He's Listening

Sometimes life gets overwhelmed by sorrow or pain or concern. It has occurred to me that many of our young adults are struggling with life. I can count at least five young adults who have serious life issues they are dealing with. My heart hurts for them because when I was that age, I also struggled.

There are expectations out there to live up to that make living challenging, at the least. There are self expectations and esteem issues that bubble up from disappointment, dissatisfaction, frustration or failure. Life is just hard for some people. Especially for those who are trying to brazen their paths without the Lord.

"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me," (Psalm 50:15 NIVV).

When you feel you aren't living up, or your dreams are shattered, or your heart gets broken, or you
are dissatisfied with the way things are going, it is hard to keep going, keep fighting, keep moving forward...without Jesus.

"When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you," (Matthew 6:6 NIV).

I was lucky to have Christ with me to help me face life and go forward after a personal crisis. I don't know any other way to survive...but with Jesus.

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins," (Mark 11:24-25 NIV).

To all those young adults or any age who are in a crisis, don't give up. Turn your situation over to Jesus and pray for His presence in your life. To those friends, siblings, parents or grandparents who are hurting as they watch a loved one in a painful place, keep praying. Don't give up.

God is listening.

Doing Good

There are a lot of reasons to do good to those around us. It makes life a lot more pleasant to be kind and show goodness to others. Especially when we are just living life.

In the grocery store line, or in the store parking lot perhaps I could allow a person with a few items to go first, or offer to take the cart back to the corral. Maybe I could park a row or two farther away so someone who needs a close spot can use it. When watching an event, I can try to allow the children to get a better spot up front where they can see better. I can reach a high shelf for someone who can't, or pick up a heavy item for someone who is struggling. I can be courteous of the elderly or those in the automatic carts. And smile at everyone.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up," (Galatians 6:9 NIV).

Sometimes we may experience grumblers that seem to try and make us lose the desire to do good. We
try our best and still others complain about something that isn't quite right. We become discouraged at times and give up. Clearly, Paul must have experienced these types of incidents for he encourages us to continue to try to be good to others, in spite of the things that make us lose our way.

It's Monday and we are nearing a new month. Why not make an extra effort to do good this week. Step out of our comfort zone and be cheerful, courteous, kind, generous and loving to others.

Perhaps we will begin to reap a bountiful harvest before our very eyes! It's the proper time.

Mental Health Awareness Month

October is mental health awareness month. I was diagnosed with major depression more than 30 years ago. I have been through all kinds of treatment and I'm currently on medication to try and maintain a balance of good health. But I still struggle. There are good and bad days but life goes on. Only once did I try to take my own life. I was nearly successful but John came home early from work and got me to the hospital just in time.

Since that episode of darkest deepest sadness my life looks like a graph of heartbeats up and down.

God is the reason I'm still here and keeps me going. There are so many scriptures that help those who struggle with mental illness. The Scriptures give us hope. I'm so thankful for the blessing of hope.

"The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest,"" (Exodus 33:14 NIV).

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble," (Psalm 46:1 NIV).

"Be still, and know that I am God," (Psalm 46:10 NIV).

And my favorite;

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light," (Matthew 11:28 NIV).

If you or someone you know struggles with mental illness please seek help. There are many qualified doctors or therapists who can help you find a path that moves you upward. And cling to God. He is always there for you.

Nature Is Calling

Yesterday was a glorious day for exploring God's earth. We walked along a trail near Saylorville Lake and enjoyed the changing colors. Rich in reds, yellows and browns, the trees and bushes cried out to us and asked us to walk among the colors. The air smelled of leaves and damp grasses and the wind created showers of leaves falling to the ground around us. The wind rustled the leaves on the trees until a few fell gently in the wind. They crackled as they fell to the ground where they laid ready to be walked upon creating more crunching.

It is a beautiful time of year to enjoy. You don't even have to leave your house to see the fall colors. Just take a moment to survey what is in your neighborhood and it will cheer you, even through the rain. There is something so amazing about the autumn display. The way all of nature knows when to change its clothes to look more beautiful before bearing its arms to the cold winds of winter. The seasons' change is a wonderful experience of life.

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever," (Isaiah 40:6b-8 NIV).

As the fall rain covers the earth in Iowa today, may we all remember that God's Word never changes. Enjoy the natural beauty that is around you today, whether you are in warm Florida or California, or in the changing Upper Midwest. Enjoy God's nature that is calling you.

The Value of Grandparents

I have a friend who is missing her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She would love to be included in family birthday parties and get-togethers, but she and her husband are not. Her heart yearns to see the babies and toddlers as they grow and change, as well as the grandchildren as they mature as parents themselves.

The Bible encourages multi-generational activities, and in the days of the Bible most families lived together in homes that featured several generations. Today families rarely live together, at least in the United States. Grandparents usually have their own homes or live in assisted living or nursing homes when they need physical care. The benefits of multi-generational families are lost.

Paul says Timothy came from a multi-generational home, showing the benefits of an extended family-living situation.

"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." (2 Timothy 1:5 NIV).

If families lives under one roof, the commandments could pass from one generation to another.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframe of your houses and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NIV).

Grandparents and great grandparents have an important role in lives of younger generations. If we have the opportunity, let's include them and allow the teachings of the elders to be a special blessing upon the children.

Marching Wisdom

One of my favorite times in high school was band. I was in concert and marching band and small groups. And my best friends were fellow band students.We had a great instructor who made band fun. We were fortunate enough to take two band trips during our high school years.

As a freshman I went with the band to Rapid City, South Dakota, where we marched in a huge parade and competed in their band extravaganza. We had such a good time, though my experience was clouded in pain - I had gotten braces the day before we left. Not great timing for me, but we made it. I don't remember a lot about the trip except it was a long bus trip. We got to tour the presidential faces and the bus couldn't go up the final hillside to Mt. Rushmore. We saw it both during the day and returned for the special night lighting which was very cool. We also drove through the Black Hills National Forest. This was my first "vacation" as my farm family never took trips.

The second trip was to Winnipeg, Canada, three years later. It was for another band competition and we marched down the skyscraper lined streets that left me amazed. The band did well in both competitions. It was a great experience. But it was another very long bus trip. Though now, I don't remember any problem with the ride.

Practicing for both of the trips took a lot of special effort and dedication by the band. We practiced marching before school on the football field. I don't remember how we learned our individual roles but they were critical to the success of the unit. Being in the percussion section, we occasionally got to stand and move around in the same portion of the field because of our equipment. I carried a marching snare drum attached to one leg and strapped over my shoulder.

We had black wool uniforms and white spats that we wore over black shoes. Our hats had plumes and we looked very sharp in the white and gold vest over our jackets. There were blisters and aches and pains from all the marching but we performed at all the home football games halftime and had great comradeship.

Through marching band we learned discipline to practice our music and our footsteps and patterns. We learned cooperation with the other sections of the band and we learned to follow our leader. We left behind our mistakes and worked harder to improve with each new direction. We worked together to accomplish the goal ahead. Just as we do as Christians.

"I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 3:12b-14 NIV).

What the Lord Requires

In the book of Micah in the Old Testament, Micah records poetry that presents a warning to the people of Jerusalem and Samaria. He is very direct with his words and makes it clear what God despises in the actions of man.

Micah reminds the people that God is angered by the actions of idolatry and creating images to worship. He wants us to worship only Him. Though we may not create golden calves or statues to worship, we commonly admire our shiny cars, our houses or our shiny jewels and big TVs. Sometimes we let our jobs or our statuses take precedence over our worship of God, the One who created us and loves us. He wants us to worship Him alone.

What does he require of us? Micah tells us God has showed mankind what He expects of us. He wants us to be fair in our dealings. He wants us to show kindness and forgiveness to others, as He shows mercy to us. And God desires that we walk with Him showing honor and holiness to Him while being meek before Him.

Micah's reminder is applicable to us in this current generation, too. We should regularly explore how we stand in regard to these three areas of justice, mercy and humility. We may think we are doing okay day-to-day, but if we stop and examine ourselves we may see trends of thoughtlessness creeping in. It is so easy to slip away from the ideal and there can be a slippery slope just over the next hilltop.

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8 NIV).

May this verse echo through our thoughts today as we evaluate where we stand as we kneel before our God in holy worship.

Praying for Others

Yesterday my sweet 6-year old granddaughter called me on FaceTime for help pulling one of her front teeth. She is too far away to drive over and help so I just tried to talk to her. I couldn't pull it for her (in part I'm thankful I couldn't) all I could do was sympathize with her situation. Do you remember how frustrating it was to have a tooth so loose but still hanging on by one root?  She was twisting it and bending it and still it wouldn't come out. She had been working on it all afternoon and was in tears.

I wished I could be there for her but this time I couldn't. I imagine she laid in bed wiggling it until she fell asleep.

Sometimes we just can't help another person we care about. All we can do is pray and offer comforting words. After we hung up, unsuccessful at removing the tooth, I prayed for my granddaughter. I prayed that her tooth would come out quickly and easily, though I know in its own time it will. I prayed for comfort and that her anxiety would be relieved. I thanked God for being with her. That's all I could do.

Paul wrote, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).

Whatever is concerning you today, prayer is the answer. Maybe the tooth won't come out for several more days. Even so, I trust that God will be there for even this significant event in my granddaughter's life. No matter how big or how small the request God will hear your cries for help.

Thank you, God.

Fellowship and Study

As I think back on my faith walk, one of the best steps I took was getting involved with 'Friendship Bible Coffees'. They were popular in the 1970s and 1980s and were one of the main reasons my faith and knowledge of the Bible were strengthened. There were multiple workbooks that guided a study of a specific book of the Bible or topic. I must have completed 20-30 different lesson books during the years I was involved.

Sadly, in my desire to downsize, I finally recycled all of my books before our last move. Besides the wonderful Bible instruction they gave, it truly was a time of building great lifelong friendships. We began using other study guides or books to base our Bible studies on after the Friendship Bible Coffee books became unavailable.

A group of us continued to meet and share fellowship and study for many years. All the ladies that gathered together consistently are ladies that remain solid, caring friends of mine, even after all these years. One small group of these friends, including me, still gathers together for Bible study once a month. Although our group has gotten smaller, the fellowship makes the time truly precious.

I love the description of God in the book of Isaiah 40 as it tries to illustrate His knowledge with wonder and awe. It is this desire to better understand God and His Son that makes Bible study so worthwhile and awe inspiring. The Word of God truly guides us and helps us become better individuals.

"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?" (Isaiah 40:12-14 NIV).

There is so much to learn. My study of the Bible will never end as long as I am able to see or hear His Word. Meeting with groups of friends to study the Bible is one of the most worthwhile things I will ever do.