Sometimes There Are No Words - Part 7

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised."  (Psalm 48:1 NASB)



Note:  This is the last in this series.  Today is the day movers come and load our furniture onto the truck as we transition back to South Carolina.  I will only have limited internet access for several days, but look for a new post from my new home sometime next week.

Sometimes There Are No Words - Part 6

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come?  My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth."  (Psalm 121:1-2 NASB)

Sometimes There Are No Words - Part 5

"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray.....and he shall hear my voice."  (Psalm 55:17 KJV)

Sometimes There Are No Words - Part 4

 

 

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."  (Psalm 143:8 NIV)

Sometimes There Are No Words - Part 3

"From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised."  (Psalm 113:3 NASB)

Sometimes There Are No Words - Part 2

"Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest.......morning by morning, new mercies I see."  (from "Great Is Thy Faithfulness by Thomas O. Chisolm)


"The Lord's compassions are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."  (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Sometimes There Are No Words

 

"The heavens declare the glory of God."  (Psalm 19:1 KJV)


Note:  As we prepare to move away from these mountains in just one more week, I'll be sharing some favorite photos with you.  This one may be my all-time favorite!

Yellow Kitchens and Other Random Memories

originally posted November 13, 2012. 

I recently read a blog post in which the writer referred to her yellow kitchen.  Sorry, but I don't remember where I came across it so I can't give credit.  That blog post triggered a trip down memory lane.  You see, in our very first house, long years ago, our kitchen was yellow.  A sunny yellow.  I don't remember why I chose that color back then, but I'm glad I did.  It was a cheerful room and I loved it!  And, of all the kitchens we have ever had, it was one of my favorites, probably because it was sunny and bright, but also because it had LOTS of cabinets!

Here in our log home, our walls are sort of yellow as well.  The actual color is "Hepplewhite Ivory", but in actuality, these walls look a lot more yellow than ivory.  (In much the same way that the walls in the office downstairs look a lot less "Queen Anne Beige" and a lot more pink!)  This is a much softer yellow than that kitchen was long years ago.  But I love the color just as much.  It's a warm, happy color.  An optimistic color.  It makes me smile.

Thinking about this kitchen and our first kitchen, and all the kitchens in between, has me thinking about all the places we have lived.  All the houses and apartments that became "home".  All the friends we have made along the way.

All that moving around required some adjustments here and there.  Adjusting to different climates.  To different accents and speech patterns.  To knowing whether a Coke was really Coke or pop or soda.  To knowing whether to call a shopping cart a cart or a buggy or a trolly or a wagon or a basket.

Life has turned out differently than I once envisioned it.  Even so, it has been a wonderful adventure and I am so very grateful!  Grateful for all the stops we've made along our journey.  For all the places we have lived.  For all the people we have met along the way.  For friendships.  And for yellow kitchens.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits."  (Psalm 103:1-2 NASB)

Never Alone

As we begin this last full week in this house, I confess to you that I am weary.  Physically weary, certainly.  The task of getting all our belongings into boxes has definitely been physically challenging.  The task is almost done, and for that, I am very thankful.  My energy level is very low these days!

I'm weary of gray skies.  I'm longing for bright sun and blue skies.  This will apparently not be the day for that, since the weather forecast calls for thunderstorms throughout the day.  In fact, it has just begun to rain again. Sigh.

And I'm mentally and emotionally weary.  My mother-in-law is back in the hospital, this time with a broken hip.  This is her third hospitalization in as many months.  In February there was back surgery followed by rehab.  In March, she became ill due to dehydration and was hospitalized again, followed by another trip to rehab.  On Saturday afternoon she fell at home and is back in the hospital, with surgery to repair her broken hip scheduled for this morning.

Moving is hard.  Dreary weather is hard.  Parenting the parents is hard.

Life is hard.

Of course, in spite of what many popular TV preachers would tell you, there is no promise in Scripture that it will be easy. 

The blessing is that we don't have to deal with life's challenges alone.  Certainly we have family members and friends who walk through these difficult times with us, and who offer us their love and support.

The even greater blessing is that we are never alone.  These words to an old gospel hymn, written many years ago by Ludie D. Puckett, affirm that.

 No, never alone, no, never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
He’ll claim me for His own;
No, never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.

And whatever is dragging us down today, we can "cast all [our] cares on Him, because He cares for [us]. (1 Peter 5:7)

We can face whatever comes our way because we know that we are not alone.  "I am with you always", said Jesus (Matthew 28:20).  He is interceding for us. "He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."  (Hebrews 7:25) And the Holy Spirit is interceding for us as well.  "The Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."  (Romans 8:26)

No matter how weary you or I may be. No matter what we have to deal with today. No matter what might be dragging us down.  Those are precious truth to cling to.

Because we are never alone.

"Blessed be the Lord who daily bears our burdens."  (Psalm 68:19 NASB)

The End Is In Sight

As I type, I'm surrounded by boxes.  And there's a stack of empty boxes nearby waiting to be filled.

One of the hardest parts of this moving experience is these boxes.  Those who know me best understand that I'm a person who thrives on order.  Who likes a place for everything and everything in its place. A person who does not deal well at all with chaos and clutter.  Having everything out of its place has been a real challenge for me.

When a moving company comes in to do your packing, your house is clean and tidy, and they come in for a day, or perhaps two, to put all your things into boxes to be loaded on the truck the following day.

However, when you are doing your own packing, it's not quite like that.  It's days, and weeks, of doing a little packing every day.  More and more things going into boxes.  More and more disorder.  That's how things are around here right now. 

There's a physical weariness that comes with all this packing.  But the mental fatigue of all these boxes and disorder is wearing on me far more.

The good news is that the end is in sight!  And for that, I am ever so grateful.  Grateful that soon we will be leaving this house and moving into our new one.  Soon things will be in their proper places in their new location.  Soon this will all be a memory.

Until then, I need to stay focused.  Not on the chaos and the clutter, but on the task at hand.

In many ways, this is a picture of life.  Life in this world is full of chaos and clutter and disruption and stress.  Full of all sorts of distractions.  And we need to stay focused.  Not focused on the stress and disruption and disorder.  But focused on Jesus.  Focused on the tasks He has called us to.

Because the end may well be in sight.

"You shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth"....and after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.....and [two men in white clothing] said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky?  This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:8-9, 11 NASB, emphasis mine)

Another Gray Day

It's another gray, gloomy morning. Several days of gloom have passed since we last saw the sun. I often find it hard to stay positive and upbeat when I'm surrounded by such grayness. Perhaps you could say the same.  Right now the fog has settled in here on our mountain and looks as though it might never lift.

However, I am reminded that if I never experienced some of this gloom, I would not really appreciate the beauty of the sunny days. I would probably just take them for granted. If I were never in the valley, I couldn't fully appreciate the view from the mountaintop. And as I look around, I am reminded of how many reasons I have for giving thanks, even on a gloomy day. I'm in a warm, comfortable home with a good cup of coffee. I have good music, good books (even though they are all in boxes right now!), my Bible......and on and on I could go! I'm making very good progress getting all this stuff packed up, and in just two weeks, we will be waking up for the first time in our new home.

So, actually this is a very good morning. Life is good.

A little fog can't get me down!  And it won't be gray forever.  Eventually, we will once again see this glorious view.

There's beauty on the other side of the gray.  We just have to wait for it.




"The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were not limitations to overcome. The hilltop would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse." - Helen Keller

A Progress Report

These are busy days.  Lists to make.  And then to check.  And check again.  Phone calls.  Forms to be signed.  In the middle of it all, there's the packing.  Boxes everywhere.

And the questions.  So many questions!  One of the most frequently asked questions, at least asked of us, is "are you packed yet?"  The short answer to that question is no, we're not packed yet.  Followed by we're working on it!


It seems like a good time for a progress report.  To answer some of the questions we are being asked these days.  And to remind ourselves of just how wonderfully well this process has gone - and is going - and just how amazing our God is!

Just over a month ago we accepted an offer on our house here in the mountains.  And since then, life has been a whirlwind.  It seemed to us that we had been waiting forever for that offer.  In fact, the house had been on the market just a few days short of one year.  This time.  We had been wanting to sell it for several years, and had listed it in prior years with no success. 

But God's timing is always perfect, and we got our offer.  And we learned a lot about waiting.

"Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him."  (Psalm 37:7 NASB)

Just five days after we accepted the offer on this house, we made an offer to purchase a house in Spartanburg.  That offer was accepted a few days later.  Since then, life has been a whirlwind of inspections, carpet and appliance selections, decisions, and packing.  Boxes, boxes, and more boxes!  Taking stuff to Goodwill.  Hauling off garbage.

We are now living out of suitcases.  Literally.  We gave our bedroom furniture to our son and DIL, so all the drawers had to be emptied out before it went to live at their house.

We're surrounded by boxes.  The hardest part of the packing - the kitchen - is about halfway done.

Yesterday we rented a U-Haul and took a lot of "stuff" to the storage unit we have rented in Spartanburg.  As had been the case a couple of weeks ago when Brandon came over to get the bedroom furniture, there was an "issue" with the U-Haul rental.  This time, when we went to pick up the truck, the sign on the door said "open" but no one was there, and the woman who runs that particular facility doesn't answer her phone and doesn't return calls.  That added frustration to a day that was already pretty frustrating, since loading and unloading in the kind of downpour we had yesterday is not an easy thing.  In any event, we drove over to Micaville, and once again got a truck there.  (Thank you, Johnny Riddle!)  It was a bigger truck than the one we had reserved, but he let us have it for the price of the smaller truck, so we were able to take more stuff to Spartanburg.  Of course, that meant all the stuff wouldn't fit into the unit we had already rented, so we rented a second, smaller, unit for a month to hold the overflow.  What a day! 

When we got to Spartanburg, it was still pouring rain.  Even so, with many thanks to our good friend Cathy, we got everything unloaded.  We were soaked and looked like drowned rats by the time we were done!  The truck was emptied and returned, we had a good supper at a local fish camp, we purchased a rug for the new house, purchased a new (dry!) shirt for Al, and headed home, exhausted, but satisfied with the progress we had made.

There are more forms to sign.  More boxes to be packed.  But in less than two weeks it will all be done!  Then we can begin the process of settling in to our new home.

As I have been reflecting on all this today, I'm amazed at how much has been accomplished in such a short time.  We had waited a long time for the house to sell, but once it did, things have been moving at quite a pace!

It's awesome, really.  I know that is an overused word, but it seems appropriate here.  When I think that just over a month ago, we were so discouraged because the house hadn't sold, and then I think of how quickly everything has happened since then, I am overwhelmed.  Awesome doesn't even begin to describe it!  This whole process has been awesome because God is awesome!  And He is in control.  His plan is perfect.  His timing is perfect.  And His mercies are new every morning.

I stand amazed!

"The LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."  (Lamentations 3:22-23 NASB)

 

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not,
As Thou has been, Thou forever wilt be.

  Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars, in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

CHORUS
 Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,
 Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

(Thomas O. Chisolm)

Listen to "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNZS5H9aNlY

In Everything

Originally posted November 6, 2013


"In everything give thanks."  (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB)
In everything.  In all things.  However, you want to phrase it...

No exceptions.  There are none of those phrases we want to add to the end of the verse.

It doesn't say  in everything except.......

Except cancer.

Except when I lose my job.

Except when I run out of money.

Except politicians.  Or government-run health care.  Or when I don't like election results.

Except when my friend or my spouse or my son or my daughter or my best friend hurts my feelings.

Except any of the other things you might be able to think of. There are no clarifying phrases at the end of that sentence.

In everything.

Everything means everything.

It's pretty clear.

Note that the verse doesn't say anything about feeling thankful.  This is not about an emotional response to circumstances.  The verse says to give thanks.  That involves the will.  A deliberate choice to give thanks, not because I feel like it but in spite of the fact that sometimes I don't.

Give thanks.  In everything.

Today might be a good day to start.

"If we win, we praise Him. And if we lose, we praise Him. Either way we honor Him with our actions and our attitudes." (from the movie "Facing the Giants")

"In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."                           (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB)

Casting

Do you love to fish?  Or do you know someone who does?

I fall into that latter category.  Fishing is not something I have any desire to do, nor something I really know anything about.  All I know about fishing I learned from watching other people fish.  Nothing I know about fishing is based on personal experience.

Casting, for example.

I have never cast my line out into the water in hopes of catching a fish.  But I have watched it being done.  By my husband.  And my sons.  And my grandsons.

 

 

What I have observed about casting is that it does not mean just dropping the line into the water right at your feet.  Casting means flinging that line as far out into the water as you can.

 

Perhaps that's the picture Peter was painting for us when he wrote these words:

 

"Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."  (1 Peter 5:7 NASB)

 

All your anxiety.  All your cares (KJV).  All your worries.

 

Casting them on Jesus.  Flinging them on to Him.  Not dropping them by your feet where you can pick them up again! 

 

Are you casting your anxiety on Him or are you holding on to it?

 

Something to think about.

The Rock

Last week was a challenging week.  In addition to the weariness that is part of the getting ready to move process, there was bad news on several fronts that was wearying to my spirit.  A precious friend was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I learned of two other situations involving people who are very dear to me in which each of those individuals was badly treated.  Add to that the usual week's worth of this person is sick and that person is having a financial struggle, and all the life events that happen in any given week, and it was quite a load to bear.

As I was thinking about all these things over the weekend, I remembered the rock in our front yard when we lived in Gales Ferry, Connecticut.

What does all this have to do with a rock?  Quite a lot, actually.  You see, this wasn't just any rock.  It was a large rock.  A giant boulder firmly planted there in our front yard.  I would share a picture with you, but it has already been packed away!

One of my assignments during my seminary studies was to write a paper on selected verses from Psalm 62.  I used that rock as an illustration in my paper.

That very large rock was quite a landmark.  In fact, I would often use it when giving directions to our house.  Just go down Pheasant Run Drive until you see a two-story green house with a giant rock in the front yard.  No one ever had trouble finding our house!  All because of that rock.

It was probably as tall, or taller, than I am.  Its top surface was large and flat.  Several adults could easily sit on top of that rock, with plenty of room to spare.  It would be a good place for a picnic, if you didn't mind having to crawl up the sides with your food!

When I remember that rock, I am reminded of Psalm 62.  When I read Psalm 62, I remember that rock.  And when times are tough, I remember them both.

In case Psalm 62 isn't one of those you can call immediately to mind, here are few verses to help you understand what I mean:

"My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken."  (Psalm 62:1-2 NASB)

"On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God."  (Psalm 62:7 NASB)

That rock in Connecticut was large.  Steadfast.  Immovable.  Unshakeable. No matter the storms, that rock was not going anywhere.

These verses, and others as well, remind us that our God is a rock.  The rock of strength.  The rock of our salvation.  He is our rock, our anchor, our shelter in times of storm.  He is steadfast.  Immoveable.  Unshakeable.  And just like that rock in Connecticut, He's not going anywhere.

Especially during weeks like last week, during tough times, during challenging times, we need that reminder, don't we?

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge."  (Psalm 18:2 NASB, emphasis mine)

Where do I go when there's nobody else to turn to?
Who do I talk to when nobody wants to listen?
Who do I lean on when there's no foundation stable?
I go to The Rock,I know He's able
I go to The Rock.

I go to The Rock of my salvation;
I go to the stone that the builders rejected.
I run to the mountain, and The Mountain stands by me.
When the earth all around me is sinking sand,
On Christ, the solid rock I stand;
When I need a shelter, when I need a friend,
I go to The Rock.

(-Dottie Rambo)

 

 

Listen to "I Go to the Rock" here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoJroh25HXA

Perspective

When I have looked down from the front porch to these burning bushes on the ground below, all I have really noticed was how green they are getting.  That's a sure sign that spring has arrived, and that makes me very happy!

Yesterday afternoon, however, I saw them from a different point of view.  I walked out the basement garage door and stood next to these bushes and realized they are taller than I am.  I had no idea they had grown so much!

When these bushes were planted, shortly after we moved into this house in 2006, they were no more than a foot tall.  They are now much more than that!  But I had no idea they were so tall when I looked down on them from the porch above.

Isn't that often the case in life as we look at situations and circumstances?  We don't always have the right perspective to see things as they really are.

Thankfully, our God always has the right perspective.  He always sees everything from all its angles, from beginning to end.  He sees the big picture.  He has everything under control, and He knows what He's doing!

Oh, that we would see things from His perspective!

"Open my eyes that I would behold wonderful things from Your law."  (Psalm 119:18 NASB, emphasis mine)

It's a Journey

Three weeks from today we will wake up in our new home.

What a journey this has been.  Listing this house for sale.  Waiting.  And waiting.  And waiting some more.  Wondering if these "lookers" will become "buyers".  Thinking yes.  Then no.  Then maybe.  Then disappointment.  And then waiting some more.  Until finally the right ones came along.  What a journey!

Over these last months, and particularly in the last few weeks, I've been asked a lot of questions.  Where are you moving?  When are you moving?  Why are you moving?

The where is to Spartanburg.  Back to our home state.  Back to the city of my birth.

The when is now obvious.  In less than three weeks.  At the end of this month.

The why is a bit more complicated to answer.  Not that we don't know the why, but just that it's a rather lengthy answer.  There are a number of reasons why we're doing this.  But the bottom line answer, the this-sums-it-all-up answer, is that we are moving because this is what God is leading us to do.

We are following where God leads.  As we have done for all these years. 

That following has led us on a journey around the country.  A journey that has not always been easy, but that has been so worth it.  A journey of obedience, because many years ago we made a commitment to follow wherever the Lord would lead us.
Because we said wherever He leads, I'll go.

When we said that all those years ago, we had no idea where our journey would take us.  To the Rocky Mountains.  To New England.  To the Upper Midwest and the frozen tundra of Minnesota!  To the beauty of Florida.  To these mountains.  And now back to where we started.

What a journey!  But whether or not we had lived in all these different locations, life would still be a journey.  Full of beautiful scenery.  With some smooth, straight roads.  And some narrow, winding roads.  And some potholes.  Some hills to climb.  And then coast down the other side.

Life is a journey.  Full of all kinds of interesting adventures.  A journey of laughter.  And of tears.  Of days that are busy, full of hustle and bustle.  And days that are quiet.
With some sickness and some health.  And some better and some worse.  Some richer and some poorer.  It's all part of the journey.

And throughout the journey, for those of us who know and love the Lord, He is working all things together for our good. (Romans 8:28).  For our good and for His glory.

All because we have made a commitment that wherever He leads, I'll go.

 

"Take up thy cross and follow Me,"

I heard my Master say;

"I gave my life to ransom thee;

Surrender your all today."

Wherever He leads, I'll go;

Wherever He leads, I'll go;

I'll follow my Christ who loves me so;

Wherever He leads, I'll go.

 

(-B.B. McKinney)

Sometimes

Sometimes I'm a chatterbox.  And sometimes not.

Sometimes words flow freely when I sit down to write.  And sometimes not.

Sometimes I have no words.

Sometimes it's because the beauty in front of me takes my breath away and leaves me speechless.

Sometimes it's because I've received some really good news and am overwhelmed.

But sometimes it's because the news is not so good.  And I have no words.

Sometimes it's bad news.

Or a bad diagnosis.

Sometimes I'm afraid.

Sometimes I'm confused.

Sometimes I'm hurt.

Sometimes.

Sometimes there are no words.

At those times, I'm really thankful for all the times, all those years ago when I was a child, that I memorized a lot of Scripture.

At those times, the Lord brings those Scriptures back to mind.

And they bring comfort.  And peace.  And hope.

Because sometimes I have no words.

And I remember the Word.

I remember that "when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You."  (Psalm 56:3 NASB)

I remember "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  (Psalm 46:1 NASB)

I remember "But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.  I was crying to the LORD with my voice, and He answered me from His hoy mountain.  I lay down and slept; for the LORD sustains me."  (Psalm 3:3-5 NASB)

I remember "I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears."  (Psalm 34:4 NASB)

I remember "The LORD is my shepherd."  (Psalm 23:1)

Do you see a pattern here?  I love the Psalms.  And when I'm afraid, or when I need comfort, or when I'm troubled, it's to the Psalms that I go most often.

Because sometimes, I have no words.

Trusting Jesus. That Is All.

I haven't been able to get that old hymn out of my head this morning.  Trusting Him whate'er befall.  Trusting Jesus, that is all.

The countdown to moving continues.  Three weeks from yesterday our furniture will be on a truck.  I'm already surrounded by boxes, but there's still much yet to be done.  And an extra dental appointment got thrown into the mix yesterday.  I went in to get some cavities filled.  But, one tooth which had old fillings in it that needed to be replaced just couldn't be filled any more.  There wasn't enough tooth left!  So, I needed a crown.  The prep work was done yesterday while I was there, and another dental appointment was added into my already very busy schedule so I can get the permanent crown into place.  I really don't have time for that, so I'm just trusting that I can get everything done.

Yesterday was a rainy day.  A front was moving through.  That's never a good thing for a person with RA, and I was unusually stiff yesterday.  Sitting in one position for the nearly two hours I was in the dentist chair did not help my stiffness, and this morning I'm paying a price for that.  This morning I'm trusting that my usual remedies will work so that I can get on with the tasks of the day.  Like packing some more boxes!

Times are tough right now for a lot of people.  If you aren't in the middle of a tough time, you probably know someone who is.  People are worried and stressed and fearful and feeling uncertain.  About all sorts of things.

People are dealing with health issues of various kinds.  A bad diagnosis.  Facing tests.  Waiting for results and fearful of what the diagnosis will be.  Trying to navigate insurance challenges.

There's unemployment.  And underemployment.  And nervousness about just how long the job will last.  And if it will be long enough.  Wondering when the next round of lay-offs will come.  Worry that the job won't last until retirement.  Concern that when retirement comes, there won't be enough money.

There are bills to pay.  And too much month at the end of the money.

There are broken relationships.  There's stress and anger and frustration.

How do we deal with it all?  How do we get through the tough times without falling completely apart?

We adjust our focus.  Instead of fixing our attention on the circumstances, we fix our attention in a different direction.  Look up.  Follow these admonitions from Scripture: "Fixing our eyes on Jesus....." (Hebrews 12:2 NASB);"Thou wilt keep him [or her] in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee."  (Isaiah 26:3 KJV)

We remember.  Remember who God is.  Call to mind aspects of His character.  Make a list of all the times and all the ways He has come to your aid, all the blessings He has showered on you.  Remember how He has never forsaken you.  "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."  (Psalm 103:2 ESV)

We trust.  We fix our eyes on Jesus.  We remember who He is and we remember all He has done.  And we trust that He will continue to do that. Because "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."  (Hebrews 13:8 ESV)

You likely are facing a different set of stresses today than I am (unless you're also in the process of moving!).  But no matter what the circumstances of your life are today, no matter how stressed or upset or worried you might be, rest today in confident assurance that God is in control.  None of your situation comes as a surprise to Him. He knows.  He cares.  And He's got it all under control.  "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."  (Romans 8:28 ESV)

 



 "Simply trusting ev'ry day, Trusting through a stormy way;

Even when my faith is small, Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly, Trusting as the days go by;

Trusting Him whate'er befall, Trusting Jesus, that is all."

 

("Trusting Jesus" - words, Edgar Page Stites; music, Ira Sankey)

 

The Rest of the Story (Updated)

"Christ died for sin, once for all, the just for the unjust, in order to bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit."  (1 Peter 3:18 NASB)

 Christ died.  For sin.  For my sin.  For your sin.  For the sin of the world.

But He didn't stay dead!  That's the good news of Easter.  Christ died.  But Christ is risen!

Friday tells us that the sacrifice for sin, once for all, for all time, was made.

Sunday tells us that the sacrifice was accepted.  The work of redemption is complete.  It is finished! 

It. Is. Finished.

We celebrated that on Sunday.  We sang the songs of resurrection.  We worshipped.  We rejoiced.  We spent time with family and friends.  We had a wonderful day.

And now Easter is over. 

Or is it?

Is "Easter" ever really over?  Do not we who are Christian celebrate Resurrection Day every day of our lives?  Is this not the best thing that ever happened to us? 

Or will we treat it as something we have now celebrated and have done with for another year?

Think back to that Resurrection Day.  Think on each of the encounters people had with the risen Lord.  

Mary Magdalene met Jesus in the garden, early in the morning while it was still dark      (John 20:1-18).  Once she recognized Him, what did Jesus say to her?  "Go tell my brothers." (John 20:17)

Matthew's gospel tells us about the women who came to the tomb.  There they met the risen Lord, and He gave them an instruction.  "Go tell my brothers."  (Matthew 28:10)

Mark's gospel says, "Go tell......"  (Mark 16:9)

Luke tells us that after the women had gone to the tomb and realized the body of the Lord was not there, "they remembered His words, and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and all the rest."  (Luke 24:8-9)

Luke also tells us that Jesus spoke to the disciples, saying, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things."  (Luke 24:46-48 ESV, emphasis mine)

Do you see the pattern?  An encounter with Jesus.  Learn of the resurrection.  "See" Jesus, and then what?  Go and tell!

The disciples did exactly that.  Once they knew that Jesus was risen, they told everybody!  They went throughout the known world, telling the good news that Jesus was alive.  They had a message to share, a commission to share it, and they did exactly that.

What about you and me, here in the 21st century?  We too are "witnesses of these things"!

The message is the same.  Jesus is alive!

The commission is the same.  Go and tell. 

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."                        (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV)

Go and tell.  That's how we continue to celebrate Resurrection.  But as you are going, and as you are telling, be sure to tell the whole story.

Christ has died.  Christ is risen.  Christ will come again.

That's the "rest of the story", as Paul Harvey used to say.  Let's be sure to tell that part!

"[Jesus said] I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also."  (John 14:3)

Important - But Often Overlooked

Yesterday began as most Sunday mornings have for the last few years, with a stop at Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  After we had finished eating, and while Al was paying for our breakfast, I went to the ladies' room.  As I was washing my hands, I looked at myself in the mirror.  Something just didn't look right.  And then I realized what it was.  I had not remembered my earrings!  Fortunately, Cracker Barrel sells earrings.  Some rather nice ones, in fact.  So, I purchased a pair of earrings to complete my ensemble, and we went on to church.

Earrings are not the only things I'm having trouble remembering these days.  One of the challenges of moving is remembering all the details.  Call this person.  Schedule that inspection or that delivery.  Remember that you need to make that purchase.  Lots of details.  It's overwhelming.  So much to remember.

Remember.

It's an important word.  But one we often overlook.  Remember is a word we don't often remember!

As we celebrated Easter, that word was a part of our Life Group lesson.

"Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but has risen.  Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise."  (Luke 24:6-7 ESV)

"And they remembered His words."  (Luke 24:8 ESV)

That word came up again in the pastor's message.

"When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken."     (John 2:22 ESV)

Remember.

That's an important word.  An important lesson for us, wouldn't you agree?

Remember.

It's easy to follow Jesus, to serve Him, to be joyful, when everything in life is good.  When there's plenty of money in your checking account and all the bills are paid.  When you're healthy.  When there's no stress.

We tend to get forgetful when things are not going so well.  When the bills are piling up.  When there's too much month and not enough money.  When there's sickness and stress and anxiety and worry.  When relationships are strained.  When we're worried about our job.  When life happens.

But it's at those times that we most need to remember.

In the immediate context of the passage in Luke, the angel is telling the women not to be worried because the body of Jesus is no longer in the tomb where they expected to find it.  Remember what He said.  Remember that He told you He would rise from the grave.  Remember.

There's a broader application for us as well.  Here in the 21st century, just as back in the first century, we need to remember what He said. 

He said He would rise again.  And He did.  He said He will come again.  And He will. We need to remember that.  We need to continually remind ourselves of His words.  We need His words written on our hearts.

How do we do that?  By taking time to be in the Word.  The written Word of God is a great gift for us, and we need to treat it as the great gift that it is - the written revelation of God.  We need to read it.  To study it.  To treasure it.

Knowing the Word, being able to call it to mind, remembering the Word, takes more than a few quick minutes here and there.  It takes time.  We must be intentional about spending time in the Word.  Intentional about reading it.  Intentional about studying it. Intentional about committing it to our memory.

Then, when life gets tough, as it inevitably will, we can remember.

Remember.

It's an important word.  One that is far too often overlooked.


"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."  (Psalm 103:1-2 ESV, emphasis mine)

A Question to Ponder: What If?

It's a good time of the year for pondering.  This Saturday between Crucifixion Friday and Resurrection Sunday is a good time for some deep thinking.  Some pondering.

What does it mean to ponder anyway?  It means, according to dictionary.com, "to consider something deeply and thoroughly; to meditate; to weigh carefully in the mind; to consider thoughtfully."  

Exactly what is it we need to be pondering?

A well-known hymn calls us to "ponder anew what the Almighty can do."   Certainly that's worthy of pondering.

But here on this Passover Saturday between Crucifixion Friday and Resurrection Sunday, there's something else to be pondered.  We ponder not just "what the Almighty can do," but what He has already done.  This is a good time to ponder what has been done for us. To ponder the price paid for our salvation.

How many times have you gone to the grocery store with shopping list in hand, only to leave the store without purchasing some of the items on that list?  You didn't make the purchase because it cost too much.

You went to the mall and found a dress or a pair of shoes you loved.  But you didn't make the purchase.  It cost too much.

Have you ever stopped to think about - to ponder - how different things would be if that's what Jesus had said?  What if, when confronted with the price He would have to pay for our salvation, He had said "no, that costs too much.  I won't pay that." 

Have you ever stopped to think about - to ponder - exactly what it cost Him to purchase your salvation?

As we are celebrating the resurrection, it's a good time for some pondering.  Think about - really think about - ponder - the price that Jesus paid.  For you.  For me.

As you're making your preparations, and shopping for new clothes, and doing your grocery shopping and cooking and baking, and planning your table setting, don't miss the most important part of Easter.  Don't forget the price He paid.  And why He was willing to pay it.

Where would we be?  What if He had said no?  What if He had said it cost too much?  What if?

"He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; he was despised and we esteemed him not.  Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed."             (Isaiah 53:3-5 ESV)

"Then Jesus said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death.......' and going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'"  (Matthew 26:38-39 ESV)

"For Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God."  (1 Peter 3:18 NASB)

Turning the Page

It's a new day.

In a new month.

A fresh page on the calendar.

As you turned the calendar page this morning, did you stop to think about what a gift this is?

A new day.  In a new month.  A fresh start.  A gift.

For the past fifteen years (or perhaps longer), this plaque has had a place in our home.

The verse begins God has given me another day.

And it goes on to list some of the gifts that are a part of this new day:

-to hear the wonders He has spoken
-to see the beauty of His face
-to enjoy the pleasure of His company
-to walk the pathways of His grace
-to know the delight of His promises
-to fulfill the desires of His heart
-to discover the treasures of His love"


And the last line sums it all up:  What a day this will be!

As we turn the page on a the calendar and begin a new month, that's my prayer for you.
That you will realize what a gift this new month is.  That you will walk the pathways of God's grace this month and delight in His promises.  That you will discover the treasures of His love.

A new month is a gift.  A new day is a gift.

May we all accept this gift of God's grace and use it for His glory!

"So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom."
(Psalm 90:12 NASB)