Do you ever feel frustrated? I do. This week I have been trying to set up a new laptop - my first laptop, I might add. I bought a new computer when I retired in 2011. It is now tired and very slow, kind of like me. So, we went to my favorite computer store. They assured me that I could indeed transfer the files from my desktop to the MacBook without trouble. Although I wasn't sure they were correct, knowing my minimal technologic skill, I proceeded to pursue the possibility.
They suggested copying everything to the "cloud" then downloading it to the new laptop. I found out you have to pay to use the "cloud" if you have large volumes of data as I do (mostly photographs). I didn't want to purchase the space in a cloud for $10 a month, so I nixed that idea. Perhaps I could have copied small amounts at a time but that seemed tedious.
After I transferred my data to the MacBook successfully I was feeling pretty good about myself. So I tried to check my email. Guess what? No Internet connection. I have now spent the better part of two days, trying to figure out how to connect to our own WiFi. I'm frustrated. I called my tech squad who after running me through the paces of proper connectivity concluded that I should call my service and find out why I didn't have enough power to connect two computers to the Internet.
I talked with the service on the phone and went through rebooting the Internet modem several times, running up and down the stairs to the basement and back to the MacBook. (yes, I now realize I could have taken the laptop with me, dah) The person whose accent I could barely understand finally got tired of me (I believe) and told me I needed to call Apple.
Frustration.
Do you know who felt frustration in the Bible? Moses. His people were preposterous. Again and again they turned against God's Word. Sinning again and again. Just like us. Moses interceded for the people time and time again. And God was merciful. Moses had just returned from the mountain with the two tablets in his hands. "The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets," (Exodus 32:16 NIV).
"When Joshua heard the noise of the people shouting, he said to Moses, "There is the sound of war in the camp." Moses replied, "It is not the sound of victory, it is not the sound of defeat; it is the sound of singing that I hear." When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain," (Exodus 32:17-19 NIV).
I may feel like throwing something (not the MacBook - it's too expensive) but like Moses, I will calm down and take the process, step by step, and eventually figure out (or find someone who can) what needs to be done to make things work.
Don't give up today. God is with you and in spite of your frustration, He will see you through to the hope He promises. What a wonderful God we have!
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Monday, May 27, 2019
Remembering with Honor
I grew up in a church that had a unique and wonderful tradition for Memorial Sunday. Every year they would read the list of fallen soldiers who served their country and were buried in the Bethel Grove Cemetery. I love this tradition that continues at the beautiful country church near Liscomb, Iowa.
I was taught to listen to the names, ranks, where they served and when they died. In doing so I was honoring the person with respect. When I was young I wasn't so anxious to listen to the long list. It seemed like it took forever. I was excited to get to the next step of the tradition: marching to the cemetery.
Everyone who had flowers brought buckets full and set them outside the church. Those walking would grab handsful of the fragrant iris, lilies, peonies, and more and create a line up following the flag carried by a serviceperson. It was beautiful and powerful as we walked the gravel road to the cemetery, a quarter-mile away.
The flowers would be placed on each grave marked by a flag, or a pioneer flag marking those who settled in the Iowa River bend to establish Bethel Grove Church. Additional flowers were placed on an unknown soldier's grave marked by a rectangle of flags. The service at the grave ended when possible with Taps.
"Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever," (Psalm 112:6 NIV).
May we all pause today to give thanks for all the service members who have worked so hard, and died to give us a country of freedom. May we raise our American flags to wave in the breeze today; remember and honor Memorial Day.
I was taught to listen to the names, ranks, where they served and when they died. In doing so I was honoring the person with respect. When I was young I wasn't so anxious to listen to the long list. It seemed like it took forever. I was excited to get to the next step of the tradition: marching to the cemetery.
Everyone who had flowers brought buckets full and set them outside the church. Those walking would grab handsful of the fragrant iris, lilies, peonies, and more and create a line up following the flag carried by a serviceperson. It was beautiful and powerful as we walked the gravel road to the cemetery, a quarter-mile away.
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| Bethel Grove Cemetery May 24, 2014 |
The flowers would be placed on each grave marked by a flag, or a pioneer flag marking those who settled in the Iowa River bend to establish Bethel Grove Church. Additional flowers were placed on an unknown soldier's grave marked by a rectangle of flags. The service at the grave ended when possible with Taps.
"Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever," (Psalm 112:6 NIV).
May we all pause today to give thanks for all the service members who have worked so hard, and died to give us a country of freedom. May we raise our American flags to wave in the breeze today; remember and honor Memorial Day.
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Jesus, Just Say Jesus
I listen to Christian Radio whenever I'm in my car. I love it. Tune in 107.1 if you are in the Des Moines area or 101.9 from Waterloo. I have both stations saved on my car so when I'm on the way to Marshalltown I can switch easily if one fades out. Music stirs my heart. I've come to love the contemporary music because I hear it so much. I love the words. The music makes me happy.
Somedays I really need happy. Just like this morning. We left for the gym and the sky was a beautiful blue and the sun was shining...it was going to be a perfect day. Then I remembered that I had forgotten to write my blog! And when we came out of the gym the sky was covered in clouds. The sun and blue sky are gone.
I need some encouraging music to lift me up. No, I need Jesus. There is a song called, "Just Say Jesus" that I love. Some of the lyrics are: "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. Just say 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).
There are times when it is too hard to pray. The words don't come. You are overwhelmed by a problem, an illness, a struggle, a loss. God is still there ready to listen. He knows our hearts and our deepest hurts. That makes it time to say, "Jesus".
May your day be blessed by sunshine and a warm heart filled with Jesus.
Somedays I really need happy. Just like this morning. We left for the gym and the sky was a beautiful blue and the sun was shining...it was going to be a perfect day. Then I remembered that I had forgotten to write my blog! And when we came out of the gym the sky was covered in clouds. The sun and blue sky are gone.
I need some encouraging music to lift me up. No, I need Jesus. There is a song called, "Just Say Jesus" that I love. Some of the lyrics are: "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. Just say 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).
There are times when it is too hard to pray. The words don't come. You are overwhelmed by a problem, an illness, a struggle, a loss. God is still there ready to listen. He knows our hearts and our deepest hurts. That makes it time to say, "Jesus".
May your day be blessed by sunshine and a warm heart filled with Jesus.
Monday, May 20, 2019
The Wonder of Kite Flying
Saturday morning John suddenly noticed it was windy. We'd been waiting for a good wind day to fly kites. So we loaded up two new kites and headed to the grandchildren's house. The sky was a beautiful blue and the tops of the trees were swaying. It seemed like a perfect day but after a few failed tries we wondered if we would get the kites in the air. I'd forgotten that kite flying takes patience - something difficult for a six-year-old. But, Grandpa didn't give up. He got the grandson's kite up first, resulting in a temporary meltdown of the six-year-old. But, soon the granddaughter's kite caught the wind and began soaring with the birds.
It was delightful, even for senior citizens. The bright colors floating overhead, waving in the wind, tails streaming. The excitement on the faces of the children, running in the wind, joy-filled with the success of keeping their string stretched tightly. Freedom flying in the sky, yet, clung to by precious hands. Wonder of wonders.
"Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in power, in love, and purity." Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty by Reginald Heber, 1826, and John B. Dykes, 1861.
"Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty, who was and is, and is to come," (Revelation 4:8b NIV).
May your day be filled with wonder, evidence of our Lord God Almighty. Amen.
It was delightful, even for senior citizens. The bright colors floating overhead, waving in the wind, tails streaming. The excitement on the faces of the children, running in the wind, joy-filled with the success of keeping their string stretched tightly. Freedom flying in the sky, yet, clung to by precious hands. Wonder of wonders.
"Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in power, in love, and purity." Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty by Reginald Heber, 1826, and John B. Dykes, 1861.
"Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty, who was and is, and is to come," (Revelation 4:8b NIV).
May your day be filled with wonder, evidence of our Lord God Almighty. Amen.
Thursday, May 16, 2019
A Picnic Lunch
Yesterday my husband suggested we go on a picnic. It was a perfect day. Sunny, a light breeze, warm. I couldn't refuse, especially since he offered to pack the lunch, too.
We drove to Big Creek Park where the fishermen were in fast pursuit of the catch. We counted more than 12 fishing boats on the lake. The sound of quiet motors moaned in the background, but could not overcome the chirping birds all around us. I couldn't count all the varieties of birds. They were so busy flying from the tops of the trees to the ground. Singing, conversing, telling a story I didn't understand, except for their happiness. That I understood.
We watched the red-winged blackbirds and a pair of geese in the distance. They seemed to be disturbed by the fisherman who was following the edge of the lake. We chose a picnic table in taller grass. There were no bugs to bother us and the breeze was still a bit cool as it threatened to blow the paper plates away.
John unpacked the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apples, carrots, chips and bottled water that we used as paper weights. Nothing tasted as good as this simple lunch under the open air.
All of creation is alive and happy. God's handiwork screams, "beautiful!"
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord," (Romans 8:38-39 NIV).
We drove to Big Creek Park where the fishermen were in fast pursuit of the catch. We counted more than 12 fishing boats on the lake. The sound of quiet motors moaned in the background, but could not overcome the chirping birds all around us. I couldn't count all the varieties of birds. They were so busy flying from the tops of the trees to the ground. Singing, conversing, telling a story I didn't understand, except for their happiness. That I understood.
We watched the red-winged blackbirds and a pair of geese in the distance. They seemed to be disturbed by the fisherman who was following the edge of the lake. We chose a picnic table in taller grass. There were no bugs to bother us and the breeze was still a bit cool as it threatened to blow the paper plates away.
John unpacked the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apples, carrots, chips and bottled water that we used as paper weights. Nothing tasted as good as this simple lunch under the open air.
All of creation is alive and happy. God's handiwork screams, "beautiful!"
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord," (Romans 8:38-39 NIV).
Monday, May 13, 2019
Mama's Hands
This morning I was reminded of my Mama's hands. Her hands did so much during her 85 years of life it was no wonder her hands were worn and ragged. Arthritis bent and swelled her finger joints. The veins were dark and raised. But to me they were the most beautiful hands to hold or be held by.
When I was six I loved when Mama would rub my back to help me go to sleep. It was the best feeling ever and I never wanted her to stop.
When my first son was born, Mama came to our house and spent the first week. But, she didn't just come. It was the week she had scheduled having her teeth pulled. She came anyway. I remember her holding ice to her jaw, being in terrible pain, yet she helped me learn to care for a newborn that week.
Her hands picked raspberries off the prickly vines around her garden. She shared the bountiful produce she and Daddy raised in their huge garden with everyone. Her hands dug in the dirt, pulling out weeds, uncovering the radishes and beets and carrots. Mama picked beans, plucking off bugs, and husked ears of corn until it became too painful.
Mama masterfully used a needle to repair the most worn out coveralls so they could serve another year. Nothing in her house was wasted. Old clothes were transformed into popular attire for the 70s. It didn't take much fabric to make my mini skirts. She turned scraps into quilts for her grandchildren.
In the kitchen, Mama's hands were spectacular. She made pies, angel food cakes, and dozens of cookies and candies for the holidays. She started early in December and filled her freezer with containers of goodies. Then the week of Christmas she would make platters of the assortments to delight shut-ins and say thank you to friends, neighbors, the pastor, and Daddy's coworkers. Her noodles were heavenly and she loved trying new recipes she heard on the radio or saw in a Wallaces Farmer.
I'd love to hold her crippled hands once more. A mother's hands are evidence of her heart. So loving, so caring, so beautiful.
"I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother," (Psalm 35:14b NIV).
When I was six I loved when Mama would rub my back to help me go to sleep. It was the best feeling ever and I never wanted her to stop.
When my first son was born, Mama came to our house and spent the first week. But, she didn't just come. It was the week she had scheduled having her teeth pulled. She came anyway. I remember her holding ice to her jaw, being in terrible pain, yet she helped me learn to care for a newborn that week.
Her hands picked raspberries off the prickly vines around her garden. She shared the bountiful produce she and Daddy raised in their huge garden with everyone. Her hands dug in the dirt, pulling out weeds, uncovering the radishes and beets and carrots. Mama picked beans, plucking off bugs, and husked ears of corn until it became too painful.
Mama masterfully used a needle to repair the most worn out coveralls so they could serve another year. Nothing in her house was wasted. Old clothes were transformed into popular attire for the 70s. It didn't take much fabric to make my mini skirts. She turned scraps into quilts for her grandchildren.
In the kitchen, Mama's hands were spectacular. She made pies, angel food cakes, and dozens of cookies and candies for the holidays. She started early in December and filled her freezer with containers of goodies. Then the week of Christmas she would make platters of the assortments to delight shut-ins and say thank you to friends, neighbors, the pastor, and Daddy's coworkers. Her noodles were heavenly and she loved trying new recipes she heard on the radio or saw in a Wallaces Farmer.
I'd love to hold her crippled hands once more. A mother's hands are evidence of her heart. So loving, so caring, so beautiful.
"I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother," (Psalm 35:14b NIV).
Thursday, May 9, 2019
His Plans Stand
The house is quiet, except for the furnace running on this cool, gray day in May. It is the perfect time to talk to God. "Good morning, God. Thank you for this morning; for the sun above the clouds and for this quiet time with You, Lord. I depend on You every moment of every hour. Thank you for listening to my prayers, for guiding me through each day. Show me Your presence throughout this day so I can stay close to you. I pray for each person who reads this blog, that they may be blessed by Your presence and protection all day long."
"The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth--he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do," (Psalm 33:10-15 NIV).
Our God is so much bigger than I give Him credit for. Only He can hear all the prayers of His people. Only He can respond. Only He can touch me through a word, the flight of a bird, or a thoughtful deed. He is in every moment I experience.
"Awaken me to Your purposes, O Lord. May I live within Your plans this day and remember You always. Amen."
"The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth--he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do," (Psalm 33:10-15 NIV).
Our God is so much bigger than I give Him credit for. Only He can hear all the prayers of His people. Only He can respond. Only He can touch me through a word, the flight of a bird, or a thoughtful deed. He is in every moment I experience.
"Awaken me to Your purposes, O Lord. May I live within Your plans this day and remember You always. Amen."
Monday, May 6, 2019
He is Always With Us
It was a beautiful Sunday. Perfect for everyone to be outside. There were bikers and runners; dads pushing strollers; people walking their dogs. There were lawn mowers running, garages being cleaned; flowers being planted. The birds were happy and the bees were buzzing.
We attended church with our granddaughter Payton as she was confirmed in her faith. It was a lovely ceremony for her first communion. Truly an honor to witness. It was a blessing to see all she had done to prepare for this moment. It was a special celebration that I thank God for.
"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you," (Joshua 1:5 NIV).
Every day serves to remind us that indeed God will never leave us. No matter what we do or where we go, His presence surrounds us. When we focus on His presence our day is blessed and rich with meaning. The sunshine is brighter. The breezes are refreshing. The fragrance of blooming trees fills the air. Our hearts burst with thankfulness.
Even when we face struggles in our lives, God promises to be with us. We don't walk the path alone. May you begin this new week with a fresh appreciation for God's presence. May it give you courage and strength for your days.
We attended church with our granddaughter Payton as she was confirmed in her faith. It was a lovely ceremony for her first communion. Truly an honor to witness. It was a blessing to see all she had done to prepare for this moment. It was a special celebration that I thank God for.
"As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you," (Joshua 1:5 NIV).
Every day serves to remind us that indeed God will never leave us. No matter what we do or where we go, His presence surrounds us. When we focus on His presence our day is blessed and rich with meaning. The sunshine is brighter. The breezes are refreshing. The fragrance of blooming trees fills the air. Our hearts burst with thankfulness.
Even when we face struggles in our lives, God promises to be with us. We don't walk the path alone. May you begin this new week with a fresh appreciation for God's presence. May it give you courage and strength for your days.
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