Category: October2020

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Good & Healthy

How many of you are already planning your holiday baking and the menus for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals? Does the word “healthy” fit with those culinary delights? Or is your attitude more along the lines of indulgence and it’s only once a year?

I was going to use the “just this once” phrase but realized that has kind of been a pattern of late. Camping and cookies – just this once. Grandchildrens birthday cupcakes – just this once (three months in a row). Yes, I’ve let those just-this-once treats and snacks add some extra pounds that need to be removed.

So, this morning I’m going to talk about exercise for a bit. Not for you but for me. I need to put this out there and be accountable.

When we first realize that we “need” to exercise it’s never pleasant. Accepting that we are out of shape and not as healthy as we should be is the first step. So we decide to exercise.

The first few days we have a real commitment or at least that’s what we tell ourself. But then comes day seven or eight; and it becomes harder to stay committed to the goal. Our muscles hurt, we’re not seeing any results yet, we start making excuses and when we do that we are on your way to failure.

I know, I’ve failed many times.

Now think back to our childhood days – exercise wasn’t a bad word. In fact, it was called play. To be outside with our buddies playing ball, running through the yard playing tag or football. Going hiking to your favorite fishing spot or walking the mile to the swimming pool in the afternoon heat (my personal favorite). It was fun and we were in shape.

Of course you know this is going to have a spiritual correlation.

When we face trials and temptations it is an opportunity to exercise our faith. James tells us to count it joy because we will be developed and end up lacking nothing. Exercising our faith builds spiritual muscle.

“My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. 3 You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. 4 But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.” James 1:2-4 CEV

Facing trials is like building muscle. At first we see little victories but then to continue to develop a muscle we must increase the weight, the repetition or both.

In walking with the Lord, we’re never left to do this on our own. We have a great coach who is with us every step. Under His direction and inspiration we come out the winner.

“You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.” I Corinthians 10:13 CEV

Jesus knows what this is all about because He went through every temptation we experience while he was here on earth. Who better to coach us than someone whose been there, done that and emerged as the Champion of Champions!

“We have a great high priest who has gone to live with God in heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us continue to express our faith in him. 15 Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:14-16 ERV

Thank you Lord for coaching me through life and providing all the help I need to develop and finish as a winner! And thank you for giving me the power to resist that pecan pie and stay on track with my daily exercise!

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Mistaken Identity

Yesterday Dave and I went for drive to some small ranching towns near where we are camped. I was talking about a friend who lives there and how it’s been over thirty years since we’ve seen her. I wished we had thought to contact her and tried to arrange a meet up.

We stopped at a bar-b-que place for lunch and were seated near the window. Dave looked out and said “I think that’s her”. I did a double take and sure enough, it looked like her. I headed out of the restaurant and down the street. I called her name but no response. When I got closer I realized it was a case of mistaken identity and I apologized to the woman.

It was a disappointment to say the least.

Has anyone ever mistaken you for someone else? I know I’ve had it happen to me a few times. It’s pretty easy to do. It’s also something that happens every day when it comes to character.

A person who is clean and sober runs into someone they knew when they were an addict and they get treated as if they hadn’t changed. A person who was selfish and self-indulgent turns over a new leaf but they’re held at arms length by those they have slighted.

David, the shepherd boy, had a case of mistaken identity. Golaith, the seasoned warrior, mistook David for an unskilled, scrawny youth. What Golaith didn’t see was the bold, God-fearing, young man who had killed a lion and a bear. Goliath’s case of mistaken identity brought him to his death.

“Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory.” I John 5:4 CEV

We are as guilty as Golaith in some of our misjudgements.

We look in the mirror and see ourselves as weak or inadequate. Moses told God that he couldn’t deliver the Israelites because he stuttered. But God saw the man Moses was on the inside and used him anyway. I’ve heard it said that God doesn’t choose the qualified, instead He equips the willing.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” II Corinthians 5:17 NLT

What are some of the things you, or others, have been saying you can’t do? You’re not qualfied, you’re not equipped to handle. We have a new identity – we are empowered by God for the task at hand.

“I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength.” Philippians 4:13 NLV

Don’t look back at who you once were. Look forward at who God has called you to be!

I am so thankful for my new identity in Christ!

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So Yummy!

The last few days we have been off on another adventure in our fifth wheel trailer. We are enjoying the change of scenery and weather. The mornings have been below freezing.

I’m very thankful for a good heater!

As I sat here this morning I began making a mental list of the baking that needs to be done. The change in weather prompts a desire to bake and to make warm dishes. There’s just something about the smell of cookies, banana bread and cinnamon rolls that make a home seem cozier.

Warm soup simmering on the stove and fresh bread in the oven are some of the best parts of autumn and winter. My most favorite part is sharing what I’ve made with family and friends. Feeding those I love brings me great joy.

I think I get that from my Father. He enjoys feeding people.

In the Garden of Eden He made sure Adam and Eve had every kind of fruit and vegetable their hearts desired. When there was a famine He sent Jacob and his family to Egypt where there was plenty to eat. When the Israelites complained that they didn’t have enough to eat in the desert He sent bread from heaven every morning and supplied them with an over abundance of quail.

Jesus fed over five thousand men and their families with a boy’s lunch and had leftovers. After his resurrection He had a morning meal of grilled fish waiting for his disciples on the seashore when they returned from a night’s work.

The Bible even tells us about a banquet that will be served at the end of the age called the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It will be a feast like none other.

The Father provides for those He loves!

“For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! 9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.” Psalm 34:7-9 NLV

King David said that God’s word is sweeter than honeycomb. I agree. My life with the Lord is so good. Nothing can compare with the joy, the peace, the unconditional love that the Father shares with me.

For those who are hungering for more in life I encourage you to come. Taste and see that the Lord is good! A life centered on Him is delicious!

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Carrying the Load

Do you see the little boy in this picture? What stands out to me the most is the son is spending time with the father but it’s the father who is carrying the load.

Being a Christian doesn’t mean we are free from disappointment and heart ache. It does mean that we have someone who will carry the load of our cares.

We are faced with the same challenges and problems as everyone else in the world. We experience relationships that fail, physical sickness and disease, death of loved ones, family crises and financial lack. What makes the difference in our lives is our faith and trust in a loving heavenly Father who is willing and able to come to our aide in every situation.

We don’t live with our heads in the sand but we do live with our hand in HIS!

“The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah),Because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy), 19 to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the favor of God abound greatly].” Luke 4:17-19 AMP

This was the reason Jesus came. He didn’t just talk the talk, He walked the walk.

“Jesus answered, “Go and tell John what you have heard and seen. 5 The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk. People with leprosy are being healed, and the deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news. 6 God will bless everyone who doesn’t reject me because of what I do.” Matthew 11:4-6 CEV

His purpose is the same today as it was then! When we are feeling overwhelmed we don’t have to fall into the same pit of despair as others around us. We can lift up our heads (a sign of hope) and go to the One who comforts, heals and sets right.

“Hear my cry, O God; Listen to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is overwhelmed and weak; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I [a rock that is too high to reach without Your help]. 3 For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, A strong tower against the enemy.” Psalm 61:1-3 AMP

“We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. That is why we must hold on to what we have said about him. 15 Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:14-16 CEV

Let Him carry the load.

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Threading the Needle

This will probably be one of the most obscure things I will tell you about.

Yesterday I had time to sit down to the sewing machine to finish one last project for the RV. I was making a table runner and needed to add seam binding to the edge.

Now I know many of you will relate to what I’m about to say next. As we get older our vision needs correction. I, for one, have worn glasses since I was ten years old. Now I have bifocals. When I am doing “close” work I generally remove my glasses, that works best. But yesterday I had my contacts in so the project before me was a bit more challenging. Can anyone relate?

The color I choose for the binding tape and matching thread are pumpkin. Although I had never really thought about it, the color of our leather table top is very similiar. When I was trying to thread the needle on the sewing machine the color of the thread kept blending in with the background of the table making it difficult to place.

I made several unsuccessful attempts and my frustration level was rising. I didn’t want to take my contacts out and I certainly didn’t want to leave the table runner unfinished. I said a simple prayer: “Father, this is such a tiny thing but I need Your help. I don’t want to waste anymore time. Please guide the thread through the eye of the needle”.

He did and I finished!

Some will say why did you ask God to help with something so trivial. I asked because He’s my Father and I know He cares about the things that matter to me. This mattered.

When the kids were small and I was teaching them to sew I helped them thread a needle. I have also had times when my mother was working on a project and she had difficulty as well. Since I felt compelled to help those I love with such a situation I just knew my Father would feel the same way about helping me.

“Ask, and what you are asking for will be given to you. Look, and what you are looking for you will find. Knock, and the door you are knocking on will be opened to you… 11 You are bad (*natural, human) and you know how to give good things to your children. How much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?” Matthew 7:7,11 NLV *explanation mine

My prayer was a simple request. “Dad, I need help.” His answer was simple as well. “Daughter, I’m glad you asked”.

Religion tells us that we shouldn’t bother “Almighty God” with the trivial. Relationship with the Father tells us to come boldly to Him in our time of need.

I am so thankful for my Father/daughter relationship. I’m thankful that I’m not restrained by religion. The day is so much better when we recognize that our Father wants to be a part of all we do.

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Intentionally Planted

Some of you have read my previous blogs where I talk about the tree in my backyard. It was just a twig, no bigger round than my little finger when we first discovered it. And it was only inches high. That was six and a half years ago. Today its close to fifteen feet high and shades half the yard. We didn’t plant it but once we saw it was there we decided to nurture it, hoping it would do exactly what it is doing now and provide good shade on warm afternoons. We haven’t been disappointed.

I’ve learned many lessons from that tree and the other day when I was out working with my flowers that tree brought another lesson to mind. The Bible talks about the natural law of sowing (planting) and reaping (harvesting). In fact, a number of times Jesus used farmers and their work with seeds in His stories that He told about spiritual principles.

“While the earth lasts, planting time and gathering time, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not end.” Genesis 8:22 NLV

These words were spoken by God to Noah after the flood. He was reassuring Noah that never again would He destroy the earth with a flood and that the earth would be fruitful and produce with regular occurence. God knows how long it takes crops to go from seed to harvest and the time of seasons were set accordingly.

But now, let’s go back to the tree. God also knew/knows how long it takes trees to grow to the point of maturity so that they can be used for timber. And in one particular case, He knew where to plant and when to plant the seed that would grow to be used for the cross.

Before Jesus was born on this earth, the tree had been planted. It grew, unhindered, until the day a woodsman saw it and felled it. The bark had to skinned and the tree split into planks that could be used for building. It had to be left to dry so it wouldn’t warp or twist.

God had intentionally planted the tree that would be used for a Roman cross. My tree was nutured for comfort, for shade. His tree was nutured for salvation.

“But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:13-14 NLV

Each time I look at the tree in our yard I think of how much its grown. I wonder if each time the Father looked at earth if He thought of that tree and what it represented for His Son and for us. I’m sure He did, it was part of His plan.

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8 NLV

I’m so thankful that God is intentional in all His doings. He intentionally set seasons, He set the boundaries for the oceans and the rotation of the planets. He put the earth on its axis and set us at the right distance from the sun. From the very beginning, when man sinned God intentionally put a plan in place for us to be restored to relationship with Him.

Intentionally planted and salvation was complete!

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Broken Plates – Broken Promises

When the garage sale was over there were a few things that needed to be packed away and saved for the next sale. I wrapped them carefully, not wanting them to be damaged before they appeared again.

I was reminded of a couple times when I’ve had to clean up broken plates and even more times when I’ve had to forgive and heal from broken promises.

One time, we had just moved to the Coeur d’Alene area of Idaho from Spokane, WA. I wanted to have an afternoon tea for my friends from Washington, introducing them to my friends in Idaho.

I had made cheesecake, cinnamon rolls, german chocolate cake and prepared cheese and meat trays along with vegetable trays. I set a serving table next to the breakfast bar and had covered it with the lace tablecloth and begun to set out the salad plates, silverware, cups and glasses. All of a sudden, and without warning, the table legs collasped at one end of the table and almost everything slid to the floor!

I was devastated!

The ladies would be arriving within the hour and I had a huge mess to clean up while still making the best presentation I could. I believe it’s important to honor the women in our lives and that’s what this gathering was all about. Making my friends feel special. I was able to get things cleaned up, with the help of one early arriving guest, and we all had a wonderful afternoon.

My next experience with broken plates occurred six and one-half years ago. Dave and our son were unloading the U-Haul that had transported all of our wordly possessions to Arizona from Montana. When we loaded the truck in Montana, I had carefully placed my kitchen dishes on the upper shelf of the van. They were the first things on and they would be the last things off.

What I hadn’t calculated properly was the May 30th temperatures in Arizona. Dave and Koy had worked hard all day carrying boxes and manuevering hand trucks up and down the ramp from the truck to the garage in 100+ degree temperatures. My dishes, the last tubs off, were set on the hand cart and brought down the ramp. The guys were exhausted – the cart slipped, the tubs tumbled and the dishes crashed. Our son was so apologetic, he was crushed!

Broken dishes. I’m just glad there were no broken bones!

I refused to open the tubs until later. Dishes can be replaced; relationships matter most! Accidents are just that and we all have them.

So, as I was packing the glassware that didn’t sell at the garage sale I was careful, but if things break, it’s not the end of the world.

Over the past sixty-seven years I have had broken dishes and broken promises. Things I’ve said with well meaning have not come to pass. I’m ashamed to admit that there have been times that I have made promises I had no intention of keeping and the Lord has forgiven me for that. I have also been made promises that have been broken. As hard as it has been at times I have tried to forgive and not harbor any ill feelings.

I am so grateful that God has never been guilty of breaking His word. No broken promises!

My favorite verse, my life verse, can be found in the book of Numbers. Of all the books in the Bible Numbers is really one of the most dry and uneventful books, its a census, but it holds my favorite verse.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

Remember this and be thankful – God never breaks a promise, never! if necessary, sweep up broken dishes, move past broken dreams and forgive those who break their word.

God forgives us and He is always faithful!

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Remove the Clutter

Yesterday was the first day of our two-day garage sale. We had been pulling things together all week, the signs were placed and now everything was on the driveway. We were ready.

I heard one interesting statement repeated all day long. “You have good stuff, this is really nice. Are you moving? Why are you selling such nice things?”

My answer was simple. “We live by a two year rule. If we haven’t used it in two years, it’s time to get rid of it”.

Neither Dave nor I like clutter. We are far from being minimalists but this is our fourth garage sale in the six years we’ve lived here. The important things – family photos, heirlooms, life’s memorabilia and the utilitarian necessities for daily life – still have a place within the walls of our home, shed and shop but the clutter needed to go and become a treasure to someone else.

The same rule for “de-cluttering” holds true in my life with Jesus. I don’t want to gather so many things around me that He gets pushed aside.

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romas 12:1-2 MSG

Life will clutter our soul, if we let it. Worries, obligations, distractions of all kinds creep in around us. Even the good things we do can become clutter. I once had a pastor-friend tell me “don’t get so busy working FOR God that you don’t work WITH God”. That’s where we find the clutter – the “FOR” part. Working “for” someone, even if it’s God can leave us exhausted, burning the candle at both ends. However, working “with” God gives us purpose, clarity and rest. God always makes sure we rest.

“Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.” Proverbs 4:23-27 MSG

I encourage you to take inventory and see if there are distractions that are cluttering your life. It may be time to let go of some things and let others handle them. The very thing that is cluttering your life may be someone else’s treasure.

“God, my shepherd!  I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.” Psalm 23:1-3 MSG

I am so thankful that my Father watches over me and brings me to rest!

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Things That Go Munch in the Night

There are some mornings, as I sit here writing, I wish you could be with me. That was the case yesterday. I sat in my rocker with words of comfort running through my head when my thoughts were disturbed by the barking dog across the street.

I know I’ve mentioned to you before about the unrest that comes to our neighborhood when javelina, deer and coyote walk the roads in the early morning hours. I tried to ignore the barking and kept writing but it wasn’t long before I put down my laptop, picked up a flashlight and headed out the front door.

Before I got to the courtyard wall I could hear the munching. My cacti had become a middle of the night snack. I turned on the flashlight and peered over the fence. There they were, the javelina. I saw the first one rooting around the base of my newly planted yucca and heard others feasting on the fat, water-rich pads of my prickly pear.

Mind you, it’s three a.m. and I don’t want to yell at them and wake Dave or the neighbors so I kept the light in their eyes and annoyed them enough that they headed on their way. I was really surprised they weren’t more skittish. They were hungry and not easily deterred. Once they meandered off, I came back in and finished writing.

As I went through the day I thought about them again and this Scripture came to mind:

“Those who are hungry and thirsty to be right with God are happy, because they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NLV

Those who hunger and thirst will be filled…

Do I hunger and thirst for the things of God? Am I easily distracted or frightened away from His word? Or do I boldly search the Scriptures for His truth and ignore the distractions that are driving me from feasting on the truth?

“I feel like a stranger visiting here on earth. I need to know your commands. Don’t keep them hidden from me. 20 I constantly feel a hunger to understand your laws.” Psalm 119:19-20 ERV

It’s important that we take time to feed on God’s word. I know that you feel that way too or you wouldn’t be taking the time to read my blog each day. Our physical bodies get hungry and we feed them – sometimes too much but we can never over indulge when we are feeding on God’s word.

“Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry. He who puts his trust in Me will never be thirsty. ” John 6:35 NLV

Take time each day to feed on God’s word. Fix a big sandwich from the Book of John. Enjoy a buffet in the Book of Psalms or feast on a steak-size portion from the Book of Ephesians. It will soon become addictive and you won’t spend a day without feasting on His Word.

Are you hungry? Come and be filled!

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Comfort & Joy

No, this isn’t going to be a blog with a Christmas theme. We’re still about five weeks from that. This has been a very rough year for many, I think we all thought we would be on the road to normal by now. Yet, we’re still being distanced from family and friends.

There is a real sense of loss. Some losses are small – gatherings, celebrations, luncheons, one-on-one times and others have faced life-changing, life-ending circumstances on their own. Those who so deparately need to be comforted have been without support.

Who can they turn to? How do we help?

I hesitate when answering these questions because some will find my answer trite or cliche`. However, it is the most profound and impacting action I know. We pray!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Father who is full of mercy, the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us every time we have trouble so that when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us.” II Corinthians 1:3-4 ERV

Reaching out in prayer to the Father, who is the God of all comfort, on behalf of those who are hurting is powerful. Before Jesus died, leaving his disciples in a desparate emotional state, he told them that when He went away the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, would come.

“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate[a] won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.” John 16:7 NLT Footnote a for verse 16:7 Or Comforter, or Encourager, or Counselor. Greek reads Paraclete.

The Holy Spirit is able to comfort me in Arizona at the same time He is bringing comfort to you in Nebraska. His presence can be felt the world over. He isn’t limited. When I can’t be with someone that I love and I know they are going through a very difficult time, my prayer goes something like this: “Father God, you said that you are the God of comfort and I believe that. Right now my friend is going through a very, very difficult time and they need Your comfort. I ask for the Holy Spirit to bring comfort to their heart. Wrap Your loving arms around them and let them sense Your peace. Please send someone to extend Your comfort in a personal way. I thank you. In Jesus name.”

And if we can be there in person, we don’t need to know the right words to say because there really are no words. A genuine hug, a hand to hold and tears shed will speak to their heart.

God will never abandon us in our time of need but He won’t force us to accept His comfort either. He’s right there the moment we cry out to Him. He knows our heartache and He is able and willing to bring healing and comfort in our grief.

“God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!” Matthew 5:4 CEV

My prayer is for all who need to be comforted. “Lord Jesus, shower them with Your love and wrap them in Your comfort this very hour.”

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