The First Step

Baptism means different things to various church members. Some traditions use infant baptism while others use immersion. I grew up in a Disciples church that baptized when the individual was able to choose baptism as a way of cleansing of sin and beginning a new life with Christ. My parents grew up in the same church and they were baptized in the Iowa River near Liscomb. I was baptized in our church baptistry on April 9, 1967.

Perhaps Jesus' first act of ministry was His own baptism by John. Baptism represents repentance of sins and the changed life that follows. However, for Jesus, who never sinned, baptism was a way to show His obedience to God's plan or as Jesus said, "To fulfill all righteousness," (Matthew 3:15 NIV). 

John the Baptist was preaching in the Desert of Judea, preparing the way for Jesus. He was a prophet who praised God in all he did. He said:

"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire," (Matthew 3:11 NIV).

John was humbled when Jesus came to him, asking to be baptized. 

"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased"," (Matthew 3:16-17 NIV).

No matter how or when you were baptized, I pray that you can come before God with a heart that is His alone.

O, God, Father of all Mankind, we can only imagine the awesome sight of Jesus' baptism. We would love to have been there. We open our hearts and ask the Holy Spirit to work in us today. Let us be led by You and guided in all that we do. We worship You, O Lord, and offer our complete devotion to You and the teachings of Your Son. This we pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Walking to Jerusalem

The season of Lent means different things to different people. I first heard of Lent in high school when my Catholic friends would discuss what they were giving up for Lent. Meat, cursing, chocolate, television watching. Perhaps these days it might include cell phones or video games. For me the biggest thing to give up would have to be ice cream. Lent can be a time of using self-discipline by giving up something important to us. But I never really understood the reason behind giving up something you can hardly live without. 

Lent is the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, replicating the 40 days that Jesus was tempted in the wilderness before He began his work of teaching. Lent is a time to understand that our humanness is sinful. It is a time to seek our hearts for evil and reflect on the gift of grace we receive through God. Lent is an opportunity to repent from our sins. To pray more, worship God more, fast and to solemnly prepare our hearts and minds by remembering the life and death of our Savior Jesus Christ.

I like to think of using these 40 days to walk along side Jesus, listening to His teachings through the scriptures, and purifying my sinful life. I'm still amazed that Jesus, knowing full well what lay ahead for Him, continued walking toward Jerusalem and His physical and spiritual torture. If only I could be a little bit like Him. To reflect His glorious, sinless, life of devotion. 

"Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I have made you, you are my servant' O Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you," (Isaiah 44:21-22 NIV).

I love the translation in The Message: "I have blotted out your sins and dissolved them like the mist."

Heavenly Father, I humbly come before You, baring my sinful self, ready to accept the wonderful blessing of Your grace. Make me strong enough to walk beside Jesus during this season of suffering and help me to be the person You want me to be. I kneel before Your Holiness, in solemn worship and pray. Amen.

Looking for Signs

This has been a week of warm weather and I was reminded of the pussy willow tree in my mother's garden. I never had good luck growing a pussy willow. I tried several times to start a new plant from a pussy willow branch. After it rooted in water I thought it was ready to plant. It was the transfer to the ground that was the problem. Mine never seemed to grow. But mother's did, beautifully.

It was always such a surprise when the tree was suddenly covered with furry branches or catkins. It is a beautiful sight. So beautiful that many home decorators love to bring branches inside to display. They don't last long, as I recall. The pussy willow in full fuzzy glory was a sign that winter was over.

The pussy willow tree is rather rare. I haven't seen one for a long time. Viewing one in spring is a very special sign. God uses many things in our lives as signs. The prophet Isaiah spoke of signs his people would see as a result of God's blessing on Israel.

"For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar (willow) trees by flowing streams," (Isaiah 44:3-4 NIV).

I will be watching for signs of spring as we enter the month of March on Saturday. Pussy willow trees, forsythia in its glorious yellow display, and crocus that burst forth from the ground. I saw two bluebirds sitting on our deck yesterday. Is that another sign? Anyone spotted a robin yet?

Thank You, Beloved God, for all of creation and for the signs of spring. We place our trust in You alone, Lord, for You have shown us Your love through Jesus Christ Your Son. Prepare our hearts for the season of Lent. Walk us through this holy season with eyes wide open for Your signs and strengthen our faith. We praise You, in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

Contemplating Our Favor

What a relief this weekend was. Warm enough to actually breathe outside without every inch of skin being covered up. It was like coming out of hibernation after a long winter's nap. Oh, I'm sure there is more winter to come but I'm thankful for a week's reprieve.

College basketball is winding down, the Iowa High School wrestling tournament is over, the groundhog saw or didn't see his shadow, and the Lenten season is still a week or two away. What's a person to do in Iowa in February?  Read the Bible and pray!

The scripture that follows caught my eye, not for the reminder of being an evil sinner but for the reminder of what Christ did for me and the hope it gives.

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight without blemish and free from accusation--- if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel," (Colossians 1:21-23a  NIV).

I can't be a good-enough-Christian to deserve the eternal life that Christ earned for us by dying a physical death on the Cross. Christ's sacrifice changed me from sinner to holy in God's sight. Jesus' death on the Cross wiped away my endless list of sins and gave me a new, clean slate - free of accusations. My commitment to faith in Jesus Christ promises me hope. The only way to salvation is through Christ. There we receive God's grace!

What wonderful things to ponder on this late February day! Take a few moments to contemplate what Jesus did for you. He makes us holy and righteous and He gives us hope. All we have to do is trust in Jesus and claim the hope that is ours.

Lord, fill our minds with this food for thought. Guide our steps, our words, and our actions today. Thank You for sending Jesus, Who provides the Way for us to receive eternal life with Him. Amen.

Citizenship in Heaven

Presidents' Day, officially to recognize George Washington's Birthday and Abraham Lincoln's Birthday, is now a federal holiday, celebrated on the third Monday of February. Perhaps you have the day off. There is no mail today. Banks are closed and many schools are closed. I wonder about other Presidents; are they included in this official day of recognition?

When the Pharisees asked Jesus if it was right to pay taxes to Caesar Jesus responded, knowing their evil intent and said,

""You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away." (Matthew 22:18-22 NIV).

We too have a dual citizenship. Our citizenship in the United States requires us to pay taxes for the services and benefits we receive. We are reminded of this as we prepare our tax forms before April 15.

But, our citizenship in the Kingdom of heaven requires us to pledge to God our obedience and our commitment to follow Jesus. Perhaps we should use this day to honor our true "president's day" by recognizing our honest and heartfelt commitment to the one and only God we serve. 

Thank you, Lord God, for guiding us by sending Jesus to us, as a man, to earth. Lord, help us to follow Jesus' example as we walk through this life You have given us. Help us remember Who we praise. In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.

Happy Hearts

Day of hearts...wear red...shoebox full of little Valentine's...heart-shaped box of chocolates...red roses...sweet kisses...red envelopes... chocolate-covered strawberries... long hugs...smiles...candy hearts that say "Be Mine"...Valentine's Day 2025...What do you think of on Valentine's Day?

What fills your heart with love? What love language do you speak? How do you receive and express love in a relationship: 1. Words of affirmation, 2. Receiving gifts, 3. Acts of service, 4. Quality time or 5. Physical touch. It has been a long time since I took the test developed by Dr. Gary Chapman.

As a married person, it is my goal to discover the love language of my husband and then fill that need as often as possible. I'm positive that I fall short of the goal nearly every day. Thank goodness, our Father isn't limited to the five love languages. He is always there; He is the same every day. God's love smoothes over us like frosting on a cake. We are encompassed by God's merciful love whenever we reach out to Him.

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word," (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).

God gives us eternal encouragement! How is that for a love language?! Wow. God just blows me away sometimes.

Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that You love me as Your child. You adopted me into Your family and You promise life everlasting with You because I believe in Your Son, my Savior.  Thank You for loving me in all of my mess, and for bringing me through hard times and blessed times. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Who Will Be the Winner?

So this is the big day. Have you been waiting for it? Super Bowl Sunday. There are two worthy opponents who will battle it out on the football field. It sounds almost like a war. The players battle so hard that the list of injuried players seems to be longer than ever this year. Bodies aren't made to be abused so much. I wonder if they will change the rules to protect those bodies.

I happen to love watching football. It is my favorite sport to watch but I don't like to see the injuries. I don't know how the players are able to walk to the locker room after the game sometimes. All for our entertainment? The stadiums are full of wildly cheering fans in appropriate team garb. Have we gone too far, I wonder?

The players are paid unimaginable amounts of money to get on the field and battle to win. My favorite team didn't make it to the Super Bowl this year, along with many others. But it is still my favorite team even though they had a bad year. It is hard to be perfect. None of the teams are. But still, one team will prevail at the end of this day,

 "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).

Lord, I need Your mercy and grace. I come to You pleading for Your strength in my weakness. Guide me out of the pit of despair and place my feet on Your solid foundation. I put my trust in You and I seek Your guidance for my life. And Lord, keep the football players safe from injury today and may it be a test of strengths so the best team will prevail with good sportsmanship. Thank You, Lord for Your grace. Amen. 

Feb.ru.ar.y

Feb.ru.ar.y. This month is difficult for some people to spell. I remember it being on spelling lists as a child. It is the second month of the Gregorian calendar year. It is a special month. We have several family birthdays this month and of course Valentine's Day. Plus, we celebrate two of our presidents' birthdays.

One thing I remember most about February is the winter when every day in the month of February was below freezing. That was obviously before global warming. I believe it was in the 70's, way back in the 1900s.  Now I feel really old. There were Februarys when snow drifts were taller than the clothesline poles in our back yard. Our propane deliverer had to dig down in the snow to find the tank to fill. The roads to our country church were like a tunnel, one lane only plowed between the drifts. 

This February started out like a visit to Florida: in the 50s. The blessing of warmth came to Iowa. The groundhog didn't get much recognition this year, perhaps because it fell on a Sunday. However, Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania predicted six more weeks of winter after he saw his shadow. But, here in Iowa, Polk County Paula did not see her shadow (due to a heavy layer of fog) so she predicted an early spring in Iowa. We can only hope Paula is right.

"Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters," (Proverbs 25:13 NIV).

A dedicated employee or "messenger" is one you can trust. This person is valuable to his or her employer by having characteristics of being on time, dependable, honest and hardworking. These qualities are also important for volunteers or members of a family, even in February.

Gracious God, we come before You with open hearts, seeking to offer You our best selves. We know You have a purpose for each of us and we want to fulfill that purpose and bring You glory and praise. Guide us oh, God, in Your paths of righteousness. May our imperfect attempts still bring You refreshment and pleasure. We pray in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Goodbye January

One more day! That's all we have left of January. Can you believe it? I hardly can. Without a big snowstorm to make the news, we have had a pretty quiet and uneventful month. Until today. 

I cannot be in standing water yet (meaning I can shower but no aqua fitness, as usual). Since my feet and legs are not involved in this pause, John encouraged me to go to the gym and walk. So I did. First mistake was forgetting my fob. The lady at the desk kindly checked me in by my name. Then I approached the tall row of steps and wondered if I could make it all the way without stopping to breathe. The stairs stood between me and the track and workout areas. So I began.

Fortunately, I didn't collapse, or fall, or trip. And I made it to the track. I took time to read the sign so I would go the right direction. Not bad for a novice. For an hour I pushed myself to walk as fast as I could, dodging the slower walkers and being careful to be out of the way of the occasional runner.

It wasn't the walk I took that was the event of the day. It obviously was the helicopter/plane crash in the Potomac River. Hearts are broken across the United States today. The loss of 67 lives shakes us all. Many of those lives were just beginning as ice skating's future stars, often accompanied by a parent. All of the lives were just minutes away from landing. The soldiers on the helicopter were well skilled in this training run. They leave families at home also. 

Today we all need some peace. Listen to Jesus' words:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid," (John 14:27 NIV).

Lord God, please hold the families who are grieving tonight in Your comforting hands. Calm us all as we share their pain during this tragedy. Be with those most affected: the air traffic controllers, pilots, stewards, servicepersons, those waiting for someone at the airport. We love You Lord, and we put our trust in You. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

The Great Healer

This season of my life has been filled with doctor appointments. This month alone I will have a total of nine meetings with medical professionals. Not that I am trying to set a record or anything...it is just the way things are working out. I get it. I'm old and my body is falling apart. At this rate I hate to think what it will be like if I'm still here in 10 years.

At our old (home) church John and I were elders for many years. We were blessed to be able to reach out to those who were dealing with serious health conditions. We gathered with the rest of the elders to lay hands on the sick. We were privileged to see God's healing power before our very eyes! Truly God is the Great Healer.

"Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up," (James 5:14-15 NIV).

Serving as an elder and reaching out to visit the sick, the lonely, the aged, was truly a blessing. To experience the healing power of our Great God in others strengthened my own faith. I know God is the Great Healer and I trust Him with all things in my life, too.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being our Great Healer. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to be Lord over our physical and our spiritual bodies. Use us to spread the Good News of our Savior to others. We pray in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

 

A Life of Service

It breaks my heart that we lost so many great leaders to assassins in America. I remember the day President Kennedy was shot. The images of his motorcade replay in my memories. Likewise, I can hear Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech in his booming, yet gentle voice, in my mind. What a great man. 

"Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."  by Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968.

Jesus was also assassinated by his own people.

Jesus said, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many," (Matthew 20:26-28 NIV).

Today I am remembering a life of true service. Not just those great men who have gone before us serving others and dying in their service, but remembering that my life is also to be lived in service of others. I fall so short of this command. 

Lord God, You who oversee us all, help me live my life in service to others. Show me what I need to do and where I can be of service. Mold me. Shape me. Use me, Lord I pray. I place my life in Your hands for the service You have planned for me. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Better Than "AI"

Having a new computer is mostly wonderful. It is so fast that I never have to wait. It is probably waiting on me instead. I should probably take the time to watch a few tutorials on using my new iMac. It is almost like it is reading my mind. It has a message for me that says "Ready for Apple Intelligence - Time to experience the new personal intelligence system". I have not clicked it yet. I am not ready.

My car really does read my mind. It shows me where I am going without me asking. It remembers where I go at 7:30 a.m. on weekdays (Legacy Fitness). It shows any appointments I have on my phone's calendar. Wow. I am amazed and a little afraid.

One thing I can count on always being the same, never-changing: God. He is better than "AI," knowing everything about me, what I am thinking before I speak. He knows me even better than I know myself, my God can do all things and the Holy Spirit helps me do all things.

"Your years go on through all generations. In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will  change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."" (Psalm 102:24b-27 NIV).

Thank You, Lord God, for being the one constant in my life. I need You every moment. I depend on You to always be there when I need You, and that is always. Guide me, better than any "AI" can, for You know me inside and out. Help me follow the pathway You created through Your Son, Jesus Christ. I want to be just like Him. I pray in the Holy, powerful Name of Your blessed Son, Jesus. Amen.

Look Up

Did you see the moon last night? It was so bright and round and high in the sky. Tonight will be a full moon so maybe you can catch its beauty, too. 

"Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing," (Isaiah 40:26 NIV)

I love the book of Isaiah. Although in the first half of the book, Isaiah spends his time scolding the people of Judah and Israel for separating themselves from God. As with most prophets, the people they spoke to became angry or convicted by their words. 

But the second half of the book of Isaiah is filled with hope and promise that will come with the Messiah. Isaiah's words bring comfort to those who repent of their sins. Our hope is in Christ the Messiah who came and is coming again. 

Our Father in Heaven, blessed is Your Holy Name. As we begin a new day, please be with us and remind us of Your presence as we take each step. Show us the way we should walk and the actions we can take to offer Your hope to others we meet. Let us be a light in the darkness today as we encounter others in our lives. We give You praise for sending Your Son to save us. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

Make a Difference

Today is President Jimmy Carter's funeral. Though many say his presidency was lackluster and noted for a poor economy and the Iran hostage crisis, Jimmy Carter has to be remembered for his tireless volunteering and humanitarianism during his post-presidency years. He also lived the longest of any U.S. president, reaching the age of 100. He used his long life to serve others, following his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ's example of living faith. What a wonderful representative for us all.

"I have one life and one chance to make it count for something...My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference."                                                                                                                                   39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

President Jimmy Carter lived a life of integrity, honesty, and faith. What an example to us all and to the leadership of the United States that follows him.

"But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does," (James 1:25 NIV).

Dear Lord, we offer ourselves to You this day. Use us to bring the Word to others in any way You can. May the Holy Spirit in us give us the power to reach the world around us with Your truth, one soul at a time. Lord, we love You and we worship You and we thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to save us. Make our lives count for something to Your glory. We pray in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen.

Epiphany

Epiphany: the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi; the baptism of Christ, signifying to humanity the manifestation of the Son of God. Epiphany comes from the Greek word meaning appearance or manifestation.

I had to look up the meaning of Epiphany so I could be sure I knew what I was talking about. Today is Epiphany - January 6. It is a wonderful day for celebrating that Jesus came to earth as a human to teach us about God's love and to save us from our sins. 

Jesus came to this earth as a baby and at some point in His life He became our Savior, our Shepherd, our King. That's Epiphany.

"At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Mark 1:9-11 NIV).

Dear Lord and Father of all mankind: be with us this day of rejoicing the manifestation of Christ, the Son of God. Our hearts are filled with thanksgiving as we worship You with praise and glorify Your Holy Name.  Thank You for sending Your Son to teach us how to live with love for others. Help us follow You more closely in all that we do. We want to walk with You each step that we take. We praise You for Your Son and we pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.

What's Your Way in 2025?

2025. The year is just beginning. A blank page in a journal of life. We've turned the page and only opportunity lies before us. How will we use the days ahead? Some people choose a word for their year. Do you have a word for 2025? I haven't chosen one but I like the concept of setting a goal and working toward it everyday. 

Lots of people start an exercise program in the new year (might I suggest Legacy Fitness) or start a weight loss program (might I recommend WW (Weight Watchers)). Both are great places to set a goal and to keep it going. However, many people drop out after a few months. To reach a goal we have to stick with it.

Another great goal is to read Scripture everyday in order to read the Bible through in a year. There are a number of programs that have what to read all figured out that we can follow. There are even special Bibles for reading it through in a year.

Do we have a dream in our head that has been dormant for a long time, just waiting to be realized? We can start working toward it one day at a time. Making our goal to bring glory to God gives it a purpose. 

I love these quotes by Mark Batterson in "Win The Day". "Show me the size of your dream and I'll show you the size of your God." He also said, "If we do the right thing day in and day out, God is going to show up and show off."

But aren't I too old to have a dream? For more than 20 years, my dream was to get a college education. I finally achieved that goal when I was 43. It is never too late to start working toward a dream. If we walk with God, He will guide us around the stumbling blocks. 

"For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones," (Proverbs 2:6-8 NIV).

Thank You, God, for being our refuge and strength, for leading us along the pathway of life. Sometimes we may feel discouraged but if we take Your hand, You will guide us. You will help us climb the steep hills of our life and show us rewards at the end. Thank You for sending Your Son to save us from our sins. We place our trust and hope in Him. Show us the way, Lord; show us the way. We pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen.