He Knows

It’s been a long weekend.  We enjoyed the nice weather, did a little shopping, mostly window, and are now getting into a routine for summer.  I asked Allie yesterday if it was weird being off school and she said that every day felt like Saturday.  I have to agree with her.  I’m sure Mike doesn’t because he has not let up on his schedule.  He did not get any extra time off from work, but we did get to spend most of the weekend together. 

This summer is going to be strange.  I will be working either 9 to 5 or 1 to 9, Mike works his 12-hour shift and if Allie finds a job (pray for that), then she will be working.  Poor Timm will be alone at times.  That may or not be good for him.    Being alone can be good.  I like to be alone, most of the time.  I think that is why I get up early (not usually on purpose) to enjoy some quiet time alone.  It could just be that my body is tired of laying.  I am not sure.  But Jesus went to be alone to pray, to meditate.  I think he always had a lot on his mind, I’m sure.  He had a heavy heart for those that swarmed after him, needing his leadership.  As a shepherd, he saw the need in all the people of that day.  He can see the need in you and me too.  As a shepherd knows what his sheep need, Jesus knows what we need and provides it.  It may be someone to come into our life and touch us.  It may be a situation that will get us on track.  He knows us, and you know him.  It may take some time, but in the end, you will know that God was the one orchestrating your life.

Psalm 23:1

                The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Matthew 9:36

                When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Thank You Veterans.

This is my Thank You to all our Veterans.  The ones who came back, and the families of the ones who didn't.

Arlington

I never thought that this is where I'd settle down,
I thought I'd die an old man back in my hometown,
They gave me this plot of land, me and some other men,
for a job well done.

There's a big white house sits on a hill just up the road,
The man inside he cried the day they brought me home,
They folded up a flag, and told my mom and dad, 'We're proud of your son'.

And I'm proud to be on this peaceful piece of property,
I'm on sacred ground and I'm in the best of company,
I'm thankful for those thankful for the things I've done,
I can rest in peace, I'm one of the chosen ones,
I made it to Arlington.

I remember daddy brought me here when I was eight,
We searched all day to find out where my granddad lay,
And when we finally found that cross,
He said, 'Son this is what it cost, to keep us free'.
Now here I am a thousand stones away from him,
He recognized me on the first day I came in,
And it gave me a chill, when he clicked his heels, and saluted me.

And I'm proud to be on this peaceful piece of property,
I'm on sacred ground and I'm in the best of company,
And I'm thankful for those thankful for the things I've done,
I can rest in peace, I'm one of the chosen ones,
I made it to Arlington.

And every time I hear, twenty-one guns,
I know they brought another hero home, to us.

We're thankful for those thankful for the things we've done,
We can rest in peace, 'cause we were the chosen ones,
We made it to Arlington, yea, dust to dust
Don't cry for us, we made it to Arlington.

Who Needs to Change?

1 Timothy 2:1

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

I like this verse.  Well, most of it.  I like that Paul ask us to pray for all people.  Not just your friends.  Not just those who you think need prayers.  Everyone.  Ask, on their behalf, for God to help them.  That part is easy.  But, why is it so hard to give thanks for them?  

The people that you aren't crazy about, that give you grief no matter what you do, the ones that you just do not understand, where are they on your list of prayers?  Usually, I pray that God helps me have an understanding heart when it comes to these people.  I remember my grandmother telling me that maybe it isn't the other person that God wants to change, but maybe it's you.  Wow, that was powerful when she said it.  It knocks you down a notch or two, doesn't it?  But wait...the thought that God is using that contrary person to change your perspective is wonderful.  God is always working on us to mold us into his likeness.  Sometimes this may be the way he does it.  So keep praying.

He Does Supply You Needs

Philippians 4:19

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

This has been a rough couple of weeks.  But amazingly, or actually not, we are doing okay.  At the end of August, I lost my job.  To be honest, I was looking and not happy where I was.  It was a relief to be let go.  I wasn’t going to quit, unless something better came along, but when they let me go, I actually had a few months off and got to help out wholly with the kids’ marching band.  I finally got a part-time job and started October  31^st.  During that time, I searched for a job and focused on my family. 

I started the job and it was part-time.  It was completely foreign to me.  I have never thought of myself as a salesperson, but yet, I am doing it, and I am pretty good at it.  I’m not the best, and I fumble over my pitch, but I am trying.  Anyway, I still drew unemployment, but things started to get tighter and tighter.  We squeezed (and are still squeezing) as much as we could out of each penny.  It’s not fun, it’s not easy, but we are (barely) floating.  God still provided.  Sometimes we had to wait on certain things, Christmas was smaller than ever, but everyone got something fun.  Several people gave us things unexpectedly and we are forever grateful for them and especially my parents.

Now, through my learning and hard work, I now have a full-time job, better pay and God is still providing.  Let me give this example.  Last week we planted our garden.  We planted beans, watermelon, cucumbers, zucchini,  and peppers.  Dad has planted tomatoes, lettuce, radishes.  God willing, between us, we will have an abundance.  Yesterday, Mike was out trimming bushes and our neighbor brought us 7 tomato plants, a bag of beans and some Miracle Grow potting soil.  He said to give back what we don’t use.  He and his wife are sweet and we enjoy them, but we didn’t expect this at all. 

This is my second week as full time and my first week without the unemployment.  We have relied on the little bit of money as gas money for three of us.  This week, we are hoping to make it through without it.  It’s been hard and Friday is payday, but God is keeping me calm and I honestly have faith that we are doing okay.  Allie is applying for jobs, so we are crossing our fingers, Mike is working a little overtime, and we are doing okay.  There are still bills to catch up on, some unexpected things that we need to deal with, but God has kept us under his wings, sheltered, fed and each need answered one way or the other.  For me this is a testimony of God’s amazing grace through Christ.  He does take care of you, you just have to be willing to accept the help as it comes. 

Thank you for all your prayers, thoughts, coupons and love.  We love you too and want to repay the kindness some day.  I hope I will see the opportunity when it comes along.

Belonging

 Romans 14:8

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord.  So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

We all want to belong.  We all want to be accepted.  Whether we kid ourselves or not, we want to belong somewhere.  Some people join every group they hear about.  Some people are more selective.  Sometimes it's the group that recuits, and sometimes, it is the group that is more exclusive in their members.  But God isn't like that.  All you have to do is follow God's commands, accept his free gifts, and you are in!  How easy God has made it to be a Christian.  He has always had the invitation there for you to accept, you just have to accept it.


I Have Decided To Follow Jesus
Lyrics:  Unknown


I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, no turning back.

2. Tho' none go with me, I still will follow,
Tho' none go with me I still will follow,
Tho' none go with me, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

3. My cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I'll carry till I see Jesus,
My cross I'll carry till I see Jesus;
No turning back, No turning back.

4. The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

Helping Out

Last night, I went to a band meeting for next season’s high school marching band families.  It was to inform everyone of what the band has been doing, what has been going on with us, and what to expect.  It was also to rally volunteers and donations.    As part of the boosters, we are all about the kids.  We are all about making sure the kids have what is needed to have a great time in band.

Isn’t this true of everything you are a part of?  We are happy to help out a great cause, but sometimes it seems that we only hear of those that keep asking.  I am trying hard to become more giving.  I am the one that seems to forget.  I forgot that the second Saturday of May was when the postal workers collect bags of food.  I forget to bring in food for the food pantry.  I need to change my ways. 

When you do not seem to know what to do, ask.   Your church has a lot of great causes, needs, and wants and you may be able to fill one of them.  Our church asks for one hour a week of studying God’s Word, one hour a week of serving, and one hour a week of fellowship (I think fellowship is including).  It’s easy to do the studying if you come to church and worship and hear the message.  It’s easy to serve if you are on a committee, a working in the nursery or help out at our food pantry.   Can you give 1 hour a month for your not your church, but for your God?  He will bless you more than you know.

Matthew 25:31 – 46

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. ”

 

Being Content

It’s a beautiful day.  The sun is starting to come up, the dew is on the grass and God is on his throne.  What more could we want?  We always want more, don’t we?  Sadly that is so true.  We are never satisfied.  We are always yearning for more.  We are always wanting to get ahead.  We are always thinking about the next big thing. 

I try hard not to worry about others and what they have.  For Mother’s Day, my husband asked me what I wanted.  I said, “I do not need anything.  I don’t want anything.”  He kind of got mad and said, “Well we need to get you something.”  No, they don’t.  Finally he suggested some vegetation for the garden.  Now that’s something I agreed to because in the end, we all will use and eat that.  There is nothing more I honestly want.  My family is pretty healthy, we are following God and He is taking care of us.  What more do I need?

Philippians 4:10 –  13

¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Maturity

Today, I was looking on facebook at people’s statuses.  Several people commented on the fact that it is their child’s last day of school.  “Where has all the time went?” is a question that seems to be asked.   It is amazing how quickly we go from being babies, to children, then on to adults.  Growth and maturity is important in a life.  As a mother, I know that I couldn’t have gone on with my children being babies forever.  They had to grow, learn and mature or I would die of exhaustion.  All those sleepless nights!

God wants us to mature in our spirituality too.  We start off as babes in Christ, learning that God loves us and that his son, Jesus died for us.  I didn’t fully understand this, but as an eleven year old, I did understand the yearning and importance I felt to be one of God’s adopted children.  I was raised in church and a Christian home, and I listened, knew the Bible stories, and understood enough to want to be saved from myself.

Now, 33 years later, I am a bit more mature in my spiritual walk.  I am writing this devotion, doing whatever God leads me to do, and still trying to study.  I have matured, but I never feel that I know enough, or even anything.  When my kids come to me with strange questions, I still sometimes say “Go ask Marty or Michael.”  Not that I feel like a failure, but I do realize I am not always understanding of some things God teaches.  I also think that God sends us through times of testing that make us stronger.  Our family has been going through something for the better half of a year, and I think we are pulling together, relying on God, and teaching each other how to be more faithful to Him.  It has not been just one thing, it has been several.  So keep praying for us.

^{James 1:2} Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 

These verses from James 1, are some I rely on a lot.  There is a lot of meat.  I love verse 6.  When you ask God for something, believe that he will give it to you in some way.  I know that sometimes he will tell us know, or not right now, but that is okay.  He always knows what we need more so than I do.  

Happy Mother's Day

It has been way too long.  I am trying hard to get back on track in a lot of areas of my life, and this is one that I have neglected for too long.  I hope that you will forgive me.  Life is too short and I really enjoyed writing and telling you my thoughts, so I am going to give it a go again.    I hope this blesses you.

^{2 Timothy 1:5} I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

I have a great mother.  She is firm, but gentle, patient, kind, supportive, yet stern.  No matter the circumstance, she always wants to make sure I am okay.  She worries more than she should, which, when I type it out seems strange because I am a mother too, but she worries a lot.  As strange as this sounds she has grown as a person, a Christian, and I enjoy watching her.  When I was a child, she was the first recollection of someone introducing me to Christ.  I remember sitting in bed and mom reading a bed time story to me, but it was a big book of Bible stories.  I loved looking at the pictures and seeing the wrath of God rain down on his people’s enemies, or the love Mary had for Jesus when she gave birth. 

As a mother myself, I try hard to see how she felt when she was raising my sister and me.  We all have similar experiences as parents, and I am thankful for that.  The bond between a mother and child gets stronger and sometimes it is fierce.  I love my mother and I thank her for her Christianity, and I thank God for how he chose her as my mother.  There is nothing like a mother’s love.  There is also nothing like a child’s love for their mother.  I hope you expressed your love and appreciation for your mom today or you remembered your mom who may have passed already.  The best thing you can do is honor her by telling your children and their children about her.