Category: Protection

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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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Three Wooden Crosses

I woke up singing – I haven’t heard this song in a very long time but there is was on the tip of my tongue. Waiting for the coffee to finish brewing the lyrics kept running through my mind.

“There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway
Why there’s not four of them, Heaven only knows
I guess it’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you
It’s what you leave behind you when you go.” by Randy Travis

A couple of weeks ago while we were in the mountains we had this discussion with our daughter about her upbringing. We talked about the times that Dave and I said no to her and her brother’s request to go on a particular activity. (This happened more than once.) There was really no good reason to say no but we didn’t have a peace about it.

They would plead and nag as only teenagers could but we stood firm. “If we don’t have a peace about it, we won’t say yes. We will pray and if God gives us a “yes” we’ll let you know”. I only remember us changing our decision once. Nothing, that we knew of, ever happened at these events which could have effected our kids negatively and for that we are grateful. But we didn’t have peace.

“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].” Colossians 3:15 AMPC

Let the peace of God rule in our hearts. The word rule means to act as the umpire. The umpire in a baseball game is the one standing behind the plate to call balls and strikes. He says what is fair and what is foul. He makes the call of safe or out. That’s what God’s peace does in our hearts.

If there’s no peace, don’t go. If there’s no peace, don’t buy it. If there’s no peace, don’t agree. If there’s no peace, don’t push the door open. Wait for God’s plan! We might be nervous about what God has planned because we have never done “this” before but even so, we will be at peace.

On that same camping trip we were talking about our drive up the mountain. Dave and I pulled off at a rest area and it was packed. It took us off the road longer than we had wanted. We were tempted to complain about the delay until…we went one-half mile further up the road to stand-still traffic and we realized if we had been there sooner we could have been involved in an accident.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:6-7 ERV

I am certainly thankful for the hundreds of times when I’ve known the Lord has kept me from harm’s way but I am even more grateful for the thousands of times that I know He has protected me and I’ve not even seen the danger.

“He will command his angels to protect you wherever you go.” Psalm 91:11 ERV

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Going Through The Gate

The other morning we took a walk. When we left the campground area we had to go through a gate at the start of the trail. There’s a country or ranch tradition that our family is very familiar with – if you go through a gate, close it.

Plain and simple. Gates have a purpose. It’s either to keep someone or something in or to keep someone or something out. Gates are important.

We enjoyed our nature walk. We saw some of the tallest Ponderosa pines I have ever seen. It was a beautiful area; unspoiled nature. I didn’t see anything that needed to be kept behind a gate but the gate was there all the same.

Isn’t that the way it is with life? We don’t always see or know the purpose for something but its there for our protection.

Jesus was telling his disciples a story about some sheep who were being kept in a pen behind a gate. They were safe from outside harm. The disciples didn’t understand the meaning of the story so this was Jesus’ explanation:

“So Jesus said again, “I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All those who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will be able to come in and go out. They will find everything they need. 10 A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.” John 10:7-10 ERV

In the natural, sheep don’t have any common sense. They need a shepherd to protect them and to lead them to good pasture. Jesus had said He was the good shepherd. He was the one to protect and to provide “Everything they need”.

He hasn’t changed! His promises to protect and provide are still valid. Jesus repeated this mission that He had been given by God, the Father, using a variety of examples. He said I AM the gate, the shepherd, the living water, the bread of life, the way, the truth, the life! Not once did He say I am the destroyer, the condemner, the abuser, the neglecter. Never! That’s not who He is.

He has given us so many examples of who He is, if we look for them they will become clearer and clearer.

Today I am glad that He is the gate – He opens and closes to protect me in all I do.

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Crossing Life’s Bridges

Yesterday my daughter and I went for a bike ride at the campground. It’s been a couple years since I’ve been on my bike and so I knew we weren’t going to travel too far and that the road was going to be pretty smooth.

I had forgotten about the bridge.

As we started over the bridge her words of warning rang in my ear, “don’t let your tire get caught between the planks”. I hadn’t even thought about that. I was really just enjoying the ride and taking in as much of the view as I could.

Now there was a warning! There was some element of danger that I needed to avoid. Shortly, we would be crossing that bridge again as we headed back to our campsite. This time I paid more attention as I chose which plank to align with for the crossing.

That old saying “we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it” was going through my mind. Each bridge we cross takes us to new territory, new adventures, new situations. Bridges like graduation, marriage, job placement, a new city, health and retirement. Each one will have challenges and could also have pitfalls. It’s important that we don’t let our tires get caught between the planks.

The image I used for this morning’s blog was a well loved painting that was duplicated and widely circulated in the 1930’s through the 1950’s. It is called “The Guardian” and was painted by an Austrian artist in 1918. There was one just like it that hung in my grandmother’s living room. As a young girl I would sit and look at the painting each time we went to her home. I was intrigued by the colors but more fascinating was the large angel and the way it was protecting the children.

“Because you have made the Lord your safe place, and the Most High the place where you live, 10 nothing will hurt you. No trouble will come near your tent. 11 For He will tell His angels to care for you and keep you in all your ways. 12 They will hold you up in their hands. So your foot will not hit against a stone.” Psalm 91:9-12 NLV

I am so thankful for the Lord’s loving protection. Thankful that I am not left alone when I cross life’s bridges. Thankful that He is there to see that my tires don’t get caught between the planks.

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Never Forget!

I can relive that day and I’m sure most of you can too. We were living in North Idaho. Dave had just left for work when I turned on the television. The first tower had just been hit. As I was watching and getting ready to call Dave, a call came from our oldest daughter. Our son-in-law, a career Navy man, was being deployed to the waters off America’s west coast.

Our son, who is a fire fighter in California, had many friends who served the NYFD. Some lost their lives that day and others were injured.

Our family was tangibly involved in the events of that day, as were so many others.

The days that followed our nation displayed a unity that had been lacking. Most of us had only read of the attack at Pearl Harbor but this day, September 11, 2001, was our day that will live in infamy!

Our citizens were kinder, prayers were being said publicly and privately and we had a heightened sense of patriotism. We were one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all!

There was a fire in our hearts and prayers on our lips. Flags were “sold out”. Much different than the trivial toilet paper shortage we experienced only months ago. Flags were flying everywhere – people were spontaneously singing “God Bless America” on the streets and in places of business.

Parents were explaining to their children the events of that day! Patriotism reigned. We weren’t Democrat or Republican, we weren’t racially divided, not liberal or conservative; we were Americans!

Our nation was called to prayer and no one was offended! We needed God’s guidance and comfort, we still do.

“I love you, Lord;
    you are my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
    my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
    and my place of safety.
3 I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
    and he saved me from my enemies.

4 The ropes of death entangled me;
    floods of destruction swept over me.
5 The grave[a] wrapped its ropes around me;
    death laid a trap in my path.
6 But in my distress I cried out to the Lord;
    yes, I prayed to my God for help.
He heard me from his sanctuary;
    my cry to him reached his ears.” Psalm 18:1-6 NLT

May we never forget the events of that day. May we never forget that we found hope in God!

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Excellent Advice!

When Dave and I purchased our home in Montana the current owner gave me some excellent advice – words I still remember. You see, we moved to the Beaverhead Valley from north Idaho where the climate was more temperate.

She took me to the big picture window and said, “There will be days this winter when you look out these windows and you won’t see a thing except for blowing white. You’ll hear the wind howl and you’ll think that you’re going to be snowed in for the rest of the winter. Don’t panic! Just wait…wait about thirty minutes. The wind will die down and then you will be able to go outside once again.”

I put those words to good use that winter. “Don’t panic. Just wait.” Sure enough it was just as she said. The longest I ever had to wait was forty-five minutes and the wind would subside and the blizzard was over. We lived in a big log home with a great wood-burning stove and we were safe and warm. No need to panic.

I’ve applied those words to many of life’s circumstances, the current one we are going through is no exception.

Jesus said the same thing to his disciples:

“Amazing things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. And people all over the earth will be upset and confused by the noise of the sea and its crashing waves. 26 They will be afraid and worried about what will happen to the world. Everything in the sky will be changed. 27 Then people will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to happen, stand up tall and don’t be afraid. Know that it is almost time for God to free you!” Luke 21:25-28 ERV

His disciples had asked Jesus about the end of times. A lot had been written in the Old Testament about this. Jesus told them to watch for the signs but He also told them they didn’t need to be afraid. I can hear the words of Jesus more clearly than I heard the words of Mrs. McGinley. “Don’t panic…just wait!”

There will be a time when life on this earth will end. I believe that because God said it will. But that’s no reason to fear. It is a reason to be prepared. The Lord will return for those of us who have accepted Him as our Savior and He will take us to heaven. Those that remain here on the earth will face terrible and devastating events.

God is loving and gracious. He is giving everyone the opportunity to come into relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.

“The Lord is not being slow in doing what he promised—the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone to be lost. He wants everyone to change their ways and stop sinning.

10 But the day when the Lord comes again will surprise everyone like the coming of a thief…” II Peter 3:9-10a ERV

How wonderful is that? God is patient and He doesn’t want anyone to be lost! The good news – everyone has been invited to have a new life in Christ, a life that brings forgiveness and reconciliation with God, the Father.

Don’t panic! Just wait and it will all be over soon.

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How Safe is a Sinking Ship?

Dave and I like to watch historically factual movies. We have seen stories on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots; a prison ship that sailed from England to New South Wales; a series on the founding of the western frontier; one based on the fur trappers and traders that opened northern trades routes and another on the Revolutionary War.

At some point during each one of these we have made the comment that we certainly have an easy life compared to those who came before us. We had to consider how we would have reacted if we had been alive during those times.

One morning while I was praying and thanking God for the life I have, I began to consider these people and their hardships and then I thought of Paul, the apostle. His life was impacted by persecution and peril. I focused in on his strength and resolve. I want you to see his comments. I think you will find hope and encouragement by seeing how the Lord met him in his greatest struggles.

“…I have been in prison more times. I cannot remember how many times I have been whipped. Many times I have been in danger of death. 24 Five different times the Jews whipped me across my back thirty-nine times. 25 Three times they beat me with sticks. One time they threw stones at me. Three times I was on ships that were wrecked. I spent a day and a night in the water. 26 I have made many hard trips. I have been in danger from high water on rivers. I have been in danger from robbers. I have been in danger from the Jews. I have been in danger from people who do not know God. I have been in danger in cities and in the desert. I have been in danger on the sea. I have been in danger among people who say they belong to Christ but do not…” II Corinthians 11:22-33 NLV

People either hated Paul or loved him. His message was one of life and peace and even though he was greatly opposed he kept going. Where did he find the strength? He tells us.

“He answered me, ‘I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.’ I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me.” II Corinthians 12:8 NLV

Do you see the answer to Paul’s prayer? “When I am weak, then I am strong”. Paul wasn’t always saved from the storm but he was always safe in the storm.

“We did not see the sun or stars for many days. A very bad storm kept beating against us. We lost all hope of being saved. 21 No one had eaten for a long time. Then Paul stood up and said to them, ‘Men, you should have listened to me and not left Crete. You would not have had this trouble and loss. 22 But now I want you to take hope. No one will lose his life. Only the ship will be lost. 23 I belong to God and I work for Him. Last night an angel of God stood by me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand in front of Caesar. God has given you the lives of all the men on this ship.’ 25 So take hope, men. I believe my God will do what He has told me. 26 But the ship will be lost on some island.’ 27 It was now the fourteenth night…Just before the light of day came, Paul told all of them to eat. He said, ‘Today is the fourteenth day you have not eaten. 34 You must eat. It will give you strength. Not one of you will lose a hair from your head’…Calling out to those who could swim, he told them to jump into the sea and swim to shore. 44 The others should use wood or anything from the ship. In this way, they all got to shore without getting hurt.” Acts 27: 20-44 NLV

Now this should be a movie!

We have Jesus’ word that He came to provide us with a good life, a life of victory and peace. He promised to give us strength for whatever comes our way. So many times we want a life that is “storm free” and we start to cave when troubles come. Many of the people in the Bible faced perilous times. Even Jesus faced the cross but rose victorious!

Here’s one final thought from the Apostle Paul. One that will give encouragement and hope. When we feel weak, helpless, hopeless, discouraged, misunderstood, pick on or abandoned we can find strength in our weakness because Christ will come to make us strong.

When we are weak, we are strong in God!

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Perspective

Some people consider the glass to be half empty while others assess that it is half full.

Perspective!

It’s important to keep a proper perspective when going through a tough time. If we begin to look too closely at the situation it can seem overwhelming. It’s important to pull back and look at things the way God’s see them.

The children of Israel saw a sea too big to cross; God saw a stream and damned it up. Saul’s soldiers saw a giant too big to conquer; David saw a man who was no match for God. Noah saw a world filled with corruption and a devastating flood; God saw a cruise ship of salvation.

What is your perspective? Do you see things as hopeless, do you see defeat?

“As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. 2 In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God. When will I see your face? 3 Day and night my tears are my only food, as everyone keeps asking, “Where is your God?” 4 Sorrow floods my heart, when I remember leading the worshipers to your house. I can still hear them shout their joyful praises. 5 Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me, 6 and you are my God.

6 I am deeply discouraged as I think about you from where the Jordan begins at Mount Hermon and from Mount Mizar. 7 Your vicious waves have swept over me like an angry ocean or a roaring waterfall. 8 Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the living Lord God. 9 You are my mighty rock. Why have you forgotten me? Why must enemies mistreat me and make me sad? 10 Even my bones are in pain, while all day long my enemies sneer and ask, “Where is your God?”

11 Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again
because you help me, and you are my God.” Psalm 42 CEV

King David saw his enemies but God saw His deliverance.

Jesus’ disciples saw a large crowd of hungry people and a little boy’s lunch; Jesus saw a hillside picnic. Mary and Martha mourned a brother who had died; Jesus saw an empty tomb. The Pharisees saw an outcast, an adulterous woman; Jesus saw someone He came to forgive and a candidate for salvation.

Satan saw Jesus as a dead man, buried in a tomb but God saw the resurrection!

Why are you discouraged or disheartened? Put your hope in God!

Some overlook the feast that God provides and see only the enemies. When the Lord gives us a cup it doesn’t remain half empty or half full. He fills our cup until it runs over.

“You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honor me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows.” Psalm 23:5 CEV

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Safely Sheltered

Every generation has had to face tumultuous times. That is a fact. When Jesus lived on the earth the Romans had invaded Israel. Roman soldiers patrolled the streets, the local Jewish officials were subject to Roman law and the citizens owed taxes to Caesar.

Some who were living then thought that the Messiah would come, set up His kingdom and overthrow the Romans. They were looking for an earthly king. They longed for deliverance.

Jesus’ heart ached for them. He said they were like lost sheep, vulnerable and alone. They had wandered far from the safety of the shepherd. All through the Old Testament God, the Father, had the leaders and prophets of Israel instruct the people to follow His word and He would be their God and their refuge in times of trouble. Those in Israel had either forgotten those promises or had ignored them.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets. You stone to death those that God has sent to you. Many, many times I wanted to help your people. I wanted to gather them together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you did not let me.” Matthew 23:37 ERV

Do you see those words “I wanted to gather…But you did not let me”? The Lord desires to protect us and keep us safe. That’s His Father’s heart!

“You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you.” 3  God will save you from hidden dangers  and from deadly diseases. 4 You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield. 5 You will have nothing to fear at night  and no need to be afraid of enemy arrows during the day.” Psalm 91:1-5 ERV

The words of the Bible aren’t mindless platitudes, a good philosophy or some myth or fairy tale. They are God’s words; they are words of life to all who believe them. They are the words of a loving Father to His children. Jesus was expressing the words of the Father when he spoke over Jerusalem. From the beginning of time God has wanted to protect, guard and deliver His children.

Those same words of protection and safety are God’s words to us for this very day! Take courage and trust the Father.

Thank you Father that under the shadow of Your wings is my place of safety!

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Annoyed by Wrong Actions

A few years ago there was a world situation that really had me upset. I had been fussing about it for several days and my conversation was focused on it. (and right now, I can’t even remember the particulars of it) Anyway, it filled my conversation and my thoughts – I wasn’t praying about it, I was complaining. I had lost my focus and then I came across these verses.

“Don’t get upset about evil people. Don’t be jealous of those who do wrong. 2 They are like grass and other green plants that dry up quickly and then die. 3 So trust in the Lord and do good. Live on your land and be dependable. 4 Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you whatever you ask for. 5 Depend on the Lord. Trust in him, and he will help you. 6 He will make it as clear as day that you are right.  Everyone will see that you are being fair. 7 Trust in the Lord and wait quietly for his help. Don’t be angry when people make evil plans and succeed. 8 Don’t become so angry and upset that you, too, want to do evil. 9 The wicked will be destroyed, but those who call to the Lord for help will get the land he promised.” Psalm 37:1-9 ERV

When I read these words I laughed out loud. My first thought was “Lord, I’ve been busted”. Instead of focusing on those who were doing wrong I knew the Lord wanted me to focus on Him. This situation was temporary and it was stealing my joy and my peace.

The instruction was clear. Trust the Lord, depend on Him, wait for God’s help, don’t be angry, be dependable. All of these are positive, righteous actions. The anger and complaining weren’t.

Two words jumped out at me. Be dependable! The people around me, those that composed my world of influence, needed me to be dependable. I needed to let God’s light shine through me so others could see the hope that lives in me.

“God once said, “Let light shine out of the darkness!” And this is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts to let us know that his own divine greatness is seen in the face of Christ. 7 We have this treasure from God, but we are only like clay jars that hold the treasure. This is to show that the amazing power we have is from God, not from us.” II Corinthians 4:6-7 ERV

The Lord reminded me of these verses the other day. Yes, I had been complaining again and my attention was focused on people and not on the Lord. I could enter in with everyone else’s comments and complaints or I could be dependable and be a light for God’s goodness.

Maybe, just maybe, you’ve been there too. Let’s join our lights together as we “trust the Lord and do good”.

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