"I Will Lift My Hands"

My husband and I sit in the back row at church. My husband chose the location, maybe for a quick escape to the parking lot, I'm not sure. But, I like to worship with my arms, along with the music, I can't stand still when there is music. Music moves me to worship.

Likewise, my arms need to move and being in the back row I don't feel like everyone is watching me. I know it shouldn't matter what other people think but that is one of my problems in life. People-pleasing.I know I should be more concerned with God-pleasing. My worship to God is limited by my surroundings. 

My favorite place to worship is in nature. The beauty of natural surroundings puts me in direct contact with God. As David wrote in Psalm 23, He restores my soul in green pastures, near quiet waters, even through deep valleys. I can raise my arms in true worship when only the clouds and tree tops are above me. That is where I feel God's love the most. 

Unfortunately, I rarely seek those spots. Too busy. Not enough time. Too far away. Come on, we live less than a mile from Saylorville Lake. No excuses.

"Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands," (Psalm 63:3-4 NIV).

Thank You, God, for making this Earth so beautiful. I raise my arms to worship You alone. I give You my praise and glorify You, my Father, my King, my Master. Guide me through the valleys and into green pastures where You can fill me with Your love. I pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

To God be the glory!

Show Me Your Purpose

Every time I read one of Paul's books in the Bible I am just blown away. He wrote 13 books of the New Testament. He traveled more than 10,000 miles planting churches, by foot or by boat. He was shipwrecked three times, was set adrift at sea, beaten, stoned and locked away in prisons.

Before he was converted, he passionately persecuted  the early Christians. Paul met a bright light on his way to arrest Christians in Damascus. He heard Christ speak, was blinded and later healed by Ananias. He was baptized and immediately began preaching that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God. His passion was shifted from being a Christian persecutor to Christian professor. God took his evil life and made it for good. 

Paul's strong background in Jewish education under one of the finest teachers available, Gamaliel, became a huge benefit to him when he met Jesus. Once he was converted to Christianity by Christ himself, he was never the same. His life was lived for Jesus and for spreading the Good News, especially to the Gentiles, who were once considered by the Jews to be unacceptable to God. Paul dedicated much of his life to assuring the Gentiles they were worthy. 

No matter what sin lies in our personal histories, God can and will use our faithful-selves for His holy purpose.

"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith," (2 Thessalonians 1:11 NIV). 

Oh, God and Father of us all, thank You for touching each of us, like Paul, with Your calling. Help us see clearly our purpose during this time and place. Use Your power to work Your good purpose through every action we take according to our faith in You. Praying in Jesus' name, Amen.

Whose Voice Do You Hear?

I loved this time of year on the farm. The grass was green and the purple iris were blooming along the driveway . Baby lambs had turned into show lamb weight, after being weighing in several months ago. And now the hard work of 4-Hers and FFA members kicks into high gear:The exercising. The precise feeding (down to teaspoons full).and fresh water. The washing and drying. The shearing.  The constant attack against ringworm and fungus. The daily cleaning of pens. Then do it again tomorrow and tomorrow...

It always amazed me how the lambs would respond to their shepherd. If I was left to feed the sheep in John's (rare) absence, they looked at me with suspicious eyes. They backed up in the far corner of the pen. That gave me enough time to begin filling the feeding trough, just ahead of the sheep stampede for food. Hunger definitely takes precedence over fear.

"The sheep listen to the sheperd's voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, He goes on ahead of them. and his sheep follow him because they know his voice," (John 10:3b-4 NIV).

Somewhere this week an article asked, "Whose voice do you listen to?" I pondered the time I spend scrolling on Facebook. What amount of time do I listen to Christian music? What amount of time do I spend in prayer, Bible-reading, Bible-study, just listening to God? Not enough.

Dear God, our Holy One: we lift our voices to give You our praise and glory! Thank You for being the voice we want to hear. Block out the clutter and noise and speak to us, we pray. We listen in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Memorial Day

Flags are flying today in remembrance of United States military personnel who died while serving in our Armed Forces. On Memorial Day I think of special services held at military cemeteries across the nation and graves decorated with American flags. 

I think of the tradition of playing "Taps" at exactly 3 p.m. on Memorial Day. I would love to step outside at 3 o'clock and hear someone in my neighborhood playing "Taps" along with thousands of others across the nation on the National Moment of Remembrance.

We placed flowers on our family graves last week when we were in Marshall County, continuing a tradition of our parents. I have to wonder if we will be the last generation to do this.

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves," (Romans 12:10 NIV).

Lord God, I pray for those who are grieving or sorrowful this Memorial Day. You are the One who can comfort them, and I thank You. Here in America, this "Land of the Free,"  I remember those who have fought and died while protecting the freedoms I enjoy. Lord, I know that Jesus is the One who died for my true freedom, the freedom from my sins. Thank You, my God, for sending Your Son to save us. I pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

To God Be the Glory!

Escape Into Youth

Right in the midst of a week of dedicated focus on planning and preparation, we had a wonderful day with two of our college-age granddaughters. It was a delightful escape into their world. Lately I've been stuck in the old-age pity pot. Life with youngsters is so much more fun. Their futures are full of hope and expectation and delight.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen," (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV).

We talked about studies and experiences. We laughed about memories we share. We discussed situations and possible solutions.We shared hugs and more hugs, mostly for this grandmother's heart.

Lord God, thank You for grandchildren - a new generation that carries imagination and success in its pockets. Protect them from evil and fill them with the Holy Spirit to guide their ways. Work within their young minds and bodies to bring glory to Your Holy Name. Praying in Jesus' name, Amen.

To God be the glory! 

Chased by Goodness

Sometimes days come and go in a blur. Time seems to go so fast when we get old. Remember how slowly the days passed when we were children waiting for a birthday or Christmas or summer vacation? It is breathtaking.

"Surly goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life," (Psalm 23:6 NIV).

Storms in Iowa are a reality in summertime or spring as it is this year. Winds can destroy a life's dream in an instant. We are in for more tonight. So how do we explain God's protection after a tornado? 

"Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life," (Psalm 23:6 NLT).

Clinging to the Word of God in every situation is all we can do. He has given us promises that we, believers, will be with Him in eternity. 

"Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life," (Psalm 23:6 MSG).

As we begin a new day or a new week we pray for God's protection and mercy as is promises in the 23rd Psalm. We don't always look at just one verse of this beloved Psalm, but verse six is guiding me today into God's love and goodness.

"My goodness and mercy will chase after you all the days of your life," (Psalm 23:6)

Lord, stretch Your arms around us this day. Help us cherish every moment that You give us. Open our eyes  with awareness of the goodness and mercy and love You provide. We thank You, Lord God, with all our being. We pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

#1200 gds

Familiar Paths

Are you like me? I drive the same roads nearly every day. When I head to the gym, to the grocery stores, to the doctor, to church, and usually to Dairy Queen. If you live in Ankeny you know that there is always road construction that can redirect your path. I know English teachers don't like me using 'always' but...1st Street, Ankeny Blvd, Delaware, 18th... I rest my case.

Anyway, back to the blog. On every repetitive street I take there are things I look for. Deer, always, everywhere in Iowa. But there are trees I take note of. Those that bloom, then grow their leaves, or turn fall colors. There is a collie that lies in front of a house, and two black dogs that live at the house with a swimming pool. I watch for the wild turkeys that cross the road or dance in a yard I drive. I watch for the postal truck and drivers who don't use their turning signals.

On our street, a cul-de-sac, I watch for children and other cars backing out at the same time I am. Now I have to watch extra carefully for kids on skateboards or electric bikes or those things like a skateboard with handles (what are they called?). They move so fast and appear out of no where, it seems.

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them," (Isaiah 42:16 NIV).

Thank You, God, for all that You do. I'm so glad that You gave us Your Holy Word so long ago that we can still trust in You. I am so thankful for Your guidance and Your wisdom. Lord, I know that You watch over us wherever the roads take us. You alone are powerful and amazing in Your good works. I lift my voice, and my hands in praise for all of Your goodness. Amen.