God is a Mighty Fortress

Tomorrow is indeed a most important day in Protestant history. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 complaints with the teachings and practices of the Roman Church. The Protestant Reformation began. I find it interesting that it was done on halloween.

Halloween is not my favorite holiday. In fact, the only decoration I put out this year was a jack o' lantern. It just doesn't feel right to me, to celebrate all things ghostly. It makes me uncomfortable. However, I will put out the candy for tonight's trick or treating and I enjoy the creative costumes of the season.

Martin Luther wrote the hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God". It is a classic hymn I remember from childhood to young adult age. One verse seems appropriate for the day of halloween.

Verse 3. "And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo, his doom is sure; One little word shall fell him."

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging," (Psalm 46:1-3 NIV).

Happy Anniversary, John

Fifty years ago today was a sunny cool day, a perfect October day for a wedding. It was a Friday and the wedding was in the evening. I spent much of the day packing and loading up the car with candles, ribbons,  napkins, mints, nuts and my dress, veil, shoes and John's ring.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails," (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a NIV). 

The wedding was a traditional service and included a solo, "One Hand, One Heart" by my father. I couldn't look at him while he was singing because I knew I would cry. Our pastor sang "The Lord's Prayer" with his bellowing voice, while standing about a foot from John and me.

The wedding was followed by a simple reception in the church basement with cake and punch and homemade mints. And as was the tradition in the 70's, the helpers unwrapped our gifts and put them on display, (something I'm still not happy about).

John and I made an escape in a friend's car because ours was hidden in a nearby town so no one could decorate the newly painted car. We got stopped by the town cop for "speeding" through town. Once he saw our clothes, he let us go and kept the followers from tracking us for a while. Rushing to get in John's car, I caught my veil in the door.

We changed clothes in our new mobile home then drove to Iowa City where we spent our first night in a motel. On Saturday morning we drove to St. Louis for a brief stay, visiting the Zoo and taking a ride up in the Arch. John had to be back at work on Tuesday.

Fifty years is a long time. We feel very blessed to have reached this milestone together. There have been some hard times but we are thankful that our family has been well and is flourishing with grandchildren to enjoy.

Thank you, John, for fifty years. I love you more each day. Happy Anniversary.

Be Encouraged

Today is blog number 940. I started writing this blog regularly in 2014. Mondays and Thursdays are my scheduled days to write, but since I set the schedule I am also flexible. I used to take my lap top with me so I could keep writing the blogs even when we were away. But, now I just pass on the days we are traveling. And I've been thinking about going to once a week. Some days I really struggle for a topic but I always pray for God's guidance and He always answers.

I remember interviewing for my job and being asked something like, "If money wasn't an issue, what would your dream job be?" I answered something to the effect of, "I would like to write devotionals to encourage others." Well, this blog is my attempt at that.

"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-- that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith," (Romans 1:11-12 NIV).

Paul wrote these words to the Christians in Rome as an introduction to them before he made a trip to meet them. He hoped also to receive fellowship and be encouraged by their faith. We need each other in this life of struggles, grief, disappointments and loneliness. I hope you find encouragement through these blogs.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being near us through all things in life. Thank You for giving us Your Word to guide us in our walk of life. I pray that these words can encourage someone today and give them hope in You. Be our help, our strength, and our guide every day. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.

Time to Harvest

Harvest season always excites me. I grew up on a farm. All around me were fields of crops: corn, beans or hay. I loved watching the crops grow, from individual plants to the mass of green, then to a field of gold. Whenever the harvest machinery came rolling up the lane, I was delighted. I'd move from window to window to watch the pickers begin to gather the harvest. Soon there was a cloud of dust that formed around the machine as it processed the rich, ripe crop.

Then as our boys grew, they developed a love for farming, too. Our living room was often lined by toy farm equipment as they processed the stages of farming on the shag carpet. Living in the country was a wonderful blessing. Growing up near their grandparents was an added bonus. As we drove through the countryside we would watch for combines in the fields and delight whenever we would see them.  

"Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."" (Matthew 9:37-38 NIV).

Lord God, may You watch over the harvest workers as they finish bringing in their crops; grant them safety in all that they do. Help me to be a worker in the harvest of souls. May something I do or say today touch another's life and bring them closer to You. Thank you for the bountiful harvests around me. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Another Monday

It's another Monday. It seems to come around this time every week. When I was working it seemed like the weekend flew by and sure enough, Monday arrived right on time. Now that I'm retired you wouldn't think it would make much difference what day of the week it was. But, Monday always follows Sunday.

Sunday and church feed my soul. The act of worshiping together with other believers is a time of refueling and reconnecting. I come seeking God and His hope. The music helps me worship God and refill this empty vessel. The message helps me center in on the Word of God and apply it to my life. Worship helps me focus my thanks to God for everything in my life.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans  to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart..."" (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV).

Heavenly Father, it's another Monday to thank You for. Fill us with Your Spirit as we begin another week. Guide us in the plans You have for us. Help us to be receptive to Your will and to seek You with all our hearts. Amen.

Sun Spots

This was the first summer that I avoided the sunshine and did not get a tan. For most of my life I have sought out the sun and lived in it, soaking it in to lift my spirits. But I have reached an age where all the damage I've done to my skin in the past is coming back to haunt me. Dermatologists and I are on a first name basis.

On Monday I again made a visit to my friends with the freezing spray. This time my main concern was a spot inside my ear that kept bleeding. But she found more spots on my face and hands that also needed attention. All were "precancerous" spots and that's a good thing. No biopsy needed.

My nose is always front and center, bearing the brunt of exposure, so it received lots of freezing spray. Because it always looks worse before it gets better, I'm expecting to look like Rudolph any day now. All because of the blonde hair, blue eyes and fair complexion I was born with and the years of mowing for hours at a time on the farm are catching up with me.

"Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure, and will not fear," (Job 11:15 RSV).

Lord God, just as the dermatologist removes the spots of sun damage, we thank You for removing our signs of sin by the blood of Your Son. We thank You and praise You for the blessings You give and for the great gift of Your Son who saves us. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Leave Your Life of Sin

 ""Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."" (John 8:4-7 NIV)

One by one, those who had gathered, turned and walked away because all are sinners. Jesus asked the woman who was left to condemn her and she answered, no one. Jesus said he did not condemn her either, "Go now and leave your life of sin," (John 8:11b NIV).

How many times have we judged another person? Even just in our minds, but not saying anything out loud. Sometimes we are quick to condemn another person by the way they look, not knowing anything about them. Jesus is telling us to stop judging others and to have compassion and forgiveness instead.

Jesus gave this woman a new life. Jesus offers us the same gift of new life if only we believe in Him and follow Him.

Lord, help me to show compassion and forgiveness to others today. Let me be a light of love to those who are suffering in guilt or sin. Thank You for offering me a new way to live when I trust in You. Amen.