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Extraction

Six years ago we were in Indiana for the Indianapolis 500 race. This was a bucket list item of Dave’s. Our son and his girlfriend made it possible. It was an amazing time!

I don’t remember who won but what I do remember is the patriotism. The unapologetic display of our flag and the way they honored our fallen soldiers and those who are currently serving.

The image I used this morning was one I captured as the Army Airborne performed a ground to air extraction. We watched as each man went hand-over-hand up the rope and the helicopter rose higher and higher, simulating the removal of soldiers to safety. The last soldier was charged with unfurling the American flag. I cried…

Isn’t it great to have a day when we think about the sacrifice that others have been willing to make on our behalf? Time to reflect and remember those who have given so much. Folks that we don’t even know have fought for us, many gave their lives.

And yet, there is one greater than all these who gave His life for our freedom.

“And we can see that it was while we were powerless to help ourselves that Christ died for sinful men. In human experience it is a rare thing for one man to give his life for another, even if the latter be a good man, though there have been a few who have had the courage to do it. Yet the proof of God’s amazing love is this: that it was while we were sinners that Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

When we were at our worst, He died to set us free from sin and all the destruction that it would bring. The freedom He gives isn’t just for this life but it has eternal value. He gives us an abundant life here on earth and the promise of eternity in heaven with Him.

“The thief comes with the sole intention of stealing and killing and destroying, but I came to bring them life, and far more life than before. ” John 10:10

The thing that Christ asks of us is that we don’t take His sacrifice for granted, ignoring it or taking it lightly. He asks us to love and live a life of love as He did. We have a responsibility to share the love that He has freely given us with others.

“This is my commandment: that you love each other as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this—that a man should lay down his life for his friends. ” John 15:12-13 CEV

Every day should be “Memorial Day” as we remember the One who gave His all for us.

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Basking in the Son

For a number of summers Dave and I drove from Montana to Iowa. On our return trip I loved driving through the miles of sunflower fields along I-90 in South Dakota.

The first couple of years we were on the road before sunrise and when we reached the fields they were still bent low. I remember the first year we came through after the sun had risen. The stems had strengthened and the blooms were facing the sun. It was glorious!

When we moved back to Arizona I planted some sunflowers in my garden. They were a living reminder that I should face the Son and bask in His light.

That’s the way that we grow in the Lord – we bask in the Son.

“Our Lord and our God, you are like the sun and also like a shield. You treat us with kindness and with honor, never denying any good thing to those who live right. 12 Lord God All Powerful, you bless everyone who trusts you.” Psalm 84:11-12 CEV

For years, I tried to be more like Christ; trying hard to do the right things, keeping my attitude in check, putting others first, etc. I wanted to make sure I was reading my Bible, attending church, tithing, serving. Did you notice it was all about me and what I was trying to do?

“Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen” II Peter 3:18 CEV

Our growth as Christians doesn’t come from our efforts any more than the sunflowers can control their reaction to the warmth of the sun. My works to be like Him are futile and unsustainable but His works in me produce the growth. Understanding His amazing grace lifts my head and my heart, making me more like Him.

“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.” Psalm 3:3 NLT

God’s grace covers me when I fall, picks me up, encourages me to keep going and not lose hope. When I began to realize what grace truly was my relationship with the Father and with Jesus began to grow.

Knowledge of His deep unconditional love brought me from a place of working for the Lord to letting Him work in and through me.

Each day I desire to bask in the Son and let His light change my life.

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Again?

Yesterday was moving day, again. The concrete had sufficient time to cure and we were anxious to get back to the site we call home.

What I didn’t realize was move was part of an unplanned pattern. Looking back, I found that nine years ago was also a moving day, much bigger, as we placed all our belongings in a big U-Haul truck, loaded our Ford Excursion and left Montana for our new home in Arizona.

Yesterday was much easier. Button everything up, move stuff off the counter tops, roll up the hoses, unplug the electric and hitch the RV to the truck and drive about 1/4 mile, back into the site and get set up. What had taken days nine years ago took only hours yesterday. Somehow, I see the wisdom in that.

Sleep was sweet!

The word “Again” was often used in our vocabulary yesterday. Back-in again, hook-up again, level the RV again, put things up again.

Waking up this morning I realized that I was still thinking – again.

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. 23 The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. 24 Deep in my heart I say, “The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV

Every morning – again, my heavenly Father shows me mercy. Again, He covers me with kindness. I can depend on Him, again.

“You, Lord, are my shepherd.  I will never be in need. 2 You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, 3 and you refresh my life…Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23 CEV

Again, I read “I will never be in need, the Lord is all I need”. Each day of my life, again, I have the Father’s love and kindness, He will always be with me.

Some things are worth doing again.

A good Shepherd must lead His sheep to new pastures so they have ample feed. So Lord, if You lead us to move again – we will follow!

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Big Celebration

Yesterday was a BIG DAY to our five-year-old granddaughter. She graduated Kindergarten!

Because of where her birthday falls, she is younger than her classmates and some of the teachers were concerned that she may fall behind the others. (Her mother told me this yesterday.) However, she proved them wrong and her final report card revealed that she excelled in all her subjects except handwriting.

This was a time to celebrate.

Pappy, Dave, went with our youngest daughter to the ceremony. I waited at home with her younger sister and big brother went to his final day with his classmates. When she came through the backdoor her face was beaming. I heard about the songs they performed and other parts of the event. Pappy and I gave her flowers and she gave hugs and kisses, many times over. It was a celebration.

Now we all know that there will be much bigger milestones in her life and sad-to-say, we will miss some of them. But not this time. As I was thinking about this this morning I remembered an obscure verse in the Bible and I knew our heavenly Father had been smiling as we were celebrating.

“Don’t be discouraged or grow weak from fear! 17 The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.” Zephaniah 3:16-17 CEV

He celebrates and sings and refreshes us with His love. One version of this verse says “He rejoices over us with singing”.

The Lord celebrates us. He is invested in our lives and marks down our victories, even if it is on the scale of a kindergarten graduation.

He also plans a party when we least deserve it. Sometimes we wander off to explore the world and all those pastures that look greener on the other side. We do things we shouldn’t, our associations are less than stellar and we ignore our Father and His desires for us.

But when we come back with a sorrowful heart, He throws a party!

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Hurry and bring the best clothes and put them on him. Give him a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 Get the best calf and prepare it, so we can eat and celebrate. 24 This son of mine was dead, but has now come back to life. He was lost and has now been found.’ And they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:22-24 CEV

The love of our heavenly Father is so much greater than that of this father but we were given this story as an example. Our father is always waiting for us and is ready to celebrate our return.

Today is a day of celebration – what you think you have nothing worth celebrating? Remember this final verse.

“This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad today.” Psalm 118:24 CEV

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I Owe What?

Recently we have had some expenditures that aren’t part of the monthly budget. We have saved to make sure the things we want don’t encumber our monthly living expenses. It can be a challenge to stay on budget.

I don’t know if you’ve ever had to create a balance sheet. Maybe you’ve applied for a bank loan or were starting a business. If so, you had to sit down and diligently list everything you owned and everyone you owed. It can be a bit overwhelming to see those two columns staring back at you in black and white.

While reading Romans I came across the Apostle Paul’s balance sheet and found that he was a man with a heavy debt.

“ I am a debtor both to Greeks and barbarians, both to wise and unintelligent: 15 so, as far as depends on me, am I ready to announce the glad tidings to you also who [are] in Rome.” Romans 1:13-14 DARBY

Paul said he had placed himself in debt to share the message of Christ with the non-Jewish world. Christ had enlisted him to serve, without renumeration, the citizens of Rome, Greece, and the islands of the seas.

I, for one, am extremely grateful that he did!

He followed the example of Christ who said freely you have received freely give.

Jesus said the same thing when He said that we should love the Lord, our God, first and foremost and then love others as much as we love ourselves.

Working on removing debt from our lives is an admiral and honorable thing but there should always be one debt that stays, the debt to love.

“You should owe nothing to anyone, except that you will always owe love to each other. The person who loves others has done all that the law commands. 9 The law says, ‘You must not commit adultery, you must not murder anyone, you must not steal, you must not want what belongs to someone else.’ All these commands and all other commands are really only one rule: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ 10 Love doesn’t hurt others. So loving is the same as obeying all the law.” Romans 13:8-10 CEV

He said we should be indebted to LOVE. Love balances on both sides of the spread sheet. It is an asset of the highest order but it is also a debt, although, not a liability.

Who in your life needs your love today? Your spouse, your children, grandchildren, your parents, co-workers, friends, casual acquaintances or a stranger on the street?

Look for opportunities to go into debt today, it will make your life richer!

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All About God

Dave and I have been watching a YouTube channel called “I.A.G. Farms” for the last month. It’s about the homesteading adventures of a young family of 5 in Mississippi.

They have cleared the land, put in structures, and begun to raise their farm animals. There are hogs, sheep, chickens, and cows. The three small boys help out, right along side Mom and Dad. They are so industrious and committed to being good stewards of the land they have purchased.

It’s heartwarming to see.

I.A.G. Farms has a purpose and a calling. The abbreviation stands for “It’s All About God”. They are committed to living their lives to honor God and they want their farm to show His goodness and provision. They have quite the testimony.

Watching them the other day as they worked their land and express their gratitude of what God had given them, I was impressed by the example they are setting for their boys and for their viewers.

“ In all the work you are given, do the best you can. Work as though you are working for the Lord, not any earthly master. 24 Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, who will give you what he promised his people. Yes, you are serving Christ. He is your real Master” Colossians 3:23-24 ERV

Whatever we do – make it all about God.

Each one of us who follow Christ have been called to a 24/7 relationship. We are fulltime Christians. It’s not just a Sunday experience. We are to take what we learn in our personal time of reading God’s word and our prayer time and bring it into the real world. We are here to make a difference in our homes, our schools, our workplace and our communities.

John, who baptized so many people, told his disciples that his purpose was to lead others to Christ.

“ He must become more and more important, and I must become less important.” John 3:31 ERV

Our goal should be the same.

“Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 ERV

Short and to the point. In the same way that our children imitated us as they were growing up, we are to be imitators of our heavenly Father.

As the Apostle Paul was coming to the end of his life he summed it up this way.

“To me, the only important thing about living is Christ. And even death would be for my benefit. 22 If I continue living here on earth, I will be able to work for the Lord. But what would I choose—to live or to die? I don’t know.” Philippians 1:21-22 ERV

Each day is a day to live with purpose, after all, it’s all about God!

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Camping Out

This morning I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about and praying for my friends who are camp hosts in the mountains. This is a busy week for them. The campgrounds have been open for a couple weeks but this is the BIG weekend. Memorial Day.

As a kid I grew up camping with my folks. Different places we lived always had a lake or river close by and we would go for the day, the weekend or even a couple weeks at a time. It was great! Fishing, campfires, hot chocolate, card games, marshmallows and the stars. So peaceful and life was simple and unhurried. Awe yes, I love camping.

It’s a way to see God’s beauty, unspoiled. My favorite camp spot is Big Lake Arizona. That’s where I camped with my parents, my children camped with them and now my grandchildren have camped there with us.

It was the place, two years ago, where we sprinkled some of my Mom’s ashes. I’m thinking of her today and how much she loved seeing her family have a good time. I know she is enjoying heaven so much more than she did Big Lake, but it was a little slice of heaven on earth. She didn’t like to fish but never stopped us from going. Even after we were grown, she went with my Dad, it was the joy of being together.

Truly a favorite spot for my heart.

I also have a favorite place to camp for my spirit. It’s in the Psalms and my favorite campsite is Psalm 119. This is the place I set up my tent, take out my chair and rest.

“I deeply love your Law! I think about it all day. 98 Your laws never leave my mind, and they make me much wiser than my enemies. 99 Thinking about your teachings gives me better understanding than my teachers, 100 and obeying your laws makes me wiser than those who have lived a long time. 101 I obey your word instead of following a way that leads to trouble. 102 You have been my teacher, and I won’t reject your instructions. 103 Your teachings are sweeter than honey. 104 They give me understanding and make me hate all lies.” Psalm 119:97-104

With Memorial Day coming up many of you will be getting away for a camping trip or wishing you could. Why not take time today to camp by a stream of living water, rest in the grass of green pastures and enjoy the warmth of the Son?

God’s word is a great place to camp and enjoy the Creator!

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Held in Bondage

A new day! A fresh start – opportunities, potential, promise all lay ahead of you today. How will you spend the time that God has given you today?

If there are obstacles in your way do what Moses did:

“And the LORD said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.” Exodus 8:20 NKJV

Speak to that situation that is trying to keep you enslaved and tell it the Great I AM has freed you from its power. You have been moved to a place of victory through your relationship with Christ.

Is there a particular fear or apprehension that has you weighed down? Has anger and bitterness kept your emotions locked in chains?

“Loving God means obeying his commands. And God’s commands are not too hard for us, 4 because everyone who is a child of God has the power to win against the world. 5 It is our faith that has won the victory against the world. So who wins against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” I John 5:3-5 ERV

Joshua told us we would have good success if we kept our thoughts centered on God’s word day and night. Our faith strengthens when we are focused on His word.

“Always remember what is written in that book of law. Speak about that book and study it day and night. Then you can be sure to obey what is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything you do. 9 Remember, I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid, because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 ERV

King David told us to rise early and seek God.

“Show me your faithful love this morning. I trust in you. Show me what I should do. I put my life in your hands! 9 Lord, I come to you for protection. Save me from my enemies. 10 Show me what you want me to do. You are my God. Let your good Spirit lead me over level ground.” Psalm 143:8-10 ERV

Don’t despise getting up early. It’s God’s time of preparation, getting us ready for the day and a walk of victory!

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Eating Worms

As a kid, I’m sure most of you said this little chant once or twice. “Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, guess I’ll go eat worms. Big fat juicy ones, little, tiny scrawny ones, oh, how they do squirm.”

Kids stuff right? Not so much – that feeling is all too prevalent in adults as well, but we just don’t sing the chant.

The feeling that we’re all alone and that nobody really understands, or loves us can be overwhelming. We’ve all had people let us down, turn against us or just ignore us as if we don’t exist.

It seems we are justified in our little chant. However, I’d like to give you a different perspective on that little song. I’m going to turn it upside down. Instead of seeing it as a declaration of self-pity, I’d like us to look at it as a jingle of provision.

A worm-eating bird is the perfect example of God’s provision. It doesn’t go out in the morning complaining that no one cares – it goes out singing, knowing that God will provide all it needs for the day.

“Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth much more than birds?” Matthew 6:26 CEV

That same Father is the One who promises to never leave us or forsake us.

“God has said, ‘I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.’” Hebrews 13:5b ERV

Now that’s good news but let’s read it from the Amplified version to get a greater understanding.

“for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

6 So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5b-6 AMP

Please read that again. The Amplified version gives us the depth of the meaning of the words the way they were written in the original language. God, the Father, is intense and emphatic in declaring His love to us.

This is how God feels about us. This is how He feels about you! He’s there for you. He will not leave you. His love never fails.

Welcome the day with singing. Our Father is protecting and providing all we need and we’re never alone.

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There’s More!

It’s a beautiful Saturday morning. The dove are cooing and the sparrows are chirping. The clouds in the sky are catching the early morning rays of the sun. It’s a beautiful day.

But, there’s more!

I think every age group deals with identity. When we’re young we wonder what our grown-up lives will look like. Our careers, our family, our homes, our cars. All those desires and dreams are waiting to be discovered.

That’s not all there is to it.

Once we begin our careers and lives in the adult world, we find ourselves on a journey to fit. What company or career path am I best suited for? What mate and life partner is my “one and only”? Starter houses are left behind in the search for a forever home.

Is that all there is?

Our thoughts reflect the lyrics from a Peggy Lee song Is That All There Is. “If that’s all there is, my friends, then let’s keep dancing Let’s break out the booze and have a ball If that’s all there is.”

And then, we come to those of my age group, the retirees. Career and achievements are mostly in the past. We’re often told we’re the lucky ones – “you have all this free time and no responsibilities”. However, we still have hopes and dreams, purpose and possibilities. We haven’t come to the end, just a new beginning.

God has designed us with a purpose, a plan, a destiny that is so much greater than anything we can imagine! He sees in us a Christ-like quality and gives us His power to accomplish great things.

If we’re living a life that is comfortable and one in which “we” can accomplish what we set out to do with no extra help, we’re settling for less than what God wants to do through us.

“With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of.” Ephesians 3:20

Let’s dream bigger and trust God to direct us to impact our world with what He’s calling us to do – God will use us where we are if we trust Him. I keep thinking of a man named Caleb who was still going strong at 80, conquering armies and taking new territory in Israel.

“I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering. 12 You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers. 13  You will worship me with all your heart, and I will be with you” Jeremiah 29:11-13 CEV

Wherever we are on life’s timeline that’s not all there is – there’s more!

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