What Makes You Unique?

Take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life. Deuteronomy 4:9

Remember when you were little--that special friend? ... Your parents, the person who hired you for your first important job, a forever love, the individual who hurt you with a forever-hurt, that someone you meant on the plane who left a lasting impression, each child born into your family--each leaves an imprint on your soul.

As we grow and mature, we seem to become a little bit of a whole lot of people who come in and out of our lives. It is what makes us unique from all others in the world.

When you look at creation, one "gets" it. Our God was CREATIVE. Study the various clouds, the changing seasons, the waves on a shoreline. Each so different. Why wouldn't man be so? As nature becomes a little bit of a whole lot that is going on in the world, we, too, are all affected by those who come into our lives.

The cool thing is that in God's world everything is all so connected. One of the most significant ideas to emerge in the 20th century shows that all reality--from the atom to the universe (that includes you and me) can be understood in terms of relationships.

So, let's take care, watch ourselves closely as we love God, love our fellow man, and take care of the Earth God has created for us. Surely, something big is going on. We each need to do the thing He has given us to do until little o' me and little o' you will have done something great for the Kingdom of God.

All things were destined to be joined in our Lord and Savior.

When You Meet Someone....

I am often intrigued, inspired, and even amused by the persons who appear in my life and the circumstances that surround our meetings. We each have social and professional relationships or connections. We also have those persons who we feel we have a spiritual connection with--a heart to heart thing. Sometimes, this connection develops over a period of time; sometimes, it is almost instantaneous.

Therefore encourage one another

and build each other up

as you are already doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

 

For example...

 

I first met Ann at a discussion based on my book, Thou Shalt Not. She introduced herself and thanked me for writing the book. An email came the following morning from Ann with an offer to take the book to Luther College. She would be attending a class reunion there. "Call the bookstore," she said. "See if they will sell it for you."

 

I called the bookstore and talked to someone who had no idea who I was; they said yes.

 

As the days passed, I learned that Ann lived and taught in another country. Recently retired, she was working on her own family history. This encounter is just one example of the many that have occurred in my life. Serendipity? ... little miracles?

 

Whatever the reason, they encourage me to slow down and listen to the person God has put before me. Think of the missed opportunities if I don't? On the flip side, maybe next time, I will be the giver of whatever needs to be delivered. Is it encouragement? A helping hand? Or, simply a listening ear?

 

 ..so in Christ we who are many form one body,

and each member belongs to all the others.

Romans 12:5

...consider this when you meet someone today...

and reflect the love He gave you.

A single word or phrase, spoken kindly,

may turn one away from error

or cause one to feel loved and cared for....

What Is Better Than Life Itself?

Autumn has always been my favorite time of the year. The air changes, the clouds shift, the trees drink in as much sunshine and summer air as possible as their auburn leaves begin to blanket the ground below them. Although the sun grows weary and our days are shorter, there is something about fall that heightens my expectations.

Each of us has our favorite season, and during this time of the year, we feel a little lighter, a little more positive. So, what could be better than life, itself, during this favorite time of the year?

Psalm 63:3 reads: My lips praise you because your faithful love is better than life itself!

Often, the demands of daily life become our priorities. There is just too much to do, too many people to see, etc., that we forget God. Whenever your favorite season, grab it, enjoy the beauty of God's creation, and drink it in while knowing that God's love is immediate and accessible during every season of the year and every season of life. Because HE IS--the season of the year doesn't matter.

Give thanks to the LORD,

for He is good;

His love endures forever.

Psalm 118

Bad Girls of the Bible

Well, let me see, let's start from the beginning. Eve may not have been bad to the bone, but she did not obey God when He said, "You must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden...." I don't know who first said, It takes a woman to get things done, but I want to say, Oops, Eve; wrong thing!

And, then there was Potiphar's wife who attempted many times to entice the young Joseph to her bed chamber. Lot's wife turned to salt because her possessions were too important. And, Rahab was a prostitute; however, after offering spies lodging she sent them off in a different direction, which ended up being incredibly helpful.

Jezebel was bad to the bone. She killed off the Lord's prophets. 1 Kings 18:4. Isn't it interesting that most of us do not name our baby girls Jezebel? Her fame is history and, yet, remains fresh.

John 8:1-11 reads, Jesus said, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."

I'm reading Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs and, yes, we can learn something from them.
Whatever your past, whatever your present, God has a plan for you. Simply put, 1) Let's figure out what it is.  2) Let's acquire what we need to do it.  3) Let's ... begin. 

The only way to begin is to begin.

So simple; so true. Using the old Nike slogan,

Just do it.

People Need People

from CURRENT HEALTH, March 1976...
     People need people. It has been said that people, not things, are our greatest source of pleasure and our greatest source of pain. Humans are, by nature, social beings, and dependent upon each other for many emotional and psychological needs. Personal relationships are of great importance to humans throughout their lifetimes. 

Although written almost 40 years ago, I believe this still to be true. It's interesting how some things do NOT change.

Is it any wonder that after the first commandment, Love the Lord thy God, we have the second commandment, Love thy neighbor as thyself...

It is a wonder that we are each created in His image....

It is a wonder that we are all a part of the body of Christ....

If we understand this, following the Golden Rule will be no problem, and people, not things, WILL BE our greatest source of pleasure.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Luke 6:31

Bottle it up....

While in Platte, SD I rode a speed boat ten miles down the Missouri River and back. There was NO ONE else on the river. The hills, trees, swaying grasses were mesmerizing. I wanted to bottle it up and take it home. Later, we drove the Needles Highway in the Black Hills. Awesome sight. Again, wanted to bottle it up.

My husband's jokes provide an occasional belly laugh. A grandchild's voice on the phone brings me joy.  American's Got Talent ended their last show with a twelve-year old singing opera sending shivers up and down my arms. Again, could we just bottle this stuff up, keep it inside, and pull it out whenever the blahs set in?

I used to tell my children that if every day was their birthday, their special day would no longer be special. Possibly, we need to have the not-so-good experiences (even the ones that bring us in desperation to our knees before our LORD) to really find joy in the feel-good moments.

Prayer:
Gracious God and Savior, fill us with praise for the wonder-moments in our lives. Let us humbly go to our knees in time of desperation and trust in your guidance to go forward in the not-so-good moments. Wherever we are in our right-now lives, we know that you are there.

Whether it be morning, whether it be night

Whether there be sunlight, or shadows of the dark;

Anytime you seek the Lord, You shall always find,

Anywhere you live, know that He is there....

   from song: Know That He Is There

You Are Mine

I attended Mary's funeral a few days ago. She was only 72. She died suddenly. I couldn't help but stare at the banner hanging in front of the church.

 

I have called

you by name

Mary...

You are mine.

 

 

Have you ever had a day when things are not going so well, and you just want to run as fast as you can straight into Jesus' arms and never look back?

 

Have you ever had a moment when you are so filled with joy that you want to stay in that special place and feel that special way--a joy that only comes from loving your Creator God?

 

Why do we wait until someone passes into life eternal to put up the banner that says,
 

 

I have called you by name, _____,
You are mine.

 

 

Why not wear a t-shirt with it printed on the back?

 

 



 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
    before you were born I set you apart;
    .....  Jeremiah 1:5



Pack Up; We're Goin' Home

It's the beginning of September.  Summer vacations are past. It's time to pack up; we're goin' home. Gather your dirty laundry, your souvenirs, all those things we thought we needed to "travel" but never used,  and head out.

Segue...

Have you ever considered that from the moment we are born, we are heavenward bound. Perhaps it is the reason we often grow so restless? Is it because we really don't belong here. As the song goes, I'm but a stranger here, heaven is my home, Earth is a desert drear, heaven is my home...

We were created to be returned to Our Creator. So, let's pack up. You won't need your dirty laundry, souvenirs, and all that earthly stuff for this trip.

Instead, let's take the Fruits of the Spirit on our journey home: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22 You don't even need a suitcase.

Keep walking with your hand touching His....