Goal Setting

When I forget how old I am, I often think like I did when I was younger. I don't know how many years are ahead in my life, but I still set goals. They aren't big lofty goals; often my goals are just to get through the day. 

I read a book by Mark Batterson, "Win the Day," that was full of encouragement toward setting a goal and working toward your dream every day. I may be too old to dream but I think it is good to have goals. One of my goals is to bring glory to God with all that I do. It is perhaps a lofty goal, but it is something I strive for everyday. Some days I am an utter failure. But, I keep striving.

Mark Batterson said, "Show me the size of your dream and I'll show you the size of your God."

The Bible is also full of encouragement toward setting goals in life. Hebrews 11 is filled with evidence of how having faith combines assurance and anticipation of what God can do. My Life Application Bible commentary says, "When we believe that God will fulfill his promises even though we don't see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith (see John 20:24-31)".

"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 3:13b-14 NIV). 

That is my ultimate goal in life - to be called "heavenward in Christ Jesus". 

Dear God, hear our prayers today and lift us up with the assurance of Your promises. We come to You with our dreams and goals, confident that You can do anything. Help us achieve our goals with Your guidance. We know You are big, God. Really big! We are thankful that we can trust in You always. In Jesus' Holy Name we pray. Amen.

"Just Thinking"

When I was in high school we had a young man from Ramallah Palestine live with us and attend school. He was placed in a grade level too high and his understanding of English was rough. Still he worked very hard to learn. One of his frequent phrases was, "just thinking." Whenever he was quiet for awhile he would respond with "just thinking."

I can't even imagine all that was going through his head as he struggled to use a new language, learn a new culture, adjust to being away from his family, and live in a new country. We also introduced him to Christianity as he attended church and youth group with me. He was like a sponge, absorbing everything around him.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things," (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

Ali and I remain "brother" and "sister" even after all these years. He finished high school out east with a relative and went on to college. He attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, and graduated from there. He has a successful office in Buffalo, New York, where he is now semi-retired.

Dear Lord, as we begin a new day and a new week, guide our thoughts to what is good, as suggested by Paul. Thank You for all good things You have given us. We thank You especially for the life of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. We pray in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

The Privilege of Prayer

Yesterday we spent several hours watching the weather channel as Hurricane Milton approached the Gulf Coast of Florida. We have several friends who live or winter there and their homes are in the danger area. Our prayers went up for them as we watched Milton get closer and closer. We were thankful that they were not in their homes and they had moved to safety, many hours away.

 It was hard to look out our windows here in Iowa and see the sun shining and beautiful blue sky and think about the black stormy skies approaching Florida. Tornados preceded the hurricane and caused lots of damage inland. Weather experts were calling Milton the storm of the century! I do not know yet what actually resulted on land, but I am still praying.

"In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence," (Ephesians 3:12 NIV). 

Whether it is a huge hurricane like Milton, a serious health diagnosis, a mental health concern, or the healing of a sick child, we can always come to God with our honest prayers. When we come to God in faith He will always hear us. What a privilege it is to have a God who listens and responds to our cries for help!

Lord, protect the people in the hurricane's path. Shelter the homes of those who live in Florida. Bring help to those who were hit by the storm. Hear our prayers and cries in our concerns for healing, for comfort in grieving, for direction in our confusion, and for peace as we struggle to understand our suffering. Guide our steps today, Lord, and lead us down a path of righteousness. We pray these things in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Keep Moving

Hello, Monday. We are already seven days into October. It is fall and time keeps moving along. John and I walked through a portion of Ankeny yesterday after church. The wind created a fierce battle as we walked into it and it was only 58 degrees. It was chilly. But as we walked and experienced windbreaks created by the houses, the sun brightly warmed us, we expended some energy, and it became more comfortable. 

That seems to be the way life in general goes. When we face a new situation or challenge, it is so difficult at first. We are confused about what to do next. There are decisions to make. Maybe even changes are required. It can be hard. As we adjust to the new thing, we accept the routine that develops and we move ahead one step at a time. 

Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament and it offers us hope, no matter what our life is like now. "God controls the future, and everything will be made right. We who have loved and served God look forward to a joyful celebration. This hope for the future becomes ours when we trust God with our lives." (Commentary for Malachi 4:2ff, Life Application Study Bible New International Version).

""For you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things," says the Lord Almighty," (Malachi 4:2-3 NIV).

Dear Lord, thank You for the hope You give us through Your Word. We need You, God, to guide us through our days, leading us toward the Promised Land. Help those who struggle today. Give them courage and strength to take each step forward. We revere You and honor You with all our hearts and souls. We pray in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.