Home at Last by Deb Raney

The Lord of Heaven and Earth

Jeremiah 10:12-13
But God made the earth by his power;
    he founded the world by his wisdom
    and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.
When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar;
    he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth.
He sends lightning with the rain
    and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

Last week Tim and I stopped by Kroger to pick up groceries. As we drove around the parking lot to find a space, I looked into the field in front of the store. I was appalled. Litter tugged against the green sprouts of spring. Pop cans, food wrappers, and water bottles rolled around in the wind. Why on earth did anyone let that happen? I understand that sometimes a piece of paper might fall out of a cart or car. But good grief, it looked like someone dumped their trash out and let it fly.

God created an incredible place for us to live. The oceans, plains, mountains and the changing seasons. Spring should bring the beauty of the daffodils and forsythia, not garbage in the field. I appreciate God's creation and love being out in the woods or by the water. But mind you, I don't worship nature, instead I worship the Creator of all the wonders of the earth. The people in Jeremiah's time struggled with idols in nature. They bowed down to the sun and the moon. If any weather seemed like a threat, they thought they were being punished and shut down all their work to tremble in fear. But they had it all wrong. God gave us the earth and all the natural resources to use and appreciate. In turn, he expects us to take care of all creation. I thank God for this earth and pray we teach the next generation to take care of our world. Praise God for his creation!

Here is God of Wonder by Chris Tomlin. Love this song!

In the Palm of his Hand

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Batavia sits in a small valley surrounded by low-lying hills. Just enough hill to cause a cozy, tucked-in effect. But on Thursday morning, the atmosphere seemed anything but cozy. The radio called for thunderstorms and a threat of tornadoes. As I drove through the center or town I watched the sky. Dark clouds billowed toward our little town. As I moved west, the clouds pushed east. The sky darkened as the clouds rolled. Lightning lit up the outline of the hills after thunder crashed through the air. We were in for a deluge. As I pulled in to my parking spot and jumped out of the Jeep the huge drops of rain, that come just before a downpour, accompanied me to the door. After I entered the building, rain let loose and poured in sheets. The wind ripped through and shoved water across the parking lot. The storm arrived with no mercy.

Sounds like life, doesn't it. Except there are not always warnings. Instead the thunder and lightning of life takes us by surprise. Illness, death, loss of job, divorce, broken friendships, disappointment, and on the tempest rolls. It's heartbreaking. But in the midst of all the storms there's hope! My brother sings a beautiful hymn that reminds me of God and his love, "‘Til the Storm Passes By." The lyrics are a prayer seeking God's protection in the midst of turmoil. The vocalist asks God to hold him in the palm of his hand. And that's exactly what he does. He hears our cries and wraps his arms around us, lifts us up and sees us through. No matter how dark the clouds, or heavy the rain, God offers peace and joy on the other end. He is our hope in every storm. Praise God for his endless love and provision.

A Seed was Planted

A little over two years ago, the seed of a dream was planted into the heart of someone who saw the need to provide food for local children. Along with her husband and family, she took that seed and planted it in Clermont County. From that germ of an idea Empower Youth grew. And continues to grow.

photo by Lori Conley

The first time I heard Lori Conley speak, with compassion in her heart for children in poverty, I cried. To know that there are children who may not have a meal to eat or a pillow to lay their head on breaks my heart. Young people may be left to fend for themselves for any number of reasons. But they shouldn't have to go hungry, ever.

Tonight, Tim and I were blessed to stand beside other folks from the community and pack boxes of macaroni and cheese, juice bags, fruit cups, ravioli, crackers and various other food items into plastic bags. Each of the 385 bags will go home from school with a child, to provide a weekend meal.

That's not all. Empower Youth not only provides food, they also give a pillow with a pillow case to kindergarteners each school year. Plus they offer scholarships for summer camp.

To read more about empower youth go to their website at https://empoweryouth.me/about/ You'll find opportunities to volunteer, give, and encourage.

I'd love to see this program continue to grow and flourish. Please share this post so that more folks will know, and more will help.

"Empower Youth was founded in February 2015 to partner with children and youth in hopes of instilling in them the confidence and resources needed to break through the chains of generational poverty."

Children's Bible Review: The Jesus Storybook Bible, gift edition

Description:

The bestselling The Jesus StorybookBible, written by Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by Jago, is celebrating its phenomenal success with this beautiful clothbound gift edition. The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the Story beneath all the stories in the Bible. From Noah to Moses to the great King David––every story points to Jesus. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle––the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, as the Story unfolds, children will pick up the clues and piece together the puzzle. A Bible like no other, The Jesus Storybook Bible invites children to join in the greatest of all adventures, to discover for themselves that Jesus is at the center of God's great story of salvation––and at the center of their story too.

My Review:

Sally Lloyd-Jones has done a beautiful job re-telling many of the Bible's stories. I am impressed that she's written them for children without a lot of sugar coating. Often, Bible stories get watered down and children don't learn about sin or why Jesus died and was raised. Sally does a nice job and leaves room for parents and teachers to give more explanation. The colorful illustrations liven up the pages. I imagine children will love the color and characterizations of the Bible people. This would make a lovely gift for a child or a teacher of children. You might consider giving this book as a gift to students promoted in Sunday School or who have taken the step to accept Jesus as Savior. It would also be a great for family devotional time.  

Fiction Book Review: The Pattern Artist by Nancy Moser Description:

Description:
Born into a life of hard work, English housemaid Annie Wood arrives in New York City in 1911 with her wealthy mistress. Wide-eyed with the possibilities America has to offer, Annie wonders if there’s more for her than a life of service. Annie chooses to risk everything, taps into courage she never knew she had, and goes off on her own, finding employment in the sewing department at Macy’s. While at Macy’s Annie catches the eye of a salesman at the Butterick Pattern Company. Through determination, hard work, and God’s leading, Annie discovers a hidden gift: she is a talented fashion designer—a pattern artist of the highest degree. As she runs from ghosts of the past and focuses on the future, Annie enters a creative world that takes her to the fashion houses of Paris and into a life of adventure, purpose, and love.

My Review:

I love this book! What a treat to follow the young woman, Annie Wood, as she contemplates new adventures in America. Set in the early 1900s, I enjoyed Annie's journey through the events and turmoil of the times. Nancy Moser recreates the history of the time with a fascinating story and an excellent detailed setting. Annie meets an interesting array of friends. I just have to say, Sean is delightful! As a seamstress or "home sewer" I've made many dresses and outfits for my children and grandchildren. I've even made a wedding dress. All from patterns. So I found myself engrossed in the process and designers in the early 20th century. Whether you sew or not, this is a lovely story about interesting characters trying to make their way on the world. Along with the beautiful story, there's a bit of suspense that kept me reading. My favorite part of the book is the thread of faith and purpose the author stitches throughout. And I have to say, Sean is delightful!If you enjoy historical fiction or just a great story, I recommend The Pattern Artist. 

You Might be Surprised

Matthew 9:10-13

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus loves people. It doesn't matter who they were, where they came from, or their occupation. He took the time to sit down with the folks he met, get to know them and share with them--His Story. Yes, he talked to them about salvation because he loved them. Back in his day, tax collectors we're often cheaters who stole money for themselves from the collected taxes. They were pretty much low-lifes in the eyes of the community. And you can bet, the religious leaders of the day didn't bother to even say hello. Yet Jesus sat down at the table with Matthew.

Tax collectors weren't the only ones Jesus befriended. His disciples were a bunch of regular guys who were sometimes a bit clueless and smelled like fish. But he loved them and taught them about the new kingdom, his kingdom and his sacrifice. Then there were the women. Mary Magdalene had been filled with demons. Jesus cast them out of her, and she followed him. He loved children and protected them. He loved older people, sick people, and sinners. Jesus wasn't a push-over. He was a care-taker, one who wanted the best for everyone he met. And that best is salvation. So you might be surprised who the Lord hung out with. It wasn't the kings or queens, rabbis or teachers. Oh he spoke with them, too. But he spent his precious time on earth with regular people. Like you and me. And he still wants to, through us.

He invited regular old Joes and Janes to take up the cross and follow him. He included the lame, the lepers, and the dying into his fold. He healed and loved. Knowing how Jesus cared for people, how can I do any less? It's hard for me because I'm not exactly a people person, yet God puts folks in my path and says love them. With his help I do.

How about you? Who has Jesus called you to love? Who has he asked you to share his story with?