Let Freedom Ring!

 

“Proclaim liberty throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof."       

Those words from Leviticus 25 are inscribed on a bell we have come to know as the Liberty Bell, originally cast in the Whitechapel Foundry in East London, England, and now housed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

I’ve been something of a slacker in recent months about posting, but celebrating the 250th birthday of our nation seems a good time to share a few thoughts. July 4, 1776 was the date of the signing of our Declaration of Independence, and we celebrate that yesterday in spectacular fashion.

But our independence, our freedom, is about more than a one-day-a-year celebration. It's about more than picnics and parades. It's about more than fireworks and flag-waving and funnel cakes.

Our freedom as Americans is something to celebrate every day of the year, not just on one day in the middle of summer. It's something to be cherished and protected. It's something we must never take for granted, but continually be thankful for.  

Our freedom as Americans is a precious thing that must be guarded and defended. And just as the verse from Leviticus that is inscribed on the Liberty Bell reminds us, we must "proclaim liberty throughout the land"!

If that is true of our freedom as Americans, how much more is all that true of our freedom in Christ! Our freedom in Christ isn't something just to be celebrated once a week on Sundays, but to be celebrated and cherished and treasured and proclaimed every day! Because "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!"  (John 8:36 ESV)

"For freedom Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1 ESV)

"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."  (Romans 8:2 ESV)

[Jesus said] "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32 ESV) 

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  (Romans 6:23 ESV)

Free in Christ Jesus! Free indeed! Our freedom in Christ is not dependent on political parties or political correctness or political whim. That freedom is all and only in and through Christ Jesus! Free indeed!

Proclaim that freedom "throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof"!

What will you do today to proclaim liberty? To let freedom ring?

Keeping Christmas

 

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year.” 

 

That quote from Charles Dickens is one of my favorites. And it's a philosophy I wish more people would embrace.

 

For many, Christmas is but a memory. Gifts have been put away.  Gift cards are in wallets, ready to be used, if they haven't been already. The unwanted gifts have been returned, exchanged, or put away to be regifted later. The decorations have returned to their storage bins. In many homes, even the tree is gone.  

 

None of that has happened here. The tree and decorations are still in place. Partly because I would like to enjoy them a little longer. But also because there will be family here this weekend to celebrate. 

 

Still being surrounded by decorations is one way to keep Christmas in my heart. Remembering the joy of the season. The memories that come with so many of our decorations like. the nativity we purchased in Bethlehem. Keeping the memories close is one way to keep Christmas in my heart.

 

Pondering is another.

 

Ponder:  to consider something deeply and thoroughly; to weigh carefully in the mind; to consider thoughtfully.

 

The word ponder is not one that we regularly use in conversation, but we can find it in the Biblical account of Christmas.

 

"And coming in, [the angel Gabriel] said to her, 'Greetings, favored one! The  Lord is with you.' But [Mary] was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was."  (Luke 1:28-29 NASB)

 

"But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart."  (Luke 2:19 NASB)

 

Perhaps we need to follow Mary's example and do some pondering. To treasure Christmas in our hearts. Not just for a few weeks in December. But into January. And throughout the year. Let’s ponder Christmas. Let’s think on it deeply and often. That Christ left heaven for us to become one of us so that He could pay our sin debt. A debt He didn't owe. A debt we could never pay.

 

That's something worth pondering! And when we ponder that truth, we’ll keep our Christmas spirit!

 

As 2025 winds down and 2026 is on the horizon, I’m focused on that word. Ponder.  

 

Ponder.

 

Ponder all that Christ has done. Ponder His first advent and look forward to the second.

 

And, in the words of the hymn writer, ponder anew what the Almighty can do.

 

It's a good way to keep Christmas in my heart all year.

 

Praise to the Lord, Who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

(from "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" - Joachim Neander)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading and Remembering

I’ve been reading in the Psalms this summer. And we’ve been studying in the Psalms on Sunday mornings in our church. Our class studied Psalm 42 this week. It’s one of my favorites. Every time I come to Psalm 42, I remember.

Even if you aren't sure that it's the 42nd Psalm, you're probably familiar with it.

As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee......

I've been reading this Psalm for years. I've been singing these words for years. But they really came alive to me on a December Sunday morning at Ein Gedi, in Israel.

It was on that Sunday morning that I saw this:

 

 

 

These are ibex, the "deer" referred to in this Psalm. And as the photo indicates, they live in a dry, barren environment. There's not a lot of water there. The Dead Sea is in the background, but there's no drinking water there. Not even for an ibex. A deer could get pretty thirsty in an environment like this. As I think about that, and as I look at this picture, I ask myself just how thirsty I am.

 

Here in the Carolinas, we have a different kind of deer. And a different environment. A deer doesn't have to go far to get a drink of water. Even in the hot summer like we have experienced this year.

 

 

 

 

It occurs to me that the contrasting environments illustrated by these contrasting photos also illustrate a truth about Christianity in America today. We're surrounded by "water" in the sense that we have an abundance of opportunities for Bible study, an abundance of Christian books, Bibles in multiple translations, an abundance of opportunities to drink deep of the water of the Word. Yet the downward shift in our culture would make it seem that we are in a dry and barren land. Why is that the case? How did we get to this point? Is it because we have such abundance that we have become complacent? Is it that we just aren't thirsty enough? Something to think about.

 

But I digress. As I read Psalm 42 this week, I remembered. I first visited Ein Gedi when we traveled to Israel in 2010. We were at Ein Gedi on a Sunday morning, and it was there that we had our morning worship. As we sat there, watching the ibex, in this oasis in the desert, Dr. Wilton read Psalm 42. And so I will forever associate that Psalm with my memories of being in that place.

 

As I'm remembering, I also remember a conversation with Dr. Wilton on that same day. We were at Masada, just a few miles down the road. As our group was gathering to ride the cable car back down to the base of the mountain, the few of us standing there were having a chat. I remarked that I was on overload.  And I was! Sensory overload. Information overload. Just overloaded and overwhelmed by what I had already experienced. And we hadn't even "walked where Jesus walked" yet!

 

We had spent a few days in Cairo, Egypt, and then had journeyed through the Sinai, following the Exodus route. We had arrived in Israel the afternoon before. We had seen pyramids and papyrus. We had visited Christian churches in Egypt. We had been to Mt. Sinai. I was trying to remember everything, so afraid I would forget something. And I was just overwhelmed.

 

Dr. Wilton gave me some good advice that day. He said not to try to remember every detail. Just experience it. And then, he said, when you get back home you will never read the Scriptures in the same way again. When you read the Word, your mind will recall where you were and what you saw and what you experienced. You will see it all in a completely new way. He was right. I often remember that conversation. As I did this week when I read Psalm 42.  

 

But there's more to that Psalm than deer thirsting for water and the parallel to our souls thirsting for God.

 

Before he became king,  David was on the run. King Saul wanted to kill him.  And so David hid in a cave.  A cave at Ein Gedi.

 

 

 

 

 

Psalm 42 is not just about thirsting after God. It also contains these words:

 

"Why are you in despair, O my soul?  And why have you become disturbed within me?  Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence."               

(Psalm 42:5 NASB)

 

Probably no one is trying to kill you today. But you may be in despair for some other reason.

 

Perhaps the issue that troubles you is a health concern. Or a financial need. Or perhaps you've experienced a loss. If we could all gather in once place and share the burdens of our hearts, I'm sure there would be quite a long and varied list of issues.

 

But in all those situations, these words hold true, just as they did so long ago when this psalm was written.

 

Why are you in despair?  Hope in God.

 

That's an important truth worth remembering.

 

 

As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee.

You alone are my heart's desire, and I long to worship Thee.

You alone are my strength, my shield;

To You alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship Thee.

 

(-Martin Nystrom)

 



 

 

Backwards

 I came across this quote earlier this morning on Keith and Kristyn Getty’s Instagram feed.

“How we worship shapes how we see God, how we see ourselves, how we see our neighbor, and how we see the Christian life."

- Matt Boswell at Sing2025

I have to disagree with Matt Boswell. I think what he said is backwards.

The truth is this: how we view God shapes how we worship. When we have a high view of God, then not only is our worship properly focused, but we have a right view of others as well as a right view of how to live the Christian life.

However, when we have a high view of self or a wrong view of God (viewing God as we wish Him to be rather than as He is), our worship of God is distorted.

We need to think carefully before we blindly accept everything we read or hear, even from people whose work we admire. We must be careful to hold everything we read and hear up to the plumbline of scripture.

“……examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so.” Acts 14:11 NASB

Already?

Summer has two bookends - Memorial Day and Labor Day - and here we are. Heading into the Labor Day weekend when it seems summer just started yesterday! 

The signs of the season change are already evident. The crape myrtles that line my street are losing their blooms. The apple orchards are open. We're beginning to see pumpkin everything - Cheerios, pancakes, and coffee creamer, to name a few - everywhere we turn. I even had a pumpkin spice iced coffee this week! And it's time for some football! Go, Gamecocks!

I love September. There's a subtle change in the temperatures, which around here usually means mostly upper 80s instead of upper 90s. But hey, we'll take what we can get! And it’s the time when we move to lower humidity, a welcome change for us all.

All these signs point to one thing. It's time for fall, y'all!

I know fall doesn't officially make an appearance for about three more weeks. But turning the calendar page to September means it's that time again. Add in the fact that it’s the Labor Day weekend, and it's as good as official.  

Fall has arrived. The signs are everywhere. You can't help but notice.

There are other signs that are obvious as well.

"But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power."       (2 Timothy 3:1-6a NASB)

I'm certain you have noticed some of these things in our culture. They are just as obvious as cooler temperatures and football season.

A Time to Remember

 

The Memorial Day weekend is usually viewed simply as a kick-off to the summer vacation season. But Memorial Day is so much more than!

This is a holiday which has its roots in the days following the Civil War and which began as a way to honor and remember those who had died in that war. In those days, it was known as Decoration Day. Although in recent years it has been observed much like other patriotic holidays (Independence Day and Veterans' Day) as a way to honor all the men and women who serve in our nation's military, I believe it is important to remember why we have this particular holiday.  

 

This day is so much more than a day to honor the military, as important as that is. We have Armed Forces Day (the third Saturday in May) to honor those who are now serving in our nation's military. Sadly, unless you are part of a military family or you live in a community near a military base, you may not even be aware of this holiday. And we have Veterans' Day in November to honor all those who have served in our nation's military.

This holiday, Memorial Day, is a day set aside to remember those who have died in service to our country. To remember that freedom isn't free. To remember that all those who went off to war didn't come home. Memorial Day is a day to remember.

In places like Gettysburg and Vicksburg. At Bull Run and Bunker Hill. In faraway places like Normandy and Argonne. Korea and Vietnam. Baghdad and Mosul. Kabul and Kandahar. In all these places and many more, somebody died for you. Memorial Day is a day to remember that. Somebody died for you.

As you're celebrating Memorial Day with family and friends, let's remember.

This weekend, while you're enjoying your day off from work, or your day at the beach, or your barbecue, take time to remember.

Freedom isn't free.  

Remember.

Somebody paid the ultimate price so you can enjoy all these things.

Remember.

Somebody died for you.

Remember.


"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."  (John 15:13 ESV)

Remembering. And Grateful.

Much has been written this week about the life and ministry of Kay Arthur. I feel compelled to add my voice to the mix. But first a little background.

I was born to godly Christian parents. My godly grandmother lived next door. We lived in the shadow of our Baptist church, the church my grandfather had pastored until his death in 1949. I was in the cradle roll. I went to Sunday School, Training Union, Sunbeams, GAs, YWA’s, study courses, GA camp. I did the sword drills. If you did not grow up in a Southern Baptist Church, some of these things may seem foreign to you. But the bottom line is I had been taught to the Bible, I had read the Bible, I had memorized scripture.

As a young adult, I married a godly man and we made our home in West Columbia, South Carolina, his hometown. We were very involved in our local church. We taught teenagers in Sunday School. We taught preschoolers. I was very involved in music ministry, both in choir, leading children’s choir, and playing piano for worship. I attended Bible studies. I even led Bible studies.

But they’re always seem to be something missing. Like a missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle.

In my mid 30s, we moved across the country to Colorado. That was a culture shock certainly, and not just because of the weather. But one day I met one of my new neighbors, and she invited me to go to Bible study with her. I happily accepted. And I am eternally grateful.

That was my introduction to Kay Arthur and Precept Ministries. We were studying in Covenant. The course had already started so I was a couple of weeks behind, but I didn’t even care. I was so excited! I had found my place. I had found the missing piece. I had found my people!

In the study, not only did I learn so much about God and about his covenant promises, I learned how to dig out those truths from scripture myself. I learned to study inductively. I learned not to rely on commentaries and Bible teachers, but to let the Holy Spirit be my teacher. I learned to let the word speak for itself.

Over these years, I only had the privilege of meeting Kay Arthur face-to-face on a handful of occasions. Even so, Kay Arthur was my mentor. My mentor from a distance, if you will. I learned so much about the Bible from listening to her. I learned even more about how to study the Bible from listening to her. I learned how to teach the Bible.

As a result, I am a better Bible student. I’m a better Bible teacher. And I’m better equipped to help others learn the truths of God‘s Word for themselves.

Kay Arthur was a giant among women. But Kay would not want us to be calling attention to her. She would want us to be fixing your eyes on Jesus. She would want us to be pointing others to His Word. She would want us to be knowing God‘s Word.

As those of us who wish to honor Kay and her memory, may we be doing exactly that. May we be pointing others to Jesus. May we be fixing our eyes on Him. May we know our God.

“The people who know their God will be strong and take action.” - Daniel 11:32.     

Perception vs. Reality

 

When we lived in the mountains of Western North Carolina, we often woke to foggy mornings like this one. When I would look out the front windows, or when I stood on the front porch, on mornings like this, visibility was very limited. All I could see was shades of black and white and gray.  

Even though I knew there was a world out there, I couldn’t see it. 

 

Reality was this beautiful view on the other side of the fog. But I couldn’t see it. My perception was not my reality. It looked like I was cut off from the rest of the world. And if one of those foggy days happened to be a day when the internet was down, then I really did feel isolated. Cut off from the world. Because my communication channel was cut off. Most of the time, once the reset button on the router was pushed, communication was restored and all was well.

I recently read the story of Joseph Scriven. I was not familiar with Scriven's story, but I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. Joseph Scriven was an Irish poet whose fiancée drowned the night before they were to be married. Grieving deeply, he decided to move to Canada and begin a new life there. Out of this experience and several others, he penned these words:

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer.

 

What's the common thread here? What ties these somewhat disparate things together?

 

Communication. And perception. What it feels like isn't always reality. Feelings aren't always reliable.

 

Some days, like those really cloudy days in the mountains, or on days when I’m spending most of my time home alone, it feels like I'm cut off from the world. But I'm not.

Joseph Scriven felt deep despair. Yet in spite of that he learned deep truths about God and about prayer.  Truths which he shared with us by writing these words we have come to know as the hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

 

The reality is that, no matter the circumstances and no matter how I may feel, I can always communicate with my heavenly Father. On the clear days. On the foggy days. When the internet works. When it doesn't.  In the happy times. In the sad times. And in all the in between times. In all circumstances. About everything. About anything.  

 

The picture of fog reminds me of that this morning. It gave the illusion that I was completely cut off from the world, isolated and alone.  

 

But it's only an illusion. Perception isn't reality.

 

The reality is that I am never alone.The reality is that, regardless of circumstance, God is still God and He is still good.  And the reality is that I can communicate, through prayer, with the One who knows me best and loves me most. The same can be true for you. What a privilege! 

 

"Draw near to God and he will draw near to you."  (James 4:8 ESV)

 



A Favorite Picture. A Favorite Place. A Favorite Memory. And a Lesson Learned.

 

 

 

This is one of my favorite pictures. There we are, Al and I, just walking along with our group, yet completely oblivious to those around us. Strolling along, hand in hand, having a chat. No clue that a friend with a camera was snapping this photo.

 

It's one of my favorite pictures. And taken in one of my favorite places on earth, Jerusalem. We're just outside the Temple Mount, on the southern side. As we walk through the arches just ahead, and then make a left turn, we arrive at one of my favorite places in that favorite city, the southern steps to the Temple Mount.

 



This photo below, taken from the Mount of Olives, can put that into context for you. The walled area in the center of the photo is the Temple Mount. The Dome of the Rock is just out of the photo, to the far right just beyond the trees. The Southern Steps are there in the center, just outside the wall of the Temple Mount, just above a small clump of trees.

On each of our trips to Jerusalem, we have had opportunity to sit on those steps and worship. What precious memories I have of those times. Being in that place, very near where Peter preached on Pentecost and 3000 souls were saved (Acts 2:14-41). Hearing the Word proclaimed to us by our pastor in that same place. Praying there on those steps. Worshiping. Those are favorite memories indeed.

There's an important lesson to be learned from those Southern Steps up to the Temple Mount. You see, the interesting thing to me about these steps is that they are uneven. Some are wide, some are narrow, some are in-between. The result is that there would have been no casual skipping up the steps to worship at the Temple. The nature of the steps requires that the approach be slow and deliberate.

And therein lies the lesson. Have we become too casual in our approach to worship?  

Consider this quote from Oswald Chambers:  "If we have never had the experience of taking our casual, religious shoes off our casual, religious feet - getting rid of the excessive informality with which we approach God - it is questionable whether we have ever stood in His presence."

May we - may I - never be too casual, too hurried, in our approach to a holy God! This is the lesson of the Southern Steps.

"Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."  (Psalm 24:4-5 NASB)


"Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts."  (Isaiah 6:3 NASB

Originally published 2015 by www.susanssittingroom.com

Whiter Than Snow

Many of my friends love snow. Since we moved from the North Carolina mountains to the upstate of South Carolina, I have been asked many times if I miss the snow. My honest answer is, "no, I do not." But since there is snow in the forecast for the Upstate this weekend, it seems a good time to write about snow.

Snow is beautiful, but I have spent enough of my years living in very snowy places, with very cold temperatures, shoveling lots of snow. I have had enough. If I really want to see snow now, I can get out my photos and enjoy it that way!

I have a photo of my parents on my desk. One of Daddy's favorite hymns was Whiter Than Snow. The words of that old hymn say “Break down every idol, cast out every foe. Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

"Idols" to us here in 21st century America are rarely made of wood and stone. They are electronic. They are the time-stealers. They are our pride and our sense of self-importance. They are our ego. They take the form of good, rather than best, choices.

And so I am praying that the Lord will reveal anything in my life that has become an "idol" to me. Anything that takes His rightful place in my life.

I want my life to be as pure before the Lord as fresh-fallen snow.

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;

I want Thee forever to live in my soul;

Break down every idol, cast out every foe - 

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

 

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

 

Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,

Apply Thine own blood and extract every stain;

To get this best cleansing, I all things forego -

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

 

(-James L. Nicholson)

 

 

"Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me."

(Psalm 51:10)

 

It’s A Process

By this first week of January rolled around, many - perhaps most - people have packed away Christmas for another year. And there are others - like me - for whom it’s more of a process. Something not done all in one day, but spread out over time.

I went to physical therapy this morning as I have been doing twice a week since having shoulder surgery in July 2024. The surgery was extensive, and my shoulder had not worked well for a long time, so recovery is lengthy. It’s a process. A slow, steady, moving forward.

It occurs to me today that this idea of “process” is a picture of the Christian life. Just as after shoulder surgery I didn’t jump up off the table with a fully healed shoulder, neither do we jump from the point of salvation to knowing everything there is to know. Just as a baby is not born as a fully mature adult, but grows with proper nourishment, so do we grow as we are properly nourished in our faith.

How does this process take place? It’s through the process we often referred to as discipleship. Once we have committed our lives to Christ, we have become His disciples, His followers, His students. And we get to know Him, His character, and His ways, through the Word of God. We are nourished in the Word first with milk and then with meat, as we go deeper and deeper into our study and our understanding of the Word. This is what we think of as one of the disciplines of the Christian life.

Discipline is often thought of as an ugly word. A punishment word. But when it comes to our faith, discipline is that consistent and persistent commitment to the Word, of God to prayer, and to following the command of Scripture. It’s a process.

If you are not yet committed to that process, the beginning of a new year is a very good time to start. If you are a follower of Jesus, and have not yet committed to following Him closely through the study of His Word, please reach out to me. I’ll be happy to share some tools to get you started.

And if you are not yet a follower of Jesus, please reach out about that as well. I would love to help you get to know my Savior.

“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7b)

Normal

The holidays are over. We have taken the Christmas decorations down. Or at least we are in the process of doing that. In most places, school is back in session. This is the week things get back to normal. Whatever that means.

Normal may mean different things to different people. What is normal for me in this season of life certainly isn't normal for young mothers of preschoolers. And normal means something completely different to me in this post-stroke season of my life than it did before.

But for those of us who belong to Jesus, there are certain things that should be normal, no matter what our season of life.

Things like love. And joy. And peace. (See Galatians 5:22 for the rest of that list.)

If you have spent much time in the Old Testament book of Ezra, you will recall Ezra has something to teach us about normal.  

"For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel." (Ezra 7:10 ESV)

I read that verse this morning, over and over. I thought about that verse. I pondered that verse. I prayed over that verse.  

And it occurs to me that what Ezra had set his heart to do is what should be normal for each of us who belong to Jesus.

To study. To make a diligent effort to know the Word of God, what it says and what it means.

To do. To obey God's law. To do what God expects of us.

To teach. To be talking about the things of God, sharing them with others, leading others to join us in being obedient to God.

If that isn't our normal, perhaps we need to ask ourselves why it isn't.


What have you set your heart on today? Something to think about.


"I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget your word." (Psalm 119:15-16 NASB) 

Thoughts on a New Year

 

It's that time again! A new year. Time to take the old calendar off the wall and hang a fresh new one. Time for fresh clean pages the planner. It's time for a fresh start.

I don't know about you, but it seems to me this last year just flew by! Maybe it's a sign of getting older, but I can sometimes hardly believe how quickly time passes. Yet here we are again at the beginning of another year, and it's that time again - time for New Year's Resolutions. You know what I mean. We have convinced ourselves we need to make those ridiculous promises, the ones we make every year but never keep. Things like "I will lose 50 pounds by Friday" or "I will never allow anything chocolate to pass my lips ever again", or some other equally unattainable promise that will be broken before a week has passed.

Have you ever noticed how resolutions are often vague? I need to do better. I need to lose some weight. I need to spend less money. I need to read my Bible more. With all that vagueness, how can we ever know whether or not we have actually accomplished anything?

I am not a fan of New Year's resolutions. I am, however, a fan of setting goals and then determining a way to be accountable about those goals, with benchmarks so I can periodically mark my progress. That works much better for me than those pesky soon-to-be-forgotten resolutions. One goal for this year is focusing on health and good nutrition, with a plan in place to reach my goals in those.

As we begin 2025, I've been reflecting on the past year. I’ve been doing a lot of pondering, thinking about what I learned about God this year. About ways my faith has grown. About how disciplined (or not!) I have been in my Bible study. I'm pondering what God has done in my life this last year. And, to borrow a phrase from a familiar hymn, I'm pondering anew what the Almighty can do. 

A new year brings fresh opportunities to see God at work. To grow in my faith. To "discipline [myself] for the purpose of godliness." (1 Timothy 4:7) 

What about you? Have you thought about goals and plans for the new year? Having a plan in place, especially in the area of Bible reading, helps you stay focused. If you don't have a plan, there are a number of good plans available. I encourage you to read Scripture each day. Don't limit yourself to reading a devotional book. Read directly from God's Word. Read what God has to say, not just what others have written about it.

One of my favorite devotional books over the years as been My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Year after year I return to this book. This year I’ve traded in my well-worn paperback copy for a brand new leather-bound copy. And year after year, as a new year begins, I am drawn to this particular passage of Scripture, the passage with which Chambers begins the year:

".....my earnest expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death."  (Philippians 1:20 NASB

Hustle, Bustle, Hustle, Bustle, Got So Much To Do………

The title is a line I remember from a children's choir Christmas musical many, many years ago......Hustle, bustle, hustle, bustle, got so much to do!  Hustle, bustle, hustle, bustle, will I ever get through?  And on it goes.

Many are singing a version of that song during this season. There's the shopping to finish. And gifts to wrap. Groceries to buy. Plus all that baking to be done. And in between all that, there are all the regular tasks of life to deal with. It’s a busy time of year. I get a little overwhelmed when I look at my calendar with its lists if doctors appointments and physical therapy alongside all the other holiday busyness.

It's hard to think about peace on earth and silent night and all the rest in the middle of the busyness that is life during this season. 

But....in the middle of all this busyness and hustling and bustling, in the middle of all the chaos that life can be here in the 21st century.....isn't this the time we most need to step back, find a quiet place for at least a few minutes, take a deep breath, and remember.

Remember that night in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. Reflect on the events of that first noel. Rejoice that, even in the busyness of life, and even in the turmoil of our world, the One born on that night came to bring peace.  

When we let that truth wash over us, then we can be at peace even in the middle of the hustle and bustle.

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  (Isaiah 9:6 ESV)

This Scripture set to music:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN5BaOGTmGs

Didn’t See That Coming. Eight Years Later.

Today is my stroke-iversary. On November 15, 2016, life was normal. And the next day it wasn't.

Eight years ago, I had a brain hemorrhage. These last five years have been quite a journey.

There was the time in the hospital. I still have no memory of that.

There was thanksgiving dinner at Spartanburg Rehabilitation Institute, another thing I don't remember.

But things began to improve. My first clear memory comes from a few days after Thanksgiving. On that morning, I had a clear memory of a passage of scripture which I shared with Al and Brandon when they arrived. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in Thee."

That was my first clear memory. It stands out because, at that time, I couldn't speak clearly. I was wearing an eye patch because my eyes wouldn't work together. I couldn't read. I couldn't write. I couldn't always understand what was being said to me. Even so, God brought this verse very clearly to my mind. It got me through those days in rehab, and through all the days since.

From that morning forward, I made steady progress.

Eventually, I traded my eye patch for a new pair of glasses.

Several months later, I was able to teach Sunday School again. That was something I had never thought would be possible.

Since then, I've made steady improvement. When I finally graduated from speech therapy in May, 2017, my therapist told me I would continue to make improvement. I confess that I didn't really believe her. But she was right!

Since then, we have had some wonderful adventures! We have been able to travel.....

I've celebrated birthdays and Christmases and family vacations. I've even done some baking, which is a real accomplishment, since the stroke has left me very challenged with anything to do with numbers and baking requires accurate measurements. These years have been full of challenges. Of ups and downs. Of frustrations and discouragements. And of great joy. 

This has been quite a learning experience.

Learning to talk again.

Learning to read and write again.

Learning that even on that days when I struggle with those things, and I still sometimes do, God is still good.

These have been years of learning to trust.

Of learning to deal with my limitations.

Of learning that it's OK when I have to say no to some things.

Of knowing that even though I have limitations, God is still God.

God is still good.

God is still in control.

God has a plan and a purpose for all things.

Even for strokes.

I may not understand (I don't!), but that's ok.

Because God is God and I am not.

Because even in the valley, God is still God and He is still good.

Life is filled with good days and bad days, frustrating days, and encouraging days. These eight years have been years of learning and growing. It is an experience I certainly don't want to repeat, but I am thankful.

Thankful for all God has taught me, and is still teaching me, through this experience. Thankful for family and friends who have walked through this journey with me. Thankful for all the people who have prayed me through this experience.

I didn't see it coming. But it happened. And I survived.

I am a stroke survivor.

And it's all because of God's amazing grace.

"Now therefore, our God, we praise You, and praise Your glorious name." 

1 Chronicles 29:13 NASB

You’re Composing!

When I was a college student, one of the most dreaded hours of the week was Tuesday morning’s Sightsinging Class. Sometimes we sang as a group, but most often we were called on individually. Each of us was given a line from the textbook and a pitch, and then we were to sing the line correctly. A capella, of course. I can still hear Dr. Will saying, “Miss Austin, you are composing.”

Composing would have been fine in composition class, of course. But not acceptable in sightsinging class. This memory has often come to mind through the years, particularly on Wednesday nights in choir practice, and especially when there’s struggle over a section of music. I have often joked about it being “creative license”. After all, that sounds better than “mistake”. And I could often hear Dr. Will’s voice in my head. “You’re composing.”

Soloists often take some creative liberties with the music. (If you have ever heard a pop artist sing the National Anthem, you know what I mean.) But a choir, particularly when singing a passage in unison, has no such “creative license”.

Neither do we when it comes to the scriptures.

This afternoon, I am wondering how many of us are doing exactly that. Taking “creative license” with the Word of God. 

We do that every time we pick and choose the parts we like, and ignore the rest. Every time we quote it out of context. Every time we make it about us. Every time we misapply it. 

How that must grieve the heart of God. 

In order to avoid “composing”, we must read the Word. Study it. Read all of it. Not just the favorite parts. And read the Bible itself, not just books about the Bible. Not just devotional books. The Book itself. The whole Book.

Let’s stop composing. Let’s honor God by honoring His Word.

“Be diligent to present yourself to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 NASB)

Looking Forward

Almost 5 weeks have passed since I had shoulder surgery. These have been challenging weeks for sure. I had known it would be, of course, but really had no idea just how great a challenge this would be! Not only is there the pain that accompanies any surgery, but there’s the frustration of having to do everything with one hand. In my case, it’s the non-dominant hand. 

Since I am pretty much useless with my left hand, and since I’m not allowed to use the right hand/arm,  you can perhaps imagine my frustration. If not, just try having a shower using only your non-dominant hand, and that will give you a hint of what life has been like these last few weeks. Or you could just try eating with your non-dominant hand, or writing with your non-dominant hand.

Thinking about all the things that have frustrated me over these last few weeks has me also thinking about all the things I’m looking forward to. Certainly I am looking forward to being out of this sling. I’m looking forward to being able to wash and dry my hair. I’m looking forward to getting dressed without needing assistance. I’m looking forward to being able to use a pen or pencil. Which leads me to say that my husband deserves major props! He has learned to style my hair, has helped with mascara, and put in my earrings! If you see him, give him a pat on the back!

Yes, there are many things I’m looking forward to. But the thing I look forward to most has nothing to do with shoulder surgery, with rotator cuffs, or with bicep tendons. What I most look forward to is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. I look forward to seeing my Savior face-to-face. I have no greater anticipation.

Through these last few weeks, I have had much to be thankful for. I am thankful for a great orthopedic surgeon. I am thankful for a great physical therapist. I am thankful for family and friends who have been praying for me. I’m thankful for my husband who has taken such excellent care of me. 

But I am most thankful for the gift of Jesus. I am thankful for the gift of salvation. I’m thankful for the promise of Christ’s return.

And I am looking forward to His return with great anticipation!

“Looking for the Blessed Hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus…..” - Titus 2:13                                                                                        

A Time to Remember

 

 

We spent the beginning of this Memorial Day Weekend celebrating a grandson’s graduation from high school. Memorial Day is most often recognized simply as the kick-off to the summer vacation season. But Memorial Day is so much more than!

This is a holiday which has its roots in the days following the Civil War and which began as a way to honor and remember those who had died in that war. In those days, it was known as Decoration Day. Although in recent years it has been observed much like other patriotic holidays (Independence Day and Veterans' Day) as a way to honor all the men and women who serve in our nation's military, I believe it is important to remember why we have this particular holiday.  

 

This day is so much more than a day to honor the military, as important as that is. We have Armed Forces Day (the third Saturday in May) to honor those who are now serving in our nation's military. Sadly, unless you are part of a military family or you live in a community near a military base, you may not even be aware of this holiday. And we have Veterans' Day in November to honor all those who have served in our nation's military.

This holiday, Memorial Day, is a day set aside to remember those who have died in service to our country. To remember that freedom isn't free. To remember that all those who went off to war didn't come home. Memorial Day is a day to remember.

In places like Gettysburg and Vicksburg. At Bull Run and Bunker Hill. In faraway places like Normandy and Argonne. Korea and Vietnam. Baghdad and Mosul. Kabul and Kandahar. In all these places and many more, somebody died for you. Memorial Day is a day to remember that. Somebody died for you.

As you're celebrating Memorial Day with family and friends, let's remember.

This weekend, while you're enjoying your day off from work, or your day at the beach, or your barbecue, take time to remember.

Freedom isn't free.  

Remember.

Somebody paid the ultimate price so you can enjoy all these things.

Remember.

Somebody died for you.

Remember.


"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."  (John 15:13 ESV)

The Simple Life

 

I spent last week with 39 friends in Ohio’s Amish country. We saw some beautiful scenery, we visited many interesting sites, and we ate a lot [too much] delicious food.

One of the things that most often comes to mind when thinking about the Amish is their mode of transportation. Or perhaps it’s the way they dress. When I think about the Amish and Mennonites who live in Homes County, Ohio and other similar communities around the country, the word that most often comes to mind is “simple”. They live a simple life.

The Amish and Mennonite way is one of simplicity. Simple, good food. Simple clothes. Life without many of the things we might consider necessities in the modern world.

But beyond that, the Amish and Mennonite life is a committed life. Commitment to family. Commitment to God. Commitment to what they believe about God. What I observed in the Amish and Mennonite people is that they don’t just talk about what they believe. They are willing to be thought “odd”. They are not willing to compromise their beliefs for the sake of “fitting in”.

How does that compare with typical American Christianity?

I’m not suggesting we all suddenly become Amish. Or even Mennonite.

What I am suggesting is that we can learn a lot from them. About love of God and love of family. About healthy eating. About a healthy lifestyle of fresh air, fresh food, and exercise. About knowing what we believe and why we believe it. About not being willing to compromise those beliefs. 

Perhaps it’s time for us to slow down. To reevaluate what is really important. And to live in light of it.

Not only to talk the talk, but to walk the walk.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22 NKJV)

Out of Tune

 

In the years since I first sat on a piano bench in our living room and learned to play the brand new spinet piano my parents had purchased for me, I have had opportunity to play many pianos. Large ones and smaller ones. Brand new ones and older ones. Concert grands and small spinets.  

I have played in living rooms and practice rooms. In churches, large and small. In gardens and under tents. In grand concert halls and in much smaller venues. And even though I am no longer able to play as I once did, I am still aware that all these places and all these instruments have something in common. For a piano to sound its best, no matter who is playing it, it needs to be in tune.

When our younger son was about three years old, he began learning to play the violin. Although he has since abandoned the violin in favor of the guitar, I still have very vivid memories of those early days with his tiny violin. The first song he learned to play was Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, followed by five variations on that theme. From the beginning notes of Twinkle to the Bach minuets that came later, all of us within earshot of Brandon's violin learned early on the importance of an instrument that is in tune. In fact, I would venture to say that nothing sounds quite as bad as an out of tune violin!

Any musical instrument needs to be in tune to sound its best. The writer of the hymn Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing used that analogy in this hymn line:

"Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy praise."*

For us to live life the way God intends, for us to praise Him as we should, for us to be reflecting Jesus and letting our light shine for Him (see Matthew 5:16), we need to be in tune. Even in this culture. Even when the world seems to have gone crazy. Even when we don’t feel like it. Perhaps especially in these days.

The reality of life is that sometimes we are out of sorts. Out of tune. It happens because life happens. We are tired or insecure or frustrated. Our feelings have been hurt. We've been offended. We're discouraged. We're lonely. We're angry. We're sad. We're jealous. There are any number of reasons or events or emotions that send us over the edge, and those differ from person to person. And our emotions haven't been put on hold because of a virus. Perhaps they have been enhanced. What sends me into an emotional puddle and puts my life out of tune is likely different from what would do the same to you. But I would venture to say that we are all dealing with a roller coaster of emotions in these stressful days.

Especially since my stroke a few years ago, I sometimes find myself a bit out of sorts. Out of tune. And it happens more often than I remember it used to. Perhaps it's all part of the natural course of things following such a major trauma. Perhaps it's the fatigue that is part of stroke recovery. Perhaps it's the frustration when I can't remember things or when I get words jumbled up or when I can't do what I was once able to do. Whatever. The reality is that sometimes I'm out of tune. And since cancer entered our world, it’s even more true.

You may find yourself out of tune as well. It may be because of never-ending viruses or cancer or for some other health issue. It may be an entirely different reason. The circumstances of my life are not the same as yours. You may be out of tune because of a personal relationship. Because of a different health concern. Or a financial difficulty. Maybe you lost your job or your spouse was laid off. Maybe there's an issue with one of your children or your grandchildren. Maybe you were falsely accused of something. Maybe someone you thought was your friend turned out not to be. Maybe your best friend is being anything but friendly. 

There are as many reasons for being out of tune as there are people. Perhaps more. We all have different life circumstances. We all respond differently. 

Whether we have a major meltdown or we are just a bit out of sorts, the reality of life is that from time to time each of us is a bit out of tune. When those times come, and they will, what are we to do?

1. Read and Remember.

I am a big advocate for writing things down. (I have always been a big believer in writing things down, but especially in this post-stroke season of my life when remembering is such a challenge.) Writing down your prayer list. Writing out your prayers. Keeping a gratitude journal and writing down all the reasons you have for being grateful. These out-of-tune-times prove the value of those lists. When you are out of tune, when you are discouraged, when you are frustrated, when you feel you've hit rock bottom.......these are the times you get your journal out, not so much for writing as for reading. In these out-of-tune-times you read back through your lists and you remember.

When you refresh your memory with all the good things about your life, with all the ways God has blessed you, and with all the good things that have happened to you, then you are encouraged.  Reading the list helps you remember God's goodness to you. When you remember how good God has been and remember all the ways He has blessed you, your focus is turned away from your negative circumstances.

"This I recall to my mind, and therefore I have hope.  The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning.  Great is your faithfulness."  (Lamentation 3:21-22 NASB)

2. Change your focus.

Often we are out of tune because we are spending so much time thinking about everything that is wrong with life. Maybe we are spending too much time thinking about this virus! Or about politics. Or about the economy. This focus only causes us to be more out of tune. Turn your focus away from yourself and your circumstances, and toward God. This requires a deliberate act of your will. Choose to think differently. Choose to change your focus. Think about God, about His character and His ways. Think about the names by which He is called in Scripture. Make a deliberate effort to focus your attention toward Him and away from your circumstances.

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith."  (Hebrews 12:2 NASB)

3. Talk about it.

I don't mean talk about it to your friend or your neighbor or to the entire social media community.  Rather, I mean talk to the Lord about it. Tell Him exactly how you feel, and why. Pour out your heart to Him. In the words of the old hymn, "Are you weary, are you heavy-hearted?  Tell it to Jesus."**

Spending time in prayer, being honest with God, is the best way I know to get your heart back in tune.

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

4. Choose joy.

Make a deliberate choice, as an act of your will rather than your emotions, to choose to be joyful in spite of your circumstances. It may take a while for your circumstances to change. Just like a piano, the more out of tune your life is, the longer it will take to tune it. But no matter how long it takes for circumstances to change, and even if they never do, choose joy.

Make the choice. I've often heard Kay Arthur say we should "Philippians 4:8" everything. It's good advice.

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."  (Philippians 4:8, NASB)

Remembering and refocusing and talking to the Lord always helps get me back in tune. These are the things I'm doing today to get myself back in tune. If you're feeling a little out of tune today, I'm praying these suggestions will help get you back in tune, too.


"Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  (Hebrews 4:16 NASB)


 * Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing:  words, Robert Robinson; music, John Wyeth
**Tell It to Jesus:  words and music, Edmund S. Lorenz