CONFIDENT AND BOLD

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

How do you worship? Do you worship with your head bowed? Sitting quietly? Is it good to worship in more than one way? Is it okay to dance? Be confident? Bold? Courageous? Fearless?

SCRIPTURES

David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 2 Samuel 6:14

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. Psalm 27:3

The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Acts 4:29

Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. Philippians 1:14

CONFIDENT AND BOLD

I do not think there is one set style to worship God. Sometimes our worship is quiet. Peaceful. Using songs that bring memories of tradition. At other times our worship uses songs set to drums and guitars. Is convicting. A bit noisy.

Today I would like to encourage you to be CONFIDENT and BOLD. David was confident and bold when he danced in the streets. Danced with shouts and trumpets. David was so excited to be bringing the ark home that he could not wait until he was home, within the confines of walls, to praise the Lord. No way! This worship demanded dancing! And shouts! And trumpets!

The scriptures tell us to be bold as a lion, to speak with great boldness and to be more courageous and fearless.

Do you want to sing: Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! Or do you want to boldly and with confidence sing: JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN TODAY, ALLELUIA!

Do you want to ask: Father forgive me. Or do you want to courageously (Because it does take courage to admit you have sinned) ask: FATHER FORGIVE ME.

Do you want to tell: For God so loved the world. Or do you want to fearlessly tell: FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD!

Spending quiet, prayerful, personal, listening and study time with God is extremely important. We each need these times of worship, but do not limit the way you worship God.

Be bold!

Be confident!

Be courageous!

Be fearless!

As you spend time in worship, shout to God, "ALLEULUIA!" And, if you are really fearless, dance in the streets.

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Bold. Confident. Courageous. Fearless. Lord, these are new terms when I think about how I worship. Can I just sorta be over in the corner and watch? Can I just think bold? Can I --My dear, loving God, give me boldness and confidence when I sing. Making each word important and each song a statement of my faith. Give me courage when I pray. Making each prayer honest, holding nothing back. Give me fearlessness when I tell others about you. Making each statement a truth from your Word. Amen

TAKING THE LONG WAY

Men might not understand but women will. I am tired of our dishes. I did like them when I bought them probably 15 years ago, but they say farm fresh and we no longer live on the farm. They also have apples and, well, I just am ready for some new dishes.

I looked and I looked. I knew I wanted Corning Ware so I checked every pattern they had. Then there it was! Just what I was looking for so I began watching their sales. Would they put that design on sale? Could I get a really good buy?

I am a Wal-Mart shopper only when I can not find something locally, but I went online and there were my dishes. And for less than I could get them from Corning Ware. Even with a 20% off coupon! I ordered the dishes September 14.

It has been fun tracking my dishes. I am not exactly sure where they began, but they arrived in Greencastle, Indiana on the 18th. They left Greencastle on the 19th. They arrived in Coldwater, Michigan on the 20th and they left there on the 21st. Hopefully the next stop will be Wabash, Indiana.

Just for fun, get out a map. Find Greencastle, Indiana. Now go north into Michigan to Coldwater. Now come back south into Indiana to Wabash. My dishes have had quite a journey!

Now, get out another map. A map of your journey with God. What would your journey be like? Would it be a straight line from your birth to God? Or did your journey begin later in life? Has your journey been by the most direct route? Or, at times, has your journey taken you right past your destination?

SCRIPTURE: Please read Psalm 139

Psalm 139:8-10 -- If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

This is my favorite Psalm. I have not always known where my dishes were, but it reminds me that God always knows where I am. God knows where you are. God knows because God holds fast to each of us with His right hand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now you want to know a secret? God loves you when you take the most direct route to be with Him, but God loves you even when your journey to Him takes the long way home.

ACTIVITY OF THE DAY

Yes, there is usually a question but today there is an activity. Get a piece of paper. Write GOD at the top. Write your name at the bottom. Now track your journey. Be honest and mark those side trips that you wish you hadn't taken. But be thrilled to mark the times when you stayed strong, with your destination fixed in your heart.

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

I can see you smiling, God. You have been tracking me since the day I was born. If my journey was marked by push pins and yarn, it would look like a jumbled mess. It would look like I did not know where I was going. My God, even when my journey took me in the opposite direction, in my heart, in my soul I knew my journey would lead me to you. Thank you for tracking me. Thank you for knowing where I am when I feel lost. Thank you for holding me fast in your right hand. Amen

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

SCRIPTURES

And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. -- Ephesians 2:22

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ – Acts 20:35

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

One simple idea, a quick flash in the brain – But it is a small thing. Is it really worth the trouble? I only have two coupons and it takes five.

That is the way my mind worked one morning as I looked at the coupons our local grocery gave away. When you spent $50 at one time, you received one coupon. Then, when you had collected five, you would receive a $10 gift card. The problem is I only had two tickets and knew there was no way to get three more. What to do? What to do?

Then I thought, “By themselves, my two coupons are worthless, but what if other people at church had one or two they could not use? By themselves mine are no good, but if I could put them with others, we could use them in to help the local food pantry.”

Cliff Notes version: We asked for coupons. We donated $40 to the food pantry. $40 they did not have.

Ephesians tells us we “are being built together” and Acts tells us that we “must help the weak.” As one I could not help, but together we could help the weak. We could help those struggling to make ends meet and in need of assistance with food.

Was this a big help? Not really. $40 will not go far but together, with donations from others, small contributions add up.

I am very thankful that we do not need assistance with food. But there are times I need help. Times when I am weak and when those times arise, I am thankful I know just where to go for help.

Romans 8:26 – In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Where do you turn when you are weak? When you need help? Do you have ideas that could help others but think they are too small?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Together. Lord thank you for the opportunity to help others when they are weak. I pray I never think an idea is too small to help.

Together. Lord that is such a comforting word. It means I do not have to go through life alone. I can go through life together. Together with family, friends and sometimes with strangers who want to help me.

Together. Lord that is such a powerful word. It means I do not have to go through life alone. I can go through life together. Together with you. When I am weak, the Spirit knows how to intercede for me. Intercede when I am too weak to even pray.

Amen

POLITICALLY INCORRECT

If after reading this title you choose to not read my blog this week, I will understand. But this week I have decided to take a stand. I fear too many are being politically correct. I fear this will be the downfall of many faiths and our country.

SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 2:12, 14-16

From The Message, by Eugene H. Peterson

Write this to Pergamum, to the Angel of the church. The One with the sharp-biting sword draws from the sheath of his mouth – out come the sword words:

“But why do you indulge that Balaam crowd? Don’t you remember that Balaam was an enemy agent, seducing Balak and sabotaging Israel’s holy pilgrimage by throwing unholy parties? And why do you put up with the Nicolaitans, who do the same thing?

Enough! Don’t give in to them; I’ll be with you soon. I’m fed up and about to cut them to pieces with my sword-sharp words.

POLITACALLY INCORRECT

As the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001 approached, I found myself having many, many questions. The main question: Why are we not speaking out? Why are we not taking a stand?

A stand for our beliefs. Are we willing to weaken our faith in the name of unity? Are we willing to remain quiet because we might offend someone?

A stand for our country. Are we willing to allow the values of our country to be lost because our elected officials have become entrenched in words like Republican, Democrat, Liberal, Conservative and Independent?

A STAND FOR WHAT I BELIEVE – FAITH

I believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Do I know how to explain this? No. What I do know is that God the Father comforts me, encourages me and has prepared a place for me when I leave this earthly body. I do believe God the Son came to cleanse me of my tiniest sin. Because I am cleansed, God the Father will remember my sins no more. I believe I have been baptized with the Holy Spirit.

I do not have the right to force my beliefs on others, but I do not have to water down my beliefs or integrate what I believe just so everyone is happy. God warned the church in Pergamum. They were allowing people to compromise with the world and with pagans. This is what I see our churches doing today.

I am instructed to be a good neighbor and love my enemies. I have no problem working beside and with individuals of other faiths, races or nationalities. I do not want anyone to suffer and my heart breaks when I see hungry and mistreated people wherever they are. But I do not have to agree with or approve of other beliefs just to present a unified front.

I do not have the right to kill someone because they do not agree with my faith. But I do have to right to speak out against a religion that will not censure, stop funding and remove from the Muslim or other faiths the “radical” faction that wants to kill anyone that does not believe the way they do. The shooting in Norway, the bombing in Oklahoma City, the Westboro Baptist Church protesters and the terrorists attacks on September 11, 2001 are all wrong. Radical factions are not limited to one faith nor one country, but no faith should continue to support and defend the radical factions. And when a faith continues to do so, they should not be asked to hold hands in unity, they should be held accountable.

A STAND FOR WHAT I BELIEVE – COUNTRY

I am first a Christian. Second a wife. Third a mother and grandmother. Then I am an American, but I am very concerned for the country we are handing to our children and grandchildren. I may be politically incorrect, but I believe:

I believe we need to return to strong family values. Parents need to be parents and not friends. They need to set boundaries. They need to teach their children values instead of allowing them to learn from the street, television, computer games and overpaid athletes. We need to teach our children about responsible sex, that love lasts more than one night and being there at conception is the beginning of being a parent not the end. The education of our children needs to be a priority. This education must begin in the home and continue in the schools, with the parents being involved in reading and math instead of just the Friday night ball game.

Every citizen is as important as any other and should be treated equally. Until we quit checking a box for race, sex, income and nationality, this country will be divided.

I am proud that our country has opened its arms to people, although I am also sure the original Americans wonder if things might have been better if they would have sunk those ships instead of welcoming and feeding the strange new people. I am proud of a country where people choose to live. Where individuals and families run to escape persecution, starvation, torture and death and wish to make this their home. Their country. Who bring their dreams and hopes of a better life. But we are one country and we need to be united under one flag and one language.

I welcome all who enter this country legally but I refuse to be labeled unchristian because I support the enforcement of illegal immigration laws. I honor the office of President but refuse to be called a racist because I do not support the agenda of our current President. Neither of these have a thing to do with race or nationality. It is my right to support laws and disagree with agendas.

Laws should be applied equally whether you are employed by a private or public company, self employed, unemployed, retired or working in the government. Our rights cannot harm others. Being mad at someone does not give you the right to shoot them. Having a rough time does not give you the right to rob someone. And nothing gives you the right to physically, mentally or emotionally abuse children.

As much as anyone, I hate to pay taxes but the only way this country can survive is by everyone contributing at the same tax percentage without deductions and exemptions. This is not a new idea, but it is fair.

I believe companies should either keep manufacturing in the USA or be forced to build overseas facilities equally compliant with USA environmental regulations and wage scales. The USA does not make anything anymore. We can blame this on strict environmental regulations and union demands for extreme benefit packages. I believe in a days pay for a days work but our citizens cannot work if the companies receive tax incentives and then leave the country once those incentives expire.

Our elected officials have passed so many laws no one knows what they are. They pass laws without reading them. They pass laws to get their name on a bridge. They pass laws – Our elected officials have forgotten the foundation upon which this country was founded. They are so removed from living they do not understand being without a job, being homeless, being broke, or living a normal life with shopping, cooking and paying their own way. They are so removed from living outside Washington that the only thing they do know is how to listen to lobbyist, exempt themselves from the laws they pass and spend our money. It must stop.

Our country is extremely blessed in compassion, patriotism, a call to duty and resources. But we are also at a crossroads. We no longer have the funds to finance the world. We have assisted in wars to protect the freedoms and lives of strangers. We have given medical, financial and other forms of relief following natural disasters. And we are told, by the very countries we assist, that we do not do enough. We purchase products from other countries that can be found within our own borders. We are willing to have the landscapes in other countries destroyed, to drive our cars, but unwilling to create jobs and develop less expensive energy on our own soil.

Do you know what I just realized; I have written much more than I had planned, but there just didn’t seem to be a stopping point. Also, I have written more about what I believe about our country than what I believe about my faith. I wonder why? I know my faith is solid because the foundation is solid.

Is the USA still solid? Are we standing on a solid foundation? My fear is that we are not and an even bigger fear is that our country is like a snowball, rolling down a mountain, getting bigger and bigger. Rolling away from its foundation so fast no one will be able to stop it.

No one? Oh, yes. There is one.

Lord, What power lies in my hands? None. But I do know where the power is. Thank you Lord that the power is in the heavenly realms not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Only you know what is to happen tomorrow. For today, give me patience and understanding. Give me strength and courage to stand on a strong foundation of faith and be loyal to what I believe. Close my ears to those that try to weaken your word. Guard my Spirit. Awaken this country, Lord. Remind them of the values of truth, honesty and justice. You have richly blessed our land, please open the hearts of our people and give us guidance and direction. Amen.

IF IT’S BROKE AND USELESS, THROW IT AWAY

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19

IF IT’S BROKE AND USELESS, THROW IT AWAY

Yes, I know. We have become a throw away society, but give me a break!

A couple weeks ago at church, Joyce asked, “Did you notice we have a new clock in the kitchen?”

We all looked and sure enough, a new clock and it was working. The old clock would stop at odd intervals so someone was always resetting the time. Joyce finally just bought a new one.

She then said, “But I put the old one under the sink.”

I asked, “Why? If it is not working, why didn’t you just throw it away?”

A few days later, Bill and I left on vacation and the first morning he told me his travel razor quit. We decided we would find a Wal-Mart and get a new one. Bill left for his coffee and it was my turn in the bathroom.

There – sitting in the travel case – was the razor that no longer worked! Were we going to haul it all the way back home?

I met Bill downstairs and asked, “Why? If it is not working, why didn’t you just throw it away?”

Yes, I know we have become a throw away society, but we have also become a society that hangs onto things that are no longer of value. Things that are broken and just clutter our lives.

What broken things are you holding onto? What have you stuck under a sink, broken and useless, but taking up space? What have you left in your suitcase, broken and useless, but carrying it everywhere you go?

Our lives are full of burdens and God is more than happy to bear them for us, but we need to remember: IF IT’S BROKE AND USELESS, THROW IT AWAY.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

What broken and useless items, habits and past hurts are you holding onto?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Dear Lord, God and Savior, Thank you for bearing my burdens but give me wisdom to look at my life and see the broken, useless parts I need to throw away. The things I need to throw so far that I can no longer retrieve them. Amen

ALMOST TOO LATE

This has been a week. It didn’t look this busy a couple weeks ago. There was not much written down. Then Monday filled up. And Tuesday. And Wednesday. And Thursday. And – OH NO – It is Friday. How did Friday get here?

I have not written my blog and it is time to post it. How did I forget? Where did this week go? It is Friday and I am almost late.

Almost! Sometimes it is fine to be almost late. It is okay to be almost late to a ball game. Almost late to dinner. It would be okay if I was almost late to church. I wouldn’t miss anything since it was just almost. So, I guess it is okay that it is Friday morning and I am writing this at 8:07 AM instead of posting it. I am just “almost” on time.

Oh, I feel better. I haven’t really missed anything. Or have I?

What if this morning, one person needed to hear about God at 8:07 AM and instead of finding words of encouragement they found – nothing? (No I do not have grandiose ideas that my blog makes a huge difference in the world.) But, what if, one searching soul randomly stumbled on Mary’s Moments and --

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 24:44

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

ALMOST TOO LATE

What if some searching soul almost found words of encouragement? Would they be ready when the Son of Man returns?

What if I am almost ready to give up what stands between God and me? Will I be ready when the Son of Man returns?

What if you have almost made a decision to give your life to God? Will you be ready when the Son of Man returns?

Or will we be standing there saying, “I was almost ready.”

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Will you be too late?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Dear Lord, Slow my breathing. Give me deep breaths as I calm myself. As I take a moment to – A moment to save my soul. I do not intentionally make myself so busy that I forget you. I no not intentionally fill my calendar to the point of breaking. Slow my breathing. Give me deep breaths as I calm myself. As I take a moment to save my soul. As I turn to you and say, “I am ready Lord. Your return is one thing I do not want to miss. I want to live each day so I am ready and will never have to say I almost made it.” … Amen

OLDER SON: “I WANT THE PRODICAL SON’S FATHER.”

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:20, 28

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.

OLDER SON: “I WANT THE PRODICAL SON’S FATHER.”

When I turned the radio on, the minister was giving his take on the Parable of the Lost Son and again I thought, “Wrong.” Can you stand one more time on this subject? I do believe this is the most discussed, most preached, most one sided parable there is. Let’s get the given out of the way: Yes, this is a parable about us coming home to God. Coming home after we have taken his blessings, wasted them, hit rock bottom and hoping we will be forgiven.

My problem is that I think the older brother is getting a bad reputation he does not deserve. I do not think he is mad about his brother coming home. I do not think he is even mad about the fattened calf. He might have been a bit upset about the ring, but who knows for sure.

I think he was upset because he wanted his brother’s father. He wanted a father who was so excited to see him that he would run to meet him. He wanted a father who loved him enough to throw him a party. Not one that said, “My son you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But…” You see, it is the “But” that causes the problem. He wanted his brother’s father. That father did not say “but” to the lost son. That father just showed love!

From the first time this parable was told, the older brother was the bad guy. I just don’t agree, because I know how he felt.

You see, I wanted my brother’s mother. There were four of us and my mother had one child. My brother! He could do no wrong. He could be late for a family dinner and we all had to wait. If he wanted something mother had – even if one of us girls had given it to her – she gave it to him. My brother’s mother showed him love! Love I felt I did not get.

One time I asked mother about this. “Why do you love my brother most?” Her reply was, “There is just something about your firstborn.” When I asked, “What about your second, third and fourth born?” she had no reply.

I know my Creator, my Father, my God loves me unconditionally. He loves all His children equally. But I am like the misunderstood older brother. I did not want the “but”. I just wanted to know that this third born was loved as much as the first.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Are you the prodigal son? Are you the older brother? What do you feel when you read this parable?

Most children have issues with their parents. Some we leave behind in childhood. Some we carry with us into adulthood.

I no longer carry resentment or bitterness and, when my time comes to go back home to God, I will be thrilled to see my parents and my brother again.

What feelings toward your parents or siblings do you have? Good? Bad? Somewhere in between? Talk to God. Believe me, it works.

And remember: GOD HAS NO FAVORITES! GOD LOVES US ALL! EQUALLY!

AWFUL WORDS TO SAY AND HEAR

TODAYS SCRIPTURES

Judges 10:6 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord. They served the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites and the gods of the Philistines. And because the Israelites forsook the Lord and no longer served him, he became angry with them.

Judges 10:13-14 But you have forsaken me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!

AWFUL WORDS TO SAY AND HEAR

If you read the history of the Israelites, it is no different from our history. The phrase ‘did evil in the eyes of the Lord’ appears repeatedly. This time their evil was not only worshiping/serving one other god, but multiple gods. I guess you could call it “god of the day” worship.

AWFUL WORDS TO SAY:

We, like the Israelites, continue to tell God no. We refuse to do X, Y or Z. We do over and over things, we know we shouldn’t. Our gods have different names: Money. Pride. Sports. These are all gods we serve by our actions. And by those actions we tell God no! We tell God we will not serve you alone.

But could you:

• Look into God’s face and say, “Sorry, God. I would rather spend my time watching football/sport of your choice than go to church with my family.”
• Shake God’s hand and say, “Thank you for the plan you prepared for my life, but my plan is better.”
• Sit next to God, remember what you have in the bank, put 1% into the collection plate and say, “Well, God. That is better than nothing.”

How loud would your voice be if you had to raise your head, open your eyes, look into the face of God and say, “I pick these things over you. I no longer serve you.”

I no longer serve you. Awful words to say.

AWFUL WORDS TO HEAR:

In these scriptures, the people have turned to God and asked for help. God tells them, “Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!” Now that would be tough to hear. Immediately you would know you had really messed up this time. Instantly you would realize those gods could not save you.

These are not the awful words to hear though. The awful words? “I will no longer save you.”

Our Sunday School class studied these scriptures and I asked the class, “How would it feel to have God say he would no longer save you?”

No one spoke. Most looked down at the table. It was as if the air was sucked right out of the room.

One person finally said, “But he didn’t take away his presence.”

Another said, “They truly repented. (Verse 15) They gave up the other gods.”

What reaction would you have? Would it seem as if the world stopped spinning? As if time stood still? Would you --

I will no longer save you. Awful words to hear.

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Lord forgive me for all the times my actions have refused to serve you. Open my eyes so I will recognize the gods that take my time, my resources, my soul. And when I finally see, when I truly repent - please Lord, forgive me.

Lord, I know you will always be present in my life, but I pray that the Holy Spirit stays strong and so fills me, that I never hear you say, “I will no longer save you.” For if I ever turn to other gods and hear you utter those words, I will be lost forever.

Amen

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Okay, so this is one of those days when my mind just goes here, there and yonder. Bill will tell you that is how my mind has always worked. At least, it is still working!

Trying to figure out what to write, I looked in my prayer journal and I thought, “That sounds good. So does that. That is good but short. Great, now what?”

So, today you get random thoughts.

The church building can be beautiful, a work of art, but if the Spirit of God is not there, it is just a building.

I can have a healthy body, but if the Holy Spirit is not there, what good is it?

Seems we always have a good reason for missing a Sunday here and there. Wonder if God thinks they are good reasons.

There are so many ways to thank God for being an ALWAYS God. If you break the word and add an ‘l’, God becomes an ALL WAYS God.

I am becoming older but God is already ancient! Daniel 7:9 calls him “Ancient of Days.” At least no one has called me ancient. Yet!

I am to be a light. Sometimes I feel like I need new batteries!

God, would you consider deleting patience and obey?

Yes, I know we prayed for the rain to end so we could get crops out, but now we need rain.

SCRIPTURES

HEBREWS 4:12 (first part) -- For the word of God is living and active.

Philemon :6 -- I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

FINAL RANDOM THOUGHTS --

God is a verb: I AM! That means HE IS living and active in our lives.

We are a verb: ACTIVE! That means we are to share our faith. Then, not only will we have a full understanding of all we have in Christ, but others will also.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

So what thoughts enter your mind as it goes here, there and yonder?

Now put those thoughts into a prayer.

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!

THERE ARE WOMEN IN THE BIBLE?

Did you notice the question mark at the end of the title? I first had an exclamation mark, but decided that most people would ask this as a question. “There are women in the Bible?”

How many women can you name? ------- Okay, times up. How many did you come up with? Mary - 1. Martha - 2. Sara - 3. That other Mary - 4. Elizabeth - 5. Getting harder? Oh - Esther - 6. Ruth - 7. Keep going! You are only thinking of the good women. Bathsheba - 8. Potiphar’s Wife - 9. Come on, you can make it to 10. Yes, Eve - 10.

For a program, at church, I was going to look in the concordance and list all the women. Hit a snag real quick. It is hard to tell the difference between names of men, women and cities. And do you realize how many women are not even given a name? Is Basemeth the name of a mountain or a woman? Noah? Male? Wrong! Numbers 27: 1 - …. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah.

When I googled, the list of major women numbered 114. That is only the major names! Time to rethink the title: THERE ARE WOMEN IN THE BIBLE!!!

The big problem is that, when we read the Bible, we so focus on the men that we overlook the lessons the women have for us. It is time to stop skimming over those lessons and READ! Take time to think about what the woman was going through. What her life would have been like.

One of the resources I found was Women of the Bible at www.womenofthebible.com

Anita Gutschick pointed out:

• Lot’s Wife looked back - Are we always looking back and therefore not able to look forward?
• The Woman at the Well - One of those “not so nice” ladies without a name meets the Messiah and what does she do? She left her water jar (essential to her life) and ran to tell others about the good news. From this woman we need to answer the question: What are we willing to leave behind and who are we willing to tell?
• How we behave is more important than how we look.
• There are consequences to our actions.
• The kitchen is a busy place when Jesus and his friends drop in for lunch.
• You can stand up to the Pharaoh.
• We should not play favorites and should not interfere in others affairs.

My favorite discovery? Sisterchicking began a very long time ago.

SCRIPTURE: LUKE 1:39-40, 56

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Can you imagine the conversations Mary and Elizabeth had? Can you picture Zechariah over in the corner, listening but not being able to join in? Can you picture the women comparing bellies? (Yes, they would have! They were women.) Can you picture them as Mary leaves to return home?

What have you learned from a woman in the Bible?

LET US PRAY

In your own words, tell God how thankful you are for the female role models He has placed in the Bible.

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PS - If you are a man and made it to the end of today’s blog, please let me know. I want to congratulate you.

STONES VERSUS DOORS

TODAYS SCRIPTURES

Joshua 7:20, 25b - Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel." Then all of Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them.

John 8:7, 9 - 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." At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.

Please also read Matthew 7:7, Acts 14:27 and Revelations 3:20. Oh, go ahead. It will do you good to look them up.

STONES VERSUS DOORS

Our Sunday School class was studying Joshua 7 and a comment I made has been on my heart.

Cliff notes: The Israelites defeated Jericho but then got thoroughly trounced. Why? Well, thinking themselves undefeatable after Jericho, they planned the next battle instead of following God. Joshua also failed to notice God was no where to be found. You see, God was more than a bit upset with them. He had told the Israelites to take nothing for their own out of Jericho. As usual, one guy saw a few items he liked so he took them and hid them under his tent. No one knew except God. When they were defeated, Joshua called God and asked, "What gives?" God says, "Did you even notice I was no where to be found? Here is what you are going to do to fix things." Each tribe and person was judged innocent until only Achan remained. The punishment was severe. Achan, his family and everything he owned was stoned, burned and buried under a pile of rocks.

The discussion was great: How would you feel waiting to see if the guilty person was in your tribe? Your family? Why punish the whole family? How does one person's sin cause others to suffer? How would you feel if you were Achan? How would you feel as you threw stones?

It is hard for us to understand much in the Old Testament. One man sinned and the whole family stoned. Why the whole family? Why death? Why did the whole community have to participate? But we are New Testament people and we see sin through the Cross. We like the time Jesus said to throw the stone if you are free of sin. We know no stones will be thrown because we have ALL SINNED. We no longer throw stones or punish a whole family - or do we.

At the end of class, I commented, "Today we do not throw stones, we just shut doors."

We shut the door on:

> the person that has funny colored hair

> the person that doesn't like our style of music

> the person that has really sinned unlike our teeny tiny sins

> the person that has paid the price (jail time, etc.) for their crime

> the family of the person that committed crimes or those really big sins

> the person that doesn't wear the right clothes

Do you get the idea? Do we throw stones? No, we do something worse. We shut the door and deny those we judge, as not up to "our" standards, the opportunity to know Jesus.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Would you shut the door on someone?

(As you are thinking on this, I want to make a further comment. Please do not think I have some better-than-thou attitude. I am very guilty of judging people and am sure I have shut doors. My goal today is to help us see that we do not have to throw a rock to injure someone. We can shut the door to our church, to our compassion, to our understanding of God. When we do that, the person on the other side of the door will never learn about God's love and forgiveness.)

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Forgive me Lord. Forgive me when I feel smug because I do not throw stones, but feel it is fine shutting the door on people who do not live up to my standards. Move through me and be the force that gives me the courage to open doors in my church and in my life. When I see someone that has sinned, let me open the door of forgiveness. When I see someone that doesn't look quite like me, let me open the door and invite them in. When I see someone who is suffering because of the actions of another, let me open the doors of understanding and compassion. When I see someone looking for you, let me open the door before they even have a chance to knock. Amen

THE GIFTS OF GOD -- #4

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: John 4:6-14 (Please go back and read the entire scripture. Here is a bit of those verses.)

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.

"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

THE GIFTS OF GOD -- #4

Living Water - Oh, my friends, that is only the beginning of the gifts God has for us.

Welcome to week four of The Gifts of God. Nine gifts down and one to go. Have you given thought to those nine gifts? Trials. Gentleness. Hiding Place. Delight. Tears. Called. Warning. Rest. Walk with head held high.

What gift could be in the box for us to open this week? What gift could top resting in God?

FOREVER

Now what can that mean? I know I'm not going to live forever? I know that nothing lasts forever. What kind of a gift is forever?

In the beginning God Genesis 1:1

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 1:8

Forever - Thank you for the gift of knowing YOU are forever.

God wants you to know HE is forever. He will never abandon you. That is a gift. He wants you to know that you may have no family here, but he has adopted you. He has adopted us all. We are God's children. We belong to God. That is a gift. God has given us the gift of an advocate. God is on our side. That is a gift.

God wants you to know about all his gifts not just those "normal" gifts that we can name so easily.

So many gifts. So many blessings. There. Right in front of us. Really so many no altar is big enough to hold them. So many gifts. Waiting to be taken. Waiting to be opened.

And there is no one gift limit. God's gifts just keep coming and coming.

Everyday comes bearing its own gifts and God has prepared wonderful, amazing gifts for each of us. We do not have to wait for Christmas. We do not have to wait for our birthday. We do not have to wait.

God does offer the gifts? He does offer them, but he does not make us take them. God offers. But we have to accept.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

What gifts has God prepared for you? Will you accept them?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Thank you God for all you have given me. Thank you for the unique gifts you have prepared, because only you know what I need.

Lord, take away my hesitation. My fears. My doubts. Let me humbly accept your gifts. Courageously unwrap. And joyfully celebrate each one.

Amen & Amen

THE GIFTS OF GOD -- #3

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: John 4:6-14 (Please go back and read the entire scripture. Here is a bit of those verses.)

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.

"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

THE GIFTS OF GOD -- #3

Living Water - Oh, my friends, that is only the beginning of the gifts God has for us.

Welcome to week three of The Gifts of God. We have learned about the gifts of Trials, Gentleness, Hiding Place, Delight, Tears and Called. Some of these just didn't fit into our usual idea of Gifs of God, but have you thought about them? Do they make sense now?

What will this week bring? Three more gifts! Oh, the Gifts of God just keep piling up and up and up and up and up and up!

WARNING: This is an unusual gift but one I should have opened. More than once. What a blessing it is when we receive a warning that something just isn't right. That feeling in our stomach. Those times when our conscious kicks in. The warning that makes us stop. A warning that makes us stop and think.

(speaking of Israel's history) Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11

The Bible is so full of lessons on how we should live, but it is also full of warnings that tell us what not to do.

REST: A gift we can all use. So busy. Work. Family. Too many phone calls. Too many committees. Too many times of saying yes. Too many -- Too many demands on our time. And each comes with -- Tired. Not enough hours. Not strong enough.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-29

Where can we find rest? In God!

WALK WITH YOUR HEAD HELD HIGH: As I searched the scriptures to find those unusual gifts God wanted pointed out, I found this one. That's a gift I didn't understand. Why wouldn't we walk with our heads held high?

Maybe because we are sinners. Maybe because we are afraid of something in our past. Maybe because we feel unworthy. Psalm 44:15: My disgrace is before me all day long, and my face is covered with shame.

(God speaking to the Israelites) I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high. Leviticus 26:13

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. 1 John 2:28

We are forgiven children. Walk with your head held high. What a wonderful gift!

Nine gifts. Although God's gifts are unending, I only one more to tell you about. Come back next week to find out what it is.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Have you ever been ready to do something and had a warning? Have you ever been so tired you just didn't know what to do? Have you ever had trouble holding your head high?

LET US PRAY: Today, please talk to God about his warnings. Thank him for breaking the bars of your yoke. Thank him for rest.

THE GIFTS OF GOD -- #2

TODAYS SCRIPTURE John 4:6-14 (Please go back and read the entire scripture. Here is a bit of those verses.)

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.

"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

THE GIFTS OF GOD -- #2

Living Water - Oh, my friends, that is only the beginning of the gifts God has for us.

Welcome to week two of The Gifts of God. Last week we learned that sometimes the gifts of God are not what we expect or what we really want. The three gifts mentioned last week were Trials, Gentleness and Hiding Place.

This week I have three more. What gift might God give you? Or me? When the gift is opened, would you smile, laugh or worry?

DELIGHT: Delight is defined as something that gives great pleasure or enjoyment. And are you ready for this? GOD HAS A WHOLE RIVER OF DELIGHTS!

They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. Psalm 36:7

Think about it. God has a whole river of delights! A river just waiting for us to drink from.

When I gave my message, I held up a little drinking glass and told them I was not taking this to the river.

This is the cup I am dipping into the river of delights.

I don't know about you, but I want to take a very big glass, a super duper size glass to that river.

TEARS: Tears? Tears from laughter? From joy? Well, of course we all want that gift. What feeling is there like laughing so hard the tears run right down your cheeks? Or the sweet tears of joy? This is a great gift. This is a keeper!

Yes, but also God has given us tears to help us when we are grieving. When we are scared. Tears help us deal with pain. We must remember though, tears are not permanent.

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Revelation 7:17

CALLED: Oh, my. Here is another gift we do not like to open. Called -- Our first question is, "Called to what?"

When we receive this gift, we begin to bargain with God. Can I do it tomorrow? Surely, you meant this gift for someone else. I don't know to teach. Africa? That is so far away. What about someplace not so hot. With indoor plumbing? I know. After the kids are out of the house. After the bills are all paid. After -- . But called is a gift.

And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? Esther 4: part of 14

Some ladies had just finished a study on Esther and understood that Esther was called to be a Queen. Called to save her people.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Of course, there is only one answer when we receive the gift of called. The Lord came and stood there, calling, "Samuel! Samuel!" We must be like Samuel. Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Take time to think about these three gifts: Delight. Tears. Called.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Three new gifts this week. Which would you be thrilled to open? Which gift have you received? Would you like to open the gift of called?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

More gifts! Lord, your gifts are never ending. I thank you for the gifts I welcome with open arms: joy, peace, love. And I thank you for the gifts I receive but do not understand until later. I so do want to drink from your river of delights and will dip into that river with the biggest container I can find. Tears have come with laughter and tears have come when life had no laughter in it. Called? Lord, when you give me that gift, make sure it is wrapped in strength and tied with your guidance. Called? Speak, your servant is listening. Amen

THE GIFTS OF GOD

One morning I sat in the courtyard, at our church. What a wonderful, peaceful place for prayer, surrounded by flowers, a blue sky and the cross towering over the church. Surrounded by gifts from God! As I sat in the courtyard, I pictured the altar stacked high with packages. Each wrapped perfectly. Tied with colorful bows. All sizes. All shapes. And never ending. No matter how many received a gift, the altar was never bare. The pile of gifts never got smaller. There were always gifts waiting to be taken.

I wondered how God feels when his children come to take a gift. Is he happy that we want his peace? Is he thrilled when we take faith? Hope? Charity?

We can make a long list: Peace. Patience. Grace. Mercy. Salvation. Trust. Courage. Healing. Faithfulness. Self - Control. That list could go on and on. And each of us would put different gifts on the list. Gifts we would like and gifts we have received.

As I sat there, a simple idea began to form for the next time I spoke at church. Everyone needs to know about God's gifts. I wanted to tell that sometimes the gift, when opened, may say yes. But it also may say no. All the "normal" things we call gifts from God popped into my mind, but God had another idea. God wants you to know about all his gifts.

Last Sunday I delivered the message and, over the next three weeks will tell about some of the not-so-obvious gifts.

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: John 4:6-14

Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well.

It was about the sixth hours. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink? (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.

"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Living Water - Oh, my friends, that is only the beginning of the gifts God has for us.

TRIALS: God, may I put that one back. I don't want trials. Life is so complicated now. Why have you given me trials? - May I put this one back? I don't want trials.

As much as we hate trials, they do come and we learn from them. We learn to give care to a loved one, showing tenderness and compassion. We learn to allow others to help us. And we all learn when we stand with our family and friends, helping them through their trials.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2

GENTLENESS: Now that is more like it. Gentleness is a great gift.

What a blessing. What a gift when God gives us gentle words which we can use to comfort others. Or a gentle touch when caring for a loved one. What a gift when God's gentleness wraps around us.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

HIDING PLACE: That is a strange gift. Or is it?

Have you ever just felt like the world was too much? Like you just needed to get away? Away to a place that was safe? Away, alone, just for a bit? Have you ever wanted to get away to a place where you could take a deep breath, close your eyes and forget your troubles?

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

Hiding place is not a strange gift after all.

Enough for today. Next week will be soon enough to find out about other gifts God has prepared for you.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

How would you feel if you went to the altar, selected a gift, opened it and found trials? Would you think that was a gift you wanted to keep? Would you want to keep gentleness? Have you ever wanted a hiding place?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

To the giver of gifts, Thank you for each gift I receive. For those, like trials, that I do not appreciate until long after the trial is over and for those that I willingly accept, like gentleness. Thank you for being there when I need a hiding place. God, please open my heart and my eyes so, unlike the woman at the well, I will see your gifts. Amen

HOW COULD I FORGET THAT?

Mondays, during the summer, I spend with four of our grandsons. Sometimes we play board games. Sometimes we bake. We usually play wii. Sometimes we watch a movie. And sometimes we do a craft.

This last Monday the boys wanted to make garden stones like we did last summer. We did it once so now it is a tradition. A summer ritual.

I bought more quick crete and colored stones. When I checked my supplies, a new mixing bowl, strong spoon and plastic trays were added to the list. Everything we needed was now on hand and ready to be loaded into the car.

To make the process less messy, I even pre-measured the crete for each stone and bagged it separately. I was thinking ahead!

Into the car went the crete, the bowl, the spoon, the trays and all the goodies to decorate with.

The boys were excited when I arrived and out of the car came everything. The crete, the bowl, the spoon and all the goodies to decorate with. Did you notice that the trays did not come out of the car? They were no place to be found.

I looked three times! I just knew I had put them in the car.

Four very sweet grandsons said we could do them next week. IF I DIDN'T FORGET AGAIN.

We are human. We will forget things. God, on the other hand, will never forget us!!

My favorite Psalm is 139 and I read it often.

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: PSALM 139

O Lord, you have searched me, you know me, you perceive my thoughts, you discern my going out and my lying down, you are familiar with all my ways, you know my tongue completely, you are behind and before me and you have laid your hand upon me. parts of 1-6

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 7-10

WOW!! We forget little things. We forget big things. Some days we forget God. And sometimes those days stretch into weeks and years. But God never forgets us. He always has us held fast in His right hand.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Have you forgotten anything this week? How did it make you feel? Mad at yourself? Frustrated?

How does it make you feel to know that God never forgets you?

(In case you are wondering about the trays, I found them when I got home. When I picked up the supplies I was not taking with me, I put the trays in the wrong pile. My bad.)

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

O Lord, Sometimes I make plans and they just don't turn out right because I forgot one small item. Thank you for not forgetting even the smallest detail of the plan you have for me. Sometimes I forget someone's name. Thank you for not forgetting my name. Sometimes I forget where I put something. Thank you for always knowing where I am. That means I am never alone. Amen

45 YEARS, 364 DAYS AND COUNTING

Thinking back to June 3, 1965 I remember not being nervous at all. In my mind I picture a very young, 18 year old girl preparing for a very big day: June 4, 1965: MY WEDDING DAY!

For just a moment, close your eyes, take a deep breath and picture a wedding. Okay. Got it? Did you picture a wedding gown with a long veil? Flowers and candles? A packed church? If you did, you are so wrong!

We were married on a Friday evening, in a small Methodist Church with only our families present. How much time did I take off work for our wedding? Friday and Monday! That is what Bill and I both wanted and I have never regretted not having a big, traditional wedding.

Friday, June 4, 1965 was a busy day. I actually had my hair done! We picked up the flowers. And we - nope that was it. Oh, guess the 4th wasn't that busy. I'm not sure what Bill did to prepare. After the wedding, we were going back to his mother's to have cake and punch, so I imagine he helped her get the house ready and probably picked up the cake.

My dad walked me down the aisle and, as we were getting ready to take that first step, he said, "If you want to change your mind, I'll take you out the door instead." No way!! Down the aisle we went.

Our service was very short. Our minister, Rev. Sam Boyle, read the proper words, pronounced us Mr. and Mrs. and sent us down the aisle.

Just so you can check out the styles and I can stop, look and remember here are pictures.

My parents

Bill's mother, Uncle George and Aunt Nelle

Maid of Honor, my sister Jean, and Best Man, Jim

Yes, this is the complete wedding party.

Today's blog does not have a deep message. There are no questions for you to ponder. I think I just wanted you to share in our anniversary. I want you to know God's blessings can begin on a Friday evening in a small quiet church.

One young girl walking toward one young man,

standing before an altar and

saying, "I do."

I am thankful I walked down the aisle and not out the door. Bill is the very best gift God has ever given me. We began our lives walking side by side and that is how we have traveled the path that began June 4, 1965.

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 2: parts of 20-24

But for Adam no suitable helper was found. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

My very gracious God, Thank you for my Bill. Amen

TIME TO BUILD AN ARK

As I look at cloudy skies and a forecast for more rain, I thought about Noah. Today I am repeating a blog from April 4, 2008.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 6:22

Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

TIME TO BUILD AN ARK

In this part of Indiana, we are having our share of rain. We now have water standing on water. And it is raining again. I wonder if it is time to build another ark.

All of this rain got me to thinking about Noah – Now things were not going too great on earth. Wickedness. Evil. All sorts of bad stuff. So God was ready to wipe out everything.

Genesis 6:7-8 says, “So the Lord said, ‘I will wipe out mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth – men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air – for I am grieved that I have made them.’ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”

“Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” What about in the eyes of others? Can you hear it? I imagine it went something like this --

Mrs. Noah probably said, “You’re going to build what?”

And I am sure he heard from his neighbors. “Noah, what are you doing? If you keep this up, the property values will go down.”

Noah’s son Ham was in for some teasing also. “Ham, your daddy doesn’t have both oars in the water.” And Ham would have come back with, under his breath of course, “Maybe not now, but you wait and see who floats and who doesn’t.”

Then there was the trip to the local hardware. When Noah told the owner what he wanted, the owner would have wondered if he heard the order correctly – “You want how much cypress wood? You need how much pitch? I will have to order that in." Rubbing his hands together and, with a wicked grin, he most likely asked, "Will you be paying now or later?”

Think of the strength of character Noah needed to stand up to the looks. To the questions. To the laughing. And yet verse 22 tells us, “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.”

Noah had courage. He listened to God and had the courage to do just what God commanded. We can learn from Noah. We can have courage.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

In a Bible Study, the author pointed out that when Noah shut the door, he would have been leaving family, friends and neighbors to drown. They would have been pounding on the boat. They would have been calling to Noah. Think of the courage it took to "do as God commanded."

Has God ever asked you to do something that made you choose His will over family, friends or neighbors? Have you ever taken a stand and then been laughed at or criticized? Have you ever taken a stand and then wished you had not, because the pressure was so great? Have you ever just walked away and then felt ashamed that you were not strong enough? (Remember, God will never ask us to do more than we are capable of doing. And He will give us the strength we need. We just have to trust Him.)

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Glorious God, I am so thankful that you found Noah worthy. And that he listened to your commands. Let me learn from Noah. Let me first listen and find my strength in you. Then let me do everything you command. I do thank you for being patient with me when I am weak. When I do not listen. I ask for courage when I feel you leading me. …… Amen

OFF TO THE OTHER SHORE

TODAYS SCRIPTURES: MARK

3:9 Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him to keep the people from crowding him.

4:36 Leaving the crowd behind

5:21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake.

6:32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

6:46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray

OFF TO THE OTHER SHORE

These scriptures came to mind and I wondered why Jesus kept taking off for the other shore. The other side of the lake. Why would he want to leave the crowd behind? Didn't he want the people around him? Then I pictured the people getting closer and closer. All wanting to hear exactly what he was saying. Some wanting to touch him so they would be healed. Can you picture him, at the edge of the water, with the crowd pushing and pushing? They would take a step forward and Jesus would take a step back. Then into the boat he would go. Off to the other side. Off to another shore.

The only problem with that is the people on the other side of the lake were waiting for him. What was he to do?

That is when the light bulb went off and I realized that often I feel that way. Crowded and pushed. Too much work. Too many other things I want to do. Too many books waiting to be read. Too much dust waiting to be scattered to another landing spot and laundry to do. Too many people needing my time and energy.

Have you ever felt that way? Pushed? Crowded? Surrounded? Where to go? Where to go?

Well, get in the boat with Jesus. He is right there waiting to give you a ride to the other side. Yes, the bills are there too. And the job. And all the people and things that demand your time and energy. But you will be ready to face them because you have rested your body and mainly your Spirit as you rode in the boat with Jesus. Just that short ride gives you the strength to go on!

While I was pondering this, I also thought about Jesus, those crowds and his solitary time.

"Jesus," I would ask, "did you ever get bruised or scratched as people crowded and pushed just to touch you? You were human, did you ever get scared when they crowded you to the edge of the water?"

"Jesus," I would ask, "how did you feel when you went away to a solitary place? Did your body sigh with relief and relaxation? And what did you and your Father talk about?"

I think Jesus might have said something like this: "Hi Father. This has been some day. I need rest so thank you for the shade of this tree and the breeze. Did you see the crowd? I pray they heard with their hearts. I pray they believe tomorrow. What? Yes the disciples are coming along. They're out on the boat and I'll go there shortly. I think I'll just walk out. Yes. That will give them a shock, but I like to shake them up. So how far do you suppose Peter will walk? He will do okay until he takes his eyes off of me. Then down he'll go. How long will it take them to learn? Really? That long. Better go. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't get away for our talks. Later. I mean, Amen."

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you ever feel pushed? Crowded? Surrounded? Where do you go when you feel like this?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

O Lord, you do not intend for me to always feel pushed. Crowded. Surrounded by pressure. Send a boat so I can spend time with you and receive comfort and renewal for my body and soul. Amen

PRAYER - A NEED? A PRIVILEGE? A DUTY?

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord. Genesis 4:26

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

PRAYER - A NEED? A PRIVILEGE? A DUTY?

The other day I heard an interesting message on prayer and it got me to thinking: Is prayer a need? Is prayer a privilege? Is prayer a duty?

Do we need to pray? The Bible says God knows what is in our hearts and he knows what we require before we even tell him. So, why pray if it is not essential for God to understand our would likes and our must haves? The question, "Do we need to pray?" is answered by no and yes.

Does God need us to pray so he will know what we require? No. Do we need to pray? Yes! We need to know that God is quite clear on what we would like and what we must have! Just kidding! We need to pray so the Spirit himself will intercede when we just do not have the words or the energy to express our true needs. And God, who searches our hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit and they work together in the harmony of God's will. (Based on Romans 8:26-27) Prayer is a need!

Is prayer a privilege? This question can also be answered yes and no. If you consider a privilege something that only a few of the elite are entitled to, then the answer is no. But if you consider a privilege something that is a benefit, an opportunity, an honor or a pleasure, then the answer is yes! What other faith is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? (Based on Deuteronomy 4:7) Prayer is a privilege!

Is prayer a duty? This question has only one answer: YES! Prayer is something we have to do. It is a responsibility. An obligation. Why?

Prayer is a duty because Jesus prayed and we, who with uncovered faces reflect the Lord's glory, are constantly being changed into his likeness. (Based on 2 Corinthians 3:18) It is our duty to live in such a way as we reflect the likeness of Jesus. Jesus prayed. We must pray. Prayer is a duty!

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

Do you have trouble praying? Trouble finding the right words? Use your own words or find scripture passages that you really like and make them personal. Use I, me and my. But remember, no matter how you say it, God loves to hear you pray. Today, with no help from me, say your own prayer. God is listening!!! He will hear you!!!

CHANGE OF IDENTITY

As I look back, I realize my identity has changed over the years. I have gone from a young thing to a getting-closer-to-65. My identity has gone from daughter, to wife, to mother, to grandma. I have been a resident of Indiana, a resident of Michigan and back to a resident of Indiana. I have been a student, a car hop and an accountant's secretary. I am still my husband's right hand in our office and I am an auction cashier.

My identity is getting ready to change. As I write this, I am still an auction cashier. That, after 32+ years, will change May 21 when I work my last auction. This was not an easy decision to make. I have met some extremely wonderful people and, yes, a few that tested my patience and caused my temper to flare. I have enjoyed the challenge of the auction and, yes, suffered frustration when we would occasionally not balance. I have traveled to work auctions all over Indiana and into Michigan and Ohio. There are people I will miss. I will miss those that I have worked beside for all of these years, but it is time.

Just so you do not think cashiering is a piece of cake, I want you to know that I will not miss working out of very breezy barns and freezing my backside and I will not miss 90 degree summer days when there is no breeze and the sweat is dripping down the back of my neck. I will not miss driving in fog, snow, rain or sleet. I will not miss needing to have a nature break and there being a line at the port-a-pot. I will not miss the port-a-pot!!!!!!!

The bottom line is that by late afternoon, on May 21, my life will change. Again!

But our lives change from moment to moment. No two days are the same and not one of us is exactly like we were yesterday. We change with the activities in our own lives and we change as we interact with family, friends and strangers. We change as the world changes. Everyone's identity changes. Oh, wait!

TODAYS SCRIPTURES

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. Psalm 145:13

I the Lord do not change. Malachi 3:6

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 1:8

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Revelation 22:13

CHANGE OF IDENTITY

My identity will continue to change. Your identity will change. The only thing we can be sure of is that God - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - never changes. God is the Beginning and God will be the End. God is the Alpha and the Omega.

LET US PRAY (I have put in things that touch each of us at one time or another, but use this only as a guide. Use the changes in your life to make it personal.)

What do I do Lord? I think I have it all figured out. Life seems to be going good and then everything changes. There are disagreements within my family and friends just seem to disappear when I need them. Things pop up at work I hadn't expected and then I am flustered and on edge. Supper doesn't get done on time and the washer springs a leak. Is there ever a normal day? Why do things continually change? How do I survive in an ever changing life?

How do I survive? I turn to You. Thank you for not changing. Thank you for being the same God from morning to morning. Thank you for being with me in all of my yesterdays. Thank you for being with me today and I know you will be in my tomorrow. When everything around me changes, I know I can turn to you. When everything around me changes, I know you will always be faithful. Amen

MY IDENTITY

When we are making a quick trip to the store or for coffee, I do not always take my driver's license: proof of my identity. If we were to be in an accident, I would think, "This is a small town. Someone will know me." But, when we go out of town, I always take my ID with me. And, if someone is riding with me, I insist they have theirs.

In case of an emergency, what I carry, in my purse, would tell people a lot about me. They could quickly learn my name, address and age. They might question my weight which hasn't been up-pounded for a few weight gains and my hair color changes each time Clairol messes with their formula for dark blonde. Digging further, my home phone number is on my cell phone. My health and auto insurance cards are behind my license. I usually carry only one credit card, but my fabric purchase card is almost full so they will know I like to sew.

If they did a bit deeper, they will know I am old school and still carry enough cash to buy a cup of coffee without using a charge card. It will be quickly revealed that I chew gum and use Tylenol. And that my calendar has some really busy days and some where I can relax. From my key chain, they will learn I shop at CVS, Hallmark and Alco and that my library card number begins with a 2.

I usually carry my camera because I love to take pictures, but they won't find many pictures. There is one of Bill and me taken a few years ago at church and a few school pictures of the grandkids.

One thing I hope they find is a picture I have carried since grade school. Why do I want them to find this picture?

Because if I am ever rushed to the emergency room, I want them to be shouting, "She is a Christian. We found Jesus in her purse."

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he was 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

As you can see, the picture is a bit worn.

"But what about you?" Jesus asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." Mark 8:29

The Gideons gave these out, I think, when I was in the fourth grade.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

What would your purse or wallet say about you?

LET US PRAY: Today, say your own prayer. Talk to Jesus. Tell him about yourself. Yes, he knows everything about you, but He does so enjoy listening to you. Then answer the question: Who do you say I am? Have a heart to heart about how you would answer that question. Then ask Him to protect you and be always with you as you continue learning about yourself and about becoming an even stronger Christian.

WHAT DO YOU HEAR?

This past week I spoke for Chapel, at a local retirement community. I asked them to hear the scriptures. Not just read them, but to imagine the surroundings and how it would have sounded. Today I ask you to do the same thing and I am asking you to look up the scriptures. Yes, this is a bit longer than usual, but remember, you are reading the reason for the Christmas story.

Please read the scriptures for each section.

Luke 22:7 --- The Last Supper: When I think about the sounds of the day of the Last Supper, I picture Peter and John walking down a very busy street. Noisy with chatter. Merchants selling wares needed for Passover. What do you think they talked about while they prepared the room? Can you hear how quiet the room would have become when the preparations were over?

Can you hear Jesus and the disciples coming up the stairs? Do you hear the door open?

Can you hear the water being poured into the basin? Can you hear Peter telling Jesus not to wash his feet? Can you imagine the quiet as Jesus continues to go from disciple to disciple? Can you hear the cup being passed? Can you hear the bread being broken?

Jesus made many startling and troubling remarks that night. Can you hear the whispers, as the disciples tried to figure out what Jesus was talking about.

Can you hear the door shut as Judas leaves? Can you hear the quiet return as Jesus and the disciples left? What sounds do you hear in the Upper Room?

Luke 22:39-46 --- In the Garden: "Father" - What do you hear in his voice when he prays? Pain? Hope? Pleading? Obedience! What sound would an angel make? What sound would an angel make bringing the love of the Father to strengthen the Son? Do you hear his sweat fall to the ground? Do you hear someone snoring in the distance? Do you hear the footsteps getting louder and louder? Do you hear the confusion in the voice of the disciples? Do you hear the disappointment for a lost soul, as Jesus tells Judas to carry out his task?

Matthew 27:63-67 --- The Trial, the Courtyard and the Crucifixion: Sometimes we visualize what we have seen in movies and we hear what the director feels is important. What would you hear at the trial? What would you hear in the courtyard? Would you hear the disciples asking themselves what they could do? Can you hear the anguish in the voice of the women? Can you hear the crowd? Can you hear the crown being made? The whip cutting through the air? Can you hear - Oh, these are sounds we do not want to hear. I do not want to hear the cross being drug down the street. I do not want to hear the hammer hit the nail. I do not want to hear -- Oh, this is where I would rather just read the words and not hear or see.

Luke 23:46 --- The Cross: Words are bad enough, but the sounds. The vision of this is too hard. But it takes all of our senses to make this real. We must hear. We must feel. The sounds at the cross are the hardest to hear. Can you hear Jesus being called names? Being made fun of? Do you hear the weeping? Do you hear Jesus as he calls out to his father? Do you hear Jesus as he -- As he says, Father, forgive them --

Matthew 28:1-2, 5-6, 18 --- The Empty Tomb and the Ascension: Can you hear the sounds of footsteps as the women walked to the tomb? Do you suppose they talked? Or were they quiet? Can you hear them go (intake of breathe) as they saw the open tomb? What did the voice of the angel sound like? Gentle? Full of promise? I think it sounded like - hope! Can you hear the difference in their footsteps as they leave? Coming their steps would be sad. Heavy. Sorrowful. Now their steps were light! Joyful!

Hearing the sounds of the courtyard and the cross were so hard, but hearing the sounds of the empty tomb is like hearing the most beautiful -- The most beautiful sound. Sweet to the ears. Comfort for the soul. A melody that can only be played on an angel's harp.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Can you imagine being there when Jesus spoke for the last time? Read the Gospels and imagine.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. How would that have sounded?

Jesus ascended! Listen!

Can you hear the joyful sound in heaven?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Dear Heavenly Father, As I read and study Your word, let those words touch my whole being. Let me use my ears to hear the activity and emotions that surround Your word. And, in that hearing, let my understanding be greatly increased.

Amen

THROUGH THE VALLEY

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: PSALM 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; they rod and thy staff they comfort me.

THROUGH THE VALLEY

The other day I was reading a book and the character pointed out that they were walking through the valley of the shadow of death. That darn ole 2 X 4 hit me and I realized it said through. It didn't say: I stay in the valley. It said: THROUGH. Why had I never thought of this before? I have read this Psalm many times and just never focused on this one word.

I have a friend who is walking a valley right now. And it is a valley of death. But it is not a physical death. It is the death of a marriage and the death of a dream. I called her and told her, "YOU ARE GOING THROUGH. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO STAY!"

This next week we begin to celebrate Easter. The problem is that before we can celebrate Easter, we must go through the valley of shadow of death. We must go through the valley of the Cross. But go through. Go through, just like Jesus did.

Jesus did not stay in the valley. Jesus did not stay in the tomb. Jesus went through death. Jesus went through the tomb. Jesus went through the valley to go to the Father.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Are you in a valley right now?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Dear Father, Thank you that I am only meant to go through valleys and not meant to stay in them. Because you are with me, I do not have to be afraid or alone. Your rod of authority and staff of support reassure me that I will safely travel through all of the valleys in my life. Amen