Burr Trail Adventure

"I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2 NIV). 

I remember a night when I looked to the hills and wondered where our help would come from. We were on vacation and planned to cross a shortcut between mountains to get to the location of our stay. It was a 74 mile dirt path called Burr Trail that wove through gullies and rough mountain trails. We just didn't know how rough until we were on it. We were in southern Utah and turned off the highway onto a dusty dirt road with the trail marked by one set of wheel marks made since the last rain.

Burr Trail

We started out on a straight road headed west and drove several miles passing one truck going east. Then we encountered a narrow path that led us through canyons, rocky rough spots and sudden washout gullies. Every where we looked was the same rusty brown color. The trail was only wide enough for one car in most places, but it didn't matter since we met no one else. We saw one homestead at the foot of a mountain early on, and that was it for civilization.

About 40 miles later, driving a maximum of 20 mph, we began to notice issues with our rented vehicle. It wouldn't steer correctly. Suddenly after the deepest gully yet, we reached a point where we faced a rock wall and the road just ended. We could not go on. We were on a cliff area where turning around was going to be tricky. John moved the SUV back and forth until we were headed back down the path. The steering wheel froze. He tried turning the vehicle on and off. But then the key would not turn. We waited and tried it again. It started and we ventured down the steep gully again, John jerking the steering wheel to maneuver the curves in the road.

We stopped again to try to get steering back before the next sharp curve. We held our breath as we went down and started up another gully then...skid...the tie rod was broken.

"The Lord will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." (Psalm 121:7-8 NIV).

Lord, I'm thankful you answered our prayers for help. May we always know we can count on You in every situation. Thank you, God for Your protection. Amen.

The Calm Before the Storm

 I am up early and it's still calm and quiet outside but there is a storm brewing, they say. A big snow storm is coming. Yesterday was also calm and beautiful outside, though cold. I spent the day watching the geese (and football). The geese have begun their winter routine of flying in to the nearby pond. They swoop over our house sometimes as they come in for their landing. Hundreds of them it seems. They land gracefully and spend the day on or near the water then they leave an hour or so before dusk.

I enjoy watching the geese even though they are messy birds. The cold doesn't seem to bother them. The geese walk along the ice and sometimes slide as they come flying in, I wonder if they plan to come back each day and why they chose this pond to be their day home. God watches over them, just as He watches over us.

"I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine," (Psalm 50:11 NIV).

The geese honk as they drift down to land and chatter with the other geese an indecipherable-to-humans message. Sometimes they sound angry and sometimes they just talk back and forth. What do they say? Only other geese and God understand.

"In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: Flee like a bird to your mountain." (Psalm 11:1 NIV).

Lord, please watch over us and keep us safe in our comings and goings today. And watch over the geese, too, please. Amen.

A Prayer For Calm

One of the most amazing sights I've seen is the Grand Canyon. It's vastness is indescribable. I have a fear of heights and walking along the rim of the Canyon was almost more than I could bear, yet I looked and survived. The sight of trails that ran deep into the Canyon was awe-inspiring. People braver than I rode donkeys down the paths to camp at the bottom and return up the next day. The layers of erosion by the Colorado River were beautiful reds and browns. Thousands of years created thousands of layers that created the Grand Canyon. Amazing.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height not depth, nor 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).

I love these verses. They offer comfort to us in all stages and trials of life. Even comfort and assurance as I walked along the deep rim of the Grand Canyon. God is always with us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even the Grand Canyon. 

Lord, hear my prayer today for Your presence in my life. I know nothing can separate me from Your love and I am so thankful. Calm my anxiety and all my fears with Your loving presence. I glorify and worship You, my God. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Praying For Peace

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger," (Proverbs 15:1 NIV).

Our country is in a state of crisis. The actions of January 6 were heartbreaking to watch and because of that the country's Capitol and state capitol buildings are under careful watch. I understand the reason for protests but I do not understand the acts of violence and destruction of property. 

Christians have a responsibility to disagree kindly, to show respect for other opinions and peacefully protest what is wrong. Too often emotions grow heated in a conflict and voices grow angry and harsh. I hope it is time that we all can come together in unity for the goodness of our country.

This country has gone through many changes of power, always with different views and perspectives, but most without violence. I pray that this year can follow suit. We can be professional about our disagreements and still love each other as we should.

"And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers,"" (Genesis 13:7-8 NIV).

Lord God, I pray for our leaders in government and for our country. I pray for peace, for healing especially, and for unity. I pray for wisdom for our leaders so they can work together to make this country stronger, I pray for Christians to be level-headed and thoughtful as we discuss our disagreements. May we remember to love one another always. Amen.

Only You

I was looking at my hands the other day and noticed how the veins stood out so boldly. My right hand has become bent and my little finger doesn't do what it is supposed to anymore due to arthritis. It makes typing a challenge sometimes! I have a double-jointed thumb on my left hand and the middle finger on my right hand has a callous where I hold my pen or pencil. My hands aren't very pretty.

What are the characteristics that make you you? I get freckles on my arms when I've been out in the sun. I have blonde/gray hair and blue eyes. I have a pointy chin and my once straightened teeth are beginning to revert back to their crookedness. My eyes require help from glasses to see. I get bruises and have no idea what created them. I have a bad right hip and a bum right knee. I'm an individual. So are you.

"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26 NKJV)

God created each of us to be individuals. We have our own characteristics that make us who we are. There is no one else like you anywhere, unless you have a twin. 

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do," (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).

What does God have planned for you this week? Something only you can do or say? He has planned it in advance for us to do.

Lord God, Guide my actions and my words today. Tell me what you want of me this week and how I can use my individuality to do Your good works, works that only I can do. In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.

Have Confidence

Last night we were watching Animal Planet and Game Wardens in Texas. They showed how they train Cadets to handle alligator catching. They had several sizes of alligators the Cadets got to practice catching safely. The exercises gave the Cadets confidence that would help them when they became Game Wardens. 

It helps us to have confidence in many aspects of our lives. Many times we need self confidence to do a job efficiently. I know the first few times I tried to make pie crust and homemade noodles I was lacking confidence and neither project turned out exactly the way they were supposed to look and taste. It took some practice, and confidence that came from the experience learned, to do a better job at both. Now that I have confidence, I can do it (make homemade pie crust and noodles), well.

The same concept applies to our spiritual life. We need to learn to trust God and have confidence in Him so we will find mercy and grace to help us in our times of trouble.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need," (Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV).

God, Help us put our confidence in You. Let us come to You with confidence for You are: our High Priest, our Heavenly Father, our Prince of Peace, our Redeemer and Savior, Creator, and Holy Spirit. Thank you that we can always have confidence in You. Amen.

Do Not Fear

As we enter this New Year we are still facing the pandemic dangers all around us. We can't spend our lives in fear for God is with us through everything we face. Yet, sometimes our minds take control and lead us down wayward paths of fear and anxiety. It is a human impulse to fear the unknown. Life is different when we have fear and anxiety. We struggle to stay safe, yet our minds can run rampant over the dangers and troubles and problems.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10 NIV).

When I fear something, often it is fear of what may happen to a loved one, I turn to prayer. I pray that God will watch over my loved one and give great care to them, or make them well again. Even if the result I desire doesn't happen, I am close to God and feel His presence with me so I can better handle whatever happens.

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you," (Isaiah 41:13 NIV). 

As you go through your day, I pray God will be beside you, no matter what you fear. He will help you and strengthen you. Our God is so good. May He bless you today and leave you without fear. Amen.

Be Glad

My heart is full after spending a week with family in Virginia, including four of our grandchildren.  It was a time of great joy, fun, games, laughter, and tears as we left yesterday. It's so hard to say goodbye. Yet, I must remember the good times and hold them in my heart until we see them again.

I am glad that: we had a safe trip, everyone stayed healthy, and our son Brent took care of the snow for us here in Iowa. I am glad that the weather in Virginia was mild so we could take walks several days that it didn't rain. The sound of laughter still rings in my ears from the kids playing together, having a great time. Our daughter-in-law Laura fixed us delicious meals everyday; feeding eight people for nine days is no small feat! Our son Brady was able to be home most of the days and spent time playing games with the kids and playing pool with anyone who would join him for a game.

It was a wonderful time of togetherness and just spending life with each other. The time was so valuable; I will treasure it always in my heart. 

"In that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation."" (Isaiah 25:9 NIV).

Truly we are glad that God sent a way for us to be His family with salvation earned only by Jesus Christ on the cross. He died for each of us so we could be saved when we trust in Him. Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation. Amen!