abandon me to the grave,

nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

You have made known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:7-11

This world in which we live isn’t looking very inviting: war, inflation, open border, weak government administration, and the list could go on. Anyone who is awake and sane knows things are not right. What to do? Of course, let our voices be heard with our representatives at both local and national levels. Make your approvals and disapprovals known to them. But if we want to remain sane and satisfied, we must look beyond this world.

David, in Psalm 16, asserts that God is his refuge and his sustainer. He chooses to “set the Lord always before” him. He trusts God to keep him safe so he can rest secure. He does not fear the grave because he knows God will fill him with joy in His presence. David looks forward to eternal pleasures with God.

This Psalm is a Messianic psalm. The Apostles Peter and Paul, both quote it in the New Testament when referring to Jesus’ resurrection. David did not see the Messiah in his days on earth, but he knew a Savior was to come someday. Praise God and Hallelujah the Savior has come! He lived to show us how to live and died to show us death is not the end. Death was defeated on the third day when Jesus rose from the dead and walked with his disciples long enough to prove He really was alive!

If we are Jesus’ disciples today and remain faithful to Him, we have the assurance, as David did, of enjoying joy and eternal pleasures with God after this life. So, in the midst of this world’s trouble and trials we “set the Lord always before” us. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2-3).

Happy Resurrection Day!

“The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord” (Joshua 9:14).

“And when the Israelites heard that they (Reubenites, Gadites, half-tribe of Manasseh, verse 10) had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them” (Joshua 22:11-12).

 

I just finished reading the book of Joshua and noticed the difference in the way the Israelites responded to the two events mentioned above.  The first event was the ruse dreamed up by the people of Gibeon when they realized God was helping the Israelites take over the land. The Gibeonites pretended to be from a far country and asked to make a peace treaty with the Israelites.  Apparently, they didn’t want to go to war and risk their lives. So, they dressed in old, worn-out clothes and carried stale and moldy provisions with them to trick the men of Israel.

The Scripture says, “the men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.” Joshua made a peace treaty with them, but in three days they learned the truth.  The Gibeonites were their neighbors and they’d been tricked!

Fast forward to Joshua, chapter 22.  The Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh had been given land on the east side of the Jordan River, but before they could settle there, they were required to help the other tribes take possession of the land on the west side of the river.  After they had accomplished that, Joshua blessed them and sent them back to settle in their land on the east side of the Jordan. Before they crossed the river, they “built an imposing altar there by the Jordan” (Joshua 22:10).

Their brothers’ response: get ready for war! Without finding out why the two and a half tribes had built this “imposing altar” they took off, ready to fight.

The reason the altar was built is found in verses 24-29. They knew most of the Israelite tribes were on the west side of the Jordan River and future generations might question what the Reubenites and Gadites had to do with the Lord. The altar was built as a witness between the tribes of the west side and the tribes of the east so that future generations would know that all the tribes worshipped the One and only God. It was not to be a place of worship. That was at the Tent of Meeting in Shiloh. Rather, it was a place of remembrance and commitment. They named the altar “A Witness Between Us that the Lord is God.”

The men of Israel put down their weapons and praised God for the faithfulness of the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh.

I think there is a lesson for us today. The leaders of the Israelites were quite willing to accept those strangers and accept their lie as truth, without ever inquiring of the Lord.  But when they questioned the actions of their own brothers, they were ready to fight them.  Later, they learned the truth.

Finding truth isn’t always easy. God is truth so we start there.

“See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your love. All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal” (Psalm 119:159-160). 

“Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river” (Joshua 3:8).

I can only imagine what that experience must have looked like and how those priests must have felt to take that first step into the flooded Jordan River. The Scripture says “as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away.” Was there a sound as the water piled in a heap? What does a “heap” of water look like anyway?

We are not told much about this miracle except that it happened and the whole nation of Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground as the priests who carried the ark stood firm in the middle of the river on dry ground! God demonstrated His mighty power and the people obeyed. What might have happened if the priests had refused to take that first step? The nation would not have reached the promised land. The priests were to step out first and then to stand firm.

The Apostle Peter tells the early Christians and later Christians, as well. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). The saints of God, Christians, are a priesthood. Jesus has commanded us to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19). We live in a nation of lost people who are waiting for us to take that first step into the Jordan. I’m not sure what that first step might be, and it may be different for different people. We all know those who are lost without Jesus. Could it be they are watching and waiting for us to take that first step to show them the way? Are we willing to leave our comfort zone to show someone we care about their soul?

I was reminded as I read about the priests carrying the ark of the covenant into the Jordan River that they were carrying God’s law and the Seat of God’s very Presence. We, as Christians carry God’s word and the Holy Spirit within us. We are the priesthood that God uses today to bring the lost into the Kingdom. May we be found faithful!

God loves the lost so much He died for them. Am I willing to share that news with them?

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1 NIV)

As I looked for a “love” verse to send to my grandchildren this morning, I chose the above verse from 1 John. What a reminder of the greatest love one can know and the greatest measure of love one can know. The word “lavished” is translated “given” or “bestowed” in other translations, but I like lavished. It reminds me of when children are allowed to pour syrup over their pancake, they usually pour a lot! They lavishly cover that pancake until it floats in the syrup!

Isn’t that what God does for us? He not only loves us unconditionally, but he loves us abundantly. God, the Creator, became God, the Savior. Our rebellion didn’t stop His love, but our repentance enables us to experience His love. Our obedience makes us His child. It is my prayer you are a child of God. He longs for everyone to become His child. We can love Him because He first loved us. If you, like me, received no Valentines today, don’t despair. Read the book of First John. It is a Valentine from the heart of God through the words written by the Apostle John.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

One evening last week I felt a sore throat coming on and that achy feeling was setting in. In my mind I knew it would be a couple days at least of resting and gargling and hoping for the best.  I cancelled my sub jobs and decided I would pass the time with Hallmark movies and chicken soup.  Alas! The next day brought nausea and my movies and chicken soup became more like blanket and bucket for two days: too sick to even look at a movie!

Thank God, I can eat again and feeling a little better each day. Yes, I tested positive and am glad to say my isolation time is over. I’m looking forward to a haircut tomorrow. And the weather is predicted to be warmer. Maybe in a few days more of this snow will melt. It’s been almost a month since the ground was bare.

Sickness teaches us we are not in control of our lives. Not really. We are all dependent upon God for our very breath and we ought not forget that. Also, I was reminded of the many folks who deal with chronic sickness and pain every day of their lives. How thankful I should be for good health and the physical abilities I enjoy every day! In my gratefulness I bring many names of those with health needs before the Heavenly Father in prayer. He is the Healer!

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything ese” (Acts 17:24-25).

At Christmas my daughters and I put this puzzle together. It was challenging enough to be fun and we finished it in just a few days. Looking at all those doors prompted my mind to think about what may be behind those doors.

We have a new year ahead of us. There will be new experiences, new friends, new problems, new opportunities, and new obstacles. Each new day is like opening another door and stepping into whatever is on the other side. We cannot see ahead of time what lies beyond the door but thank God He is faithful and will walk through every door with us.

Later, as I reflected on the idea of all those doors, I thought maybe the doors represent “opportunities”. Maybe it is up to me to decide which door to choose. Some of the doors were painted with bright colors and adorned with flowers. Others looked a bit drab and uninviting. Some doors required walking up steps to reach them while others were street level.

This past year I took time to take a few meals to someone I didn’t know very well. She had broken her leg and was in a cast for quite some time. I would drop off a meal, spend a few minutes talking with her, and after several weeks we were becoming the best of friends. She now goes to church with me, and we enjoy our time spent together. If I had not stepped through the door and prepared a little extra food for someone who needed help, I would not have a new friend!

I have always been a bit of an introvert. Hmmm.  Okay, I’m a lot introvert. It’s hard for me to step into new ventures on my own. How many wonderful opportunities have I missed because of my fears? Perhaps many. Not knowing what’s on the other side of the door can be scary.

And then there’s the decision about which door or opportunity to choose. We can’t choose them all. Do we choose based on how inviting or attractive it is? Do we choose based on how easy or hard it may be to go through the door?  As a Christian I know God provides ways we can serve Him.  He is at work in this world and wants us to join Him in His work. It takes faith and much prayer to serve where God wants us to be. He gives us opportunities of service. He opens doors for us to walk through. Will we follow His leading? Even if it’s difficult and uninviting will we be faithful?

“But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me”

(1 Corinthians 16:8-9).

Happy New Year!