Just Say "Jesus"

There is a wonderful contemporary Christian song out, "Just Say Jesus" by 7eventh Time Down that I just love. It reminds me of the really rough times in my life when I was so low that I couldn't pray for myself. It happens. This song reminds me and you to "Just Say Jesus".

"When you don't know what to say - Just say Jesus - There is power in the name - The Name of Jesus - If the words won't come cause you're afraid to pray - Just Say Jesus," (Chorus of "Just Say Jesus" by 7eventh Time Down)

There are many songs that recognize the value and preciousness of the Name of Jesus. People have been writing songs about the name of Jesus for years and years.

Bill Gaither wrote a song that my Daddy loved to sing, "There's Something About That Name." It goes, "There's just something about that name, Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain; Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaim, Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, But there's something about that name."

In 1855, Frederick Whitfield wrote, "There is a name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth; It sounds like music in my ear, The sweetest name on earth. O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, Because He first loved me!"

In 1779 John Newton wrote, "How sweet the name of Jesus sounds In a believer's ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear."

It is comforting to know that saying the name of Jesus has brought peace and comfort to people for hundreds of years. The Bible confirms the strength and power that is in the name of Jesus.

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father," (Philippians 2:9-11 NIV). Amen!

On my knees I bow and pray

the Name of Jesus,

that's all I say.

Building a Foundation With Vacation Bible School

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him," (Colossians 3:17 NIV).

This week is Vacation Bible School at our church and many others, so my prayers have included those working to make the week impressive on all the children involved. I can't help but think back on the VBS's I've worked on in the past. I don't know when the idea of VBS came about but what a wonderful plan God placed in the minds of those creative geniuses.

My memory is terrible but I do remember the joy of gathering with other kids, learning Bible stories, singing story-songs, creating pictures and crafts, and feeling loved and cared about by the wonderful teachers who touched my days. I remember Kool-aid and cookies and running around outside, playing games and laughing. I remember the excitement of sharing what I learned and what I did with my family. The stories and basics of faith created the foundation that stayed with me for life. That is important work.

Thank you, dear teachers, for taking time to plan and study and pray for the children. Thank you teachers, for sharing God's Word and giving the gift of kindness and love to your students.

I was a helper for many years after I got too old to attend. I remember teaching my first VBS class when I was in high school. It was in the basement of the church that is now gone. My class was right outside the kitchen in an area partitioned off by moveable panels. I can't remember the children or even their ages. I was scared and I remember working on lessons and crafts for many days before VBS started. I felt good about it when the week was over.

I remember teaching VBS with the Albion churches one year, and another year I taught VBS in Clemons so our boys could be involved and attend. I wonder if I made a difference in the lives of any of the children. Do they remember the stories they learned? I pray that something triggers a VBS memory in everyone who attended VBS as a child. If they have drifted away from their faith, call them home, Jesus.

May each child involved in VBS this summer grow in faith and understanding of who Jesus is and what He did for each of them. Thank you, teachers and volunteers, everywhere.

Lord, thank you for teachers and helpers. Give them patience, energy, excitement for sharing God's Word, and Your love to bless each child in Vacation Bible School this summer. Spark a memory in those who attended VBS in their lifetimes. May it bless them today, and may they remember You always. Amen.

Faithfully Pray

My prayer list has suddenly become very long. There are so many people I know who have health concerns, personally or in their family right now. I feel blessed to not have a major concern of which I am aware. But, the weight of others' concerns is sometimes overwhelming. Lord, hear our prayers today.

God takes our prayers; leaving us empty-handed.

I try very hard to be faithful to those I promise to pray. So as I went to bed last night and couldn't sleep, I worked through all the prayers I had committed to offer. My heart was breaking as I moved through each plea and considered how that person must be feeling. The fear, the unknowns, the lack of control of the situation, the need to trust God completely...grant them courage, resolve, trust in the doctors and especially trust in God for His total manipulation of the circumstance.

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective," (James 5:13-16 NIV).

Jesus gave us righteousness when He died upon the cross for our sins. Our prayers are heard by our Heavenly Father. He has compassion for us and those we lift up. He knows the outcome, even before we ask, and our pleas are real and precious to Him. He does not ignore our calls for help, but He listens and is touched by our heart cries.

"Pray continually," (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV). "Pray all the time," (1 Thessalonians 5:17 MSG).

With every breath; pray.

I listen to Christian music radio whenever I am in the car because it keeps me grounded in Christ. It keeps my focus on Him and my prayers on those with needs. I am so touched by the lyrics of contemporary Christian music, while the hymns I grew up with remain strong like mountains in my memory, reminding me of His promises and His love. Thank you, God, for music.

Hear us when we pray, Lord.

Bring us answers and understanding.

Comfort us when we cry. Amen.

Words To Glorify God

It's Monday morning and I am feeling pressured by the piles of laundry, a dishwasher to empty, water aerobics to get to, groceries to get because there is no milk or fresh food, plants to water before the sun suffocates them, and a book bag filled with precious notes from a great writers' workshop. Everything will get done in its own time but this blog needs to be written first.

Tools

A wonderful 2018 Cedar Falls Christian Writers Workshop is in the books. I was blessed greatly by the speakers, the people I met and enjoyed, and the information that was shared. I think what God impressed on me, over and over, was to seek Him first...before I write, before I do anything. I know that God is always with me, but sometimes I forget to trust. I forget to accept His presence as the resource that is way better than GPS, road signs, a smart phone, a wise best friend, maps, or Siri-all put together.

Writing is something I do because I love it. I am a vessel that overflows with words, forcing their way out of my head and onto the computer screen. Sometimes they come easily and the flow seems unstoppable and never ending. Other times the outside noise clutters up the spout and the words seem to fall out in globs of thoughts or pieces of work.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer," (Psalm 19:14 NIV).

I claim a portion of another scripture as my personal theme. "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible,'" (Matthew 19:26 NIV).

Lord, as I begin a new day, be in me, work with me, and speak through me with words that touch hearts with Your love. May the Glory be Yours, O God. Amen.

I Practice Deceit

We have been enjoying a friendly hummingbird at our feeder this summer. It likes to come early in the morning and late at night. It even came in the middle of a rainstorm on Sunday evening. There are actually two hummingbirds that look quite different. One is an iridescent green and the other is much darker with the pretty iridescence on his feathers.

The hummingbirds drink the red syrupy substance through false flowers and don't seem to mind that I've deceived them. They like to sit on the wires of the tomato cages that are near the feeder. When they sit there they are calm, not fluttering their wings. I hope to get pictures sometime before they are tired of the feeder, but we will see if they cooperate when I'm finally ready to go with my camera.

Perhaps, because I practice this false attraction of hummingbirds, I need to plead for forgiveness of my sins. I hadn't realized what I was doing until this week when it suddenly occurred to me. I know I'm a sinner but this is an evil thing I am doing, attracting birds in a false way, just so I can watch them. Isn't it? I mean, planting flowers for the hummingbirds' enjoyment seems much kinder and more honorable than mixing up some fake red solution. I do plant many flowers for the birds and butterflies to enjoy but it is easier to catch a glimpse of the hummingbirds on our deck than it is down in our flower beds.

Scriptures are pretty clear about defining sin. Romans 1 clearly describes sinners. "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless." (Romans 1:29-31 NIV).

I am truly remorseful as I consider what I've done. No sin is greater than another. I wasn't aware of my transgression with these pretty birds, but now I am. I will repent and ask God's forgiveness.

What else am I sweeping under the rug with God? Do I think He won't notice? I can't evaluate my life any too often. At every partaking of communion we are called to examine ourselves before we eat of the bread, representative of Christ's body, or drink of the juice representing Christ's blood. (1 Corinthians 11:28-31).

Maybe we shouldn't wait until communion day to truly examine our lives. Today is a good day. Why not check yourself out now?

Purity, honesty, 

A robe of white,

Am I ready to meet you, Worthy Lord?

Wind, Waves and Light From God

WaterColor

Our visit to Reiman Gardens on the Iowa State University campus reminded me of the amazing things God controls. This year's theme and sculpture exhibition is about wind, waves, and light. All things that God controls with His hands. The sculptures allowed us to see God's hands at work through the wind, waves and the light.

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us," (Psalm 103:11-12 NIV).

There is no greater way to express eternity than to consider the distance from east to west. There is no end point; it just keeps going both directions. It is infinity...eternity...endlessness...God, only God.

Memory of Fibonacci

Colorium

Although the sculptures in Reiman Gardens were created by a man, George Sherwood, the objects of his creations showcase God's Creation in our environment. The wind and its speed and direction, the light in all its variations, and even precipitation change the images we see. God controls them all.

"Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, O my soul," (Psalm 103:22 NIV).

Bucket List

(I had computer issues for two days so I missed Monday's blog - did anyone notice?)

Do you have a bucket list of things you want to do? Mine included visiting the High Trestle Trail and touring the Reiman Gardens in Ames.

When I attended Iowa State University in 1997-1998 the garden was under construction. I rode CyRide from the commuter parking lot to the main campus and passed the area every day, wondering what it would be like.

On Sunday we did both! (I'll discuss Reiman Gardens in another blog.)

East end of the High Trestle Trail near Madrid.

We had seen signs all over Ankeny pointing to the High Trestle Trail and we heard it was near Madrid, but without a bike to ride 20 miles from the Ankeny trailhead it seemed too far to walk. John searched the web and found directions to a parking lot .9 miles from the bridge. We drove to Madrid and found the parking area that led to a trail that connected with the bike path. We made our way on the gravel trail and arrived at the wide concrete bike trail with a flurry of bikers coming from Madrid.

It was extremely windy on Sunday and on the bridge it was like being in a wind tunnel. I felt like my face skin was being altered by the pressure of the gusts. My eyes watered and I struggled to stand up straight. The ends of the bridge were less windy and the rest areas there were much calmer. There are small picnic areas at each end of the bridge and you can continue on 2.5 miles west to Woodward from the bridge, or 2.5 miles to Madrid's Hwy 17. We crossed the bridge and back again, then returned to the parking area. We encountered many bikers and a few other walkers.

View of the High Trestle Bridge from the west.

As I consider my bucket list the only other thing on it is to be like Jesus and have the closest relationship possible with God throughout my life.

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus," (Acts 4:13 NIV).

I want to be like Peter and John - a visible reflection of Jesus, so people can look at me and know that I've been with Jesus. That's on my bucket list.

What's on your bucket list?

How can I be

Like you, Lord,

For I am not perfect.