I Want To Run

Last night we were reminiscing about watching our grandchildren run. This week we watched one of our grandsons run the 400, and anchor the 4 x 400 (while enduring a bitter north wind. How do those young men and women run in skimpy shorts and tank tops when it is so cold? But, I digress.). 

Years ago, another grandson was a runner. He ran cross country and track and was relentless about pursuing first place. We also watched a granddaughter run cross country for her four years of high school. I am still amazed at their individual abilities to run. It is a skill I have never possessed. Maybe that's why I love the Scripture that follows.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God," (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV).

I can imagine standing at the start line, dropping all the things that would slow me down: my guilt, my anger, my envy, my weariness..., and grasping perseverance and power from the Holy Spirit. All the while, I fix my eyes on Jesus, and run freely the race God has placed before me. (My hip ache, neck pain, and my sore arthritic thumb are all gone.)  Hallelujah to the Son of God!

Oh, Gracious Heavenly Father,  keep me on the right track as I struggle to follow You. I am so unworthy of Your love and forgiveness, but I am so thankful for the guideposts You have placed in my life to teach and mentor me. Thank You, Jesus!.Holy Spirit, fill me with Your wisdom and power, that I, too, can join You in the eternal home You have made. I pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Go With Me, My God

It is a new month, a new week, a new day. What do you have to look forward to? What do you have on your calendar that you are not excited about? I tend to look at my calendar and review what I have to do in the week ahead. That is as far as I can handle these days.

It is hard to believe how much I had in one day when I was working. How did I do it? My days were filled with appointments, meetings, and writing time. Then after work I visited my parents, providing a few extra groceries and doing a few chores, but mostly listening. Then heading home to prepare dinner for the two of us.

I almost feel ashamed when someone asks what I am doing later in the day - "nothing". I could say studying my Bible, reading a book, feeding the birds, washing a load of clothes, not exactly exciting stuff. Yet, I love being retired. But I don't love getting older in a body that is worn out.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go," (Joshua 1:9 NIV)

Sometimes getting older requires being strong and courageous. Some days I feel discouraged or even terrified of what is ahead. That is when I need this message from Joshua, a strong spiritual leader who followed and obeyed God, and led his people into the promised land.

O, God, I want to obey You in all I do. Look into my heart and destroy anything that is evil or selfish. Guide my steps on Your path for my life. Show me the plan You have laid out, and the purpose You have for me. I love You Lord and I fear You with honor and reverence. Thank You for sending Jesus to wipe away my sins. I bow before You, Lord God. I praise You for being with me wherever I go. Amen.

April Showers for May Flowers

Are you ready to turn the page from April to May? We have had several April showers that should bring May flowers. Typically, I have followed an unwritten "rule" of not planting annuals or vegetables until Mother's Day. Though we have had some very warm days already, there is a chance of frost in some parts of Iowa this week. 

So, maybe the old wives tale is good advice this year. It could have been a word to the wise from the Farmer's Almanac, or better yet, teaching from my mother many years ago. Where do you get your gardening advice? These days it could come from Google.

Things change over time. Some guidance remains wise through the years. Other ideas are replaced by new thinking. When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth he made it clear where our wisdom should come from.

"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power," (1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NIV).

The Scriptures remain true and good even after hundreds of years. There are few books that remain relevant and wise through the ages of time. Our Holy Bible has never changed its wisdom. It is as true today as it was being written in the time of Moses or Abraham, Jesus or Paul. 

Thank You, God, for the Holy Scriptures that guides my life of faith even today. Help me grow in Your wisdom and grant me the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promises all believers. Thank You for sending Your Son to die on the cross so I can live again with Him eternally, one day. I pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The Growing Season

Have you been listening to the rain? It sounds like we got a lot of rain but it is too dark to see the rain gauge. It is rather delightful to hear the rain after two dry springs. The grass is so green! The leaves are appearing on the trees like a magician's flowers out of a wand. But it is all by God's hands. 

We have lived in Ankeny for 10 years now and during that time we tried to plant rhubarb three or four times. It would do great at first, then die. Last year we tried a different spot and it survived the winter and it is prolific this year. I'm so excited!

"For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations,"(Isaiah 61:11 NIV)

Thank You, my God, for the amazing way seeds and crops grow, even when it seemed too dry to grow. I praise You for the rain that is replenishing the soil with moisture that helps all things grow. Lord, I ask for some dry weather so farmers can plant their fields. Thank You, God for knowing what is best for all of us. I thank You that You make righteousness and praise rise up before us.You have made these blessings available to all of us when we believe in Your Son Jesus Christ. Be with us this day and throughout the week ahead. Guide our steps, our decisions, and our speech. We pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

God is My Shepherd

Lamb Sorting Day

This time of year always reminds me of lambing season. More specifically, a barn full of baaing lambs. This is about the time the lambs are weaned from their mothers and started on feed. 

"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young,"             (Isaiah 40:11 NIV). 

The lambs learn to play with the others quickly and are distracted from the loss of their mothers before long. And the mothers, also baaing loudly because their bags are too full for a while, are distracted by the fresh green grass growing in their pastures. 

The lambs in the picture are older. They still baa, but mostly when they see the shepherd and know feed is about to fill their troughs. These lambs are too heavy to carry and they are still wild and crazy when we would try to catch them when sorting. This picture probably brings nightmares to my husband and son who were doing all the catching.

I love the image of God as my Shepherd. I want to be gathered into His arms, and carried close to His heart every day. 

God, my Shepherd, thank You for Your tender care throughout my life. Lead me on Your paths that are straight and narrow. Guide me and protect me from the evil that lies around every turn. I thank You and praise You, Lord! I pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Asking for Joy, Patience and Faith

Near Amana, Friday, April 17

Good Monday morning to you! It is wonderful to have things calm again after last week's stormy weather. We were fortunate to miss the dangerous and damaging winds, though we received four inches of rain. I hope you were safe, also. Along with the storms were beautiful and frightening clouds.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer,"     (Romans 12:12 NIV).

This scripture is speaking to me today. It says to be joyful, patient, and faithful. What a big ask! These qualities are challenging for me at times. 

Being joyful has been challenging for me as I am often draped in chronic depression. I am a hopeful person. I love how some people are filled with joy. Their smiles radiate the love of Jesus! I would like to be like that. 

I have learned to be patient in affliction. Patience is something difficult to develop. After all my years I have learned to be patient. I don't always want to be patient, but I wait in my afflictions.

Faithful in prayer...that takes practice. When I tell someone that I will pray for them, I hope that person can feel confident that I pray. I carry that person in my heart and ask God to be with them in the illness, the sorrow, or the dilemma the person is facing.

God Almighty, as I pray, I ask You to strengthen me with joy in my hope, patience in my affliction, and faith in my prayers. I trust You Lord, to hear my prayers. Help me to grow in these qualities: to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in my prayers. I pray in the Name of Jesus, my Savior, Amen.

Speak With Grace

Good Morning, Friends.

Can you hear the birds chirping outside your windows? I love this about spring. It is still dark out but the birds are waking up and they sound so happy! Why are they so happy, I wonder? It is a new day.  We woke up. God has blessed us with another day of life. So, how will we use it?

After writing this blog, I go to the gym for aqua fitness. There is room for 40 or so in the pool, if everyone spreads out perfectly. It is much more comfortable with just 25 or 30 participants. You don't have to worry about kicking someone.

Judging by the noise level, people love to talk. Friends catch up on what happened over the weekend, what they are doing this week, or how they are feeling. Quite often, these friends only see each other in the pool. This creates a problem for the instructors. Their time of preparation for the class, setting up the music, and displaying the exercises seems disrespectful when the talking overshadows the teaching.

Paul wrote the book of Colossians to teach that Christ gave us a pattern for living and the power to grow spiritually. Paul taught that everything a believer needs is in Christ Jesus who is supreme in power and authority because Christ is God.

Colossians is filled with teaching the ways of following Christ. 

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone," (Colossians 4:6 NIV).

God, we lift our praise to You this morning and we thank You for the teachers of Your Word, like Paul. Your Word shows us how we should live and act and speak. Lord, speak to us through the Holy Spirit, to remind us how You want us to follow Jesus. We thank You for sending Jesus to make a way for us to communicate with You. We pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.