Category: Character

Posted on

A Different Thanksgiving

Are your plans for Thanksgiving dinner a little different this year? My oldest daughter and I have been talking about this for a couple of weeks.

We’ll be eating outside, using paper plates and a large portion of the baking/serving dishes will be disposable. Hand sanitizer will be readily available and we will limit those in the kitchen helping with meal prep. We are so thankful that we live in a climate that will accomodate an outdoor celebration without being bundled in down coats and wool scarves.

Who knew that there was Thanksgiving scented hand sanitizer?

I will not let the obvious alterations to our Thanksgiving gathering cause me to lose sight of the reason for the day. Having come through devastatingly harsh winter conditions, forging relationships with a people foreign to them, reminded of the loss of life to young and old, the Pilgrims stopped to give thanks.

They recognized that without God’s grace and mercy they all could have met their end in that small colony. They braved the elements of this new and strange land. Against overwhelming odds they had survived. Their lives – their hardships and struggles – became the foundation of endurance for our nation.

They were thankful! When comparing our hardships to theirs, we, too, should be thankful!

We, who have relationship with Christ, have a strong foundation. Ours is a foundation of faith that will support us and give us strength in the most trying of times.

“As you have put your trust in Christ Jesus the Lord to save you from the punishment of sin, now let Him lead you in every step. 7 Have your roots planted deep in Christ. Grow in Him. Get your strength from Him. Let Him make you strong in the faith as you have been taught. Your life should be full of thanks to Him.

8 Be careful that no one changes your mind and faith by much learning and big sounding ideas. Those things are what men dream up. They are always trying to make new religions. These leave out Christ. 9 For Christ is not only God-like, He is God in human flesh. 10 When you have Christ, you are complete. He is the head over all leaders and powers.” Colossians 2:6-10 NLV

As followers of Christ we have a hope and a strength that comes from our trust in God. As the verse above says “let Him lead you in every step”. We face the same circumstances that the rest of the world does but with a different resolve. Our dependence is in God. Our hope is anchored in Him and His word.

There is much to be thankful for this year!

As we pass around the hand sanitizer before we pass the rolls, let’s give thanks that through Christ our lives have been cleansed from sin and our hearts are kept free from fear because we have our foundation in Him.

Posted on

Mirror Mirror

Every morning I stand in front of the mirror to brush my hair and put on my make-up. If I’ll be going out to the store or an appointment I check my outfit to make sure everything looks ok. Then I walk away and go about my day. Later I may double check my appearance and quite often I’m surprised to see how messy my hair has gotten or that there is a spot on my shirt.

What mirrors do for us physically the Bible does for us spiritually. Both reveal areas that need correction and areas of beauty.

“Do what God’s teaching says; don’t just listen and do nothing. When you only sit and listen, you are fooling yourselves. 23 Hearing God’s teaching and doing nothing is like looking at your face in the mirror 24 and doing nothing about what you saw. You go away and immediately forget how bad you looked. 25 But when you look into God’s perfect law that sets people free, pay attention to it. If you do what it says, you will have God’s blessing. Never just listen to his teaching and forget what you heard.” James 1:22-25 ERV

The Bible doesn’t distort like those goofy fun house mirrors. It will accurately portray our appearance and show us the areas where we need to improve. Each time we read or hear God’s word preached we should be looking for a nugget that we can apply personally.

This morning I started reading through the book of James again. I can’t tell you how many times I have read this book over my lifetime. Each time I find something new or am reminded of something I have let slip.

Those who compiled the Contemporary English Version of the Bible write an introduction to each book. I’d like to share with you, in part, what they wrote about the book of James.

“For James faith means action! In fact, the entire book is a series of examples that show faith in action in wise and practical ways. His advice was clear and to the point: If you are poor, don’t despair! Don’t give up when your faith is being tested. Don’t get angry quickly. Don’t favor the rich over the poor. Do good things for others. Control your tongue and desires. Surrender to God and rely on his wisdom. Resist the devil. Don’t brag about what you are going to do. If you are rich, use your money to help the poor. Be patient and kind, and pray for those who need God’s help.”

James is a book for every day Christian living. I always find something that I need to work on while reading it.

I am so thankful for God’s word. I can reflect on who God is and what’s important to Him.

“I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. 16 I will delight in your decrees
    and not forget your word.” Psalm 119:15-16 NLT

Mirror, Mirror on the wall – Let me see all that God wants me to be!

Posted on

Satisfaction Guaranteed

I’m probably like many of you. In the last few months the majority of my shopping has been done on-line. For the most part it has been ok but there are those exceptions and two of them came in the last week.

We received the notifications that these items were going to be delivered mid-week. Sure enough, right on schedule they arrived but they were the wrong item or subquality. How disappointing!

And then there was the follow-up. Email brought the quickest contact. Take the pictures, include the receipt, send the explanation as to what was wrong but really no satisfaction. Oh, we did receive a refund but now I had to start over looking for something similar because this had seemed like the perfect gift.

I almost burst into song. “I can’t get no satisfaction”!

But there is one place that guarantees satisfaction and I know I will never be disappointed there.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:2-5 NKJV

The place of absolute satisfaction is with the Lord. What more could we hope for than forgiveness, health, safety, strength, love and mercy?

Satisfaction guaranteed.

Even in the face of adversity we can and should be satisfied because we have His companionship to give us strength. The Apostle Paul was beaten and shipwrecked several times during his years of ministry. Look what he said:

“I am not complaining about having too little. I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. 13 Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” Philippians 4:11-13 CEV

I have learned to be satisfied…yes, it’s something we must learn.

Advertising tells us to look for bigger and better. I remember our first television set had a seven inch screen, was in black and white, had three stations and we thought it was a marvel. Now, we are conditioned to believe that a 55″, 4K, smart tv just isn’t enough. Seriously?

There are things I would like to have and there are places I would like to go but I don’t have to have them to be satisfied. I am content. I am satisfied with the blessings the Lord has added to my life. I’m thankful for what I have.

“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.” I Timothy 6:6-7 NLT

With Him, we have a promise of Satisfaction Guaranteed.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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!

Posted on

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!

Posted on

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!

Posted on

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.

Posted on

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!

Posted on

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!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress