Category: Character

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God Bless America

This morning I would like to share the words of one of my favorite patriotic songs. It’s not Scripture but it does give thanks to our heavenly Father for shedding His grace on our founders and this nation.

America the Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!

America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!

America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

Today we honor our Veterans, those who have served in the military. These men and women left their families at home and put their lives on the line. They fought to protect and preserve our freedom.

When we see someone wearing a military cap or driving a vehicle with specialized plates signifying their service we should thank them. We need to express our gratitude.

“Show respect to those you should respect. And show honor to those you should honor. 8 You should owe nothing to anyone, except that you will always owe love to each other.” Romans 13:7b-8 ERV

Show respect – show honor, it’s a way of showing love.

May God continue to bless America.

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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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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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Good Things

Every day we live is designed to have a purpose. Every day!

This morning I found that purpose spelled out so clearly in the small book of II Thessalonians.

“Our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father loves us. Through His loving-favor He gives us comfort and hope that lasts forever. 17 May He give your hearts comfort and strength to say and do every good thing.” II Thessalonians 2:16-17 NLV

We are to say and do every good thing. Now I know that is a monumental task but we aren’t told to do it in our own strength. Not at all. We receive the strength from our Father who loves us and gives us hope.

We have this promise from God’s word: “I can do all things because Christ gives me the strength.” Philippians 4:13 NLV

He has promised that Christ will give us the strength we need to do ALL things and part of that ALL is saying and doing what is good. Now, I haven’t accomplish this yet but I am working toward that end.

Let’s break this down. Take the next five minutes. Commit to saying and doing good. We can do that. Now, look down the road an hour; break it up into smaller segments. We can do this! But our focus must be on the doing and the saying and not on the actions or the words of others.

“Christian brothers, keep your minds thinking about whatever is true, whatever is respected, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever can be loved, and whatever is well thought of. If there is anything good and worth giving thanks for, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 NLV

Did you see what Paul said there? Keep your minds thinking on what is good, or better said on Who is good.

Take Daniel for example. Daniel, a young man, was taken as a prisoner from his home in Judea to Babylon. There he was put through a training course that would make him a good palace slave.

Daniel kept his mind on the good things of God even in small things like his diet. He refused to eat anything that God had said no too and he excelled in his countenance and strength. He went to work in the palace and only did what he knew would please God. Because of these actions he was trusted and promoted in the kingdom. He became second to the king. Even when those around him plotted to trap him and see that he was sentenced to death Daniel did the right thing.

If Daniel could do this as a prisoner, a slave, then I know that we can do it in our own homes and places of work. The same God who strengthened Daniel will strengthen us!

And when we fail and get derailed from our purpose, God is faithful to forgive us and set us back on track.

I am thankful that Paul reminds us of the Father’s love and also the love that Jesus has for us. If we keep their love as our center focus it will provide us with the strength we need to say and do everything good.

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All The Time

Thanksgiving – Joy – Praise – Gratitude!

I know you won’t be surprised by the theme of this morning’s blog. As I said a couple days ago I will be bringing you thoughts on being thankful each day for the next several weeks.

It should be a way of life to those of us who trust the Lord and follow Christ. Does that mean that we never face obstacles, challenges, tought times or persecution? No! Most emphatically not. However, when we are thankful and take time to praise the Lord the struggles we are facing take a backseat to God’s greatness.

“I will always praise the Lord. 2 With all my heart,  I will praise the Lord. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. 3 Honor the Lord with me! Celebrate his great name.” Psalm 34:1-3 CEV

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time you know that I am greatly encouraged each morning as the birds start their morning chorus. Their songs are a constant reminder of the faithfulness of the Lord. The doves coo, the meadowlarks warble, the wrens chirp, the finches tweet and even the crows caw their welcome to the dawning of a new day.

Not once have I heard them complain that there aren’t enough bugs to eat or seeds to feast on. Yes, there is an occasional squawk or clicking when they feel threatened but they go right back to singing their sweet songs of thanksgiving.

“I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 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 more than birds?” Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

I have learned a lesson from the winged creatures around my home. When I hear them sing, I take a moment to say “thank you Lord for caring for me like You care for them”. Whether they are welcoming the sunrise or calling their young to nest at night it reminds me that the Lord is always there caring for me.

I will bless the Lord at all times!

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It’s Not Rocket Science!

Dave and I are just about finished with remodeling our fifth-wheel camping trailer. It’s a 2007 and was complete with beige floor, beige walls, beige window shades and valances and lots of oak and/or faux oak cabinetry. Just not us!

This summer while in the mountains for three weeks we decided to give it a facelift. We started working on it in mid September and here we are finishing up the final detail – the curtains. But not just any curtains. Dave had an idea to use copper tubing for the curtain rods, they’re beautiful. However, it is half-inch tubing so the grommets we planned to use to place the curtains have to be three-quarter-inch so they can slide freely. That size is not standard so we had to special order the grommets and the grommet setting tool.

Now that they have arrived and we are home from our trip to Yuma we got right on it yesterday morning. However…there was a communication situation. Dave is a genius at unique design. He sees things in his head and just builds it – no blueprints, no sketches. I, on the other hand, have followed patterns/recipes all my life – cooking, knitting, crocheting, sewing.

We came to the project with the same concept but different ways of communicating the measurements and the allowance for fullness that would make the curtains fit perfectly. It was then I said to Dave, “I think rocket science is easier than this”. We both laughed but I made a decision, someone needs to be in charge, I would listen to his direction.

Isn’t it that way with life? Someone has to be in charge. If not we have conflict and disorder. Confusion in the ranks.

Sometimes it’s hard to relinquish the authority that we feel should be ours. It’s humbling to let someone else take the reins.

Children are taught to obey their parents, younger people are told to submit to their elders (like teachers, instructors, authority figures), wives are to submit to their husbands and husbands are to submit to the Lord.

We all are to submit to the Lord. He is the final authority. He has given us creative ability, talents, particular traits that others don’t have and we excel in what He has designed for us but still He is the ultimate authority.

“But the kindness God shows is greater. As the Scripture says, “God is against the proud, but he is kind to the humble.” 7 So give yourselves to God. Stand against the devil, and he will run away from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. You are sinners, so clean sin out of your lives. You are trying to follow God and the world at the same time. Make your thinking pure. 9 Be sad, be sorry, and cry! Change your laughter into crying. Change your joy into sadness. 10 Be humble before the Lord, and he will make you great.” James 4:6-10 ERV

The world tells us to stand our ground, ascert our authority, defend our rights but that goes opposite to the instruction we receive from the Lord. Satan was full of pride, he said he would set his throne above the Most High God and so pride began.

When we submit ourselves to God and to His word He will make us great! He’s never made a mistake, told a lie or been wrong. If we listen to His leading and follow His instruction we will succeed.

It’s not rocket science!

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Who Is The Enemy?

For the last couple of weeks I have written about the circumstances and situations in life that cause fear and unrest. The good news is that our God is bigger than any of them and He will walk through every situation. We can trust Him.

God is faithful! Yes, He is. His faithfulness endures to a thousand generations, as if there were any question about it. He can be trusted to keep His word.

This morning we will look at Daniel. He had co-workers who hated him and would go to any length to sabotage his credibility and even go so far as to want him dead. They had the king enact a law that anyone who prayed to a god other than whom the king said would be thrown into the lion’s den.

They knew full well that Daniel spent hours each day praying to His God. Once the trap was set, they brought Daniel before the king; judgment was made and Daniel was taken off to certain death in the lion’s den.

In the morning, the king came to the lions’ den and called out to Daniel. He responded and the king had him brought out of the enclosure. Daniel gave glory to God for His faithfulness and the co-workers were sent to their death for trying to destroy Daniel.

“19 The next morning, King Darius got up just as it was getting light and ran to the lions’ den. 20 He was very worried. When he got to the lions’ den, he called to Daniel. He said, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God been able to save you from the lions? You always serve your God.”21 Daniel answered, “King, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel to save me. The angel closed the lions’ mouths. The lions have not hurt me because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, King.”23 King Darius was very happy…The lions did not hurt Daniel because he trusted in his God.24 Then the king gave a command to bring the men who had accused Daniel to the lions’ den. The men and their wives and children were thrown into the lions’ den… 25 Then King Darius wrote this letter to all the people from other nations and language groups all around the world:Greetings:26 I am making a new law. This law is for people in every part of my kingdom. All of you must fear and respect the God of Daniel. Daniel’s God is the living God; he lives forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed. His rule will never end.27 God helps and saves people. He does amazing miracles in heaven and on earth. He saved Daniel from the lions.28 So Daniel was successful during the time Darius was king and when Cyrus the Persian was king.” Daniel Chapter 6 ERV

True Story!

Who was Daniel’s enemy? Was it the king who sentenced him to death? Could it have been the co-workers who were jealous of Daniel, his wisdom and position? Were the lions’ his enemy? Perhaps, Daniel’s enemy was unseen and lurking in the background. Daniel’s enemy was the same one, that those of us who seek to honor God, face on a daily basis.

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:11-13 NLT

Are you facing a lions’ den today? You notice that Daniel didn’t change his commitment to the Lord just because the circumstances changed. Daniel was a faithful man, he continued to serve God in spite of the circumstances. And God continued to be faithful to His word and to the man who served Him. Like Daniel, we will still be standing when the battle is over. Be faithful today and you will find that God is faithful too!

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…” II Chronicles 16:9

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We’ve Been Commissioned

What does that phrase bring to mind? Commissioned?

There are many things that can be commissioned – an artist, a designer, an auctioneer, military personnel, a ship or airliner. With each one of these the word commission means to 1. give an order for or authorize the production of (something such as a building, piece of equipment, or work of art) or 2. appoint (someone) to the rank of officer.

Each and everyone of us has been commissioned. We have been appointed for production.

Jesus has commissioned us to be ambassadors for Him. We are His representatives while He is away.

“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” II Corinthians 5:19-21 NLT

When Jesus left this earth, He left us with the responsibility of living a life that exemplifies Him. He gave us His power and authority for a specific purpose. We are commissioned to bring a message to the world. That message is simple – God loves you, He’s not mad at you and He desires to have a relationship with you. Through Christ we can be made right with God.

These are some of the final words Jesus spoke to his disciples before He returned to heaven.

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

Jesus’ entire ministry was built on one commandment. He said the primary focus was to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and then to love others as we love ourselves. He also told the disciples that the whole world would know that they were His disciples by their love for one another.

The commission given was a command to love. The example we have is to love in the same way that Christ loved us.

Accept the commission. We don’t fulfill it under our own power, Jesus has given us the ability.

Father, today I choose to walk worthy of your calling in my life and to be an example to those around me. Thank you for giving me the strength and the compassion I need to let others see Jesus through me.

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Not Sugar But Gold

For years now, a dear friend of mine and I share a saying whenever we are out in the rain. We say “I’m not made of sugar, I won’t melt”.

That saying quickly came to mind last night as I heard a young man talking about the circumstances of 2020. He said that his life, like all of ours, has been greatly impacted by social distancing requirements. He’s an entertainer and all of his concerts were canceled from March forward and into 2021. He said that even though the rains fall he will stand strong; he will sing, praising God in the pouring rain.

To paraphrase, I’m not made of sugar, I won’t melt.

As I sat there thinking about his words the Lord reminded me of His Word.

“Fire is used to make gold and silver pure, but a person’s heart is made pure by the Lord.” Proverbs 17:3 ERV

“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Luke 6:45 NLT

How we handle the tough situations in life says a lot about us. Do we fall apart and wallow in self-pity and despair? Or are we like this young man and sing praises to God in the downpour? We voice our fears and disappointments to the Father in prayer. Jesus did that in the Garden of Gethsemane but then He stood up and went forward knowing that God was by His side. We have His promise that He will never leave us – in fact, He takes us through.

Dave and I had a dear friend who was an amateur metallurgist. He studied the process of refining gold. I remember him telling me about it. Let me give you a brief overview. Once gold ore is brought from the ground it is crushed and the non essential elements are washed away. The gold then goes through several refining steps. It is acid washed, heated, the impurities are skimmed off and then heated again until the gold is in its purest form. What is removed is the impurity. The refined gold increases in value.

When we go through trials and difficulties we are also being refined. Our faith is being purified. The dross or non essential elements are being removed. God doesn’t leave us during the these times, in fact, He is there to bring us through victoriously.

Both James and Peter taught the Christians in the first century to stand strong in spite of troubles. Their writings have much to say about daily living, interpersonal relationships and hardships. Their words of instruction came from the Lord and we can learn so much from what they taught.

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 NLT

“These troubles test your faith and prove that it is pure. And such faith is worth more than gold. Gold can be proved to be pure by fire, but gold will ruin. When your faith is proven to be pure, the result will be praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ comes.

8 You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You can’t see him now, but you believe in him. You are filled with a wonderful and heavenly joy that cannot be explained.” I Peter 3:7-8 ERV

We need to remain joyful in tough situations. How? By knowing that God hasn’t abandon us, but He stands with us to give us strength and we come out better, perfect and complete by placing our trust in Him.

So, when the rains come remember we aren’t made of sugar, we won’t melt. It’s a time for joy. We are more valuable than gold that has been refined in the fire!

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