The Empty Page

 Here I am again facing an empty page. Twice a week I try to come up with something that will inspire or touch a heart. I've written 715 blogs since I started. God always helps me come up with something. I pray for His guidance and He never fails me. When a blog speaks to you, it is from God. Different blogs speak to different people. I'm so thankful when a reader connects with something in a blog.

The Lord says, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it," (Isaiah 55:9-11 NIV). 

God's Word is waiting for us to read and study it. I love the verses above because it tells how God's Word works in us. It does not return empty but it does something in us that is what God desired. Whenever we read scriptures and a verse jumps out at us, it is because God is speaking to us. How wonderful is that!

The Bible comes alive for us as we read it, when we know that God has purpose for each Word. The Scriptures are our nourishment. The Word feeds us just as God planned for it to fill us. 

Thank you, God, for speaking to us through Your Word. Amen.

God's Flowers

 I am obsessed with taking photos of flowers. I love the beauty of blooms. When we planted the perennial bed at our new home we started from scratch. There was nothing but bushes in front of the house. They obviously chose the cheapest landscaping package for this house that served as a model home for our builder. John was obsessed with the lawn which was in grave shape. The soil is terrible; mostly clay. But he took time to create an oval shaped garden for me. 

I chose a variety of perennials that bloom at different times. Iris are one of the first things to bloom. I'm always amazed with the beauty of the blossoms. I love the colors and the different textures of the flowers.

"Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land," (Song of Songs 2:12 NIV).

I miss all the other flowers I have planted at our previous homes but I have to consider those a gift to the next owners. Some were starts from my mother's garden so I miss those the most. God has blessed us with the beauty of flowers. We are treated to The Father's creativity whenever we admire the flowers and trees He has given us.

Thank you God for the beauty around us. 

Let us enjoy the flowers and plants that brighten and decorate our lives. Seek out some beautiful flowers to take a picture of today.

Waiting

Waiting. It seems like a lot of life is spent waiting for something. Waiting for summer. Waiting for food to finish cooking, waiting for the bathroom, waiting to see the doctor, waiting for school to be out, waiting for vacation week. It seems like we spend a lot of time waiting.

We wait and then all of a sudden whatever we are waiting for arrives and becomes the past. How does that happen? Here it is the first day of summer already. Where did spring go? How do children grow up so fast? Time slips away. 

We need to savor each moment, live in the now. Be present for the immediate time. I've found it is important to cherish each minute of time we share with someone because the time is gone too soon. I found this with my parents' passing, and it is true even with visits with my grandchildren. The time goes so quickly. 

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord," (Psalm 27:14 NIV).

There is one thing that is good to wait for - the Lord. He is worthy and Holy and righteous. He is good and  pure and wonderful. Worthy of waiting. For when we are waiting for the Lord we are hopeful, even when it is painful. When we wait on the Lord we are obedient and peaceful, even when it is hard. When we wait on the Lord we are being faithful and confident, trusting in what we know the Lord can do.

"I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord," (Lamentations 3:24-26 NIV). 

What are you waiting for today? Put it in the Lord's hands and trust in Him. And while you wait, worship the Lord and serve the Lord. 

Never Give Up

I'm familiar with failure. It has been my close personal attendant in life. In elementary school I was on my way to winning a race when I fell down. Anytime after that when I tried to run I was afraid to go fast because I was sure to fall down again and be embarrassed. In junior high school I recorded my speech entry for a contest but I was so nervous that I made several mistakes and after redoing in twice and still not getting it perfect, I gave up and told my teacher to send it in as it was. 

My biggest failure was trying to enroll in college. I went to the college when I was just out of high school but I lost my nerve and left without enrolling. Several years later I tried again and just couldn't go through with it. I was timid and afraid of failing.

Fear of failure is a cage that keeps me locked up, unable to move forward or try new things. It has been the thing that keeps me from submitting my writing to publishers. I've gotten rejection letters and I've given up trying. 

"For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me," (Psalm 40:12 NIV).

Finally, as I was nearing forty years old my desire for a college degree overcame my fear and I enrolled in college. I started by taking two classes at night, then loved it so much I quit my job and enrolled full-time. By taking summer classes and fast track courses I completed college in less than four years with an A grade point. It was a high point of my life.

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord," (Psalm 40:1-3 NIV). 

My message is as much for myself as for you: Never allow yourself to give up. Keep trying and trusting God, whatever it is you desire. God will come through for you if you trust in Him with your whole heart.

Elusive Joy

What gives you joy?

Did you answer the question? Was it easy to answer or difficult? 

My grandchildren was my immediate answer. I enjoy watching them in their endeavors be it dance or cross country, soccer or rodeo breakaway. Watching my grandchildren and being with them gives me joy.

What else gives you joy? 

Christian music gives me joy. I love listening to Life 107.1 when I'm in the car or here at the house. The music gives me so much joy, lifting my spirits. The station plays contemporary Christian music which I've grown to love for the message in music it offers. I love the old hymns, too, and in the same way it is the words that mean so much with the music.

Having a chronic major depressive disorder, joy doesn't come easily to me. Sometimes laughter just isn't possible, but when it comes, it is a refreshing time of release. I'm thankful for friends who understand.

Joy is supposed to be a result of having Jesus in my heart, but this often eludes me. I never understood why. I think that I'm not a good Christian, not a true believer, but I know in my heart that I am. It is confusing to me and I struggle with this often. Scripture and prayer lead me to the truth.

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me," (Psalm 51:10-12 NIV).

May God bless each person who reads this with true joy for the day, I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

A Walk in Nature

As it seems like summer here in Iowa this week, I am reminded of one summer on our acreage. We mowed a strip around the pastures for Brady to practice his cross country running. The trail went around most of the eighteen acres of the farm so it was a good jaunt. I'm not sure how much Brady used it for practice but I walked it several times for fun and exercise.

I was in awe of the surprises I found along the way. In the area where we didn't have sheep yet, the grasses grew tall and held remnants of wildflowers and weeds. I loved taking pictures of the weeds blowing in the wind, seeing paths where wildlife had walked. I loved listening to the birds and watching them fly away or try to get me to leave the area of their nests. I love nature walks.

"The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint," (Isaiah 40:28b-31 NIV).

Anywhere you go, the touch of God's hand is evident The exposed root picture was taken in Wyoming. It spoke to me of the power of God and the strength of the tree, rooted in soil that must not have been good. 

Thank you, God, for the beauty and interest in nature. Show us your glory through nature and may we experience the wonder of You wherever we go. Amen.

Our True Passport

Several years ago we went through the process of getting passports issued. The first thing we found out was that the paper birth certificates issued to our parents were nothing but pretty paper copies and they meant nothing to officials. So we quickly learned how to pay for the official birth certificates we needed. 

We also were told that Huxley was the best place to get help with applying for passports and that was correct. They are experts at handling the materials and are efficient at making sure everything is ready to go. The ladies there were pleasant and accommodating.

Several weeks later our passports arrived in the mail, safe and sound. Then COVID-19 came along and no one was traveling anywhere so our passports sit properly preserved in the safe. 

Sometimes the best plans just don't work out. But sometimes there is someone we can always count on, that's God. He knows us by name and doesn't require documentation. He calls us by name and claims us as His own. How wonderful!

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior," (Isaiah 43:1b-3a NIV).

Thank you, God, for caring for us, for loving us, for guiding us through life with Your Son Jesus Christ. We need you, every hour, every second. In Jesus' Holy Name we pray, Amen.

The Joy of God's Consolation

"When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy," (Psalm 94:19 NIV).

Retired people don't have many anxieties, certainly not like working persons. That's why I wish I would have found this verse much sooner. I could have used this on some of my most stressful days at work. I loved my job but its whole nature was meeting deadlines. 

I spent nearly 12 years working at a community college in the marketing office. My main role was to write press releases about things at the college. Continuing education classes, student testimonials, board meeting reports, graduate lists, new college courses, features on teachers and students, and many more were the topics of my writing. I enjoyed feature stories the most because I got to know students and teachers.

There are things to be concerned about as a retired person. Making decisions about where to live, what to plant, how to decorate, where to go, what to do, what to have for dinner, what book to read next, which grandchild's event to attend, which doctor to visit, and when to mow again, are a few of the things that fill our minds. These are important decisions that can create anxiety of some degree.

No matter what we have on our minds, God can give us peace, especially when we pray for His guidance. Remember the verse above for those situations and find joy. 

May your day be anxiety-free and God's consolation be great in your life today.